I realize that the source of this message may come as a surprise, given my loathing for your favorite franchise, however I wanted to share a few simple words of compassion for your current situation. Things look like they are falling apart and that happens from time to time with all franchises. Believe me, as a Celtic fan, I never thought we'd see straights like what we've seen since basically the 90's. However, bad times only help to remind us and help us savor the good times, which are sure to return to this franchise, no matter how this offseason plays itself out. Keep your heads up Laker fans. Keep your dignity as well. Cheap shots and crude comments will likely be plentiful. When they come, just remember that unless those people are Celtic fans <font color="DarkRed"><font size="1">(who have no reason to take shots right now from a franchise perspective, at least </font> </font> ), they know nothing of what it's like to be in our respective, rarified situations as franchises. When necessary to maintain your sanity, bask in the solace that everyone else is playing catchup. No one can take that away from us. Peace and good luck this offseason.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting hagrid:</div><div class="quote_post">Things look like they are falling apart and that happens from time to time with all franchises. Believe me, as a Celtic fan, I never thought we'd see straights like what we've seen since basically the 90's.</div> I really don't see how we're seeing "bad times" when for one the offseason has just begun, and two we don't even know how our season's result will turn out in 2005-06. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting hagrid:</div><div class="quote_post">However, bad times only help to remind us and help us savor the good times, which are sure to return to this franchise, no matter how this offseason plays itself out.</div> Well if you're owned by Dr. Jerry Buss with a winning mentality, no worries. And no such thing as rebuilding. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting hagrid:</div><div class="quote_post">Keep your heads up Laker fans. Keep your dignity as well. Cheap shots and crude comments will likely be plentiful. When they come, just remember that unless those people are Celtic fans <font color="DarkRed"><font size="1">(who have no reason to take shots right now from a franchise perspective, at least </font> </font> ), they know nothing of what it's like to be in our respective, rarified situations as franchises.</div> What's the meaning of this thread anyway? We have yet to see our 2005-06 season result, we still don't know who'll be our starting five for next year, and you make a compassion thread like we're gonna turn into the 1999-00 Chicago Bulls? I know with Shaq possibly leaving, Phil already gone, and Kobe and Gary possibly sticking around for next year, things still look very bright at that dark end of the tunnel. I still have my dignity, I'll always represent my colors, and if any anti Laker fan wants to come in here and say we're bandwagoners, so be it. Because I'm sure no bandwagoner wants to hang around during a "rebuilding process."
thanx for the kind words hagrid...hopefully, the Lakers come out of it as quickly as they did during the rebuilding period of the early-mid 90's ("the Lake Show" era)
You know what Emo, Forget I even bothered. I post on several sites and Laker fans are getting bashed relentlessly, so I thought as a non-laker fan, I'd share some nice thoughts to remind people that no matter what happens, things will get better. They appearently aren't welcome here in the land of the invinceable.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting hagrid:</div><div class="quote_post">You know what Emo, Forget I even bothered. I post on several sites and Laker fans are getting bashed relentlessly, so I thought as a non-laker fan, I'd share some nice thoughts to remind people that no matter what happens, things will get better. They appearently aren't welcome here in the land of the invinceable. </div> Oh trust me, it's welcome. And when I saw what you wrote in the latest reply due to the WNBA player going nude, I have a ton of respect for you, but we're used to anti Laker fans trashing us all the time. I see it everywhere on JBB, I hear it on my local radio stations, heck I hear it from my sisters at my house who are Kings fans. But to make a compassion thread about the Lakers even when we don't even know how our starting five will look like, or our regular season record for that matter, to me is surprisingly funny. Sorry if I sounded too rude, I didn't mean for it to be intended like that, but I would think you'd make a compassion thread if our team in fact did suck in 2005-06.
