<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>EL SEGUNDO -- Kobe Bryant the scorer or Kobe Bryant the distributor? Judging by the past three games, the Lakers won't know which player will emerge when they face a challenge tonight in the first of two road games against San Antonio and Dallas. The Lakers have morphed into opposite forms since center Andrew Bynum suffered a knee injury Jan. 13. From Bryant's 44-shot outburst against Seattle to his 11-assist performance against Denver on Monday, the appropriate theme for the immediate future might be adaptation. "You just have to read the game and see what might work best on any given night," Bryant said. "You just have to read the tempo, read your teammates and how they're playing and just adjust." With Denver swarming Bryant at every opportunity, Bryant had only seven shot attempts, his lowest total since he went 5 for 7 against Minnesota on Nov. 7, 2006, in his third game back from offseason knee surgery. Bryant said a game like Monday was satisfying and called it "the best scenario for us where I can just pick spots to attack." It also might have been a blueprint for how to play against a team with a dominant center. "The closer I am to the basket with the basketball the more defenses have to be concerned about that," Bryant said. "Whenever we can make plays, compromise their defense by double-teaming, it makes our life a lot easier." Whether the Lakers can use this strategy against San Antonio will be telling. The Spurs are third in the NBA in points allowed while the Lakers are third in scoring. San Antonio will have a healthy Tim Duncan and Tony Parker, who missed the last meeting. Bynum got ejected and was not a factor in that Dec. 13 game, a 102-97 Lakers victory at Staples Center. "This is a different team," Coach Phil Jackson said of the Spurs. "This is a defensive team. San Antonio is all about defense and how they're going to play you. Scores are low. We're going to have to eke out points and hope we can defend better than the last time we were in San Antonio."</div> Source: OC Register
A promising first half and complete collapse after halftime. Going in I didn't expect us to win this game, but I hate how we lost it. We actually outplayed the Spurs for 3 of the 4 quarters, but the one quarter we lost they really laid the smackdown on our squad. Turiaf needs more PT when Kobe is on the court.
**** Lamar Odom. If you can't figure out this post, then re-watch the game. I turned it off, I was so furious with that pathetic piece of shit pussy. ****ing bitch doesn't deserve to wear a Laker jersey. ****ing worthless. He's got the same exact state of mind as Kwame Brown, the only difference is he's a better basketball player.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Black Mamba @ Jan 24 2008, 02:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>**** Lamar Odom. If you can't figure out this post, then re-watch the game. I turned it off, I was so furious with that pathetic piece of shit pussy. ****ing bitch doesn't deserve to wear a Laker jersey. ****ing worthless. He's got the same exact state of mind as Kwame Brown, the only difference is he's a better basketball player.</div> On the bright side Phoenix lost to the TWolves last night.
Yeah, but I don't think there is a bright side to last night's loss. We had that game at half time, and the offense came out flat. Everyone stood around and watched Kobe dribble, he was directing people...and no one moved. Lamar did absolutely nothing last night, he got frustrated and fouled people. I'm done with this idiot.
It could end up costing us Turiaf or Ariza if we acquired Ben Wallace. If we acquired Big Ben we would need to make another trade to dump Odom for a cheaper replacement. Ben Wallace isn't the DPOY caliber player anymore. He's declined almost as bad as Shaq has.
Why would it cost us Turiaf or Ariza, that makes no sense. I thought the deal being discussed was Kwame and Vlad.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Black Mamba @ Jan 24 2008, 05:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Why would it cost us Turiaf or Ariza, that makes no sense. I thought the deal being discussed was Kwame and Vlad.</div> We might not have the cap space to re-sign them this off-season. Both are going to be free agents and the team also needs to extend Bynum's contract.
