Well, after thinking long and hard about it, I think Thorn rejecting the Lakers' offer turned out to be for the best. I say this because: 1. We still have Andrew Bynum, and although I've voiced that I do not beleive he is untouchable, you guys were absolutely right that although Bynum could be traded, we can't do it for a small (Jason Kidd) but maybe for a Big (Gasol or Garnett). Either way, let's just roll with Drew and see how he progresses. It's nice to know everyone wants Andrew. 2. Rumor has it Scottie Pippen will be in a Laker uni in the coming week. I still believe this will be a great addition, not too mention get rid of a roster spot, hopefully Shamu or McKie (is his expiring contract worth anything to us now?) I guess Scottie felt that the Heat were no longer contenders now that D-Whistle, I mean D-Wizzle, is out for a couple months or more (Seeing as how Radman is 8 weeks, I don't see how Wade can be any less?) 3. New information regarding J. Kidd's cracked ribs and such are now leaking. Although I would have loved Jason on this team, there's nothing we can do about it, so it's time to move on. 4. Brian Cook, Jordan Farmar, and a few other Lakers can now be relaxed and not have to worry about being traded and give it their all on the court seeing as how this be their team for the end of the year at least. 5. Once Luke (glue guy), Kwame (interior defense), Radman, and Mihm come back, we are gonna be deadly again, I know it. I expect a double digit Laker victory with EASE tonight, and I hope we take care of business tonight.
Great post illmatic! I still have faith the Lakers can make some noise in the post season once they get healthy. We're capable of beating any team in the league, and our roster has advantages other teams don't have in a 7 game series. However, this team really needs to get dirty and start taking pride in their defense.
In hindsight, not trading for Kidd might be a good thing, but if we could have landed him without losing Bynum, it'd have been worth it. However, I do think this will be a dangerous team once it gets healthy. Lamar is still in the process of returning back to form, Kwame is still out, Luke, etc. I think, once this team gets fully healthy in the coming weeks, we'll be able to make some noise in the Western Conference standings and I think we have the chance at being a very deadly team come playoff time.
Well, that is a postitive way to look at things. Once we get all our players back from injury, we will be a dangerous team. But Jason Kidd would have pushed us to the top. Even when our players return, I still don't see us competing for a championship with our current roster. We have no second option. Lamar Odom played great before his injury, but ever since his return, he hasn't been the same. Either way you look at it, I would have loved to have Kidd in a Laker uni
I think we'll have a better shot at landing Kidd in the off season. If Pip joins the Lakers, I hope he grooms Odom into being a co-leader with Kobe. I'm not sure if Luke will make it back tonight, but once he does we should be back on our feet.
<div class="quote_poster">YourNewChef Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I think we'll have a better shot at landing Kidd in the off season. If Pip joins the Lakers, I hope he grooms Odom into being a co-leader with Kobe. I'm not sure if Luke will make it back tonight, but once he does we should be back on our feet.</div> How? By then all our expiring contracts will be gone.
I think Kidd will lobby for a trade at the end of the season. The Lakers could very well land him for even less. Thorn's hand will be forced to make the trade and then kick himself for not making the transaction before this seasons deadline. I really hope he starts for the Lakers next season. Kidd again has been overcoming the odds. At 34, bad back and a cracked rib and going 3-0 with averages of 19.6 ppg., 8.3 rpg., and 11 apg.
<div class="quote_poster">Brian Wrote</div><div class="quote_post"> Even when our players return, I still don't see us competing for a championship with our current roster. We have no second option. Lamar Odom played great before his injury, but ever since his return, he hasn't been the same.</div> The Lakers and the Spurs will be feared the most come playoff time. Wasn't last year when the Lakers were 1 rebound away from possibly being in the finals. Had they secured that rebound or won game 5 to finish off the Suns 4-1, They would have won the hallway series, and Mamba would have single handedly destroyed the Mavs ala D-Wade in the finals. Phil Jackson is a guru. He always has something up his sleeves. And with the possibility of the addition of Scottie pippen who can execute the triangle offense in his sleep, the Lakers can be deadly.
We weren't close to the Finals last year. I think we would've struggled against the Clips, as well. If we can get healthy and everybody producing again, we're a top 4 team in the West (Dallas, San Antonio, Phoenix, LA). Up until the injuries started coming rapidly, we were a lock for a top 5 seed and a threat in the playoffs, I don't see how that changes once everyone is healthy. You're so negative Brian.
<div class="quote_poster">Mamba Wrote</div><div class="quote_post"> You're so negative Brian.</div> Well, that was mentioned during our 6 game losing streak, so I was really upset we couldn't get an upgrade. Rather that be Jason Kidd, or just someone else to shake up our roster.
