Lakers: OFFICIAL Lakers Offseason Thread

[Thebesteva]

Laker fans...let's talk about the offseason. This season has been beyond lame and boring. I've never seen so many Laker fans so contempt with getting swept since this team has been from top to bottom all year. Let's talk about where the organization goes from here, on keeping D12, should they move forward with Kobe or amnesty him? Any offseason signings...etc

[midnightpulp]

Bury Nash and Metta and Blake in a shallow grave. Amnesty, trade Pau. Develop a in' youth movement for once. Like I said in another thread, this isn't "bad luck." Mitch, Jim and Co. created the perfect environment for an injury plagued season by signing/resigning injury prone old players, trading away all their picks, never finding a backup for Kobe, and hiring Mike D'Antoni, who is known to overwork his players.

The Lakers need to bite the bullet for once and rebuild. You can't always solve your problems through free agency and marquee signings. Dwight, as overrated as he is, is still a good centerpiece to build a compe ive team around. Also of primary importance is Kobe adjusting to a role player's role when he returns. He was at the tail end of his superstar form this year, anyhow, and now with the injury, there's no way he should be the offensive focus of any team with playoff aspirations. Time for Kobe to accept 28 minutes per game averaging 15-18ppg.

Unless a better superstar option comes around, this needs to be Dwight's team (which isn't ideal, considering Dwight's limitations, but the Lakers really have no other choice).

[Thebesteva]

Bury Nash and Metta and Blake in a shallow grave. Amnesty, trade Pau. Develop a in' youth movement for once. Like I said in another thread, this isn't "bad luck." Mitch, Jim and Co. created the perfect environment for an injury plagued season by signing/resigning injury prone old players, trading away all their picks, never finding a backup for Kobe, and hiring Mike D'Antoni, who is known to overwork his players.

The Lakers need to bite the bullet for once and rebuild. You can't always solve your problems through free agency and marquee signings. Dwight, as overrated as he is, is still a good centerpiece to build a compe ive team around. Also of primary importance is Kobe adjusting to a role player's role when he returns. He was at the tail end of his superstar form this year, anyhow, and now with the injury, there's no way he should be the offensive focus of any team with playoff aspirations. Time for Kobe to accept 28 minutes per game averaging 15-18ppg.

Unless a better superstar option comes around, this needs to be Dwight's team (which isn't ideal, considering Dwight's limitations, but the Lakers really have no other choice).

Pretty much everything Magic Johnson said was spot on, time to rebuild and Jim Buss sucks. A friend of mine who is a high school bball coach and I had a talk 2 years ago about how Lakers should get Dwight and a solid pg and that's Kobe's only chance to win #6. We talked about how IF that happens Kobe has to take a huge step back and be a leader and a role player instead of the chucker. He proved this season, that he refuses to be a part of a great team and wants to be THE ALPHA. With that said, I think it's time to let go of Bean.

It pain's me to say that because as a So Cal kid growing up I am a huge fan of his and he will always be my era's Babe Ruth or Michael Jordan. But the guy just refuses to be part of a TEAM game. In his prime, his athleticism and ridiculous offensive game was enough to not need to play as a team player to win championships, he was something unseen. Now, he's just a tall Allen Iverson. It's gonna suck ass when he's gone, but I look forward to the future, I just hope Jim Buss gets overruled some how.

[Monster1776]

God I hope y'all get your together. I've never seen a historic franchise like the Lakers sink so low. I ing hate Kobe and the Lakers, but I hate seeing basketball and the league depreciating in value even more.

[Monster1776]

Drose, Bynum, And Dwight and any other fake ass getting paid millions to disgrace this great game.

[Thebesteva]

Drose, Bynum, And Dwight and any other fake ass getting paid millions to disgrace this great game.

Partna I live 5 minutes from Hollywood, I've bumped into alot of NBA players. I'm not sure if you've ever seen these guys party but they act like 16 year old in morons in person. It's really common to see them or a few Laker players at Hollywood clubs. These guys are the lowest of the lows in real life.

[Mal]

They are in deep hole. They already own 78 mil to couple guys. They must resign bible Kemp. And Kobe probably wont walk next year. And they have 2nd round pick to bring young talent.