Turiaf is a draft pick, I thought they could be re-signed regardless if their team is over the cap. Or else most teams couldn't re-sign their picks. I don't know what the rules are on re-signing a player who isn't a draft pick, and the team is over the cap. Tmac was traded to the Rockets, and given an extension and I don't think they were under the cap by 20 mill or whatever.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Lavalamp @ Jan 24 2008, 06:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Turiaf is a draft pick, I thought they could be re-signed regardless if their team is over the cap. Or else most teams couldn't re-sign their picks. I don't know what the rules are on re-signing a player who isn't a draft pick, and the team is over the cap. Tmac was traded to the Rockets, and given an extension and I don't think they were under the cap by 20 mill or whatever.</div> They can match any offer for Turiaf, but the Lakers want to avoid paying the luxury tax. The risk we run into is another team offering Turiaf more than what we originally planned on. Kobe's and Odom's contracts increase next year to $21M & $14.5M Adding Ben Wallace would be another $14.5M on next year's cap. That adds up to $50M on just three players.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Shapecity @ Jan 24 2008, 06:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Black Mamba @ Jan 24 2008, 05:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Why would it cost us Turiaf or Ariza, that makes no sense. I thought the deal being discussed was Kwame and Vlad.</div> We might not have the cap space to re-sign them this off-season. Both are going to be free agents and the team also needs to extend Bynum's contract. </div> I'm not really worried about resigning Turiaf. He'll be back no matter what, as long as we offer him a fair contract. Remember, we stayed with him and supported him even when his basketball career was in doubt. We payed for his heart surgery, and I believe we even offered him a scouting job overseas if he couldn't return to the court. We've been loyal to him since day one. Los Angeles loves Ronny, and Ronny loves Los Angeles. He'll be back, even if it means taking a paycut. As for Ariza, I believe he has a player option for next season. Given how he is already injured and out for 8 weeks, I really don't see him opting out unless he plays out of his mind at the end of the season. Plus, he is an LA native. I'm not really worried about resigning either, at least for the time being. They'll both be back next year IMO
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Shapecity @ Jan 24 2008, 06:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Lavalamp @ Jan 24 2008, 06:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Turiaf is a draft pick, I thought they could be re-signed regardless if their team is over the cap. Or else most teams couldn't re-sign their picks. I don't know what the rules are on re-signing a player who isn't a draft pick, and the team is over the cap. Tmac was traded to the Rockets, and given an extension and I don't think they were under the cap by 20 mill or whatever.</div> They can match any offer for Turiaf, but the Lakers want to avoid paying the luxury tax. The risk we run into is another team offering Turiaf more than what we originally planned on. Kobe's and Odom's contracts increase next year to $21M & $14.5M Adding Ben Wallace would be another $14.5M on next year's cap. That adds up to $50M on just three players. </div> Well if the trade didn't take place, you would have Kobe + Odom's contracts + Kwame's replacement (say 4 mill) + a useless player in Space Cadet. (6 mill) So you're looking at 45 mill on 4 players, one of whom is a waste of space. I actually agree with you about not trading for Ben Wallce. I just thought the Lakers could trade for Wallace and keep Turiaf, and taking Wallace's contract is bad, but not terrible just because Space Cadet and his contract is traded to the Bulls. I don't know if anyone knows but can a team re-sign a player if they aren't a draft pick and the team is over the cap?
Odom will have a huge contract next season, but it's expiring. Like I said before, if we decide to shop him, I'm sure there will be interest from a lot of teams.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Lavalamp @ Jan 24 2008, 07:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Shapecity @ Jan 24 2008, 06:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Lavalamp @ Jan 24 2008, 06:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Turiaf is a draft pick, I thought they could be re-signed regardless if their team is over the cap. Or else most teams couldn't re-sign their picks. I don't know what the rules are on re-signing a player who isn't a draft pick, and the team is over the cap. Tmac was traded to the Rockets, and given an extension and I don't think they were under the cap by 20 mill or whatever.</div> They can match any offer for Turiaf, but the Lakers want to avoid paying the luxury tax. The risk we run into is another team offering Turiaf more than what we originally planned on. Kobe's and Odom's contracts increase next year to $21M & $14.5M Adding Ben Wallace would be another $14.5M on next year's cap. That adds up to $50M on just three players. </div> Well if the trade didn't take place, you would have Kobe + Odom's contracts + Kwame's replacement (say 4 mill) + a useless player in Space Cadet. (6 mill) So you're looking at 45 mill on 4 players, one of whom is a waste of space. I actually agree with you about not trading for Ben Wallce. I just thought the Lakers could trade for Wallace and keep Turiaf, and taking Wallace's contract is bad, but not terrible just because Space Cadet and his contract is traded to the Bulls. I don't know if anyone knows but can a team re-sign a player if they aren't a draft pick and the team is over the cap? </div> Yes they can if they own his Bird Right's or he has played for the same team for 3 consecutive seasons prior to being traded.
I don't think you can factor in loyalty anymore when it comes to sports. I'm sure Ronny's first and second choice would be to stay with the Lakers, but you can't hold anything against him if he leaves for a better offer and a better opportunity. If the Lakers traded for Wallace what role would Ronny have? Bench warmer again? In order for him to develop he needs more PT and if the Lakers acquire Big Ben than Ronny's role wouldn't expand with the team. I just think there's too, much risk at hand with Ben Wallace than he's worth.
Ronnie doesn't have a future starting spot with this team and he's not even starting now. I don't see what kicking him to the bench again will do? If we move him from the bench mob, then it'll only disrupt our bench. Hell, when Bynum's healthy, Ronny will go back to getting next to no minutes. Ronny Turiaf is nothing special, he's another player that can be easily replaced. If he wants to turn his back on the Lakers, everything they've done for him...then so be it, shake his hand and tell him good luck.
Production wise, Ronny's just another bench player who brings in energy when called apon. There are plenty of other energy players around the league, so production wise, if he does leave, it won't be that hard to fill his shoes. But the chemistry and the intangibles he brings off the court are not easily replaced. Anyways, like I said before, I don't see Ronny leaving us. Say what you want about loyalty being non-existant these days, but I do believe that Ronny will stay loyal to this organization. If it wasn't for the front office, he may not be playing in the NBA today (who knows?). At the end of the day, I still see Ronny returning next season. Hopefully I'm right, because he is easily my third favorite player on the roster (behind Kobe and Andrew) I cannot imagine this current team without him
