Lakers: Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant enjoy a nice dinner*together

[midnightpulp]

The only thing I agree with you on is we are pretty ing terrible at develop Talent...I blame Mitch for that...Byron don't know what the he's doing....he' s not thinking ahead...nor is he thinking out of the box....so yes we suck at talent development...

Randle is a good play maker though you couldn't be more wrong...and excellent handles just needs that shot and some defensive work....he could be our Draymond but he's a rook so give him time

My theory is that D Russ and Randle were moved to the bench so they could pad stats and increase their trade value in the event you draft Simmons. If you don't luck into Simmons, then the Lakers can just hand wave their bench relegation away as "development."

Byron Scott would not move those two to the bench without a front office say so.

You think Clarkson will be on the block, but his slashing type of play will be compatible with Simmons, who'll be able to generate offense for Clarkson with his passing.

[Koolaid_Man]

My theory is that D Russ and Randle were moved to the bench so they could pad stats and increase their trade value in the event you draft Simmons. If you don't luck into Simmons, then the Lakers can just hand wave their bench relegation away as "development."

Byron Scott would not move those two to the bench without a front office say so.

You think Clarkson will be on the block, but his slashing type of play will be compatible with Simmons, who'll be able to generate offense for Clarkson with his passing.

Just keep wishing me good luck in the lottery.... just like you did last year

I don't care why they were moved it is a good move...shoots up their value while we still lose...we just may luck into Simmons if we take this tanking to a whole new level...Philly will pick up more games and Byron can start selectively sitting Lou and Russell to ensure we don't have no hero's out there..it's all about Simmons at this point..who I never heard of until this thread

Simmons and Russell would be awesome.... Clarkson and Randle might get packaged for Boogie

[Buddy Mignon]

You keep Randle and force Simmons into the SF role, you'll have ty spacing. In today's NBA, your SF NEEDS to have a 3 point shot. Simmons isn't a 3 point shooter. I also don't know why you focus on per game stats. This is 2016 Randle's lack of length, ty jumper, terrible defense and lack of playmaking will keep him from being anything more than maybe a high caliber role player. Look how Randle performs against front lines with length. Plenty of 2-9, 3-12, etc type of games.

Randle could possibly develop, but he plays for the franchise that is the worst in the NBA at developing young talent

If you get Simmons, I expect the Lakers to clean house and build from scratch. They'll possibly keep Russell because of the HS connection, though. But just because something worked in HS, doesn't mean it'll work in the NBA.

I see Randle eventually playing on the level of a Charles Barkley. He has a jumper... its just nerves as playing on this stage. Everything about his game will improve as the years go on. The same can be said about Russell. You all said he was a bust 15 games into the season. But now everyone is riding his . His rookie season is projected to be better than Tony Parker's. I personally think he will be better than Parker. He already has more tools than Parker ever had in his game. For the record... I don't want Simmons... I want him as a trade chip to gut some teams ing roster to speed up the winning process. I want Durant. If I can get Durant along with Beal, or Derozen, I'm happy. Derozen will be an easy sign seeing he's from Compton and grew up a Kobe and Laker fan, but I want Beal.

You're wrong about Randle, mid. He's going to be a beast for a long time once the game slows down for him.

[Buddy Mignon]

My theory is that D Russ and Randle were moved to the bench so they could pad stats and increase their trade value in the event you draft Simmons. If you don't luck into Simmons, then the Lakers can just hand wave their bench relegation away as "development."

Byron Scott would not move those two to the bench without a front office say so.

You think Clarkson will be on the block, but his slashing type of play will be compatible with Simmons, who'll be able to generate offense for Clarkson with his passing.

Laker fans will forget about Clarkson if we sign Beal or Derozen. No matter what happens don't let us land Simmons, mid. The possibilities will be endless and you know it.

[Buddy Mignon]

Just keep wishing me good luck in the lottery.... just like you did last year

I don't care why they were moved it is a good move...shoots up their value while we still lose...we just may luck into Simmons if we take this tanking to a whole new level...Philly will pick up more games and Byron can start selectively sitting Lou and Russell to ensure we don't have no hero's out there..it's all about Simmons at this point..who I never heard of until this thread

Simmons and Russell would be awesome.... Clarkson and Randle might get packaged for Boogie

Spurs fans are well aware of who this kid is, Kool. He's a beast.

[midnightpulp]

I see Randle eventually playing on the level of a Charles Barkley. He has a jumper... its just nerves as playing on this stage. Everything about his game will improve as the years go on. The same can be said about Russell. You all said he was a bust 15 games into the season. But now everyone is riding his . His rookie season is projected to be better than Tony Parker's. I personally think he will be better than Parker. He already has more tools than Parker ever had in his game. For the record... I don't want Simmons... I want him as a trade chip to gut some teams ing roster to speed up the winning process. I want Durant. If I can get Durant along with Beal, or Derozen, I'm happy. Derozen will be an easy sign seeing he's from Compton and grew up a Kobe and Laker fan, but I want Beal.

You're wrong about Randle, mid. He's going to be a beast for a long time once the game slows down for him.

Simmons won't be traded. He's a great talent and Jimbo will love the marketing possibilities there.

Parker and D-Bust play different styles of games. Parker has always been a score first guard who scores off penetration.

And who's on D-Bust's ? He just shot 1-9 and will get throttled today by Westbrook. I think he'll eventually be a solid player, but nothing franchise changing. Simmons is a potential franchise player, so of course I don't you to get him. I want New York Knicks type of suffering for your club.