Fair enough Emo. I don't like the way that good Laker fans get lumped in with the Bandwagon fans when people take cheap shots at the Lakers demise this season. Some fans deserve to be berated, alot don't and I just wanted to throw something out there for the die-hards who are taking undue lumps right now. The thread wasn't meant to convey that I think the Lakers are toast for next year, it was meant to say that just because things might look bleak right now, don't let it get you down. The fact that the Lakers can bounce back next year is exactly the point I'm trying to convey, but just felt like it would be nice to have something for Laker fans to see in the meantime, as the off-season has started out kinda rough for you guys and the bandwagon fans getting their "just due" (as someone put it) right now, can't be making it any easier.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting hagrid:</div><div class="quote_post">Fair enough Emo. I don't like the way that good Laker fans get lumped in with the Bandwagon fans when people take cheap shots at the Lakers demise this season. Some fans deserve to be berated, alot don't and I just wanted to throw something out there for the die-hards who are taking undue lumps right now.</div> Yeah I agree. Some fans suddenly hopped the wagon when payton and Malone signed, but when you ask the fairweather ones who Jamal Sampson or Brian Cook is, they'd shake their heads completely. :mrgreen: I for one will always be a true Laker fan, and if for some reason we do replace the starting 5 with mediocre has-been names, you'll still see me walking around the Bay Area with my Laker jersey on (when I buy one of course this summer) and making the trip to The Arena in Oakland to watch my Lakers handle their business. Thanks for the kind words though. Very much appreciated especially coming from a Celtic fan when in the past generations have learned to hate the Lakers back in the old rivalry days. :thumbsup: <div class="quote_poster">Quoting hagrid:</div><div class="quote_post">The thread wasn't meant to convey that I think the Lakers are toast for next year, it was meant to say that just because things might look bleak right now, don't let it get you down.</div> I hear ya. Outside of basketball, I am a 49er fan, and I had to endure rebuilding seasons of 1999 and 2000 and unfortunately I'm gonna have to endure another one in this coming year, so I've experienced rebuilding a whole lot. It sure does suck, but I know in the meantime we will rise again. if the Lakers take this route, it's gonna be rough, but there will be better days ahead. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting hagrid:</div><div class="quote_post">The fact that the Lakers can bounce back next year is exactly the point I'm trying to convey, but just felt like it would be nice to have something for Laker fans to see in the meantime, as the off-season has started out kinda rough for you guys and the bandwagon fans getting their "just due" (as someone put it) right now, can't be making it any easier.</div> Yeah comments like that coming from another fan outside of the Lakers is always respected and appreciated. With Shaq leaving and Phil's departure, it sure does hurt knowing that we've lost two big pieces of our championship runs, but if Kobe Bryant can sign that 140 million dollar contract, I guarantee you all will be well in Laker land if Kobe agrees and signs the dotted line to wear the Laker yellow until he's 32 years old. Speaking of bandwagoners, I feel so bad for my dad. He told me that he doesn't want to support the Lakers anymore just because he's a loyal Phil Jackson man and that the word rebuilding makes him sick.
<font color="DarkRed"><font size="2">I'm gonna talk Lakers for a minute, be forewarned:</font></font> I'm not sure that I blame Shaq for being pissed about the situation. I'm an old school guy and the Big Guys can't be replaced as easy as the Guards can. The fact that the Lakers have made resigning Kobe the #1 priority is pretty insulting. He should be thier #1 priority. I know Kobe's younger and less abused, but He's also a guard. The Lakers record without Shaq is worse than it is without Kobe. Shaq's got at least 3 more years of pure dominance left in him. <font color="Indigo">You invest in that, plain and simple, IMO.</font> I mean, thier #1 priority could end up in Jail. Plus, this whole rumor that even if Kobe ended up guilty, he might only get 20 years probation is the most insulting thing anyone could make up. The only way I, as a citizen of this country, could accept that sentancing if found guilty would be if that 20 years came with the clause demanded he work at least 20 hrs a week in the off-season, for the entire term of the probation, at a rape crisis center. Even then, it's like saying to the public: If you're famous, you can still rape someone and not really be ALL that inconveneinced by your sentance. Lord help them, if for some reason Kobe's found guilty and the Lakers have made him the biggest egg in their basket. <font color="DarkRed"><font size="1">(I don't believe that Kobe is going to be found guilty, but...)</font></font> I'd go with Shaq, not Kobe. That's just one old school guys opinion, so take it for what it's worth.
I'm looking forward to the next season. I think that Shaq leaving opens up alot of options for the Lakers, and gives a few guys more playing time. Kobe will become the main attraction in Lakerland (although I saw him as just that anyways), and now maybe Payton can step up and play like he did in the 90's. I'd like to see Walton and Rush playing more...and I'm excited about the draft and any other players the Lakers acquire in the Shaq trade (if he is indeed traded).
