the LAKERS WILL BE FINE!

amidst all the injuries and on and off court fiascos this team has gone through this season...they still have a very good 41-22 record. Considering the two best teams in the league have 46 and 47 wins, its acctually pretty damn good for the injury depleted lakers.

they are only 5 games behind sac for first place in the pacific, and have pretty much the same record as the defending champs. Considering Sac is playing its BEST BALL that it possibly could play, LA is acctually doing pretty damn good playing 50 % almost every game.

true, with all 4 hall of famers, they were supposed to win 70 games, but it didnt work out that way...instead, they have held on to a respectable above average record.

 

Yeah these 11 games could be very critical for the Lakers as we try to get into a #3 playoff seed for homecourt in the first round. And the only games which to me are games the Lakers must circle are the Minnesota Timberwolves twice and the Sacramento Kings. Kobe and Karl must return healthy soon in order for them to beat these teams. The other teams like Boston, Chicago, Orlando, LA Clippers, Milwaukee, Utah, and New Orleans should all be listed as W's for this team. No more losing to average opponents. We don't need any more excuses. It's time for this team to make their playoff push.

 

^Really, they should still destroy average opponents with 2 of the big 4. Still can't believe that Atlanta lost.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting 30 standing ver:</div><div class="quote_post">^Really, they should still destroy average opponents with 2 of the big 4. Still can't believe that Atlanta lost.</div>

If we had Kobe that game, we win. It would have helped had it been at home, but yes, the Lakers should have won! Don't remind me about that game! ARGH!! :thumbsdow

 

I doubt many other teams could lose 3 of their best players for extended periods of time and still have the record that we have.
As long as this team has everyone healthy, I have no doubts about our ability to get back to the finals

 

The Lakers may be "fine" this season (that doesn't mean a championship) but next season there's trouble waiting right around the corner for LA.

Phil Jackson, turned down an extension.

Kobe Bryant, turned down an extension. Regardless what he says to the media, he's simply lying, a desperate attempt to defuse the situation and get the spotlight off his back. He wants to be a Laker for life, huh? So why's he testing the free agent market, oh wait, it's because he "wants to see what he's worth elsewhere." Interesting, why would it matter what he's worth elsewhere if LA is where he wants to stay? If it was a money issue all he would have to do is ask for more, so obviously that's not the reason. Fact is he doesn't like Phil, or wait, he doesn't like Phil "as a person". He doesn't like Shaq, I mean he went out of his way to get ahold of the media and call Shaq fat. He wants to run his own team, he wants to try for a championship while still in his prime (without Shaq), it's all about Kobe. SIMPLE AS THAT!

Gary Payton wants more minutes, apperantly he's unhappy with his role on the team. I believe he came out and said "If this is how Phil wants to run his team, if he wants to run the triangle, he can run it without me." Fact is with Kobe, Fisher, and Rush it's very unlikely that Payton gets any more minutes, so he'll remain unhappy. If they lose the championship, that's the icing on the cake, he's gone.

Karl Malone, besides being injuried he also has the option to opt out of his contract at the end of this season. Say The Lakers don't win the championship this season, say Payton and/or Kobe leave in the offseason, what's stoping this guy from leaving? What's stopping Malone from going to Dallas, going to San Antonio, or going Indiana?

Like I said, trouble is just around the corner for The Lakers...PEEK A BOO!

 

^enough Said!!!!!!!!!

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James X3:</div><div class="quote_post">The Lakers may be "fine" this season (that doesn't mean a championship) but next season there's trouble waiting right around the corner for LA.</div>

Well I really don't know what your definition of trouble is, but the Lakers will be fine and let me tell you why.....

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James X3:</div><div class="quote_post">Phil Jackson, turned down an extension.</div>
Phil Jackson didn't turn down an extension. Jerry Buss just put the contract negotiations on hold because of all the distractions that were going on this season. In the offseason when all distractions come to a close, the contract talks will heat up again. I'm confident Jerry Buss and the front office will do everything they can to bring Phil back for at least 2-3 more years.

