(Hypothetically) Celtics and the Lakers gets #1 and #2 picks

[timobusa]

Celtics pick Wiggins
Lakers pick Parker

Or vice versa

Could this be Larry Bird vs Magic Johnson 2.0?

Your thoughts are all welcomed.

Who do you guys think is the better player in the long run?
Whose team would win more games / championships.

Again, hypothetically speaking,
I don't believe neither teams would get either players.
But one can hope.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

I think it will be hyped as the same but it won't be the same.

Let's remember, Bird and Magic started their rivalry in college. If Parker and Wiggins play in the National Championship or even in the Final Four to make it to Monday, and they go no.1 and no.2, chances are it will.

I just don't see it, there are still bigger names ahead of them. Magic and Bird (not Jordan) saved the NBA, I don't think this rivalry will be as big as that, since everyone would still be looking at LeBron, Kevin Durant and others.

[timobusa]

I think it will be hyped as the same but it won't be the same.

Let's remember, Bird and Magic started their rivalry in college. If Parker and Wiggins play in the National Championship or even in the Final Four to make it to Monday, and they go no.1 and no.2, chances are it will.

I just don't see it, there are still bigger names ahead of them. Magic and Bird (not Jordan) saved the NBA, I don't think this rivalry will be as big as that, since everyone would still be looking at LeBron, Kevin Durant and others.

I agree.
But I'm talking purely skills wise.
Let's say this happens, who will win more games, or championships.

[slamtheking]

I think it will be hyped as the same but it won't be the same.

Let's remember, Bird and Magic started their rivalry in college. If Parker and Wiggins play in the National Championship or even in the Final Four to make it to Monday, and they go no.1 and no.2, chances are it will.

I just don't see it, there are still bigger names ahead of them. Magic and Bird (not Jordan) saved the NBA, I don't think this rivalry will be as big as that, since everyone would still be looking at LeBron, Kevin Durant and others.

I agree.
But I'm talking purely skills wise.
Let's say this happens, who will win more games, or championships.

tough call.  I'd say the C's based on the current supporting cast they can surround their pick with.  The Lakers would have to hope to get some salary cap clearance and land some FA's.  I like the C's in the short term at least

[KGs Knee]

I think it will be hyped as the same but it won't be the same.

Let's remember, Bird and Magic started their rivalry in college. If Parker and Wiggins play in the National Championship or even in the Final Four to make it to Monday, and they go no.1 and no.2, chances are it will.

I just don't see it, there are still bigger names ahead of them. Magic and Bird (not Jordan) saved the NBA, I don't think this rivalry will be as big as that, since everyone would still be looking at LeBron, Kevin Durant and others.

I agree.
But I'm talking purely skills wise.
Let's say this happens, who will win more games, or championships.

tough call.  I'd say the C's based on the current supporting cast they can surround their pick with.  The Lakers would have to hope to get some salary cap clearance and land some FA's.  I like the C's in the short term at least

I'm guessing you're not familiar with the Lakers cap situation for next year.  They're due to have a boat load of cap space.  LA could land a top pick and still have room for 2 max-level free agents.

[slamtheking]

I think it will be hyped as the same but it won't be the same.

Let's remember, Bird and Magic started their rivalry in college. If Parker and Wiggins play in the National Championship or even in the Final Four to make it to Monday, and they go no.1 and no.2, chances are it will.

I just don't see it, there are still bigger names ahead of them. Magic and Bird (not Jordan) saved the NBA, I don't think this rivalry will be as big as that, since everyone would still be looking at LeBron, Kevin Durant and others.

I agree.
But I'm talking purely skills wise.
Let's say this happens, who will win more games, or championships.

tough call.  I'd say the C's based on the current supporting cast they can surround their pick with.  The Lakers would have to hope to get some salary cap clearance and land some FA's.  I like the C's in the short term at least

I'm guessing you're not familiar with the Lakers cap situation for next year.  They're due to have a boat load of cap space.  LA could land a top pick and still have room for 2 max-level free agents.

I'm familiar with it.  Don't forget that Kobe's salary slot is pretty huge and will eat a chunk of it unless they resign him for much less (and Kobe isn't agreeable to that) or they renounce him (which is not going to happen).   

