The Lakers win!
On the 3rd game of a back-to-back-to-back the Lakers put a hurting on the Jazz by building a 25 point lead after 3 quarters. Pau Gasol got back on track with a solid game both in scoring and rebounding, finishing with 22 and 9.
Troy Murphy fouled out of the game with 5:23 left in the game. He didn't score a point, but had 11 rebounds and 4 assists. He, also, had a +11 point differential, which is good. For the casual basketball fan, what that means is that while he was on the court, the Lakers were winning by 11 points. That's not bad for not scoring a point.
Metta World Peace had 12 points and 5 rebounds as he seems to picking up his performance as one of the main bench players.
Of course, Kobe Bryant led the way with 26 points. For the 3 games, so far Bryant has scored 83 points, which is a 26.6 average. Kobe might have to lead the league in scoring this season for the Lakers to be competitive.
By the way, no one in the Jazz starting line-up scored more than 8 points. Can you believe that? Millsap scored 18 and Josh Howard scored 10 for the Jazz off the bench. Since Al Jefferson has come to the Jazz his scoring production has come way down.
As for the Lakers and their fans, we await Bynum to see how the Lakers really play and how Murphy and McRoberts will be used off the bench. Who'll get most time off the bench when Bynum comes back? Murphy or McRoberts? I'd go with Murphy.
________
Around the league:
Kevin Love seems to be continuing his rebounding ways by grabbing 20 rebounds. He had 12 in his first game of the season. That's 32 boards in 2 games. That's 16 boards per game. Huge! Too bad the 'Wolves lost both of their games as the 'Wolves fell to the Bucks tonight. The point? Don't be fooled by stats when your team is losing.
The Celtics fell to 0-2 by losing to the Heat 115-107. The Celtics are playing without Paul Pierce so we can't get a real feel for what they're all about this season, yet. But, right now, Jermaine O'Neil is not producing for them at the 5 spot. And a team without a defensive center will not win a championship.
The Heat are 2-0, but they don't have a defensive center, either. Keep your eye on that team. Mark my words: come playoff time, no defensive center, no ring for that team.
After beating the Lakers in their opener, the Kings get crushed in Portland 101-79. Gerald Wallace scored 25 for the 'Blazers and LaMarcus Aldridge scored 24. I guess the Kings aren't really that good or the Lakers are really bad. Too early in the season to tell.
Atlanta vs. New Jersey...snoozer! I'm sorry if that's offensive to the players of both teams. They are professional players, but, I don't think either team is going anywhere anytime soon.
________
Games of interest tomorrow:
New York at Golden State:
New York has the big 3: Anthony, Amare, and Chandler. Mark Jackson is said to be having the Warriors play defense. Let's see how this works out. The Warriors seem to have more balance on their roster as opposed to the East Coast's big city's 3 superstar roster model.
Los Angeles Clippers at San Antonio:
Let's see how good the Clippers really are, and how old San Antonio really is.
Oklahoma City at Memphis:
Let's see how good little brother Gasol really is. This should be a good game. Perkins vs. Gasol in the middle. Randolph vs. Ibaka at the 4 spot. And Durant vs. Gay at the 3 spot.
I give the edge to the Thunder because they have Mohammad to relieve Perkins. Mohammad always gives good relief minutes.
We shall see!
mike t.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Monday, December 26, 2011
Lakers vs. Kings
It's difficult what to make of the Lakers at this point without Andrew Bynum in the line-up. Here we are in the 2nd of a back-to-back-to-back and it doesn't look good. Now, the Lakers have to play Utah, tomorrow.
I guess, a lot of people will look at these two opening games and think that the Lakers need some serious help. And maybe that's true, but, once again, we can't really say until Bynum returns to the line-up.
For this game against the Kings, Metta World Peace had a real good game with 19 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists. Troy Murphy had 8 and 8. But, from what I saw, this reminds me of the old Chris Mihm days, when Mihm would get good stats, but he couldn't protect the rim at all, which would allow teams to outscore the Lakers. In those days, the Lakers would win 2 and lose 2. It was terrible. But, I'm not trying to say that Peace and Murphy should be protecting the rim. That's isn't their role. That role belongs to Bynum.
One thing that I noticed about this game was that when the game was in question, Pau Gasol was nowhere to be found. I said to myself: is this guy done? In the absence of Bynum, Gasol isn't doing his part to make-up for production Bynum would usually provide.