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James X3:</div><div class="quote_post">Kobe Bryant, turned down an extension. Regardless what he says to the media, he's simply lying, a desperate attempt to defuse the situation and get the spotlight off his back. He wants to be a Laker for life, huh? So why's he testing the free agent market, oh wait, it's because he "wants to see what he's worth elsewhere." Interesting, why would it matter what he's worth elsewhere if LA is where he wants to stay? If it was a money issue all he would have to do is ask for more, so obviously that's not the reason. Fact is he doesn't like Phil, or wait, he doesn't like Phil "as a person". He doesn't like Shaq, I mean he went out of his way to get ahold of the media and call Shaq fat. He wants to run his own team, he wants to try for a championship while still in his prime (without Shaq), it's all about Kobe. SIMPLE AS THAT!</div>
Ok, how did Kobe Bryant turn down an extension when the Lakers or any other team for that matter didn't even attempt to offer him a contract? Kobe will play out this regular season and the playoffs, and opt out of his contract and explore his value around other teams. He just wants to realize how important he is to other ballclubs and the money that'll be guaranteed to him. The most Los Angeles can offer him is 7 years 141 million dollars. So I'm sure once Kobe finishes exploring, then he'll come back to where his heart is and that's the Lakers. Just forget about all the talking between Shaq and Kobe. They may not respect each other off the court, but they sure as hell respect each other on the court, and their success on the court has led to themselves winning 3 championships in 4 years. Also, forget the fact that Kobe doesn't like Phil as a person. Everybody has the right to like or dislike whoever they want, but Kobe realizes that Phil is perhaps the best coach he'd ever have, and he recognizes the fact that he could win many more championships with him as his head coach. And lastly, Kobe understands if he leaves the Lakers and wants to run his own team, he'll turn out to be Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter, Paul Pierce, Allen Iverson, should I go on? Big superstars at the top of their level, but on horrible basketball teams.

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James X3:</div><div class="quote_post">Gary Payton wants more minutes, apperantly he's unhappy with his role on the team. I believe he came out and said "If this is how Phil wants to run his team, if he wants to run the triangle, he can run it without me." Fact is with Kobe, Fisher, and Rush it's very unlikely that Payton gets any more minutes, so he'll remain unhappy. If they lose the championship, that's the icing on the cake, he's gone.</div>
Well Gary Payton gets enough minutes, he's the starting point guard for our team. Us Laker fans understand that his role is limited with the team, and that he's not the Payton we're always accustomed to seeing, but Gary realizes that this is Shaq and Kobe's team, and he's just there to give them more depth and firepower. I'm not surprised Gary said this, because I'm used to Gary going off all the time and being frustrated, but it all comes down to the ring. If he indeed does win a championship ring this year with the Lakers, I'm sure all that noise and frustration has gone to waste right?


<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James X3:</div><div class="quote_post">Karl Malone, besides being injuried he also has the option to opt out of his contract at the end of this season. Say The Lakers don't win the championship this season, say Payton and/or Kobe leave in the offseason, what's stoping this guy from leaving? What's stopping Malone from going to Dallas, going to San Antonio, or going Indiana?</div>
You're acting like the Lakers are some kind of penny-pinching franchise that can't go out and sign top power forwards. If Karl does plan to opt out of his contract, I trust the Laker front office to go out there and find the best possible forward to replace him. Somebody younger, and has plenty of years ahead of him in his NBA career. But you're thinking too ahead of yourself. Karl hasn't even played much this season, so how are you so quick to judge that he's going to leave?

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James X3:</div><div class="quote_post">Like I said, trouble is just around the corner for The Lakers...PEEK A BOO!</div>
Nah, no trouble. Just confidence.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Laker_Fever_834:</div><div class="quote_post">Well I really don't know what your definition of trouble is, but the Lakers will be fine and let me tell you why.....


