L.A. Lakers - 96-97 - Abruptly Ended Yet Again - Assistance?

[antho]

You might not have been around then.. you might have been born, but not following basketball.. but sometime, somewhere in the life of every basketball fan they hear a story about a player from the 1996 NBA Draft class, a class that gave the basketball world the likes of Allen Iverson, Ray Allen, Steve Nash, Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Stephon Marbury, Marcus Camby, Derek Fisher, Antoine Walker, Jermaine O'Neal, Peja Stojakovic, Ben Wallace.. and last but not least, the at the time high school sensation, Kobe Bryant.

Now, we might be in 2010, but have you ever wondered, "What if?" ? Have you ever wondered what would have happened if say, Ben Wallace didn't go undrafted? If the basketball world knew of Kobe Bryant's future talents, would the Sixers have taken the Philly native first overall instead of Iverson? What if one of these future all-stars had their rookie contract traded? What if Stephon Marbury's career went a little differently? What if the Bulls never had their second three-peat? Who would be the most dominant team in the NBA? If any of these happened, who would take the throne that Jordan would leave after his retirement? All these questions, can never be answered. This is the beauty of the NBA. The potential, the future MVP's, the future All-Stars.. we don't know what they look like, because we can't measure potential.

I welcome you to exactly how my take of the post-96' NBA Draft season would have went, under the control of the Los Angeles Lakers, I invite you onto a journey where I go back in time and take control of a team with one of the most dominant centers ever to play the game and what some people claim to be the heir to the "Jordan" throne.

I welcome you to the 96-97 Los Angeles Lakers.

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Thank you to clarkmylove for his 96-97 Retro Mod for 2K10

[antho]

Roster:

Center: Shaquille O'Neal
Power Forward: Elden Campbell / Robert Horry
Small Forward: Glen Rice / Chuck Person / Jerome Kersey
Shooting Guard: Kobe Bryant (Rookie) / George McCloud / Byron Scott / Voshon Leonard
Point Guard: Tim Hardaway / Derek Fisher (Rookie)

Injury Reserve:
C - Travis Knight (Rookie)
PF - Corie Blount
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Trades / Signings:
Los Angeles Lakers acquire Glen Rice || Charlotte Hornets acquire Eddie Jones & Sean Rooks
Los Angeles Lakers sign Chuck Person on a 1 Year/$5.8 Million Dollar Contract
Los Angeles Lakers acquire Tim Hardaway & Voshon Leonard || Miami Heat acquire Nick Van Exel & Larry Krystkowiak

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Archives:
Opening Post
Roster/Trades/Signings/Archives
Shaquille O'Neal Article / Kobe Bryant Interview / Charlotte Bobcats Expansion Team
Lakers acquire Glen Rice from Charlotte Hornets for Eddie Jones/Sean Rooks
Lakers Starting Five Photoshoot
October 27, 1996 - vs. Clippers @ Home
Los Angeles Lakers sign Chuck Person
October 30, 1996 - vs. Mavericks @ Home
Lakers acquire Tim Hardaway/Voshon Leonard from Miami Heat for Nick Van Exel/Larry Krystkowiak
NBA - Around The League #1

[antho]

Breaking News!
Shaquille O'Neal signs $121 Million Dollar, 6 Year contract with Los Angeles Lakers!

Shaquille O'Neal today has left the team that drafted him first overall back in 1992, the Orlando Magic for the up and coming Los Angeles Lakers. Shaquille signed a 6 years/121 Million dollar contract with the Lakers, guaranteeing him a place on the team for years to come. The 24 year old, 4 year pro was quoted to have said "I love Orlando, and I love the Magic.. but playing with the Lakers has been a dream of mine. Kareem, Wilt, Magic, Worthy.. I want to be a part of what they were a part of, but just, you know, bigger.. and sexier. Oh by the way, now that I'm in L.A., I'd like to be known as Big Hollywood. Welcome to Los Angeles, Land Of Shaq Angeles." Some sports writers have taken this quote as an egotistical remark from the center, however many people in the industry including the Los Angeles Lakers organization have taken this quote as a sign of humour and happiness from fact that he will be playing in a Los Angeles Lakers uniform from the 96-97 season.

