well we are faced with an even bigger mountain to climb now, and that mountain is Oden and Durant in the west, both of them in the same conference. we really need to work hard to get better players this offseason because portland will be very good next season, warriors will have improved on their playoff expierience, peja will be back for the hornets, and just about every other team will have improved. we really need to do something this offseason so we can make the playoffs.
<div class="quote_poster">AKIRA Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">and just about every other team will have improved.</div> Very true. The inferior teams from last year are back and better, and the superior teams such as the Suns and the Texas teams aren't gonna get any worse. We need to improve with the rest of the west, and hopefully a bit more so we secure a decent playoff spot early. I am always worried in the last weeks when we fall from sixth to eighth and barely make it. We need to make good decisions in the off-season, come in strong, and show we are good. <div class="quote_poster">AKIRA Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">peja will be back for the hornets</div> As long as our key players, Luke, Kobe, and LO(if we keep him) stay health, we'll be fine.
I think the best thing about how the draft turned out is that both Rashard Lewis and Zach Randolph have potentially become available for trades. Draft day is going to be frickin' sweet.
Even though the Lakers were not in tonight's draft lottery the results will have an effect our next season. Here is how the lottery shaped up. <div class='codetop'>CODE</div><div class='codemain'>1.Portland<br/>2.Seattle<br/>3.Atlanta<br/>4.Memphis<br/>5.Boston<br/>6.Milwaukee<br/>7.Minnesota<br/>8.Charlotte<br/>9.Chicago (via New York)<br/>10Sacramento<br/>11.Atlanta (via Indiana)<br/>12.Philadelphia<br/>13.New Orleans<br/>14.L.A. Clippers</div> <u> The Good News</u> Atlanta remained in the top 3, which allows them to keep their pick and not send it to Phoenix. This limits some of Phoenix's options in the summer, and should put to rest the KG rumor, unless Phoenix is willing to up the ante and part with Amare, or both Marion and Diaw. Memphis dropped all the way to the 4th pick in the draft, which prevents them from acquiring Greg Oden or Kevin Durant. Why is this significant if you're a Laker fan? If Memphis had landed Oden or Durant, they probably would continue to rebuild with the pieces they have, and Gasol might back off his trade demands. By falling to #4, the Grizzlies might be open to trading Gasol, and the Lakers should be in the mix to acquire his services. Gasol is the low post threat this team is in desperate need of. Imagine Gasol getting the same touches Kwame was getting the past two seasons. There's been speculation Andrew Bynum would have been a top three pick in this year's draft had he went to UConn, so he could fill the void Greg Oden would have done for Memphis. Boston & Minnesota also ended up with the same predicament by not landing one of the top two picks. They might be more inclined to move Paul Pierce or Kevin Garnett respectively. The Bad News The top two picks in this draft will be playing in the Western Conference. Oden and Durant are both capable of making an immediate impact and helping their team grab a playoff spot. If it doesn’t happen next year, you can expect one or both of these teams improving and making annual appearances in the playoffs. How will the Lakers compete against the youth movement taking place in the Pacific Northwest?
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Even though the Lakers were not in tonight's draft lottery the results will have an effect our next season. Here is how the lottery shaped up. <div class='codetop'>CODE</div><div class='codemain'>1.Portland<br/>2.Seattle<br/>3.Atlanta<br/>4.Memphis<br/>5.Boston<br/>6.Milwaukee<br/>7.Minnesota<br/>8.Charlotte<br/>9.Chicago (via New York)<br/>10Sacramento<br/>11.Atlanta (via Indiana)<br/>12.Philadelphia<br/>13.New Orleans<br/>14.L.A. Clippers</div> <u> The Good News</u> Atlanta remained in the top 3, which allows them to keep their pick and not send it to Phoenix. This limits some of Phoenix's options in the summer, and should put to rest the KG rumor, unless Phoenix is willing to up the ante and part with Amare, or both Marion and Diaw. Memphis dropped all the way to the 4th pick in the draft, which prevents them from acquiring Greg Oden or Kevin Durant. Why is this significant if you're a Laker fan? If Memphis had landed Oden or Durant, they probably would continue to rebuild with the pieces they have, and Gasol might back off his trade demands. By falling to #4, the Grizzlies might be open to trading Gasol, and the Lakers should be in the mix to acquire his services. Gasol is the low post threat this team is in desperate need of. Imagine Gasol getting the same touches Kwame was getting the past two seasons. There's been speculation Andrew Bynum would have been a top three pick in this year's draft had he went to UConn, so he could fill the void Greg Oden would have done for Memphis. Boston & Minnesota also ended up with the same predicament by not landing one of the top two picks. They might be more inclined to move Paul Pierce or Kevin Garnett respectively. The Bad News The top two picks in this draft will be playing in the Western Conference. Oden and Durant are both capable of making an immediate impact and helping their team grab a playoff spot. If it doesn?t happen next year, you can expect one or both of these teams improving and making annual appearances in the playoffs. How will the Lakers compete against the youth movement taking place in the Pacific Northwest?</div> I like your evaluation. The West keeps getting better, and I don't see why the West wouldn't dominated the East for another 20 years.
<div class="quote_poster">kobe4life Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I like your evaluation. The West keeps getting better, and I don't see why the West wouldn't dominated the East for another 20 years.</div> Look at the youth in the East too though.... Lebron, Wade, Bosh, Dwight, and the Baby Bulls. East will be top heavy, but don't underestimate the East in 3-4 years when the Kobe's, Duncan's, KG's are out of their prime and not as effective.
The draft was perfect for us landing either KG or JO mostly JO. If Stan Van Gundy goes to Indiana i think he will want Odom since Indiana wants to rebuild and Odom played great basketball when he was playing for him in Miami. Think we could get JO here if we trade Odom/Brown and somebody else.
<div class="quote_poster">lakersfan171 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">The draft was perfect for us landing either KG or JO mostly JO. If Stan Van Gundy goes to Indiana i think he will want Odom since Indiana wants to rebuild and Odom played great basketball when he was playing for him in Miami. Think we could get JO here if we trade Odom/Brown and somebody else.</div> Stan Van Gundy turned down the Pacer job.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Stan Van Gundy turned down the Pacer job.</div> Damn why am i always late on stuff.
