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

[D.o.s.]

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.

I think they made the right decision with Shaq. The jury's still out on Dwight.

[manl_lui]

Bird vs Magic 2.0? I'm up for it

[Donoghus]

I'd rather see the Lakers get something like the 10th pick and blow for the next decade than rebuild.

[Kane3387]

Doesn't Phoenix get the lakers pick if its a lottery pick?

[KGs Knee]

I'd rather see the Lakers get something like the 10th pick and blow for the next decade than rebuild.

I agree fully.  I'll be ecstatic if they stink from now till forever.

But my point (from earlier in the thread) remains.  LA is actually in a decent position to move forward.  There's just that one elephant in the room, and it's name is Kobe.

Kobe is an all-time great player, but all-time terrible personality.  You deal with it when your winning titles.  When the player is past his time, you move on.  If the new management out there could somehow pull their heads out of their rear ends, they could easily be back in contention in a few years.  Hopefully they continue to let Kobe destroy the franchise's future.

[KGs Knee]

Doesn't Phoenix get the lakers pick if its a lottery pick?

2014 pick is LA's.  Your thinking of 2015 (which is top 5 protected)

[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.

I think they made the right decision with Shaq. The jury's still out on Dwight.

I don't necessarily think they made the right move with Shaq.  if they trade Kobe and bring in talent in the backcourt or SF to replace him, I think the Lakers would have had another couple of titles.

DH is not Shaq.  I don't think it was DH having conflicts with Kobe as much as it's DH looking for a better situation that's focussed on him.  He wouldn't be the star as long as Kobe is there.

[slamtheking]

I'd rather see the Lakers get something like the 10th pick and blow for the next decade than rebuild.

I agree fully.  I'll be ecstatic if they stink from now till forever.

But my point (from earlier in the thread) remains.  LA is actually in a decent position to move forward.  There's just that one elephant in the room, and it's name is Kobe.

Kobe is an all-time great player, but all-time terrible personality.  You deal with it when your winning titles.  When the player is past his time, you move on.  If the new management out there could somehow pull their heads out of their rear ends, they could easily be back in contention in a few years.  Hopefully they continue to let Kobe destroy the franchise's future.

If Kobe wasn't a home-grown talent, I'd be inclined to agree he could be cut loose from the franchise but since he's always been a Laker, I think that will pressure the team to keep him.

I'd love to see his selfishness and the team's perceived obligation to him kill their franchise for a decade or more.

[Roy H.]

I don't think so.  The Larry/Magic thing was a once in a millennium type of thing. 

Larry and Magic:

* Are both top-10 all-time players;

* Competed against each other for a national title in college;

* Immediately carried their NBA teams to greatness, and kept them there for a decade.

We're never going to see that again, especially for players coming out of college within one year of one another.

[KGs Knee]

On a personal level, I'm rooting for Jabari Parker.  I'm not rooting for the C's to tank, but if they do happen to stink this year, I hope Parker turns out to be the better prospect, and we land him.

I'd love to see Parker lead my Dukies to a title this year, and become the #1 pick.

[Smokeeye123]

Id want randle over parker anyways Green is a solid SF for our team.

[D.o.s.]

On a personal level, I'm rooting for Jabari Parker.  I'm not rooting for the C's to tank, but if they do happen to stink this year, I hope Parker turns out to be the better prospect, and we land him.

I'd love to see Parker lead my Dukies to a title this year, and become the #1 pick.

Duke. Gross.

It would be pretty cool to see a team that isn't Kentucky win the NCAA tournament, though. That starting 5 is so stacked it'd be a major upset.

[RMO]

Could this be Larry Bird vs Magic Johnson 2.0?

Doubt it.  They'll probably be on the same team after their rookie contracts are up.  Welcome to the new NBA.

[slamtheking]

Could this be Larry Bird vs Magic Johnson 2.0?

Doubt it.  They'll probably be on the same team after their rookie contracts are up.  Welcome to the new NBA.

probably closer to the truth -- more like Bron / Wade 2.0 

[Q_FBE]

I know what the Lakers should do. Amnesty Kobe. Trade Pau Pau. Oh wait MWP got amnestied. Kobe has to take a pay cut of 10 million minimum anyway. His situation bears close watching. Perhaps renouncing Kobe outright is the right thing to do if he won't give himself up.

The Celtics would have to have a number of "adverse" situations come up for them to obtain a top two pick. Rondo sits out. Sully and Bradley get reinjured, Jeff Green, Brandon Bass, and Courtney Lee all stink it up Jason Terry style. Brad Stevens proves to be a goober HC. OK I'll stop there.