<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>L.A. Times - Three days before the start of a season prefaced by a summer of discontent and a fall of uncertainty for <u>Kobe Bryant</u>, the Lakers guard is still not fully committed to the team in the opinion of his coach, Phil Jackson. "Obviously he hasn't thrown his heart and soul into performing on the floor," Jackson said after practice Saturday at the team's El Segundo training facility. "That hurts me a little bit. . . . He was going to work at this thing and [would] put his full being into this. Right now, he's having a hard time doing that." Asked specifically what Bryant is struggling with, Jackson replied, "Mentally getting himself here and playing hard. . . . Is that a surprise to you guys? I mean I'm not breaking new news." It came as news to Bryant, who responded to Jackson's remarks by denying any lack of commitment on his part. "That [should be] the least of his concerns or anybody's concerns," Bryant said. "You don't have to worry about that. . . . I'm ready to play. Period. You don't have to worry about me."</div></p> http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/488...nts_commitment/</p> With all the talks about it getting done in November, PJ Brown has to be back in the mix. I think Paxson is being too generous if he is offering Hinrich and Nocioni for Kobe. Thats way too much. Paxson is being too generous with that offer. Its time to play hardball. If Kobe goes out there tanking, that will completely force the Lakers hands.</p> My final offer would be: PJ Brown, Luol Deng, Viktar Khryapa, and Chris Duhon for Kobe Bryant and Jordan Farmar.</p> Its a shame that we have to give up Chris Duhon to balance out the salaries.</p> That would give us</p> PG-Kirk Hinrich/Thabo Sefolosha SG-Ben Gordon/Kobe Bryant/Thabo Sefolosha SF-Kobe Bryant/Andres Nocioni PF-Tyrus Thomas/Joe Smith/Joakim Noah C- Ben Wallace/Aaron Gray</p> Thats pretty damn good. Even after that, I think you have to heavily pursue a Nocioni, Noah, and Tyrus for a bigman trade (ala going the Boston route, and cashing in our youth). Amare Stoudemire is option number one. Then Elton Brand. Then JO as a last option.</p> PJ Brown, Viktar Khryapa, and Gordon/Hinrich works, and can be done before December 15th. I'd try to cash in on the overhyping of Luol Deng right now, and ship him off if were hellbent on trading for Kobe.</p>
Are you serious BG7? Hinrich and Nocioni TOO MUCH for Kobe? Care to explain?</p> Your final offer of Deng plus fillers wouldn't happen. Bulls have already said that their not trading him. So your saying we'd only get one starter, not even an allstar yet plus some garbage for Kobe AND Farmar? This is probably one of the biggest pipe dreams I've ever heard.</p> Then Mitch will trade Ronny Turiaf, Brian Cook and Sasha for Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson. </p>
If the Lakers want to rebuild from scratch, they would want to put out a team that gives them a shot at front-of-the-lottery picks and big expiring contracts. If they get 3 new starters who aren't good enough to build a championship contender around, they're going to be in the same boat with different faces: good enough to make playoffs, not good enough to advance deep, and left with mid or late draft picks.</p> </p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BG7 Lavigne)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'> L.A. Times - Three days before the start of a season prefaced by a summer of discontent and a fall of uncertainty for <u>Kobe Bryant</u>, the Lakers guard is still not fully committed to the team in the opinion of his coach, Phil Jackson. "Obviously he hasn't thrown his heart and soul into performing on the floor," Jackson said after practice Saturday at the team's El Segundo training facility. "That hurts me a little bit. . . . He was going to work at this thing and [would] put his full being into this. Right now, he's having a hard time doing that." Asked specifically what Bryant is struggling with, Jackson replied, "Mentally getting himself here and playing hard. . . . Is that a surprise to you guys? I mean I'm not breaking new news." It came as news to Bryant, who responded to Jackson's remarks by denying any lack of commitment on his part. "That [should be] the least of his concerns or anybody's concerns," Bryant said. "You don't have to worry about that. . . . I'm ready to play. Period. You don't have to worry about me."