Dr. Gobbler welched out on his bet from year ago in this thread (1 Viewer)

[drummer]

Darn, I guess I am stuck with watching Gasol get pwned and taken out of his game, as well as Odom looking like he did several bong hits before the game for another season.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Stern says no...why?

 

[Mr. Pickles]

Haters can hate, but as a Laker fan I LOVED that from Bynum. It was his "#### EVERYBODY" moment. We've been waiting for it for a few years now.

I'm in favor of moving Bynum for Howard and/or Paul, but if it doesn't happen, I'm not stressing. I think this is the year the Bynum monster erupts and he's the starting C in the All Star game putting up beast numbers.

Who's we? Speak for yourself. You've been waiting for Bynum to behave like a punk? I'm surprised that you would write this. That act embarrassed and ashamed me as a Laker fan. The only way I can root for the guy again is if I believe that it was an emotional moment from an immature kid who was behaving stupidly and deserves another chance. But if being a Laker fan means that I have to cheer stuff like that, count me out.

Yes tim. I'm installing a "MUST CHEER FOR FLAGRANT FOULS" symbian style machine in each and every Laker fans home that physically forces them to cheer for technical fouls. Let me know if you want me to cancel shipping to your address.It was a misguided emotional outburst from a player who's been accused of being soft and overly mellow his entire young career. Of course I don't want it happening on a regular basis, but #### it, the Lakers were getting pummeled and no one besides Kobe seemed to give a ####. I was glad to see some emotion - even if it was wrong and cost him 5 games this year.

Such a strange view.

 

[greenroom]

If the #'s work...then why can the commish veto a trade?

Because the league owns the team. This trade was highway robbery for the lakers again. Sending away two old vets for a top tier PG. This would of topped the Gasol trade from Memphis. Had they moved Bynum in this trade I could understand it, but Odom and Gasol are you kidding me!!ANd then in a couple of weeks you would of scene Howard for Bynum and +

 

[JMon348]

Forget about me feeling like this, how the hell do the players feel.

I would have liked Paul on the team, because he's a new player and exciting to watch. The trade wasn't smart unless we somehow turned Bynum into Howard. I'm more upset that Pau and Lamar are going to feel betrayed and unwanted, which will make for a terrible season. Same with Scola, Martin, Paul, etc. Terrible move by the league, wouldn't be surprised if there was some legal action involved.

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

hilarious

Yeah. I don't know how these guys follow this #### down to every last, latest little rumor and tweeter or whatever. It's not far from tabloids. I will wake up tomorrow (hopefully) and know right away if something's done. We all find out within minutes.Can't stand these circuses. Pujols this, LeBron that, I heard this, blah, blah, blah, my source that...on and on. MONTHS of speculation and babble from all these talking heads that need to sell their crap, for what?Same with the NFL strike BS. I completely tuned out of that one -- just tell me when those ####ers start playing.I guess speculation is fun, so be it. But up to the minute, 24/7 ??? This, coming from a guy with like 10,000 posts on a message board [END RANT\] I'm out.

 

[EZD222]

Odom basically crying on ESPN 710 LA today befored it was vetoed was hysterical

Good luck with dealing with those two head cases (ie Gasol also) after this esp now that the zen master is gone.

 

[EYLive]

Maybe this time they'll get Howard first, then Paul, THEN Stern can properly veto both in one fell swoop.

Reports are that Mark Cuban was the crying the loudest to lead the charge on nixing the trade.

What a bunch of biches.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Forget about me feeling like this, how the hell do the players feel.I would have liked Paul on the team, because he's a new player and exciting to watch. The trade wasn't smart unless we somehow turned Bynum into Howard. I'm more upset that Pau and Lamar are going to feel betrayed and unwanted, which will make for a terrible season. Same with Scola, Martin, Paul, etc. Terrible move by the league, wouldn't be surprised if there was some legal action involved.

Meh. I love Odom and Pau as players and people (as opposed to Kobe who's a doosh IRL), but they can wipe their tears with $100 bills. You're professionals getting making 10s of millions to play a game for a few years. Get over it.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Maybe this time they'll get Howard first, then Paul, THEN Stern can properly veto both in one fell swoop.Reports are that Mark Cuban was the crying the loudest to lead the charge on nixing the trade.What a bunch of biches.

