Around the League (Offseason)

[D-Dogg]

I'm no athlete, but I did rupture my Achilles, so I have some idea what the issues are. The tendon heals fairly quickly, but then the issue is regaining strength and flexibility, since the lower leg has to be immobilized and thus atrophies while the tendon heals. In my case, the injury wasn't properly diagnosed for several weeks, so I built up permanent scar tissue, and obviously I'm not going to rebuild muscle as fast as someone like Bryant. But low-impact things like jogging and biking early in the rehab process really shouldn't be too dangerous, at least as it was explained to me.

That's cool, I appreciate the insight.

 

[Diamondback Jay]

I don't think LA picked D'Antoni over Howard.

People don't leave the Lakers voluntarily while in the prime of their career. Name me one who EVER has. You'll be digging for awhile to find one. Fact of the matter is, the Lakers are the Yankees of baseball. They have the legacy, they have the tradition and frankly playing in a city like Los Angeles in the spotlight of Hollywood appeals to the best of them. Leaving LA AND $30 million on the table is almost unfathomable to think of.

From the very start of this drama enduced free agent year for Howard, he had every reason known to mankind as to why he wanted to leave. He didn't like D'Antoni, he didn't want to play second fiddle to Kobe (which is funny considering he whined regularly in Orlando about not being surrounded by "championship talent"), he wasn't easy with the front office. You name the excuse, Dwight had it. He also has waffled more than a 17 year old debating on which girl he's taking to the prom.

I fully believe someone in the Lakers inner circle of higher ups finally told Dwight, after they had rolled out the red carpet to try to keep him, going as far as getting Bryant himself to try and talk him in to staying; to squirt or get off the pot. When pulled the "I'm signing with Houston, oops maybe not" deal, they had seen enough; knowing that if he truly didn't want to be there; they could find a laundry list of stars who WOULD, they told him to take his act to Houston, it was no longer wanted.

If Howard had EVER given indication he wanted to stay and WOULD have stayed if D'Antoni was fired, Coach D would have been gone as quickly as Del Negro was fired by the team across the hall.

Ultimately, Dwight Howard has one person to blame for leaving LA.. Himself. It's not D'Antoni, it's not Kobe, it's Kupchak, the Buss family, the hot dog vendor, the ticket scalpers outside Staples Center or the jabroni who rides the subway past Staples daily wearing a faded D12 Magic jersey. It's ALL on Dwight Howard. And I'm far from a Laker fan.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I don't think LA picked D'Antoni over Howard.

People don't leave the Lakers voluntarily while in the prime of their career. Name me one who EVER has. You'll be digging for awhile to find one. Fact of the matter is, the Lakers are the Yankees of baseball. They have the legacy, they have the tradition and frankly playing in a city like Los Angeles in the spotlight of Hollywood appeals to the best of them. Leaving LA AND $30 million on the table is almost unfathomable to think of.

From the very start of this drama enduced free agent year for Howard, he had every reason known to mankind as to why he wanted to leave. He didn't like D'Antoni, he didn't want to play second fiddle to Kobe (which is funny considering he whined regularly in Orlando about not being surrounded by "championship talent"), he wasn't easy with the front office. You name the excuse, Dwight had it. He also has waffled more than a 17 year old debating on which girl he's taking to the prom.

I fully believe someone in the Lakers inner circle of higher ups finally told Dwight, after they had rolled out the red carpet to try to keep him, going as far as getting Bryant himself to try and talk him in to staying; to squirt or get off the pot. When pulled the "I'm signing with Houston, oops maybe not" deal, they had seen enough; knowing that if he truly didn't want to be there; they could find a laundry list of stars who WOULD, they told him to take his act to Houston, it was no longer wanted.

If Howard had EVER given indication he wanted to stay and WOULD have stayed if D'Antoni was fired, Coach D would have been gone as quickly as Del Negro was fired by the team across the hall.

