Mitch Kupchak's Resume May Mysteriously Skip 2012
by C.A. Clark on Feb 8, 2012 2:00 PM PST
in Editorial
Email
Print
It is wrong to judge a book when the book is only half written. It's unfair to measure a man's performance when outside events are responsible for his failures. It's foolish to throw away a history of strong work on the basis of one short period of failure. All of these statements can be used to explain why it's not a good idea to condemn Mitch Kupchak for failing to put together a roster that meets the high standards of the illustrious Los Angeles Lakers franchise. None of these statements can prevent us from doing so anyways.
The Los Angeles Lakers are not a very good team. They will (probably) make the playoffs. They may win a playoff series. Anything else would have to be considered a surprise. For a team that has one of the best cores in the league in Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum, that's not good enough, which is a perfect description of everything surrounding those three guys. Not good enough. In fact, not even close to good enough. Outside the Big Three, the Lakers probably have the worst 4-15 roster in the league. And sadly, despite all those mitigating statements explained above, the blame for it has to be at the feet of one Mitch Kupchak.
Over his career, Kupchak has been a pretty solid GM, although it's always been unclear how much of his success has been tied to other men. He sold Shaq off (a move which weakened the Lakers in the short term, but allowed them to reload within 5 years), but that might have been at the insistence of Jerry Buss and/or Kobe Bryant. He drafted Andrew Bynum, but Jimmy Buss certainly seems to have co-opted it as his braintrust. He traded a bunch of nothing (or so we thought) for Pau Gasol, but that might have been more of an example of right place, right time than of any actual ability as a negotiator (or if you to prefer to think of it this way, which GM wouldn't make that trade). He created a championship squad basically from scratch, but the one player he started out with happens to be one of the best to ever lace em up. There are still plenty of people out there who are unwilling to give Mitch Kupchak much credit for all the success the Lakers have had under his watchful eye, and they have their reasons.
But a closer look shows that there have been subtle moves along the way which were vital to the creation of a championship core. Getting Trevor Ariza for bit part players Brian Cook and Maurice Evans is one example. Ariza had all been given up on after four unremarkable seasons in the league. He enjoyed his best season as a pro as a member of the Lakers the following season before he and Ron Artest famously managed a free agency trade by signing for opposite teams at the same price. Even as we struggle through the third year of a 5 year contract for the newly named Metta World Peace, Ariza hasn't fared any better in Houston and New Orleans, and Artest most certainly delivered in the biggest moments possible in bringing the Lakers championship #2 of this era. Kupchak also got Shannon Brown thrown in to a deal that appeared on the surface to be a pure salary dump (in trading the unused Vlad Radmonovic for cult-hero Adam Morrison), and while long time readers will know I've never been all that enamored with Shannon, there's no doubt Brown played a far more important role off the Lakers bench than could have been predicted at the time of the trade. These are the types of glue moves a team has to make to surround their top tier talent (if they are lucky enough to acquire some) with the right pieces to win championships, and Mitch Kupchak does have a history of making those moves. There have been mistakes along the way, ranging from unimpressive (Theo Ratliff) to stupid (Sasha Vujacic's midlevel contract) to ghastly (Luke Walton), but the successes have always outnumbered, or at least dwarfed, the failures.
But, starting with last year, Mitch has been on a streak of bad luck/performance that has transformed the Lakers into the middling, top heavy squad they are today. Last season, Steve Blake was supposed to solve problems at point guard and provide some outside shooting, but he failed to do both. The Lakers needed a big man to keep the minutes down for their star trio of Gasol, Bynum and Odom, but he only brought in Ratliff, who contributed nothing, and Pau Gasol ended up fading terribly by season's end.
And then we come to this season. Yes, if Kupchak had succeeded in landing Chris Paul, we might never be having this conversation. Yes, the reason why he didn't succeed was completely out of his hands. But, past that potential home run, the Lakers front (office) man has hit nothing but grounders. Letting Shannon Brown walk was probably the right move (I certainly thought so), but failing to replace him with any kind of shooting guard help has kept Kobe Bryant's minutes high, and has forced the Lakers to rely on the play of two rookies once Steve Blake went down with an injury (Andrew Goudelock has recently rewarded the Lakers with strong play, but his, and more importantly Darius Morris', struggles have caused the Lakers to play some terrible lineups whenever Kobe gets some much needed rest). Jason Kapono has been abominable, shooting just 30% from three point range when the only reason he is getting any playing time is because the Lakers are desperate for someone who can drain threes. And Josh McRoberts, who ended up as the Lakers "big" free agent signing by snagging the full (restricted) mid-level exception, has underwhelmed the coaches so much that he's played less than 5 minutes a game in the last four, and received the old DNP-CD in the Lakers' last contest. Troy Murphy has been passable, but he's hardly been dynamite.
Hanging like a shadow over all of these poor personnel moves is the one that continues to haunt us all like week-old Chinese food ... the fact that the Lakers traded away Lamar Odom, who might possibly have been the soul of the team, for nothing. Until the 9 million trade exception is turned around for a player of similar ability to LO, that trade will continue to stand as one of the most stunning, disappointing, and mystifyingly poor transactions in Lakers history. If LO were still here, the Lakers might not have wasted their only non-minimum contract on McRoberts. They might have been able to afford a halfway decent backup two guard. They might not have to trot out bench units that are guaranteed to lose 5-10 points off of any lead. If LO were still here, the Lakers would undoubtedly be better than they are now.
Mitch Kupchak's had a decent run in charge of the Lakers' front office, and I don't expect that run to end anytime soon. He's been at the helm of some risky transactions; some have worked, and some haven't. I expect there to be more, maybe this season, maybe next, maybe in the future. The Lakers will always be a franchise that shoots for the stars, and sometimes that means a harsh crash back down to earth. Still, when the book is written on Mitch Kupchak, or he finds himself in want of a job someday, don't be surprised if that resume of his skips a year or three after 2010.
191 comments
|
Add comment
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Or Lamar might be having as bad a season, or worse, than he's having in Dallas. He's still talking about how he has to pull himself out of his funk.
If LO were still here, the Lakers would undoubtedly be better than they are now.
Jim Buss effectively took over running the team last year. Coincidence? I think not.
But, starting with last year, Mitch has been on a streak of bad luck/performance that has transformed the Lakers into the middling, top heavy squad they are today.
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe. - Albert Einstein
Captain Obvious, er, MagicJohnson: Kobe, Bynum & Gasol all must step up big to beat the @76ers.
Tweetness
I think Lamar would have helped, but he definitely would have been affected by the whole trade thing.
Jim Buss effectively took over running the team last year. Coincidence? I think not.
I think this is a great point. I think Jim has been a catalyst in all of this
"In this league, you gotta learn to run on empty. Fuel level at zero, but still you run." -KB
you are very right SCG
i think most of these roster moves have been done by ol Jimmy boy. like someone mentioned a while back, Jim is trying to put his"stamp" on the team i think.
"We will attack this day with enthusiasm unknown to mankind" - Coach Harbaugh's dad
nice avatar picture!
"What we want to remember—what we will remember—is the indelible vision of Kobe, his arms outstretched, delirious with joy and disbelief, running after and grabbing hold of Lamar Odom’s floating downcourt pass, while all the purple and gold streamers in the world are raining down on the hardwood." - Brian Tung
LOL thanks
i like the one you have too LOL
"We will attack this day with enthusiasm unknown to mankind" - Coach Harbaugh's dad
Yeah I tend to agree with the Jim Buss theory.
Imagine last year if Jim Buss hadn’t killed a Melo for Bynum deal that Mitch put together last season? I mean, I know people here like the potential of Bynum, but Gasol-Odom-Artest-Bryant-Fisher was one of the best lineups in the NBA last year, and the Lakers would’ve added Melo to that. I don’t think anyone would be mad at Mitch for Steve Blake last year (I don’;t think people should be mad at Mitch anyway, he was by far the best rated guard in the Lakers price range and none of the other canidates they passed on have been very good either) had that happened.
And then all the long time Laker staff let go, passing on Rick Adleman, dumping Odom for nothing, and I just don’t even feel like the Lakers are being run like the organization I grew up loving anymore.
by Derek Fisher Fan on Feb 8, 2012 7:53 PM PST up reply actions
so what do you think of the rumored trade
Pau for rondo?
"We will attack this day with enthusiasm unknown to mankind" - Coach Harbaugh's dad
doubt it happens.
just a rumor.
"What we want to remember—what we will remember—is the indelible vision of Kobe, his arms outstretched, delirious with joy and disbelief, running after and grabbing hold of Lamar Odom’s floating downcourt pass, while all the purple and gold streamers in the world are raining down on the hardwood." - Brian Tung
Pau+Morris+1strd for rondo+KG
KG in Lakers uniform.. haha
But I think this will make us better
Guys, run your trades before the trade machine to at least see that they're legal before suggesting them.
Especially when you’re off by like $7 million.
To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself. -- Sun Tzu
Such a liar. He's been AH-MAZING!
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe. - Albert Einstein
Captain Obvious, er, MagicJohnson: Kobe, Bynum & Gasol all must step up big to beat the @76ers.
Tweetness
and I hereby nominate troy
For defensive stopper of the year. I mean thank goodness he has been here to stop mobile forwards from driving into the lane.
by Brian Tung on Feb 8, 2012 3:35 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
I'm not ready to kick dirt on either Mitch or the team...
…play on Purple and Gold. In Mitch we I trust!
