Like Shaq said, he's amazed that Luke has given him the ball at the perfect position and timing eventhough they only played this year. He was saying that some of his teammates that he's been with for 7-8 years doesn't even have that capability. 8 assists in 27 minutes? Now that's play-me-over-the-not-producing-GP stat.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm losing a lot of respect for the way Payton has handled himself in the post-season. He knew damn well coming to the Lakers he would be a role player. He refuses to accept the fact he's no longer a superstar in the league. He's been terrible on defense, lackluster on offense, and his outbursts to the refs only hurt the Lakers. On top of all this he is now pouting in the locker room and venting to the media. Come on Payton, you've been around long enough to know how to be a professional and to keep your opinion behind closed doors.</div> Couldn't agree wth you more Shape. What was he thinking as he signed that multiyear contract with us? Did he actualy think he'd see a ton of field goal opportunities when you play alongside Shaq and Kobe?? Just seeing him during the playoffs has made me want to puke. His offense is horrendous, he committs ticky-tac fouls, and he just can't defend the quicker guards in the league anymore. All I have to say is if the Lakers win the championship, he better not be at the front of that podium, he better be in the back with the spectators and reporters because he doesn't deserve that moment besides playing all 82 games in the regular season, and that's been it. Nothing in the postseason when it counts. Just riding coat-tails without giving it your all.
surprisingly ive enjoyed reading this post and whats EVEN MORE surprising is that i actually feel bad for the both of them...i mean Gary okay i like Gary but Karl Malone...who ive never wanted good things to happen to...feeling bad for him is just totally weird...i don't know whats wrong with me...but i just feel bad for Karl cuz of the way he feels about it....listening to him talk about his injury and how he feels like he's not contributing i can't help but feel slight saddness (maybe its cuz im a girl i dunno) as for Gary..hahaha...it really cracks me up how he tells the media just how he feels...and actually thats something ive always loved about Gary he's very tell it like it is....i enjoy people like that...to but to feel like you aren't getting enough playing time or that you aren't contributing due to that reason is one thing...but to air all that out to the media is the wrong thing to do...it has just added another storyline to the LA Lakers soap opera like year...not to mention the fact that your teammates are exactly loving you after you say stuff like that....but i will say that i enjoy the tv camera panning into GP on the bench cuz he always looks SO SO pissed...i can't help but laugh....i love GP! but all in all it is pretty sad that both these guys gave up their friends...moved their families and took a paycut to get the opportunity to be where they are at right now yet both are compeletly miserable (from one thing or another)
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Emo:</div><div class="quote_post">All I have to say is if the Lakers win the championship, he better not be at the front of that podium, he better be in the back with the spectators and reporters because he doesn't deserve that moment besides playing all 82 games in the regular season, and that's been it. Nothing in the postseason when it counts. Just riding coat-tails without giving it your all.</div> How can you say GP doesn't deserve this? He's fought his whole career to get this ring, and just because of one lousy postseason, you say he doesn't deserve it? You know how much the Lakers could have crumbled during the regular season had GP gotten himself injured to? While Kobe, Malone, AND Shaq were watching from the bench for some games, GP was still there. I think that GP's mostly upset with his drop off over the season. At the beginning, he was the point guard that the Lakers expected. He was a main part of that 18-3 run. The Lakers didn't need the triangle anymore because they had a point guard who could actually run the fast break. That was the only stretch where the Lakers were truly the dominant team that everyone expected them to be. But then Shaq, Kobe, and Malone got injured, and Phil went back to the triangle. He's never looked back. The Lakers have gone back to a half-court team. They aren't nearly as dominant(if at all) as they were when Phil didn't have this leash on Payton. Phil doesn't play him to his strengths, and is instead trying to play him to his weakness -- shooting. If Phil Jackson could give Payton more free range, and loosen that leash of his, Payton would be able to contribute. But now that he can't, he's obviously lost all confidence in himself. Payton is the key part to the Lakers playing to their absolute strength, and it's Phil Jackson that's not allowing it.
I hope GP has a big first quarter like against the TWolves at least. Get the Lakers to a fast start, and for a bonus get some assists and steals in the 4th quarter.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting 30 standing ver:</div><div class="quote_post">I hope GP has a big first quarter like against the TWolves at least. Get the Lakers to a fast start, and for a bonus get some assists and steals in the 4th quarter.</div> Yeh if Malone cant go tonight I really see the Lakers playing a three gaurd set that would not only include but need Payton's pressence. By Paytons presence i mean his defensive and offensive pressence with points, assists, and veteran leadership. Of course if they dont use Payton I hope Phil has something up his sleeve because as notMuchgame stated in his earlier post I believe the Lakers season could be over. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting notMuchgame:</div><div class="quote_post">call me a pessimist but something tells me his season is over....</div>