</div></p> http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/488...nts_commitment/</p> With all the talks about it getting done in November, PJ Brown has to be back in the mix. I think Paxson is being too generous if he is offering Hinrich and Nocioni for Kobe. Thats way too much. Paxson is being too generous with that offer. Its time to play hardball. If Kobe goes out there tanking, that will completely force the Lakers hands.</p> My final offer would be: PJ Brown, Luol Deng, Viktar Khryapa, and Chris Duhon for Kobe Bryant and Jordan Farmar.</p> Its a shame that we have to give up Chris Duhon to balance out the salaries.</p> That would give us</p> PG-Kirk Hinrich/Thabo Sefolosha SG-Ben Gordon/Kobe Bryant/Thabo Sefolosha SF-Kobe Bryant/Andres Nocioni PF-Tyrus Thomas/Joe Smith/Joakim Noah C- Ben Wallace/Aaron Gray</p> Thats pretty damn good. Even after that, I think you have to heavily pursue a Nocioni, Noah, and Tyrus for a bigman trade (ala going the Boston route, and cashing in our youth). Amare Stoudemire is option number one. Then Elton Brand. Then JO as a last option.</p> PJ Brown, Viktar Khryapa, and Gordon/Hinrich works, and can be done before December 15th. I'd try to cash in on the overhyping of Luol Deng right now, and ship him off if were hellbent on trading for Kobe.</p> </div></p> You are clearly delusional. Not only will the Lakers have to trade away Kobe for this package, they will also have to deal away Jordan Famar? Please, put down the pipe. We are in no desparate need to trade Kobe. If he really wants to win as much as he says he wants to, he'll opt out of his contract next offseason saving us a shitload of money. We'd be better off with Kobe opting out rather than accepting that garbage trade. What do you think we are? The Boston Celtics and the Minnesota Timberwolves? You think the Lakers are just going to hand over the best player in the league? You think the Lakers are just going hand you guys a championship? Please put down the pipe. You produce some of the most retarded posts I have ever seen.</p>
Kobe is not the best player in the league first off. Secondly, Kobe does not mean a championship. See LA....he means average team...hardly good enough to make the playoffs.</p> How is that a bad offer? An up and coming star and cap flexibility is fair value. The next logical move would be to trade Lamar Odom for an expiring contract and a young guy.</p> Lakers fans are a little delusional in what they are expecting for Kobe. If Kobe was a powerforward or center pulling this, you couldn't even expect one of Hinrich, Gordon, or Deng. Bulls would just say no. The only reason the Lakers have an option to possibly snag one of those, because Kobe would needs to play at either shooting guard or small forward, thus moving one of those out of there to make room for Kobe.</p> Vince Carter for Alonzo Mourning, Aaron Williams, Eric Williams, Two First Round Draft Picks</p> Allen Iverson and Ivan McFarlin for Andre Miller, Joe Smith, and Two First Round Draft Picks.</p> Shaquille O'neal for Caron Butler, Lamar Odom, Brian Grant, and a first round draft pick.</p> Kevin Garnett for Gerald Green, Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Sebastian Telfair, and a first round draft pick.</p> Scottie Pippen for Roy Rogers and a second round pick.</p> Charles Barkley for Jeff Hornacek, Tim Perry, and Andrew Lang</p> Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for Elmore Smith, Brian Winters, Dave Meyers, and Junior Bridgeman</p> Tracy McGrady, Juwan Howard, Tyronn Lue, and Reece Gaines for Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley, and Kelvin Cato.</p> Lakers fans are just going to be disappointed when they discover the true trade value of Kobe. Its much less than what they're expecting. Kobe isn't going to defy the rules of superstar trades in the NBA.</p> </p> </p>
It'll be intersting if Kobe keeps up his preseason level of play.</p> Per 40 he'd be averaging: 24.6 PPG (53.5 TS%), 6.5 RPG, 7.4 APG 9.3 TO (yikes!)</p> Anyhow, an update.</p> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><font face="Arial"> Kobe Update: As is required, here is the Kobe Bryant Update… He's still a Laker… He's going to remain a Laker… at least for the immediate future. Here are the things to know… Despite reports from other outlets, The Bulls are less interested in Kobe Bryant than anyone is giving them credit for. To say there is "no interest" in Kobe is not the case, but to say that the Bulls are open to trading five players for one – is also not the case. A highly placed Bulls' source explains that the interest in Kobe gets jaded because in order to line up enough salary to nab him, the Bulls would have to trade almost all of their core assets – something no one in Chicago is open to. The Bulls would trade two core assets and filler for Kobe, but the idea of trading Ben Gordon and Luol Deng is not on the table, and Bull's sources say it won't be on the table any time soon. There have been reports that suggest there are "daily" discussions regarding the Bulls and the Lakers - which is not as accurate as it sounds. The two sides do talk, because the Lakers know the only team Bryant is open to a trade with is Chicago, so regular discussions with say Atlanta is pointless. <font size="5">Chicago is clearly in the driver's seat on a deal, and they are in absolutely no rush to make a change.