Comments on: We Should Be Fine http://thelakersnation.com/blog/2007/07/31/we-should-be-fine/ The #1 Source For Everything Lakers Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:46:42 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: FlenFlyss http://thelakersnation.com/blog/2007/07/31/we-should-be-fine/#comment-10522 FlenFlyss Fri, 03 Aug 2007 06:07:55 +0000 http://getgarnett.com/blog/?p=672#comment-10522 There's nothing to be worried about..boston will not be a contender..it's just hype..like what they are doing to lebron what his last name again? There’s nothing to be worried about..boston will not be a contender..it’s just hype..like what they are doing to lebron what his last name again?

]]> By: rasarx http://thelakersnation.com/blog/2007/07/31/we-should-be-fine/#comment-10453 rasarx Thu, 02 Aug 2007 20:44:05 +0000 http://getgarnett.com/blog/?p=672#comment-10453 I have heard this rose-colored phrase "we should be fine" for such a long time and we haven't. If we were not fine with this core roster for the past few years, we're not going to be fine now, especially with an unhappy star (if he stays). They have made one bad move after another, so many of them getting them into a bigger hole than they started with. After all the moves, they have buried themselves in big contracts with people who haven't worked out and are hard to unload and as a result a diminished ability to make trades. To make it worse, they have handcuffed themselves to the point they can't really go to the free agent market either. How is it that teams like Detroit, San Antonio and Phoenix end up with more talent and yet smaller overall payrolls (and how some of them end up with much better records AND higher draft picks than LAL)? Name one good and significant trade that this idiotic front office has made in the last 5 years. I may fault Kobe for a lot of things, but when he had his outburst finally it wasn't because he's spoiled. It's because he knows what's going on, and it's not good. "We should be fine" is a nicely optimistic view, but sadly, entirely unrealistic and implausible. We are NOT going to be fine unless these idiots can pull a rabbit out of a hat, which will require Buss to reach deep into his man-purse. I won't hold my breath. Los Angeles, we have a problem. I have heard this rose-colored phrase “we should be fine” for such a long time and we haven’t. If we were not fine with this core roster for the past few years, we’re not going to be fine now, especially with an unhappy star (if he stays). They have made one bad move after another, so many of them getting them into a bigger hole than they started with. After all the moves, they have buried themselves in big contracts with people who haven’t worked out and are hard to unload and as a result a diminished ability to make trades. To make it worse, they have handcuffed themselves to the point they can’t really go to the free agent market either. How is it that teams like Detroit, San Antonio and Phoenix end up with more talent and yet smaller overall payrolls (and how some of them end up with much better records AND higher draft picks than LAL)? Name one good and significant trade that this idiotic front office has made in the last 5 years. I may fault Kobe for a lot of things, but when he had his outburst finally it wasn’t because he’s spoiled. It’s because he knows what’s going on, and it’s not good. “We should be fine” is a nicely optimistic view, but sadly, entirely unrealistic and implausible. We are NOT going to be fine unless these idiots can pull a rabbit out of a hat, which will require Buss to reach deep into his man-purse. I won’t hold my breath. Los Angeles, we have a problem.

