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People still have sandy Vag's over that trade?
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/column...ge=Odom-090723Odds still favor Odom's returning to fold
By Marc Stein
If the Lakers re-sign Lamar Odom, their chances of repeating as champs will increase tremendously.
The prospect of Lamar Odom's leaving the Los Angeles Lakers would be a free-agent triumph for 29 teams in the NBA and anyone else fretting about the league's overall compe ive health.
Which is exactly why many of those teams watching the Lakers' standoff with Odom haven't allowed themselves to get too excited, even after a week's worth of signals suggesting that Odom might actually wind up in Miami.
The Los Angeles Times reported in its Thursday editions that the sides resumed contract negotiations Wednesday for the first time since Lakers owner Jerry Buss pulled his three-year, $27 million offer to Odom off the table. One source with knowledge of the talks told ESPN.com on Thursday that the sides have actually maintained an informal level of contact throughout the impasse. What pretty much everyone on the NBA map sees is how costly it would be for L.A. if Odom -- for all the luxury-tax consequences a new deal would trigger -- did get away.
Keeping Odom, remember, keeps the newly minted champions clearly above the rest of the West, with three imposing big men to team with Kobe Bryant and Ron Artest.
Losing him to the Heat? Unless Andrew Bynum and Artest are prepared to deliver the consistency neither has regularly supplied in their careers, Odom's departure would abruptly start to balance out the famously (infamously?) lopsided nature of the Pau Gasol trade that enrages rival executives to this day.
It's a natural, then, for those same executives to presume that Buss -- understandably hesitant as he is to add another long-term contract to a payroll that could creep past $90 million next season -- would ultimately be forced to do just that if he wants to preserve the Lakers' standing as overwhelming favorites in the West. As any citizen of Lakerland could tell you, Gasol's arrival was such a landscape-changer because Odom and Bynum were already there.
It's no coincidence, furthermore, that the bulk of the big spending this offseason has been witnessed in the Eastern Conference, where Orlando, Cleveland and Boston seem to have been locked into an ongoing game of Can You Top This? Reason being: There's no clear-cut Lakers-like favorite at the top of the improving East. It couldn't surprise you next June if any of those three teams won the conference.
"The high-profile teams [in the East] are willing to spend," said one top executive. "Now tell me which playoff teams are spending money in the West."
Indeed. So far only San Antonio, Dallas and Portland (unsuccessfully) have shown any willingness to make aggressive (translation: expensive) moves, which can't be solely attributed to the global economic downturn and the steep potential decreases projected for next year's salary-cap and luxury-tax threshold.
Those factors have certainly widened the gap more than ever between the teams willing to spend what it takes to contend and the overwhelming majority that shivers at the mere mention of brushing up against the tax line, as my colleague J.A. Adande expertly laid out earlier this week. Yet you can't discount the Lakers Factor, either. The thought of trying to keep up with L.A. is daunting -- even futile -- for much of the rest of the West when the Lakers' roster features those three bigs and Kobe.
If Odom winds up in Miami, though, L.A. no longer looks so untouchable.
Odom's consolation prize looks far more appetizing than the Lakers' Plan B if the thaw in negotiations doesn't progress to a deal from here. The 29-year-old can sign a five-year deal with the Heat worth $34 million to reunite with Dwyane Wade, with no state taxes to pay (potentially earning him close to an extra $1 million annually) and with an opt-out provision after three years that would allow Odom to return to the free-agent market in 2012 with full Larry Bird rights in Miami.
The Lakers, meanwhile, would be starting their le defense without two of their key difference-makers from the playoffs -- Odom and Trevor Ariza -- as well as dealing with a sure-to-be-perturbed Bryant.
The Lakers went into the offseason hoping to convince Kobe to sign a contract extension after they sorted out the Ariza/Artest swap and Odom's status. You'll recall that Kobe also has the option of opting out again next June and joining the free-agent class of 2010 if he chooses.
So it is with good reason that Bryant and Derek Fisher have been openly optimistic about Odom's return in recent days, even though it's not yet clear how close the parties are to an actual agreement.
There are simply too many factors -- in spite of Buss' payroll concerns and a standing offer from the Heat that is pretty palatable given Miami's salary-cap limitations -- favoring an outcome that supremely disappoints 29 teams.
Again.
I love the bitterness.
People still have sandy Vag's over that trade?
to summarize the article in one sentence : the entire nba is rooting for the heat to take odom cause if they dont the lakers are stacked, so at the end of the day stein believes odom is coming back
Both the Lakers and the Grizz will pay their dues... I don't know when but they will...
