Shaq to the Heat

[Jay-Peso]

In AI's situation it was that they had people, but they traded them because AI can't play well with other people that need the ball.

So they were actually there, they just got traded.

This could very well be the case with Bryant.

Imagine he doesnt get along with Odom, won't they trade away Odom?

Crawford, you're welcome.

I sure hope not

I like Odom a lot!

[Steve04]

I hope Kobe stays, but if he goes it will be just what Kupchak and Buss deserve. Ala Jerry Krouse and Riensdorf in Chicago. WHY BREAK UP A CHAMPIONSHIP CONTENDER!!

[Jackal]

I'd laugh myself silly if that happens. It is in fact what they deserve. Morons, all of them, morons.

[matmat8]

I think you're forgetting the players are for something too in breaking up the team.
If Kobe AND Shaq were intelligent enough to get along with each other and didn't have big ego like that, they probably wouldn't break up the team.
They're acting like spoiled kids . Don't forget that...

[MVP]

I think you're forgetting the players are for something too in breaking up the team.
If Kobe AND Shaq were intelligent enough to get along with each other and didn't have big ego like that, they probably wouldn't break up the team.
They're acting like spoiled kids . Don't forget that...

It's their maturity level...but it's sad to see so much of it in the NBA. T-Mac was the same in TO. He couldn't share the spotlight with VC. But, the other side of it is that it made T-Mac the NBA scoring leading for the last 2 seasons. We'll soon see whether it will work out with Yao in Houston.

[Andrew]

I hope Kobe stays, but if he goes it will be just what Kupchak and Buss deserve. Ala Jerry Krouse and Riensdorf in Chicago. WHY BREAK UP A CHAMPIONSHIP CONTENDER!!

I don't know why other NBA execs don't learn from the mistakes Krause made in dealing with people.

[fgrep15]

I'm starting to like this deal more than I did before.

With Shaq this year our payroll is only 5.1 million more than it would be with Odom, Butler and Grant.

Next year it's 5.5 million more than it would be with Odom, Grant and Butler.


The team salary this year will be $46 million when we get Shaq, then we have the MLE and LLE to get free agents, at the end our salary will be about $53 million or a little more.

If Shaq get's the extension (2 years $60 million), then in 3 years it'd cost more to have Odom, Grant and Butler because Odom and Grant will make about $26.5 million combined, and Caron Butler will be due to get paid.
He's definately going to get more than $3.5 million in the market.

When Wade is due to get paid, Eddie Jones will come off the books, giving us $15.68 less in salary, so we'll be able to ink Wade.
If Dorell Wright develops, and we give Shaq and extension he'll be due to get his money after Wade does, when that time comes, Shaq's $30 million will be coming off the books, and we'll be able to re-sign Wright, and get FA's who are willing to come here.

[Matt]

I think this deal places the Heat as #2 in the East behind Detroit.

I'll say that Shaq will take about 4 shots more per game in Miami, given his FG% he'll make 2 of them and given the frequency of being fouled and his FT% he'll make 1 FT.....so, i'd say he'll get at least 26ppg, given he's in the East that number could go higher and i'm pretty sure the heat will share the ball with Shaq

[matmat8]

Yeah, I think we can expect Shaq to have a great season if he doesn't get injured. He's going to roll over the east...

[Steve04]

I think you're forgetting the players are for something too in breaking up the team.
If Kobe AND Shaq were intelligent enough to get along with each other and didn't have big ego like that, they probably wouldn't break up the team.
They're acting like spoiled kids . Don't forget that...

Yes, they are acting like spoiled kids, and yes they didn't get along and yes their ego's clashed. But if management was really committed to winning then all of that could have been straightened out. Players in the NBA being spoiled in a consequence of the pedestals we put them on in our culture. We root for them, we cheer for them, we almost worship them, we pay them millions to entertain us, and then when they get all spoiled we wonder what happened. The irony.

If you read Jerry Buss's latest comments, this team wasn't broken up because players didn't get along. What GM/Owner in their right mind would do that? Shaq and Kobe have shown they can put aside their differences to win a title, so why couldn't they again?