]]> By: Spacedocker http://thelakersnation.com/blog/2007/07/31/we-should-be-fine/#comment-10427 Spacedocker Thu, 02 Aug 2007 14:14:21 +0000 http://getgarnett.com/blog/?p=672#comment-10427 Aside from the atrocious grammar mistakes in this post, there are several factual errors and inconsistencies. There, they're, their. Definitely, not definatly. [quote post="672"]They now have a bunch ball-hogs who need the ball to score, and basically, they have no passers.[/quote] Well, pretty much any player in the NBA needs the ball to score, that's how the game works. The last I heard, points were not awarded for rebounds or assists. As for having no passers, Garnett has a career apg equal to Kobe at 4.5 with Pierce and Allen falling just short at 3.9. [quote post="672"]All of the Celtics “stars” are old, injury prone, and require the ball constantly.[/quote] Garnett is only 2 years older than Kobe, Pierce less than a year older, and Ray Allen is 3 years older. Not sure how this really qualifies as old. Mutumbo and Webber are old, not these guys. As far as injury prone, Kobe has missed a greater percentage of games over his career than any of the four players mentioned. Kobe has played in 87% of possible games over his career, Allen 87.5%, Pierce (who has played despite losing teeth during a game and getting stabbed shortly before the 00-01 season) 88%, and Garnett 94%. If anything, Kobe requires the ball much more than any of the key players mentioned. This is partly due to him being the most effective option on his team. But even Garnett has been criticized for not wanting the ball enough despite being the "Big Ticket" in Minnesota. [quote post="672"]Did Kevin Garnett want money or a championship? I think this is an easy one. There is no way Boston is an automatic contender with three aging players and scrubs, the only reason he did the trade, is because he would get a five year 105 million dollar extension.[/quote] You would think this would be an easy one if you were correct on your assumption the 5 year extension was a pay increase or even a 5 year extension. The contract is a 3 year extension on the 2 remaining years of his current contract. His current contract called for $22 mil this season and $23 the following season. The extension the Celtics signed him for is $14.6 mil for the 2009-10 season, $17 mil for 2010-11, and $19.4 mil for 2011-12. You really think KG would have only made $51 mil over 3 years if he was on the open market? I respect your right to be frustrated about the situation and express your opinions, but you really should double check the facts you use to base your opinions on. Aside from the atrocious grammar mistakes in this post, there are several factual errors and inconsistencies. There, they’re, their. Definitely, not definatly.

[quote post="672"]They now have a bunch ball-hogs who need the ball to score, and basically, they have no passers.[/quote]

Well, pretty much any player in the NBA needs the ball to score, that’s how the game works. The last I heard, points were not awarded for rebounds or assists. As for having no passers, Garnett has a career apg equal to Kobe at 4.5 with Pierce and Allen falling just short at 3.9.

[quote post="672"]All of the Celtics “stars” are old, injury prone, and require the ball constantly.[/quote]

Garnett is only 2 years older than Kobe, Pierce less than a year older, and Ray Allen is 3 years older. Not sure how this really qualifies as old. Mutumbo and Webber are old, not these guys.

As far as injury prone, Kobe has missed a greater percentage of games over his career than any of the four players mentioned. Kobe has played in 87% of possible games over his career, Allen 87.5%, Pierce (who has played despite losing teeth during a game and getting stabbed shortly before the 00-01 season) 88%, and Garnett 94%.

If anything, Kobe requires the ball much more than any of the key players mentioned. This is partly due to him being the most effective option on his team. But even Garnett has been criticized for not wanting the ball enough despite being the “Big Ticket” in Minnesota.

[quote post="672"]Did Kevin Garnett want money or a championship? I think this is an easy one. There is no way Boston is an automatic contender with three aging players and scrubs, the only reason he did the trade, is because he would get a five year 105 million dollar extension.[/quote]

You would think this would be an easy one if you were correct on your assumption the 5 year extension was a pay increase or even a 5 year extension. The contract is a 3 year extension on the 2 remaining years of his current contract. His current contract called for $22 mil this season and $23 the following season. The extension the Celtics signed him for is $14.6 mil for the 2009-10 season, $17 mil for 2010-11, and $19.4 mil for 2011-12. You really think KG would have only made $51 mil over 3 years if he was on the open market?

I respect your right to be frustrated about the situation and express your opinions, but you really should double check the facts you use to base your opinions on.

]]> By: FlenFlyss http://thelakersnation.com/blog/2007/07/31/we-should-be-fine/#comment-10423 FlenFlyss Thu, 02 Aug 2007 10:58:47 +0000 http://getgarnett.com/blog/?p=672#comment-10423 jermaine o'neal is always visible at posters wherein a little man dunks over him..so i don't like him to be on the lakers' team..why not get the chinese bastard..but we will have two chinese players if that happens..rumors said that LA will sign a certain grecian..that's ok..i always watch international ball..he's good..i just can't spell his name.. hey..nobody is talking about javaris..he's 6'5..come on..bright future ahead..come on..believe..represent! (huh) kobe should stay.. jermaine o’neal is always visible at posters wherein a little man dunks over him..so i don’t like him to be on the lakers’ team..why not get the chinese bastard..but we will have two chinese players if that happens..rumors said that LA will sign a certain grecian..that’s ok..i always watch international ball..he’s good..i just can’t spell his name..

hey..nobody is talking about javaris..he’s 6′5..come on..bright future ahead..come on..believe..represent! (huh)

kobe should stay..