[Monster1776]

Partna I live 5 minutes from Hollywood, I've bumped into alot of NBA players. I'm not sure if you've ever seen these guys party but they act like 16 year old in morons in person. It's really common to see them or a few Laker players at Hollywood clubs. These guys are the lowest of the lows in real life.

Oh I have, I've balled with a bunch of them. Some of them are good dudes; believe it or not Blake Griffin is a dude that can be as humble as you can get along with several other guys like Ike Diogu and such. But it's hard to keep on the level when you get payed millions to play a game and just about ever other is wanting to suck your . Was with Beasly in Vegas and that dude was ing living in another ing Universe his ing rookie year. Talked with Harden at ASU and he was concerned about chasing that paper trail before getting that success with the Thunder. There's a bunch of good kids with good compe ive hearts that get eaten alive and twisted by the ing league; it's a shame, it's just like ing hollywood. Too many talented college kids never get a chance to shine, and too many that do get that chance throw it away so they can enjoy their 10 minutes of fame.

[midnightpulp]

Pretty much everything Magic Johnson said was spot on, time to rebuild and Jim Buss sucks. A friend of mine who is a high school bball coach and I had a talk 2 years ago about how Lakers should get Dwight and a solid pg and that's Kobe's only chance to win #6. We talked about how IF that happens Kobe has to take a huge step back and be a leader and a role player instead of the chucker. He proved this season, that he refuses to be a part of a great team and wants to be THE ALPHA. With that said, I think it's time to let go of Bean.

I also think the Lakers organization needs to jettison this "Championship or bust" mentality for a couple years. As long as the Heat are healthy, it's their league for the next 2 years at least. The short term goal should be to build a young, exciting team around Dwight that will compete but not necessarily contend, much like this year's Warriors. Keep Kobe for veteran leadership, morale, and the occasional vintage game (he can be the David Robinson to Dwight's young Tim Duncan). And maybe by the time that Heat window starts sliding down a little bit, Dwight will have developed into a leader, whatever young players the Lakers have will have become solid/borderline All-stars, and the Lakers will have evolved into a contender.

I understand the Lakers gun for a le every year, but this is one of times where they need to first lay the foundation and try to build something from the ground up instead of just applying a fresh new coat of paint.

[Thebesteva]

They are in deep hole. They already own 78 mil to couple guys. They must resign bible Kemp. And Kobe probably wont walk next year. And they have 2nd round pick to bring young talent.

man...when we had Dr. Buss as the owner I had faith we'd EVENTUALLY return. I still believe eventually, the powers to be will put the Lakers back on the map. But I REALLY hope the Lakers dont turn into the new Raiders of the NBA.

[Monster1776]

I also think the Lakers organization needs to jettison this "Championship or bust" mentality for a couple years. As long as the Heat are healthy, it's their league for the next 2 years at least. The short term goal should be to build a young, exciting team around Dwight that will compete but not necessarily contend, much like this year's Warriors. Keep Kobe for veteran leadership, morale, and the occasional vintage game (he can be the David Robinson to Dwight's young Tim Duncan). And maybe by the time that Heat window starts sliding down a little bit, Dwight will have developed into a leader, whatever young players the Lakers have will have become solid/borderline All-stars, and the Lakers will have evolved into a contender.

I understand the Lakers gun for a le every year, but this is one of times where they need to first lay the foundation and try to build something from the ground up instead of just applying a fresh new coat of paint.

I talked to a NBA scout for the Orlando Magic a while back, the Lakers need to jettison Howard ASAP. The dude is a team cancer and can't be controlled. He's already spiraled way too far down the rabbit hole.

[Thebesteva]

I also think the Lakers organization needs to jettison this "Championship or bust" mentality for a couple years. As long as the Heat are healthy, it's their league for the next 2 years at least. The short term goal should be to build a young, exciting team around Dwight that will compete but not necessarily contend, much like this year's Warriors. Keep Kobe for veteran leadership, morale, and the occasional vintage game (he can be the David Robinson to Dwight's young Tim Duncan). And maybe by the time that Heat window starts sliding down a little bit, Dwight will have developed into a leader, whatever young players the Lakers have will have become solid/borderline All-stars, and the Lakers will have evolved into a contender.

I understand the Lakers gun for a le every year, but this is one of times where they need to first lay the foundation and try to build something from the ground up instead of just applying a fresh new coat of paint.

