While the Lakers will no doubt improve with Jackson at the helm, I have to question the basketball knowledge of anyone who watched the Lakers last year and thinks Lamar Odom can become the next Scottie Pippen. The closest Odom will get to Pippen is sitting next to him on the bench when Jackson hires Pip as an assistant coach. And a memo to anyone who thinks Bryant still runs the Lakers: Wake up. If Bryant was pulling the strings in Lakerland there's no chance Phil Jackson would return as coach to the tune of $10 million per season. Bryant was privately pushing for his friend and former teammate Brian Shaw to get the job and would have even been fine if Kurt Rambis got the gig. The last man he wanted to see was Jackson, who ripped Bryant in his book and in interviews following his departure last summer. The Lakers also have finalized a deal. Jonathan Bender is indeed on his way to Los Angeles along with the 17th pick in the draft. In return, the Lakers will send Devean George, Slava Medvedenko and a second-round pick. Loose ends: which Laker second-rounder goes to Indy? Did the Pacers convince the Lakers to send Brian Cook instead of Medvedenko? Expect the deal within a day or two of draft day, although it may not be triggered until June 28.
I'm waiting for the Pacer deal to be announced as well, and I hope Bender can stay healthy, because he can flat out play. I'm sure many are wondering why the Pacers would do this deal, and the short answer is to clear cap space. The Pacers payroll is at $74Million next season and by trading Bender at not having to pay a guaranteed rookie contract they will save $8-$9 Million next year. The team has been able to win without Bender, so unloading the $15Million they still owe him is in their best interest. I could careless which, Laker 2nd rounder the Pacers get and they can have their choice of Slava or Cook. As for the Odom & Butler dilemma I'm still not sure what's best for the team. I think Phil Jackson is going to be patient with the decision and see which player fits better in his system and is willing to commit to defense. Odom obviously has the superior talent, and his trade value took a hit with not much improvement last year and his shoulder surgery. Butler has better trade value because of he's talented, young, and has a cheap contract. Butler has already shown he's willing to learn and do the things Phil Jackson asks for, plus he has a friendly relationship with Kobe, which is HUGE for the chemistry of the team. What makes Odom harder to trade is his the trade kicker he has in his contract. Teams will try to lowball the Lakers at this point, so I think they will wait closer to the trade deadline and definitely after the draft to pull the trigger on either Odom or Butler. Obviously one or both of these players have to be traded.
I completely disagree, T2T. Kobe wants to win. PJ has the reputation. Kobe was embarrassed this past season. Its from that humility that has humbled him enough to realize that the triangle and the Zen-Master way is the way to go. The Brian Shaw thing was a bogus rumor started by upper management to catch a mole. As for Odom, defense is a combination of talent, physical abilities, a good defensive scheme (from the coach) and most of all, PASSION. He surely has the talent and the wingspan. With PJ running the show, hopefully he'll come up with a great defensive scheme. IF Pippen becomes assistant coach, he could possibly bring out the best of Odom's talent & physical abilities. All the tools are there; Odom just needs to show the passion & hustle to play defense. Pip is one of the greatest defensive players to ever play the game. Can Odom = Pippen? Unrealistic. Can Odom become a much better play defensively? Sure thing, anyone can. Did Tayshaun Prince have the reputation of being a defensive specialist when he first entered the league?
By the way things are looking, Kobe Lamar and Caron are going to stay. I think Caron is going to play at PG. Caron at PG would rule. He would have a big size advantage on alot of PG's.
Kobe wants to WIN! he wants to prove that he can do it without shaq. He will put differences aside. He's already made that known.