]]> By: FlenFlyss http://thelakersnation.com/blog/2007/07/31/we-should-be-fine/#comment-10422 FlenFlyss Thu, 02 Aug 2007 10:52:54 +0000 http://getgarnett.com/blog/?p=672#comment-10422 Boston will just improve by only 10 wins..they will make the playoffs but of course they won't succeed..this is a bold statement by the way.. picking up webber is not a bad option for webber is webber..kobe should like that.. kobe should attend the lakers' camp or if not..yikes..childish..but i know he won't disappoint us..he will join the camp.. KG will not be on a celtic uniform next year..he will wear purple and gold..for the sparks..hehe.. Boston will just improve by only 10 wins..they will make the playoffs but of course they won’t succeed..this is a bold statement by the way..

picking up webber is not a bad option for webber is webber..kobe should like that..

kobe should attend the lakers’ camp or if not..yikes..childish..but i know he won’t disappoint us..he will join the camp..

KG will not be on a celtic uniform next year..he will wear purple and gold..for the sparks..hehe..

]]> By: MauHG24 http://thelakersnation.com/blog/2007/07/31/we-should-be-fine/#comment-10411 MauHG24 Thu, 02 Aug 2007 04:40:18 +0000 http://getgarnett.com/blog/?p=672#comment-10411 i like this a lot, its the same hope that i have, but i think if the team stay the same, maybe the cant sign a star next year, maybe and i hope not LA can lose the greatest player on earth!!!! i hope not i like this a lot, its the same hope that i have,
but i think if the team stay the same, maybe the
cant sign a star next year, maybe and i hope not
LA can lose the greatest player on earth!!!! i hope not

]]> By: Billy Kupchak http://thelakersnation.com/blog/2007/07/31/we-should-be-fine/#comment-10406 Billy Kupchak Thu, 02 Aug 2007 02:36:56 +0000 http://getgarnett.com/blog/?p=672#comment-10406 rpuncy14, you are DEFINITELY 14 years old because FORGETTING is better than FORGIVING, ok? rpuncy14, you are DEFINITELY 14 years old because FORGETTING is better than FORGIVING, ok?

]]> By: rpouncy14 http://thelakersnation.com/blog/2007/07/31/we-should-be-fine/#comment-10400 rpouncy14 Thu, 02 Aug 2007 01:24:37 +0000 http://getgarnett.com/blog/?p=672#comment-10400 Forgive about KG. Focus on Jermaine O'Neal. Forgive about KG. Focus on Jermaine O’Neal.

]]> By: mlkg721 http://thelakersnation.com/blog/2007/07/31/we-should-be-fine/#comment-10395 mlkg721 Wed, 01 Aug 2007 23:18:00 +0000 http://getgarnett.com/blog/?p=672#comment-10395 [quote comment="10391"]Ed, I agree with mlkg721. The time to trade for Kidd has passed. You have to be smart enough and bold enough to make the right moves when they present themselves. Many have said and are saying that Bynum is going to be great, but he doesn't demonstrate the natural instincts of a Shaq, Kareem, Mourning or even Tyrus Thomas. The fire ain't in his belly and that's something you can't teach. I still stand by you can't make a horse trainer (Jim Buss) a good judge of basketball talent. The decision not to trade Bynum for Kidd was made entirely by Jim Buss. I'm sure if you asked him he believes you can pretty much roll the ball out and get anybody tall and they would make a great team. In fact, much of the Laker's roster proves that point. LOL! We need competent basketball people evaluating talent, trades, potential stars, etc. or the Lakers are in for a very long Celtic like drought. I don't care how old Jason Kidd is, he instantly makes a team better and all they wanted was Bynum and Kwame, as I watched him on the USA Men's basketball team and during the playoffs, I understand Kobe's frustration. There is no comparison between having a Jason Kidd on your team and holding on to an Andrew Bynum for what he might be in the future. Those GM's with high basketball IQ would have made that trade in a minute if they were interested in winning now and in the future. Bynum was not the end of the line in terms of future talent for the Lakers. Our FO doesn't and didn't possess the BB IQ to know that. And for those who talk about Kidd being injured, well we have that problem right now with much younger players. LO, Kwame, Walton and Mo Evans. Looking at the number of games played by Kidd, LO and Kwame from 2001-2006, Kidd played an average of 75 games per year with one 82 game season and three 80 game seasons. Lamar played an average of 59 games per year with two 80 game seasons played; Kwame played an average of 61 games per year with one 80 game season (02-03) where he only started 20 times during that season. Jerry West let Nick Van Exel, Eddie Jones and others go, to make the moves necessary for the three peat cause he knew talent. Even though they never won a playoff series in Memphis they did make the playoffs several years in a row. And they always played the Lakers tough even when we had Shaq. Basketball is a game of tangibles and intangibles, based on what he brings to the table there is no comparison between J. Kidd and Bynum. Just another one we missed on, big time![/quote] You hit it right on the naile with that one. Them not making that move for Kidd was sooo crucial. people dont even realize how ready Kidd and Kobe were ready to play with each other. You have to have a eye for talent and know your team. The F.O. doesn't know what players are gonna be able to excel beside Kobe. Lamar is a bad fit with Kobe, he needs the ball to suceed. how many good games have they had together? I'm sure you can probably count them on one hand. Tha Lakers have really made me realize just how smart of a man Jerry West is. I remember Laker fans being upset, including myself, when we traded EJ and van exel. But I was young and did not see the big picture. Good Gms make deals as stepping stones to get to a deal the reall improve the ball club. The lakers on the otther hand have put themselves in a position where they need a homerun to fix things when all they ahd to do was just get some people on base. [quote comment="10391"]Ed,

