The #7 pick

[trojanfan12]

I'd personally love to keep Pau on the team but I just feel he'll demand a bit too much money.

Anything under $9m a year and he's a keeper.

I'd even go $10-12 mil depending on what else they get.

 

[Retroram52]

I thought the majority of the issues Gasol had with Don'tknowi was this past season but maybe it started last year and got worse this past season.

 

[OutlawImmortal]

If the team Pau wants to go to doesn't have the cap space to sign him outright, then I bet he'd be willing to do a sign and trade. The Lakers may have dangled his name in trade talks for awhile now (actually traded him once), they also paid him a lot of money. Playing for the Lakers has been pretty good for Pau.

Not saying he won't come back, but a sign and trade seems pretty unlikely. Guess anything's possible.

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

I'd even go $10-12 mil depending on what else they get.

I personally think they'll go after a PF in the draft. They can also probably get Jordan Hill pretty damn cheap if they promise him more minutes.

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

Only just noticed you hit the 10k quite recently, Retro. Congrats

 

[Retroram52]

Thanks Shaqdaddy. Crusin' right along.

 

[LALakersboy24.7]

Thanks Shaqdaddy. Crusin' right along.

 

[trojanfan12]

I thought the majority of the issues Gasol had with Don'tknowi was this past season but maybe it started last year and got worse this past season.

Yeah, it was when Dwight was here that the issues started because Dwight can't be more than 2 feet from the basket and wanted the ball all of the time. When Pau and Dwight were on the floor together, Pau basically became Chris Bosh. The reason Pau and Bynum played well together is because Bynum could operate more than 2 feet from the hoop.

The problems between Pau and D'Antoni continued into this season when Pau was too injured much of the season to be in the lineup consistently. Later in the season, they were able to iron out many of their differences. Pau was able to find his role in the offense and D'Antoni was able to make some changes to his system to accommodate Pau. D'Antoni had never coached a big with Pau's skill set and learned that Pau is actually a pretty good fit for his system.

I don't know if they got their differences ironed out enough for Pau to stay if D'Antoni was still the coach (and now we don't have to worry about it). But things between them got much better once Pau got healthy. Of course, all that really did was cost the Lakers a few ping pong balls.

 

[Retroram52]

Thanks for the clarification TJF12.

 

[trojanfan12]

What do you guys think about Elfrid Payton?


Former Ehret, Louisiana-Lafayette guard Elfrid Payton considered 'sleeper of the draft' - NOLA.com


[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWqfHE4J3EU]Elfrid Payton Sophomore Highlights - University Of Louisiana At Lafayette - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Retroram52]

Thanks LALakersboy with the gif and all.

 

[wlk3]

I think many of the problems with Gasol/Howard was the system... I think McHale would take a Chief/McHale approach to Gasol/Howard... That's why I mentioned Houston... They need a PF like Pau IMO... Indy, Houston, Miami, Spurs would all be spots Pau would be useful... Anywhere else his final years will be waisted IMO... Unless the Lakers try to make a last push for these last 2 Kobe years... And if so, NO rookie would help... As for Rondo, maybe some of you have forgotten how good he is... I know he was injured but he returned last year pretty early and in limited action off injury surrounded by a team similar to ours his numbers were... 11.9pts 9.8asts 5.5rebs 1.3stls 3.3tos... That's pretty damn good in 33minutes of action... His 3years prior to injury which were years they were in title contention or champs 11.8pts 11.3ast 4.8rebs 2stls 3.6tos in 37 minutes... You put that with Kobe Ariza and Pau and Swaggy P leading the way off the bench and we have a serious shot... That's all I'm saying...

 

[Retroram52]

Actually, Pat Riley may lure Pau to Miami especially if the Heat win their third championship in a row and Riley has to replace Oden who has done little and has become the new Andrew Bynum for the Heat.

 

[trojanfan12]

Actually, Pat Riley may lure Pau to Miami especially if the Heat win their third championship in a row and Riley has to replace Oden who has done little and has become the new Andrew Bynum for the Heat.

If he does that, barring injury, the Heat would be looking at another title.

