Let's be honest, Kobe is the Greatest Of All Time

[DJ]

Black is under contract for around 800K and I like what I have seen from him so far.

 

[trojanfan12]

I think everything you said is true.

that mental toughness that borders on illness as you said allowed Kobe and Jordan to be who they are- who are both among the greatest of all time

LeBron does not have it on that level no doubt- but no one would question that LeBron is definitely the best teammate of the 3 and raises other guys games the most.

I mean- as far as accomplishments go- the fact that the Cavs made the 2007-2008 (i think it was that year...eitehr that or 06-07)- Finals- with his best supporting players being Delonte West, Z, a raw Varejao, and a rookie Boobie Gibson.....that team won a ton of games and probably had the worst overall roster ofa any team in Finals history.

Agree. That's why I've always said that the Lebron/Kobe and Lebron/MJ comparisons don't work. Lebron/Magic is much more apples to apples than the other 2. I've always said that Lebron is a bigger, more athletic version of Magic.

 

[Mecca]

Yeah, I'd love to see the Lakers get Mudiay. If the Lakers get the #1 pick, I think I'd rather see them take Mudiay over Okafor and then go after Monroe or Marc Gasol in FA.

Totally agree.

I don't think they should pursue Rondo.

I pray they don't go after DeAndre Jordan.

Roy Hibbert?

The guys that would be at the top of my list if I wanted to get younger would be Reggie Jackson, Monroe and Tobias Harris.

I really like Thad Young too.

But, can he play sf?

The 4 should be reserved for Randle.

 

[DJ]

Thad Young is a natural SF who has been forced to play PF throughout his career.

 

[DJ]

Kobe goes out with an injury and Young goes for 17 points.........




But no rebounds or assists.

 

[DJ]

 

[Mecca]

Agree. That's why I've always said that the Lebron/Kobe and Lebron/MJ comparisons don't work. Lebron/Magic is much more apples to apples than the other 2. I've always said that Lebron is a bigger, more athletic version of Magic.

Agree...this article sums it up nicely.


Just by looking at Lebron's current situation and Magic's situation, I already see similarities. Both players are 6 foot 8 inches, same will-to-win, and they play the same way.

Both players play basketball the right way. They can score, but they're always looking for teammates. Magic Johnson averaged 11.2 APG for his career, while Lebron averages 6.9 APG. Lebron has always said he just can't play the way Kobe and Jordan played. It's just not his first instinct. Even in his 61 point game, Lebron ha 5 assists! Magic was the same way. He could not shoot an open 15 footer, if his teammate was wide open under the basket. If you've never seen Magic or Lebron pass, then you're missing out on some beautiful basketball.

http://basketballbloggers.***************/posts/595221/the_comparison_of_magic_johnson.html

 

[WiggyRuss]

Small Forward Free Agents in 2015

LeBron James- lol
Kawhi Leonard- restricted- gotta think he stays in SAS
Luol Deng
Jeff Green
Tobias Harris

these are basically the only substantial SF free agents

it makes me wonder if maybe drafting a SF would be the better way to go- as its a LOT easier to find a very good PG in todays game than a SF


as for big men there seems to be more options

Marc Gasol- gotta think he stays in Memphis
Pau Gasol- cant see the Lakers wanting him back or him going back
Greg Monroe- a definite option and would be a very nice pickup
Kevin Love- I think its a good bet he stays in Cleveland- if your the Lakers would you really WANt to give him a max money and extension too? i dunno about that......i mean you probably do- but i think a younger guy with some defensive ability like Monroe who wont beexpensive might even be better long term
LaMarcus Aldridge- gotta thinkt he Blazers go after him hard- but it might be an option
Deandre jordan- gotta think the Clips try and go ahrd after him- but if they dont offer him a max and the lakers do.....but as a lakers fan do you REALLy want Jordan on a max? i wouldnt
Al Jefferson- has a player option- but with how he is playing he will probably decline it- he could be an option
Omer Asik- I think this would be a very smart pickup by the Lakers- a definite option
Brook Lopez- might not be a bad option- injury concerns have to be a drawback- but he would help
Roy Hibbert- good question here- I think he would bea good option for the Lakers though

Paul Milsap- i think this is a solid and realistic option
David West- if you cant get anyone else on a 1 year deal to have him start while Randle gets ready?
Thad Young- a solid option
Tristan Thompson- i dont see him leaving- and i think you Lakers fans would pull your hair out if you gave him 13 million a year , lol

these are the guys who would be considered "significant additions"
there are other guys like Robin Lopez, Brenden Wright, Tyson Chandler, Brandon Bass, Amare, Thomas Robinson...at SF- wilson chandler, chase budinger, matt barnes, derrick williams is restricted


as Lakers fans- if you were realistic- considering how much you would have to pay them- who do you think they should go after?