Other than that, there doesn't seem to be anything too exciting about the Lakers. No matter what, it's obvious that the Lakers need a new point guard.
Looking around the league, I don't see any team in the league that doesn't have holes in their roster. All that to say what? This could be an open season, where anyone can win it all.
mike t.
I guess, a lot of people will look at these two opening games and think that the Lakers need some serious help. And maybe that's true, but, once again, we can't really say until Bynum returns to the line-up.
For this game against the Kings, Metta World Peace had a real good game with 19 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists. Troy Murphy had 8 and 8. But, from what I saw, this reminds me of the old Chris Mihm days, when Mihm would get good stats, but he couldn't protect the rim at all, which would allow teams to outscore the Lakers. In those days, the Lakers would win 2 and lose 2. It was terrible. But, I'm not trying to say that Peace and Murphy should be protecting the rim. That's isn't their role. That role belongs to Bynum.
One thing that I noticed about this game was that when the game was in question, Pau Gasol was nowhere to be found. I said to myself: is this guy done? In the absence of Bynum, Gasol isn't doing his part to make-up for production Bynum would usually provide.
Other than that, there doesn't seem to be anything too exciting about the Lakers. No matter what, it's obvious that the Lakers need a new point guard.
Looking around the league, I don't see any team in the league that doesn't have holes in their roster. All that to say what? This could be an open season, where anyone can win it all.
mike t.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
The New Lakers!
The new CBA has pushed the NBA into new territory. I've mentioned it before; how that big-market teams vs. small-market teams is the same as a 3 superstar roster model vs. a well-balanced roster model.
The Lakers, from what I saw in their opening game of the season, have both. The Lakers have 3 superstars in Bryant, Gasol, and Bynum. But, what they have coming off of the bench, in my opinion, is quality. The addition of McRoberts and Murphy has really stabilized the bench for the Lakers.
Both McRoberts and Murphy contributed 8 rebound in tonight's game and anyway you look at it, that is huge! McRoberts plays with energy, and Murphy plays with experience.
When Bynum comes back and McRoberts goes back to the bench, the Lakers are going to have a well-balanced roster. With Ebanks and Goudelock in the mix; this might be Kobe Bryant's chance to show the Michael Jordan aspect of his game. In other words: he has decent players around him, and now might be the time for Kobe to take over in the late stages of the game to pull it out for the Lakers. In other words: Kobe should build on his legacy as the greatest Laker of all-time.
____________
Coach Brown, in my opinion, needs to work on who finishes the game. Fisher shouldn't be out there to close the game. Why would coach Brown put Fisher on Rose at the end of the game when he had Barns' height to cover Rose? The guy, coach Brown, says he's a defensive minded coach, but how does he go with Fisher to cover the best point guard in the league to close a game? Fisher is 37 years old and is seriously slow. Where is the logic in this move?
This game was the Lakers all the way, but Gasol and McRoberts gave it away with missed free throws. And coach Brown contributed to the loss by putting Fisher on Rose to end the game. Small things like that, Fisher on Rose, don't make sense. Small things to observe for sure but a huge window into the observation of coach Brown's ego.
Other than that, the Lakers look like they have a nice mixture of 3 stars and quality down the bench. Kobe needs to identify what he has to work with, and to make it work towards a championship.
These are my opening thoughts to the season in which the Lakers aren't looking too bad, in my opinion.
mike t.
The Lakers, from what I saw in their opening game of the season, have both. The Lakers have 3 superstars in Bryant, Gasol, and Bynum. But, what they have coming off of the bench, in my opinion, is quality. The addition of McRoberts and Murphy has really stabilized the bench for the Lakers.
Both McRoberts and Murphy contributed 8 rebound in tonight's game and anyway you look at it, that is huge! McRoberts plays with energy, and Murphy plays with experience.
When Bynum comes back and McRoberts goes back to the bench, the Lakers are going to have a well-balanced roster. With Ebanks and Goudelock in the mix; this might be Kobe Bryant's chance to show the Michael Jordan aspect of his game. In other words: he has decent players around him, and now might be the time for Kobe to take over in the late stages of the game to pull it out for the Lakers. In other words: Kobe should build on his legacy as the greatest Laker of all-time.
____________
Coach Brown, in my opinion, needs to work on who finishes the game. Fisher shouldn't be out there to close the game. Why would coach Brown put Fisher on Rose at the end of the game when he had Barns' height to cover Rose? The guy, coach Brown, says he's a defensive minded coach, but how does he go with Fisher to cover the best point guard in the league to close a game? Fisher is 37 years old and is seriously slow. Where is the logic in this move?
