He's Just Not That Into You

<div class="quote_poster">GatorsowntheNCAA Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I agree that Kidd is one of the best PG's still in the game today, but would you rather have jumped the gun to get Jason Kidd or waited and get Jermaine O Neal? </div>

I defintely would take Jason Kidd over Jermaine O'neal. Kidd was a for sure deal that would've let us keep Odom. Kidd and Kobe would've been very nice defensively. For once since...Derek Fisher? Ron Harper? We would've had a competent PG and for once since Magic Johnson? We'd have a brilliant PG who can definitely hold his own against Nash, Parker, and Deron. That deal would've also taken all the pressure off of Lamar in respects of him being a part time ball handler. Kidd would've opened up the court for Kobe and Lamar in a way that can only be dreamed of, now. I'd say Kidd's stock has increased since the dead line. I think Kidd, Kobe, and Lamar could've contested with PHX, Utah, Dallas, nothing more though.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Anything regarding Ron Artest is an ultra high risk. His contract money wise and length make it a little easier to assume the risk, but he could blow up at any time.</div>

I don't look at Artest as high risk. What's the worst? You suspend him if he acts up. I don't think he would've acted up. He wanted to come to L.A., he was under the impression he was coming to L.A, hell, he basically attended every Laker game two weeks prior to being traded. If he acts up, suspend him. He was a low risk, high reward option at the time.


<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">You do realize that Dallas made the finals 2 years ago while beating this Spurs dynasty team in Game 7 in San Antonio right? They have made it out of the first round in 2 out of the last 3 seasons and this season just had a tough match up. They are weak scoring at the 5 position, but Dampier/Diop provide them with very good defense. The combo of Dirk and Dampier/Diop is actually pretty good and IMO would be better than the combo of JO and Mihm/Kwame. Unless you get homecourt(which considering how Dallas plays during the regular season doesn't seem likely) there is absolutely no way you beat them in 5 games. </div>

Kobe Bryant has got Dallas' number. Dirk, I've tried defending him but he has proven me wrong, is completely soft when it comes to the post season. They let Miami run off 4 in a row, they let Golden State run all over them, they're scary on paper, but nothing else. So they dominated the season, it didn't effect them in the post season at all, they played terrible. This team has been around for far too long as a contender, they had their opportunity, it's pretty much gone.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">You tend to play them pretty good. A guy like Jermaine would certainly help you in your quest to beat them and you very well could. They were my only real iffy team out of the top 3. Of course if they get rid of Marion or Amare this offseason like the rumors you guys should be able to beat them. </div>

I think Jermaine would definitely put us over the hump with them. Nash and Barbosa wouldn't be able to slice inside uncontested. PHX struggled when Kwame stepped it up in the past two post seasons, Jermaine brings that constantly. If they do trade Marion for Jamison, I think we got them beat, if they trade Marion for Garnett, we're done for...hell, the league might be done for.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">San Antonio yes, you get killed. Utah was the 3rd best team this postseason, IMO and they have plenty of young talent. With Deron Williams maturing and just completely owning the Finals MVP in their series they will be a very very very tough team to compete against, especially with bigs like Boozer/Okur. They are one of my "surprise" championship contenders for next year.
</div>

I think they're a great team, they put together a nice streak in the playoffs, I just don't know if that team will keep it up though. They remind me of Dallas when they had Nash, they need another piece to get them over the hump and into the finals. I think LA matches up with them nicely in a 7 game series.


<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I still doubt you get Luther Head for Brian freaking Cook. </div>

When I heard this rumor, I laughed. I thought it was made up by the L.A. media, but then I saw that the Houston Chronicle reported that L.A. was contemplating an offer of Luther Head for Brian Cook, I laughed at how stupid Houston would be to do this. I'd love for it to happen, but I don't think Houston is that stupid. They can't be, they don't have Jim or Mitch.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Allso your proposed JO trade doesn't really come close to making it work salary cap wise. You would need something like 4 more million to be included. That is only 13 mil in salary while Jermaine will be making 19.7 which doesn't work in the 115% trade clause. The only real options are Brian Cook+Maurice Evans or Vlad. At worst you have to get 17.13 mil. Which is why either the Pacers will have to either get both or at least get the #19 pick for taking either Vlad or Brian Cook or it's not likely to work without Odom in the mix. That would leave you with basically Luke Walton and Lamar Odom as trade bait, so I really really really really hope that JO/Kobe/Odom works out for you, because if it doesn't you guys are screwed.</div>

Obviously there will be fillers, but the only way a JO deal is done is if Indy takes Bynum, the 19, Kwame, and fillers. No way do we give up Odom and Bynum in the same deal, we've made it clear as day light. Hell, Kobe doesn't even want us to trade Odom. Jim Buss will never let go of Bynum though, so honestly, I think we can kiss Kobe good bye.

However, I think a team of Kobe, Lamar, and JO gives us an outside shot at contending. If we re-signed Walton, there are a couple of lineups we could throw out there.

PG, Kobe, Walton, Odom, Jermaine
PG, Kobe, Odom, Jermaine, C
Odom, Kobe, Walton, Jermaine, C

 

<div class="quote_poster">Phreeze Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Had Indiana not had Mike Dunleavy we probably could have packaged him in a sign and trade to Indiana. He's a Larry Bird kind of player, and we probably could have worked something out if they ever realized they won't get Bynum AND Odom. Kwame, Bynum, Walton and the 19th would have been a perfect trade, although Indiana really still gets the short end of the stick. That would have left us with:

C: Jermaine O'Neal
PF: Lamar Odom
SF: Vlad Radmanovic
SG: Kobe Bryant
PG: MLE F/A

I still believe once Radman got his surgery he could be a serviceable starter. Maybe not a very solid one, but one that would spread the defense with his 3pt shooting. He was known in Seattle for being a bad defender, but in those few minutes spent on the court last season was much better than I had expected. Damn, that lineup would be long as hell too..

Yes I know I'm just dreaming here, but we haven't had much to get happy about in L.A. recently so what the hell...</div>

Statistically Radman, was actually one of our better defenders last year, based on defensive stops.

<div class='codetop'>CODE</div><div class='codemain'>Andrew BynumC38217930.213050753<br/>Ronny TuriafPF/C23110870.2125115<br/>Kwame BrownC23911320.211130742<br/>Lamar OdomF44922020.20390554<br/>Brian CookPF20010180.196463654<br/>Kobe BryantSG58631400.186624204<br/>Vladimir RadmanovicF1839860.185598377<br/>Aaron McKiePG241310.183206107<br/>Sasha VujacicG1709350.181818182<br/>Smush ParkerPG44524570.181115181<br/>Jordan FarmarPG19710900.180733945<br/>Luke WaltonF35419820.178607467<br/>Shammond WilliamsPG593450.171014493<br/>Maurice EvansSG27517320.158775982</div>

This is a breakdown of average defensive stops per minute from last year.