It's interesting you mention that, I believe this is the new school LG era mentality and it's complete in non-sense. At Dr. Buss' funeral, Phil Jackson talked about how Jerry brought him to his house late in 1999 and discussed how he just 'wanted to see the Lakers win 1 more time.' He really underlined how Dr. Buss really wanted to only see 1 more and relive the glory. At that point, it had been 10 years since the last le and all broke loose when Magic announced his HIV contraction.

Phil mentioned how he told him that he thought they had the nucleus to win more than 1 and that's what his goal would be. After winning 5 in 10 years, suddenly the new mentality is win a ring or the year was a failure. I agree that that's our goal as Laker fans, but you have to bite the bullet whether you like it or not and start rebuilding.

I am gonna miss the Kobe era alot, all bs aside, as will Spurs fans when TD, Manu, and Parker are gone and some new asshole noobs are running the team. But it's starting to become inevitable that we have to rebuild. I will end it by saying, I CANNOT imagine the ridiculous horror of next season if Mike D'antoni coaches and they try to bring the majority of these old guys back + a few young players to make up for it while Kobe sits out half the season.

[Thebesteva]

Oh I have, I've balled with a bunch of them. Some of them are good dudes; believe it or not Blake Griffin is a dude that can be as humble as you can get along with several other guys like Ike Diogu and such. But it's hard to keep on the level when you get payed millions to play a game and just about ever other is wanting to suck your . Was with Beasly in Vegas and that dude was ing living in another ing Universe his ing rookie year. Talked with Harden at ASU and he was concerned about chasing that paper trail before getting that success with the Thunder. There's a bunch of good kids with good compe ive hearts that get eaten alive and twisted by the ing league; it's a shame, it's just like ing hollywood. Too many talented college kids never get a chance to shine, and too many that do get that chance throw it away so they can enjoy their 10 minutes of fame.

Westbrook, is that you?

[Monster1776]

Westbrook, is that you?

No, I'd be wearing Joesph's ing coat of many colors while squinting through my lensless glasses saying, "No more comments for you *brah*" if I was.

[Thebesteva]

No, I'd be wearing Joesph's ing coat of many colors while squinting through my lensless glasses saying, "No more comments for you *brah*" if I was.

Ya'll s is trippin (just cuz the reporter asked did you guys lose the game or did Utah win it?)

[midnightpulp]

It's interesting you mention that, I believe this is the new school LG era mentality and it's complete in non-sense. At Dr. Buss' funeral, Phil Jackson talked about how Jerry brought him to his house late in 1999 and discussed how he just 'wanted to see the Lakers win 1 more time.' He really underlined how Dr. Buss really wanted to only see 1 more and relive the glory. At that point, it had been 10 years since the last le and all broke loose when Magic announced his HIV contraction.

Phil mentioned how he told him that he thought they had the nucleus to win more than 1 and that's what his goal would be. After winning 5 in 10 years, suddenly the new mentality is win a ring or the year was a failure. I agree that that's our goal as Laker fans, but you have to bite the bullet whether you like it or not and start rebuilding.

I am gonna miss the Kobe era alot, all bs aside, as will Spurs fans when TD, Manu, and Parker are gone and some new asshole noobs are running the team. But it's starting to become inevitable that we have to rebuild. I will end it by saying, I CANNOT imagine the ridiculous horror of next season if Mike D'antoni coaches and they try to bring the majority of these old guys back + a few young players to make up for it while Kobe sits out half the season.

Yeah, it's totally unrealistic to think you can win a championship every year, and that mentality has led the Lakers into some rash signings and waiving of players over the past few years. I don't care what Artest did in '10, Ariza had just as an impressive of an outing the year prior, is 6 years younger, and matches up better in this new era of quick, long, athletic small forwards. If I remember, the Lakers didn't want to give him 33 million, which is what they wound up paying Artest anyway. His '09 campaign should've earned him a future with the Lakers, but a bigger "name" was available, and in time honored Lakers fashion, they preferred the name player. I always felt Ariza was just a perfect fit, from a roster and chemistry standpoint. Artest has been a trainwreck for the Lakers since that big 3 he hit in Game 7 of the Finals.