"I keep telling everybody we’re going to be fine," Bryant said. "This is the start of the year and it’s tough to kind of get out on the road. We had some very tough opponents to start the season with on the road. It’s kind of getting used to everything with no practices. We’re going to be A-OK."
Measure GM success (rings/Finals being the measure) in the same period and what other GMs are better?
…based on that, I’m not folding til the hand is played out.
"I keep telling everybody we’re going to be fine," Bryant said. "This is the start of the year and it’s tough to kind of get out on the road. We had some very tough opponents to start the season with on the road. It’s kind of getting used to everything with no practices. We’re going to be A-OK."
by Zen and Tonic on Feb 8, 2012 2:37 PM PST up reply actions
...but i get your point as a snapshot in time C A.
"I keep telling everybody we’re going to be fine," Bryant said. "This is the start of the year and it’s tough to kind of get out on the road. We had some very tough opponents to start the season with on the road. It’s kind of getting used to everything with no practices. We’re going to be A-OK."
by Zen and Tonic on Feb 8, 2012 2:38 PM PST up reply actions
LOL, nice convo you're having with yourself.
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe. - Albert Einstein
Captain Obvious, er, MagicJohnson: Kobe, Bynum & Gasol all must step up big to beat the @76ers.
Tweetness
Thank you!
"I keep telling everybody we’re going to be fine," Bryant said. "This is the start of the year and it’s tough to kind of get out on the road. We had some very tough opponents to start the season with on the road. It’s kind of getting used to everything with no practices. We’re going to be A-OK."
and of course he doesn't hit "reply" that time LOL
"If you’re afraid to fail, then you’re probably going to fail. You know what I mean? Fuck it." -- Kobe "Black Mamba" Bryant
by jXn on Feb 8, 2012 8:51 PM PST up reply actions
No, he didn't
"I keep telling everybody we’re going to be fine," Bryant said. "This is the start of the year and it’s tough to kind of get out on the road. We had some very tough opponents to start the season with on the road. It’s kind of getting used to everything with no practices. We’re going to be A-OK."
by Zen and Tonic on Feb 8, 2012 10:58 PM PST up reply actions
In all fairness to Mitch,
who probably has an ear full of Jim in his ear, we do have the highest paid “big 3” in the league. There isnt much money to go around after those 3, especially with Walton and Ron’s contract. I know he gave them those contracts. Im just saying he is probably doing the best he can with the very little he can offer players to come play for us. Once LO demanded a trade, he tried to fill the PF spot with a young, energetic player. he did that. I think mcroberts can get back into the fold once blake comes back.
and only being able to offer the vet min, i think he pulled in the best shooters he could. as outside shooting has been our achilles for the last couple years now. this year is not over and i still think he has a few tricks up his sleeve.
in mitch i trust.
"What we want to remember—what we will remember—is the indelible vision of Kobe, his arms outstretched, delirious with joy and disbelief, running after and grabbing hold of Lamar Odom’s floating downcourt pass, while all the purple and gold streamers in the world are raining down on the hardwood." - Brian Tung
I just want small roster moves.
That’s all. Roster moves that equate to an improved bench. Roster moves that allow you to send down Goudelock and Morris to the D-League for more experience. Throw something against the wall to see if it sticks such as Gerald Green, Elijah Millsap, Bobby Simmons, and every other wing player in the D-League. SOMEBODY down there knows how to play a role at the next level. SOMEBODY does.
The Lakers don’t need to trade for another star and the rumors of them trading for or signing point guards make me shake my head in frustration.
by E-ROC on Feb 8, 2012 3:09 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
YES!! That is what it will take to get to ring. Mitch himself said he wants and All Star guard
that being said, I think he has his eyes set on trading Pau and/or LO’s trade exception. Either way, I just think that one guard is sufficient. A young guy with shooting and speed. Fuck the All Star, just get someone who is young and can shoot.
THE BANDWAGON: Championship? lol you’ve gotta b kidding. - Emmceee /we aren't winning anything this year man - BlueXfalcon / We arent winning anything this year - Lakergirl / we aren’t winning anything this yurrrrr - Tkuang /I expect them to make it past the first round, but I will be very happy if they make it past the second.- Gil M. / We aren’t gonna win anything this year, dude - Aethereal / don't think we will win anything this year. Seriously-CLDPC / I’m not expecting something big from this Lakers team this season - Yoshifan
Which rules out Rondo
He can’t shoot to save his life.
Christian Ponder: Super Bowl 50 MVP for the Minnesota Vikings
For Basketball Reasons
Arenas can.
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe. - Albert Einstein
Captain Obvious, er, MagicJohnson: Kobe, Bynum & Gasol all must step up big to beat the @76ers.
Tweetness
by SoCalGal on Feb 8, 2012 3:22 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Agree.
"I keep telling everybody we’re going to be fine," Bryant said. "This is the start of the year and it’s tough to kind of get out on the road. We had some very tough opponents to start the season with on the road. It’s kind of getting used to everything with no practices. We’re going to be A-OK."
by Zen and Tonic on Feb 8, 2012 3:38 PM PST up reply actions
I get where you are going and agree for the most part
but what’s the point of sending Glock down, he has performed well and if you send Morris down then you have 2 open spots (which I’d like to see to Green and Millsap)
"Some people think they should go to heaven but NOT have to die to get there.
Sorry, but that’s simply not how it works."
Follow me on Twitter: @alexvanroekel
You don't have two open roster spots.
Even if those players are sent down to the D-League, they still count as a filled roster spot. As for sending down Glock, Blake is returning soon and simply put, I don’t like small backcourts. I don’t think Blake and Glock playing together works in the long run as a pairing, especially defensively.
but that small back court will be the only thing producing off the bench besides Murphy 3's
"What we want to remember—what we will remember—is the indelible vision of Kobe, his arms outstretched, delirious with joy and disbelief, running after and grabbing hold of Lamar Odom’s floating downcourt pass, while all the purple and gold streamers in the world are raining down on the hardwood." - Brian Tung
You can play with a small backup backcourt.
It’s not overly disadvantageous and you can argue that this team needs more ballhandlers in the backcourt to help the offensive flow. Moreover, Goudelock will benefit from having a backcourt partner who can handle the ball and enable him to move to a more spot-up role, which fits his skills better.
To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself. -- Sun Tzu
You can play with a small backcourt......
when the backcourt player playing out of position has enough size to play the position. I don’t believe Blake has the size.
by E-ROC on Feb 9, 2012 10:29 AM PST via Android app up reply actions
Great stuff. Its interesting to see what Mitch has done over the years. But some results have not been his fault
LO for example, requested to be traded. Maybe Mitch and the Lakers could have dealt with his request in another way but it is what it is. I still think that Mitch has something up his sleeve in regards to that trade.
Its similar with Blake. It isn’t entirely his fault. We all thought, not just Mitch, that he was going to work out. From the season that he was with the Clippers to the time that he went to the Lakers, his 3pt shooting % went from .437 to .378 and I put that more on the phil system. We still haven’t got to see him play consistently under Brown so the jury is out on that to. Either way, its not like Mitch can go out there in shot the ball for Blake.
In regards to this current season, it is too soon to place any blame on him. When Mitch got Barnes and Blake we all were happy because he had made the changes we all wished he had made. I will save my Mitch report card for this year until after the trade deadline. Teams are built in the regular season but legacies are built in the post season. Lets see what happens.
THE BANDWAGON: Championship? lol you’ve gotta b kidding. - Emmceee /we aren't winning anything this year man - BlueXfalcon / We arent winning anything this year - Lakergirl / we aren’t winning anything this yurrrrr - Tkuang /I expect them to make it past the first round, but I will be very happy if they make it past the second.- Gil M. / We aren’t gonna win anything this year, dude - Aethereal / don't think we will win anything this year. Seriously-CLDPC / I’m not expecting something big from this Lakers team this season - Yoshifan
I agree with everything except for the Odom situation
Paul, D12, Carmelo, etc all asked to be traded, but their teams talked to other teams and took the best offer that they could. None of these teams dropped their player for nothing the day that they asked for a trade. I am not saying Mitch needed to hold out till the last moment like Otis Smith, but even when the Jazz traded away Deron or Denver traded Carmelo, they got decent pieces back.
Those guys were star players. As much as I love LO, he is/was not a star player.
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe. - Albert Einstein
Captain Obvious, er, MagicJohnson: Kobe, Bynum & Gasol all must step up big to beat the @76ers.
Tweetness
i second that
Very well summed up
by Pardon_Me on Feb 8, 2012 4:47 PM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
I do agree with Murphy being passable.
As Passable as a Turnstile on defense. This roster is full of bad moves. Kap-oh-no Murphy luke are the 1st 3. Dont forget trading Sasha AND a 1st round pick for Joe f’n Smith to go along with trading LO for nothing. We can possibly add not bringing up any DLeaguers to take the useless Kaponos spot on the roster.
See me on Twitter follow me @ EddieCheeze, Catch me on FB friend me Eddie Cheeze, See my group on youtube listen to us Hood Platinum, want me ta kill a track email me Cheeze2k11@gmail.com....Im errwhere
by EmmCeee on Feb 8, 2012 3:46 PM PST via Android app reply actions
Fanpost was written concerning this months ago *shameless plug*
Lol In Mitch We Trust..may not be such a good idea
See me on Twitter follow me @ EddieCheeze, Catch me on FB friend me Eddie Cheeze, See my group on youtube listen to us Hood Platinum, want me ta kill a track email me Cheeze2k11@gmail.com....Im errwhere
by EmmCeee on Feb 8, 2012 3:50 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
The Chris Paul Debacle
Excuses Mitch from all criticism this season.
