Lakers Thread

[kAmilli LakeShow]

I never understood this, but how some players, like Lin, who were never given playing time before, all of a sudden average 25 and 8 while Metta, who USED to be a good scorer and outstanding defender maybe just 2-3 years ago is now THIS trash? I remember when he played for Rockets, he was maybe their go-to guy on offense, and he was on a team that almost got the series from a much better and favoured Laker team and went on to WCF. As soon as he won the ship it seems he just said "Mission Accomplished". Funny that he sold his ring for charity, he thought he was gonna have many more XD

[_Steve_]

Just two points from Metta in 25 mins. His +/- was -4...

[Stress Fracture]

I never understood this, but how some players, like Lin, who were never given playing time before, all of a sudden average 25 and 8 while Metta, who USED to be a good scorer and outstanding defender maybe just 2-3 years ago is now THIS trash? I remember when he played for Rockets, he was maybe their go-to guy on offense, and he was on a team that almost got the series from a much better and favoured Laker team and went on to WCF. As soon as he won the ship it seems he just said "Mission Accomplished". Funny that he sold his ring for charity, he thought he was gonna have many more XD

He wants to be a boxer.

[JBoom_LALALAND]

Ya, A lot of people say that he's just a shell of what he was ... offensively ...

It started last season after the CHAMPionship season ... in that season he got his carerr-low stats ...

But before that season he was an offensive threat in LA ...

But his defense never changed ..

I hope he can change back to his old self but that's unlikely right now
In fact, Barnes is playing better offensively ..

But I wouldn't trade World Peace as of now, because in Playoffs time, you need great defenders in that SF position, because that's a crucial position in the nba ...

But I think, LA needs more firepower from him, maybe post ups, hit his jump shots and threes, and more of that crossover to the rim and finish ....

[koberulz]

It's almost as though players start to decline in skill when they get to their thirties.

[Patr1ck]

What the hell IS wrong with Metta World Peace? I'm not asking for 20 a game or anything, but I just want to see him on the court looking like he is NOT retarded.

[Mandich]

I just want to see him on the court looking like he is NOT retarded.

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[shadowgrin]

I never understood this, but how some players, like Lin, who were never given playing time before, all of a sudden average 25 and 8 while Metta, who USED to be a good scorer and outstanding defender maybe just 2-3 years ago is now THIS trash?

Aliens.

[deihatein]

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[kAmilli LakeShow]

It's almost as though players start to decline in skill when they get to their thirties.

Wow,u just gotta try to make me look like i am stupid. hmmm, is every 30+ player this bad later on in his years? Hell no, it's called adjustment. I mean, come on, Metta could never jump that high anyway, he is almost on the same level with his body, maybe he had less bulk before, but still. 5 points a game? Seriously? Not an excuse to be old. If you are too old - call it quits, don't give up and then still play the game

[kAmilli LakeShow]

And btw, how many issues would J.R.Smith solve for us if we had signed him? Bad luck, giving up exception to players we don't really need and miss out on this kind of a player. But he had his issue with Kobe, who knows. Barnes is now his bitch, LMFAO

[Patr1ck]

I think he needs to start getting drunk before each game again.

[Andrew]

At age 32, going on 33 this November, World Peace is at best going to be at the end of his prime and more than likely, on the way down. It has been a pretty rapid decline though.

A big part of it is simply his role. He probably could still be putting up better numbers, but when you're playing less than half the game (or slightly more than half a game as a starter), your numbers are not going to be jaw-dropping. He only gets four attempts per game on average and combined with his ordinary shooting this season, that's not going to make him a big factor offensively. Give him a more significant role with more minutes and more attempts and his stats would probably look better.

Additionally, maybe he is phoning it in somewhat at this point. He's already talking about other career opportunities beyond basketball and it's not like he's ever been the most mentally stable player we've ever seen in the NBA. He's got a championship, collected personal accolades like Defensive Player of the Year, All-Star appearances and the like, made money and had a pretty decent career when it's all said and done. Perhaps right now, he just doesn't care as much as he should.

[Bruce]

I think the Lakers does not yet need to rebuild, though some re-tooling has to be done. I think it is time for Fisher to hang it up or move back to the bench, Walton definitely must be amnestied next year, I think World Peace can still make a last decent push, but maybe he is still good enough bait for getting some 2nd round picks.

What's up though with the rumored Gasol trade? I don't think there is a good enough trade out there for Gasol. Without Odom and possibly trading Gasol for a lesser front court player seems ludricrous to me. If the Lakers were to trade Gasol this season, and it's not a bigger robbery than the trade than the one that brought Gasol to the Lakers it would seem like the Lakers are giving up on the season.

[Andrew]

If I were the Lakers, I wouldn't be quick to give up on Gasol unless there's a can't-miss deal on the table though after all that happened in the offseason with the CP3 trade that fell apart, perhaps a rift remains that can't be mended and he wants out. However, it could just be fans and sportswriters speculating and throwing out scenarios that are being taken for rumours with more substance.

[JBoom_LALALAND]

I would never trade gasol... just find a great point guard out there ..
maybe Arenas?

[Andrew]

I don't think Gilbert Arenas qualifies as a great point guard these days.

[_Steve_]

I don't think Gilbert Arenas qualifies as a great point guard these days.

You are right, he does not...

[Andrew]

An option to consider of course, but I'd be setting the bar low for him.

[kAmilli LakeShow]

Got Arenas in my association mode from free agency, traded World Peace, Fisher, Barnes, Blake and all them other bench boys somehow thru like 4 trades for Prince, Chalmers, Battier and Haslem and some other complimentary players. Ahh, i wish it would be as easy as a video game for Lakers. Nobody in their right mind is gonna pick up Ron Artest right now. Signing Arenas def. wouldn't hurt as long as he din't get injured in first week or so. I'm still a believer in Agent 0. And for God's sake, Gil, pick back up #0 again if u gonna come back to NBA!


On the other hand, DON'T TRADE PAU. If it isn't for Dwight Howard without Bynum involved, that is. Other than that, our Frontcourt is beast as usual. Matter of fact, if we still had triangle offense we wouldn't need a point THAT bad, we'd just need a better bench. My oh My did that Odom thing backfire! It is painful to watch our 2nd unit in action.

[Andrew]

It probably wouldn't hurt, it remains to be seen how much it would actually help though.

[Stress Fracture]

What about Aaron Brooks when he returns from China?

[kAmilli LakeShow]

Guys, what about Pau for Monta? What you think of that trade if it is to happen?

about Aaron, sources say he will most probably stay with Suns because he is a restricted free agent

[Andrew]

What about Aaron Brooks when he returns from China?

He'd be better than Arenas but his restricted free agent status likely rules him out.

Guys, what about Pau for Monta? What you think of that trade if it is to happen?

Terrible deal that would only serve to infuriate Kobe and doom the Lakers to struggling to avoid a first round sweep.

[koberulz]

Guys, what about Pau for Monta? What you think of that trade if it is to happen?

That's even worse than Odom for nothing.