</font> The Bulls' source reminds that the Bulls are not built for Kobe Bryant and trying to replace four roster slots before the season opens would be tough. It was suggested that while the Bulls are not closed to a deal for Kobe Bryant – it is far more likely this thing gets resolved in the off-season than the first week of the regular season. Discussions aren't dead, but <font size="5">any deal with the Bulls will be on their terms.</font></div></font></p> <font face="Arial">http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=5818 </font></p>
<div> although they are still discussing it... i am 100% sure the deal that the Bulls F.O., Lakers F.O. and KOBE will acceptc and agree upon is "Kobe for Gordon, Nocioni, Sefolosha, Thomas OR Noah (dont care pretty much the same) and around 3 - 4 picks"</p> Its the only win - win situation, or at least the fairest even though they are getting the best player, for both teams that would satisfy both teams... i'd love to see deng in the P&G but i know where paxson is getting at... Kobe can EASILY replace what Gordon brings to the court, but he cant replace what deng and hinrich can... Paxson (for sure) is trying to reincarnate the jordan - pippen duo... and Gordon can fill around 75% - 85% (if he is lucky LOL) of the scoring hole kobe will leave with the lakerswhen he leaves, thats where nocioni thabo and the other fillers come in...</p> Lakers: Fisher/Gordon/Walton/Odom/Bynum BN: Kwame, Mihm, ETC</p> Bulls: Hinrich/Kobe/Deng/PF/Big Ben BN: whoever</p> Best Scenario possible, believe me</p> </div>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BG7 Lavigne)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> Kobe is not the best player in the league first off. Secondly, Kobe does not mean a championship. See LA....he means average team...hardly good enough to make the playoffs.</p> How is that a bad offer? An up and coming star and cap flexibility is fair value. The next logical move would be to trade Lamar Odom for an expiring contract and a young guy.</p> Lakers fans are a little delusional in what they are expecting for Kobe. If Kobe was a powerforward or center pulling this, you couldn't even expect one of Hinrich, Gordon, or Deng. Bulls would just say no. The only reason the Lakers have an option to possibly snag one of those, because Kobe would needs to play at either shooting guard or small forward, thus moving one of those out of there to make room for Kobe.</p> Vince Carter for Alonzo Mourning, Aaron Williams, Eric Williams, Two First Round Draft Picks</p> Allen Iverson and Ivan McFarlin for Andre Miller, Joe Smith, and Two First Round Draft Picks.</p> Shaquille O'neal for Caron Butler, Lamar Odom, Brian Grant, and a first round draft pick.</p> Kevin Garnett for Gerald Green, Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Sebastian Telfair, and a first round draft pick.</p> Scottie Pippen for Roy Rogers and a second round pick.</p> Charles Barkley for Jeff Hornacek, Tim Perry, and Andrew Lang</p> Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for Elmore Smith, Brian Winters, Dave Meyers, and Junior Bridgeman</p> Tracy McGrady, Juwan Howard, Tyronn Lue, and Reece Gaines for Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley, and Kelvin Cato.</p> Lakers fans are just going to be disappointed when they discover the true trade value of Kobe. Its much less than what they're expecting. Kobe isn't going to defy the rules of superstar trades in the NBA.</p> </p> </p> </div></p> No one said Kobe by himself means championsip. How does Kobe mean average team? Thats the thing you don't get, the reason the Lakers aren't as good as they should be is because of the rest of the players on the team aren't performing well, you can't just blame it all on one player. Besides Kobe, the Bulls clearly have a better team then the Lakers. When you talk about the Lakers you're talking about Kobe, what happened to the rest of the players on the team?