I agree with mlkg721. The time to trade for Kidd has passed. You have to be smart enough and bold enough to make the right moves when they present themselves. Many have said and are saying that Bynum is going to be great, but he doesn’t demonstrate the natural instincts of a Shaq, Kareem, Mourning or even Tyrus Thomas. The fire ain’t in his belly and that’s something you can’t teach.

I still stand by you can’t make a horse trainer (Jim Buss) a good judge of basketball talent. The decision not to trade Bynum for Kidd was made entirely by Jim Buss. I’m sure if you asked him he believes you can pretty much roll the ball out and get anybody tall and they would make a great team. In fact, much of the Laker’s roster proves that point. LOL!

We need competent basketball people evaluating talent, trades, potential stars, etc. or the Lakers are in for a very long Celtic like drought.

I don’t care how old Jason Kidd is, he instantly makes a team better and all they wanted was Bynum and Kwame, as I watched him on the USA Men’s basketball team and during the playoffs, I understand Kobe’s frustration. There is no comparison between having a Jason Kidd on your team and holding on to an Andrew Bynum for what he might be in the future.

Those GM’s with high basketball IQ would have made that trade in a minute if they were interested in winning now and in the future. Bynum was not the end of the line in terms of future talent for the Lakers. Our FO doesn’t and didn’t possess the BB IQ to know that. And for those who talk about Kidd being injured, well we have that problem right now with much younger players. LO, Kwame, Walton and Mo Evans. Looking at the number of games played by Kidd, LO and Kwame from 2001-2006, Kidd played an average of 75 games per year with one 82 game season and three 80 game seasons. Lamar played an average of 59 games per year with two 80 game seasons played; Kwame played an average of 61 games per year with one 80 game season (02-03) where he only started 20 times during that season.

Jerry West let Nick Van Exel, Eddie Jones and others go, to make the moves necessary for the three peat cause he knew talent. Even though they never won a playoff series in Memphis they did make the playoffs several years in a row. And they always played the Lakers tough even when we had Shaq. Basketball is a game of tangibles and intangibles, based on what he brings to the table there is no comparison between J. Kidd and Bynum. Just another one we missed on, big time![/quote]

You hit it right on the naile with that one. Them not making that move for Kidd was sooo crucial. people dont even realize how ready Kidd and Kobe were ready to play with each other. You have to have a eye for talent and know your team. The F.O. doesn’t know what players are gonna be able to excel beside Kobe. Lamar is a bad fit with Kobe, he needs the ball to suceed. how many good games have they had together? I’m sure you can probably count them on one hand. Tha Lakers have really made me realize just how smart of a man Jerry West is. I remember Laker fans being upset, including myself, when we traded EJ and van exel. But I was young and did not see the big picture. Good Gms make deals as stepping stones to get to a deal the reall improve the ball club. The lakers on the otther hand have put themselves in a position where they need a homerun to fix things when all they ahd to do was just get some people on base.