"This is not a game for boys. This is a game for men." - Phil Jackson
"Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd." - Voltaire
I agree because everything else has come out of that.
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe. - Albert Einstein
Captain Obvious, er, MagicJohnson: Kobe, Bynum & Gasol all must step up big to beat the @76ers.
Tweetness
The Cp incident didnt force him to trade LO for nothing.
Or sign kapono.
See me on Twitter follow me @ EddieCheeze, Catch me on FB friend me Eddie Cheeze, See my group on youtube listen to us Hood Platinum, want me ta kill a track email me Cheeze2k11@gmail.com....Im errwhere
by EmmCeee on Feb 8, 2012 3:52 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
Not for nothing in return.
See me on Twitter follow me @ EddieCheeze, Catch me on FB friend me Eddie Cheeze, See my group on youtube listen to us Hood Platinum, want me ta kill a track email me Cheeze2k11@gmail.com....Im errwhere
by EmmCeee on Feb 8, 2012 4:10 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
We don't know what he was forced to do.
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe. - Albert Einstein
Captain Obvious, er, MagicJohnson: Kobe, Bynum & Gasol all must step up big to beat the @76ers.
Tweetness
I seriously doubt he had to take Nothing at all for Odom
I could b wrong but thas jus my opinion
See me on Twitter follow me @ EddieCheeze, Catch me on FB friend me Eddie Cheeze, See my group on youtube listen to us Hood Platinum, want me ta kill a track email me Cheeze2k11@gmail.com....Im errwhere
by EmmCeee on Feb 8, 2012 4:57 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
That tpe is a game changer.
adding that to the bench was a brilliant move. Wait. Its nothing but money until we use it. So until that point its nothing.
See me on Twitter follow me @ EddieCheeze, Catch me on FB friend me Eddie Cheeze, See my group on youtube listen to us Hood Platinum, want me ta kill a track email me Cheeze2k11@gmail.com....Im errwhere
by EmmCeee on Feb 8, 2012 6:14 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
Considering We havent gotten a player
the TPE its basically nothing. if/when we get someone that will help us win games using it then itll have some worth. id rather have LO than an empty spot and zero bench production without him
See me on Twitter follow me @ EddieCheeze, Catch me on FB friend me Eddie Cheeze, See my group on youtube listen to us Hood Platinum, want me ta kill a track email me Cheeze2k11@gmail.com....Im errwhere
by EmmCeee on Feb 8, 2012 9:57 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
Well
Trade Exceptions are pretty useless. But the draft picks that we got for Odom might be spun into something else.
by Derek Fisher Fan on Feb 8, 2012 7:58 PM PST up reply actions
excited to see what two players we get in thefirst round of a very deep draft this year
"What we want to remember—what we will remember—is the indelible vision of Kobe, his arms outstretched, delirious with joy and disbelief, running after and grabbing hold of Lamar Odom’s floating downcourt pass, while all the purple and gold streamers in the world are raining down on the hardwood." - Brian Tung
Yeah we can keep em
and maybe find a sf and pg. That would b the perfect storm
See me on Twitter follow me @ EddieCheeze, Catch me on FB friend me Eddie Cheeze, See my group on youtube listen to us Hood Platinum, want me ta kill a track email me Cheeze2k11@gmail.com....Im errwhere
by EmmCeee on Feb 9, 2012 10:06 AM PST via Android app up reply actions
Unless Dallas improves from now until the end of the season, we're not getting their pick since it's top 20 protected.
But yes, there are a nice crop of prospects to pick from in the mid-to-late first round, especially a lot of points.
To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself. -- Sun Tzu
so, they have to finish in the top 10 teams in the league.
they currently are 12th
"What we want to remember—what we will remember—is the indelible vision of Kobe, his arms outstretched, delirious with joy and disbelief, running after and grabbing hold of Lamar Odom’s floating downcourt pass, while all the purple and gold streamers in the world are raining down on the hardwood." - Brian Tung
The Chris Paul Debacle
Excuses Mitch from all criticism this season.
I totally agree with that. Also:
- They (Jim Buss I presume) hired Mike Brown and threw out everything to do with Phil’s old regime rather than using B. Shaw or someone else to continue with what they had. Combine that with no preseason and no practice time and you had to figure they’d be screwed.
- They also fired all of the scouting & other staff before the lockout so I read somewhere Mitch has to do all the scouting by himself.
- In 2010 they signed some old guys Fisher & Artest/MWP to try and repeat. Now that they’re older they are having to live with the end of those contracts. But I think it was totally worth it to go for it in 2010.
- They have to wait to make moves until the D Howard thing is resolved (Unless they can get a marquee point guard like D. Will or someone.)
"Hey if repeating as champions were that easy even the Spurs could do it." olf
I respectfully disagree
Mitch should get credit for the trade that shouldn’t have been vetoed, but he should also take the criticism for how he handled the aftermath. In basketball terms, how did he adjust to adversity? Certainly not in Kobe fashion, just powering through it and performing. He faltered (the guard situation). Still, there are open situations that can’t be classified as hit or miss yet (LO TPE, holding onto assets while DWill and DH are still in play).
FUCK DAVID STERN for vetoing destiny.
hmm
how is losing odom haunting us? he’s playing like garbage over in dallas, back to his usual inconsistent self. have u ever watched his tv show? he does nothing but play video games all day. also, why is everyone freaking out. it’s too early to tell what will go down in the playoffs. just at the top of my head i seem to recall miami starting off 12-11 or something like that, and look where they ended up. and please enough with the lakers are too old nonsense. who won the title last year? old mavs. the 2 years prior? oldish lakers. and before that an oldish celtics team full of grizzled vets. i’m tired of reading these chicken little sky is falling articles. calm down people and stop nit picking. geez.
One could say being around friends and familiar faces during that time coulda changed everything
Vs being on a new team with new guys and in a new city. You can also say that having him on the squad woulda resulted in a better player than Kap at sg. Might even say we would see less of Murphy. addition by subtraction
The difference in the Heat and Mavs teams vs the Lakers is THEY HAVE MORE THAN 3 GOOD PLAYERS. We have garbage outside of glock. 3 on 5 every night isnt gonna work. The sky isnt falling, its reality setting in. Pipe dreams of a title run with this current roster sound infinitely more ridiculous than “the sky is falling” lol
See me on Twitter follow me @ EddieCheeze, Catch me on FB friend me Eddie Cheeze, See my group on youtube listen to us Hood Platinum, want me ta kill a track email me Cheeze2k11@gmail.com....Im errwhere
by EmmCeee on Feb 8, 2012 4:01 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
I would like for you to state the 4th player on the Miami roster
Chalmers? and … Mike Miller? They won because all those guys made a couple of wide open shots, something that the career averages (not just 20 odd games under a new offense, with limited practices and training camps) of the players on the roster say they can do. So excuse me for not taking a dump on the season after we’re not even halfway through on a lockout shortened season.
by Fin Fan Forever on Feb 8, 2012 4:18 PM PST up reply actions
Chalmers is better than any pg we have on the roster
Miller is better than any backup sg/sf we have. Haslem better than our backup 4 Battier better than sf. your point is?
See me on Twitter follow me @ EddieCheeze, Catch me on FB friend me Eddie Cheeze, See my group on youtube listen to us Hood Platinum, want me ta kill a track email me Cheeze2k11@gmail.com....Im errwhere
by EmmCeee on Feb 8, 2012 4:29 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
2011, Miller/Haslem barely played. Battier wasn't on the team
Chalmers is so much better than Fisher… that the Heat attempted to sign Fisher.???? I see Chalmers play alot and he has moments where you think he can be a good/great player, and then he falls down to Earth hard. Right now he’s better than Fisher, but I bet if we offered Miami, Blake for Chalmers they do it in a heartbeat
by Fin Fan Forever on Feb 8, 2012 5:21 PM PST up reply actions
I doubt it.
But as the Lakers id do it.
This year they are playing. This is the year we’re struggling. I dnt care about last year. im focused on this year moving forward
See me on Twitter follow me @ EddieCheeze, Catch me on FB friend me Eddie Cheeze, See my group on youtube listen to us Hood Platinum, want me ta kill a track email me Cheeze2k11@gmail.com....Im errwhere
by EmmCeee on Feb 8, 2012 5:31 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
So 20 games this year says more about talent level than 82 games ???
You replied to someone talking about how the Heat started last year, and you replied with they had more than 3 players and continuing that theme, I used the Heat’s roster of last year because thats what was the original poster was talking about.
Also Blake outside of the triangle, plays different than Blake within the triangle, Theres a reason why Phil stuck with Harper and Fisher for such a long time, its not the easiest thing to pick up. Blake outside the triangle is a better PG than Chalmers is right now (They brought in Bibby because they didn’t like Chamlers!). Maybe in the future Chalmers will be better, but the Heat arn’t playing for that, and i’ve seen Chalmers more than enough to know I pray at his current level he does not become the primary point on the Lakers
by Fin Fan Forever on Feb 8, 2012 5:44 PM PST up reply actions
Chalmers %'s tell a different story.
How did any of our pickups play last year? How did fisher metta and barnes play last year? Blake might b better but to hope things magically change when he comes back is a bit much.