Ultimately, Dwight Howard has one person to blame for leaving LA.. Himself. It's not D'Antoni, it's not Kobe, it's Kupchak, the Buss family, the hot dog vendor, the ticket scalpers outside Staples Center or the jabroni who rides the subway past Staples daily wearing a faded D12 Magic jersey. It's ALL on Dwight Howard. And I'm far from a Laker fan.

I think that's changing. I'd be willing to bet if you asked the top players where they'd like to play right now, irrespective of the talent already present at any location, many/most of them would choose Miami. The killers row of rap/hip hop stars in Miami appeals more to this generation of players than all the Jack Nicholson's of the world.

Not every city can boast what Miami can but the point is, Hollywood/LA is no longer the draw it used to be IMO. It's not Cleveland by any means but it no longer holds the mystique it used to. Let them fall on hard times while the Clippers continue to rise and the Lakers won't even be the main topic of conversation in Southern California in another year or two.

Steve

 

[Phrazbit]

Sorry Dogg, I dont buy that effort at rationalization for a second. If the Lakers did not want him then they would not have been refusing to even discuss sign and trade options right up until the last 2 days. You and countless others are in denial that at the moment the Laker are not an attractive destination for a young free agent. I dont like Dwight, I dont respect Dwight, however Houston was the destination that made by far the most sense.

The Lakers are an old team with a bad coach, and not only a bad coach but one that is clueless as to how to use interior players. If you or just about anyone was in Howard's place you probably make the same decision... do you waffle about it and piss off everyone like Dwight did? Probably not.

 

[slinslin]

Pistons signed Josh Smith.

That should put them out of the #1 pick running.

Bobcats with Jefferson should be better than us too.

Our competition will be Philly and Utah. Atlanta, Orlando, Cleveland and Boston should not be THAT bad with Horford and Rondo/Green and an easier EC schedule.

Utah and Sacramento are the only teams in the West that could be worse than us.

 

[Mainstreet]

Pistons signed Josh Smith.

That should put them out of the #1 pick running.

Bobcats with Jefferson should be better than us too.

Our competition will be Philly and Utah. Atlanta, Orlando, Cleveland and Boston should not be THAT bad with Horford and Rondo/Green and an easier EC schedule.

Utah and Sacramento are the only teams in the West that could be worse than us.

Are you saying Horford goes to Boston.

Did I miss something?

 

[Phrazbit]

Pistons signed Josh Smith.

That should put them out of the #1 pick running.

Bobcats with Jefferson should be better than us too.

Our competition will be Philly and Utah. Atlanta, Orlando, Cleveland and Boston should not be THAT bad with Horford and Rondo/Green and an easier EC schedule.

Utah and Sacramento are the only teams in the West that could be worse than us.

I think Sacramento is going to improve quite a bit, I like Vazquez more than Evans for their team. McLemore should fill most of the scoring Evans takes with him. They just signed Landry and their franchise is finally stable in Sactown. I dont see them being among the worst, more like a 30-35 win team.

Utah, Kanter played really well in his reserve roll last year and I honestly think he will represent an upgrade over Jefferson as the starter. He and Favors are one of the more interesting front courts in the west. Burke is an instant upgrade at point for them. Hayward is a lot like Jared Dudley. I like a lot they have going for them and I think they should be quite a bit better than us.

The Western team I am more worried about is the Pelicans. IMO they've crapped the bed this offseason. They have a traffic jam in their back court with one good player and a bunch of high price tag mediocre ones who need the ball in their hands to make an impact. They have some real injury question marks, some chemistry questions. I think they're a mid 20s win team again.

I'd also peg Dallas as a dark horse. If they sign Bynum and it becomes clear that he cant do anything next year then they will probably roll over and play dead.

Out east... the Bobcats are spending money but not wisely so they're in the discussion. I think Cleveland is going to take a big step forward this year. Boston...they still have some decent players but Ainge has tanked before, keep an eye on em. And I will toss Milwaukee in the mix too, I have no clue what they're doing... and neither does their front office. Philly IMO should be the odds on favorite to have the worst record.

To sum it up... I'd say Philly, Phoenix, Orlando and Boston are the most likely bottom 4.

