Where do the Lakers go from here?

[LooseCannon]

It seems strange that no one has addressed the rumor that is circulating that there was MAJOR locker room drama going on and one of the reason some commentators(Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith) have mentioned a need to blow this team up is because of what has supposedly happened behind the scenes in LA.

I brought it up in a different thread, but it's the sort of thing that the sports media will go to great lengths to avoid talking about, just like Delonte West and Gloria James.

[OsirusCeltics]

Skip Bayless of ESPN had the perfect nickname for Bynum:

"Andrew By-Monthly" .... Classic

[cman88]

something OBVIOUSLY is going on behind the scenes with this laker squad...I expected "at least" that the lakers would put up a fight....afterall these guys are the 2 time defending champs...

instead, they just laid down going out in an embarrasing manner...getting swept, ending in a blowout loss...this did NOT look like a championship team, or championship heart

[heyvik]

It seems strange that no one has addressed the rumor that is circulating that there was MAJOR locker room drama going on and one of the reason some commentators(Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith) have mentioned a need to blow this team up is because of what has supposedly happened behind the scenes in LA.

http://benmaller.com/2011/05/women-to-blame-for-lakers-locker-room-drama/

Apparently Gasol's girlfriend dumped him and its because of the wife of a team mate who supposedly talked her into dumping Pau. The two team mates had heated words over this and insulted each others ladies. Team mates have expressed opinions and taken sides and the locker room is split in half.

People HAVE to go is what is being discussed behind the scenes. I am sure more will be leaking out in the days ahead.

They talked about this on Mike and Mike this morning ... the team-mate's wife was supposedly Kobe's, and he and Pau stopped talking to each other in the locker-room and outside the Arena, (while they obviously still communicated to a point during games). As they said, however, this isn't verified or official, by any means.

so once again...Kobe is throwing other people under the bus and he might be running someone out of town. It looks like for all the talk about Shaq and Kobe dominating and then Kobe turning on Shaq has happened again.

[zerophase]

If they don't touch this team, they still are an instant contender next year. But if the team is really imploding, you might have to trade away a Bynum. Gasol and Odom seem like locks to stay. Ron Artest is expendable is anyone wants him.

[RMO]

IF this is true I hope the 29 other GM's in the league are paying attention.  If the lakers are in must trade mode it would be nice to see them low balled for a change.

[RMO]

If they don't touch this team, they still are an instant contender next year. But if the team is really imploding, you might have to trade away a Bynum. Gasol and Odom seem like locks to stay. Ron Artest is expendable is anyone wants him.

I hope they're stuck with Artest for awhile.  Three more years on that contract, diminishing skills and no longer have the coach who was able to contain Dennis Rodman.

[footey]

If you are Orlando, would you take Gasol and Bynum for Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson?  

[Neurotic Guy]

If you are Orlando, would you take Gasol and Bynum for Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson?  

Maybe.  But this trade would not make Orlando more of a contender.  Unfortunately, it would make LA very tough in and out for years to come. 

I think if Orlando is shopping Dwight, the asking price should be at least 1 top 10 player along with something complementary and draft pick(s).  Howard is a very unique player in this league -- clearly the top center and a force.  Who of these guys would you rather have than Howard:
Anthony?
Stoudamire?
Lebron (consider how Howard would impact team dynamics)?
Wade (ditto above)?
Rondo?
Chris Paul?
Anyone on Atlanta?
Anyone on the Bulls other than Rose?
Anyone on Memphis?
Anyone on OKC other than Durant?

Point is that if Dwight Howard is on the market, teams would be crazy not to at least consider trading their top player(s) for him.  Gasol and Bynum together cost oodles and I've got to believe that teams would be a little gun shy of Gasol (starting to get old) and Bynum (thug, has never played without Pau and Kobe, brittle).

 

[Fafnir]

If they don't touch this team, they still are an instant contender next year. But if the team is really imploding, you might have to trade away a Bynum. Gasol and Odom seem like locks to stay. Ron Artest is expendable is anyone wants him.

I hope they're stuck with Artest for awhile.  Three more years on that contract, diminishing skills and no longer have the coach who was able to contain Dennis Rodman.

Phil Jackson was a bad coach for Ron Artest. The Triangle offense was an awful system to run with Artest at SF.

[youcanthandlethetruth113]

Brian Shaw will be their next coach and I assume they'll look to trade Bynum.

[Cman]

Interesting about the rumors.

I guess it depends who the rift is between, but I could see one of Gasol or Bynum traded.

I don't buy the "Dwight to LA" idea -- too hard to pull off in a way that really benefits the Magic.

EDIT: Unless it involves moving Gilbert Arenas.