See me on Twitter follow me @ EddieCheeze, Catch me on FB friend me Eddie Cheeze, See my group on youtube listen to us Hood Platinum, want me ta kill a track email me Cheeze2k11@gmail.com....Im errwhere
by EmmCeee on Feb 8, 2012 5:53 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
Magicly change?
When did we start losing every game by 20? In the West, aside from Portland and teams we haven’t played, we’ve beaten all the “contenders” Im 10000% convinced that you’ve only seen the losses or you just don’t pay attention unless we break 100. Honestly how many games have the Lakers lost that they should have won easily (2), a large majority of the losses are away against playoff teams, im not sure why that means the ship is sinking because a team with a new coach/players/system loses on the road to playoff teams (for the most part) already 1 season worth of work in a system? Why is that not suppose to happen in a normal season , let alone a lockout one?
by Fin Fan Forever on Feb 8, 2012 6:04 PM PST up reply actions
Who said anything about scoring 100?
What does that have to do with anything? You keep harping on players returning to their averages after a whole season not counting this one in which they shot below them. Their all supposed to go back 2 years and recapture that magic? you discount Odoms production yet we dont have a player That’s matching it. Even in his inconsistent years. This roster as is wont win a title imo and they havent shown me any reason to think otherwise. We need to make a move or the result is gonna b the same.
See me on Twitter follow me @ EddieCheeze, Catch me on FB friend me Eddie Cheeze, See my group on youtube listen to us Hood Platinum, want me ta kill a track email me Cheeze2k11@gmail.com....Im errwhere
by EmmCeee on Feb 8, 2012 6:24 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
Im talking about Kapono and Blake with averages
Murphy is already starting to shoot better, never was good defensively. Already the shooting % are climbing from early on, with the exception of Kapono but he receives less playing time then the fringe bench players. Kapano is the main player im talking about, because you seem to think a D-Leaguer with no prior knowledge of the system/team/players is better. I have alot more to rely on that he’ll shoot better than your belief of him repeating it twice over.
I bring up the average point on those players, MWP and Barnes were never consistently great shooters, hell last year im pretty sure MWP shot better from 3 than his career average. I brought up 100 points, because we’re obviously not watching the same games and again what team has a strangle hold on the West, that makes it a forgone conclusion that LA can’t win the West? OKC defense is the equivalent of our offense and that playing style won’t win a ring.
by Fin Fan Forever on Feb 8, 2012 6:33 PM PST up reply actions
When did i say sumn bout 100 points lol
I could care less about scoring 100 points. Murphy’s usefulness diminishes with the way he gets worked over on defense. Yes i think a Dleaguer who hustles plays d and can shoot would contribute more than Kapono who’s only usefulness is camping at the arc hoping he gets a shot. Idk why anyone would think we’d b better this year while losing our only bench contributer. We couldnt do it with a full roster phil jackson and the triangle how would a worse roster pull it off. We have MAJOR flaws and without a move i dont see it happening. You think it can be done then more power to you for being hopelessly optimistic. The supporting cast just arent good enough.
See me on Twitter follow me @ EddieCheeze, Catch me on FB friend me Eddie Cheeze, See my group on youtube listen to us Hood Platinum, want me ta kill a track email me Cheeze2k11@gmail.com....Im errwhere
by EmmCeee on Feb 8, 2012 7:43 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
Here's How
The best lineup the Lakers had last year featured Bynum and Gasol. But nearly all the other truly effective Laker lineups featured Odom with one of those dudes off the floor.
by Derek Fisher Fan on Feb 8, 2012 8:00 PM PST up reply actions
We are a work in progress...
Brown had been suspended for Monday’s loss at Philadelphia, and Tuesday was a travel day as the team made its way from Philly to Boston, leaving the court-time loving head coach without a chance to blow his whistle. But with Thursday’s contest at the TD Garden on the horizon, Brown has his guys on the parquet floor for much of Wednesday morning and early afternoon.
"He was a little chippy today," said Kobe Bryant. "He’s such a defensive-oriented coach, there were a lot of things that he saw that we needed to go over, because this was only really our third practice of the season."
"I keep telling everybody we’re going to be fine," Bryant said. "This is the start of the year and it’s tough to kind of get out on the road. We had some very tough opponents to start the season with on the road. It’s kind of getting used to everything with no practices. We’re going to be A-OK."
Practice will bring a comfort level to the team
But not talent. Outside of our 3 and glock we dnt have any talent.
See me on Twitter follow me @ EddieCheeze, Catch me on FB friend me Eddie Cheeze, See my group on youtube listen to us Hood Platinum, want me ta kill a track email me Cheeze2k11@gmail.com....Im errwhere
by EmmCeee on Feb 8, 2012 4:08 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
Talent?
Talent means very little when the games become do-or-die, it helps when you play inferior teams and you don’t hustle. But if you don’t play defense and turn the ball over, the most “talented” team will lose a playoff series every time (unless were talking about the 1-8 matchup in the East). Lakers woes have very little to do with “talent”
by Fin Fan Forever on Feb 8, 2012 4:14 PM PST up reply actions
Talent/skill whatever you wanna call it
We dont have it outside our big 3 n Glock. Kapono n murphy wouldn’t touch the floor for the majority of teams. Fisher wouldnt start and Barnes/metta at this point would get limited minutes.
See me on Twitter follow me @ EddieCheeze, Catch me on FB friend me Eddie Cheeze, See my group on youtube listen to us Hood Platinum, want me ta kill a track email me Cheeze2k11@gmail.com....Im errwhere
by EmmCeee on Feb 8, 2012 4:24 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
You mean the same Murphy that Miami was willing to overpay last year and who Boston got????
You mean the same Fisher that Miami courted to become their PG?? The same MWP that Jordan was gonna trade Wallace for??? (Albeit a terrible trade) but the way MWP can play ELITE defense is overshadowed by his limited offensive game at this point which is sad because defense is even more important than offense.
Our bench was never that good to begin with, (and No i don’t count LO as a bench player because he played Starter minutes as Manu does/did) If you think the players were that much better than what we have now your forgetting ALOT of the bad and remembering the good.
by Fin Fan Forever on Feb 8, 2012 4:46 PM PST up reply actions
Lol that was what 2010? Who cares about then?
What have they done THIS year? I would’ve made the deal for Wallace, let Fish walk, and probably wouldve signed Murphy for spot duty.
See me on Twitter follow me @ EddieCheeze, Catch me on FB friend me Eddie Cheeze, See my group on youtube listen to us Hood Platinum, want me ta kill a track email me Cheeze2k11@gmail.com....Im errwhere
by EmmCeee on Feb 8, 2012 4:52 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
Living in the past success doesnt help the present and the future
See me on Twitter follow me @ EddieCheeze, Catch me on FB friend me Eddie Cheeze, See my group on youtube listen to us Hood Platinum, want me ta kill a track email me Cheeze2k11@gmail.com....Im errwhere
by EmmCeee on Feb 8, 2012 4:55 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
You mentioned that alot of the players playing on the Lakers would not play elsewhere
I used examples from last offseason and late in 2011 season to show otherwise. Unlike alot of fans, GM’s don’t judge players off 25 games, they look at how their currently playing, whats the situation of the team, and whats their career averages among alot of other things. I am not saying their playing great, just that you seem to not be taking in any of the other factors, just that these players must suck lets bring in new players so they can have to rebuild the chemistry/ reorganize the lineups/ re teach the offense/defense. Its not as simple as plugging in and playing
If your assuming that everything that has happened is just gonna repeat for 40+ games and guys will continue to shoot significantly lower than their career percentages, than to me that is more confusing and makes less sense than the Lakers getting out of a wide open West.
by Fin Fan Forever on Feb 8, 2012 5:08 PM PST up reply actions
None of those players have ever.been world beaters
Murphy has sucked the past cpl.of years. Kapono hasnt seen court action in the same time. Fisher has been garbage for a long time. The same thing will hafta happen if we make a trade. Improving the team is improving the team. Idc what the chemistry cost is if it means we’ll b a title contender
See me on Twitter follow me @ EddieCheeze, Catch me on FB friend me Eddie Cheeze, See my group on youtube listen to us Hood Platinum, want me ta kill a track email me Cheeze2k11@gmail.com....Im errwhere
by EmmCeee on Feb 8, 2012 5:26 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
The past couple of years?
Murphy was an 18 PER player in ‘08-’09 and ‘09-’10 and had ONE bad year that could be explained away by injury and being jerked in and out of lineups. It’s really, really hard to blame a GM for thinking that 1) ‘10’-’11 was an aberration; 2) Murphy could provide good rotation minutes and three-point shooting; and 3) signing him for the minimum constituted anything other than a low-risk, high-reward signing.
To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself. -- Sun Tzu
and he has been our 2nd best player off the bench.
sad to say, but its true.
"What we want to remember—what we will remember—is the indelible vision of Kobe, his arms outstretched, delirious with joy and disbelief, running after and grabbing hold of Lamar Odom’s floating downcourt pass, while all the purple and gold streamers in the world are raining down on the hardwood." - Brian Tung
Per Kobe on Max and Marcellus 710 ESPN...
I think Lakers fans know that the Lakers, throughout the course of history, one way or another they always seem to find themslves back on top
Obivously all fans don’t know that, but perhaps things are still in motion, this season included. Time will tell.