 

[rodg12]

KevinDing KEVIN DINGLakers GM Mitch Kupchak described to me by source as "angry and mystified" by NBA. All league told Lakers was no. No explanation.

KevinDing KEVIN DINGLakers were not even told by NBA how they could change the trade to make it palatable for the league office.

KevinDing KEVIN DINGI'm also told there was a subsequent move coming for the Lakers to get a power forward, not stand pat.

What a cluster####

 

[Ministry of Pain]

What's strange is they are trading away 30+ points a night to get back 15-20...seriously what was the beef with this trade? The Lakers were giving up plenty.

 

[the moops]

What's strange is they are trading away 30+ points a night to get back 15-20...seriously what was the beef with this trade?

Solid analysis here

 

[EYLive]

Stern just F'd NO and Paul. Both have got to be majorly pissed.

 

[timschochet]

So here's how it stands. The Lakers are not going to get Chris Paul. It's looking very unlikely that they're going to get Dwight Howard either, based on the most recent reports. What they get instead are two players, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom, who are now pissed off at the team and feel like they're not wanted.

What a terrible outcome.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

What's strange is they are trading away 30+ points a night to get back 15-20...seriously what was the beef with this trade? The Lakers were giving up plenty.

Prob because they knew that Howard was going to soon follow...

What does that matter? This is a trade by itself. Gasol and Odom I think are decent compensation.

 

[drummer]

So here's how it stands. The Lakers are not going to get Chris Paul. It's looking very unlikely that they're going to get Dwight Howard either, based on the most recent reports. What they get instead are two players, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom, who are now pissed off at the team and feel like they're not wanted.What a terrible outcome.

Based on what they did in the playoffs, Gasol especially, they shouldn't cry at all about it.

 

[timschochet]

So here's how it stands. The Lakers are not going to get Chris Paul. It's looking very unlikely that they're going to get Dwight Howard either, based on the most recent reports. What they get instead are two players, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom, who are now pissed off at the team and feel like they're not wanted.What a terrible outcome.

Based on what they did in the playoffs, Gasol especially, they shouldn't cry at all about it.

It doesn't matter what they should or should not do. What player is EVER happy to be traded from a good team to a mediocre one? I can't think of one. Of course Pau and Lamar are going to be upset about this. That's why once the trade is publicly announced, vetoing it is such a terrible outcome. The league has created a disastrous situation for the Lakers. I'm sure they're gleeful about it.

 

[drummer]

So here's how it stands. The Lakers are not going to get Chris Paul. It's looking very unlikely that they're going to get Dwight Howard either, based on the most recent reports. What they get instead are two players, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom, who are now pissed off at the team and feel like they're not wanted.What a terrible outcome.

Based on what they did in the playoffs, Gasol especially, they shouldn't cry at all about it.

It doesn't matter what they should or should not do. What player is EVER happy to be traded from a good team to a mediocre one? I can't think of one. Of course Pau and Lamar are going to be upset about this. That's why once the trade is publicly announced, vetoing it is such a terrible outcome. The league has created a disastrous situation for the Lakers. I'm sure they're gleeful about it.

The Lakers made trades for both of them, and the Gasol trade was a lopsided one. At first. They shouldn't be surprised at all being Lakers. Besides, who knows if Gasol is happy in LA? He sure didn't look like it in the playoffs. Odom might be mad because it hurts his reality show. Like that should take priority over basketball.

 

[StrikeS2k]

The Lakers made trades for both of them, and the Gasol trade was a lopsided one. At first. They shouldn't be surprised at all being Lakers.



Besides, who knows if Gasol is happy in LA? He sure didn't look like it in the playoffs. Odom might be mad because it hurts his reality show. Like that should take priority over basketball.

Yeah, I'm sure Pau wakes up every morning and thinks "Damn I wish I was still in Memphis!!!! Maybe I can get traded to Houston!!!!"

 

[drummer]

The Lakers made trades for both of them, and the Gasol trade was a lopsided one. At first. They shouldn't be surprised at all being Lakers.



Besides, who knows if Gasol is happy in LA? He sure didn't look like it in the playoffs. Odom might be mad because it hurts his reality show. Like that should take priority over basketball.