 

[wlk3]

Yeah Pau in Miami would be scary, and another reason why I would make sure to keep him if I'm the Lakers... Miami Pacers Spurs would be 1 of the 3 places he ends up, which puts that team on top IMO... So I say again, we don't need a 7 pick all though if memory serves many #7s have been studs, I really hope management goes after JVGundy and the players I suggested... Not only could I come here and brag about being right, we would be in good shape to add a ring... :yahoo

Congrats on the 10 grand Retro...

 

[wlk3]

2013: Ben Mclemore
2012: Harrison Barnes
2011: Bismack Biyombo
2010: Greg Monroe
2009: Steph Curry
2008: Eric Gordon
2007: Corey Brewer
2006: Randy Foye
2005: Charlie Villanueva
2004: Luol Deng

Those are the last 10 picks at #7... Only Steph is a game changer and Greg Monroe is second... I know this draft is "deep" but apparently history is not on our side... I thought it was better but this makes me want to trade that pick even more...

 

[trojanfan12]

Yeah Pau in Miami would be scary, and another reason why I would make sure to keep him if I'm the Lakers... Miami Pacers Spurs would be 1 of the 3 places he ends up, which puts that team on top IMO... So I say again, we don't need a 7 pick all though if memory serves many #7s have been studs, I really hope management goes after JVGundy and the players I suggested... Not only could I come here and brag about being right, we would be in good shape to add a ring... :yahoo

Congrats on the 10 grand Retro...

So, you're suggesting a starting lineup of:

C - Hill
PF - Pau
SF - Ariza
SG - Kobe
PG - Rondo

and Swaggy P leading the bench mob which I assume means at least a few of the guys from last year?

Maybe a bench of:
Swaggy P
Farmar
Sacre
Kelly
and some combo of Bazemore, Xavier, Johnson, Marshall, Blake, Nash (if healthy enough) and whoever the draft pick is.

Not bad. I don't know if it's a contending team, but it would be a darn competitive one and fairly athletic too. Much would depend on how strong Kobe comes back. There would also be a solid mix of vets and young guys which could be attractive to max FA's when Kobe retires.

 

[wlk3]

So, you're suggesting a starting lineup of:

C - Hill
PF - Pau
SF - Ariza
SG - Kobe
PG - Rondo

and Swaggy P leading the bench mob which I assume means at least a few of the guys from last year?

Maybe a bench of:
Swaggy P
Farmar
Sacre
Kelly
and some combo of Bazemore, Xavier, Johnson, Marshall, Blake, Nash (if healthy enough) and whoever the draft pick is.

Not bad. I don't know if it's a contending team, but it would be a darn competitive one and fairly athletic too. Much would depend on how strong Kobe comes back. There would also be a solid mix of vets and young guys which could be attractive to max FA's when Kobe retires.

That's the idea... JVGundy also has a team that is similar to the teams he's had... Ewing/Yoa/Pau C a hustle/garbage man at the 4 Mason or was it Johnson/Scola/Hill, but this time his 1/2/3 will be just as good if not better than his front court... McGrady was his only guy that was this good, maybe Spreewell I think... This would also be the first time Kobe would have to guard the teams 3rd perimeter player... This team would hinge on Kobe being at least 85% of his last year before injury... Maybe I'm just optimistic this team would have a shot IMO...

 

[trojanfan12]

That's the idea... JVGundy also has a team that is similar to the teams he's had... Ewing/Yoa/Pau C a hustle/garbage man at the 4 Mason or was it Johnson/Scola/Hill, but this time his 1/2/3 will be just as good if not better than his front court... McGrady was his only guy that was this good, maybe Spreewell I think... This would also be the first time Kobe would have to guard the teams 3rd perimeter player... This team would hinge on Kobe being at least 85% of his last year before injury... Maybe I'm just optimistic this team would have a shot IMO...

With the right coach, you may be on to something. JVG would be good and Retro posted on the Coaching Interviews thread that the Lakers have interviewed Larry Brown. If he wants the job, the Lakers should stop all interviews and hire him. He would also be perfect for your suggested roster.

 

[Retroram52]

Thanks Wlk3!!