"I keep telling everybody we’re going to be fine," Bryant said. "This is the start of the year and it’s tough to kind of get out on the road. We had some very tough opponents to start the season with on the road. It’s kind of getting used to everything with no practices. We’re going to be A-OK."
by Zen and Tonic on Feb 8, 2012 4:18 PM PST up reply actions
No its over! We are not "talented" and we have no intagibles which wins championships
Not even gonna wait for the team to have more than 5 practices!
by Fin Fan Forever on Feb 8, 2012 4:19 PM PST up reply actions
LOL
My reply was cut, but well said below Fin Fan (too much talking to myself!)
"I keep telling everybody we’re going to be fine," Bryant said. "This is the start of the year and it’s tough to kind of get out on the road. We had some very tough opponents to start the season with on the road. It’s kind of getting used to everything with no practices. We’re going to be A-OK."
by Zen and Tonic on Feb 8, 2012 4:29 PM PST up reply actions
lol intangibles.
More power to you for feeling they can win it all as is. I dnt think so. Not without some moves being made. Major or minor something has to b done imo. We arent good enough top to bottom. Its no secret why we lose leads when we hafta sub guys in. If Our 3 could play 48 minutes every night and not gey tired then my thinking would b different but they cant so its not.
See me on Twitter follow me @ EddieCheeze, Catch me on FB friend me Eddie Cheeze, See my group on youtube listen to us Hood Platinum, want me ta kill a track email me Cheeze2k11@gmail.com....Im errwhere
by EmmCeee on Feb 8, 2012 4:36 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
How many benches in the league maintain leads to begin with
And thats been an issue in LA for quite some time, not just this year.
And again we’re missing the best PG on the team, on a lockout shortened season, while we added new players, and a new offense and defense. We’ve had very little practices to implement these things, along with guys with tenure in the league shooting below their career averages which makes sense because of the lack of workouts and stuff. Again the whole league is suffering offensively, its gonna be alot more noticeable when you have new players/coaches/plays.
by Fin Fan Forever on Feb 8, 2012 4:50 PM PST up reply actions
Or it could b something as simple as deteriorating skills
The players we’re talking about are all 30 n over.
See me on Twitter follow me @ EddieCheeze, Catch me on FB friend me Eddie Cheeze, See my group on youtube listen to us Hood Platinum, want me ta kill a track email me Cheeze2k11@gmail.com....Im errwhere
by EmmCeee on Feb 8, 2012 5:02 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
Since benches usually play against other benches
about half of them, I’d say.
And I hear what you’re saying, but if you are blaming the Lakers struggles on Steve Blake being out, just think about how sad that statement is. You might not even be wrong, but if missing Steve Blake is why your team is struggling, I maintain that’s a reflection that you don’t have a very good team.
by C.A. Clark on Feb 8, 2012 5:10 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Im not blaming the Lakers struggles on Blake being out
It has alot more with the lockout season, new players, new offensive schemes, very little practices. Also Blake being the main PG to run the offense and him going out and us relying on Fisher (who isn’t really a PG in the traditional sense) and rookies to run the offense doesn’t help either.
Even if Blake only matches his production from last year, which I think he’ll improve and get his career avgs in a more traditional offense, that still adds a good 6-10 points. He’s a better passer than anyone coming off the bench, and in 12 games you could already notice the difference between him in the triangle and out of it and how the ball moves when Fisher handles it compared to when Blake does.
LA doesn’t need to drop 100 to win games, the defense keeps them close they just need to limit giving the opposing team points (turnovers), move the ball better, and get into the offense quicker.
by Fin Fan Forever on Feb 8, 2012 5:31 PM PST up reply actions
I believe you Kobe. Stupid bandwagon fans. : )
I still believe even if others don’t. I do. <3 Kobe. xoxoxoxoxoxo
lol
THE BANDWAGON: Championship? lol you’ve gotta b kidding. - Emmceee /we aren't winning anything this year man - BlueXfalcon / We arent winning anything this year - Lakergirl / we aren’t winning anything this yurrrrr - Tkuang /I expect them to make it past the first round, but I will be very happy if they make it past the second.- Gil M. / We aren’t gonna win anything this year, dude - Aethereal / don't think we will win anything this year. Seriously-CLDPC / I’m not expecting something big from this Lakers team this season - Yoshifan
As invested as we are in the Lakers, one guy has us all beat...
“I keep telling everybody we’re going to be fine,” Bryant said. “This is the start of the year and it’s tough to kind of get out on the road. We had some very tough opponents to start the season with on the road. It’s kind of getting used to everything with no practices. We’re going to be A-OK.”
I remember when we were rolling in ‘08 and Drew went down. The sky was falling then too. Oops, we won a championship after Pau came it. We don’t need nearly as much help this time.
"I keep telling everybody we’re going to be fine," Bryant said. "This is the start of the year and it’s tough to kind of get out on the road. We had some very tough opponents to start the season with on the road. It’s kind of getting used to everything with no practices. We’re going to be A-OK."
by Zen and Tonic on Feb 8, 2012 4:40 PM PST up reply actions
That is exactly how I feel. That is a great quote.
THE BANDWAGON: Championship? lol you’ve gotta b kidding. - Emmceee /we aren't winning anything this year man - BlueXfalcon / We arent winning anything this year - Lakergirl / we aren’t winning anything this yurrrrr - Tkuang /I expect them to make it past the first round, but I will be very happy if they make it past the second.- Gil M. / We aren’t gonna win anything this year, dude - Aethereal / don't think we will win anything this year. Seriously-CLDPC / I’m not expecting something big from this Lakers team this season - Yoshifan
Yeah
I don’t like the Jim Buss show, but I think the team has a chance to win a title anyway. Benches become so much less important in the post season, and the Lakers play a conservative defense that is very well suited for the playoffs. Pau has really picked up his play the last few weeks, Bynum is probably the one player on the team who this new offense benefits because he scores now without plays being run for him. Three great players is enough to win a title, if the Lakers can get something from anyone. It’s going to be all about matchups, though, of course: if the Lakers run into a team that heaves 3 pointers all night they might go home pretty early if they start going in.
by Derek Fisher Fan on Feb 8, 2012 8:10 PM PST up reply actions
I think to say the Lakers might not make the playoffs, and if they do their looking at 1 and done
Is really viewing the season with heavy focus on the offensive woes and downplaying the significance of the defense. You definitely aren’t alone in saying this, I just think its way too soon and a huge overreaction to the drop in offensive play. The thing thats getting overlooked is how the rest of the league is doing offensively. You had around 10 teams averaging over 100 points last season, this year so far there’s 3 teams. There’s been a drop-off offensively league round, and it doesn’t help the Lakers offensively that theirs multiple new players, new coaches/schemes, and the fact that the best PG on the team has missed a large part of the season so far. Blake coming back, will make the offense run better, and as good as Glock has been, he does start the offense too late with his dribbling. If Blake just improves the teams offense by 3-4 points (I’m lowballing by a bit) That pushes the terrible offense to a top 10 offense (Also shows how the rest of the league is doing).
With what was available and the options , especially after the CP3 ordeal, Mitch did an ok job with a very crappy/ridiculous situation. I don’t like alot of his contracts, but I do understand sometimes you gotta overpay. As for the moves this season, again given to the circumstances, I don’t have a problem with the signings given what was available. Kapono has been terrible, but is it Mitch’s fault that a good career 3 point shooter is shooting well below his career average? Who expects that when you sign a player? As for someone bringing up above the inactivity of D-Leaguers getting called up, its for a reason. Even with DC gone (who was one of the better players in the NBADL), no one has been called up because their not ready/good enough. If it wasn’t for Blake getting hurt I doubt we would have seen much of the rookies anyway. So faulting Mitch for not bringing up D-Leaguers is ridiculous.
I understand the frustration, but what I don’t understand is the sentiment that there’s no way his team can win the West. What teams in the West have really firmly placed themselves as being capable of running away with the conference? OKC? As bad as the Lakers are offensively, is exactly where the Thunder are defensively and that playing style usually doesn’t lead to championships. Portland imo has the best chances, but their very inconsistent on both sides of the ball. There is not one team in the West that has the conf anywhere close to locked up. The West is up for the taking
Im not saying LA is gonna compete for the 1 seed, thats for the young guns, but expect LA somewhere in the 3-5 spot and if they continue to play defense at a high level which will always keep you in games especially in the playoffs, and the offense improves with Blake (which should also limit the TO’s) or any other possible additions I don’t see how the Lakers getting to the WCF or further is that surprising. It would shock me a hell of a lot less than if you told me 25 games in last season that Dallas would beat Portand, Lakers, Thunder, and Heat on their way to a championship.
by Fin Fan Forever on Feb 8, 2012 4:11 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
If we had no options and could not improve...the imminent failure sentiments are justified.
Happily, neither of those things are true.
Well said Fin Fan.
"I keep telling everybody we’re going to be fine," Bryant said. "This is the start of the year and it’s tough to kind of get out on the road. We had some very tough opponents to start the season with on the road. It’s kind of getting used to everything with no practices. We’re going to be A-OK."
by Zen and Tonic on Feb 8, 2012 4:25 PM PST up reply actions
By the same token
Until those options or improvements are utilized/made the feeling of imminent failure is justified.
See me on Twitter follow me @ EddieCheeze, Catch me on FB friend me Eddie Cheeze, See my group on youtube listen to us Hood Platinum, want me ta kill a track email me Cheeze2k11@gmail.com....Im errwhere
by EmmCeee on Feb 8, 2012 4:43 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
Thankfully we have time to improve and options.