13th Overall Pick, Kobe Bryant talks on NBA and future

Reporter: So Kobe, tell the basketball world what it's like to have been drafted straight out of high school?
Kobe: Well.. it's amazing. I feel like my talents can work on this level, I know I'm young, but I think I can make it work.
Reporter: How does it feel knowing that you were traded before you even played your first NBA game?
Kobe: In a way, it feels good. It makes me feel that I'm wanted and the fact that they traded Vlade Divac, who's a vet' in this game makes me truly believe that they believe in my skills.
Reporter: You were the best high school player in the country, tell what that was like for you?
Kobe: It was great, I loved the high school competition and I loved gaining that award. There is some pressure though, being the best in the country and one of the youngest players in the draft puts a lot of expectations on you. I hear the words "potential" and "drive" nearly everytime I hear my name mentioned. One thing I want to say to those people, is that you can't measure heart.
Reporter: So where do you see yourself in five years?
Kobe: Hopefully, one of the top players in the NBA. I'm not going to lie, I want to be the best. I want to do what people like Magic, Bird and Jordan do AND did.
Reporter: What's it feel like knowing that you'll be playing with Shaq next year?
Kobe: Oh it's awesome. I've seen Shaq play so many times on TV, he's a freak. He can just take off the backboard at any given moment without warning. It's phenomenal what that man can do on the court.
Reporter: We've just gotten word from coach Del Harris that because there's a lack of talent at the small forward position, Eddie Jones has been given that starting position and you're expected to start at shooting guard. Your thoughts?
Kobe: I'm striving to be the best. You can't be the best from the bench, you got to work your way up the ranks and start, and then become a leader. I know I'm not a leader yet, I hope to grow into one, I hope to grow into a champion. I'm going to work my way up the ranks, and one day you'll see me up there with the rest of the legends.
Reporter: Last question. What do you see happening to yourself by the end of this season?
Kobe: I hope to see myself helping a team in the playoffs, and hopefully with the Rookie of the Year as well, but you know I have competition for that. Iverson, Allen, Camby, Marbury, Rahim.. not to mention Derek haha, yeah me and Derek are close. When you're in the NBA and you're a rookie you have to stick together, cause' you know that hazing isn't going to get the vets' to be your friends haha.
Reporter: Thank you for the interview Kobe. Good luck this season.
Kobe: No problem, any time.

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Breaking News! NBA announces second team in Charlotte!

The NBA have announced a second team to be based in Charlotte other than the Hornets. The team known as the Charlotte Bobcats will be seen as an expansion team and it's 96-97 Season roster will comprise of talent from Free Agency. The current team consists of:

Center: Jon Koncak / Jim McIlvaine / Jon Amaechi
Power Forward: Anthony Cook / Kenny Gattison / Marques Bragg / Doug Edwards
Small Forward: Anthony Bonner / Sherell Ford / Chris King
Shooting Guard: Jeff Malone
Point Guard: Vincenzio Esposito / Vernon Stackhouse

Due to the team being relatively unknown, brand new, and a lack of chance to make the playoffs, hardly any major or well known free agents wanted to sign with the team. None the less, welcome to the NBA, the Charlotte Bobcats.

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Sorry for having to include the Bobcats, but they're in the game and I can't take them out. Luckily, this is called the "What if" association, so What if there were two teams in Charlotte

[kibaxx7]

Can I post? Great idea. I thought of doing something like that, but then I thought of the draft classes... didn't like the fact of being in, let's say, 99/00 season and all generated players. Then I saw some retro draft classes released and never got into it. Good luck, will be following!

[Martti.]

Hate the team choice, but the B-Scal stuff was funny as hell, so good luck!

[Murat]

Good luck with that one.

phpBB [video]

I love 97 Lakers because of this one.

[Alejandrov011]

Damn... Kobe sucked in that game. That weren't even bricks! They were UFO! ^^

[antho]

Lakers acquire Glen Rice from Hornets for Eddie Jones and Sean Rooks!

Tonight, on the eve of the 96-97 Season, the Los Angeles Lakers in need of a small forward traded Eddie Jones and Sean Rooks for Charlotte Hornets star Glen Rice. Rice gives them a great scoring power and a great outside shooter. People believe the reason for the trade of Eddie Jones being the fact that they have acquired young starlet Kobe Bryant in the 1996 Draft and Sean Rooks due to a log-jam at the Power Forward position.

Rice was quoted to have said "This is a great move for me. I can't wait to play with people like Shaq, Campbell, Van Exel and that amazing kid that was drafted by our team but TRADED to the Lakers, Kobe Bryant. Mind you, I've seen that kid play in high school, I told Hornets management not to trade him, but well, I guess I'm playing with him either way so that doesn't matter. I hope I can teach him a thing or two and help him develop.". Coach Del Harris has informed the Lakers organization that Rice will start at small forward, with Kobe still occupying his starting shooting guard position.

