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Archive for the 'Nation Discussion' Category

Nation Discussion: Should Kobe & Pau sit out entire pre-season?

Published by Chris Manning on September 30, 2008 in Nation Discussion. 22 Comments

NBA Finals, straight into the Olympics. Both Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol made us proud in bringing home the Silver and Gold Medals to their respective countries. It’s almost amazing, I still remember how excited I was - and how much that game lived up to the hype.

The downside is, do Kobe & Gasol have enough energy - or should Phil rest them the entire pre-season? Here is what Phil had to say…

“This week I’m just seeing how they feel, how’s their energy level, and then we’ll adjust,” coach Phil Jackson said. “I was told not to say that I wasn’t going to play Kobe in exhibition games.

“So I’m not going to say Kobe’s not going to play in this exhibition game or that exhibition game. But there is a chance they may not play in an exhibition game.”

Putting your fan biased aside, do you think this would be smart? I definetely think it will help on Kobe and Gasol’s legs, but the real question is can the Lakers achieve the chemistry needed for a fast start without those two major components… or are they just that damn good we don’t have to worry about it?

Sound-off!

Nation Discussion: Bring Odom off the bench?

Published by Chris Manning on August 29, 2008 in Nation Discussion. 57 Comments

This is an interesting debate. Personally, it makes sense either way as Phil’s rotations will be key with our current lineup of big’s. Now, should Phil consider Odom to come off the bench? Here is what the O.C. Register blog says…

It’s not as far fetched as it seems. One of the ideas being pitched around, as the Lakers prepare for training camp, is to have Odom come off the bench, playing starter-type minutes in the mode of San Antonio’s Manu Ginobili.

The idea is, Odom could be the man to run the 2nd rotation off the bench. This would keep a constant mismatch on the floor and give the bench a consistent team player who could run the unit very nicely. How do you guys feel about this? Odom has always been termed “unselfish” and is constantly under unfair scrutiny from the fans. Could this be an experiment worth trying out? Sound off…

Nation Discussion: Mourning and Pargo to Los Angeles?

Published by Chris Manning on August 11, 2008 in Nation Discussion. 96 Comments

It’s easy to forget about the Lakers with the intense Olympics taking place right now. However, there are some heavy RUMORS going around right now. Here is the rumor (also being discussed on AM570 radio)…

The report goes that Mourning and Pargo and strongly considering the Lakers. Mouring would get the bi-annual 1.8 million and the Lakers’ would split the MLE to give Pargo 3 million a yrs.

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Nation Discussion: Kobe vs. MJ in their primes; MJ says “no contest”

Published by Chris Manning on August 1, 2008 in Nation Discussion. 129 Comments

So the great taboo of basketball debating = Kobe vs. Jordan… well why bring it up then? Jordan was recently at his camp talking hoops to the next generation of ballers when one kid asked if Kobe would beat him in a game of one-on-one.

Jordan’s response basically was that Kobe would beat him now because hes “old,” but that if he were in his prime, it wouldn’t even be a contest. You can check out the video here…

Kobe lovers, Kobe haters, Jordan lovers, Jordan haters… SOUND-OFF! I’m taking KB24.

Nation Discussion: Leslie pushed down by Mahorn in WNBA brawl!?

Published by Chris Manning on July 23, 2008 in Nation Discussion. 42 Comments

We wanted to bring this subject up. After all, here in Los Angeles the Sparks are our WNBA team. Well yesterday in a match up with the Sparks facing off against the Shock in Detroit, there was the first ever WNBA brawl that occurred. Yes, it was pretty interesting. Unfortunately, a teammate of the Shock actually hurt herself trying to restrain her teammate.

What is more crazy is Lisa Leslie, WNBA legend and future hall of famer, actually got shoved to the ground by ex-Piston and “bad boy” Rick Mahorn. Now it’s been debatable and dissected all day on talk radio. But I wanted you guys to give your thoughts. Was Leslie shoved intentionally by Mahorn? Or was he trying to play “peacemaker” as he calls it?

Afterwards Leslie makes a great point in why he didn’t go and take care of his own player on the Shock. Why even face Leslie at all; who was clearly not trying to elevate the situation! Here is the video below, check it out and sound off Lakers Nation!

Nation Discussion: Bring “Kwamba” back?

Published by Chris Manning on July 9, 2008 in Nation Discussion. 96 Comments

This one is real simple. With Turiaf being offered 4-years, 17 million from the Warriors, it is more likely than not the Lakers will not match (though they still could). My question to you, Lakers Nation, is should we bring back the “Kwamba” as Shane likes to say?

Kwame Brown knows our system, is a physical defender, and actually, without any pressure, may be able to fit in nicely beside Pau, Odom and Bynum at times (play a little PF). We can sign him for a small contract possibly, and if we got him for cheap, would it be worth it? The HEAT think so. Sound off!

Nation Discussion: Get Maggette, give up Sasha & Ronny?

Published by Chris Manning on July 7, 2008 in Nation Discussion. 78 Comments

It is well known that Maggette tested the free agency waters and is reported to be targeted by two championship caliber teams in the Boston Celtics and the San Antonio Spurs. However, do and could the Lakers have a shot at landing Maggette? According to ESPN, they believe we’d have to give up Sasha & Ronny in order to sign Mags…

It’s believed that Maggette, without an offer from a team with cap room, favors San Antonio if he has to sign a contract starting at the midlevel. But he has also drawn similar interest from a variety of enticing contenders — Boston, Cleveland, Detroit, Orlando, New Orleans and Utah are the known suitors — and the Lakers would be a dangerous suitor if they wanted to get involved given Maggette’s close relationship with Kobe Bryant. The Lakers, though, would have to abandon any interest in resigning Sasha Vujacic and Ronny Turiaf to sign Maggette, and the team still favors retaining those two key reserves

Interestingly enough, Bryant & Maggette share the same agent in Rob Pelinka. And I truely believe there is no way Pelinka and Maggette wouldn’t go Lakers, without hesitation, if there is equal money on the table. However, would it be losing both key reserves in Sasha and Turiaf over? You get a talent upgrade for sure and more flexibility… but ultimately, do you get what you need without creating another problem in terms of personnel? Sound off!

Nation Discussion: The Bynum Ultimatum

Published by Steve Avery on July 5, 2008 in Nation Discussion. 40 Comments

Recently, I’m sure you all have heard that Bynum’s agent says that Bynum wants the max contract. Let’s take a look at this from both sides — Andrew Bynum and the Lakers.

First the Lakers. The Lakers would have to be crazy to pay Bynum the max with their current roster. First off, Bynum just came off a major injury where he took longer to heal than expected. Second, the Lakers already have Gasol and aren’t desperate. Third, the Lakers would be financially pressed for the next 5 years, meaning no role players and no way to resign current and upcoming Free Agents. Bye bye, Sasha, Ronny, and Farmar.

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