Who is more instrumental for the 2009 Laker success?

[billhill999]

Mitch Kupchak (the man who traded for and signed alot of this team)

or

Phil Jackson (the man who coaches the team Kupchak traded for and signed)

Kobe is not part of this discussion.
(unless you want to talk about how Kobe wanted to get rid of or get traded because of Kupchak)

 

[ivan722]

"Who is more instrumental for the 2009 Laker success"?

That's an easy one, the officials.

 

[greenchris]

I used to live in LA and would listen to the sports talk shows bash Kupchak day in and out...I have to say its kind of nice to see this team playing well and on the verge of a championship. My vote goes to Mitch!

 

[Kabbagecough]

Michael Heisley, Memphis GM who gave them Gasol for garbage.

 

[zeeman23]

I vote for Jerry West for(convincing trading Pau Gasol to his buddy GM buddy Mitch Kupjak) for the title!. Just like Mchale trading his franchise player to the Celtics to win the title.

Same program different team, Lakers might be the fringe 8th seed without Gasol, and the Celtics would be out of the playoffs without Garnett!

It takes a buddy network to win the title!

 

[dangots0uL]

Mitch

 

[guitarjosh]

"Who is more instrumental for the 2009 Laker success"?

That's an easy one, the officials.

hno:

 

[Mr_Mark]

mitch

with out landing that gasol trade and getting ariza the lakers would of been where they were a few years ago.... watching the finals at home

 

[fugazi]

Mitch for sure.
Mitch has been on a roll, he got spoonfed Gasol, but made really good trades and got some gems when he traded for Ariza and Shannon Brown.

 

[fugazi]

ALso, Gasol is a huge part of our success and what put us over the top, but dont' forget, the Lakers were in 1st place last year before we even got Gasol and were tearing it up with Bynum coming into his own. We traded for Gasol once Bynum got hurt. THe Lakers haven't even reached their peak yet, Kobe is in his prime, Gasol is entering his prime, Lamar has found his role, and Ariza is emerging into one of the best supporting players in the league. Not to mention that Bynum has shown flashes of dominance the past 2 years before getting taken down by injury. Bynum has always gotten hurt right as he was really coming into his own and beginning to dominant.
If the Lakers can stay healthy and keep all the guys in place, they are going to get another title or two.

 

[MistaFlava]

Phil Jackson hands down, end of story

 

[Rawpimple]

Derek Fisher and the Magic team (lee for missing a layup and the rest of the bums for not knowing how to finish a game and hit a few foul shots)

 

[fugazi]

Derek Fisher and the Magic team (lee for missing a layup and the rest of the bums for not knowing how to finish a game and hit a few foul shots)

Bitter are we? Give credit where credit is due and don't be a loser. Your team had a great season and exceeded all expectations for the season and this won't be your last shot at a title. But if you want to be a whiney beeyotch, we can say that if it wasn't for KG being injured you don't even make it out of the 2nd round.

 

[G$$]

overall Kupchak

no gasol = no championship for the lakers

many different players showed up for the lakers in the playoffs and the finals, fisher on clutch shots. trevor ariza on a few defensive plays, odom had a few strong games in addition to kobes consistent play.
everyone did their part to earn it but Mitch Kupchak set it all up and gave phil and the lakers the pieces they needed to win