Lakers vs. Minnesota

[Andrew]

If ever there was any doubt, the Lakers should hang on to Kareem Rush in the expansion draft.

I absolutely agree, Kobe's future is in danger as a Laker & as a professional, for instance Rush should be a perfect choice to replace him and if given the same chances Kobe got in the past, Rush might take advantage & become a great player.

I'm not sure if you're being sarcastic here, but that's not what I was implying at all.

If ever there was any doubt, the Lakers should hang on to Kareem Rush in the expansion draft. We shouldn't get carried away and hype him as a better or more significant player than he actually is, but a championship team needs a guy who can have a surprising performance every now and again (eg Steve Kerr on the 96-98 Bulls). At the very least, the Lakers should repay his heroics by keeping him around a little while longer; I'm pretty sure they will after Game 6.

I'm not saying he's a superstar or a suitable replacement for Kobe (at least, I didn't mean to imply that). I just think that flashes of brilliance suggest a young player is worth holding on to for a little while longer.

[Steve04]

Thank You Andrew.

Kareem Rush is nowhere near as talented as Kobe. Is he talented? Yes. Does he have Kobe's killer instinct? No. Is he a good role player who could turn into a legit #2 option on a horrible team? Yes Indeed. What the Lakers need is for Rush to develop into a reliable #3 or #4 guy they can count on delivering on a consistent basis.

[scubilete]

I'm not saying he's a superstar or a suitable replacement for Kobe (at least, I didn't mean to imply that). I just think that flashes of brilliance suggest a young player is worth holding on to for a little while longer.

Of course, I'm not saying he's a superstar either, nor a suitable replacement for Kobe at the moment, I just said if he gets the opportunity & takes advantage of it, he might become a great replacement in case Kobe leaves.

I've seen the same problem with MJ fans, that's the problem now with Kobe's fans, all of them believe other players can't become as great as those... Now it's worse cause we didn't have all the talent we have now, but they see players getting that good and they just keep the idea nobody can become that good, we keep getting players out of nowhere developing & becoming great superstars but they want to ignore it & insist nobody can get there.

Ohhh, but then if someone says those players can become great players, that's being sarcastic or the guy is just crazy. You guys can stay with the opinion that nobody can be like Mike or Kobe, I'll keep my opinion.

Is he a good role player who could turn into a legit #2 option on a horrible team? Yes Indeed.

And into a #1 as well, let's not forget who was Zach Randolph 3 years ago, was he someone? NO. Is he a superstar? Yes. Is portland a horrible team? hmmmm, didn't make the playoffs but that doesn't make them horrible. Our beliefs over the capacity of players becoming & developing is very different. I do believe anyone who gets in the NBA is talented, I do believe anyone who get in the NBA can become a great player if they work their game. I do believe anyone who gets the same opportunities others got can do as good as those who did it in the past. Trying to deny that is plain ignorance since we have seen it before and we will keep seeing it.

[Jackal]

I think I should keep out of this, but you all know me, Mr. Know It All.

I agree with Steve on this one, Rush could become one of those players a la Jermaine O'Neal & Zach Randolph.

What Rush needs is opportunity, which he could get with Kobe's departure. All Kobe fans got pretty offended at the comment saying Rush could subsitute well for Kobe. Alot of guys on this forum who are Laker fans, are Kobe fans first. (Not talking about Sebastian here, the rest, if you feel offended, you know where the PM button is.)

If Kobe Bryant decides to leave, balls. I don't give a rat's ass. He can go to anywhere he feels like it. The Lakers have to move on...they wont sit around moping this boy wonder left the team. No, the next step would be to look for a substitute. Talking about Tracy McGrady is all nice and fun, but seriously I doubt it will ever happen. Yeah yeah, alot of people doubted Malone + Payton signing...yeah how about not hoping on a miracle like that to happen anytime soon. The best player to subsitute Bryant's large ego..whoops...shoes, let's use the word shoe's..would be Rush. Given the playing time, he could become a good, maybe even a great player. Who knows? We have to give him the chance before we can say "No, never, ain't happening, nu-uh, neva"...isn't that what MJ fans did when Kobe Bryant was labled the future star? *shrug* Not every NBA player his hyped beyond imagination...some guys like Randolph & O'Neal come silently, sit around...and suddenly break out. Now these guys are stars...wtf, how'd that happen? Yeah, they were given a chance to blossom.

Heh, look at all you guys getting all sentimental saying he cant be a Kobe...

See similarities here? "Kobe is going to be good given he gets the chances to prove himself" MJ Fan says: "Are you crazy kid? He's just some highschool kid, he might be good but not great, naw never..not happening"

Yeah, given the opportunity I say Rush will be good, maybe not GREAT, but he will be good.

Oh, and to all that actually doubt what Seb said, it's pretty much true, I've spoken to him during many laker games and we've always spoken about how much he likes Rush, as do I. Seb just doesnt believe Rush could be as good/great as Kobe...that's fair, alot of MJ fans didnt think Kobe would be as good/great as Kobe is. Rush won't be the next MJ or Kobe Bryant, if he does break out (which I do think he will given the chances and proper guidance) he will be Kareem Rush. Just Kareem Rush.

Hey, I haven't even seen this 18 point performance yet...I do look forward to it though.

[Andrew]

Ohhh, but then if someone says those players can become great players, that's being sarcastic or the guy is just crazy. You guys can stay with the opinion that nobody can be like Mike or Kobe, I'll keep my opinion.

I'm sorry, I misunderstood what you were saying in your original post. My mistake.