Lakers eliminated! Caption This.

[Fafnir]

The Lakers era is not over. They can still be a Championship caliber team for a few more years. They just need to make some changes to their roster.

Starting with the Pau Gasol + Andrew Bynum problem who have struggled to operate together every year that they have been together. Then addressing their lack of quickness and athleticism on the perimeter which they have begun to address by bringing in Sessions. And having a big man who can make some jump-shots so Pau Gasol isn't forced into the floor-spacer role. Improve their depth.

Yeah they need to move either Gasol or Bynum, both if they can get Howard.

Gasol being forced to play like he's KG on offense does him no favors.

[Chelm]

fail·ure noun \ˈfāl-yər\
Definition of FAILURE
1a : omission of occurrence or performance; specifically : a failing to perform a duty or expected action <failure to pay the rent on time> b (1) : a state of inability to perform a normal function <kidney failure> — compare heart failure (2) : an abrupt cessation of normal functioning <a power failure> c : a fracturing or giving way under stress <structural failure>
2a : lack of success b : a failing in business : bankruptcy
3a : a falling short : deficiency <a crop failure> b : deterioration, decay
4: one that has failed

Examples of FAILURE:

TP 

[Kane3387]

The Lakers era is not over. They can still be a Championship caliber team for a few more years. They just need to make some changes to their roster.

Starting with the Pau Gasol + Andrew Bynum problem who have struggled to operate together every year that they have been together. Then addressing their lack of quickness and athleticism on the perimeter which they have begun to address by bringing in Sessions. And having a big man who can make some jump-shots so Pau Gasol isn't forced into the floor-spacer role. Improve their depth.

Yeah they need to move either Gasol or Bynum, both if they can get Howard.

Gasol being forced to play like he's KG on offense does him no favors.

Guys they have no chance. Read this article, especially the second page. Look at the analysis of the Laker's cap and assets. They owe Bryant, Bynum, Gasol, and Artest something like a combined 71 million next year. Bryant will be 34. He has what maybe 2 years? Three tops!

It isn't happening unless they are gifted something for Gasol, but I don't see how they can do anything more then a quantity over quality trade for him at this point.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-0522-plaschke-lakers-20120522,0,2990318.column

When David Stern killed the Chris Paul trade at the beginning of this season, one Laker official quietly estimated the commissioner may have hindered the club for the next five years. I initially thought he was exaggerating, but now I'm not so sure.

Can they draft anyone? No, they have only the 60th pick in this summer's 60-player draft. Can they sign a top free agent? No, they are too far over the salary cap.

Their only hope is the make a score in another deal for Gasol. I'm pretty certain Mitch Kupchak is on the phone doing that right now, just as soon as he picks those streamers out of his hair and gets that thunderous music out of his ears.

No team can be good forever. Even the Lakers and Yankees have to go through some bad years too. And with the new CBA in place the Lakers will be looking at some bad years the next few seasons.

[birdwatcher]

Seriously?! How rude of that jumbotron to count down my time left as a head coach!

"Dear God, please let that LA Forum janitor job still be posted on craigslist..."

[Lucky17]

Can't the Lakers:

1. Revisit the Gasol to Houston scenario that was killed earlier this season?
2. Explore a Bynum-for-Dwight Howard trade?
3. Use the amnesty provision on Ron Artest for financial relief?
4. Judiciously use an $8.9 million trade exception to address roster depth?
5. Continue to leverage a lucrative TV contract, brand recognition, and a Hollywood lifestyle/culture to attract free agents?

I agree with Who. To quote the Bard, "one or two little moves," and they are right back in this.

[bruinsandceltics]

You have to think that Orlando has to be very very very very weary of Bynum now. No reason to send their expiring superstar with a bad attitude for a different expiring big, who isn't as talent and may be even more immature.

I love it! Last year, the Lakers could have probably got away with it. This year, I don't think even the Magic are this dumb.

[wdleehi]

You have to think that Orlando has to be very very very very weary of Bynum now. No reason to send their expiring superstar with a bad attitude for a different expiring big, who isn't as talent and may be even more immature.

I love it! Last year, the Lakers could have probably got away with it. This year, I don't think even the Magic are this dumb.

Orlando will want a lot more then just Bynum.  Two straight years, he has come up as a negative for his team in the final playoff game.