</p> Kobe IS the best player in the league, whether you want to admit it or not. That offer is bad because why would the Lakers even include Farmar? Since when did Kobe's value drop that low? That you can only get Deng whose not even one of the top players in this league. Why would the Lakers do that deal when they can get Howard who acually is better than Deng, and Jason Terry plus fillers without giving away Farmar.</p> Kobe is at his prime right now. Kobe is better than all of those players you listed below except Kevin Garnett. And look at the KG trade, they got a promising young big man in Jefferson, a future star in Green, a solid backup in Gomes and a young point gaurd in Telfair plus a 1st round draft pick. That package beats a Deng, PJ Brown and Duhon one by a mile.</p> All the trades you have proposed have been NBA live trades. Heavily in the Bulls favor.</p> Take Hoopsworld as a gain of salt. They are hardly ever right. I don't hear any of that in legit websites like ESPN.</p> </p> </p> </p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (kobe23)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> <div> although they are still discussing it... i am 100% sure the deal that the Bulls F.O., Lakers F.O. and KOBE will acceptc and agree upon is "Kobe for Gordon, Nocioni, Sefolosha, Thomas OR Noah (dont care pretty much the same) and around 3 - 4 picks"</p> Its the only win - win situation, or at least the fairest even though they are getting the best player, for both teams that would satisfy both teams... i'd love to see deng in the P&G but i know where paxson is getting at... Kobe can EASILY replace what Gordon brings to the court, but he cant replace what deng and hinrich can... Paxson (for sure) is trying to reincarnate the jordan - pippen duo... and Gordon can fill around 75% - 85% (if he is lucky LOL) of the scoring hole kobe will leave with the lakerswhen he leaves, thats where nocioni thabo and the other fillers come in...</p> Lakers: Fisher/Gordon/Walton/Odom/Bynum BN: Kwame, Mihm, ETC</p> Bulls: Hinrich/Kobe/Deng/PF/Big Ben BN: whoever</p> Best Scenario possible, believe me</p> </div> </div></p> I don't see the Bulls giving up one of the two bigs as you suggest (Thomas OR Noah), nor do I see them giving up more than one 1st pick and maybe a 2nd or two.</p> What I do see is Wallace + Gordon (+filler?) for Kobe + filler</p> Lakers: Fisher/Gordon/Odom/Wallace/Bynum BN: Walton, Kwame, Mihm, etc.</p> </p> </p>
BG7 Lavigne, I don't know where to start, so I'll do it later tonight or tomorrow. (don't have time right now)</p> But just wow, reading at your trade proposals, kobe not being the best player, etc etc. indeed wow.</p> </p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Denny Crane)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (kobe23)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> <div> although they are still discussing it... i am 100% sure the deal that the Bulls F.O., Lakers F.O. and KOBE will acceptc and agree upon is "Kobe for Gordon, Nocioni, Sefolosha, Thomas OR Noah (dont care pretty much the same) and around 3 - 4 picks"</p> Its the only win - win situation, or at least the fairest even though they are getting the best player, for both teams that would satisfy both teams... i'd love to see deng in the P&G but i know where paxson is getting at... Kobe can EASILY replace what Gordon brings to the court, but he cant replace what deng and hinrich can... Paxson (for sure) is trying to reincarnate the jordan - pippen duo... and Gordon can fill around 75% - 85% (if he is lucky LOL) of the scoring hole kobe will leave with the lakerswhen he leaves, thats where nocioni thabo and the other fillers come in...</p> Lakers: Fisher/Gordon/Walton/Odom/Bynum BN: Kwame, Mihm, ETC</p> Bulls: Hinrich/Kobe/Deng/PF/Big Ben BN: whoever</p> Best Scenario possible, believe me</p> </div> </div></p> I don't see the Bulls giving up one of the two bigs as you suggest (Thomas OR Noah), nor do I see them giving up more than one 1st pick and maybe a 2nd or two.</p> What I do see is Wallace + Gordon (+filler?) for Kobe + filler</p> Lakers: Fisher/Gordon/Odom/Wallace/Bynum BN: Walton, Kwame, Mihm, etc.</p> </div></p> Kobe said he doesn't want to go to Chicago unless Wallace is there.</p> </p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Denny Crane)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (kobe23)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> <div> although they are still discussing it... i am 100% sure the deal that the Bulls F.O., Lakers F.O. and KOBE will acceptc and agree upon is "Kobe for Gordon, Nocioni, Sefolosha, Thomas OR Noah (dont care pretty much the same) and around 3 - 4 picks"</p> Its the only win - win situation, or at least the fairest even though they are getting the best player, for both teams that would satisfy both teams... i'd love to see deng in the P&G but i know where paxson is getting at... Kobe can EASILY replace what Gordon brings to the court, but he cant replace what deng and hinrich can... Paxson (for sure) is trying to reincarnate the jordan - pippen duo... and Gordon can fill around 75% - 85% (if he is lucky LOL) of the scoring hole kobe will leave with the lakerswhen he leaves, thats where nocioni thabo and the other fillers come in...