ESPN just reported that sources say Gary told his agent he will come back for next season. This was expected by almost everyone because of Phil's departure. This offseason has turned into total chaos, and to add to this now Gary will be back.. But this won't necessarily be a bad thing IMO, because I will expect much more from him next season compared to this one. He will be able to get his share of screens set, as well as running the team. Although I didn't want to see him come back with Phil, I'm not completely opposed to him coming back without Phil. I really think his defense will pick up again if he starts getting more involved with the offense also. Like I said this could be either good or bad for the Lakers. We'll just have to hope for the best.
God, i totally forget about payton in this phil and shaq /kobe chaos. Damn, now that phils gone we can only hope payton does more next season without and does what hes supposed and able to do. Id still want some new spirit to come tho that isnt as old as gary ...
Thats true Gary will be a better player offensively but dont think he can do defensively any more. Without Phil it will work out better Gary was the one player that didnt fit in with this laker team when Phil was there.
Has Gary forgotten why he took a paycut last year in the first place? A championship, that's it, if he's really committed to it then he should opt out and look for another paycut for another championship caliber team. He should know the Lakers would not contend for a title next year because Shaq is leaving.
considering how payton hardly showed up last season, i dont imagine he can get much more with any other team than what the lakers will be paying him if he doesn't opt out. plus, chances are he will be more productive in the uptempo offesne with kobe and without phill.
Well I hope he rediscovers his game and has a solid season next year. <u>GP</u> PPG: 13.7 RPG: 3.5 SPG: 1.74 APG: 7.2 Something like that please GP.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting PupMelo:</div><div class="quote_post">Has Gary forgotten why he took a paycut last year in the first place? A championship, that's it, if he's really committed to it then he should opt out and look for another paycut for another championship caliber team. He should know the Lakers would not contend for a title next year because Shaq is leaving.</div> WERD There goes Payton's championship hopes for his career. Well IF Kobe pulls a Jordan of 1991 and leads HIS team to a championship, assuming Shaq will leave, then that's what Payton is probably considering in his decision to stay. Also if Malone stays, he would replace Shaq in the rebounding department which would benefit the team because rebounding comes 2nd in order to win a championship.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AIFan:</div><div class="quote_post">only reason he's coming back is cause they are the one's who can pay him the most</div> Why is everyone so against him? He's been trying, he's a natural born playmaker, that's why he didn't perform well in the playoffs. Triangular Offense, go to Shaq, he's not use to that, you need to deepen your bench or improve your starting lineup once Shaq is gone. He needs to be able to use the team to its fullest potential. Give him a chance, he'll be much better once Shaq is gone, trust me on this!
I don't think he'll be any good though, the only reaosn he didn't opt out was because Phil Jackson left.
I'm not really impressed with Gary Payton expected to return, but like everyone pretty much said mainly it's because with his playoff drought and offensive downfalls, no team would be willing to pay him more than 5.4 million bucks. I just don't see that happening with other ballclubs. But since Phil Jackson is gone, and a new coach coming in, this could be the year Payton silences his critics and learns to adapt to a different offensive system since Phil's triangle offense he didn't like at all. Ah, only time will tell.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Chungster:</div><div class="quote_post">WERD There goes Payton's championship hopes for his career. Well IF Kobe pulls a Jordan of 1991 and leads HIS team to a championship, assuming Shaq will leave, then that's what Payton is probably considering in his decision to stay. Also if Malone stays, he would replace Shaq in the rebounding department which would benefit the team because rebounding comes 2nd in order to win a championship.</div> Malone already passed the filing deadline to continue his contract... he's gone.
I think if the lakers go back to the showtime offense of running the break every chance they get this will be a blessing in the sky for the lakers. With two all stars/ FHOF in the back court they will be a team still to be recognized in the west imo. Payotons main reason for being uneffective last year was imo the triangle offense when he got to the lakers with malone he thought all they would do is run the break and he would never need to run the triangle. When malone went down with the injury that changed but it was working great at the start of the year. Also sitting the fourth quarters didnt really do well for the former all star/ HOF's confidense I think he didnt play well sort of on purpose of course he wanted to win a title, but did he really want to win it with phil jackson idk we will have to see how this turns out, but imo any time you keep a future hall of famer its a thumbs up till proven other wise.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting panfolk:</div><div class="quote_post">Malone already passed the filing deadline to continue his contract... he's gone.</div> technically no I posted a thread about this here earlier malones agent said it was a "buisness desicion" malone aint retired yet he did it because malone was schedualed to earn 1.46 million dollars he wanted a little more if the lakers offer that to him he may return but him and his agent have said it was a buisness choice if malone plays another year it will be for the lakers.
Nice to hear someone considering on staying. However, the other side of the coin in this whole "Gary Payton staying" is Mr. Derek Fisher. Fisher has made it known to managment he wants to come back hopefully in the starting line-up. With Payton seemingly a Laker again, Fisher is gonna likely be coming off the bench next season. Look for Fish to opt out of his contract by Thursday, in hopes of getting more leverage and more money from the Lakers. It's a wise business move.
I am hoping for big things from GP now, I hope his bismal season was due to the fact of the Triangle offense, I am hoping he can turn things around be be a solid contributor and hit shots when the team needs him...I got down on him, I hope he can bring me back up.
im glad hes staying w/ la. Now that there wont be a Triangular Offense, im hoping he be better than this last season.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kobe 8 Ball:</div><div class="quote_post">I am hoping for big things from GP now, I hope his bismal season was due to the fact of the Triangle offense, I am hoping he can turn things around be be a solid contributor and hit shots when the team needs him...I got down on him, I hope he can bring me back up.</div> Post-season. He had an awful post-season. Payton's efficiency for most of the regular season was great. He was the only of the Big Four to play all 82, and he averaged a decent 14 points, pretty good seeing that he had Kobe and Shaq on his team.
I'm very happen for Payton. I think last year while Phil was there Payton really got hammered by the press. And i believe he will show alot more for the lakers with a new offense set to get him off scroing and possibly even a great running mate in kobe that he can dish dimes too. I believe with Fish and Payton there pg spot is well equipped.