This game was the Lakers all the way, but Gasol and McRoberts gave it away with missed free throws. And coach Brown contributed to the loss by putting Fisher on Rose to end the game. Small things like that, Fisher on Rose, don't make sense. Small things to observe for sure but a huge window into the observation of coach Brown's ego.
Other than that, the Lakers look like they have a nice mixture of 3 stars and quality down the bench. Kobe needs to identify what he has to work with, and to make it work towards a championship.
These are my opening thoughts to the season in which the Lakers aren't looking too bad, in my opinion.
mike t.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Time for the Lakers to Make the Deal for Howard
It's time for the Lakers to make the deal for Dwight Howard. It's time to send Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum to the Magic for Howard and Turkoglu.
Then the Lakers will have to pick-up a new point guard. That won't be so hard to do with Gilbert Arenas still on the market.
This current roster of the Lakers just isn't going to cut it. But with the trade for Howard the Lakers would stand a chance. The new Lakers starting line-up would look something like this:
PG: Arenas
SG: Bryant
SF: Barns or World Peace
PF: Murphy
C: Howard
Bench:
PG: Fisher
SG: Kapono
SF: World Peace or Barns
PF: Turkoglu
C: McRoberts
The Lakers would then have to pick-up another big man somewhere along the line to solidify the bench as the playoffs come around.
I believe that Murphy and McRoberts can do well in coach Brown's offensive and defensive game plan. These player are capable of being solid contributors if Bryant and Howard control most of the game with their talents.
Right now, Gasol's and Bynum's talents don't compliment Murphy and McRoberts game well enough to make the Lakers a serious contender for the championship. Bring in Howard, and Murphy and McRoberts would shine in their roles. Plus, the Lakers will have two three-point shooters in Kapono and Turkoglu.
A bit expensive, I know, but with Kobe Bryant advancing in age, there really isn't any time to waste thinking about it. Make the deal for Howard by shipping Gasol and Bynum out.
mike t.
Then the Lakers will have to pick-up a new point guard. That won't be so hard to do with Gilbert Arenas still on the market.
This current roster of the Lakers just isn't going to cut it. But with the trade for Howard the Lakers would stand a chance. The new Lakers starting line-up would look something like this:
PG: Arenas
SG: Bryant
SF: Barns or World Peace
PF: Murphy
C: Howard
Bench:
PG: Fisher
SG: Kapono
SF: World Peace or Barns
PF: Turkoglu
C: McRoberts
The Lakers would then have to pick-up another big man somewhere along the line to solidify the bench as the playoffs come around.
I believe that Murphy and McRoberts can do well in coach Brown's offensive and defensive game plan. These player are capable of being solid contributors if Bryant and Howard control most of the game with their talents.
Right now, Gasol's and Bynum's talents don't compliment Murphy and McRoberts game well enough to make the Lakers a serious contender for the championship. Bring in Howard, and Murphy and McRoberts would shine in their roles. Plus, the Lakers will have two three-point shooters in Kapono and Turkoglu.
A bit expensive, I know, but with Kobe Bryant advancing in age, there really isn't any time to waste thinking about it. Make the deal for Howard by shipping Gasol and Bynum out.
mike t.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Let the Rumors Begin!
RUMOR:
"Kobe Bryant is livid with the Lakers, and he may demand a trade, Stephen A. Smith said Thursday. Appearing on SportsCenter, Smith said “I predicted that Kobe Bryant will demand a trade, and I am not budging from that. He’s livid. I’ve known Kobe too long. He is ticked off." http://hoopshype.com/rumors.htm
Kobe Bryant will demand to be traded! That is the rumor already starting to be heard in the basketball world.
RUMOR:
Dr. Jerry Buss is fuming that commissioner David Stern vetoed the Lakers deal for Chris Paul.
OUTCOME:
When commissioner Stern vetoed the Chris Paul trade to the Lakers it started a domino effect that will lead to the rebuilding of the Los Angeles Lakers, and bring to an end the Kobe Bryant era. It's not hard to understand Kobe Bryant's anger with Lakers' management right now, because when commissioner Stern vetoed the Chris Paul deal the Lakers panicked in the worst way.