</p> Lakers: Fisher/Gordon/Walton/Odom/Bynum BN: Kwame, Mihm, ETC</p> Bulls: Hinrich/Kobe/Deng/PF/Big Ben BN: whoever</p> Best Scenario possible, believe me</p> </div> </div></p> I don't see the Bulls giving up one of the two bigs as you suggest (Thomas OR Noah), nor do I see them giving up more than one 1st pick and maybe a 2nd or two.</p> What I do see is Wallace + Gordon (+filler?) for Kobe + filler</p> Lakers: Fisher/Gordon/Odom/Wallace/Bynum BN: Walton, Kwame, Mihm, etc.</p> </div></p> </p> I see both as realistic, and they make sense. Didn't Bulls say no Deng?? Seems BG7 is pretty intent on keeping Ben around.</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumpman)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> Kobe said he doesn't want to go to Chicago unless Wallace is there.</p> </div></p> </p> Really...why not?</p> Oh yeah, and what does everyone think about Joe Smith being included in a trade? (obviously wouldn't happen till Dec.)</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kid Chocolate)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-lakere...1&cset=true</p> </div></p> </p> shoulda seen that coming.</p> <table width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" class="sectiontitlebar"> <tbody> <tr> </tr> </tbody> </table> <div class="headline18"><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Please Register or Log In</div> The story you requested is available only to registered members.</div></p> wtf is that??</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (peg182)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumpman)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> Kobe said he doesn't want to go to Chicago unless Wallace is there.</p> </div></p> </p> Really...why not?</p> Oh yeah, and what does everyone think about Joe Smith being included in a trade? (obviously wouldn't happen till Dec.)</p> </div></p> I'd rather just leave Kobe over in LA and continue to go with the team we have. I think its a bad idea to trade a 24 year old or 22 year old that are on the upswing, who have no potential lurking injury problems, for a guy thats aging, and has had knee surgery.</p> Its reasonable to assume that Gordon will up his averages to 24 PPG on 58 TS% in two years (when he'll be 26). Two seasons from now, will Kobe be able to match that? The only guard to match that in NBA History, is Michael Jordan, in the 95-96 season. Larry Bird matched it once, in 87-88, and Julius Erving once, in 81-82. So thats TWO swingmen....both Bird/Erving did it at age 31, Jordan at 32....highly unlikely for Kobe to match that more than once. Karl Malone matched that FOUR times, but he's a big man. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the only center to match that, doing it twice, at age 32 and 33. Is Kobe at the level of Jordan, Bird, Malone, and Kareem? I'd say not even close.</p> So if Kobe only has 2 years of being a better offensive player than Gordon...why do you make this trade. Gordon has 7 years of "prime" left, and Deng 9, using the decline at 31 rule that appears to be true for swingmen. Kirk Hinrich, since he is a point guard, will be able to be in a true prime later into his 30's.</p> I'm just not buying a trade for Kobe. It just seems like a bad idea. I know the casual NBA fan will want to trade all the "no name" Bulls players for "the name" in Kobe Bryant, thinking it means championships, but Kobe isn't good as his fans think he is. He is on his own level. Duncan/Lebron/Nash are the hierarchy of the NBA, then Dirk/Wade on their level, than you have Kobe on his level, which is just above T-Mac. He's not that Duncan/Lebron player in which you feel comfortable that he is going to take you far, just by himself. Kobe isn't that good. He's not a franchise player, definitely a franchise cornertsone, but not a franchise player, Lebron/Duncan are the only two franchise players left in the league (wtih Shaq's decline), and those are the only types of players you mortgage large portions of your team for.</p> A big man trade makes more sense, consolidating their big man youth of Tyrus Thomas, Joakim Noah, and then Nocioni or Thabo Sefolosha and fillers for a developed big man. Kobe makes no sense. Bulls have one of the best 1-3 in the league, thats their strong point, no use in trading for a player in those positions, trade for a new big man by consolidating up our big man youth. That would make us prime championship favorites...trading good players for Kobe in a lateral move will not.</p> </p>