Yeah, I'm sure Pau wakes up every morning and thinks "Damn I wish I was still in Memphis!!!! Maybe I can get traded to Houston!!!!"

Yeah, I'm sure he played like he really wanted to be in LA during the playoffs.

 

[StrikeS2k]

The Lakers made trades for both of them, and the Gasol trade was a lopsided one. At first. They shouldn't be surprised at all being Lakers.



Besides, who knows if Gasol is happy in LA? He sure didn't look like it in the playoffs. Odom might be mad because it hurts his reality show. Like that should take priority over basketball.

Yeah, I'm sure Pau wakes up every morning and thinks "Damn I wish I was still in Memphis!!!! Maybe I can get traded to Houston!!!!"

Yeah, I'm sure he played like he really wanted to be in LA during the playoffs.

Just like Kobe in that PHX series he gets blasted for. Pau seemed happy enough the three years he played in the finals. Maybe he just had a bad playoffs and was pissed about it. Did that ever occur to you?

 

[EYLive]

The Lakers made trades for both of them, and the Gasol trade was a lopsided one. At first. They shouldn't be surprised at all being Lakers.



Besides, who knows if Gasol is happy in LA? He sure didn't look like it in the playoffs. Odom might be mad because it hurts his reality show. Like that should take priority over basketball.

Yeah, I'm sure Pau wakes up every morning and thinks "Damn I wish I was still in Memphis!!!! Maybe I can get traded to Houston!!!!"

Yeah, I'm sure he played like he really wanted to be in LA during the playoffs.

Just like Kobe in that PHX series he gets blasted for. Pau seemed happy enough the three years he played in the finals. Maybe he just had a bad playoffs and was pissed about it. Did that ever occur to you?

Bitter Laker haters always say stupid stuff. Ignore him and maybe he'll start his own Warriors or Queens thread.

 

[drummer]

The Lakers made trades for both of them, and the Gasol trade was a lopsided one. At first. They shouldn't be surprised at all being Lakers.



Besides, who knows if Gasol is happy in LA? He sure didn't look like it in the playoffs. Odom might be mad because it hurts his reality show. Like that should take priority over basketball.

Yeah, I'm sure Pau wakes up every morning and thinks "Damn I wish I was still in Memphis!!!! Maybe I can get traded to Houston!!!!"

Yeah, I'm sure he played like he really wanted to be in LA during the playoffs.

Just like Kobe in that PHX series he gets blasted for. Pau seemed happy enough the three years he played in the finals. Maybe he just had a bad playoffs and was pissed about it. Did that ever occur to you?

I can see a bad series. But a whole playoff run is another. Gasol is prone to mental funks, and I think the pressure of the Lakers going for a 4th straight Finals was too much for him. Plus if you recall, there was some locker room drama going on with he and another teammate, personal stuff, and I think he grew tired of Kobe (and then Phil) trying to snap him out of his funks, as well as Jackson tweaking him in the press as he did all season long. Given the stakes, and sans Jackson, this season would have even more pressure on the players. Gasol might not be able to handle the Hollywood glamour anymore. He sure folded underneath it last playoffs, and if Jackson and Kobe can't get him out of his funks, then there has to be something deeper there.

Like he not being happy in LA.

 

[drummer]

The Lakers made trades for both of them, and the Gasol trade was a lopsided one. At first. They shouldn't be surprised at all being Lakers.



Besides, who knows if Gasol is happy in LA? He sure didn't look like it in the playoffs. Odom might be mad because it hurts his reality show. Like that should take priority over basketball.

Yeah, I'm sure Pau wakes up every morning and thinks "Damn I wish I was still in Memphis!!!! Maybe I can get traded to Houston!!!!"

Yeah, I'm sure he played like he really wanted to be in LA during the playoffs.

Just like Kobe in that PHX series he gets blasted for. Pau seemed happy enough the three years he played in the finals. Maybe he just had a bad playoffs and was pissed about it. Did that ever occur to you?

Bitter Laker haters always say stupid stuff. Ignore him and maybe he'll start his own Warriors or Queens thread.

I'm a Laker fan since the 70's, who really has fun with bitter Laker homers.