How did it happen? The veto of the Chris Paul trade caused Lamar Odom to have his feelings hurt and demand a trade. Laker management panicked by giving Odom the trade he requested. The problem with the trade is that the Lakers didn't get anything for it in return. That left the Lakers in a position that has confused all Laker fans no matter how you look at it. It's difficult to explain because it makes absolutely no sense at all; just to accommodate Lamar Odom?
The first thing Laker fans will do is to blame Jim Buss for allowing Odom to have his way. But, even if Jim Buss made the decision to make the trade, the trade is squarely on Mitch Kupchak. It is the job of the General Manager to talk the owner out of making foolish decisions, and Mitch Kupchak failed to do that in the worst way. This is because Mitch Kupchak is just a yes man and nothing more.
Jerry West would have never allowed Jerry Busss to makes such a foolish move without presenting the consequences of such an action. All we have to do is look back at when Jerry Buss wanted to trade James Worthy to the Mavericks for Mark Agguire. Jerry West did his job and talked Jerry Buss out of it. It is Mitch Kupchak's job to talk Jim Buss out of making terrible trades. That's why he's the GM. He's the basketball expert and for him to allow the Lamar Odom trade is on him and him alone.
But, now that the deed is done, what is left is nothing short of confusing for all Laker fans. What are the odds of the Lakers getting Dwight Howard? Because, without Howard, the Lakers are in a world of trouble if Andrew Bynum doesn't come up big this season. And if Bynum doesn't come up big then the Lakers will be going down at a rapid pace that will make everyone call for heads to roll in Lakerville.
The veto of the Paul trade has already caused Lamar Odom to be traded. Now, we hear that Kobe Bryant will demand to be traded. If that happens then the Lakers will have no choice but to rebuild. And all of this because David Stern took it upon himself to play the God of the NBA.
What will Dr. Jerry Buss do? If he can't trade for Dwight Howard, then he might as well trade Kobe Bryant to the Magic for Howard. Of course, this is nothing more than basketball talk, but in Dr. Buss has any influence at all in the league...he'd go for David Stern's neck and get him fired. David Stern has single handily done what almost one else has been able to do. He has demolished the Los Angeles Lakers to the point where they may have no other choice but to rebuild, and for that Dr. Buss needs to do something about it.
You know, I'm not a real big Kobe fan, but this deal that commissioner Stern did is real dirty.
mike t.
"Kobe Bryant is livid with the Lakers, and he may demand a trade, Stephen A. Smith said Thursday. Appearing on SportsCenter, Smith said “I predicted that Kobe Bryant will demand a trade, and I am not budging from that. He’s livid. I’ve known Kobe too long. He is ticked off." http://hoopshype.com/rumors.htm
Kobe Bryant will demand to be traded! That is the rumor already starting to be heard in the basketball world.
RUMOR:
Dr. Jerry Buss is fuming that commissioner David Stern vetoed the Lakers deal for Chris Paul.
OUTCOME:
When commissioner Stern vetoed the Chris Paul trade to the Lakers it started a domino effect that will lead to the rebuilding of the Los Angeles Lakers, and bring to an end the Kobe Bryant era. It's not hard to understand Kobe Bryant's anger with Lakers' management right now, because when commissioner Stern vetoed the Chris Paul deal the Lakers panicked in the worst way.
How did it happen? The veto of the Chris Paul trade caused Lamar Odom to have his feelings hurt and demand a trade. Laker management panicked by giving Odom the trade he requested. The problem with the trade is that the Lakers didn't get anything for it in return. That left the Lakers in a position that has confused all Laker fans no matter how you look at it. It's difficult to explain because it makes absolutely no sense at all; just to accommodate Lamar Odom?
The first thing Laker fans will do is to blame Jim Buss for allowing Odom to have his way. But, even if Jim Buss made the decision to make the trade, the trade is squarely on Mitch Kupchak. It is the job of the General Manager to talk the owner out of making foolish decisions, and Mitch Kupchak failed to do that in the worst way. This is because Mitch Kupchak is just a yes man and nothing more.
Jerry West would have never allowed Jerry Busss to makes such a foolish move without presenting the consequences of such an action. All we have to do is look back at when Jerry Buss wanted to trade James Worthy to the Mavericks for Mark Agguire. Jerry West did his job and talked Jerry Buss out of it. It is Mitch Kupchak's job to talk Jim Buss out of making terrible trades. That's why he's the GM. He's the basketball expert and for him to allow the Lamar Odom trade is on him and him alone.