[Koolaid_Man]

Laker fans will forget about Clarkson if we sign Beal or Derozen. No matter what happens don't let us land Simmons, mid. The possibilities will be endless and you know it.

I would love Beal...but the Wiz are gonna Max him out...Derozan is more likely since he has a player option...we could build a mega team capable of winning the le on a rookie scale and vet maxed Contracts...

Sign Durant
Sign Whiteside
Sign Derozan
Draft Simmons

Hibbert 15 mill gone
Kobe 25 mill gone

Package Clarkson and Randle for Boogie if no Whiteside

[Buddy Mignon]

Simmons won't be traded. He's a great talent and Jimbo will love the marketing possibilities there.

Parker and D-Bust play different styles of games. Parker has always been a score first guard who scores off penetration.

And who's on D-Bust's ? He just shot 1-9 and will get throttled today by Westbrook. I think he'll eventually be a solid player, but nothing franchise changing. Simmons is a potential franchise player, so of course I don't you to get him. I want New York Knicks type of suffering for your club.

That ain't happening. Of course Parker's game is different that Russell's. My point was you all calling Russ a bust when he numbers are almost identical to Parker's at 19. His ceiling is higher than Russell's.

[Wilt Chamberlain]

If Durant wants to wait another 3 years to get a ring and hope the Busses can do better than Randle and Russell drafting moving forward then I could see this.

Russell plays the smallest position on the court. PG are notorious slow starters so there is hope here despite his tepid start.

Randle has to be very disappointing to the organization. Injury then he looks small and a marginal athlete.

Lakers screwed the pooch biggest in letting Gasol go. I see people here wanting Whiteside who is a nice piece but the Lakers need dynamic players not pieces.

[Buddy Mignon]

If Durant wants to wait another 3 years to get a ring and hope the Busses can do better than Randle and Russell drafting moving forward then I could see this.

Russell plays the smallest position on the court. PG are notorious slow starters so there is hope here despite his tepid start.

Randle has to be very disappointing to the organization. Injury then he looks small and a marginal athlete.

Lakers screwed the pooch biggest in letting Gasol go. I see people here wanting Whiteside who is a nice piece but the Lakers need dynamic players not pieces.

Waiting 3 years vs never getting one in OKC is not a bad price to pay.

[Killakobe81]

An arguement could be made for AI as well I would think.

Yes but i would argue its those two as the best all around scorers ...LeBron as the best all around player though since MJ.

[Kool Bob Love]

they look in love

[DMC]

Kobe taking nights off as if he's saving himself for the playoffs.

[Slutter McGee]

Ok, out at a nice restaurant. Why the can't black guys take off their caps? I really don't get it.

ter McGee

[Reck]

Doesn't look like the meeting help lessened the beatdown they got.

[DMC]

Laker fans will forget about Clarkson if we sign Beal or Derozen. No matter what happens don't let us land Simmons, mid. The possibilities will be endless and you know it.

You want all these iso ballers because you don't know about the game. You just like the sneakers.

Of course Kobe is trying to recruit Durant.

[Russ]

If Durant signs a one year deal with OKC, Laker fans can start dreaming.

Then Durant and Westbrook would be free agents in the summer of 2017 -- they could both go to a new team together.

That team could be the Lakers . . .

[DMC]

If Durant signs a one year deal with OKC, Laker fans can start dreaming.

Then Durant and Westbrook would be free agents in the summer of 2017 -- they could both go to a new team together.

That team could be the Lakers . . .

KD won't do the 1 year deal. The next season is where the contract money will be made, after the adjustments and new CBA. I can't see Kevin hanging around for just a year to wait on Russ. If he signs, it's for the max contract.

[Kawhitstorm]

Rumor has it that Kobe finished off himself in the shower after Durant left early for practice mid-session

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

KD won't do the 1 year deal. The next season is where the contract money will be made, after the adjustments and new CBA. I can't see Kevin hanging around for just a year to wait on Russ. If he signs, it's for the max contract.

Why wouldn't he? He's going to get paid substantially more on a max in 2017, rather than 2016. He'll do a 1+1 like LeBron, unless he has serious health concerns.

[DMC]

Why wouldn't he? He's going to get paid substantially more on a max in 2017, rather than 2016. He'll do a 1+1 like LeBron, unless he has serious health concerns.

Why would he do it in OKC?

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

Why would he do it in OKC?

Best chance he can get to compete for a le in 2016. He won't have that in LAL or Washington. Then he can re-evaluate in 2017.

[DMC]

Best chance he can get to compete for a le in 2016. He won't have that in LAL or Washington. Then he can re-evaluate in 2017.

Not really. For just a 1 year stint he could go to the Warriors or Cavs or Spurs (lol). The Thunder aren't competing for a le. If he thought OKC was competing for a le, he would not have a reason to leave. He's going to want to go where he eventually wants to stay, to avoid the 2nd move and if he leaves OKC which I doubt he will, then he's not going to want to make that decision twice.

[DAF86]

Yes but i would argue its those two as the best all around scorers ...LeBron as the best all around player though since MJ.

Best all around scorer as in "I will take as many shots as I need to get to 30 everygame, no matter how ty my FG % is"?

[ambchang]

Why was there an * next to dinner? Was the set dinner discounted to $50 from the original $82?