What the Lakers should do.

[Ted]

First of all, the Lakers should fire their GM. He hasn't made one move that's really worked out. Anything the Lakers have done in the past five seasons has more to do with Jerry West than their current GM. Oh, by the way, I'm talking about the "real GM" . . .  Shaq. Shaq should stick to dominating on the court. Team builder he is not.

I don't know if anyone remembers this, but I predicted that somehow Karl Malone would screw up a Lakers title run. Granted, I was thinking he'd somehow choke it away, rather than getting injured. But I'm telling you people, it's a little think I as a Jazz fan like to call "Karlma." The Mailman will never deliver a title. It's just not in the stars for him.

It was strange watching that game. Usually when you're watching the Lakers lose a game you can see something they aren't doing well and fully expect them to fix that thing and end up winning the game. This time it was weird. It just never looked like they would do it.

In fact, rather than say this is the biggest upset/flop of all time, I think it's more appropriate to say this is the worst Finals performance we've seen in an awfully long time. I mean, at least the 76ers in the Lakers best year put up some kind of a fight. This was a mercilous drubbing from start to finish, with one great effort to win a tight game 2. But the Lakers defense, and their execution on offense last night was so horrible. How many uncontested shots did the Pistons have? By the way, Big Ben's putback dunk over Shaq in the 4th quarter was freakin' awesome!

On that note, did anyone else notice how long LB left his starters on the floor in the fourth quarter. Thought that was interesting . . . and enjoyable.

But after it all, I offer condolences to the classy Laker fans on this board (yes there is more than a few). You guys got past some good WC teams to get to the Pistons. Be proud of your team for that. The way I see it is the Lakers beat the Spurs because they were better, they handled the pressure, got lucky and didn't fold when they were down, and the Pistons beat the Lakers because they were better than anyone else. No what ifs.

[Reality]

After the success and enjoyable reading of the "Kobe Bryant Achievements" thread, i was hoping you could author a "Shaquile Oneal Most Dominant Ever" thread.  

[Ted]

After the success and enjoyable reading of the "Kobe Bryant Achievements" thread, i was hoping you could author a "Shaquile Oneal Most Dominant Ever" thread.

Oh that's right!

I need to update that thread!

Kobe Bryant again distinguishes himself from the shadow of Michael Jordan by losing an NBA Finals series, WITH, a dominant center on his team.

Kobe just keeps showing us how far he's going to go in this league!

[WayOutWest]

After the success and enjoyable reading of the "Kobe Bryant Achievements" thread, i was hoping you could author a "Shaquile Oneal Most Dominant Ever" thread.

Oh that's right!

I need to update that thread!

Kobe Bryant again distinguishes himself from the shadow of Michael Jordan by losing an NBA Finals series, WITH, a dominant center on his team.

Kobe just keeps showing us how far he's going to go in this league!

Man I got PO'd at Shaq.

Asked if he would like to play with PJ and Shaq in the future, Kobe basically said he'd like to play with PJ AND Shaq forever.

When Shaq was asked the same questions he bascially said everyone needs to do what's best for themselves.

Someone has to go.  Short term it's better to keep Shaq, long term Kobe is the better bet.

[Outsider]

A lot depends on Phil is going to coach or not. I think he will not return and there are going to be only "minor" changes in my view. I guess Fisher, Fox, and Malone will not be there.

[Ted]

From what I've read, the Lakers are pretty much hamstrung. Unless Shaq can get on the phone and get some washed up veterans to play for a pittance, I don't see them adding too much of real value. Shaq's salary is 30 MILLION DOLLARS. Add on Kobe's money and you have almost nothing left over except a couple of exceptions. It'll be a tough road ahead.

I'm with WoW. Kobe is the future. He has the star power. If he gets acquitted, I say the Lakers keep Kobe and somehow find a way to unload Shaq. How many owners are there who are willing to go over the cap? Cuban? The Knicks? I don't know.

[Lurker]

It isn't just who is willing to go over the cap.  But who can trade enough salaries in combination with cap room to take on $30 mil in salary.  