 

[StrikeS2k]

The Lakers made trades for both of them, and the Gasol trade was a lopsided one. At first. They shouldn't be surprised at all being Lakers.



Besides, who knows if Gasol is happy in LA? He sure didn't look like it in the playoffs. Odom might be mad because it hurts his reality show. Like that should take priority over basketball.

Yeah, I'm sure Pau wakes up every morning and thinks "Damn I wish I was still in Memphis!!!! Maybe I can get traded to Houston!!!!"

Yeah, I'm sure he played like he really wanted to be in LA during the playoffs.

Just like Kobe in that PHX series he gets blasted for. Pau seemed happy enough the three years he played in the finals. Maybe he just had a bad playoffs and was pissed about it. Did that ever occur to you?

Bitter Laker haters always say stupid stuff. Ignore him and maybe he'll start his own Warriors or Queens thread.

I'm a Laker fan since the 70's, who really has fun with bitter Laker homers.

Or you just like looking dumb. Either way, have fun with it.

 

[drummer]

The Lakers made trades for both of them, and the Gasol trade was a lopsided one. At first. They shouldn't be surprised at all being Lakers.



Besides, who knows if Gasol is happy in LA? He sure didn't look like it in the playoffs. Odom might be mad because it hurts his reality show. Like that should take priority over basketball.

Yeah, I'm sure Pau wakes up every morning and thinks "Damn I wish I was still in Memphis!!!! Maybe I can get traded to Houston!!!!"

Yeah, I'm sure he played like he really wanted to be in LA during the playoffs.

Just like Kobe in that PHX series he gets blasted for. Pau seemed happy enough the three years he played in the finals. Maybe he just had a bad playoffs and was pissed about it. Did that ever occur to you?

Bitter Laker haters always say stupid stuff. Ignore him and maybe he'll start his own Warriors or Queens thread.

I'm a Laker fan since the 70's, who really has fun with bitter Laker homers.

Or you just like looking dumb. Either way, have fun with it.

Oh wow that hurts man. Can you be a good soul and forget what I have said about Gasol? Don't want to leave this convo with some bitterness between us. Or Gasol.

 

[EYLive]

The Lakers made trades for both of them, and the Gasol trade was a lopsided one. At first. They shouldn't be surprised at all being Lakers.



Besides, who knows if Gasol is happy in LA? He sure didn't look like it in the playoffs. Odom might be mad because it hurts his reality show. Like that should take priority over basketball.

Yeah, I'm sure Pau wakes up every morning and thinks "Damn I wish I was still in Memphis!!!! Maybe I can get traded to Houston!!!!"

Yeah, I'm sure he played like he really wanted to be in LA during the playoffs.

Just like Kobe in that PHX series he gets blasted for. Pau seemed happy enough the three years he played in the finals. Maybe he just had a bad playoffs and was pissed about it. Did that ever occur to you?

Bitter Laker haters always say stupid stuff. Ignore him and maybe he'll start his own Warriors or Queens thread.

I'm a Laker fan since the 70's, who really has fun with bitter Laker homers.

yeah, right. you're a laker fan like moops and skribbles are laker fans.

 

[drummer]

The Lakers made trades for both of them, and the Gasol trade was a lopsided one. At first. They shouldn't be surprised at all being Lakers.



Besides, who knows if Gasol is happy in LA? He sure didn't look like it in the playoffs. Odom might be mad because it hurts his reality show. Like that should take priority over basketball.

Yeah, I'm sure Pau wakes up every morning and thinks "Damn I wish I was still in Memphis!!!! Maybe I can get traded to Houston!!!!"

Yeah, I'm sure he played like he really wanted to be in LA during the playoffs.

Just like Kobe in that PHX series he gets blasted for. Pau seemed happy enough the three years he played in the finals. Maybe he just had a bad playoffs and was pissed about it. Did that ever occur to you?

Bitter Laker haters always say stupid stuff. Ignore him and maybe he'll start his own Warriors or Queens thread.

I'm a Laker fan since the 70's, who really has fun with bitter Laker homers.

yeah, right. you're a laker fan like moops and skribbles are laker fans.

Ever hear of Wright Gymnasium bro?

