I think they would be better served NOT to pick up Malone. Payton can be a great acquisition if he keeps his mouth shut and adjusts to the role player status he will be on this team. I dont know if his ego can handle not being the man. If he had any brains he would just let Kobe and Shaq do thier thing and contributed where he has to.
Malone will hamper this team. Perhaps the change of scenery will revitilize him, but I think he is over the hill and his style of play isnt suited for LA. The Lakers will be better served to go out and find another forward instead of getting Malone.
Either way, with Payton and Malone or just Payton, this team will win it all next year!! The only thing that can stop them is if this crap about Kobe is true.
Malone will hamper this team. Perhaps the change of scenery will revitilize him, but I think he is over the hill and his style of play isnt suited for LA. The Lakers will be better served to go out and find another forward instead of getting Malone.
Either way, with Payton and Malone or just Payton, this team will win it all next year!! The only thing that can stop them is if this crap about Kobe is true.
Both the Mailman and Payton are not that far removed from all star status...there is no reason in the world either hurts this team, both want a ring , obviously if they had to be the "man" still they wouldn t be going to LA...
If they get the Mailman you can forget it, TWO MORE TITLES EASILY!
If they get the Mailman you can forget it, TWO MORE TITLES EASILY!
If they change the game to having 3 balls in play then sure, but until then I still like the team that plays defense better than the rest and has that unstoppable force named Duncan. Adding Kidd would be a nice top off measure. What I can't understand is why cant Parker just play shooting guard, the guy isn't exactly a point guy when he is the second leading scorer and often forgets to pass when he is on a roll.
TROB, if the knicks win next year I will shave my head, what will you do when they flame out before the Leastern Conference finals?
themanowesme is right, there are too many stars and not enough role players.
The only thing is... if there is one coach that can massage bloated star egos in all of sports it is Phil Jackson. He put this together, let's see if he can pull it off.
[This message was edited by SuperWimp on July 11, 2003 at 06:58 PM.]
themanowesme is right, there are too many stars and not enough role players.
The only thing is... if there is one coach that can massage bloated star egos in all of sports it is Phil Jackson. He put this together, let's see if he can pull it off.
[This message was edited by SuperWimp on July 11, 2003 at 06:58 PM.]
Egos aren't the problem, the problem is Kobe doesn't pass the ball. How is Payton going to feel if he has Kobe open, but knows he won't pass? Will GP be a happy camper just being around for defense? And where is his spot up shooting ability or that of Malone's for that matter, when Shaq penetrates who is going to stand out and hit the 3 like Fisher does? That will be the interesting part. No doubt the team is tough to beat, but I think these two guys only make them marginally better. One star is good, two stars is better, four stars is plain overkill and of no marginal value. Lakers were great because they had role players that knew they were just role players and got their jobs done. Fox was worthless in much of the league, Shaw never was much elsewhere either, no one is going to convince me George would ever have been much of a player elsewhere. Yep, the Lakers did just fine without 4 stars and we shall see how they do with them. The biggest thing that helped them this offseason was J Kidd staying East. If they get the trophy they should think "good thing he didn't go down South" instead of "good thing we got these two new guys".