The Mavs would have to give up $30 mil to get Shaq.  A team with $10 mil of cap space would have to give up $20 mil in salaries and to be that far under the cap means they only have $approx 33-34 mil in salaries to start with.  Basically Shaq is untradeable.....unless some team is willing to completely gut their roster.

But I agree Kobe is the Lakers future....if you consider being like Toronto or Orlando much of a future.   :rofl:  

[WayOutWest]

But I agree Kobe is the Lakers future....if you consider being like Toronto or Orlando much of a future.   :rofl:

 :cry:  

[SPURSX3]

But I agree Kobe is the Lakers future....if you consider being like Toronto or Orlando much of a future.   :rofl:

:cry:

well LA fans you knew this was coming - the summer changes that is - now i guess you got to face the music....i am sure it would have been better with a title win.......but oh well....there is always next...oh wait, no there wont be will there.. :alcohol:  

[WayOutWest]

But I agree Kobe is the Lakers future....if you consider being like Toronto or Orlando much of a future.   :rofl:

:cry:

well LA fans you knew this was coming - the summer changes that is - now i guess you got to face the music....i am sure it would have been better with a title win.......but oh well....there is always next...oh wait, no there wont be will there.. :alcohol:

You moron!  This is the Lakers we're talking about and Jerry West will have the Lakers ......uhm....errr...  :cry:  :cry:  :cry:  :cry:

[westkoast]

It isn't just who is willing to go over the cap.  But who can trade enough salaries in combination with cap room to take on $30 mil in salary.  

The Mavs would have to give up $30 mil to get Shaq.  A team with $10 mil of cap space would have to give up $20 mil in salaries and to be that far under the cap means they only have $approx 33-34 mil in salaries to start with.  Basically Shaq is untradeable.....unless some team is willing to completely gut their roster.

But I agree Kobe is the Lakers future....if you consider being like Toronto or Orlando much of a future.   :rofl:

Only difference between Toronto, Orlando, and LA........is guys are always trying to step up their acting career or public persona.  So LA will always be able to draw in the bigger names.  The bigger the ego the easier it is to lure em out here lol.

[Lurker]

It isn't just who is willing to go over the cap.  But who can trade enough salaries in combination with cap room to take on $30 mil in salary. 

The Mavs would have to give up $30 mil to get Shaq.  A team with $10 mil of cap space would have to give up $20 mil in salaries and to be that far under the cap means they only have $approx 33-34 mil in salaries to start with.  Basically Shaq is untradeable.....unless some team is willing to completely gut their roster.

But I agree Kobe is the Lakers future....if you consider being like Toronto or Orlando much of a future.   :rofl:

Only difference between Toronto, Orlando, and LA........is guys are always trying to step up their acting career or public persona.  So LA will always be able to draw in the bigger names.  The bigger the ego the easier it is to lure em out here lol.

But how many of those big egos don't have the game to back it up?   And will they be willing to leave several million $$ on the table?  All LA can offer is the midlevel exception....so 1 player can get $5 mil.  Any others have to play for vet's minimum.  After this year's Malone/Payton experience will as many of those egos be lining up?

[westkoast]

It isn't just who is willing to go over the cap.  But who can trade enough salaries in combination with cap room to take on $30 mil in salary. 

The Mavs would have to give up $30 mil to get Shaq.  A team with $10 mil of cap space would have to give up $20 mil in salaries and to be that far under the cap means they only have $approx 33-34 mil in salaries to start with.  Basically Shaq is untradeable.....unless some team is willing to completely gut their roster.

But I agree Kobe is the Lakers future....if you consider being like Toronto or Orlando much of a future.   :rofl:

Only difference between Toronto, Orlando, and LA........is guys are always trying to step up their acting career or public persona.  So LA will always be able to draw in the bigger names.  The bigger the ego the easier it is to lure em out here lol.

But how many of those big egos don't have the game to back it up?   And will they be willing to leave several million $$ on the table?  All LA can offer is the midlevel exception....so 1 player can get $5 mil.  Any others have to play for vet's minimum.  After this year's Malone/Payton experience will as many of those egos be lining up?

The future is longer than one year Lurker. Then again when you are as old as yourself one year could be your entire future.