But, now that the deed is done, what is left is nothing short of confusing for all Laker fans. What are the odds of the Lakers getting Dwight Howard? Because, without Howard, the Lakers are in a world of trouble if Andrew Bynum doesn't come up big this season. And if Bynum doesn't come up big then the Lakers will be going down at a rapid pace that will make everyone call for heads to roll in Lakerville.
The veto of the Paul trade has already caused Lamar Odom to be traded. Now, we hear that Kobe Bryant will demand to be traded. If that happens then the Lakers will have no choice but to rebuild. And all of this because David Stern took it upon himself to play the God of the NBA.
What will Dr. Jerry Buss do? If he can't trade for Dwight Howard, then he might as well trade Kobe Bryant to the Magic for Howard. Of course, this is nothing more than basketball talk, but in Dr. Buss has any influence at all in the league...he'd go for David Stern's neck and get him fired. David Stern has single handily done what almost one else has been able to do. He has demolished the Los Angeles Lakers to the point where they may have no other choice but to rebuild, and for that Dr. Buss needs to do something about it.
You know, I'm not a real big Kobe fan, but this deal that commissioner Stern did is real dirty.
mike t.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
How is the Clipper deal better than the Laker deal?
THE CLIPPER DEAL:
Clippers get: Chris Paul
Hornets get: Eric Gordon, center Chris Kaman, forward Al-Farouq Aminu and the Minnesota Timberwolves’ unprotected first-round pick.
THE LAKER DEAL:
Lakers get: Chris Paul
Hornets get: Odom, Scola, Martin, Dragic, and the Knicks 1st rounder in 2012
_______________________________
I'm stunned that commissioner Stern is allowed to get away with this. The Laker deal is way better than the Clipper deal. I guess small-market teams are just tired of having the Lakers getting good deals.
I mean, Gordon and Kaman over Odom and Scola? And Al-Farouq Aminu over Martin and Dragic?
Plus, the Hornets already have a center in Okafor, so why do they need Kaman?
The Lakers have been robbed and royally screwed!
mike t.
Clippers get: Chris Paul
Hornets get: Eric Gordon, center Chris Kaman, forward Al-Farouq Aminu and the Minnesota Timberwolves’ unprotected first-round pick.
THE LAKER DEAL:
Lakers get: Chris Paul
Hornets get: Odom, Scola, Martin, Dragic, and the Knicks 1st rounder in 2012
_______________________________
I'm stunned that commissioner Stern is allowed to get away with this. The Laker deal is way better than the Clipper deal. I guess small-market teams are just tired of having the Lakers getting good deals.
I mean, Gordon and Kaman over Odom and Scola? And Al-Farouq Aminu over Martin and Dragic?
Plus, the Hornets already have a center in Okafor, so why do they need Kaman?
The Lakers have been robbed and royally screwed!
mike t.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Are the Lakers Rebuilding?
According to Lakers' GM Mitch Kupchak, the Lakers are pursuing "big deals" right now. I don't understand the logic because on one side of his neck he makes that statement, and on the other side of his neck he says this: "...that he expects the Lakers’ core of Bryant, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum to be with the team all year..."
The Lakers intend to keep Bryant, Gasol, and Bynum all season long, but are still working on big deals? lol! Sorry, but I have to laugh because if the Lakers do intend to keep Bryant, Gasol, and Bynum; who else on their roster do they have to trade away in a "big deal"?
Has anyone, besides me, ever heard of the phrase: "he's talking out of the side of his neck?" Well, that is exactly what Mitch Kupchak is doing right now.
The Lakers dumped Lamar Odom in what is becoming clear to everyone as nothing more than a salary dump. Kobe Bryant is right to question the deal that send Odom to the Mavs, because the Lakers got nothing in return from the deal. All through Lakerville the question has to be asked: what the heck is going on?
With the new administration, it seems, in full power: Jim Buss is running this show, it might be an indication that the Lakers are simply blowing the team up. Think about it. Phil Jackson is gone. Daddy Buss is in the shadows. The power struggle between Jim and Jeanie Buss is over with Jim coming out on top. What are we to make of the Lakers right now?
Taking a look at the roster, and all we see is the Lakers' version of the big 3: Bryant, Gasol, and Bynum. Injury to anyone one of these players and the Lakers are looking like a middle of the pack team. And even with all three being healthy for the entire season; how far can they possibly go? Right now, against Dallas, it doesn't look too good. Dallas got rid of Chandler, but they still have 2 seven footers in Dirk Nowitzki and Brendon Haywood. Kind of like Gasol and Bynum. But the Mavs added Odom to their mix. Kind of like the Lakers used to have in their "big front line." That's, as Charles Barkley would say: very interesting. The versatile Odom, also, makes up for the Mavs loss of Caron Butler, with the Mavs adding Vince Carter, too?
