Lakers lose to Cavs

[Mr. Body]

To be honest, Memphis was trying to dump Gasol (though I'm really not sure why). In return they got some prospects (including Marc Gasol (boom) and Javaris Crittenton (now a 1st round bust)), and they got Kwame Brown just to make salaries add up. Kwame was an expiring contract. That deal wasn't really a "Stern" move, though I'm sure Jerry West being in charge of Memphis helped, since he probably tried harder to dump Pau onto the Lakers than any other team. To this day, I have no clue why they were so intent on dumping Pau, but it was known around the league they wanted to trade him. Probably because they got swept the only times they made the postseason.

In addition, its not like the Lakers were some powerhouse before the trade. In 04-05 they didn't make the playoffs, and in 05-06 and 06-07 they were bounced in the first round. Acquiring Pau took them to the top, but at the time it wasn't really a case of the "rich getting richer" or anything like that. Plus they pulled the trade right after Bynum went down.

All that said, LA

That was one of the biggest bull trades in living memory, and was absolutely a Jerry West special. He packaged up one of the top big men in the league, a guy who was consistenly leading Memphis into the playoffs and was an All-Star, and sent him off to his old and beloved team for absolute scraps. Memphis might have been trying to trade him, but it wasn't an utterly urgent thing. And that Marc Gasol turned out to be decent is completely beside the point. He was a 2nd rounder throw in for the trade, and every single piece was crap.

It was a total snow job and enabled a listing Lakers team/franchise, who were staring at the possibility of a revolting Kobe Bryant, not only to right the ship, but win another couple of championships. You don't think they wouldn't have won without Gasol?

Just ridiculous. And completely smears West's reputation in my eyes. Whether Stern was involved or not - I don't think he had to be.

[TampaDude]

That was one of the biggest bull trades in living memory, and was absolutely a Jerry West special. He packaged up one of the top big men in the league, a guy who was consistenly leading Memphis into the playoffs and was an All-Star, and sent him off to his old and beloved team for absolute scraps. Memphis might have been trying to trade him, but it wasn't an utterly urgent thing. And that Marc Gasol turned out to be decent is completely beside the point. He was a 2nd rounder throw in for the trade, and every single piece was crap.

It was a total snow job and enabled a listing Lakers team/franchise, who were staring at the possibility of a revolting Kobe Bryant, not only to right the ship, but win another couple of championships. You don't think they wouldn't have won without Gasol?

Just ridiculous. And completely smears West's reputation in my eyes. Whether Stern was involved or not - I don't think he had to be.

Karma's a , ain't it?

[Obstructed_View]

To be honest, Memphis was trying to dump Gasol (though I'm really not sure why). In return they got some prospects (including Marc Gasol (boom) and Javaris Crittenton (now a 1st round bust)), and they got Kwame Brown just to make salaries add up. Kwame was an expiring contract. That deal wasn't really a "Stern" move, though I'm sure Jerry West being in charge of Memphis helped, since he probably tried harder to dump Pau onto the Lakers than any other team. To this day, I have no clue why they were so intent on dumping Pau, but it was known around the league they wanted to trade him. Probably because they got swept the only times they made the postseason.

In addition, its not like the Lakers were some powerhouse before the trade. In 04-05 they didn't make the playoffs, and in 05-06 and 06-07 they were bounced in the first round. Acquiring Pau took them to the top, but at the time it wasn't really a case of the "rich getting richer" or anything like that. Plus they pulled the trade right after Bynum went down.

All that said, LA

They were trying to sell the team, and it had something to do with getting a big contract off the books.

[biskvito]

lol lakers
lol espn
lol journalists after the game having to dissect the whole lakers drama in what seemed to me like the longest minutes ever aired on tv... what a soul crushing job

[Johnsyounger]

I was born and raised in San Antonio, but live in Los Angeles, so i watch most of the Laker games(mainly because i want to see em lose their asses). I honestly think they may miss the playoffs. Kobe's older, Dwight isn't dominant, Pau is all done, Metta is a joke, Nash who knows???, and the bench is the worst ever. I dont think these guys can fit into Mike's system, and he only knows how to coach one way. Look for the Lakers to make another BIG trade. Laker land seems to think Ryan Anderson can save them. What a joke.. This team is in real trouble, like Kwame and Smush trouble, and I like it.

[Anonymous Cowherd]

The Lakers are 1-10 when Kobe scores over 30 #noIinteam

[Mr. Body]

They were trying to sell the team, and it had something to do with getting a big contract off the books.

So dump by far their only franchise player for tiddly-winks? That might be the excuse West ran out, but that don't make no goddamn sense.

[temujin]

Not gonna happen. Portland laughs them off the phone.

Memphis didn't laugh when they called with Kwame/Critterton for Gasol.

[temujin]

Thats just evil ... plain and simple

It's called business.
Those two guys could make a big market team compe ive again.

[temujin]

No. Aldridge is cheaper, younger, healthier, and at this point better than Gasol and has one more year on his contract. There is absolutely zero incentive for the Blazers to go through with that. Batum is also much younger and was just resigned for 11 mil a year. I doubt a team like Portland is going to try to add to its payroll, especially with an injured player past his prime.

Obviously this would make sense, but with the LAL you never know..

[itzsoweezee]

Memphis didn't laugh when they called with Kwame/Critterton for Gasol.

Portland and Portlanders absolutely HATE the Lakers. No way in they'd do it.

[Obstructed_View]

So dump by far their only franchise player for tiddly-winks? That might be the excuse West ran out, but that don't make no goddamn sense.

Jerry West had nothing to do with it. It was the people who wanted to sell the team. Removing a big, long-term contract made them money. They didn't give a about the prospects of the team at that point. Grizzlies fans should thank their personal God that they ended up with Marc Gasol.

[Drom John]

The Lakers might not be losing because Kobe scores 30+. It could be Kobe scores 30+ because the Lakers are losing. That was the case with Wes Unseld. Unseld didn't score 10+ unless the Bullets were behind in the 4th and the offense was stagnant.

OTOH, Unseld > Bryant.

[polandprzem]

Well Unseld was not a scorer

[Drom John]

Well Unseld was not a scorer

"Unseld didn't score 10+ unless the Bullets were behind in the 4th and the offense was stagnant."

We agree.

[polandprzem]

"Unseld didn't score 10+ unless the Bullets were behind in the 4th and the offense was stagnant."

We agree.

So Unseld could score 30+ if Bullets were a lousy team?


The thing for Kobe is that he makes the offense stagnant not the other way. In triangles the ball was moving much more and he was a part of the offense _LA were much more effective.

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

It's funny how ESPN is doing all these interviews with Kobe trying to maintain all this "drama" bull . It's entertaining to see the Lakers lose every other game though. A loss against the Knicks tonight for sure.