2014 Los Angeles Lakers

[starbigd]

imagine the trash Mark Cuban would talk if THAT ever happened...


and btw, i actually respect the guy. dude marches to his own drum beat, though...

As a Dallas fan, I have full confidence we will NEVER sign a player of Lebron's caliber as a FA. Players like to court Dallas......we're like the really hot but really stupid cheerleader.......guys want to be seen with us, but not actually commit to us.

 

[Kold]

That all depends.

If Miami wins the title again, or is very close, it's Miami hands down.

If they completely collapse.....say theres a ton of injuries.....it COULD be LA, but even then, I'd still lean Miami. They have more talent currently, they have a better front office IMO, and they don't have to deal with Short Buss OR D'Antoni.

LA is ONLY a better situation IF they sign Lebron. Outside of that, it's not close.

Better front office, I agree...but there are serious rumblings of Jeanie and Phil possibly uprooting Jim Buss on that aspect. As for Miami winning the title this year, I don't think they can do it because making the Finals 4 yrs in a row is EXTREMELY tough, but that's just my opinion. As for talent, they won't be able to keep the Big 3 together due to the cba imo, so I think the guy that goes is Bosh. Now this is STRICTLY hypothetical, but I think it comes down to this.......an oft-injured D-Wade, whatever they can get in a Bosh trade, plus whatever team they have(won't be switched up that much due to cba) vs Melo, POSSIBLY Kobe(if he doesn't retire), and cap space. I think they'll cut Nash and possibly go after Eric Bledsoe or a younger PG(but that's moreso wishful thinking on my part). Maybe the ego's get in the way of it happening, maybe it doesn't. As for Dantoni, I'm not so sure that he'll be there or not seeing as another year of failure MAY just bring Phil along. As for us, if the grand plan works out then great. If we get just Melo or strike out on both we had to the stacked free agency class of 2015.

 

[starbigd]

Better front office, I agree...but there are serious rumblings of Jeanie and Phil possibly uprooting Jim Buss on that aspect. As for Miami winning the title this year, I don't think they can do it because making the Finals 4 yrs in a row is EXTREMELY tough, but that's just my opinion. As for talent, they won't be able to keep the Big 3 together due to the cba imo, so I think the guy that goes is Bosh. Now this is STRICTLY hypothetical, but I think it comes down to this.......an oft-injured D-Wade, whatever they can get in a Bosh trade, plus whatever team they have(won't be switched up that much due to cba) vs Melo, POSSIBLY Kobe(if he doesn't retire), and cap space. I think they'll cut Nash and possibly go after Eric Bledsoe or a younger PG(but that's moreso wishful thinking on my part). Maybe the ego's get in the way of it happening, maybe it doesn't. As for Dantoni, I'm not so sure that he'll be there or not seeing as another year of failure MAY just bring Phil along. As for us, if the grand plan works out then great. If we get just Melo or strike out on both we had to the stacked free agency class of 2015.

I think you guys should avoid Melo like the plague and just focus on perimeter defense, a PG and Lebron.

I can guarantee you won't make it out of the first round with melo and kobe on the same team. Two guys that chuck it up that much will have no chemistry or team play. Just a bad idea all around. Find you a guard or two like a Brandon jennings or someone like that, and young guys that can run/defend.

 

[Kold]

Lakers fans better hope and pray that Lebron goes there....If he doesn't this thread will blow up in their face next July because most of their fans are talking like it is a lock that he will sign with LA. Unlike me on the other hand who admits that there is a decent possibility he leaves Miami but I just don't see him going to LA to play with Kobe Bryant.

Let me ask you a question. What will be a better situation in 2014? LA or Cleveland. ANSWER THAT

Would I rather play with a ball hog in Kobe who is a tough teammate to play with and who is coming to the end of his career or would I rather play with Kyrie, Bynum, and the rook?

If Lebron doesn't re-sign with Miami, he is going to Cleveland

I stand on the fence of "it MAY happen, it MAY NOT happen, but don't throw the Lakers completely out". For winning NOW, I think LA is the better sitaution IF we're saying Melo is there to play the stretch four.....but this is too much of a hypothetical. I have to see what Melo does first before I can handicap the situation.

