La Lakers are in a bad position

[cman88]

I was thinking about Ainge and the C's going forward and then I thought about our rivals the La Lakers and cant help but think they are in trouble right now.

they have big salaries commited to Kobe, Bynum(headcase) and Pau Gasol...with no capspace(although they do have that trade exception) and even if they trade Pau, who are they going to get in return? Michael Beasley? he isnt going to turn them into a contendor

the only draft pick they had to improve their team was the last pick in the 2nd round.

then, next year you still have OKC, spurs should be in the mix again, Dallas might get D.will and be able to build with him/dirk

then again, some random lopsided trade could happen again and theyll end up with a star..

[butterbeanlove]

I was thinking about Ainge and the C's going forward and then I thought about our rivals the La Lakers and cant help but think they are in trouble right now.

they have big salaries commited to Kobe, Bynum(headcase) and Pau Gasol...with no capspace(although they do have that trade exception) and even if they trade Pau, who are they going to get in return? Michael Beasley? he isnt going to turn them into a contendor

the only draft pick they had to improve their team was the last pick in the 2nd round.

then, next year you still have OKC, spurs should be in the mix again, Dallas might get D.will and be able to build with him/dirk

then again, some random lopsided trade could happen again and theyll end up with a star..

Haven't heard any Faker fans talking about ring counts lately. Even those delusional schlubs know the score.

[Smokeeye123]

It's sad. If Kobe didn't command like 25mil a year, they'd have no problem getting great players. Who doesn't want to play in LA?

[tyrone biggums]

Anytime when I can see the Celtics in a better position to win a title than the Lakers is a good day for me

[hpantazo]

The reality is Kobe is old, and doesn't want to give up the money or the spotlight. Enjoy it Lakers, you deserve it.

[theswitch]

I can't wait until next year, when the Lakers have to pay a 35-year-old Bryant $30.5 million. Half the salary cap. Gasol is another $19 million, so that's $50 million between the two of them. That's just outrageous.

[GreenFaith1819]

The sad thing with LA is that Pau Gasol, when utilized correctly, may be their most important player.

The man can post up, nail the mid-range J, play good defense, and pass as good as any skilled Big out there.

And he will probably be dealt this summer.

When he is traded, he'll make some team VERY good with his skillset. That team will hopefully make Pau the number 1 or 2 option, where he'll put up numbers around 20 pts, 9-10 rebs, 3-4 assists, 1-2 blocks.

[AshyLarry]

The lakers always find a way to become relevant in contender talks. The past few years, they just haven't had the chemistry and overall talent to get past, or even make a good series with elite teams.

Also, I think cutting Derek Fisher was just morally messed up. It's be like us trading Ray. He was an important glue guy, to say the least. (FYI not comparing them as players, just their relationships with the team)

[hpantazo]

The lakers always find a way to become relevant in contender talks. The past few years, they just haven't had the chemistry and overall talent to get past, or even make a good series with elite teams.

Also, I think cutting Derek Fisher was just morally messed up. It's be like us trading Ray. He was an important glue guy, to say the least. (FYI not comparing them as players, just their relationships with the team)

Different situation. Reportedly Ray's relationship with Rondo has been in the toilet for a long time. It was time for Ray to go.

[AshyLarry]

The lakers always find a way to become relevant in contender talks. The past few years, they just haven't had the chemistry and overall talent to get past, or even make a good series with elite teams.

Also, I think cutting Derek Fisher was just morally messed up. It's be like us trading Ray. He was an important glue guy, to say the least. (FYI not comparing them as players, just their relationships with the team)

Different situation. Reportedly Ray's relationship with Rondo has been in the toilet for a long time. It was time for Ray to go.

But how bad is that relationship? And it may not be enough to push him away, along with Ainge trying to trade him. But Ray's a pro, he knows the business aspects of the game.

Garnett and Pierce are back, and he'd most likely come off the bench for most other teams he has interest in anyway.
What would be more awesome than winning another ring with these guys? As long as Doc's here, there's a good chance he's back.

Not to mention he's in the city with the best possible medical care in the country for his son.

[CelticSooner]

It's sad. If Kobe didn't command like 25mil a year, they'd have no problem getting great players. Who doesn't want to play in LA?

Kobe will be getting over $57 million the next two years. Just a ridiculous contract. Lakers are pretty much stuck where they're at until then.

[SHAQATTACK]

I can't wait until next year, when the Lakers have to pay a 35-year-old Bryant $30.5 million. Half the salary cap. Gasol is another $19 million, so that's $50 million between the two of them. That's just outrageous.

hee hee hee ......an't it GREAT! !!

Kobe and I want him to retire a LAKER ... I'm pretty sure KOBE has some sort of NO TRADE clause too.   

[LarBrd33]

Didn't bother reading this thread.  Lakers aren't in a bad position at all.  Pau Gasol arguably has as much value in this league as Rajon Rondo does (I only say arguably, because I'm avoiding my fellow Celtics fans jumping down my throat.  Depending on who you ask, the Lakers actually turned down Boston's offer of Rondo for Gasol... so technically, he arguably has MORE trade value than Rondo).  If they decide they don't want to keep him (despite the fact he's easily a top 5 big man in this league), they can probably easily swap him for a Josh Smith or send him to Houston for a crop of talented players... or any other number of teams who'd love to have 32 year old Pau Gasol (we just gave 36 year old Kevin Garnett a 3 year deal... think about it).   Supposedly the Wolves, for example, were willing to give up last year's #2 pick for Gasol.  They have options galore with that guy.  Meanwhile, they still probably have the option of trading Bynum for Dwight Howard if they decide they would rather have the best center in the league as opposed to the 2nd best center in the league.

Poor them.  Must be rough.

Watch them end up with Kobe, Dwight and Deron when all is said and done.  The hell with the Lakers.

[CelticSooner]

How is Josh Smith an upgrade over Gasol? Howard doesn't want to play with Kobe.

[syfy9]

Raise your hand if you feel bad for them.   

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