Phil Jackson didn't turn down an extension. Jerry Buss just put the contract negotiations on hold because of all the distractions that were going on this season. In the offseason when all distractions come to a close, the contract talks will heat up again. I'm confident Jerry Buss and the front office will do everything they can to bring Phil back for at least 2-3 more years.


Ok, how did Kobe Bryant turn down an extension when the Lakers or any other team for that matter didn't even attempt to offer him a contract? Kobe will play out this regular season and the playoffs, and opt out of his contract and explore his value around other teams. He just wants to realize how important he is to other ballclubs and the money that'll be guaranteed to him. The most Los Angeles can offer him is 7 years 141 million dollars. So I'm sure once Kobe finishes exploring, then he'll come back to where his heart is and that's the Lakers. Just forget about all the talking between Shaq and Kobe. They may not respect each other off the court, but they sure as hell respect each other on the court, and their success on the court has led to themselves winning 3 championships in 4 years. Also, forget the fact that Kobe doesn't like Phil as a person. Everybody has the right to like or dislike whoever they want, but Kobe realizes that Phil is perhaps the best coach he'd ever have, and he recognizes the fact that he could win many more championships with him as his head coach. And lastly, Kobe understands if he leaves the Lakers and wants to run his own team, he'll turn out to be Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter, Paul Pierce, Allen Iverson, should I go on? Big superstars at the top of their level, but on horrible basketball teams.


Well Gary Payton gets enough minutes, he's the starting point guard for our team. Us Laker fans understand that his role is limited with the team, and that he's not the Payton we're always accustomed to seeing, but Gary realizes that this is Shaq and Kobe's team, and he's just there to give them more depth and firepower. I'm not surprised Gary said this, because I'm used to Gary going off all the time and being frustrated, but it all comes down to the ring. If he indeed does win a championship ring this year with the Lakers, I'm sure all that noise and frustration has gone to waste right?



You're acting like the Lakers are some kind of penny-pinching franchise that can't go out and sign top power forwards. If Karl does plan to opt out of his contract, I trust the Laker front office to go out there and find the best possible forward to replace him. Somebody younger, and has plenty of years ahead of him in his NBA career. But you're thinking too ahead of yourself. Karl hasn't even played much this season, so how are you so quick to judge that he's going to leave?


Nah, no trouble. Just confidence. </div>



I couldnt have said it any better =D

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Laker_Fever_834:</div><div class="quote_post">Well I really don't know what your definition of trouble is, but the Lakers will be fine and let me tell you why.....</div>

Trouble, as in problems. As in signing issues, as in uncertainty, as in KEY contributors to The Lakers success no longer being there. There's a real simple saying that sums up The Lakers situation. "Where there's smoke, there's fire." You see the smoke (Kobe and Shaq fighting, Phil not signing an extension, Kobe not resigning, The injuries, Payton complaining, etc.) This offseason it ignites into a fire!

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Phil Jackson didn't turn down an extension. Jerry Buss just put the contract negotiations on hold because of all the distractions that were going on this season. In the offseason when all distractions come to a close, the contract talks will heat up again. I'm confident Jerry Buss and the front office will do everything they can to bring Phil back for at least 2-3 more years.</div>

Perhaps Phil didn't turn down the extension, but he certainly did not sign it. If Jerry Buss was worried about "the distractions" he would have got this deal signed and done prior to this season because now THIS TOO has become a distraction. The fact that Phil didn't sign the dotted line with no visible reason not to speaks volumes.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Ok, how did Kobe Bryant turn down an extension when the Lakers or any other team for that matter didn't even attempt to offer him a contract?</div>

WHAT?!? The Lakers offered him a contract extension to begin after his current deal runs out LAST SEASON! Where have you been? Kobe didn't sign it, he instead said he not only wasn't going to sign another extension but he was going to opt out of his current deal and test free agency. Your a Lakers fan and you don't even know what's going on here...