 

[Kold]

I think you guys should avoid Melo like the plague and just focus on perimeter defense, a PG and Lebron.

I can guarantee you won't make it out of the first round with melo and kobe on the same team. Two guys that chuck it up that much will have no chemistry or team play. Just a bad idea all around. Find you a guard or two like a Brandon jennings or someone like that, and young guys that can run/defend.

I think if we got Melo, I'd look to 2015 to see if we could pair him with. I think Kevin Love is almost a lock, we could possibly go after Rondo, or the many other free agents in that class. I can agree that we NEED to address this PG situation. Gotta get a young PG in there for 2014, and that is possible as they can cut Nash via the stretch prosition. As for Brandon Jennings, if we're talking about Kobe still being on the team, I'd rather take Melo over him because Jennings can chuck it as well. I think Kobe would be more able to mesh with Melo(it would be tough) due to them being as good as friends as they are, than Brandon Jennings

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

I think if we got Melo, I'd look to 2015 to see if we could pair him with. I think Kevin Love is almost a lock, we could possibly go after Rondo, or the many other free agents in that class. I can agree that we NEED to address this PG situation. Gotta get a young PG in there for 2014, and that is possible as they can cut Nash via the stretch prosition. As for Brandon Jennings, if we're talking about Kobe still being on the team, I'd rather take Melo over him because Jennings can chuck it as well. I think Kobe would be more able to mesh with Melo(it would be tough) due to them being as good as friends as they are, than Brandon Jennings

Melo's resume is worse then Howard's.
I dont see what the 20M+ year attraction is.

I agree with Love analysis and Nash analysis. You should have no need for him after this season.

 

[lakersrule]

Lakers fans better hope and pray that Lebron goes there....If he doesn't this thread will blow up in their face next July because most of their fans are talking like it is a lock that he will sign with LA. Unlike me on the other hand who admits that there is a decent possibility he leaves Miami but I just don't see him going to LA to play with Kobe Bryant.

Let me ask you a question. What will be a better situation in 2014? LA or Cleveland. ANSWER THAT

Would I rather play with a ball hog in Kobe who is a tough teammate to play with and who is coming to the end of his career or would I rather play with Kyrie, Bynum, and the rook?

If Lebron doesn't re-sign with Miami, he is going to Cleveland

Way to completely make things up BK. So, Hammerdown saying book it counts as most Lakers fans acting like it is a done deal? I've said plenty of times that I don't think Lebron is coming to LA. TF12 just said above your post that he doesn't think Lebron comes if Miami wins next season.

 

[Heatles84]

LeBron should go to Dallas. They have best coach and coolest owner in tha biz.

Combine this quote with your questionable avatar; it's no wonder why you're a constant punchline for Lakers fans.

 

[starbigd]

I think if we got Melo, I'd look to 2015 to see if we could pair him with. I think Kevin Love is almost a lock, we could possibly go after Rondo, or the many other free agents in that class. I can agree that we NEED to address this PG situation. Gotta get a young PG in there for 2014, and that is possible as they can cut Nash via the stretch prosition. As for Brandon Jennings, if we're talking about Kobe still being on the team, I'd rather take Melo over him because Jennings can chuck it as well. I think Kobe would be more able to mesh with Melo(it would be tough) due to them being as good as friends as they are, than Brandon Jennings

Good points, but the only reason I brought up Jennings is because he's still young and impressionable. Kobe might be able to tone him down.

Melo is just, IMO, the worst fit you guys could get. First, you're going to ask him to take a secondary role to Kobe.......not gonna happen. You're going to want him to take less shots.......also most likely not going to happen. I just dont see him sacrificing his own stats for Kobe. And he LOVES New York. The road is a little easier in the east to get to the finals.

Rondo would be an excellent get......so would Love. But I'd pass on Melo unless you know Kobe is retiring, which I don't see him doing for 3 years unless he has a setback in his recovery or gets another major injury.

 

[trojanfan12]

Lakers fans better hope and pray that Lebron goes there....If he doesn't this thread will blow up in their face next July because most of their fans are talking like it is a lock that he will sign with LA. Unlike me on the other hand who admits that there is a decent possibility he leaves Miami but I just don't see him going to LA to play with Kobe Bryant.

