It's only a downgrade if we let LO leave for nothing. Mitch isn't stupid. He'll shop around AMMO/Farmar (expirings) for a better backup PF.
Funny, same with Kobe. I bet Ron loves Kobe and LO but both hate him. In fact, I think part of the reason why LO may leave is because he hates Ron. That is my Ric Bucher analysis.
I think Kobe is hesitant. But if anyone can make it work, it is Phil and Kobe. Artest isn't another Shaq, he isn't going to need to dominate the ball and the media like Shaq needed to.
We need the intangible skills he has... damn it... w/ odom, i think we have around 85% of a chance to repeat (at least make it to the finals)... w/o him and with less talented replacements our chances of repeating for me are down to 70%...
I want him back. Though at this point, I'd be willing to explore a S&T so we don't let him walk for nothing.
This is a great point and something I've also thought about during these negotiations. In hindsight it might have been more productive to lock up Ariza and then sign Artest or Odom, whoever signed first. I think Ariza's agent also jumped the gun and panicked into taking the first available deal. If he waited a couple more weeks Ariza would be the top free agent left with plenty of teams having the money to sign him. I will really resent David Lee more and Odom if the Lakers can't retain Lamar for at least next season. I'm also surprised Miami is willing to invest 5 years into Lamar. He has a lot of mileage on his body and he'll be 30. Big men really dropoff in production after 30 because their bodies simply breakdown.
I do appreciate that Trevor's agent panicked and went to Houston though. They might contend one day but looks like that hurt the current competition against us.
That is why I don't think Lamar should get 5 years. That is insane. Two torn labrums, a bum knee, back issues all in recent years.
His game revolves around speed and athleticism, which will obviously decline. No way he holds up for 5 years. But then again Marion got a 5 year deal as well, so I can understand LO's logic, I guess. We need LO for 3 years max, before Drew develops. And I think LO knows that as well. After 3, maybe even 2 years, he's trade bait, and this time I don't see the Lakers holding onto him. That's why he may take the 5 year deal with Miami, his job is more stable.