 

[Doug B]

What's strange is they are trading away 30+ points a night to get back 15-20...seriously what was the beef with this trade? The Lakers were giving up plenty.

The league is still looking to sell the Hornets to a local buyer. I guess any trade for Paul that does not set up the Hornets to be at least a potential 50-win squad is going to get nixed. The Hornets just reached the 10,000 season-ticket threshhold this week -- turning the Hornets into a 60-loss dumpster fire is probably not going to be allowed,If part of a compensation package for Paul includes high draft picks (e.g. the one the Clips have from Minnesota), it almost certainly gets the league's blessing. That way, a new star can be drafted and sold to the Hornets' fan base as the new face of the franchise.

Something people upthread have glossed over: the Hornets were not getting both Gasol and Odom. Deal was untenable from the POV of Hornets' ownership (AKA the NBA). Not sure was Demps was doing ... must've felt more backed into a wall than he really is. Or he didn't understand was at stake in trying to make the Hornets attractive to a prospective buyer.

 

[the moops]

The Lakers made trades for both of them, and the Gasol trade was a lopsided one. At first. They shouldn't be surprised at all being Lakers.



Besides, who knows if Gasol is happy in LA? He sure didn't look like it in the playoffs. Odom might be mad because it hurts his reality show. Like that should take priority over basketball.

Yeah, I'm sure Pau wakes up every morning and thinks "Damn I wish I was still in Memphis!!!! Maybe I can get traded to Houston!!!!"

Yeah, I'm sure he played like he really wanted to be in LA during the playoffs.

Just like Kobe in that PHX series he gets blasted for. Pau seemed happy enough the three years he played in the finals. Maybe he just had a bad playoffs and was pissed about it. Did that ever occur to you?

I can see a bad series. But a whole playoff run is another. Gasol is prone to mental funks, and I think the pressure of the Lakers going for a 4th straight Finals was too much for him. Plus if you recall, there was some locker room drama going on with he and another teammate, personal stuff, and I think he grew tired of Kobe (and then Phil) trying to snap him out of his funks, as well as Jackson tweaking him in the press as he did all season long. Given the stakes, and sans Jackson, this season would have even more pressure on the players. Gasol might not be able to handle the Hollywood glamour anymore. He sure folded underneath it last playoffs, and if Jackson and Kobe can't get him out of his funks, then there has to be something deeper there.

Like he not being happy in LA.

Kobe Bryant had a pretty bad playoff run last year too. His shooting percentage was his worst since 2004. His ppg was his worst since 2001. His rebounds and steals per game were his worst as full time player. His PER and TS% and eFG%, etc. all much lower than his career averages.Laker fans seem to want to place the blame for the season ending on Gasol. And yes, he deserves a lot of blame, cause he did indeed suck. But he wasn't the sole reason they lost.

 

[Short Corner]

The Lakers made trades for both of them, and the Gasol trade was a lopsided one. At first. They shouldn't be surprised at all being Lakers.



Besides, who knows if Gasol is happy in LA? He sure didn't look like it in the playoffs. Odom might be mad because it hurts his reality show. Like that should take priority over basketball.

Yeah, I'm sure Pau wakes up every morning and thinks "Damn I wish I was still in Memphis!!!! Maybe I can get traded to Houston!!!!"

Yeah, I'm sure he played like he really wanted to be in LA during the playoffs.

Who did?

 

[GeauxTigers]

What's strange is they are trading away 30+ points a night to get back 15-20...seriously what was the beef with this trade?

Solid analysis here

 

[Cliff Clavin]

What's strange is they are trading away 30+ points a night to get back 15-20...seriously what was the beef with this trade?

Solid analysis here

Lakers should trade Kobe for 5 guys that each average 6 points a game. Seriously, what would be wrong with that?

 

[DaveGrumbles]

What's strange is they are trading away 30+ points a night to get back 15-20...seriously what was the beef with this trade? The Lakers were giving up plenty.

