There were some leaks earlier in the season, but after that dismal showing in the Finals, it just advanced the time table. Coach Phil the Zenmaster and his antiquated triangle are history. Probably Winters goes with him. I was not sure whether the next victim would be Shaq or Kobe. Now it looks like Shaq, who has said see you later. In order to rebuild, they had to dump one of the mega salaried superstars. Sadly, they are stuck with a 2 year contract on the glove, who by most GM's accounts is a mid to below average player, at this juncture. At first it looked like Lakers stole him. Now it looks like he ripped them off. Not sure how they discard him. I would say Fox, Grant, maybe Karl are set to retire. New coach means new direction, youth movement all built around Kobe. The Kirstie Alley of the NBA, Shaq at 32 is not a long term player. But lots of teams will be interested. West and the Grizz is my top choice. Shaq was lured by West from Magic to Lakers. They also have a roster full of trade bait and cap room. Also need a big fella. Mavs are right there also. Just not as much cap room or players to trade. Rudy T. is probably a good bet for coach, now that his health is returning. This Finals has already caused big changes, and will have a lasting effect for some time...Best Wishes...OF
How many players do the Lakers have worth anything? Malone, Payton all but done...Shaq and Kobe, but who else? they had alot of old deadwood on the bench...
The Lakers may be down for longer than people think, considering the main man Jerry West is no longer making the moves...
Will the Lakers accomodate Shaq?
The Lakers may be down for longer than people think, considering the main man Jerry West is no longer making the moves...
Will the Lakers accomodate Shaq?
Zero. At this point, Kobe is younger, way more glamorous and has a brighter and long term future.* Shaq already demanding trade. He might be talked into staying by a new coach, but I lean against that. Believe it or not, Look for Lakers to copy Motown. Surround Kobe with tall atheletic defender types. Really need a point and power forwards. Lakers thinner than thin. Tissue thin if Shaq leaves. You want my honest no shit assessment? Kupchak is about as good of GM as he was a player. Once the Remnants of Jerry West's touch is gone, you will see the real Mitch. Lakers promote too much from within. They are also talking Shaw as a coach, not sure about that, but can't be worse than Rambis or Magic. My crystal ball says Lakers total overhaul makes them much longer shot than price to win title...Best Wishes...OF
* Barring imprisonment.
* Barring imprisonment.
Just saw your two ?'s J-man. It would be a stretch to say East has bridged the gap. Let's say it used to be the Golden Gate bridge over the gap. Now you could just about jump over it. It exists, just from quality depth in West, but Motown, Indy and Miami would all hold their own against West. And yes, they are no longer the WNBA or Leastern Conference.
Shaq is worth 2 or 3 top line players. He is a superstar, and a huge market value player. He is also huge tradebait. You could put all of the scrubs together, and maybe trade them for a towel boy. They are throw ins. Just to keep roster at 12. Step one. Get new coach. Step two, set a direction. If it is Motown clone, cut all deadwood. I would dump Fox, Grant, and glove, take the hit on his contract. Karl was great, but may never heal right, he is also old and now, in one season, injury prone. A question mark. Devean George, a dud. Little Walton, a keeper. Slava and Rush, depends on what coaches philosphy is. DFish, if healed up, a keeper. They could have 6 new players on roster before next season starts...Best Wishes...OF
Shaq is worth 2 or 3 top line players. He is a superstar, and a huge market value player. He is also huge tradebait. You could put all of the scrubs together, and maybe trade them for a towel boy. They are throw ins. Just to keep roster at 12. Step one. Get new coach. Step two, set a direction. If it is Motown clone, cut all deadwood. I would dump Fox, Grant, and glove, take the hit on his contract. Karl was great, but may never heal right, he is also old and now, in one season, injury prone. A question mark. Devean George, a dud. Little Walton, a keeper. Slava and Rush, depends on what coaches philosphy is. DFish, if healed up, a keeper. They could have 6 new players on roster before next season starts...Best Wishes...OF
I would love to see the following trade.
Shaq and Luke Walton to Clippers for Maggette, Brand and Chris Kamen. Clippers draft Dwight Howard to replace Brand, resign Q Richardson,
sign free agent Derek Fisher to make Shaq happy. Starting line ups Lakers Payton,Kobe,
Maggette, Brand and Kamen. Clippers Fisher,
Richardson, Walton, Howard and Shaq. I think both teams could compete for a title. It would create a great Kobe Shaq rivalry.
Shaq and Luke Walton to Clippers for Maggette, Brand and Chris Kamen. Clippers draft Dwight Howard to replace Brand, resign Q Richardson,
sign free agent Derek Fisher to make Shaq happy. Starting line ups Lakers Payton,Kobe,
Maggette, Brand and Kamen. Clippers Fisher,
Richardson, Walton, Howard and Shaq. I think both teams could compete for a title. It would create a great Kobe Shaq rivalry.
Hey Greenie, cool drake mallard avatar. Yes, I still go to races. Just not a track rat like the old days. Let me know, I am usually just fishing and camping in Summer. I would probably prefer duck hunting.
Jman, are you kidding. Riley was totally exposed for the phony he always was. Had he not backdoored Westphal with Magic, he never would have done anything. Having 3 to 4 all stars on your roster, anyone could win titles. Kareem, Magic, Worthy and B.Scott? What did he do in Heat? Or New York? The Heat actually improved when he resigned. Van Gundy brothers could run X and O circles around Pat. Similar to the glove, a falling star...OF
Jman, are you kidding. Riley was totally exposed for the phony he always was. Had he not backdoored Westphal with Magic, he never would have done anything. Having 3 to 4 all stars on your roster, anyone could win titles. Kareem, Magic, Worthy and B.Scott? What did he do in Heat? Or New York? The Heat actually improved when he resigned. Van Gundy brothers could run X and O circles around Pat. Similar to the glove, a falling star...OF
OF,if you ever,ever,ever want to hunt ducks I've got 86 acres up 5 before Willows.Prime time hunting.Fishing in my backyard 32 and 38 pound stripers released both.If you want smaller but lots of got 6 acres of planted fish that we have left alone for 2 years to fish in El-Dorado hills area.We will hit that pond this summer.
OK greenie, you got me there. I fish for stripers in the bay all the time. Been brutal this year with the constant wind. Also fish the ponds around El Dorado Hills? If that is where you are saying. The one constant in my life, fishing and hunting, anytime I can. I would cap for fish, or hunt. Give you my A plays. Or pay, reimburse you, whatever. Sadly, I have a short availability to do this, maybe the next two months. Football is no breaks, maybe a midweek duckhunt, but weekends are reserved. Man greenie, I am ready...Best Wishes...OF