[Fafnir]

You have to think that Orlando has to be very very very very weary of Bynum now. No reason to send their expiring superstar with a bad attitude for a different expiring big, who isn't as talent and may be even more immature.

I love it! Last year, the Lakers could have probably got away with it. This year, I don't think even the Magic are this dumb.

Orlando will want a lot more then just Bynum.  Two straight years, he has come up as a negative for his team in the final playoff game.

Another factor that is neglected, Bynum is only signed throught 2012/2013. That's the same as Howard, to make that deal they'd need an extension handshake agreement for both players.

[Lucky17]

In a Bynum-Howard swap, the Lakers could take back some bad contract(s) from Orlando, such as Turkoglu. LA has enough short term, smaller contracts to cobble together to make it happen.

Lakers could then also re-open the Gasol-for-Lowry/Scola discussions with Houston.

Lowry
Kobe
Artest
Scola
Howard

Turkoglu as an Odom-type facilitator off the bench.

Lakers would still have the trade exception. Might have to amnesty Artest first, but they could carve up the TE to address the bench, and bring in a SF via free agency or trade.

[indeedproceed]

Lakers Trade: Gasol, Sessions*, Blake
Lakers Get: Lowry, Scola, Gomes, Bledsoe

Clippers Trade: Mo Williams*, Gomes, Bledsoe
Clippers Get: Kevin Martin, Steve Blake, Houston 1st

Rockets Trade: Kyle Lowry, Luis Scola, Kevin Martin, 2013 1st
Rockets Receive: Pau Gasol, Mo Williams, Ramon Sessions

Lakers Look Like:
PG: Kyle Lowry/Eric Bledsoe
SG: Kobe Bryant/Whocares
SF: MWP/Gomes
PF: Scola/Whocares
C: Bynum/Whocares

Clippers:
Paul/Blake
Martin/Blake
Butler
Blah b
blahhh

Rockets:
Dragic/Sessions
Lee/Mo Williams
Parsons/Budinger
Gasol/Patterson
Dalembert/Whocares

Cap-wise I think it would work, and its just an example.

[Lucky17]

Clippers:
Paul/Blake
Martin/Blake
Butler
Blah b
blahhh

It's spelled "Blab," and he retired years ago, IP.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uwe_Blab

[mctyson]

Mitch Kupchak does not deserve any blame here.  He tried to retool his team with the CP3 trade, and the frickin league vetoed it.

Once that happened, Pau Gasol was checked out mentally.  The team was broken, and on top of that their coach had zero respect from their best player.

Honestly?  If I am Mitch Kupchak, I see if there are any takers for Kobe.  

[Mr October]

Mitch Kupchak does not deserve any blame here.  He tried to retool his team with the CP3 trade, and the frickin league vetoed it.

Once that happened, Pau Gasol was checked out mentally.  The team was broken, and on top of that their coach had zero respect from their best player.

Honestly?  If I am Mitch Kupchak, I see if there are any takers for Kobe.  

Kobe is paid too much. I doubt a trade can work. His contract is almost impossible to build around.

If I'm LA, I move one of the 7 footers for 2 speed players: a PG and a forward. They've been exposed as slow 2 years in a row.

Anyway I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the Lakers lose last night. Now lets get rid of Miami in a couple days.

[Fafnir]

Mitch Kupchak does not deserve any blame here.  He tried to retool his team with the CP3 trade, and the frickin league vetoed it.

Once that happened, Pau Gasol was checked out mentally.  The team was broken, and on top of that their coach had zero respect from their best player.

Honestly?  If I am Mitch Kupchak, I see if there are any takers for Kobe.  

Gasol didn't check out mentally, he was forced to play 18 feet from the hoop and space the floor for corner threes.

Just not his game.

[17wasEZ]

I Actually was hoping the Lakers to win this game (only this game, lose in 6 at home) For the only reason that the longer the NBA has to wait to start the WCF the less chance the ECF has to play catch up and possibly have a back to back. Granted I haven't checked and maybe the schedule is set in stone already because of TV but a potential back to back in the Eastern Conference Finals wouldn't favor us (assuming we get there).

That being said I feel very unclean about hoping for a Lakers win, time to purify myself with oils gleamed from the sweat of Bird and Russell

There won't be any back-to-back games in the ECF.  The NBA wants to televise a game everyday for exposure.