[Game]

Originally Posted by MediaArtist

Defense wins championships. Lakers had no problems with scoring last year. They did have a problem giving up offensive boards, and fast breaks though.

We need some young, quick, long, defensively sound guys to back Kobe and Pau (if he stays). Nash is simply too slow, and old to keep up with a guy like Wall, Kyrie Irving, or even D-Williams. Bring in Nash as a reserve, but let's get a guy like Rondo or even Tony Allen who will defend and be on a guy like white on rice. We need young, hustle players, willing to go after the ball and defend.

Actually we had problems on both ends of the court. There was no consistency to be found anywhere on offense. But that's expected when you have 2 coaches, 2 systems, and a whole mess of new players.

Though I do agree with you, defense wins championships and only grasping for the final spot(s) in the playoffs did we consistently play any.

[Bingobimmer]

Originally Posted by tigermack

Yes but who is going to give up young talents for old and washed up players? Nets already did. lol

There will be a ton of teams looking for older experienced players when the trade deadline draws near...

[Bingobimmer]

Originally Posted by MediaArtist

Defense wins championships. Lakers had no problems with scoring last year. They did have a problem giving up offensive boards, and fast breaks though.

We need some young, quick, long, defensively sound guys to back Kobe and Pau (if he stays). Nash is simply too slow, and old to keep up with a guy like Wall, Kyrie Irving, or even D-Williams. Bring in Nash as a reserve, but let's get a guy like Rondo or even Tony Allen who will defend and be on a guy like white on rice. We need young, hustle players, willing to go after the ball and defend.

Your definitely right that they need to improve their bench, but they need young players to build around. Kobe and Pau are too old to build around. Kobe has already said he only has a few more years.

[dsad1]

I am all for rebuilding after this year. All contracts expire, pau and kobe could come back for much cheaper if they really want to win and you try to go after carmelo, since you probably won't get lebron.

Honestly this years team doesn't look that bad (depending on injuries). With the addition of Kamen and possibly getting Odom back this team isn't much different from the team that won the championship in 09. It's not like Bynum played that year anways. Don't get me wrong I don't think they are even close to being contenders but I do think they will be somewhere in the middle of the west 5 or 6 seed.

[Inspired]

Originally Posted by djsaad1

I am all for rebuilding after this year. All contracts expire, pau and kobe could come back for much cheaper if they really want to win and you try to go after carmelo, since you probably won't get lebron.

Honestly this years team doesn't look that bad (depending on injuries). With the addition of Kamen and possibly getting Odom back this team isn't much different from the team that won the championship in 09. It's not like Bynum played that year anways. Don't get me wrong I don't think they are even close to being contenders but I do think they will be somewhere in the middle of the west 5 or 6 seed.

Carmelo? Why the heck would you want Carmelo? Carmelo and Kobe just won't be able to co-exist. Both are pure scorer/ jump shooter.

There is really no one important going into free agency next year except Lebron and Wade. I highly doubt either would leave though. Only option left is to really rebuild the team and hope for draft picks. Unless the Lakers get lucky trading Gasol for CP3 or something.

[Timujin]

Originally Posted by Game

It begins:

This.

[tigermack]

Looks like they are signing Chris Kaman. Can he still play...?

[Game]

Originally Posted by tigermack

Looks like they are signing Chris Kaman. Can he still play...?

I didn't think so. From what I remember he's been injured all the time in the past couple of years. Only positive I see from this is that we added a big body.

[M3forMe]

Originally Posted by Game

I didn't think so. From what I remember he's been injured all the time in the past couple of years. Only positive I see from this is that we added a big body.

Perfect. It will be just like Bynum and Howard. We are used to our big men sitting on the bench injured not contributing a thing.

[tigermack]

When he was with the Clippers, he was really well in rebounds and can score... the last couple years, I didn't see any of that?

[Game]

Originally Posted by tigermack

When he was with the Clippers, he was really well in rebounds and can score... the last couple years, I didn't see any of that?