[quote name='BG7 Lavigne']</p> Kobe is not the best player in the league first off. Secondly, Kobe does not mean a championship. See LA....he means average team...hardly good enough to make the playoffs.[/quote]</p> First of all, do not argue with me about Kobe not being the best player in the league. I already responded to some of your dumbass posts a while back in the random thought thread about how Kobe is better than Wade and Lebron, yet you never responded back.</p> </p> How the hell is that not a bad offer? For starters, the only attractive piece in the deal is Luol Deng. Then, you surround him with aging vets / nobodies. That is a HORRIBLE deal for the Lakers. I would much rather prefer Terry/Howard and Johnson/Prince/Hamilton over that garbage package any day of the week. You are clearly delusional if you think that package will seel the deal. That package is even worse than the Shaq trade, which gave us two young up and coming players in Lamar Odom and Caron Butler. If you think the Lakers are just going to hand you Kobe, think again. We are in no rush to trade him.</p> </p> So? Then Kobe doesn't go to Chicago. Plain and simple. You are making it sound like the Lakers owe it to the Bulls by handing away Kobe for junk. We do not owe the Bulls ANYTHING</p> </p> First of all, the Garnett and Shaq deal are way better thanthat crap you are currently proposing.The Houston and Orlando deal was fair at the time, until Francis got injured. Kobe Bryant is the best player in the league right now. No way will we just throw a fire sale and accept the best deal that's thrown to us. We are in no rush to trade Kobe, definetely not for one of your garbage packages. And if you think this Bulls team can win a championship, good for you. Personally, I feel they are levels away from Phoenix, Dallas, and San Antonio. I would even rank them behind the Celtics and maybe even the Pistons. Continue on with your retarded trade packages. Just keep in mind that if you were the Chicago Bull's GM, and you offered Mitch that retarded package, even Mitch himself would be laughing his ass off</p> </p> </p> [/QUOTE]</p> </p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BG7 Lavigne)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (peg182)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumpman)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> Kobe said he doesn't want to go to Chicago unless Wallace is there.</p> </div></p> </p> Really...why not?</p> Oh yeah, and what does everyone think about Joe Smith being included in a trade? (obviously wouldn't happen till Dec.)</p> </div></p> I'd rather just leave Kobe over in LA and continue to go with the team we have. I think its a bad idea to trade a 24 year old or 22 year old that are on the upswing, who have no potential lurking injury problems, for a guy thats aging, and has had knee surgery.</p> Its reasonable to assume that Gordon will up his averages to 24 PPG on 58 TS% in two years (when he'll be 26). Two seasons from now, will Kobe be able to match that? The only guard to match that in NBA History, is Michael Jordan, in the 95-96 season. Larry Bird matched it once, in 87-88, and Julius Erving once, in 81-82. So thats TWO swingmen....both Bird/Erving did it at age 31, Jordan at 32....highly unlikely for Kobe to match that more than once. Karl Malone matched that FOUR times, but he's a big man. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the only center to match that, doing it twice, at age 32 and 33. Is Kobe at the level of Jordan, Bird, Malone, and Kareem? I'd say not even close.</p> So if Kobe only has 2 years of being a better offensive player than Gordon...why do you make this trade. Gordon has 7 years of "prime" left, and Deng 9, using the decline at 31 rule that appears to be true for swingmen. Kirk Hinrich, since he is a point guard, will be able to be in a true prime later into his 30's.