That was the part that was cut from my reply. If the trade deadline passes with no moves, the options half goes away. If that happens and we aren’t playing much better, we’ve tossed the short season and will probably look very different next year.
"I keep telling everybody we’re going to be fine," Bryant said. "This is the start of the year and it’s tough to kind of get out on the road. We had some very tough opponents to start the season with on the road. It’s kind of getting used to everything with no practices. We’re going to be A-OK."
by Zen and Tonic on Feb 8, 2012 4:46 PM PST up reply actions
I hate basketball reasons and hate what it did to Lamar Odom
The loss of Lamar Odom because of the botched Chris Paul trade hurt us more than many may think.
Without Chris Paul, we have no one to demand the ball from Kobe’s hands. This is especially crucial in late game situations, a good ball-dominating guard like Chris Paul will take the ball from Kobe’s trigger happy hands during crunch time, if only to set him up for a better shot. Right now, we have no one who Kobe is willing to defer to. Even if we made a move for a middling point guard like Ramon Sessions, you think Kobe is going to trust him with the ball in clutch situations? Hardly.
Because of the nixed trade of Chris Paul, Lamar Odom became distraught and demanded a trade. Taking away such a versatile and great player from our team and getting nothing (so far) in return is always a huge blow. Lamar was oftentimes the point guard of the second unit, running the offense better than Derek Fisher or Steve Blake. What’s going wrong with us this season? We can’t run a decent offense. Part of it is because Blake’s out, but it’s also because we don’t have that secondary creator in Odom.
Odom also was one of the few players we had (especially in the 2nd unit) who could create his own shot, thus opening up the floor for his teammates. Right now in our bench unit we have no one who fits that bill, hence, the second unit’s offense is stagnant.
Odom also was one of our best three point shooters last season at 40%. This year, we’re dead last in that category.
Also, Odom brought a very competent backup big man to our second unit. It seems like a luxury now that we cringe every time Murphy or McRoberts is on the floor.
The bitter truth of all of this is:
None of this is Mitch’s fault. But we, and he, have to live with the mess David Stern has created for us.
Thanks a whole fucking lot, NBA.
Quality is our dignity. Service is our lift.
by LOOOeee on Feb 8, 2012 4:20 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
I think Odom's play in the actual championship years are being confused with his SMOTY play last year
He was still a KEY member of why LA won back-to-back, but by far last year was his best and most consistent year as a Laker and going into the season I had no expectations of him matching that this year, especially under a new system and receiving less playing time with Bynum going in the season healthy and with a larger role.
by Fin Fan Forever on Feb 8, 2012 4:32 PM PST up reply actions
You're right
but I still have expectations of having him is better than not having him.
Quality is our dignity. Service is our lift.
Of course, but I think the TPE is gonna be used and a net a player that will help the offense
more than what LO could have this season as a Laker.
by Fin Fan Forever on Feb 8, 2012 4:52 PM PST up reply actions
I would say that's debatable at best
Lamar Odom was always crucial to the Lakers’ offense. But let’s hope so.
Quality is our dignity. Service is our lift.
Well under Mike Brown. If we were still running the triangle then I would go with LO
over whoever we bring (if we do)
by Fin Fan Forever on Feb 8, 2012 6:25 PM PST up reply actions
regardless of system
Odom is still a good creator on offense, something we desperately lack in the second unit. Hell, in the first unit as well.
Quality is our dignity. Service is our lift.
F basketball reasons AND his winged monkeys in small markets.
There. I said it!
"I keep telling everybody we’re going to be fine," Bryant said. "This is the start of the year and it’s tough to kind of get out on the road. We had some very tough opponents to start the season with on the road. It’s kind of getting used to everything with no practices. We’re going to be A-OK."
It's cool wit me
"Hardwork beats talent when talent fails to work hard"-Norm Nixon
There are basic Fundamentals that are needed to move forward in this game. Always keep your guard up at all times to avoid being caught in a trap. Overcome the fouls that will be committed against you REBOUND AND PRESS ON. ADJUST to the Limelight: ALL-STAR PLAYERS ARE ALWAYS THE CENTER OF ATTENTION. Know what your role is and play your position. Find a game plan and execute it. REMEMBER YOU ONLY GET OUT OF THE GAME WHAT YOU PUT INTO IT.
I'm on it so let's tweet: @B_M_Bizness
by BrittneyM on Feb 8, 2012 4:37 PM PST via mobile reply actions
My big quibble is the Odom trade.
Everything else is somewhat defensible. We went from pre-draft rumors of Odom for Iggy and Odom for Ellis to…Odom for a big TPE (which mind you, we could still get a nice piece with). Unless they thought that Odom was going to retire on the spot and deny them to ability to use him for anything at all, it really doesn’t make sense. Teams have dealt (and are dealing with right now) discontented superstars of all people. This team has dealt with multiple megastars demanding trades at any one single point in their history.
The unfortunate thing is that the Paul trade really showed that 1) the FO had a coherent vision for the future of this team; 2) accepted the defects on the roster and smartly cashed in two (Gasol/Odom) of their big trade chips (the third being Bynum) for practically the best player possible to correct those holes in Paul; and 3) created flexibility for the team going forward. Remember that the Lakers were getting a $8.9M TPE back in the deal, same as the one they have right now, except it would have been used for getting a four, arguably the deepest position in the league. Pretty much the rest of the free agent signings — a solid three-point spot-up shooter (Kapono), a high energy big man who can roll to the rim (McRoberts), and a stretch four (Murphy) — make sense if you have Paul orchestrating the show to glue them all together into a cohesive unit.
I still think that this top three are a championship core and the team still has the means by which to acquire the pieces through which they can provide enough support for them, but it wouldn’t be amiss to say that the Paul trade debacle completely derailed the Lakers’ plan for the offseason and the immediate future.
To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself. -- Sun Tzu
Can't argue with any of that. I wonder if the quick decision to let LO go had anything to do
with Mitch already knowing that although Stern blocked the CP3 trade that the Lakers decided to continue with trying to get him only to pull out later. In other words, they thought that they were that concerned with scoring since they thought they still had a good chance at getting CP3. Just a thought.
THE BANDWAGON: Championship? lol you’ve gotta b kidding. - Emmceee /we aren't winning anything this year man - BlueXfalcon / We arent winning anything this year - Lakergirl / we aren’t winning anything this yurrrrr - Tkuang /I expect them to make it past the first round, but I will be very happy if they make it past the second.- Gil M. / We aren’t gonna win anything this year, dude - Aethereal / don't think we will win anything this year. Seriously-CLDPC / I’m not expecting something big from this Lakers team this season - Yoshifan
I completely agree with you re:the Paul trade.
That was such a brilliant move, and you know Kupchak is a really good GM when he not only orchestrates such a move, but realigns the roster to maximize the benefits from it…..And then the league got involved!! :( It’s been months and I’m still pissed off. I can’t even watch CP3 play, it makes me so annoyed!
That being said, I’m really hoping Mitch can come up with a fantastic Plan B. And soon!
by SmokeAndAshes on Feb 8, 2012 5:32 PM PST up reply actions
Same here... my sig says it all. I can't see myself changing it until we get a solid PG and return to championship form.
FUCK DAVID STERN for vetoing destiny.
Murphy and Kapono simply don't mesh with what Brown values.
I don’t think Paul would’ve impacted them that much. Murphy is shooting a high percentage anyway from three while Kapono plain sucks. Maybe he would’ve improved Ebanks, but I doubt. Either way, Paul would be working with the same awful spare parts as the current squad is doing.
same
I never understood the rush to dump Odom so quickly. If after some time he continued to demand a trade, refuse to play, or something of that nature, then ok. As bad as he has played in Dallas, we really do miss him.
Like I said, the only thing that makes sense is if they thought he was going to retire.
Since that would have knocked his contract off the books but denied the Lakers any ability to use him as a trade chip. If that was the case, then they needed to trade him ASAP to still maintain trade flexibility via getting a TPE. From that perspective, it was too big of a risk to wait him out or try to talk with him. I still question that rationale, but if the aforementioned is true, it explains their actions somewhat.
To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself. -- Sun Tzu
I dont know
if he did threaten to retire, wouldn’t Mitch have used that to further explain the rationale behind the trade?
there has to be more to it
The original CP3 trade had the Odom TPE built into it and Kupchack jumped all over the Dallas TPE to secure that. It seems like it’s a big part of whatever his plan is. It remains a mystery to me, but I have to go with Pincus’ theory that it was a way to preserve trade value when LO’s actual value was going to drop when he inevitably would not play as well outside the triangle.
FUCK DAVID STERN for vetoing destiny.
Odom has talked in a interview this year that he considered
Taking this year off from basketball but Kloe talked him out of it. Im sure mitch knew about that, caught word of it or maybe they talked about it. Lo seemed a lil off last year tho, mentally he just seemed too nomchalant in his exit interview, plus everything that happened with the death in his family this summer and the failed trade Im sure mitch felt his mind would be in it enough
by Ballinsohard on Feb 9, 2012 1:02 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Talking about needing a PG
it is interesting to see how much things can change for a team when you have a traditional PG who can pass. Novak has really benefited from Lin to. It sounds like he has a lot of fans in Washington.
THE BANDWAGON: Championship? lol you’ve gotta b kidding. - Emmceee /we aren't winning anything this year man - BlueXfalcon / We arent winning anything this year - Lakergirl / we aren’t winning anything this yurrrrr - Tkuang /I expect them to make it past the first round, but I will be very happy if they make it past the second.- Gil M. / We aren’t gonna win anything this year, dude - Aethereal / don't think we will win anything this year. Seriously-CLDPC / I’m not expecting something big from this Lakers team this season - Yoshifan
Truth...