They'll have some cap room (not lots of it thanks to Kobe) and Kobe but ask yourself this, would you think either of these young studs would develop a better team game playing with Kobe or Rondo?  My money's on Rondo.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

I think it will be hyped as the same but it won't be the same.

Let's remember, Bird and Magic started their rivalry in college. If Parker and Wiggins play in the National Championship or even in the Final Four to make it to Monday, and they go no.1 and no.2, chances are it will.

I just don't see it, there are still bigger names ahead of them. Magic and Bird (not Jordan) saved the NBA, I don't think this rivalry will be as big as that, since everyone would still be looking at LeBron, Kevin Durant and others.

I agree.
But I'm talking purely skills wise.
Let's say this happens, who will win more games, or championships.

tough call.  I'd say the C's based on the current supporting cast they can surround their pick with.  The Lakers would have to hope to get some salary cap clearance and land some FA's.  I like the C's in the short term at least

I'm guessing you're not familiar with the Lakers cap situation for next year.  They're due to have a boat load of cap space.  LA could land a top pick and still have room for 2 max-level free agents.

I'm familiar with it.  Don't forget that Kobe's salary slot is pretty huge and will eat a chunk of it unless they resign him for much less (and Kobe isn't agreeable to that) or they renounce him (which is not going to happen).   

They'll have some cap room (not lots of it thanks to Kobe) and Kobe but ask yourself this, would you think either of these young studs would develop a better team game playing with Kobe or Rondo?  My money's on Rondo.

What FA would they get with that money? LBJ and Melo won't be going there. Surely DH has gotten the word out to stay away from there (just by actions)... LA is in worse trouble than they think b/c no one will want to go there and Melo and LBJ are the only big names who will be free anyway.

[KGs Knee]

I'm guessing you're not familiar with the Lakers cap situation for next year.  They're due to have a boat load of cap space.  LA could land a top pick and still have room for 2 max-level free agents.

I'm familiar with it.  Don't forget that Kobe's salary slot is pretty huge and will eat a chunk of it unless they resign him for much less (and Kobe isn't agreeable to that) or they renounce him (which is not going to happen).   

They'll have some cap room (not lots of it thanks to Kobe) and Kobe but ask yourself this, would you think either of these young studs would develop a better team game playing with Kobe or Rondo?  My money's on Rondo.

If the Lakers management has even half a clue, they'll renounce Kobe's Bird Right's, or sign him to a substantially lesser value contract on day 1 of free agency.

I just can't fathom how a franchise that has always been one to move from one star to next next with little remorse, would all of a sudden decide to hold onto a fading, past-his-prime former star, at the expense of the ability to sign a new star player.  Then again, they let Kobe drive Howard away, so I suppose it's possible.

Kind of funny how the C's and Lakers seem to be reversing roles.  Usually it's the C's who hold onto players too long.

None of this is upsetting to me, however.  I'm fully enjoying watching LA's new management completely bungle the transition from the Kobe era.

As to your question of who is better to build around, obviously it's Rondo.  Rondo is entering his prime, Kobe looks to be done (players his age rarely ever recover from achilles injuries).

[lightspeed5]

I think it will be hyped as the same but it won't be the same.

Let's remember, Bird and Magic started their rivalry in college.

jabari and andrew already have a rivalry since high school

[SparzWizard]

I think it will be hyped as the same but it won't be the same.

Let's remember, Bird and Magic started their rivalry in college. If Parker and Wiggins play in the National Championship or even in the Final Four to make it to Monday, and they go no.1 and no.2, chances are it will.

I just don't see it, there are still bigger names ahead of them. Magic and Bird (not Jordan) saved the NBA, I don't think this rivalry will be as big as that, since everyone would still be looking at LeBron, Kevin Durant and others.

I agree.
But I'm talking purely skills wise.
Let's say this happens, who will win more games, or championships.

tough call.  I'd say the C's based on the current supporting cast they can surround their pick with.  The Lakers would have to hope to get some salary cap clearance and land some FA's.  I like the C's in the short term at least

I'm guessing you're not familiar with the Lakers cap situation for next year.  They're due to have a boat load of cap space.  LA could land a top pick and still have room for 2 max-level free agents.

