what about the Bobcats being in contention, they arent that bad, could make SOME (key word some) noise go raptors
Oh Mamba, were Kurt Rambis and Brian Shaw around after the first time Phil left? if they were, why weren't they used as head coach? Oh and can you imagine that the Bobcats win 6 of the next 10 championships.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Lavalamp @ May 19 2008, 04:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Oh Mamba, were Kurt Rambis and Brian Shaw around after the first time Phil left? if they were, why weren't they used as head coach? Oh and can you imagine that the Bobcats win 6 of the next 10 championships.</div> Shaw was very raw when Phil first left, as a coach. He's had years to groom his style. He dreams of being a coach, he has the respect of every single Laker player, and he wants to run the triangle with a more up tempo feel to it when he does indeed become a head coach. Using Shaw and Rambis as examples when Phil first left is a very piss poor example. Nobody was looking at them to be head coaches at the time...now both are on team's lists to be interviewed.
Like most have already said, we can't really be considered a "dynasty" without winning a championship first. But I believe this current roster has the potential to contend for the next five seasons, asuming we keep most of the important players together. A lot of it also depends on Bynum. What will his status be after the surgery? Can he continue to work hard and improve every offseason? It's really hard to make predictions now, but our future definitely looks bright.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Black Mamba @ May 19 2008, 04:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (o.iatlhawksfan @ May 19 2008, 04:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>After 2010 the championships will be dominated by Portland, Orlando, and Atlanta will steal a couple.</div> LOL Atlanta? A sub .500 team in the pathetic east, this year? Don't get too big headed because you pushed Boston to 7. You guys are far away. Orlando and Atlanta are going to top L.A., Utah, and New Orleans? It's a new era in the west with the Lakers, Jazz, and Hornets taking the reigns from the Mavericks, Spurs, and Suns. Atlanta doesn't sniff a championship in the next 10 years. </div> Are you forgetting that the Hawks were the youngest team in playoff history, and already have a foundation in place. A strong front line of Al Horford, Josh Smith, and Marvin Williams all who have all-star potential, and are supposed to be finishing their senior year of college. Joe Johnson who is already prven, and Acie Law who has shown glimpse of being a great PG. And why are you making a big deal about their record this season, just for seasons ago the Hornets had 18 wins.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Black Mamba @ May 19 2008, 04:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I don't think we will be seeing any GM's giving away Pau Gasol level talent for WNBA level talent (Kwame Brown) for awhile. Atlanta has a lot of good young pieces, but I think there are just too many better teams that are also young (LAL, POR, NO, ORL, UTAH). Can Atlanta makes the Finals...yeah, but I don't see their young talent being better than any of the three teams listed from the West.</div> in two years Bynum contract will be up, and he'll most likely will be asking for 10+ mil a year, you'll have Kobe at 23 million, Pau Gasol at 16 million, Lamar Odom would either be gone, or have already signed a big contract extension. All of these players with low salary will eventually want a bigger contract.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (o.iatlhawksfan @ May 19 2008, 05:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Black Mamba @ May 19 2008, 04:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I don't think we will be seeing any GM's giving away Pau Gasol level talent for WNBA level talent (Kwame Brown) for awhile. Atlanta has a lot of good young pieces, but I think there are just too many better teams that are also young (LAL, POR, NO, ORL, UTAH). Can Atlanta makes the Finals...yeah, but I don't see their young talent being better than any of the three teams listed from the West.</div> in two years Bynum contract will be up, and he'll most likely will be asking for 10+ mil a year, you'll have Kobe at 23 million, Pau Gasol at 16 million, Lamar Odom would either be gone, or have already signed a big contract extension. All of these players with low salary will eventually want a bigger contract. </div> I'm betting that Kobe will take a paycut to keep this team intact. especially if this team wins a title this season and/or next. Kobe wants to win, even if it means to sacrifice a few million. Pocket Change to him. Contracts are just basics to a guy at his stature. Endorsements are the big deals only the superstars get. He can make room to keep the core together and still make huge $$$ of endorsements that will return now that all his legal problems are finally behind him. Even if Odom is gone, Bynum/Gasol/Kobe. WOW! You dont think Atlanta's stars wont ask for an increase salary either? They are all borderline all-stars like you have mentioned yourself... In a couple years, Josh Smith, Al Horford, Acie Law, and Williams? They might just command some bigger contracts themselves.
