Lakers Land Dwight Howard

[Andthentherewas21]

The Lakers getting (insert player here). Nothing to get worked up about anymore. I just accept it as part of the game.

This. The system perpetuates itself. The Lakers have a 10 year $1.5 billion tv deal with Time Warner Cable so its not like they can't afford to spend outrageously even with the new taxes. When they start to struggle or falter for a few seasons, then they trade a star player on the decline to a smaller market desperate for something to put fans in the seats, and in return they get a huge trade exception and promising young assets or draft picks.

Just the way the NBA as a business has been constructed. And given the money the Lakers are going to be paying out to the rest of the league in luxury tax on top of the new revenue sharing, there isn't going to be much incentive to change it anytime soon.

Just makes the Spurs run the last 15 years or so, and players like Tim, Tony, and Manu all the more special when you think about the loyalty they've shown and the sacrifices they've made.

[daslicer]

I hate the trade just as much as any Spur fan, but some of your reactions are hilarious.

Agreed the spurs last chance to win a le was last year so there is no reason to get down about this trade. Also Dwight is an upgrade on Bynum but not a huge upgrade. He is a little bit better then Bynum in every category points,blocks, rebounds but not a huge difference. From an intimidation standpoint I think the Lakers will miss Bynum's size and dirty play. Either way the Lakers lost to the thunder due to having crappy perimeter players who couldn't play defense so I don't see how that changes now with Dwight.

[Clipper Nation]

Just the way the NBA as a business has been constructed. And given the money the Lakers are going to be paying out to the rest of the league in luxury tax on top of the new revenue sharing, there isn't going to be much incentive to change it anytime soon.

Ehhh.... by the time the next CBA negotiation rolls around, I wouldn't be shocked if plenty of small-market teams try to force their way into second or third banana status in big markets, or even get contracted, with all the owners at each others' throats, tbh.... I mean, it's already starting with the Kings trying to move to Anaheim and creep in on the LA market.... Then there would have to be changes made, tbh...

[Capt Bringdown]

Hey, the summer's not over yet. Maybe we'll see the Celtics recons uted as well.

[dbreiden83080]

The 2006 Knicks had a $126.6 million payroll, I kid you not.

If Anfernee Hardaway making 16 million isn't stealing I don’t know what is

[mrjap2x]

Go to las Vegas now if there is some gambling for who gets the no 1 pick, I guarantee it will be the magic. Just look at the trend
After lebron left, kyrie Irving went to the cavs, chris Paul then Anthony Davis, now the only question is who will be the magic get.

[Don Ready]

C'mon now. I've never talked trash. Funny is funny.

Yeah you've been hiding the past two years.

[2Cleva]

Yeah you've been hiding the past two years.

Yeah I did - I said goodbye because SA had a fork in their back.

[DirkDoesWork]

This trade is Grand- in'-Larceny, and that's putting it lightly. At least Brook Lopez *could*, and I use that world very loosely, become a star player, but he'd have to stopped being a pussy and start rebounding like a 7'1'' center. This deal reeks of bull .

[007nites]

We should sign Jermaine O'neal just so that he could throw a few hard fouls at Dwight. It would be a great reunion for SJax as well.

[DPG21920]

He just signed with PHX.

[therealtruth]

He just signed with PHX.

The Spurs don't even try to get decent bigs. We're not asking them to get the next Duncan. Just better than Blair/Bonner.

[dunkman]

The Lakers had Bynum, he was a good find at 10th lottery pick. Probably the best player of that draft. Howard isn't that much better at this point.

[baseline bum]

Jermaine O'Neal isn't any better than Blair. Not that I like Blair, but O'Neal is crap.

[baseline bum]

The Lakers had Bynum, he was a good find at 10th lottery pick. Probably the best player of that draft. Howard isn't that much better at this point.

Bynum's probably the third best player in that draft, behind CP3 and DWill.

[kobyz]

should be commission of enquiry about this trade!

[shorttotry]

Delicious

Yes, the built-in advantages of having the savvy to pick the youngest player ever drafted and then not unloading him for trash. It really comes down to the Lakers having, by far and away, the best front office in the NBA for the past 30+ years.

I know, it hurts.

You're ing re ed. That sly Kobe pickup is one thing, but the Fakers have pulled this for decades. And no, their FO is VERY highly overrated. Yes, LA has a beach, great night life filled with bags, and tons of money grubbing s with fake s. That is the pull their front office uses to get any desperate loser with a huge ego to come to LA. I think it's almost a chicken move by a certain players desperate for a ship that drives this monstrosity.

Duncan is the epicenter of a mega-superstar... Started with immediate success. He could have gone to any place he desired, but his loyalty is unsurpassed. Duncan should have a shrine right next to Robinsons.

[therealtruth]

Can't wait to see Buss pay the super tax and be limited in trades.

[HI-FI]

Can't wait to see Buss pay the super tax and be limited in trades.

that will be hilarious, though can't they afford to keep paying it? i don't know their finances, but i've read they make 150 million a year from their TV deals alone. just curious how long they can make a mockery of the cap.

[hsxvvd]

You're ing re ed. That sly Kobe pickup is one thing, but the Fakers have pulled this for decades. And no, their FO is VERY highly overrated. Yes, LA has a beach, great night life filled with bags, and tons of money grubbing s with fake s. That is the pull their front office uses to get any desperate loser with a huge ego to come to LA. I think it's almost a chicken move by a certain players desperate for a ship that drives this monstrosity.

Duncan is the epicenter of a mega-superstar... Started with immediate success. He could have gone to any place he desired, but his loyalty is unsurpassed. Duncan should have a shrine right next to Robinsons.

Don't forget. Kobe (via Adidas & Arn Tellem) told all teams he would ONLY turn pro to play for LA, so it wasn't really a good pick on their behalf.

[LkrFan]

lol Orlando... Are they really that stupid?? Why didn't we get Howard and give them Bonner and Neal, it's the same Denver gave them.

[LkrFan]

Duncan wanted to play for the Lakers ?


him and his TOSB ass

[Sportcamper]

Laker fans already anointing their team as 2013 champs...

Not true at all…Lakers got better with Nash & Dwight but nobody is saying that they are good enough to get past Oklahoma…With Pau Gasol’s outstanding Olympic performance the Lakers may have one more deal in the works…

Nice article if you are interested…

http://www.latimes.com/sports/basket...,2957109.story

[swaggerjackson]

Bryant too distacted by flights from Colorado to LA. Is that what happened that year. I can't remember I feel like something else noteworthy might have happened. Ugh this is going to bug me all day.

[Sportcamper]

I can't remember I feel like something else noteworthy might have happened. Ugh this is going to bug me all day.

No you are right…Kobe had knee surgery that year & spent a lot of money on jewelry…