Lakers Thread

[Patr1ck]

We got a timeout, Lakers down by 106.

[[Q]]

We got a timeout, Lakers down by 106.

fuckin' stu... he's gone waaaay downhill ever since Chick died. I don't ever recall Chick letting him say "That was noooooooooice!" during any replays

[Jackal]

So the Lakers waived Shawne Williams, he was playing pretty decent as of late and him being the stretch 4 Mike wanted I didn't really see that one coming. Hopefully this means more consistent minutes for Jordan.

Well I'm glad it wasn't X or Kendall, although the latter seemed unlikely as it is with LA left with no PG.

[Jackal]

First time in a long time I didn't watch a Laker game till the end. You could see that blow-out coming in the first quarter. As much as I love Gasol, it's time to move the big fella. He deserves better than this. With him they aren't contending, without him they'll just suck a bit more.

He should get the chance to actually play for a contender in his latter years and the Lakers aren't going to be contending for a while I think, especially not if their idea is to pair Bryant & Anthony together.

Ugh, just thinking of Anthony as a Laker makes me feel all icky, sort of like how I feel after a night with Shadow but only this is in a bad way, not the good satisfied ickyness.

[_Steve_]

Anthony together with Kobe would be the battle of the ballhogs and a defensive nightmare. Aside from some nice blocks and steals 'Melo's defense is as nearly as aweful as Bargnani's.

[NovU]

Doesn't Love want to play for the Lakers? He'll probably grow discontent by next season, the Lakers should make a full pitch at him then.

[_Steve_]

Love has played for UCLA and can't be completely satisfied with how his Wolves have been so far this season. They are far away from being a contender and their inconsistency might even cost them the playoffs.
Throw that in the mix and you know where those Love (back) to LA rumors are coming from.
On the other hand, why should one be so eager to join the Lakers these days? The Lakers handcuffed themselves when the signed Kobe for two more seasons. It will be hard to create a winning environment, which I think is necessary when pursuing Love.

[Bruce]

Love has played for UCLA ...

Add to that Kevin Love was born in LA county, his father Stan Love played for the Lakers, in high school Kevin played for the Lake Oswego "Lakers" (albeit this is in Portland).

[NovU]

On the other hand, why should one be so eager to join the Lakers these days? The Lakers handcuffed themselves when the signed Kobe for two more seasons. It will be hard to create a winning environment, which I think is necessary when pursuing Love.

True but you only have to put up with naggy Kobe and his nut sagging fans for just 1 or 2 seasons at max. Otherwise the Lakers are in a healthy situation with all those contract coming off the book. Imagine Love with another max contract player. How sexy would that be.

When Love was injured, the management upset him and Love said that he will remember it. If the team doesn't turn things around soon enough, Love will grow extremely discontent and the Wolves will worry about losing him for nothing during next couple seasons. I think that's when the Lakers will have a real chance at landing him, rape the Wolves like they did Grizzlies back in the days with Gasol brothers trade. And end up getting calls from PETA.

[Bruce]

There are rumors now that the Suns are interested in a Gasol for Okafor swap, so that the Suns can have a realiable big man and veteran prescence for a playoff run.

If the Lakers would agree to this, I hope the Lakers get back the 2 first picks (similar to what they gave up for Nash), give back Nash in the same trade and throw in Pringles along with the 2.

[NovU]

I think that would make a lot of sense.

At this point, I think we can all agree it'd be for the Lakers' best interest to tank and secure top 6-7 picks this season. Kobe will be disgruntled but the Lakers looks to be in a healthy situation to rebuild.

[_Steve_]

The Lakers won't be able to rebuild until they get rid of Nash's (and Kobe's) contract(s).
Other than Gasol the Lakers don't have any assets to aquire a decent number of picks for the upcoming draft.
Btw. Kendall Marshall is putting up great numbers recently. Too bad he's likely to see less playing time...

[NovU]

Rebuilding's already begun. They'll tank the season to find that key rebuilding piece from the draft. I told you this. The Lakers will get Wiggins, and Celtics Jabari.

The Lakers management isn't stupid. They won't try to become a juggernaut powerhouse while risking everything for Kobe's 2 remaining seasons. The worst they could do is cashing-in on Kobe's 05/06 season repeat while building for the future: keep the flexibility alive / find younger talent in the meantime.

The best they could is probably landing a nice high pick this season and getting somebody like Kevin Love within next 2 seasons.

[Jackal]

They'll contend but not much more for the time being. You don't win championships with a goofball for a coach. Not to mention a so-so owner. Ask the Knicks.

[Patr1ck]

They'll contend but not much more for the time being. You don't win championships with a goofball for a coach. Not to mention a so-so owner. Ask the Knicks.

That's part of the tanking plan. Uptempo coach with old players? All of this is a plan for the future. The old guys getting injured just allows them to get a good look at the younger players. Nash is near the end, Gasolis near the end, Kobe is one injury away from the end, and the Lakers can eat his contract and be contenders in 2 years with some good draft picks, solid trades and a key signing once they have the cap room.

[Bruce]

Nash is near the end,

correction: Nash was at the end last year. He still just can not get a grip on the idea.

[NovU]

I still have high hopes for Nash. If Vancouver rehab did work out, he should be able to play at decent level. Perhaps the Lakers can package him in a trade to a contender so he can have that one last chance at the ring before the retirement.

[_Steve_]

Lakers got Nash back in 2012 to win a title. Even if he's getting healthy again - which is very hard to believe right now - he couldn't stop the Lakers from tanking. Marshall could do the same for less money.

[Bruce]

I am not sure there are "contenders" out there that really want Nash's contract. But a few playoff hopefuls I think could benefit from having Nash.

For instance, Toronto can swap Salmons for Nash. Lakers sheds Salmons' contract next season, Toronto gets a "hometown" boy and veteran/leader presence. Denver (though not currently in the playoff picture) can swap Andre Miller + trade fodder for Nash. Lakers won't immediately save money, but will allow the Lakers to have 2 smaller contracts to fit in future trades. If they can get somebody like Darrel Arthur from Denver, then the Lakers can have a four that they can fit in pringle's system if in case they shed Gasol in a trade. Also, the Lakers could shed Miller's contract by sending it in a trade with Gasol. The Bobcats can also benefit from having Nash with it's young core. The Bobcats can trade Ben Gordon for Nash + the disgruntled Kaman.

[NovU]

That's true, about "contenders" not needing Nash's contract. Unless... he allows a buyout and go Mike Bibby.

Anyway, he was nice in his return last night. Too bad he's likely to sit out for the next game though.

And more injuries for the Lakers. Meeks is out and Hill is out. And the trade talk between PHX seems to be dead now (says Lakers ask too much for Gasol).

[Bruce]

Lakers win versus the Cavs 119-108 despite having only 4 eligible players at the end of the game.

[Andrew]

Not too often you see that technicality pulled out, where a player with six fouls is allowed to stay in the game because there aren't any available substitutes. I believe Darryl Dawkins has the record with eight personal fouls in a single game, owing to that rule.

[NovU]

What's with such evenly distributed minutes tonight? This was a debut game for Bazemore and Brooks as well. They still got shit load of minutes.

Minutes and rotation have been so inconsistent all season long, and it seems it'll stay that way for the rest of season.

[JBoom_LALALAND]

Lakers need to resign Gasol. And Hope we can draft Exum.

[Kevin]

Lakers need to resign Gasol. And Hope we can draft Exum.

Let's sign Melo!