The worst case scenario is that Brian Grant plays center... are there any centers on the market that we can get so we don't have to start Grant at C? We all know that he's undersized and that we desperately need a big man... any names?
vlade would be an awesome center for the team the lakers have...hate him all you want but hes a big bodied center that still has a couple tricky post moves in him and can pass the ball with the best of them...i wouldnt mind seeing vlade back in LA at all and sounds like he wouldnt mind coming back either...
The Worst case would be Grant plays center. If that happens, I would expect Odom to play power forward. But, they've already said that it's very likely that Odom will be playing small forward. But, beyond the topic. I think Grant is worst case. I would bet they look at Vlade and I bet they still try to find away to get Dampier over to the Los Angeles.
Man, I played with the new look Lakers on NBA Live 2004, and I gave Brian Grant the ball for most of my low post possessions at center, and let me tell ya, not only was Shaq guarding him as a Miami Heat, he's rated at 62, and this guy can't even make simple five footers at the basket. Now I know it's just a silly videogame, but it really had me worried that if Grant is really our center next year, everybody upstairs has to go and search the FA waters with possibly getting a Theo Ratliff or my favorite on top of the list Erick Dampier. Dampier might not have the body like Shaq, or the agility of Shaq, but he has a 6'11" 270 pound frame built with muscle, he pounds the boards consistently, he scores frequently, and he gives it his all 100% of the time and never slacks off. And plus, he was close to being an All-Star candidate for the Western COnference team last year with his improved stats, so if there's any possible way we can make a sign and trade or a 3 way deal to get Dampier or Ratliff, I'm all up for it.
If Dampier came to the Lakers, we would definitely be seeing the Lakers back into the Western Conference Finals...at least...just in my opinion.
Ok, lets say the Lakers aquire Dampier, which seems to be impossible considering the 9+ millions he wants, Lakers still have many other problems. First of all they have no backup C PF or PG (Brian Cook doesn't count). They have 5 SF, 1 PG, 3 SG, 1 PF, 1 C that can actually play. This means not only do they have to go and spend money they don't have on a Center, but they also have to go and get some other backup players. They have noone they can trade other than Gary Payton, which then means they have no PG, and they have no money to aquire anyone. Anyway you look at it the Lakers seem to be screwed in my opinion. What the Lakers need to do is first hope and pray that Karl Malone resigns. Second try to trade Deavon George and Rick Fox for a Center or backup PG (I know noone wants an injured George or a rusty Rick Fox, just a an idea). They also need, in my opinion, resign Slava. I think he has alot of talent just needs Karl to teach him a little bout defense. Laker Fans all better hope that by trading Shaq, Kupchak has something up his sleeve, if not then I believe the blame all goes on him.
Don't forget Sasha Vuyacic...he's impressing me the same way Luke impressed me last year. I think Sasha is good enough to be in the rotation for PG. As for the frontline, I have faith that Kupchak has something up his sleeve.
At least the Lakers are in a better situation then my beloved nets. Wish you guys the best of luck. cause we can both use it cause you guys are in a hard conference and we are in an easy conference but we might not be able to compete without some real bodies.
Current Laker Roster PG - Payton SG - Bryant SF - Odom PF - Grant C - ? Bench --------- Butler George Walton Rush Sasha Fox Cook Douthit The bench looks a lot better, but I agree, the Lakers need to add a center and size to the roster. It looks like the Lakers are going to get Chris Mihm, but I see him better suited as a backup center. He's a decent shotblocker and can take up space in the middle. Landing Dampier would be a blessing, but the Lakers don't have the cash to sign him or the players to trade for him unless Odom is involved. Vlade Divac would be a good one year solution, but I really don't want him back in LA. How about Stromile Swift or Greg Ostertag or Keon Clark?
you count payton? I would replace him with rush, hes not gonna stay. We could experiment with sasha with sg or pg. As i said from the beginning, the center position is the hardest thing we gotta worry about. We won with Shaq, without shaq or an equally decent center, winning will be hard. Yeah, i agree with shape, divac would be a good one year solution, but it would be just too weird see him play in l.a.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting eginobili20:</div><div class="quote_post">...Yeah, i agree with shape, divac would be a good one year solution, but it would be just too weird see him play in l.a.</div> he did start his career in l.a., but i agree that after being a king and the rivalry with the lakers it would be strange. i sure hope he stays with the kings.
Sasha's yet to play in a real NBA game so it's still unsure of how good he'll be, but from what I've seen and heard, I think this guy has real potential. Give him some regular playing time off the bench (if he proves himself in preseason/early regular season) and we could have a big advantage in the future with a tall PG like him. We COULD put him at SG but why would you want to? He already shows signs of PG-needed abilities and it's not like Kobe's gonna be on the bench a whole lot. If Kareem progresses he'll be a great backup. Plus, Caron can play 2/3. As for centers, here's a list (in no order) of who I think the Lakers should consider signing/trading for. At least one of them would want a chance to play with Kobe and the Lakers: Chris Andersen (?) Marcus Camby Keon Clark Erick Dampier Vlade Divac Marcus Fizer (?) Steven Hunter Chris Mihm Oliver Miller (That'd be kinda funny. Like having Shaq without the height and the skill..) Greg Ostertag (?) Joel Przybilla Darius Songaila (?) Stromile Swift Robert Traylor Jake Tsakalidis Theo Ratliff Not all of these guys would even consider playing with the Lakers but based on the free agent list up on NBA.com, I think these are the ones the Lakers should focus on for C. Another thing...it might actually do the Lakers good if they trade Gary Payton for someone but please...PLEASE...TRADE Devean George!! He's played in the starting lineup filled with 4 future hall of famers and he STILL can't do sh*t!! Just get rid of this guy. I'm sure we can find someone younger and CHEAPER for him. If worse comes to worse, the guy will end up a bust and the Lakers won't lose anything because George didn't do anything anyway. Pretty long first post...wus up fellow Laker fans!
I think we should offer Caron Butler for Eric Dampier, because the Warriors right now are probably looking for any good deal in compensation for losing Damp. Butler might have a lot of potential, but he's the one player on our roster with high trade value but I would say is expendable because of all the SF's we have.
Personally, with the roster the way it is right now, I want to see something like this: PG: Payton SG: Bryant SF: Butler PF: Odom C: Grant I think that gives the Lakers, the overall best lineup they can get right now. Some will say that Odom is a little undersized to play power forward in the West, he does stand 6'10" but he's only 225. But, I think, with that lineup, it gives us the most offensive firepower and it's very athletic. Odom would be able to stretch out the interior defense and that would give Kobe an easier drive to the hoop. Plus, Odom did play power forward in the East for most of last year. I realize the East is smaller compared to the West, but it's just a thought. This is just my opinion. I think, by starting Odom at the power forward and Butler at the small forward, it'll give the Lakers their best overall lineup.
I was actually hoping that Al Jefferson would've dropped a little more for the Lakers to pick him up in the draft Oh well...
There is nothing the Lakers have other then Kobe to trade for Erick Dampier When you have team like Dallas and Memphis who can give alot more then the Lakers can it's like saying that the Spurs had a chance on Getting Kobe.