Stings, don't it?
The Lajers are really paying. 2 Finals Appearances and 1 LOB. Karma really came back. At this point, thw Pau Gasol trade is already a success. How are they going t pay for it? The Luxury Tax? lol.
Actually, I hope Odom signs back with the Lakers. The Spurs are right there and there's no guarantee the Lakers are going to win it all again.
Let the chips fall where they may!!!
Sure you do, Mar.
I want Lamar back with the Lakers. Bring it on ! All them suckas need to feel the pain that the Spurs will administer.
I want their top shelf lineup to get humiliated. , they'll be lucky if Ron Ron doesn't wave Gasol or Odom out of his way and try to dribble against 3 dudes clogging the lane.
...and someday you will wake up next to a piece of ass like in your avatar. It's nice to dream isn't it?
...and your guarantee that the Spurs are right there is??????
Culburn369,
I have posted from the beginning that Odom should be back on the Lakers. It is a good fit....and I believe he will.
Also, if the Spurs beat the Lakers this year and if both teams are full strength there will be no excuses.
Spurs and Lakers have been the most successful franchises this decade and I have to admit the Lakers have won a majority of those series...because they've had the better team.
However, the Spurs have reloaded themselves like the Lakers did after Shaq left. I and most fans of both sides want the teams to be at full strength this season and let the chips fall where they may.
Of course, both teams fans will rationalize why they lost if they meet again in the playoffs. But...everyone knows from each side they want to see this matchup in WCF even if they don't want to admit it.
Well..I do admit it! (I know Mav fan, Blazer Fan, Rocket Fan, and Nugget fan will protest) But there is a history between the two teams and drama has existed in those games.
So yes.....I want Odom to re-sign with the Lakers!! And let's get it on!!!
If you don't think the Spurs are right there with the off-season moves.....then you are not being objective!
The Lakers are still the team to beat....I will admit it. But, I bet the Lakers FO are very aware with what their rival has done!!!
Frankly, I don't want you to be at full strength. I want me to be thusly, but, not you, Mar. I ain't run of the mill Lakers fan. Sure, the Lakers victory is swell, but, even better is when they don't lose. The loss in '84 is so much more keen & devastating than the cathartic victory of '85. It's difficult to explain, but, palpable at gross examination at least in the Culburn household.Culburn369,
I have posted from the beginning that Odom should be back on the Lakers. It is a good fit....and I believe he will.
Also, if the Spurs beat the Lakers this year and if both teams are full strength there will be no excuses.
Spurs and Lakers have been the most successful franchises this decade and I have to admit the Lakers have won a majority of those series...because they've had the better team.
However, the Spurs have reloaded themselves like the Lakers did after Shaq left. I and most fans of both sides want the teams to be at full strength this season and let the chips fall where they may.
Of course, both teams fans will rationalize why they lost if they meet again in the playoffs. But...everyone knows from each side they want to see this matchup in WCF even if they don't want to admit it.
Well..I do admit it! (I know Mav fan, Blazer Fan, Rocket Fan, and Nugget fan will protest) But there is a history between the two teams and drama has existed in those games.
So yes.....I want Odom to re-sign with the Lakers!! And let's get it on!!!
Odom is going to get what he wants after all and Buss is going to give it to him.
& then it starts...will the Odom of the '09 playoffs show up in November, or, will it be the Odom prior to the '09 playoffs who shows up.
In for penny|In for pound.
"Odom's departure would abruptly start to balance out the famously (infamously?) lopsided nature of the Pau Gasol trade that enrages rival executives to this day."
Stein knows his .
Odom will stay in LA
Sasha Vujachick, Luke Walton and Adam MOrrison
So Since the Lakers Won a championship after like a six year absence, the Lakers fans feel that have the edge over the Spurs in all categories! No excuse for the Lakers for a 6 year absence, no excuse for the SPurs for a Injury plagued season! Kobe with 4, Tim with 4.....
Both different players, but Tim owns the PF spot, Kobe still has to beat out Mj, which i doubt!
Aside from all this BS from both the Laker fans and yes my Spurs Fans, this UPCOMING Season and Playoffs will be "IMO" the best ever!
If the Lakers feel that the Trevor Ariza loss will not effect them, they are crazy! Without his steal against Denver, that Series turns in favor to Denver, Artest cant cut the defensive lanes like Trevor did! Ariza in my mind was their biggest X-factor, Young, fast, pretty dam good defensive player and determined!
The Lakers stayed the same, even if they sign Odom! Adam Morrison is your Trevor Ariza this year...lol...G.T.F.O.H.