"I keep telling everybody we’re going to be fine," Bryant said. "This is the start of the year and it’s tough to kind of get out on the road. We had some very tough opponents to start the season with on the road. It’s kind of getting used to everything with no practices. We’re going to be A-OK."
by Zen and Tonic on Feb 8, 2012 6:43 PM PST up reply actions
25 Year old, ball handler you say?
Sounds like Jordan Farmar to me!
"I don't mind being the goat. I don't mind being the villain, hated. I've been that my whole career, so it's not like that's anything new. I don't mind people jumping on the bandwagon or jumping off. I just focus on playing the game." -Ron Artest
"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." -Confucius
Sans Allstar
But check out the PER difference, between him and Deron, less than 1:
Farmar = 18.5
http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3002/jordan-farmar
DWill = 19.4
http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2798/deron-williams
How much better would Farmar be if he got starter minutes and bigs who could play well?
Are you basically asking how much better would Farmar be if he was still with the Lakers? lol
"In this league, you gotta learn to run on empty. Fuel level at zero, but still you run." -KB
Farmar would be a great addition to our squad if we still had him
Ironically he left LA for the primary reason that he wanted to become a starting PG and get more minutes.
He went to a team where he now backs up the All-Star caliber D.Will and comes off the bench.
If he stayed in LA, he would probably now start, and he would be on the court as many minutes as he could handle.
Farmar would not be starting over Fisher.
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe. - Albert Einstein
Captain Obvious, er, MagicJohnson: Kobe, Bynum & Gasol all must step up big to beat the @76ers.
Tweetness
Not mentioned is the fact that Mitch passed on Jeremy Lin at least three times in the past 18 months (twice in the 2010 draft and once or twice as a FA), and now the guy is carving up opposing PGs in the pick and roll. In his last three games, he has outplayed Deron Williams, Devin Harris, and John Wall, and the Knicks have been winning without Carmelo and Amare. He had 23 with 10 assists tonight, and 28 with 8 assists in his previous game. Washington tried going under the screen against him tonight, and he still got to the rim!
To be fair, the Lakers DID try to get him in the 2010 offseason but he went to GS for basically the same money.
http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/news/story?id=5392883
To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself. -- Sun Tzu
Should have drafted him in 2010 then
Or picked him up after GS cut him, instead of keeping Morris or an injured Caracter. Even if you combined the best parts of Fisher’s and Blake’s games, Lin would still be significantly better.
by The Dude Abides on Feb 8, 2012 7:48 PM PST up reply actions
Mistakes are made and we all need to live with them.
Kobe fell to the 13th pick in the draft. I’m sure the other 12 teams have kicked themselves in the head over that miss including Charlotte, who traded him.
"In this league, you gotta learn to run on empty. Fuel level at zero, but still you run." -KB
Can't really argue against picking Caracter with the 58th choice.
Headcase coming to a veteran team and had been rated so highly coming out of high school. It’s the high upside choice you’re going for at the end of the second round. That and no one really paid attention to Lin until he showed up Wall in summer league play. You might as well said that we should have seen that Gary Neal was someone to pick up as well. As for when he was released by GS, the Knicks picked him up via waiver wire, which means that they had priority over us due to record, making it a moot point.
To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself. -- Sun Tzu
Yeah, Houston claimed him first before the Knicks did
So that makes it even more moot. However, the Lakers were in on him in Summer 2010, but the Warriors offered him a two-year deal and the Lakers only one year. Can’t really blame Mitch too much for that, although not offering Dorell Wright a contract to play triangle PG was pretty dumb as well. He had played all three small positions in Miami, and had shot close to 40% from three. Rather short-sighted to not even consider signing him.
by The Dude Abides on Feb 8, 2012 10:02 PM PST up reply actions
Oh, the FB&G love affair with Dorell Wright.
He’s nice and everything, but thinking he was a real possibility even as a triangle PG is far-fetched. Yes, you’re a glorified shooting guard and all that, but you have to make some decisions with the ball and saying he has an ounce of court vision is vastly overestimating his skills with the ball in his hands. There’s also a rather large difference in defensive ability between him and Artest that turned out to be rather important that year as well.
To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself. -- Sun Tzu
I think he could have filled the Ron Harper role as well as Ron Harper did
He played some PG for Miami and wasn’t terrible, and we could have used his length to defend other PGs. And if he didn’t work out at PG, he could have played 20 minutes per game backing up both Kobe and Ron-Ron.
by The Dude Abides on Feb 8, 2012 11:04 PM PST up reply actions
And T. Douglass to the Knicks....
since we are counting.
THE BANDWAGON: Championship? lol you’ve gotta b kidding. - Emmceee /we aren't winning anything this year man - BlueXfalcon / We arent winning anything this year - Lakergirl / we aren’t winning anything this yurrrrr - Tkuang /I expect them to make it past the first round, but I will be very happy if they make it past the second.- Gil M. / We aren’t gonna win anything this year, dude - Aethereal / don't think we will win anything this year. Seriously-CLDPC / I’m not expecting something big from this Lakers team this season - Yoshifan
That was a trade to shed payroll
And right now he is behind Lin on the depth chart. NBA draft trades require the team trading the pick to pick for the other team. I.e. Knicks wanted Douglas maybe we didn’t. Thinking Buss was tired of paying taxes.
I put that on Jerry Buss
along with a bunch of other cost-cutting moves that depleted our bench: selling that 1st rounder, dumping Vujacic & 1st round pick, Radmanovic, not offering Farmar something to stick around (knowing the triangle was going to away soon).
FUCK DAVID STERN for vetoing destiny.
I only disliked the Farmar decision insofar as we didn't extend the QO.
Get an asset for him or use him to sweeten a possible trade proposal. There’s enough of a demand for backup guards in this league that someone would have bit. Besides that, I wasn’t opposed to giving him up. He had shown nothing since ‘07-’08 to indicate that he was a long-term starter or good for that matter. The Radmanovic deal was okay since we got Brown and he was superfluous with Ariza and a still-functional Walton on the roster. Completely agree on the Vujacic deal though — that was crass cost-cutting, although Mitch admitted that we would have used our first on Morris regardless, so the harm there was mostly averted.
To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself. -- Sun Tzu
He didn't represent a "need" for most other teams
Most other NBA teams have at least one competent PG. The Lakers have none, and had none at the time of the 2010 draft. The Warriors outbid us for his services as an undrafted free agent after he torched John Wall in the summer league, and they already had Curry and Ellis.
by The Dude Abides on Feb 9, 2012 9:56 AM PST up reply actions
He will fall back to earth shortly
"What we want to remember—what we will remember—is the indelible vision of Kobe, his arms outstretched, delirious with joy and disbelief, running after and grabbing hold of Lamar Odom’s floating downcourt pass, while all the purple and gold streamers in the world are raining down on the hardwood." - Brian Tung
I doubt it
I’ve been watching him play, and he’s been the most dominant player on the court the past two games. Granted, Devin Harris is a below average starting PG in the NBA and John Wall only average, but Lin outplayed them both. The Knicks seemingly ran the P&R just about every time down. The guy has a great feel for the play, and even makes it to the rim when his defender goes under the screen!
by The Dude Abides on Feb 9, 2012 10:00 AM PST up reply actions
and he only goes to the right.
i just dont see it.
"What we want to remember—what we will remember—is the indelible vision of Kobe, his arms outstretched, delirious with joy and disbelief, running after and grabbing hold of Lamar Odom’s floating downcourt pass, while all the purple and gold streamers in the world are raining down on the hardwood." - Brian Tung
The Lakers didn't want to trade Shaq either and you see what happens. Once a superstar has his mind made up, what can you do?
btw..suck on that all those “sources” out there.
Devos said that the fact that Shaquille O’Neal left the Magic as a free agent to join the Los Angeles Lakers has no ramifications on Howard’s situation.
THE BANDWAGON: Championship? lol you’ve gotta b kidding. - Emmceee /we aren't winning anything this year man - BlueXfalcon / We arent winning anything this year - Lakergirl / we aren’t winning anything this yurrrrr - Tkuang /I expect them to make it past the first round, but I will be very happy if they make it past the second.- Gil M. / We aren’t gonna win anything this year, dude - Aethereal / don't think we will win anything this year. Seriously-CLDPC / I’m not expecting something big from this Lakers team this season - Yoshifan
If Pau for Rondo is true
can the Lakers make it a three team and send rondo+3 1st rd+LO TPE for D-Will.
How I wish….
Mitch
All the way I don’t think Mitch is a good GM. After Jerry West left Lakers, he could not manage Lakers effectively, such as the deal Ariza/Worldpeace, Besides, the average age of the whole team became older and not enough energy. He should keep L.O. (as power forward) and Brown (as point guard) instead losing them with almost nothing in return.
Your forgetting who even brought in half of the players that left
Shannon was brought in the Radmonovic trade.
Ariza was brought in for Brian Cook
He drafted Farmar and Sasha
He traded Kwame, and Crittenton for Gasol, and he had Chris Paul for 1 hour and 50 minutes
Mitch gets a worse rep for no reason, if it wasn’t for half the moves he made we wouldn’t have won two titles in a row and made the NBA Finals 3 times in a row.
AMMO carried the Lakers to back-2-back titles and we couldn't even get LEWIS MONROE for him...