 

[DJ]

For my special lady in the room.....

 

[trojanfan12]

If the Lakers get a top pick, get Randle back, get Kobe healthy- and sign 2 very good free agents- they could compete in the West for a middle playoff spot probably-

the thing that is tough is relying on 2 rookies who would both be 21 years old or younger.

realistically say they sign Monroe and a good point- which they need. What position does this Mudiay guy play?

I really paid close attention to the college game the last few seasons when the Cavs had a huge interest there- but not so much this season becuse of how crazy the Cavs level of interest, notoriety etc. has been.

For Mudiay, I think it would depend on the point guard they signed. If they get a good point guard, then I think you bring in Mudiay because he nlooks like he'll be special and let him spend a season or 2 playing backup and learning. Similar to what they did with Kobe for his first couple of seasons when they had Eddie Jones.

If they get a great PG, then I think they don't take Mudiay or they go ahead and take him and then trade him like the Cavs did with Wiggins.

 

[DJ]

Magic was 6-9....

 

[WiggyRuss]

I mean point guard is just so much easier to find in the draft and free agency

Dragic, Rondo, Reggie Jackson, Brandon Knight- are all very very good options-

Patrick Beverly, Lou Williams, would be nice players too and each woudl probably be the best PG the Lakers have had inalong long time

look at Brandon Knight- that kid has played GREAT...like GREAT....i think that when you consider health and age he would be the best fit out of Dragic among all the PGs for the Lakers




my bad in posting those 2 to the wrong thread...i wanted your guys reactions though to those lists.....

IF that Mudiay guy is really gonna be amazing i would draft him like you guys are saying- but its so hard to find elite big men and elite SF's.......

you can find really good point guards later in the draft or in free agency....teams just dont let big men free agents get away from them that often- and there just arent many good SFs around and they hardly EVEr get to free agency....

 

[Mecca]

ohh ok- so Mudiay plays point

so lets see- after the draft what do they look for assumign they draft this Mudiay guy

PG- Mudiay
SG- Kobe
SF-?
PF- Randle
C- Hill

significant bench players- only Nick Young-SG

take them or give them away bench guys- Sacre-C, Kelly- PF


you DEFINITELY need a couple good wing players- MOST importantly a SF....

so- who are the possible options out there for a starting big man, and a starting SF- because it would be nice to push Randle or Hill to the bench and add a big time quality big man

They will have enough to sign a guy like Tobias Harris too.

 

[Mecca]

Thad Young is a natural SF who has been forced to play PF throughout his career.

I have always been a fan of his game.

Would you take him over Harris?

I think Thad would be easier to get.

 

[WiggyRuss]

say the Lakers do this: draft Mudiay....sign Monroe (17 million) and Tobias Harris (13 million), Lou Williams (6 million)

PG- Mudiay
SG- Kobe
SF- Harris
PF- Monroe
C- Hill

bench- Lou Williams (PG/SG), Nick Young (SG), Julius Randle (PF)

would that be acceptable?

 

[DJ]

I have always been a fan of his game.

Would you take him over Harris?

I think Thad would be easier to get.

I love the Magic trading for Harris and how that turned out, but I'd prefer Thad Young on the Lakers with Kobe and Swaggy.

 

[WiggyRuss]

I have always been a fan of his game.

Would you take him over Harris?

I think Thad would be easier to get.

that would be way easier to get--- Harris could bea budding star and is not gonna be cheap....of course if you sign young instead yo uhave more money to spend elsewhere....

 

[WiggyRuss]

I think the guys who are both young and have a lot of talent in this free agency are Greg Monroe, Brenden Knight and Tobias Harris...if they could get 2/3 of those guys that would be huge.

 

[DJ]

I'd prefer we get Gasol or Monroe and a solid PG though. Select Mudiay and make him the 6th man, if Clarkson develops? Trade him.

When Kobe retires....play Mudiay at SG.

 

[DJ]

I don't necessarily want Rondo either, I don't think he and Kobe would be a good fit.