Which is why Lamar will probably be gone unless he decides to take a paycut. But that's not really a problem because Bynum can easily replace Lamar's production, and more. Plus, we have guys like Trevor Ariza who can easily fill in for Lamar. I'm also skeptical on LO, sure, he has played terrifically ever since the allstar break, but once Bynum returns, his role on this team will change drastically. He will most likely be moved over to the small forward position, and that worries me because he has no range, he has a very inconsistent jumper, and I'm not so sure if he can stay in front of other quicker forwards. Also, Jerry Buss doesn't have any problem pay luxary tax if it keeps us in contention for the championship, so I'm not really that worried about financial problems.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (o.iatlhawksfan @ May 19 2008, 05:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>LOL Kobe taking a paycut, that's wishful thinking.</div> LOL at the Hawks winning a championship. That's wishful thinking
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (o.iatlhawksfan @ May 19 2008, 05:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>LOL Kobe taking a paycut, that's wishful thinking.</div> Yeah, thats the same thing people were saying about Kobe being a ballhog just a few seasons ago. I laugh at them now, just like I'll be laughing at you when contract time comes rolling around....
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Brian @ May 19 2008, 05:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (o.iatlhawksfan @ May 19 2008, 05:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>LOL Kobe taking a paycut, that's wishful thinking.</div> LOL at the Hawks winning a championship. That's wishful thinking </div> not anymore than saying Bynum gonna be better than Greg Oden :
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (o.iatlhawksfan @ May 19 2008, 06:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Brian @ May 19 2008, 05:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (o.iatlhawksfan @ May 19 2008, 05:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>LOL Kobe taking a paycut, that's wishful thinking.</div> LOL at the Hawks winning a championship. That's wishful thinking </div> not anymore than saying Bynum gonna be better than Greg Oden : </div> But he's better than Shaq. Right now.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (o.iatlhawksfan @ May 19 2008, 05:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Brian @ May 19 2008, 05:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (o.iatlhawksfan @ May 19 2008, 05:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>LOL Kobe taking a paycut, that's wishful thinking.</div> LOL at the Hawks winning a championship. That's wishful thinking </div> not anymore than saying Bynum gonna be better than Greg Oden : </div> Oden hasn't even played a game in the NBA. You can't really compare unless you at least see him in action first Anyways, back on the topic of the Hawks. I do believe they can become a pretty dangerous team in the future, but you guys have to do something about the ownership. And hire a General Manager who knows what he's doing for once. I don't mean to badmouth the Hawks, they showed a lot of heart and poise in their series against the Celtics, and I do believe you guys have a bright future. Al Horford is a beast
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (o.iatlhawksfan @ May 19 2008, 05:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>LOL Kobe taking a paycut, that's wishful thinking.</div> Dude, listen to his interviews with the radio stations, ESPN, and read his newspaper interviews. He has hinted numerous times that he would do whatever it takes at keeping this DYNASTY-esque team together...Including taking a pay cut. And you're logic is flawed. We need three of our big 4 really to be a contender (Kobe, Gasol, and Bynum)...Odom can go if we can't afford him. What do you think the Hawks are going to have to do when everyone is up for a big contract?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Black Mamba @ May 19 2008, 07:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (o.iatlhawksfan @ May 19 2008, 05:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>LOL Kobe taking a paycut, that's wishful thinking.</div> Dude, listen to his interviews with the radio stations, ESPN, and read his newspaper interviews. He has hinted numerous times that he would do whatever it takes at keeping this DYNASTY-esque team together...Including taking a pay cut. And you're logic is flawed. We need three of our big 4 really to be a contender (Kobe, Gasol, and Bynum)...Odom can go if we can't afford him. What do you think the Hawks are going to have to do when everyone is up for a big contract? </div> A barrel roll?
Play it smart. Give Smoove and Childress their extensions, and sign Marvin now while he's cheap. Joe Johnson's contract isn't that bad, he made alot his first year. Than we'll have Bibby's expiring contract next season.
I think they'll win 2 championships with their core. Gasol is too much of a high maintenance p*ss to rely on. Dude breaks a nail and takes like 15 games off. You're going to have contract issues here soon, Phil is a wildcard to an extent because you don't know if he wants to retire (maybe he'll retire if they win one?). A lot of those role players could be gone because you've got so many stars to pay. Bynum doesn't really have an injury history but you can't rule out the possibility of his career crashing and burning if he continues to have major injuries. The Lakers are looking really good right now and for the next 5 years but theres too much that could go wrong to peg them as winning any more than 3 championships IMO. This isn't even mentioning the other teams in the league. Chris Paul is going to be around for a looooooong time and his teams could be a real force if he gets more talent around him. Portland with Oden, Aldridge, Roy, and a whole slew of other good young players. Seattle could be rising with Durant, Green, more high lotto picks, etc. Utah is still young and has a lot of room for improvement. Golden State has a nice future too with Monta, B. Wright, Biedrins, Belinelli, 08 lotto pick . Then in the east you have Boston who is going to be a force for a few more years (assuming they put it together here soon LOL). Detroit is still a pretty good team and has experience in the finals against another star studded Lakers team. Plus Dwight is out there menacing for the next 10+ years. Who knows how good he and his teams can be.