As for the Spurs, they only got better!!!
Now i feel they have the players to compete at a high level!
Starting 5
Derek Fisher <<<Tony Parker
Kobe >>>>Roger Mason
R. Artest ==== Richard J
Tim Duncan >>>>Gasol
Bynum === Antonio. M (both 10 and 10 guys)
Bench + 1 for the Spurs
Lakers Bench =
Lamar Odom (pending) (good all around player, Match up problems because his size)
Sasaha whotheHeck (good 3pt shooter, poor mans bruce bowen D--shoot fly dont bother me)
Shanon B. (good reserve)
Adam Morrison (Best cheerleader)
J. Farmar (good pg, not consistent)
Luke Walton (getting better every year, still inconsistent)
Spurs
Manu G. (Dynamic Player, 6th player of the year)
Dejuan B. (awsome rebounding, Offensive Reb. + 1)
George Hill (good pg, good defensive because of length, inconsistent)
Theo Ratliff (block shots, kinda washed up, but good for 3rd possibly 2nd backup)
Finley (still a vet that can get it done without heavy mins.)
Bonner (starting C last year, not this year, good for spreading the floor!)
Malik Hairston (up and coming D-league player! can run the floor and hit shots! still needs a chance to prove himself)
I was just now slummin' over at phxsuns.net and came across this information:
Yesterday, 08:49 PM #217 jkalldaway
Hall Of Fame
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,396
Re: News for July 20 - 26, 2009
Looks like we wanted Oberto...and didn't get him.
Washington Post: Oberto chose the Wizards over Phoenix, Oklahoma City, Sacramento and the Lakers. He was hopeful for a return to San Antonio, where he spent his first four seasons, but the Spurs signed veteran center Theo Ratliff on Thursday.]]]
Damn, we were sniffin' after Fabs!
Well, frankly, gomez, you fellows have never really been bonafide. The first one was a strike one (I ain't begrudgin') then the other three were scattered over the landscape in sequence like you were afraid of success.
I don't wish to hurt yer feelings, son, especially of a Friday morning, but, you guys are a little puny in our shadow.
Puny in whos shadow, Kobe's! or The Lakers as a Fanchise! Cmon hollyWood!!!, we all know that The Lakers them selves are a Shadow of Kobe Bryant!
Oh and i know you'll take those 3 les with Shaq at the Helm and kobe as a Sidekick!
Tim Duncan has brought les to the best of them! that Deserved it and retired soon after! so that makes the team, looking for new guys after there championship run, Hence taking them a year to get into things!
David Robinson
Avery Johnson
Danny Ferry
Kevin Willis
Sean E.
Steve Smith
Malik Rose
list still goes on!
I see Kobe needed much help with young and the restless!
Could he have won a championship with Kevin willis as a backup! Probably not!
Remember, Tim Ducan Helped THEM! feel what its like to win a championshp!!! after so many years of faliure!
Shaq and Kobe failed to do that for Payton and Malone!
Payton did get one in Miami! With SHAq might i add!
So all in all, it took six years for your Team the Lakers to Reload! and win a championship to a unexperienced team (but good, Orlando)
Would of lost to boston(KG was healthy) and Clevland! had they made it!
Last edited by antgomez2009; 07-24-2009 at 10:53 AM.
Cleveland would not of beat L.A, in fact L.A would of swept.
Na, if you know basketball! its all about Match Ups....
Clevland and Boston (Healthy) are built to take on the Lakers! A sweep, Cmon man!
Get your BB IQ up!
Well, sure, Duncan carried Robinson's end of the log as well as his own. Robinson was like a girl and needed a strong male influence like Duncan, so, it worked out well there for you fellows.
And I take all the championships. And the last 5 have indeed been gimmes, but, like I've said ad nausem on this Board: one does not choose their compe ion.
And yer right, Boston would've been a roadblock. That old mainline habit has started to fester in the psyche of our rank & file once again. It's in the background, lurking, searching for a foothold. Bryant ain't no Magic so the chances of it succeeding in finding that foothold is strong. But, KG is no Bird, nor McHale, nor any of the old Boston guard. KG has his own demons, his own doubts, so perhaps this time around we won't have to be tortured as we were in the decades and years leading up to '85 and can once again slay that diseased simian before he attaches himself to the Lakers collective back.
With love.
- Culburn
P.S., you guys really do need to go back-to-back before I can take you up on the dais with us and the Celtics. I ain't ESPN and I ain't grantin' ya a by-your-leave.
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