Sensei

It's probably not a good idea to piss off our esteemed founder but I can't help but laugh when I think about the transformation of the Lakers from '03-'04 to '04-'05. Arguably, the 2004 Lakers had three of the Top 25 players of all time (Kobe, Shaq, Mailman) along with a Top 50 (Payton). They were favored by many to win all year and made it to the finals. Next year the Finals will be a far-fetch dream after the 1-2 dagger of Jackson confirming he's out and Shaq requesting a trade.

Jackson leaving was no surprise but many were hoping he would stay on. Shaq had good reason to request a trade after Jerry Buss said he would do whatever is needed to keep Kobe, even if that means trading Shaq. Kobe is younger but that's about all he has going for him. He's a prima donna ballhog who undermines rather than strengthens a team. Shaq is an unstoppable inside force who is dedicated to winning. Shaq could have easily led the league in scoring if he demanded the ball like some players in the league. Oh yeah, this is assuming that Kobe doesn't sign with another team and isn't incarcerated. Nice move, Jerry.


(Sorry I'm from Portland. The Lakers knocked the Blazers out more times than I care to recount.)

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BigGov

Lets see...They could lose Jackson, Shaq, Kobe, Malone, Payton, and possibly more. They should probably just start asking for mercy right now.

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Nimbletoe

All of this squirming because of my Pistons, who are going to repeat as champs next year.


I LOVE this game.

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Halx

What you guys fail to realize is that Dr Buss is not a 'rebuilding' kinda guy. He'll field a team that's capable of making the playoffs every year. Forget about it.

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powerclown

What Halx said. Question is, what is the team going to look like now that S&K want out of LA? And are the Lakers going to want to win right away or take a few years to rebuild?

Id like to see Garnett at center, and someone like Mike Bibby or Iverson in the backcourt. You know the Lakers aren't going to replace superstars with journeymen.

djtestudo

I said it in another thread, and I'll say it now: second round loss to the Kobe-led Phoenix Suns.

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maleficent

Just saw it on the news -- Jackson's out -- Kobe's out - and Shaq's asked to be traded....

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grumpyolddude

We're getting way ahead of things here. There's going to be a whole lot of "if-ing" done between now and draft day, or training camp.

So, Shaq wants a trade.... who out there has the cap room to absorb his 26 million $$ contract without dumping too much talent? Orlando? (they still have a $13M piece of dead wood named Grant Hill to pay off next year. And the trade would probably cost them all of thier young talent... or TMac +) Jersey? (Shaq and JKidd would be an awesome combo, but would it cost them Jefferson or Martin... or both?). Or do you think LA'd trade him to a WC competitor? Doubtful, I think.

Kobe leaving is gonna free up some cap, so LA can shop for a couple of free agents who could meld better with the players that they do keep.

Meanwhile, I heard a report today the had Dr Buss ordering GM Mitch to accomoday Shaq's date demand and find a way to re-sign Kobe.

I expect LA to slip a little, but not too far.

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Halx

Why do you assume Kobe wants out? He's just gonna opt out of his contract, wait for the collective bargaining agreement to be signed, then re-sign for a better deal.

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Grondar

It really depends on so much...

As stated already, they could lose Kobe, Shaq, and Payton. Phil Jackson is likely gone, and if they lose those four, they could be in a lot of trouble; especially being in the Western Conference.

However, they are the Lakers and they certainly have the ability to replace lost players. While I can see a scenario where they hit a doldrums and have to go through a rebuilding stage, I think they will generally continue to succeed, and certainly make the playoffs next year.

I don't like the Lakers at all, but they are very exciting to watch and they put a good team on the floor. Minnesota, San Antonio, Houston, and a few others are going to make it very tough for the Lakers to go to the Finals again, but I think they will get to playoffs, and likely win a round or two while there.

Regarding Shaq.. Unlike Garnett, he isn't going to take a pay cut if they vow to build a team around him, so I expect him to be returning with the Lakers, if only because there can't be many teams out there that can afford his 2-year $60 some million salary. Regardless, the Lakers will put a team on the floor, and history has shown it will be a pretty good one, even if they do lose a superstar or two along the way.

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goddfather40

There was already a very good chance this stuff was going to happen even if the Lakers won. Phil's contract talks broke off months ago. Everyone knows that Shaq loves Phil and his status would be up in the air when Phil left. Kobe said he would opt out months ago as well. The Pistons already won the title and they've done enough damage in that regard.

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Hrothgar

What you guys need to do is beg Jerry West to come back. He's the one that got you Shaq and Kobe. Kupchak made the Lakers old fast.

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perripken

not just because I'm a Lakers fan, I have to agree with Powerclown and Halx here. The Lakers are too strong a franchise to just lay down and die. Just look at the history!