I don't recall the details, but I thought letting go Farmar go was a big mistake. A young, quick PG who was part of two championship teams let go in favor of signing Steve Blake for the same amount of money. Even in '10, the Lakers had trouble with quick PGs, so they respond by signing an older and slower one as a backup to the slowest one in the league? And it showed when Chris Paul went off in round 1 that year and when Jason Terry torched the Lakers.

Never developing Devin Ebanks and instead signing John McRoberts and Troy Murphy, burying him at the 3rd/4th string. Versatile 6'9" SFs don't come around too often and I think the Lakers should've given him a shot.

The Nash signing was a massive mistake. As Lakerfans were ejaculating here after the signing, I warned them to be prepared for Steve Blake playing 25 minutes a game and seeing Nash in a suit quite often. Sessions would've been a much better fit. Lakers are in desperate need of penetration, and he can get into the lane at will. Also great at drawing fouls.

The time is now for the Lakers FO to be patient and develop something for the future instead of trying "roll the dice" on high profile FAs. You'll never develop team chemistry with that kind of revolving door policy.

[midnightpulp]

I talked to a NBA scout for the Orlando Magic a while back, the Lakers need to jettison Howard ASAP. The dude is a team cancer and can't be controlled. He's already spiraled way too far down the rabbit hole.

Problem is, who else is out there for the Lakers to build around?

I agree about Howard, but if the Lakers jettison him, they'll be a lottery/fringe playoff team for years to come, and the 10's Lakers will be the Randy Pfund era revisited, meaning less ticket sales, no marquee player jerseys to sell, and a very pissed off Time Warner. I guess you can say, "they're the Lakers. They'll find a way," but with a 3 billion dollar TV deal, Laker brass can't afford to be patient and hope the next big star signs with them.

For better, for worse, Howard is their meal ticket on that end. And from a business perspective, the Lakers can't afford to let him go.

[Thebesteva]

Yeah, it's totally unrealistic to think you can win a championship every year, and that mentality has led the Lakers into some rash signings and waiving of players over the past few years. I don't care what Artest did in '10, Ariza had just as an impressive of an outing the year prior, is 6 years younger, and matches up better in this new era of quick, long, athletic small forwards. If I remember, the Lakers didn't want to give him 33 million, which is what they wound up paying Artest anyway. His '09 campaign should've earned him a future with the Lakers, but a bigger "name" was available, and in time honored Lakers fashion, they preferred the name player. I always felt Ariza was just a perfect fit, from a roster and chemistry standpoint. Artest has been a trainwreck for the Lakers since that big 3 he hit in Game 7 of the Finals.

I don't recall the details, but I thought letting go Farmar go was a big mistake. A young, quick PG who was part of two championship teams let go in favor of signing Steve Blake for the same amount of money. Even in '10, the Lakers had trouble with quick PGs, so they respond by signing an older and slower one as a backup to the slowest one in the league? And it showed when Chris Paul went off in round 1 that year and when Jason Terry torched the Lakers.

Never developing Devin Ebanks and instead signing John McRoberts and Troy Murphy, burying him at the 3rd/4th string. Versatile 6'9" SFs don't come around too often and I think the Lakers should've given him a shot.

The Nash signing was a massive mistake. As Lakerfans were ejaculating here after the signing, I warned them to be prepared for Steve Blake playing 25 minutes a game and seeing Nash in a suit quite often. Sessions would've been a much better fit. Lakers are in desperate need of penetration, and he can get into the lane at will. Also great at drawing fouls.

The time is now for the Lakers FO to be patient and develop something for the future instead of trying "roll the dice" on high profile FAs. You'll never develop team chemistry with that kind of revolving door policy.

I agree with everything you said except about Ariza. I loved Trevor's game, was SUPER ING pissed when he left. But it was all his agent aka Andrew Bynum's and Ariza's s bag agent David Lee who ed it all up for everyone. I remember everything perfectly that offseason, Odom, Shannon Brown, AND Ariza were free agents.

The Lakers goal was to resign all 3, and Ariza wanted to rejoin for less. David Lee wouldn't have it, he demanded $35 million when the Lakers offered $27. IF the Lakers had resigned Trevor, they didn't have the space to resign Odom, so the question in all of LA at the time was Odom or Ariza? We had plenty of threads on LG and Laker nation and many were furious at the fact Odom was willing to take a HUGE paycut while Ariza wanted the whole pie to himself.