The league is still looking to sell the Hornets to a local buyer. I guess any trade for Paul that does not set up the Hornets to be at least a potential 50-win squad is going to get nixed. The Hornets just reached the 10,000 season-ticket threshhold this week -- turning the Hornets into a 60-loss dumpster fire is probably not going to be allowed,If part of a compensation package for Paul includes high draft picks (e.g. the one the Clips have from Minnesota), it almost certainly gets the league's blessing. That way, a new star can be drafted and sold to the Hornets' fan base as the new face of the franchise.

Something people upthread have glossed over: the Hornets were not getting both Gasol and Odom. Deal was untenable from the POV of Hornets' ownership (AKA the NBA). Not sure was Demps was doing ... must've felt more backed into a wall than he really is. Or he didn't understand was at stake in trying to make the Hornets attractive to a prospective buyer.

If you're any kind of basketball fan you will realize that the hornets made out huge on this deal. Scola, Martin, Dragic, plus a pick>>>Gasol all day long. Demps squeezed everything he could get out of that deal but dbags like Gilbert don't really care about parity. They care about their own teams. Forcing the hornets to take a high pick from the warriors or clippers (which it isn't even assured that it would be a higher pick than Houstons if Paul is on their team) and a lesser package of players doesn't help the hornets to 50 wins anymore than leaving Paul alone on a crappy team would. This is a bad deal for the Hornets fans and Laker fans alike.

Frankly, if this was a fantasy league and a trade like this got nixed because some whiney tool of an owner cried about it, most of us would quit that league in a heartbeat. Players somewhat creating superteams through choice is a minor problem compared to owners/commissioner blatantly rigging the league through collusion. This kind of crap is flat out unwatchable.

 

[DaveGrumbles]

The Lakers made trades for both of them, and the Gasol trade was a lopsided one. At first.

Love how people in the media keep glossing over the previous trade for Gasol as 'Kwame for Gasol'. It's a nice meme to push around to support most of these changes and dumb moves like nixing trades. Easy to to overlook the fact that Memphis got Marc Gasol in that deal too. Let's ignore the fact that no one would even trade Marc for Pau straight up at this point. Fact is Memphis doesn't free up the cap room to sign a player like Randolph and attain a top 5 center thereby planting themselves in a great place to make a championship run for the next couple years without that trade. Too bad David Stern, Dan Gilbert, et al couldn't have nixed that 'lopsided' deal too.

 

[Gr00vus]

Appeal not possible. Looks like we avoided a not so great deal (without considering who Kupchak had lined up to bring in at the 4). Should be good times with Lamar and Pau this year. At least until they're in the next vetoed deal.

I heard Smith's interview with Lamar last night - man did he sound broken up about it.

I don't see how this thing goes back together without dealing these guys. This could be a really tough season for the Lakers.

 

[DaveGrumbles]

Appeal not possible. Looks like we avoided a not so great deal (without considering who Kupchak had lined up to bring in at the 4). Should be good times with Lamar and Pau this year. At least until they're in the next vetoed deal.

I heard Smith's interview with Lamar last night - man did he sound broken up about it.

I don't see how this thing goes back together without dealing these guys. This could be a really tough season for the Lakers.

That's the funniest part. People so up in arms about Lakers getting another star but they really got a lot worse in the short term. And they weren't going to have enough left to package for Howard anyway. They were stuck with nobody on the interior except a prayer that Bynum might stay healthy.

 

[Gr00vus]

They were stuck with nobody on the interior except a prayer that Bynum might stay healthy.

I guarantee you Kupchak had deals in place to address that. Obviously they weren't going to replace Pau/Lamar in full, but I'm sure they had several contingencies in place to shore up the front court. Which makes the whole thing even worse because now those deals and those players are burned as well.

 

[tommyGunZ]

They were stuck with nobody on the interior except a prayer that Bynum might stay healthy.

I guarantee you Kupchak had deals in place to address that. Obviously they weren't going to replace Pau/Lamar in full, but I'm sure they had several contingencies in place to shore up the front court. Which makes the whole thing even worse because now those deals and those players are burned as well.

Exactly. LA was going to get ~ $11M in cap exceptions. A deal for a starting caliber PF was either in the works or comtemplated when Kupchak was dealing 2/3rds of his front court.

 

[timschochet]

This decision was not about preserving equality in the league. Nor was it about looking after New Orleans' interests. It was pure collusion designed to prevent the Lakers from adding a star player. I really believe that Paul and the Lakers should sue the NBA.

