How do Lakers fans feel about their current roster?

I really hate jumping the gun on the Shaq deal because it's only been one season, but so far it's been a disaster for the short and long term of the Lakers. The Lakers bench also needs a facelift.

Up and down the Laker roster you have talented offensive players. Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, Chucky Atkins, Luke Walton, Brian Cook, Slava Medvedenko, and Sasha Vujacic. However, what you won't find is someone to count on for defense.

Committing to Kobe Bryant was the right move, but Mitch Kupchack failed in his decision to surround Kobe with more offensive players, instead of defensive stoppers. Kobe Bryant is a weapon, but for him to be at his best he needs a lot of touches. Every franchise player should be the center of a team offensively, and then you build around that player's weaknesses. Having a player with Lamar Odom's talent is great, but he needs the ball just as much as Kobe to be at his best. I think when Mitch made this deal he was only thinking about how the Lakers could replace Shaq's offense, but not Shaq's defense. On top of that, he got suckered into taking Brian Grant's behemoth contract. Not only is Brian Grant finished as a player, his contract makes it near impossible to actually build a team around Kobe. By the time his contract expires, Kobe will be 30. Terrible long term planning.

The Lakers were at their best when they surrounded Shaq and Kobe with Ron Harper, Rick Fox, and Robery Horry. These guys played with grit and heart on defense. They didn't mind locking up a player and throwing their bodies around. All three understood their role to a 'T' and allowed Shaq and Kobe to carry the offensive load. The Lakers just don't have anyone like that on the team right now.

Kobe Bryant needs to be surrounded by warriors on the court. Players who will respond to his challenges and demands. Not players with thin skin who take Kobe's criticism to heart and lose confidence. Right now I don't think Lamar Odom, Caron Butler and half of the players on the team have that mindset, so this franchise will be hurting for a long time. They have no pride for what it means to actually play for the Lakers and to put on the Purple & Gold.

Mitch Kupchak is building this team the opposite of Jerry West. Kupchak has drafted nothing, but offensive players since he's been the GM. West on the otherhand always grabbed hardnosed guys to surround his superstars with. West also made shrewd moves right before the deadline to put his team over the top in the post-season. Kupchak has failed every year at getting a late season trade done.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting yao ming:</div><div class="quote_post">i still don't understand why they traded payton and a <font color="DarkRed">first round draft pick</font> to boston for mimh, atkins, and jones. they should have just traded payton for those players, and not with a first round draft pick! or, they could have traded him somewhere else for <font color="DarkRed">a</font> better player, not three mediocre players. another choice was just to keep him.</div>
The Lakers actually will keep the pick, because it's lottery protected. The major botch in the deal was not getting Mike James out of it.

But yes, yet another lame trade by Kupchak to look back on and get sick about.

 

I want to keep Lamar, Chucky, Jumaine, and obviously Kobe..I think everyone else is expendable.

Lamar hasn't had a chance to play his natural position, if we can ship out Caron/fillers for a decent big man or sign one in the offseason, move Lamar down to SF, I would love to see how he plays then.

I think Chucky would be perfect off of the bench. He can hit the 3 and somewhat run the show, perfect for the bench. Draft Felton, move Chucky to the bench.

If we are going to install the triangle, we need to keep George. He knows the system, he can teach it to the younger/new teammates that don't know it.

Kobe is Kobe, surround him with people that want to play and give it 150% every night and want to win, and the Lakers will win.

My Ideal lineup for next year would be:
PG - Raymond Felton
SG - Kobe Bryant
SF - Lamar Odom
PF - Carlos Boozer (I think this trade will flame up again, rumor was the Lakers pulled out because Boozer was in a walking cast.)/or Sign someone like Kwame Brown
C - FA (Stromile Maybe?)/Mihm

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting bigdaddy:</div><div class="quote_post">The Without Kobe Way

1. Kobe and Walton to portland for Zach Randolph + Damon+ Theo Im sure blazers would do this bcuz Shareef and Zach are playing at power, and they need a SG bad! And Walton could fill an empty bench seat. Plus the way Telfair has been playing they can move Damon. And pryzbilla took over Theo's job.
2. Send T. Brown to NBDL why, cuz that's where he belongs.
3. Trade Caron Butler for Melvin Ely. Why cuz Ely can play power and C and stepped up big during Emeka's absense.
4. Fire Hamblen bcuz no1 likes him
5. Hire Mo Cheeks
6. Draft Monta Ellis kid plays like Ivey and we could use his scoring

BAM after this out lineup would be
PG - Damon Staudemire
SG - Monta Ellis
SF - Lamar Odom
PF - Zach Randolph
C - Theo Ratliff with Mevin Ely backing him up
D. Staudemire
Monta Ellis</div>
Thow that idea out, that is an ugly trade for Kobe. Randolph has been injured all year, and Damon has weed problems...not the two players I want on this Laker team.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The WAY WITH Kobe

1. Sign Brevin Knight
2. Send Tierre Brown to NBDL and Medvedenko
3. So the jazz didnt accept butler for boozer eh oh well we'll give them odom and they'll have a big smile on their face.
4. Trade Chris Mihm, Jumaine Jones and Walton for Nazr Mohammad im sure Spurs would take this, and lakers dont worry jones and walton can be easily replaced by NBDL hotshots.

Lineup
Knight
Kobe
Butler
Boozer
Mohammad</div>

Why would we trade Jumaine? He has been a surprise for us and one of our most consistent players all year. We could get a better lineup through the draft. Knight is good, but very fragile and he is old. Lamar is much better than Butler also, and the rumor was that the Lakers shot down the Boozer trade because he was in a walking cast. I do like the Mihm idea though.

 

Damon is a free agent, if the Lakers want him they can sign him in the off-season. I like Zach Randolph, but he's more of a scorer than a defensive stopper. The Lakers need guys like Boozer, Big Ben, Haslem, or Brand who do the little things inside the paint and play strong defense.

Melvin Ely would be a good fit, I wouldn't mind trying to get him and Gerald Wallace.

 

Brand was almost a Laker this year. We could of had him for Shaq, or so says one of the rumors at the time.

I think Sterling would trade Brand. He is the highest paid Clipper in franchise history and they still aren't winning, but there is a problem..the Clippers look like they have turned things around w/Maggette, Brand, Livingston, and Simmons.

 

Trading Kobe isn't even an option in anyone's head except the thread starter...thank the Lord for that one.