So Mitch did what he does best, he and Jerry Buss got Artest on the team and then cut ties with David Lee, and this is what I believe ultimately led them to getting rid of Bynum as well. I can guarantee you, David Lee will not be welcomed back in LA or with any elite team again in the NBA. (Are the Lakers still elite? Whatever)

[midnightpulp]

I agree with everything you said except about Ariza. I loved Trevor's game, was SUPER ING pissed when he left. But it was all his agent aka Andrew Bynum's and Ariza's s bag agent David Lee who ed it all up for everyone. I remember everything perfectly that offseason, Odom, Shannon Brown, AND Ariza were free agents.

The Lakers goal was to resign all 3, and Ariza wanted to rejoin for less. David Lee wouldn't have it, he demanded $35 million when the Lakers offered $27. IF the Lakers had resigned Trevor, they didn't have the space to resign Odom, so the question in all of LA at the time was Odom or Ariza? We had plenty of threads on LG and Laker nation and many were furious at the fact Odom was willing to take a HUGE paycut while Ariza wanted the whole pie to himself.

So Mitch did what he does best, he and Jerry Buss got Artest on the team and then cut ties with David Lee, and this is what I believe ultimately led them to getting rid of Bynum as well. I can guarantee you, David Lee will not be welcomed back in LA or with any elite team again in the NBA. (Are the Lakers still elite? Whatever)

That makes sense. You keep Odom, all day.

Forgot the details with the Ariza drama. But it looks like Lee tried to milk all he could from when Ariza's value would be at its highest ever and the Lakers FO didn't take too kindly to being extorted like that, promptly telling him to off.

Can't blame them.

[LkrFan]

Ya'll s is trippin (just cuz the reporter asked did you guys lose the game or did Utah win it?)

I still can't believe he said that !

[Thebesteva]

I still can't believe he said that !

If the reporter asked something rude Id understand. It's THE most common question asked amongst reporters, it's a way of asking if you felt you gave the game away. I just dont understand why he is so emotional and butt hurt all the time.

[100%duncan]

Get rid of Nash, MWP, D antoni. Keep Blake as a back up pg. Trade Pau for a starting PG, a young one might I say. Like Mid said, build around that clown Howard because you got no choice. And be young for once tbh. I dont think keeping Kobe will be a good idea, the dude will never learn, he'll just destroy/slow down your rebuilding process.

[ezau]

Pretty much everything Magic Johnson said was spot on, time to rebuild and Jim Buss sucks. A friend of mine who is a high school bball coach and I had a talk 2 years ago about how Lakers should get Dwight and a solid pg and that's Kobe's only chance to win #6. We talked about how IF that happens Kobe has to take a huge step back and be a leader and a role player instead of the chucker. He proved this season, that he refuses to be a part of a great team and wants to be THE ALPHA. With that said, I think it's time to let go of Bean.

It pain's me to say that because as a So Cal kid growing up I am a huge fan of his and he will always be my era's Babe Ruth or Michael Jordan. But the guy just refuses to be part of a TEAM game. In his prime, his athleticism and ridiculous offensive game was enough to not need to play as a team player to win championships, he was something unseen. Now, he's just a tall Allen Iverson. It's gonna suck ass when he's gone, but I look forward to the future, I just hope Jim Buss gets overruled some how.

Business-wise, it's going to be a terrible decision to let Kobe go because he's a major draw in Los Angeles. Buss, being the businessman that he is, isn't stupid enough to make that happen.

[Monster1776]

If the reporter asked something rude Id understand. It's THE most common question asked amongst reporters, it's a way of asking if you felt you gave the game away. I just dont understand why he is so emotional and butt hurt all the time.

His personality on the court isn't fake or for show, he's a very compe ive emotional dude. He was probably pissed and took the question the wrong way while still being full of adrenaline and dismissed the reporter. Some of the inane questions they get asked daily gets really annoying. I think Kobe had a couple of incidents like these but without using the word "brah"

[phxspurfan]

Perfect time to amnesty Kobe. He's about to get another coach fired, he's hurt, he's old and may never be the same. He also would free up enough cap space to buy about 20 free agents