 

[D-Dogg]

I think that's changing. I'd be willing to bet if you asked the top players where they'd like to play right now, irrespective of the talent already present at any location, many/most of them would choose Miami. The killers row of rap/hip hop stars in Miami appeals more to this generation of players than all the Jack Nicholson's of the world.

Not every city can boast what Miami can but the point is, Hollywood/LA is no longer the draw it used to be IMO. It's not Cleveland by any means but it no longer holds the mystique it used to. Let them fall on hard times while the Clippers continue to rise and the Lakers won't even be the main topic of conversation in Southern California in another year or two.

Steve

LOL. Miami is hot right now because they have a super team, right now. Miami will never be a basketball town for the long term.

The Lakers own LA, and will continue to. The Clippers? For a while, they'll be good. But they won't maintain it.

The Lakers franchise will always have the lure of greatness, something Miami can never, ever own.

 

[D-Dogg]

Utah and Sacramento are the only teams in the West that could be worse than us.

Lakers.

claw your way to the bottom through us, damn it.

 

[Phrazbit]

Lakers.

claw your way to the bottom through us, damn it.

Unless they trade Gasol and Kobe misses the year there is no chance. Stern might rig the lotto so the 9th place 42-40 Lakers get the top pick but they are not going to be a bottom feeder.

Year 2 in Mike D's dumb system, no longer has the "problem" of finding minutes for 2 post players, I bet Lakers win 45-50 games and get utterly embarrassed in the playoffs again.

 

[AzStevenCal]

LOL. Miami is hot right now because they have a super team, right now. Miami will never be a basketball town for the long term.

The Lakers own LA, and will continue to. The Clippers? For a while, they'll be good. But they won't maintain it.

The Lakers franchise will always have the lure of greatness, something Miami can never, ever own.

We'll see. I'd never bet on Sterling doing the right thing for any period of time so you may be right but IMO it will be because of his stupidity and not this legendary allure of the Lakers. Considering how great Kobe was for a decade plus, I don't see the next generations of stars coming into the adult game idolizing him. I'm not saying it doesn't happen but it hasn't happened like it did with Michael and now Lebron. I don't even think he had the impact on younger players that Iverson did. The shine on this once great franchise has been dulling for years.

Steve

 

[D-Dogg]

Unless they trade Gasol and Kobe misses the year there is no chance. Stern might rig the lotto so the 9th place 42-40 Lakers get the top pick but they are not going to be a bottom feeder.

Year 2 in Mike D's dumb system, no longer has the "problem" of finding minutes for 2 post players, I bet Lakers win 45-50 games and get utterly embarrassed in the playoffs again.

Dunno man, over the cap with Pau, Nash, Kobe for half a year, Jordan Hill and MLE guys the rest of the way? Gonna be baaad. Metta gets amnestied, but that's just another position to fill.

Lakers gonna be turrible, no two ways around it.

 

[D-Dogg]

We'll see. I'd never bet on Sterling doing the right thing for any period of time so you may be right but IMO it will be because of his stupidity and not this legendary allure of the Lakers. Considering how great Kobe was for a decade plus, I don't see the next generations of stars coming into the adult game idolizing him. I'm not saying it doesn't happen but it hasn't happened like it did with Michael and now Lebron. I don't even think he had the impact on younger players that Iverson did. The shine on this once great franchise has been dulling for years.

Steve

Haha. You hate him a lot, huh? Many young players in the league now were Kobe fans (by cursory look Paul George idolized him, and even LeBron as well). Nobody has yet really come into the league growing up idolizing LeBron yet, though they are coming. It's silly really. Has nothing to do with Kobe whether the Lakers are a destination or not...he's irrelevant in that manner other than just another in the line of Laker greats.

His name with Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor, Gail Goodrich, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O'Neal, James Worthy, Jerry West, Jamaal Wilkes, George Mikan and Chick Hearn are where he matters. Legacy. Lore. 16 titles, in quest of 17 for most ever. Now, that scares the crap out of a candyass like Dwight, who can't live in Shaq's shadow much less the two other giants at his position in Wilt and Cap, nor the pressure of seeking #17. But that won't scare others. Taking the Lakers to #17 is a franchise maker for whomever does it; Kobe likely won't be the one but he damn sure wanted it.