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">So I'm sure once Kobe finishes exploring, then he'll come back to where his heart is and that's the Lakers.</div>

If his "heart" is in LA, why is he exploring in the first place?

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Just forget about all the talking between Shaq and Kobe. They may not respect each other off the court, but they sure as hell respect each other on the court, and their success on the court has led to themselves winning 3 championships in 4 years. </div>

Just like a typical blind Lakers fan, that's forgot about all the problems and try our hardest to believe everything is okay. Than reality shows it's ugly little face again, yet another fight, yet another day. Sure they have 3 championships, but Kobe believes he can do it elsewhere, without shaq, and he wants to attempt that while he's still in his prime. Shaq came out and said he was the goto guy and if Kobe has a problem he can opt out of his contract. Kobe straight up called Shaq fat, he also went out as far as saying if he leaves Shaq is the main reason. Kobe wants to take the winning shots, he wants to lead his team, he wants the offense to run through him. That simply won't take place in LA and Kobe knows that and he wants out.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">so, forget the fact that Kobe doesn't like Phil as a person. Everybody has the right to like or dislike whoever they want, but Kobe realizes that Phil is perhaps the best coach he'd ever have, and he recognizes the fact that he could win many more championships with him as his head coach.</div>

Kobe respects Phil? So why would he go out of his way to make such inappropriate statements? What was he trying to prove, what point was he trying to make? It's Kobe simply reacting to the fact that Phil came out and said Shaq was the focal point of the team, not Kobe. Kobe lashed back out, obviously his relationship isn't okay with Shaq or Phil, regardless if you WANT to realize the truth or not.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">And lastly, Kobe understands if he leaves the Lakers and wants to run his own team, he'll turn out to be Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter, Paul Pierce, Allen Iverson, should I go on? Big superstars at the top of their level, but on horrible basketball teams.</div>

Kobe also understands he could end up like Sprewell, Peja, or perhaps land himself on The Spurs who could easily make arranges to have an ampel amount of cap space to sign Mr.Bryant. Not to mention the aforementioned talent in your quote have NO good talent surrounding him. He could land himself in Phoenix where he'd have Joe Johnson, Amare Stoudemire, AND Shawn Marion. He could also land himself in Denver who have Nene, Camby, Miller, and Anthony. Kobe would have FAR more help on either of those teams than any of the players you mentioned.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Gary realizes that this is Shaq and Kobe's team, and he's just there to give them more depth and firepower. I'm not surprised Gary said this, because I'm used to Gary going off all the time and being frustrated, but it all comes down to the ring. If he indeed does win a championship ring this year with the Lakers, I'm sure all that noise and frustration has gone to waste right?</div>

Obviously it's not "all about the ring" or Gary wouldn't have made this statement in the first place. Perhaps it's all smoothed over if they win a championship, but if they don't why would Payton stay and receive yet another season of limited minutes without the guaranteed ring that everyone thought they had this season?

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">You're acting like the Lakers are some kind of penny-pinching franchise that can't go out and sign top power forwards. If Karl does plan to opt out of his contract, I trust the Laker front office to go out there and find the best possible forward to replace him. Somebody younger, and has plenty of years ahead of him in his NBA career.</div>

Malone makes 1.5 million a year. If Malone leaves tell me what kind of GOOD power foward they're going to be capable of signing? Perhaps Tom Tolbert would sign for that kind of money, but other than that I don't know who would take a drastic paycut like Malone did. Tolbert, man I love that guy

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">But you're thinking too ahead of yourself. Karl hasn't even played much this season, so how are you so quick to judge that he's going to leave?
</div>
I'm not quick to judge, I'm saying it's very possible he's gone if they don't win the championships. The guy took a near 80% paycut to sign with The Lakers, why would he go at that reduced value again with LA in such turmoil? Why would he sign with them again if they don't win the championship? He could sign with San Antonio and make just as serious of a run at the championship at make a helluva lot more, rather than signing at a terrible price with a team seemingly in dissaray.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Nah, no trouble. Just confidence. </div>