 

[Gr00vus]

This decision was not about preserving equality in the league. Nor was it about looking after New Orleans' interests. It was pure collusion designed to prevent the Lakers from adding a star player. I really believe that Paul and the Lakers should sue the NBA.

Waste of time. These people must be like ants to Buss. The Lakers will just figure out something else.

 

[Gr00vus]

Speaking of something else, how would we feel about the Lakers kicking the tires on Billups. Sure he sucks on D, but the Lakers are used to that, and he can do stuff on offense, even if it'd be a contest between he and Kobe as to who least deserves the "Mr. Big Shot" monicker. He'd definitely be better than the other available FA PGs. What would picking him up off the scrap heap do to their salary structure in terms of making more moves?

Also, would the Lakers have anything at all to offer Houston for Dragic straight up? Seems like he's available.

 

[DaveGrumbles]

As a fan living in Nugget land, I know that Billups is very particular about where he goes and it has less to do with winning then you might think. I doubt the Lakers are on his radar...the guy is more apt to retire then anything else.

I really believe the Lakers are going to have to remain dedicated to moving Gasol for quality youth at any position in their lineup. In the end Gasol will move and Odom will probably remain. The point guard position will stay a weak spot for another season but they'll get stronger somewhere else with what they get back for Gasol and they will probably lose to OKC in 5 in the conference championships.

Overall, I really am finding a hard time caring about this stuff anymore. David Stern has spent the last 15-20 years trying to push the hardcore fan away. The unending silly rule changes, the referee betting scandal, now culminating in flat out collusion, just reeks of the rigged environment that so many casual fans have accused the league of for years. It's embarrassing.

 

[Gr00vus]

Brown is so screwed. 16 days to opening night and he doesn't even know who his major players are. Great time to be introducing a new system and coaching staff.

 

[saintsfan]

Hornets fan here and I just don't see how the league could possibly veto that trade.

IMO, you are never going to get equal value for a player of Chris Paul's caliber. However, considering the circumstances, I thought Dell Demps made a pretty good deal. Hornets get 3 starters and a backup point guard and a draft pick. If CP3 plays the entire season with the Hornets this year, he'll walk and they'll get nothing.

How this one got vetoed and the Pau Gasol trade a couple of years back didn't, I have no idea. How can they honestly say this trade gets vetoed if the league doesn't own the Hornets?

 

[Gr00vus]

So at this point it looks like Stern ####ed the Lakers.

Lakers divulge details of what they thought was a done deal.

Lamar's fragile feelings are crushed.

Stern vetoes the trade.

Lamar demands a trade.

Lakers deal Lamar to Dallas for their 2012 first round pick, which will be bottom 3rd probably.

Maybe Kupchak makes lemonade out of this, but it looks pretty bad right now. #### you Stern.

 

[rodg12]

Pretty depressed about this team right now. No CP3 in Purple and Gold, LO dealt to one of our biggest competitors for nothing, sounds like no deals on the horizon, CP3 soon to be throwing lobs to Blake Griffin, new coach installing a new system in 15 days.



I'll try to keep the faith as much as I can that Mitch will eventually get something done with that pick and TPE. It's pretty hard right now, though.

 

[Gr00vus]

If Houston was willing to deal Scola, Martin, Dragic + 1st rounder to NO for Gasol, why wouldn't the Lakers take that and flip Martin, Bynum, Hou 1st rounder, Dal 1st rounder to Orlando for Howard & Turkoglu? Substitute some other guy Orlando wants for Martin if they don't want Martin?

Lakers deal Gasol, Odom, Bynum for Dragic, Scola, Turkoglu, Howard? I haven't checked to see if the contracts all work out. Could probably send Blake to Hou if the Lakers need to shed more salary.

 

[timschochet]

On the minus side, all talks between Orlando and the Lakers have collapsed. Also on the minus side, Kobe Bryant is pissed off about losing Odom.

On the plus side, Jmon still has faith that the Lakers would not have traded away Lamar without a backup plan. We have no evidence of this backup plan, but Jmon's optimism is just as good as evidence. Also on the plus side, if you saw Metta World Peace's new abs, you would divorce your husband.