</p> I'm just not buying a trade for Kobe. It just seems like a bad idea. I know the casual NBA fan will want to trade all the "no name" Bulls players for "the name" in Kobe Bryant, thinking it means championships, but Kobe isn't good as his fans think he is. He is on his own level. Duncan/Lebron/Nash are the hierarchy of the NBA, then Dirk/Wade on their level, than you have Kobe on his level, which is just above T-Mac. He's not that Duncan/Lebron player in which you feel comfortable that he is going to take you far, just by himself. Kobe isn't that good. He's not a franchise player, definitely a franchise cornertsone, but not a franchise player, Lebron/Duncan are the only two franchise players left in the league (wtih Shaq's decline), and those are the only types of players you mortgage large portions of your team for.</p> A big man trade makes more sense, consolidating their big man youth of Tyrus Thomas, Joakim Noah, and then Nocioni or Thabo Sefolosha and fillers for a developed big man. Kobe makes no sense. Bulls have one of the best 1-3 in the league, thats their strong point, no use in trading for a player in those positions, trade for a new big man by consolidating up our big man youth. That would make us prime championship favorites...trading good players for Kobe in a lateral move will not.</p> </p> </div></p> If you don't want Kobe then that's fine. We are not forced to trade you Kobe. I don't believe you guys will win a championship with the current roster, but that is just my opinion.</p>
[quote name='Brian']</p> [quote name='BG7 Lavigne']</p> Kobe is not the best player in the league first off. Secondly, Kobe does not mean a championship. See LA....he means average team...hardly good enough to make the playoffs.[/quote]</p> First of all, do not argue with me about Kobe not being the best player in the league. I already responded to some of your dumbass posts a while back in the random thought thread about how Kobe is better than Wade and Lebron, yet you never responded back.</p> </p> How the hell is that not a bad offer? For starters, the only attractive piece in the deal is Luol Deng. Then, you surround him with aging vets / nobodies. That is a HORRIBLE deal for the Lakers. I would much rather prefer Terry/Howard and Johnson/Prince/Hamilton over that garbage package any day of the week. You are clearly delusional if you think that package will seel the deal. That package is even worse than the Shaq trade, which gave us two young up and coming players in Lamar Odom and Caron Butler. If you think the Lakers are just going to hand you Kobe, think again. We are in no rush to trade him.</p> </p> So? Then Kobe doesn't go to Chicago. Plain and simple. You are making it sound like the Lakers owe it to the Bulls by handing away Kobe for junk. We do not owe the Bulls ANYTHING</p> </p> First of all, the Garnett and Shaq deal are way better thanthat crap you are currently proposing.The Houston and Orlando deal was fair at the time, until Francis got injured. Kobe Bryant is the best player in the league right now. No way will we just throw a fire sale and accept the best deal that's thrown to us. We are in no rush to trade Kobe, definetely not for one of your garbage packages. And if you think this Bulls team can win a championship, good for you. Personally, I feel they are levels away from Phoenix, Dallas, and San Antonio. I would even rank them behind the Celtics and maybe even the Pistons. Continue on with your retarded trade packages. Just keep in mind that if you were the Chicago Bull's GM, and you offered Mitch that retarded package, even Mitch himself would be laughing his ass off</p> </p> </p> [/QUOTE]</p> </p> [/QUOTE]</p> Seems like you have failed to come to grips with what trading Kobe means. Trading Kobe means the Lakers are rebuilding.</p> You clearly don't understand how the NBA works. Yeah, Duhon (good backup PG), Khryapa, and Brown are crap...but they are a valuable asset in the NBA. They are all expiring.</p> The next logical move would be to trade Lamar Odom to a contender. Something like Lamar Odom, Jordan Farmar and Vladmir Radmanovic for Jason Williams, Ricky Davis, and Dorell Wright.</p> Now, the Lakers would have under contract for 2008-2009:</p> Luol Deng (Resigned at 10 million starting) Dorell Wright (Resigned at 4 million?) Luke Walton- 4.4 million Brian Cook- 3.5 million Andrew Bynum- 2.7 million Javaris Crittenton- 1.4 million Chris Mihm- 3 million??? Derek Fisher- 3 million ??? Rony Turiaf- 1 million???? Thats 33 million under contract. </p> The idea is for that team to go out this year, and absolutely suck, getting the Lakers the #1 draft pick (Derrick Rose).</p> So that puts them at about 38 million...so about 20 million in capspace next summer. Maybe entice Gilbert Arenas back...and then sign Varejao with the rest.</p> Go out there with PG- Gilbert Arenas SG- Derrick Rose SF- Luol Deng PF- Anderson Varejao C- Andrew Bynum</p> Its called rebuilding. I don't see whats so hard to understand about that concept.</p> </p> </p> </p>