Yeah, everything is fine in LA. Who cares if The Lakers current state resembles the turmoil in Iraq, you Lakers fans will just put on your little sunglasses and pretend not to see what's REALLY going on. Just continue thinking everything is ok, don't be surprised next season though

 

I don't think the Lakers are in any problems. Cause, for one, the Lakers can offer Kobe the most money out of any team out there. Than, I have faith in the Lakers front office in that they'll get Phil Jackson at least another 2 years on his contract, maybe more, all depends on negotiations. And Payton, he won't leave cause he still realizes that this is probably his best chance at winning a championship and still getting a suffice amount of playing time. Cause, the other 3 teams that have the best chance, Kings, he'd sit behind Bibby and Jackson, Mavs, he'd sit behind Nash, Wolves, he'd probably sit behind Cassell and Hudson. So, yea, he really can't complain, cause, this is the best he's gonna get. He knew what kind of an enviroment he was stepping into when he first signed the deal. So, yea, that's why I don't worry about Gary. Karl, he won't opt out. He wants to win that title and fufill his career. He feels that his career isn't complete without a title. So, yea, with all these reasons, I think the Lakers should be perfectly fine next year.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James X3:</div><div class="quote_post">Just like a typical blind Lakers fan, that's forgot about all the problems and try our hardest to believe everything is okay. </div>

And what are you? A typical Cavs/Magic fan? Oh wait, there were Cavs/Magic fans 1-3 years ago?

 

^^^^^

What's that suppose to mean? I like The Cavs and The Magic, what's your point? I also like alot of other teams, I don't really pick favorites too often.

There's a difference from being a fan of a team, and being so overwhelmed by your love for a team or a franchise that it doesn't allow you to realize that's teams flaws or problems. It's typical among alot of Lakers fans because they've been such a storied franchise for so many years, people tend to refuse to believe there could be problems brewing.

 

^truth.

 

We'll get into the playoffs anyway, so after taht lets see how it s going with injuries and stuff. I do believe if Kobe and Malone get back, we will have a chance of winning, even if its very little.

 

I'm not going to sit here and re-read your entire page of an idiotic post, so I'll just look at some of your facts that I think need some replying to.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Perhaps Phil didn't turn down the extension, but he certainly did not sign it. If Jerry Buss was worried about "the distractions" he would have got this deal signed and done prior to this season because now THIS TOO has become a distraction. The fact that Phil didn't sign the dotted line with no visible reason not to speaks volumes.</div>

There really shouldn't have been any need to even try and reply to this. I've already told you why Buss didn't go on with the extension. Listen, you don't feel after the season it's not going to get done? Excuse the fact he didn't do it prior to the season starting, you don't feel that it'll be done sooner or later? Is that how blind you are?

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">WHAT?!? The Lakers offered him a contract extension to begin after his current deal runs out LAST SEASON! Where have you been? Kobe didn't sign it, he instead said he not only wasn't going to sign another extension but he was going to opt out of his current deal and test free agency. Your a Lakers fan and you don't even know what's going on here...</div>

Haven't you heard of curious players that just want to go explore the market? Well, that's what Kobe wants to do!!! Like I said in my earlier post to you, he's gonna opt out of his contract, and go out to see how much value he's worth. Then if things work out the way we want them to, he'll come back and sign on the dotted line for seven years and 141 million dollars. Geez, is that so hard to understand? Well for somebody that likes three teams, it's like pulling teeth.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Just like a typical blind Lakers fan, that's forgot about all the problems and try our hardest to believe everything is okay. Than reality shows it's ugly little face again, yet another fight, yet another day. Sure they have 3 championships, but Kobe believes he can do it elsewhere, without shaq, and he wants to attempt that while he's still in his prime. Shaq came out and said he was the goto guy and if Kobe has a problem he can opt out of his contract. Kobe straight up called Shaq fat, he also went out as far as saying if he leaves Shaq is the main reason. Kobe wants to take the winning shots, he wants to lead his team, he wants the offense to run through him. That simply won't take place in LA and Kobe knows that and he wants out.</div>