Yeah he showed flashes of being a serviceable big man for the Clippers. Other than a few big games for the Mavs, I don't remember much.

[dsad1]

Per 36min last season. When he is healthy he can still very much play.

Chris Kaman’s: 18.3 points & 9.8 rebs … Dwight Howard: 17.1 pts & 12.5 boards

[tigermack]

Originally Posted by djsaad1

Per 36min last season. When he is healthy he can still very much play.

Chris Kaman’s: 18.3 points & 9.8 rebs … Dwight Howard: 17.1 pts & 12.5 boards

Except he didn't play anywhere near as much minutes, though...

[Inspired]

Originally Posted by tigermack

Except he didn't play anywhere near as much minutes, though...

That is per 36 minute not his season average.

[Game]

Looks like we're about to amnesty MWP. He had a good run here, always loved his energy more than anything.

I could see him signing with the Clippers (just lost Hill and Butler) or returning to Queensbridge.

[Game]

Originally Posted by UMBC2015

But looks like we might be able to get Lamar back, if the Clips decide not to re-sign him. Not that I see him producing much at 33 and coming off an awful year, but it certainly will help with team chemistry and will fill in some holes.

I really DO not want Odom back. Last year he looked like he had no business being in the NBA. He looked slow, out of shape, and just mentally weak.

[M3forMe]

Originally Posted by Game

I really DO not want Odom back. Last year he looked like he had no business being in the NBA. He looked slow, out of shape, and just mentally weak.

My guess is Lamar tears it up. Still pissed he got traded and absolutely loves the Lakers. He will have something to prove and I bet (and hope) he does.

[tigermack]

Originally Posted by M3forMe

My guess is Lamar tears it up. Still pissed he got traded and absolutely loves the Lakers. He will have something to prove and I bet (and hope) he does.

I think that's why... I would be, too!

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by M3forMe

My guess is Lamar tears it up. Still pissed he got traded and absolutely loves the Lakers. He will have something to prove and I bet (and hope) he does.

Kupchak was a bonehead for trading him in the first place.

[sensi09]

Originally Posted by bmw1racer

Kupchak was a bonehead for trading him in the first place.

Think that was a combination of Lamar asking for a trade along with saving money.

That trade exception helped us get Nash. So depending on what you think of Nash, it worked out pretty well.

Oh and BTW, metta opting into the last year of his contract pretty much guaranteed his amnesty

[sensi09]

Originally Posted by djsaad1

I am all for rebuilding after this year. All contracts expire, pau and kobe could come back for much cheaper if they really want to win and you try to go after carmelo, since you probably won't get lebron.

Honestly this years team doesn't look that bad (depending on injuries). With the addition of Kamen and possibly getting Odom back this team isn't much different from the team that won the championship in 09. It's not like Bynum played that year anways. Don't get me wrong I don't think they are even close to being contenders but I do think they will be somewhere in the middle of the west 5 or 6 seed.

5 or 6th seed is a stretch. Let's see.....okc, san Antonio, Memphis, clippers, golden state, Houston. That's 6 right there.

Then you have Dallas, Utah and Denver. Denver is still solid even after losing iggy. Utah got worse after losing Jefferson, Dallas is losing a ton of players and not sure who they've signed, but they might have a healthy dirk....don't know whats going on with Portland. So 7th-8th seed at best.....hope to be pleasantly surprised, but I dont see it.

[M3forMe]

Originally Posted by sensi09

Think that was a combination of Lamar asking for a trade along with saving money.

That trade exception helped us get Nash. So depending on what you think of Nash, it worked out pretty well.

Oh and BTW, metta opting into the last year of his contract pretty much guaranteed his amnesty

Lamar never wanted to leave. He wanted to retire as a Laker. He only asked for a trade once he found out in the media instead of the organization that they wanted to trade him. He felt side swiped.

I'll take Lamar over MWP any day. Just my opinion.