Let me ask you a question. What will be a better situation in 2014? LA or Cleveland. ANSWER THAT

Would I rather play with a ball hog in Kobe who is a tough teammate to play with and who is coming to the end of his career or would I rather play with Kyrie, Bynum, and the rook?

If Lebron doesn't re-sign with Miami, he is going to Cleveland

Not gonna blow up in my face, I've said all along that I think Lebron stays in Miami!! The difference however, is I'm not going to just dismiss the Lakers ability to put together an attractive offer based on some idea that no one wants to play with Kobe that I can't back up!!

Also, you have no idea, nor do I, as to what the Lakers will be able to put together to attract Lebron or any other top free agent!!

 

[Malibu]

Lakers fans better hope and pray that Lebron goes there....If he doesn't this thread will blow up in their face next July because most of their fans are talking like it is a lock that he will sign with LA. Unlike me on the other hand who admits that there is a decent possibility he leaves Miami but I just don't see him going to LA to play with Kobe Bryant.

Let me ask you a question. What will be a better situation in 2014? LA or Cleveland. ANSWER THAT

Would I rather play with a ball hog in Kobe who is a tough teammate to play with and who is coming to the end of his career or would I rather play with Kyrie, Bynum, and the rook?

If Lebron doesn't re-sign with Miami, he is going to Cleveland

Funny how Heat fans only defend Bynum when it has to do with Kobe Bryant or LeBron James but yet ripped on Bynum for being a lazy injured fool. Cant have it both ways bandwagon Heat fans.

 

[trojanfan12]

I think he'll look around regardless.

But I don't think LA presents a better situation. All they'll have is Nash and Sacre on the team. That's not a good situation, regardless of cap room if you don't sign pieces he wants to play with.

You can't put a price tag on just how well he gets along with and TRUSTS Pat Riley. This is what I think you're vastly underestimating. Riley will have a plan, and I'd bet dollars to donuts Lebron will be intimately involved in it. Lebron can more or less get talent to play WITH him.....he doesn't need to go somewhere else.

Look at it if you were Lebron. You have a title team currently. You have a HOF GM, and live in one of the most glamorous cities in the nation. You have the chance to be THE face of the franchise like Jordan/Chicago.......you would flush all that to go somewhere over cap space? There are no guarantees, but you DO know your GM will put together a title roster because he's already done it 3 times. What's his motivation to leave?

How is the Lakers only having Nash and Sacre (and possibly Nick Young) under contract next summer NOT a great situation!! Think about what Lebron did re: going to Miami!! He basically got together with D-Wade and Bosh and made his own team!!

Not saying this would happen, but the Lakers could literally say to Lebron "We've got you, Nash, Sacre and Young. Who else do you want? We'll get them"!!

As for where to live, Miami is NOT more glamorous than L.A. and doesn't have the humidity!! The Lakers have their own GM who may very well be an HOF'er himself!!

In 2014, the Heat will be in essentially the same situation that the Lakers were in this off-season!! They'll be capped out (they currently have the 2nd highest luxury tax in the league after the Lakers), have an aging superstar 2 guard who is closer to the end of his career than the beginning, an aging, inconsistent bench and a superstar that they are hoping will re-sign with them!!

 

[trojanfan12]

I think you guys should avoid Melo like the plague and just focus on perimeter defense, a PG and Lebron.

I can guarantee you won't make it out of the first round with melo and kobe on the same team. Two guys that chuck it up that much will have no chemistry or team play. Just a bad idea all around. Find you a guard or two like a Brandon jennings or someone like that, and young guys that can run/defend.

I agree 100% with that bolded part!! People like to call Kobe a ballhog!! Kobe is Magic Johnson compared to Melo!!

One of the funnier posts I've seen was when someone suggested that for Kobe and Melo to play together the NBA would have to change the rules to allow 2 balls on the court at the same time. Then someone else responded that Melo would just learn to dribble 2 basketballs at the same time!!

 

[Jims_Doors]

I agree 100% with that bolded part!! People like to call Kobe a ballhog!! Kobe is Magic Johnson compared to Melo!!