You should really take time and read what I wrote to you earlier.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Kobe also understands he could end up like Sprewell, Peja, or perhaps land himself on The Spurs who could easily make arranges to have an ampel amount of cap space to sign Mr.Bryant. Not to mention the aforementioned talent in your quote have NO good talent surrounding him. He could land himself in Phoenix where he'd have Joe Johnson, Amare Stoudemire, AND Shawn Marion. He could also land himself in Denver who have Nene, Camby, Miller, and Anthony. Kobe would have FAR more help on either of those teams than any of the players you mentioned.</div>

Why would Kobe want to land on any of these teams? Kobe doesn't want to be on a team that has superstars already. He wants to be the main guy, the main focus on the basketball team. He doesn't want to be looked at as the #2 option, but always the #1 option.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">He could sign with San Antonio and make just as serious of a run at the championship at make a helluva lot more, rather than signing at a terrible price with a team seemingly in dissaray.</div>

Karl Malone signing with the Spurs? You clearly are more clueless than I thought.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James X3:</div><div class="quote_post">^^^^^

What's that suppose to mean? I like The Cavs and The Magic, what's your point? I also like alot of other teams, I don't really pick favorites too often.

There's a difference from being a fan of a team, and being so overwhelmed by your love for a team or a franchise that it doesn't allow you to realize that's teams flaws or problems. It's typical among alot of Lakers fans because they've been such a storied franchise for so many years, people tend to refuse to believe there could be problems brewing.</div>


you are obviously a band-wagon cavs fan, did u liek them last season or the season before? i think not, jump off the wagon buddy....

everyone knows the lakers still have the best chance of winning the title this season, just like every other season the kings, or anyone else was supposed to beat them, their hearts led them to another title, last season was injury prone, without a healthy shaq, and a healthy kobe, did you really think they would get passed the spurs? look at the players they have now, including a deeper bench, no one wants to face la in the playoffs, at full strength, you remember the 18-3 start? remember they are unstoppable...im sorry people are mad because LA is favorite to win every season.

and to say kobe might end up like spree or peja has to be the most uneducated and pathetic comment ever made.

 

Alright, obviously your allowing your Lakers Bias to blur your perspective of the situation at hand. So instead of replying to all of your Lakers propaganda, I'll try and conclude my argument here.

Kobe, wouldn't resign an extension, plans to opt out of his contract. Kobe wants to be the "man" on his own team and he certainly cannot receive that in LA. He Doesn't have a great relationship with current team leader Shaq, Kobe even went as far as publicly humiliating him. He also went out of his way to make an inappropriate statement about his coach's character.

The Lakers couldn't get Phil Jackson to resign either. Fact is Phil can NO LONGER control his team, we've witnessed it this season. Phil also is growing increasingly older, he's began having health problems, I think that's perhaps more important than leading a team amongst disarray to a championship.

No Ring, Malone and Payton simply aren't happy. They signed reduced contracts expecting a stroll into the championships, it's certainly been far from that. Payton has already complained about playing team, coming public with his dissatisfaction. So why would Payton stay on a team, for a reduced salary, when he's not even happy with his role and a championship isn't guaranteed like everyone expected it was? No championship, they can opt out of LA and nothing is stopping them from getting paid what they're worth on OTHER championship caliber teams.

In conclusion, several things have to happen for The Lakers if they're going to "be fine".

1. Phil has to be resigned.
2. Kobe has to be resigned.
3. They have to get healthy.
4. They MUST win a championship.
5. Malone and Payton MUST be happy and retained.

IF you believe all of those things will infact happen than your quite optimistic. Judging from this season's occurrences already, none of these tasks look like there going to be a walk through the park. Than again the Bias Lakers fans refuse to believe there's problems, so perhaps in your own fantasy world everything is going to be alright