 

[Phrazbit]

Dunno man, over the cap with Pau, Nash, Kobe for half a year, Jordan Hill and MLE guys the rest of the way? Gonna be baaad. Metta gets amnestied, but that's just another position to fill.

Lakers gonna be turrible, no two ways around it.

Its basically the same team they had last year. If Nash can play a big more than last year they will fight .500. I dont think you know what it takes to be "turrible". Pau and Nash alone will add up to 35-40 wins if they stay even slightly healthy.

 

[Phrazbit]

Haha. You hate him a lot, huh? Many young players in the league now were Kobe fans. Nobody has yet really come into the league growing up idolizing LeBron yet, though they are coming. It's silly really. Has nothing to do with Kobe whether the Lakers are a destination or not...he's irrelevant in that manner other than just another in the line of Laker greats.

His name with Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor, Gail Goodrich, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O'Neal, James Worthy, Jerry West, Jamaal Wilkes, George Mikan and Chick Hearn are where he matters. Legacy. Lore. 16 titles, in quest of 17 for most ever. Now, that scares the crap out of a candyass like Dwight, who can't live in Shaq's shadow much less the two other giants at his position in Wilt and Cap, nor the pressure of seeking #17. But that won't scare others. Taking the Lakers to #17 is a franchise maker for whomever does it; Kobe likely won't be the one but he damn sure wanted it.

Or Dwight didnt want to waste his prime with a geriatric team and an idiot coach...

But thats not as sexy as pure denial.

 

[Dalbrin]

There's going to be drama when Kobe returns, especially if D'Antoni and Nash are able to at least put together semi-respectable results. Will it matter how good they do, or will it be an instant return to Kobeball?

 

[D-Dogg]

Or Dwight didnt want to waste his prime with a geriatric team and an idiot coach...

But thats not as sexy as pure denial.

I don't doubt that, but then again, with 38M in cap space with him the next year, he builds his own team. He asks for the coach to leave, and he does. But the Lakers didn't want him that badly, because it sounds like he did say he didn't want to play for Dantoni multiple times during the season yet they trot him out to the meetings to see if they can resign him. LOL.

Dwight's prime sucks. Has no post game.

 

[Gee!]

LOL. Miami is hot right now because they have a super team, right now. Miami will never be a basketball town for the long term.

The Lakers own LA, and will continue to. The Clippers? For a while, they'll be good. But they won't maintain it.

The Lakers franchise will always have the lure of greatness, something Miami can never, ever own.

Im trying to figure this out.. NY and the Knicks and their past greatness are still a draw.. But they aren't doing nothing..

The Boston Celtics went thru decades of nothing before they finally one another the other year..

The Miami Heat one a title without LBJ.. Then have 2 more since.. And Riley in charge..

Whats the constant is that when the Celtics and Lakers were winning is they had their leaders. Auerbarch and Buss..

 

[Phrazbit]

I don't doubt that, but then again, with 38M in cap space with him the next year, he builds his own team. He asks for the coach to leave, and he does. But the Lakers didn't want him that badly, because it sounds like he did say he didn't want to play for Dantoni multiple times during the season yet they trot him out to the meetings to see if they can resign him. LOL.

The above is more of a sign that your new owner is shockingly inept than any condemnation of Dwight.

And no matter how you slice it the Lakers look bad. Even if your fairy tale is correct then Buss and Kup are complete idiots for not pursuing sign and trade options. But I doubt anyone is that stupid.

 

[Cheesebeef]

LOL. Miami is hot right now because they have a super team, right now. Miami will never be a basketball town for the long term.

The Lakers own LA, and will continue to. The Clippers? For a while, they'll be good. But they won't maintain it.

The Lakers franchise will always have the lure of greatness, something Miami can never, ever own.

Miami will be a basketball town as long as Pat Riley's running the ship.