I'm familiar with it.  Don't forget that Kobe's salary slot is pretty huge and will eat a chunk of it unless they resign him for much less (and Kobe isn't agreeable to that) or they renounce him (which is not going to happen).   

They'll have some cap room (not lots of it thanks to Kobe) and Kobe but ask yourself this, would you think either of these young studs would develop a better team game playing with Kobe or Rondo?  My money's on Rondo.

I guess whoever can win a championship first.

I really hope the Lakers don't win another championship any time soon. At least not until the Celtics win a few more! But who knows when that time will be.

[green147]

Randle and Smart are projected right now to go ahead of Parker in a lot of mocks. It would be really cool for the 1 and 2 picks to begin the new rivalry. LA is doing some weird stuff though. No BIG names will leave their teams next year for LA, yet they're banking all their hopes on free agency and a deteriorating Kobe. They have almost no shot at the title, yet they're signing players good enough to keep them out of the lottery and then have no first rounders in 2015 or 2017. Just perplexing...

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

Randle and Smart are projected right now to go ahead of Parker in a lot of mocks. It would be really cool for the 1 and 2 picks to begin the new rivalry. LA is doing some weird stuff though. No BIG names will leave their teams next year for LA, yet they're banking all their hopes on free agency and a deteriorating Kobe. They have almost no shot at the title, yet they're signing players good enough to keep them out of the lottery and then have no first rounders in 2015 or 2017. Just perplexing...

Funny, DH made them bank their hopes on 2014 FA they have no choice in it really, at the same time he made it hard to get anyone... I bet they thought people would come play with DH but he bolted on 'em! All I can hope for is that no one wants to play with KoMe! Let's go Celtics, at this point we are better off. If each team gets 1 or 2 and both players pan out, we are still in a better position with RR (Sully and Green... maybe KO).

[LilRip]

I think it'd be fun to see that scenario play out. I mean, neither of them have played a college game yet but I am excited to see how they'll do. I think if we land a ROY-level/perennial allstar type of player via draft, and are able to package Green, Sully, KO or whatever nice pieces we have for a legit big man, then we'll be a contender in 2-3 years.

Even if LA lands that superstar rookie, the fact that Kobe is at the end of his career while Rondo is entering his prime means we'll probably be better off than them.

[slamtheking]

I'm guessing you're not familiar with the Lakers cap situation for next year.  They're due to have a boat load of cap space.  LA could land a top pick and still have room for 2 max-level free agents.

I'm familiar with it.  Don't forget that Kobe's salary slot is pretty huge and will eat a chunk of it unless they resign him for much less (and Kobe isn't agreeable to that) or they renounce him (which is not going to happen).   

They'll have some cap room (not lots of it thanks to Kobe) and Kobe but ask yourself this, would you think either of these young studs would develop a better team game playing with Kobe or Rondo?  My money's on Rondo.

If the Lakers management has even half a clue, they'll renounce Kobe's Bird Right's, or sign him to a substantially lesser value contract on day 1 of free agency.

I just can't fathom how a franchise that has always been one to move from one star to next next with little remorse, would all of a sudden decide to hold onto a fading, past-his-prime former star, at the expense of the ability to sign a new star player.  Then again, they let Kobe drive Howard away, so I suppose it's possible.

Kind of funny how the C's and Lakers seem to be reversing roles.  Usually it's the C's who hold onto players too long.

None of this is upsetting to me, however.  I'm fully enjoying watching LA's new management completely bungle the transition from the Kobe era.

As to your question of who is better to build around, obviously it's Rondo.  Rondo is entering his prime, Kobe looks to be done (players his age rarely ever recover from achilles injuries).

Credit LA's management for being pretty smart in talent acquisition but they really seem to be kowtowing to Kobe.  They've allowed him to chase off Shaq and now DH.  He's also alienated Gasol.

I don't see them cutting ties with Kobe by waiving his rights.  just not going to happen.  Kobe's also on record that he won't take less than he thinks he's worth when he does resign with them. He's going to sink that franchise for another 2-3 years until he actually retires. 

[jacksmedulaoblongata]

Could this be Larry Bird vs Magic Johnson 2.0?