[Martti.]

You're sure going all out to beat MJ and Pippen.

[antho]

I really can't wait to play the Bulls. I want to match up Kobe with Jordan, hopefully bust out a good game. haha

Thanks for reading though Martti.

[Justine.]

Sorry to see your B-Scal go. It was been super hilarious. I like the idea now, good luck, though I hate the Lakers, but I love Glen Rice!

[Lamrock]

You should edit Scal into the 1997 draft!

[antho]

You should edit Scal into the 1997 draft!

Haha, I'll think about that. But don't worry. Shaq will have some epic comedy coming out of this story. Long live Shaq daddy. haha!

I'm going to play the first game tonight. Vs. Clippers

[dare]

If it's the Lakers then I love it already

[Mark.]

Awesome idea dude, this will be cool if you can get some good draft classes to import going forward.

[antho]

Lakers Starting Five, Photoshoot.




Next Game vs. Los Angeles Clippers @ Home

[antho]

October 27, 1996
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Los Angeles Clippers

Tonight was the first game of the season for both the Lakers and the Clippers and only one team could leave victorious in the battle of Los Angeles. The latest addition to the Lakers squad, Glen Rice whom was acquired in a trade involving Eddie Jones and Sean Rooks begun the game with 16 points in the half. Kobe Bryant made some rookie mistakes however managed to fix them up with some terrific fourth quarter shooting which complemented his 17 points, 4 rebound, 3 assist night nicely. Clippers Point Guard, Darrick Martin was the main threat tonight for the up and coming Lakers team. Martin ended the game with 14 points and 8 assists, these numbers may not seem to be the best, however in the midst of the 2nd half Martin stepped his game up from a 0 point, 0 assist first half and nearly took the lead several times. Shaquille O'Neal was dominating in the low post, scoring 24 on 12 for 16 shooting, he also managed to get 9 rebounds and a block. One of the main reasons for the Lakers winning this game would be their phenomenal defense, orchestrated by Elden Campbell who had 6 points, however also managed to block 5 shots, steal the ball twice and obtain 8 rebounds. The star of the night was Glen Rice, whom finished the night with 29 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 block.

Los Angeles Lakers Player of the Game:
Glen Rice | 29 Points | 2 Rebounds | 3 Assists | 1 Steal | 1 Block | 14-17 Shooting
Los Angeles Clippers Player of the Game:
Darrick Martin | 14 Points | 3 Rebounds | 8 Assists | 7-12 Shooting


Rookie Sensation, Kobe Bryant dunking on Malik Sealy | Newest Laker, Glen Rice throwing it down | New Signee, Shaquille O'Neal with a vicious slam

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Next Game vs. Dallas Mavericks @ Home

[J@3]

This looks really cool. That Bobcats team is horrific though

[Bucket]

Malik Sealy Great patch. Back to past, great debut by Kobe.

[antho]

This looks really cool. That Bobcats team is horrific though

Haha, I did that on purpose. Just so that next season, they can get the best chance of the #1 and actually one day become a competitive force haha. Bad thing is I can't find at 97 Draft Class, so I don't think there will be any Timmy and co. in the next draft, just generated players. Oh well, this is the "What if" association after all, what if post-96 none of the current NBA players came to the NBA

Malik Sealy Great patch. Back to past, great debut by Kobe.

Kobe destroyed him haha, he scored 6 points !

[antho]

Lakers fill void at backup Small Forward with former Spurs outside threat, Chuck Person

The Lakers have added more outside shooting to their team after signing former San Antonio Spurs Small Forward Chuck Person on a one year deal worth $5.8 Million Dollars. Sources state that Chuck Person will be the sixth man of the Lakers squad and also slots in well behind new addition Glen Rice in the rotation. The Lakers were short of a quality back-up Small Forward and Sixth Man and managed to fill the void in their line up with the 31 year old. Person was quoted to have said "This is great news, I hope to contribute immensely for the Lakers. I'm glad to be on a team with players like Glen Rice and [Shaquille] O'Neal."

[hova-]

That is so cool, makes me wish I could play on PC. There are actually old school rosters on PS3, but only generated faces drive me mad. We need a way to import faces on PS 3 like Pro Evo Soccer has.

[antho]

Just so you guys know, I'm doing one more one game recap (against the Mavs) then doing weekly recaps from then, just doing this so that I can get into November and then yeah. I might have the game up by tonight, I think I'll play it now

[Lamrock]

Very cool idea. Congrats on defeating the cursed Clippers.

[Murat]

Are you using Eddie Jones?

I fail.