And as long as Jim Buss is running the Lakers, they're gonna be in uncharted territory.

 

[D-Dogg]

Its basically the same team they had last year. If Nash can play a big more than last year they will fight .500. I dont think you know what it takes to be "turrible". Pau and Nash alone will add up to 35-40 wins if they stay even slightly healthy.

No, it's basically NOT. Kobe won't play half a season, Pau moves to center but there isn't a strong PF (Dwight and Pau > Pau and Hill). Metta actually played well. The lone bright spot for the Lakers, Earl Clark, has signed in Cleveland. The Lakers drafted a nobody, and won't sign anyone for more than a 1 year deal. Jamison left, the other on-again, off-again player.

So, you've got:

PG - Nash-Blake
SG - Meeks-Kobe (when he returns)
SF - Rookie Ryan Kelly
PF - Jordan Hill
C - Pau - Sacre

And right there, with the above, they are over the cap. So all they can sign are vet min and MLE. And not one of those guys is going to play 38 min a game, so the Blake, Meeks, Kelly, Hill backup, Sacre lineup is going to get a lot of run.

Last year's team eeked into the playoffs.

This years will need to be super healthy, lucky and unconscious to not be in the wiggins running.

 

[D-Dogg]

And as long as Jim Buss is running the Lakers, they're gonna be in uncharted territory.

that's for sure, can't be argued.

Dude has ruined everything he's touched. Doubt he can ruin this franchise though...I don't think the family will let him.

Doesn't the Buss family remind you a bit of arrested development though?

 

[AzStevenCal]

Haha. You hate him a lot, huh? Many young players in the league now were Kobe fans (by cursory look Paul George idolized him, and even LeBron as well). Nobody has yet really come into the league growing up idolizing LeBron yet, though they are coming. It's silly really. Has nothing to do with Kobe whether the Lakers are a destination or not...he's irrelevant in that manner other than just another in the line of Laker greats.

You're kidding right? Of course players have already entered the league having grown up idolizing Lebron. BTW, living just 60 miles east of Laker land and for more than 6 years now I've been seeing more Lebron stuff than I have Kobe. If you don't believe me, hang out at Bobby Bonds park in Riverside and tell me what you see.

My neighborhood went wild during and following every Shaq/Kobe Lakers championships but it was much quieter when the Kobe led Lakers won theirs. In fact, there was just as much celebrating here in Moreno Valley when Shaq and Miami won their championship. But this last championship with Lebron, my area partied like it was 4th of July.

Steve

 

[Phrazbit]

No, it's basically NOT. Kobe won't play half a season, Pau moves to center but there isn't a strong PF (Dwight and Pau > Pau and Hill). Metta actually played well. The lone bright spot for the Lakers, Earl Clark, has signed in Cleveland. The Lakers drafted a nobody, and won't sign anyone for more than a 1 year deal. Jamison left, the other on-again, off-again player.

So, you've got:

PG - Nash-Blake
SG - Meeks-Kobe (when he returns)
SF - Rookie Ryan Kelly
PF - Jordan Hill
C - Pau - Sacre

And right there, with the above, they are over the cap. So all they can sign are vet min and MLE. And not one of those guys is going to play 38 min a game, so the Blake, Meeks, Kelly, Hill backup, Sacre lineup is going to get a lot of run.

Last year's team eeked into the playoffs.

This years will need to be super healthy, lucky and unconscious to not be in the wiggins running.

Mike will have a full year now to institute his gimmick system, losing players like Metta and Dwight do not hinder Mike's play style. Pau will probably have the best year of his life running pick and roll with Steve. And you know as well as anyone that Kobe is loading up on all kinds of PEDs right now (the NBA's testing is a weak and the dont test at all for growth hormone) to get himself back by December at the latest.

I would love to make some sort of wager that the Lakers will win more than 30 games next year.

 

[elindholm]

Guys, don't let D-Dogg troll you. He's saying that the Lakers will be a bottom-feeder just to get a rise out of you. This is a below-average roster until Bryant comes back, to be sure, but they'll still win 35-40 games.