The Lakers Future

[jerry springer]

thinking about the lakers future ive come to the conclusion that unless they keep kobe their future will be very bleak.Shaq stated at the start of the season that he wanted to play until he was 35 and wanted a contract extension,but the way he is picking up injuries im pretty sure jerry Buss is happy he didnt crack and sign him.it is only going to get worse and worse as he gets older.

Payton is not the same player or defender he once was,age catches up to point guards a lot quicker then big men.The lakers if fit are a good team but im starting to have my doubts how they will go in a 7 game gruelling play-off series against younger sides like the T-wolves,Mavs or the Kings.

if they dont keep kobe,they will stink up the league.their only hope loks like if they get some cap-space happening andgo for a marquee free-agent in 2-3 years.

 

[Fall Out Boy]

The Lakers will never 'stink it up', they simply cannot afford to.

 

[bacon buster]

even in this day and age, the lakers will always be an attractive team to play for.
that said, i hope we can keep kobe, since i've been following him closely since his high school days. if he gets off this rape charge (and that looks likely), he should be able to get back to his best next season.

as long as we have shaq and kobe, we will always be a threat. provided they are fit/not in jail of course.

 

[jerry springer]

Originally posted by bacon buster
if he gets off this rape charge (and that looks likely), he should be able to get back to his best next season.

im not so sure anymore did you see the latest testimy he had to give to police?took him 30 seconds to say if the sex was consensual.also there seems to be a t-shirt with the accusers blood on it which doesnt look good.

will be a interesting trial anyway.....

 

[Portmanteau]

As soon as Shaq or Kobe (or both) leave the Lakers, they will land the marquee free agent at that given time. It's just the way it is.

 

[Portmagpies]

Throughout their proud history, the Lakers have never been down long. Even when Magic abruptly retired, they only had two losing seasons and missed the playoffs just once before bouncing back into the playoffs.

I think Kobe will stay. And as for Shaq, we all know he talks a lot of **** so I wouldn't be a bit surprised if he hung around a little longer than everyone thinks. If he stays in condition, he could be a big contributor for years past the age of 35.

Just two more titles away from Boston...

 

[Fall Out Boy]

Originally posted by Portmagpies
If he stays in condition, he could be a big contributor for years past the age of 35.

He would need to be well conditioned in the first place.

There is absolutely no chance of a guy who weighs 350, being able to play successfully until the age of 37-38 (as you intimated).

If he wants to prolong his career, he needs to shed 25-30 pounds. Will he make that sacrifice? Hell no.

 

[jerry springer]

by the time he is forty he will either be doing sumo wrestling or being a NHL goalie.Or confined to his bed

i shudder to think how fat he is going to get.if he is putting on weight now,wait until athritis kicks in.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Originally posted by Bresh
As soon as Shaq or Kobe (or both) leave the Lakers, they will land the marquee free agent at that given time. It's just the way it is.

Spot on. Even Lakers as non contenders are a very tempting organisation for free agents. Lakers have a winning tradition and as soon as one of those blokes is gone, they will get some other big name player. Its the way Lakers operate.

 

[mattyc2422]

Kareem Rush - what do we think? At best I feel he'll be nothing more than a decent role player...

 

[jod23]

The Lakers have gambled on GP and Mailman in the hope they can get back to winning championships. But that is no certainty with teams like San Antonio, Dallas, Sac Town and Minny. So now they are faced with a bleak future.

Shaq I read a while ago said he wanted to play until he was 40? Just wont happen, he can never stay in shape. Look at MJ and Malone, at 40 and still playing, they were both in peak condition. Shaq isnt in any sort of condition now, nevermind 40. And at 40 why does he think he will be as dominant then as he is now. Jordan at that age couldnt pull a team to the playoffs nevermind a championship so Shaq will just become a liability.

Malone has maybe one year left, GP is stinking it up in LA and Kobe is gonna leave. The Lakers never suck though so Im sure they will land a big FA but I cant see them winning any titles any time soon. This year will be there last shot for some time at taking home the trophy.

Oh and Kareem Rush, great athlete who can shoot the ball, nice role player, never a star. One thing he does have going for him though is that he is a dead ringer for Dominque Wilkins

 

[Dingster]

Which leads to...could Phil Jackson coach a developing team?

 

[jod23]

Originally posted by Dingster
Which leads to...could Phil Jackson coach a developing team?

Good question...

 

[mattyc2422]

Originally posted by jod23
Shaq I read a while ago said he wanted to play until he was 40? Just wont happen, he can never stay in shape. Look at MJ and Malone, at 40 and still playing, they were both in peak condition.

Kevin Willis is about 42 and he's in awesome condition. Can still run the court like a gazelle.

 

[Fall Out Boy]

Originally posted by mattyc2422
Can still run the court like a gazelle.

.........in his 4 minutes a night.

 

[noogie_da_sheep]

Luke Walton is the future of LA

 

[mattyc2422]

Originally posted by phatandphreaky
.........in his 4 minutes a night.

More minutes than Malone at the moment.

 

[CURVE]

The Lakers have missed the Playoffs only 4 times in their 55+ year history, but without their maestro at the helm I feel that will end. Over the last 20-25 years Jerry West was one of the most important people at the Lakers. Some of deals he made to keep them on top were unbelievable. Eventhough we picked up Malone and Payton this season, they are at the very end of their careers. I can't see any blockbuster deals going the Lakers way for a long time.

It appears Jerry West has had a pretty positive effect at Memphis as well. He would have to go down as being one the greatest deal-makers in history... any sport... any profession.

 

[Fall Out Boy]

Originally posted by mattyc2422
More minutes than Malone at the moment.

And your point, Matty?

Karl Malone has been the toughest sumbitch in the NBA, i think we can allow him one injury in 20 years.

 

[Fall Out Boy]

Originally posted by DEVO

It appears Jerry West has had a pretty positive effect at Memphis as well. He would have to go down as being one the greatest deal-makers in history... any sport... any profession.

Damn straight.

We were a lottery team last year, right now we're well and truly on target for a playoff spot in the very tough West.

 

[jod23]

Originally posted by phatandphreaky
Damn straight.

We were a lottery team last year, right now we're well and truly on target for a playoff spot in the very tough West.

And a quick first round exit.

 

[CURVE]

Originally posted by jod23
And a quick first round exit.

It might happen, but the Western Conference Playoffs are going to be extremely tough this year. Possibly the toughest series since the 8 team playoffs began in the mid-eighties. The teams in the bottom half of the eight would all consider themselves legitimate Championship contenders and would all fancy themselves against any Eastern Opponent.