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting hagrid:</div><div class="quote_post"><font color="DarkRed"><font size="2">I'm gonna talk Lakers for a minute, be forewarned:</font></font> I'm not sure that I blame Shaq for being pissed about the situation. I'm an old school guy and the Big Guys can't be replaced as easy as the Guards can. The fact that the Lakers have made resigning Kobe the #1 priority is pretty insulting. He should be thier #1 priority. I know Kobe's younger and less abused, but He's also a guard. The Lakers record without Shaq is worse than it is without Kobe. Shaq's got at least 3 more years of pure dominance left in him. <font color="Indigo">You invest in that, plain and simple, IMO.</font> </div> Normally I would agree with you on your points Hagrid. Having a dominant big man in the NBA has always lead to success for teams. However, I would argue Shaq is no longer the dominant player he was two seasons ago. I also think Kobe is a cut above the other guards in the league, and is worthy of building a team around him. He's one of four superstars in the league to go along with Shaq, Garnett, and Duncan. Sometimes it?s better to trade a player a year too early than one too late - The series against the Pistons was a wake up call for me as a Laker fan for them to make changes. The Pistons exposed the Lakers and Shaq, making it clear to me the Big Fella must be traded. The NBA Finals gave me a look into the future. The Pistons played O?Neal essentially straight up and let him get his shots. The Pistons focused their defense on shutting down Bryant by throwing double and triple teams at him. The personnel surrounding Kobe gave him no relief. The Laker players who are on the floor are there to take advantage of double teams on Shaq, not Kobe. - Shaq is making $30M a year and is taking up 40% of the Laker salary cap. He refuses to take a paycut and actually wants more money by signing an extension. Unlike Kevin Garnett's willingness to take a paycut and have a franchise built around him, Shaq has put money and his needs above the team. The Lakers suffered many injuries this season and not having the money to add depth ended the Lakers quest for another ring. - Shaq will not play 82 games anymore. It's become clear Shaq doesn't have the health to play a full 82 games. How can the Lakers continue to build a team around Shaq when he's not committed to getting in shape and playing a full season? - I also have a problem with the team's superstar making $30M a year being taken out in close games because he's a liability on the court. Shaq is a horrendous free throw shooter and his misses at the line are just as bad as the team turning over the ball. Another aspect of Shaq's game he refuses to improve on. If he could manage to shoot even 70% I'd be estatic and it would make the game much easier for him and the Lakers. I'm not saying trade Shaq for the sake of trading him and selling the Lakers short. I know the Lakers won't get market value for him, especially after his public comments saying he demands a trade. However, the Lakers should put Kobe as their number option, barring a small jury in Denver finds him innocent.
shapecity, I couldn't have said it any better. Everything you brought up is true. The Finals also showed me how terrible Payton and Malone performed in the triangle offense. I failed to count any double screens for Kobe in the NBA Finals series...zero. Even though the triangle is designed for a dominant center, it still opens up your SG with a double screen, which allows cuts and open jumpers. The Lakers were exposed because the triangle offense was terrible...and I'll give the Pistons some credit, but I'll take away some from Payton and Malone for not playing the offensive sets correctly. I'll put blame on Shaq for lack of defense, a.k.a. laziness when it is referred to a guy who used to block everyone's shot inside the paint. Shaq's vertical is about 2 inches now...he's worn and ragged. Kobe has the Lakers in his hand and the franchise on his shoulders...the way it should've been in the first place.
Ya'll heard that joke on Jay Leno? <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">California just had one of the biggest earthquakes in it's history at about 5.2 on the rictor scale. Yeah that was all the bandwagon Laker fans jumping off.</div> I should've posted that when I heard just heard it though. That was last week and I know I miss quoted it, but it was funny.
Fair assertions Shapecity. My one thing to pick out of it is that you noted that the Pistons essentially let Shaq "have his" by playing him straight up. What you failed to mention is why that strategy worked. The Pistons can't stop Shaq (nor can anyone else), so they had to stop the rest of the team, in lue of an answer. That tells me, he's the strongest link on the team. Sheed and Ben, according to Brown, thier own coach, couldn't stop Shaq. Yet a tandem of lesser accomplished guards were given the green light to shut Kobe down. Doesn't this strike you as odd? I understand all too well what it's like to have a team that's surrounding a singular, guard star. Watching him get doubled and tripled every night until he's so frustrated and worn down that he's not the same player. McGrady failed at it in Orlando too and is now moving to a situation where he has an established post presence to help him. ON the side: Sure he wants too much damn money and is a health issue, but I think this move by the Lakers might be premature. Or at least they should have done a better job of addressing the issue, rather than making a public statement that Kobe's the future, without discussing matters with Shaq first.