All that to say what? What are the Lakers doing? What big deal is going to bring in the players to the Lakers that will match up with the defending champs the Dallas Mavericks? Dwight Howard? Dwight Howard and who else? Or better yet, how? Because if Howard does come to the Lakers, Gasol or Bynum are gone. Without Gasol or Bynum to trade away what else do the Lakers have trade away, except for Kobe Bryant?
Then signing Howard to a max extension would pretty much put the Lakers over the salary cap and well into the luxury tax. Again, what are the Lakers doing? Getting rid of Odom with nothing to show in return...could it be that without too much notice that the Lakers are simply rebuilding? If this is the case, Kobe Bryant is on the trading block, too.
With the new CBA and with Odom gone - a valuable trading piece - and with only the Lakers version of the big 3 to show: Bryant, Gasol, and Bynum...where is the wiggle room to do anything that brings the Lakers into contention for the upcoming season? Where is the future? Where is the logic? The logic in this scenario points to a rebuilding process because trading Odom without getting anything in return puts the Lakers in position to do what?
I wish I had more to write about the scenario, but, as I mentioned, I just don't see any wiggle room to do anything except to blow the team completely up and to rebuild.
Right now, it looks like the Clippers are better than the Lakers.
mike t.
The Lakers intend to keep Bryant, Gasol, and Bynum all season long, but are still working on big deals? lol! Sorry, but I have to laugh because if the Lakers do intend to keep Bryant, Gasol, and Bynum; who else on their roster do they have to trade away in a "big deal"?
Has anyone, besides me, ever heard of the phrase: "he's talking out of the side of his neck?" Well, that is exactly what Mitch Kupchak is doing right now.
The Lakers dumped Lamar Odom in what is becoming clear to everyone as nothing more than a salary dump. Kobe Bryant is right to question the deal that send Odom to the Mavs, because the Lakers got nothing in return from the deal. All through Lakerville the question has to be asked: what the heck is going on?
With the new administration, it seems, in full power: Jim Buss is running this show, it might be an indication that the Lakers are simply blowing the team up. Think about it. Phil Jackson is gone. Daddy Buss is in the shadows. The power struggle between Jim and Jeanie Buss is over with Jim coming out on top. What are we to make of the Lakers right now?
Taking a look at the roster, and all we see is the Lakers' version of the big 3: Bryant, Gasol, and Bynum. Injury to anyone one of these players and the Lakers are looking like a middle of the pack team. And even with all three being healthy for the entire season; how far can they possibly go? Right now, against Dallas, it doesn't look too good. Dallas got rid of Chandler, but they still have 2 seven footers in Dirk Nowitzki and Brendon Haywood. Kind of like Gasol and Bynum. But the Mavs added Odom to their mix. Kind of like the Lakers used to have in their "big front line." That's, as Charles Barkley would say: very interesting. The versatile Odom, also, makes up for the Mavs loss of Caron Butler, with the Mavs adding Vince Carter, too?
All that to say what? What are the Lakers doing? What big deal is going to bring in the players to the Lakers that will match up with the defending champs the Dallas Mavericks? Dwight Howard? Dwight Howard and who else? Or better yet, how? Because if Howard does come to the Lakers, Gasol or Bynum are gone. Without Gasol or Bynum to trade away what else do the Lakers have trade away, except for Kobe Bryant?
Then signing Howard to a max extension would pretty much put the Lakers over the salary cap and well into the luxury tax. Again, what are the Lakers doing? Getting rid of Odom with nothing to show in return...could it be that without too much notice that the Lakers are simply rebuilding? If this is the case, Kobe Bryant is on the trading block, too.
With the new CBA and with Odom gone - a valuable trading piece - and with only the Lakers version of the big 3 to show: Bryant, Gasol, and Bynum...where is the wiggle room to do anything that brings the Lakers into contention for the upcoming season? Where is the future? Where is the logic? The logic in this scenario points to a rebuilding process because trading Odom without getting anything in return puts the Lakers in position to do what?
I wish I had more to write about the scenario, but, as I mentioned, I just don't see any wiggle room to do anything except to blow the team completely up and to rebuild.
Right now, it looks like the Clippers are better than the Lakers.
mike t.
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