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Mojo_PeiPei

The Lakers just need to dish out Shaq and give their bench an enima minus Fisher, Rush, and Walton. Medvadenko is a joke of a human being and should be given the 86.

Go Wolves

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Cross-Over

Lakers have history, but thats what it is, history. Each new year in the NBA is extremely competitive. There are more than 5 great teams in the league, and its wishful thinking that if the Lakers do lose Shaq that they will be competing with the other titans in the next couple years. With a new offense and several key players in limbo (which will probably equate to a couple significant losses), I think that the Lakers will not get out of the Western Confrence for at least 3 years. That might not seem like a bold prediction, but for a team that has won 3 titles and made 4 Finals appreances in the last 5 years, its a huge step back. Obviously the situation could be much worse if Shaq and Kobe do leave, but I don't think it will be much better regardless of what happens hear on out. I of course could be completely wrong if Kobe resigns and Shaq stays, or if some good manegerial decisions are made.

That history that people like to fall back on includes Magic, Riley, Jackson, and West. 3 out of the 4 are gone, probably for good, and the other is only a minority owner.

pan6467

Doesn't matter........ all this talk over nobodies.

We're talkin' King James, Carlos Booooozer, Big ZZZZZZZZZZZ Zydrunas Ilgauskas, we're talking, Diop, Mcinnis, Williams, Kapono, Newble, Ollie, Coach Silas.

We're talking NBA Finals next year. We're talkin CAVS........Bay-beesssssss

I'd take King James, Booze and Big Z over any other 3 guys right now.

Shaq, Kobe, Jackson and all them other guys are over the hill, overpaid, demanding more for less chumps. Let them leave L.A. maybe Gund can find them a place as Lebron's towel boys.

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I just love people who use the excuse "I use/do this because I LOVE the feeling/joy/happiness it brings me" and expect you to be ok with that as you watch them destroy their life blindly following. My response is, "I like to put forks in an eletrical socket, just LOVE that feeling, can't ever get enough of it, so will you let me put this copper fork in that electric socket?"

dylanmarsh

LOL. They aren't going to the finals anytime soon if they continue to rank in the bottom half of team defense every year. They gave up an average of 95.5 points per game last season; the Pistons gave up only 84.3. This 11.2 point per game difference is one of the big keys to the Cavs sitting out of the playoffs and the Pistons winning the title.

Mojo_PeiPei

Alien and the Predator are going to usher in the ultimate destruction and revenge of the big ticket, Cavs be damned. Looking to trade Wally and Kandi man for the Diesel!!!

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pan6467

True, BUT the team was very young and green also.

Booze only had a year.

King James and Kopono were rookies.

Big Z finally had his first healthy year.

Wagner was only a 1 yr. player who hadn't played much because of injury.

When the oldest player only has 8 years in and 2 of the starters are a rookie and 1 yr vet .... they are on the rise.

They just need to work on Off Rebounds, keeping the fouls down and work on outside shots and FT. The "D" will come with experience.

They go and get a veteran player that can shoot outside and rebound they will be unstoppable. I'm thinking an Iverson in his prime or a Rodman in his (a rebound maniac)... problem is you need someone with a good rep and good team play values. We don't need another Ricky Davis or Darius Miles on the team.

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I just love people who use the excuse "I use/do this because I LOVE the feeling/joy/happiness it brings me" and expect you to be ok with that as you watch them destroy their life blindly following. My response is, "I like to put forks in an eletrical socket, just LOVE that feeling, can't ever get enough of it, so will you let me put this copper fork in that electric socket?"

Mojo_PeiPei

Fatoine would be a good fit for the Cavs, works the offensive glass really good and can play 3-4 (maybe 5 spot in the East), plus he can (albeit streaky at times) shoot the ball.

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dragon2fire

how did the laker thered turn into a cavs disscussion. any way the lakers are not going to be as good next year. Its hard to tell what will happen though.

pan6467

I was trash talkin', something ya do in sports for fun and people realized, "Hey Pan's finally right about something" and they decided to talk about a real team.

Seriously, sorry if the trash talk hijacked, I was just having some fun.

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I just love people who use the excuse "I use/do this because I LOVE the feeling/joy/happiness it brings me" and expect you to be ok with that as you watch them destroy their life blindly following. My response is, "I like to put forks in an eletrical socket, just LOVE that feeling, can't ever get enough of it, so will you let me put this copper fork in that electric socket?"

dylanmarsh

This is about the only thing I agree with you. It pains me to see Davis soiling the Celtic Green.

I would also agree with you that a healthy "Z" is a good thing, but he's not one to stay healthy, which I'm guessing is because of a poor workout regiment in the off-season.

Fact is, the Lakers (hey, we got back to the original thread) didn't play great D during the playoffs and neither did the Cavs during the regular season. Both will need to fix that if they want to contend in the future.