Just because he's considered one of the best shooters doesn't mean it's true. In fact, it's NOT true in the slightest. He's not even close to being one of the best mid-range PFs, let alone one of the best in the league! Here's a list of guys who are >6'10", that took at least 2 shots per game from LMA's favorite range, that are better mid-range shooters than LMA: Horford Garnett Dirk Jason Smith Vucevic P.Gasol Bosh Bargnani Ibaka A.Jefferson Henry Sims Speights So LMA isn't even a Top 12 mid-range shooter for guys who are 6'10" or taller! And that leaves out "undersized" PFs like: Middleton West Bass Arthur Melo Humphries So now we're getting to the range of him being a Top 20 mid-range shooter at the PF position. And we're still ignoring guys, like Meyers, who don't take 2 or more shots from that awful 15-19' range that LMA loved so much, despite the fact he wasn't very good at it. So yes, LMA is considered one of the best mid-range players in the game, and Nate McMillan was considered a great defensive coach. Never mind the facts, just listen to the talking heads who parrot each other without bothering to fact-check the nonsense that they regurgitate.
You have obviously done more homework than myself. That said, I'd rather have LA than anybody on your list and so would 30 other GMs. He will be greatly missed.
Just wait till around halfway though the season when everyone starts bitching & complaining about the team. Trade this guy, Trade that guy, Can't stand loosing, Stotts sucks ect. It's much easier to talk about the growing pains when the season hasn't started yet.
If there's one thing I can't stand it's unsubstantiated accolades and undeserved reputations. If you enjoy being a 1-and-done team, then LMA will be greatly missed. If you'd rather be on one end of the spectrum or the other, rather than in the middle, he won't be missed in the slightest.
Im not going to get into a flame war. Saying his accolades are undeserved and unsubstantiated is just trolling. He is a great player that had little to no help while he was here If you wanna be bitter for him telling the team he wanted out years ago, and then doing it, fine.
Umm, I just showed that his reputation as a great mid-range shooter is ABSOLUTELY unsubstantiated. I'm not bitter in the least - I'm one of the few that is happy and relieved that he walked. So take your "what a stupid comment" stupid comment and cram it.
Who would actually do that? This only happens when expectations arent being met. There are no expectations for this team EXCEPT for the growing pains. #commonsensebefallssome
When we are getting hammered down the stretch in games and losing 5 of 7.......10 of 13, etc, you'll miss him.