Buss and Kupchak broke up this team because they were worrying about the future. Worrying about the future when the present isn't even that dark. They were worried about Shaq declining, which is a legit concern, but why panic? They were worried about dropping out of "elite" contention. That's kind of laughable because it seems like they have done just that.

I don't know that Kobe ever said he wants Shaq gone, those are just rumors. However I think its safe to say he was one of the main reasons they let Phil Jackson go. If management had respected Shaq and been upfront with him I don't think any of this mess would be going on.

[matmat8]

I agree gamewiz
I was just trying to say it's a little easy blaming kupchak and buss only.

[Steve04]

Yeah, and I guess if we be real here if Shaq and Kobe really wanted to keep this going they could easily say so and it would all be solved. I'm just sad they broke it up. There was no need. Shaq Declining is still a great force in the middle even if Kobe becomes the number one option. Oh well.

[havasufalls]

i feel my heat will get some good players around shaq and wade since horry says he wants to come to la and bob sura say that as well.

[Colin]

Apparently there's an issue with Lamar's contract that might stall or prevent this trade. It's a 'trade kicker' that means if he is traded he is owed an extra 8.5 to 9.5 million in addition to the 55 mil still left.

Source (ESPN)

[Andrew]

Buss and Kupchak broke up this team because they were worrying about the future. Worrying about the future when the present isn't even that dark. They were worried about Shaq declining, which is a legit concern, but why panic? They were worried about dropping out of "elite" contention. That's kind of laughable because it seems like they have done just that.

It's exactly what Krause did in Chicago, though the result won't be quite as bad. I can understand breaking up a team before it gets too late and players retire or are too over the hill to be traded for young talent, but it seems foolish to do so when there's still life and championships left in a team.

[Riot]

All in all, Buss did this too keep Kobe. He needs Kobe as much as Kobe needs him. Now it would be completely hilarious if Kobe heads over to Clippers and Lakers fail to qualify for post-season play and Clippers end their streak and enter it. Hmm...Clippers the new Lakers?

Livingston-Kobe-Maggette-Brand-Kaman

Promising young core. Then again, clippers always seem to have promising young cores, but non with the talent like Kobe.

[twolvezfanfoever]

HE'S FINALLY A MIAMI HEAT!!

goodbye Lakers!!!

[FanOfAll]

Apparently there's an issue with Lamar's contract that might stall or prevent this trade. It's a 'trade kicker' that means if he is traded he is owed an extra 8.5 to 9.5 million in addition to the 55 mil still left.

Source (ESPN)

When I first heard this story, I thought it was the most retarded thing ever. Even I knew about this trade kicker that would make Odom the 3rd most paid player in the NBA. But apparently the snag was over the how much the Lakers/Heat would pay.

[LegoKOBE]

what should i say...great deal!

[RedTorro]

It's official now. The Lakers got the short end of the stick on this deal. How the hell could they not demand Dywane Wade and Odom. Fuck Brain Grant.

[Yessie]

This Gotta BE the worse trade in Lakers history WTF is kupchak thinking. oh well as a TRUE LAKERS FAN not like a bunch of bandwagganers we saw the last couple of yrs back.


LET THE KOBE ERA BEGIN!!!!

[Jackal]

LET THE KOBE ERA BEGIN!!!!

And let any hopes of a championship be swatted away.

Let all hopes of winning a championship be extuingished when a fire is extinguished, officially, this is the end.

Fuck Chak & Buss.

Kobe Era? You all will repent this day, now the truth about Bryant will come forward. Just another good SG, not the greatest to ever play. Not championship worthy...he can't carry this team, era or no era, screw that. Kobe must be happy, he can shine..who cares if they make the playoffs or not? As long as he shines.

[matmat8]

He may not even shine in lakers jersey
And Jackal leave him a chance, wait until he gets good players around him, a team that fits his game and see what happens before burying him.

[RedTorro]

https://www.miamihoopsgear.com/Secure/_ ... aq32mh.jpg

[idiot]

Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na He He Hey
G O O D B Y E
The original NA NA Na Signature

awesome, now i know the true reason behind this signature...