]]> By: BEC http://thelakersnation.com/blog/2007/07/31/we-should-be-fine/#comment-10394 BEC Wed, 01 Aug 2007 22:55:51 +0000 http://getgarnett.com/blog/?p=672#comment-10394 [quote comment="10375"]This is a very optimistic articel, but none the less its B.S. Firstly, we can sit here and lie to ourselves like boston isn't a contender in the east. If you know basketball, then you know that Ray allen is a lot better than just a shooter who still has 2-3 years left in the tank. Pierce is one of the most underatted stars in the L who can win games by himself, and Garnett is Garnett. They sacraficed their future, but if they get a ring in the process, is that really that bad? I don't think so. Praying that the young scrubs on the lakers become great is a long shot. Bynum is soft as tissue and I think there is too much pressure on him to be great in L.A. he's playing for a team that had the three best centers the game has ever seen, those are big shoes to fill. Farmar is no Deron williams nor does he have the potiential to be. And boozer is better than just an "ok" post precense.We have to start being real as fans and look at how much the F.o. has really messed up. They became content with being a sub-par team as long as the seats were being filled and the money was rolling in. But Kobe is a winner, and he cant take being with a losing product for much longer. They have not put themselves in position to be good now or in the future. Every fan is hyped of their teams young talent, but if we step outside the box and actually look at our team, you'll see that our young talent is not that great.[/quote] Well put mlkg721. I really agree with you on your point with our young talent. Our young talent just isnt that great. Farmar is at best a weak starter, realistically a bench player. He has some good basketball skills and IQ but he wont even come close to competing with the likes of nash, kidd, parker, & deron. His athletic ability is average at best. But he does seem to love to play ball which is a big plus but hes not starter material, just a great backup guard really. And Bynum, he just doesnt seem to have it. He has the potential to be great, the body, size, length, and athletic ability but he DOES NOT have ONE thing that requires one to be great and its that "FIRE" that desire to win and be great. He reminds me of Kwame. I might be wrong but I dont see him ever becoming an elite center in the league, and AT BEST a solid center, a good piece but not someone you build around. Ive watched this guy play and he just doesnt seem to have that natural ability to really become great or even an all star in this league. I really hope i end up being wrong but judging objectively I just dont see it. Cant say much about crit until he actually plays with NBA talent. [quote comment="10375"]This is a very optimistic articel, but none the less its B.S. Firstly, we can sit here and lie to ourselves like boston isn’t a contender in the east. If you know basketball, then you know that Ray allen is a lot better than just a shooter who still has 2-3 years left in the tank. Pierce is one of the most underatted stars in the L who can win games by himself, and Garnett is Garnett. They sacraficed their future, but if they get a ring in the process, is that really that bad? I don’t think so. Praying that the young scrubs on the lakers become great is a long shot. Bynum is soft as tissue and I think there is too much pressure on him to be great in L.A. he’s playing for a team that had the three best centers the game has ever seen, those are big shoes to fill. Farmar is no Deron williams nor does he have the potiential to be. And boozer is better than just an “ok” post precense.We have to start being real as fans and look at how much the F.o. has really messed up. They became content with being a sub-par team as long as the seats were being filled and the money was rolling in. But Kobe is a winner, and he cant take being with a losing product for much longer. They have not put themselves in position to be good now or in the future. Every fan is hyped of their teams young talent, but if we step outside the box and actually look at our team, you’ll see that our young talent is not that great.[/quote]

Well put mlkg721. I really agree with you on your point with our young talent. Our young talent just isnt that great. Farmar is at best a weak starter, realistically a bench player. He has some good basketball skills and IQ but he wont even come close to competing with the likes of nash, kidd, parker, & deron. His athletic ability is average at best. But he does seem to love to play ball which is a big plus but hes not starter material, just a great backup guard really. And Bynum, he just doesnt seem to have it. He has the potential to be great, the body, size, length, and athletic ability but he DOES NOT have ONE thing that requires one to be great and its that “FIRE” that desire to win and be great. He reminds me of Kwame. I might be wrong but I dont see him ever becoming an elite center in the league, and AT BEST a solid center, a good piece but not someone you build around. Ive watched this guy play and he just doesnt seem to have that natural ability to really become great or even an all star in this league. I really hope i end up being wrong but judging objectively I just dont see it. Cant say much about crit until he actually plays with NBA talent.

]]>