How is signing Ron over Ariza a bad move?
Ariza really hasn’t done anything since he left and without Ron, we probably don’t win in 2010. Also, Shannon isn’t much of a loss at all.
considering what we get from the backup 2
Losing Brown is bigger than we all expected
See me on Twitter follow me @ EddieCheeze, Catch me on FB friend me Eddie Cheeze, See my group on youtube listen to us Hood Platinum, want me ta kill a track email me Cheeze2k11@gmail.com....Im errwhere
by EmmCeee on Feb 8, 2012 7:50 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
LOL, Jerry West left in 2000, Ariza and Artest didn't swap until 2009. Mitch didn't do anything in that time? Wow.
Wonder where Pau came from. And Shannon. And Artest helped us win in 2010.
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe. - Albert Einstein
Captain Obvious, er, MagicJohnson: Kobe, Bynum & Gasol all must step up big to beat the @76ers.
Tweetness
this really true?
Lin showed the determination that was overlooked when he came out of Palo Alto High School in northern California. Lin was bypassed his senior year in 2005-06 — the only California high school player of the year to not receive a Division I scholarship — even though he started on a 32-1 team that won the Division II state title by upsetting national power Mater Dei.
No D1 scholarship offers?
Mitch has done a pretty good job as GM over 10 years.
This year, there have been a number of things working against him.
http://nbawarriors.wordpress.com/
Can't blame him for this year's fiasco.
Overall he’s done much better than most GMs around the lg so kudos for that and he turned this team from shit to gold in arguably the greatest heist of the decade when we got Pau for Bynum’s mentor, and that resulted in 2 chips. So he’s done a decent job. One area where he came up short is assembling a durable and consistent bench. Sad to say that the bench filled with farmar and vujacic still attributed to at least 25+ ppg and there was a time when our bench was ranked the best in the league with those 2 knuckleheads on it. So the bench needs help and a solid pg would help revivify this stupor-ridden squad.
"If you’re afraid to fail, then you’re probably going to fail. You know what I mean? Fuck it." -- Kobe "Black Mamba" Bryant
Mitch is patient
He is waiting for a trade that makes sense. Chris Paul is a home run, but the umpire ruled foul. Lamar was going to be a HUGE distraction. He patched up the team and now he’s waiting. Mike Brown is getting used to Pau and Andrew working together. Unfortunately for us, Mitch is waiting for a fat pitch.
This is true
Obviously since we tried to move pau they didnt think Pau and bynum would work together, and we all would choose bynum over pau. But coach brown kuester and messina are making it work better than phil would have imo. He makes pau look like he can play a little defense and I personally dont think LO could make up for our pg wooes, he definetly didnt last year. I guess he could have played some SF but who know if that would really work
by Ballinsohard on Feb 9, 2012 7:31 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
i would really like to see
how the FO will do having a lottery pick. Bynum at 7(not sure?) and kobe at 13 shows how good scouting talent the lakers have. farmar, m.gasol, vujacic and now AG all exceed expectations regarding where they were chosen.
by letsgolal on Feb 8, 2012 10:20 PM PST via iPhone app reply actions
We should be able to trade some of the Laker girls for a lottery pick
Maybe if we make an offer to Gilbert in Comic Sans, he will make the trade
Heck yeah!
Think about it, if we trade our tpe and other 1st round draft picks for a lottery, ooooweee, we would pick the next kobe type of star
by Ballinsohard on Feb 9, 2012 7:37 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
We're not getting a lottery pick this year.
Unless a team wants to trade down from the late lottery. There’s simply no way we crack the top 10 unless you’re fine giving up Gasol for some pieces plus a pick in that area. Lottery picks are precious assets and you don’t give them up unless you have hell of an offer in return.
To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself. -- Sun Tzu
Trade for Koby
Seriously though, Irving is out with a concussion. Hope he comes back soon or Cleveland will need to rely on Sessions more and become more valuable for their team.
Would love to get both or just Sessions
but we don’t want to give up Pau for them while DH and DW are still “available,” and we have no trade assets apart from Pau and Bynum. The Cavs wouldn’t give us either for free (just the TPE) and Mitch is probably saving that plus our draft picks to facilitate a trade for the aforementioned stars.
So it’s pretty much a standoff for us and everyone else in the league until the DH situation resolves itself.
FUCK DAVID STERN for vetoing destiny.
I dont want sessions
I dont think hes any better than what we got, and he horrible from 3point arc. we could use that draft pick and or tpe in the off season to trade for someone much better or trade for one off those guys in this years rookie class( a great class from what I hear). I wanna win this year but I doubt for.the money he’s worth it and win catapult us to a title
by Ballinsohard on Feb 9, 2012 6:26 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
He's getting paid a pittance, is a legit P&R guard, and has had solid numbers even in a down year.
Saying that he’s not better than what we have right now is simply wrong frankly. If you want to see what he does in an expanded role, I refer you to last night against the Clippers.
To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself. -- Sun Tzu
Sorry he's not much better if at all than Blake
He may be able to do some things blake cant like score in the paint but blake can almost do the same things sessions can do Plus knock down 40%+ in 3pts. Look at what Glock did to the clippers, as a Rookie and limited minutes
by Ballinsohard on Feb 9, 2012 9:06 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
Sessions is a hundred times better than Blake
Having a PG that can penetrate would open up things for everyone. Bynum would get even more dunks, our cutters would get dunks and layups off the second pass, and even Kobe could get wide-open looks spotting up behind the arc.
by The Dude Abides on Feb 9, 2012 10:03 AM PST up reply actions
lolwut.
Sessions is a legit pass first point. Blake doesn’t have near his level of court vision or proficiency off the P&R. Only thing he does better is shoot threes (and defense, but that’s another story). Sessions was a 19 PER player last year and even in a down year this season, is still a 15.6 PER one. Blake has never broken 14.5 PER in his career and is hovering above 10 PER right now.
To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself. -- Sun Tzu
Sorry guys I dont see it, if he is better than blake
I dont see a sgnificant upgrade. Im just loving the tpe and draft picks for a significant upgrade at Pg
by Ballinsohard on Feb 9, 2012 1:09 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
I tend to prefer a pg
Who can drive, dish and draw fouls over 1 who can only shoot 3’s. Kobe gets doubled Sessions can attack the paint and create where Blake/Fish can only spot up and may/may not hit the shot.
See me on Twitter follow me @ EddieCheeze, Catch me on FB friend me Eddie Cheeze, See my group on youtube listen to us Hood Platinum, want me ta kill a track email me Cheeze2k11@gmail.com....Im errwhere
by EmmCeee on Feb 9, 2012 1:14 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
Dude, unless you're going to list reasons beyond "He's not better because I think he is," then you're not going to make headway in this discussion.
To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself. -- Sun Tzu
Lol, ive given up
I just hope that if we end up getting sessions he is what you guys say he is, because im going to blame you guys for hyping him up so much when he doesnt help us anymore than what we have. steve can create off pick n rolls but this team hasnt really tried it yet with Blake, they was playing street ball on offense before blake got hurt
by Ballinsohard on Feb 9, 2012 4:24 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
For all those doubting
Mitch, in addtion to mike brown and especially jim buss I want you to have the courage to get on here and say “i was wrong” when this roster acheives its full potential or they make that roster move that nets us a impact gaurd and allows us to keep bynum or trade him for howard and we win.
by Ballinsohard on Feb 9, 2012 5:53 AM PST via mobile reply actions
Im tired of hearing
People saying mitch hasnt done anything but luck up and get gasol, he got a surprise steal in ariza and shanon before he jetting to other teams, he got a artest that gave him a good year, he got a draft steal In goudelock, thats just to mention a few
And jim buss, hell yeah he wants to put his stamp on something he was control off who wouldnt. Kobe wants to put his stamp on every tight game in the 4th but I dont see him getting the Hate jim buss gets. Alot of ppl may be mad a kobe but he dont get that hate. Ji tried to get cp3, the best pg in the game and stern distroyed it, is that jim busses faul? Hell no, jim and mitch did great in that deal. As far as the melo for carmelo deal I believe were in a better situaton now to have a better overall roster than we would have been then. You give up bynum for melo and theres a huge hole in the paint, one pau couldnt fill. We would have no leverage in getting howard and possibly dwill or some other high quality impact gaurd like nash or rondo. Ill save my rant on how well I think coach brown is doing with a roster that has flaws we all know is there but when it comes down to it alot of people wanna blame the coach for not making some miracle hoosier story this early in the season-lol
by Ballinsohard on Feb 9, 2012 6:18 AM PST via mobile reply actions
did you type all that on your phone?
by Ballinsohard on Feb 9, 2012 6:18 AM PST via mobile
FUCK DAVID STERN for vetoing destiny.
Doing all the hard work for CP3
Only to get slapped in the face by Stern and his cronies in the end, i won’t feel like working hard anymore too.
Something to say? Choose one of these options to log in.
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
NBA Playoffs Content Module
Related FanPosts on Silver Screen and Roll
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Featured Stories
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recent FanShots
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- Shaquille O’Neal is in a Chinese beer commercial, too (VIDEO)
- ‘Deep Thoughts’ and Cheap Thoughts: San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
- C-a-C: This is probably as close to LeBron James working with John Waters as we’ll ever get
- Dwyane Wade’s hot pink pants: The kind of thing you can get away with when you drop 41
- Lamar Odom to New York? Dwight Howard on the move? For now, it’s all talk