One of the funnier posts I've seen was when someone suggested that for Kobe and Melo to play together the NBA would have to change the rules to allow 2 balls on the court at the same time. Then someone else responded that Melo would just learn to dribble 2 basketballs at the same time!!

Meh.......it's not that big of a difference right now comparing their career avg...... But you're not that far off of your assessment. Melo would definitely rather shoot first.

Kobe = 4.8 dimes

Melo = 3.1

 

[LAKERSUSCBAM]

Read through some of the posts here and the usual idiot - Punchline - makes up his own assumption of Lakers fans and Lebron. Always good for a chuckle Burger King.

Nobody really can predict as TF12(I think) said how things will play out after this season. Kobe may not even be a shell of himself, Lebron could be injured, DWade, etc. A year out this is all fun to speculate though especially for non-Lakers fans.

Would I want Lebron on the Lakers? Yes. Would I want Melo? Yes. But reality is we may not get either one so this is purely a wish vs. a want.

We've not been in this position since probably FA hit the league and it will build up even more as hit next July for sure. Imagine the possibilities which for now are just a fantasy.

 

[Black Adam]

Read through some of the posts here and the usual idiot - Punchline - makes up his own assumption of Lakers fans and Lebron. Always good for a chuckle Burger King.

Nobody really can predict as TF12(I think) said how things will play out after this season. Kobe may not even be a shell of himself, Lebron could be injured, DWade, etc. A year out this is all fun to speculate though especially for non-Lakers fans.

Would I want Lebron on the Lakers? Yes. Would I want Melo? Yes. But reality is we may not get either one so this is purely a wish vs. a want.

We've not been in this position since probably FA hit the league and it will build up even more as hit next July for sure. Imagine the possibilities which for now are just a fantasy.

biggest reason why i don't get into the prediction game for the most part. who the hell knows what's gonna happen in a year's time...?

 

[trojanfan12]

Read through some of the posts here and the usual idiot - Punchline - makes up his own assumption of Lakers fans and Lebron. Always good for a chuckle Burger King.

Nobody really can predict as TF12(I think) said how things will play out after this season. Kobe may not even be a shell of himself, Lebron could be injured, DWade, etc. A year out this is all fun to speculate though especially for non-Lakers fans.

Would I want Lebron on the Lakers? Yes. Would I want Melo? Yes. But reality is we may not get either one so this is purely a wish vs. a want.

We've not been in this position since probably FA hit the league and it will build up even more as hit next July for sure. Imagine the possibilities which for now are just a fantasy.

As bad as this is already, can you imagine what the speculation is going to be like next year?!?

 

[jayviabay]

If you have equal or greater ability, Kobe has no problem deferring to you. I think its safe to say none of you idiots in here watched the Olympics? You know, when Kobe focused on shutting down the best shooter on each team while guys like lebron did the scoring. I think it worked well and they all praised him. You don't know what Kobe would do with a player like LJ because it hasn't happened before. You guys state your raggedy ass opinions like they're golden and if we don't view them as facts, we are ignorant homers!? STFU

 

[Black Adam]

If you have equal or greater ability, Kobe has no problem deferring to you. I think its safe to say none of you idiots in here watched the Olympics? You know, when Kobe focused on shutting down the best shooter on each team while guys like lebron did the scoring. I think it worked well and they all praised him. You don't know what Kobe would do with a player like LJ because it hasn't happened before. You guys state your raggedy ass opinions like they're golden and if we don't view them as facts, we are ignorant homers!? STFU

 

[starbigd]

If you have equal or greater ability, Kobe has no problem deferring to you. I think its safe to say none of you idiots in here watched the Olympics? You know, when Kobe focused on shutting down the best shooter on each team while guys like lebron did the scoring. I think it worked well and they all praised him. You don't know what Kobe would do with a player like LJ because it hasn't happened before. You guys state your raggedy ass opinions like they're golden and if we don't view them as facts, we are ignorant homers!? STFU

Apparently YOU don't watch Kobe either, so maybe YOU should STFU.

Perhaps you missed the Shaq years, or the Finals loss when Kobe played hero ball and lost them the finals to Detroit.......

But yeah, Shaq was clearly not on his level. PLEASE. GTFOH