16 replies to this topic

[Icker]

LOS ANGELES LAKERS
What went right:

They re-signed Sasha

Seeking continuity for his defending Western Conference champs, GM Mitch Kupchak re-signed sharp-shooting reserve guard Sasha Vujacic to a three-year, $15 million contract. Vujacic proved a key contributor off the bench a year ago, averaging 8.8 points (on 43.7 percent shooting from downtown) in just 17.8 minutes. With so few other long-range threats who can also defend, the Lakers could not afford to let Vujacic get away.

Bynum made progress

In news that had Lakers Nation breathing a sigh of relief, third-year center Andrew Bynum continued to make progress in his rehabilitation from offseason knee surgery. The 7-foot, 280-pounder, who blossomed into a star a year ago, was reported to be bigger and stronger, and showing no ill effects from the knee injury that wiped out his season last January. Bynum was expected to be 100 percent healthy for the start of training camp.

They imported some Sun

It probably won't pay big dividends this season, but Kupchak added a piece for the future by signing Chinese guard Sun Yue to a two-year contract. The 6-9 Sun, the Lakers' second-round pick (No. 40) in '07, started for China's national team at the Olympics and is considered a solid prospect. For the short term he will compete for playing time with Jordan Farmar as backup in the L.A. backcourt.

What went wrong:

They didn't trade Odom

Maybe it will turn out to be the right move, but hanging on to Lamar Odom (at least for now) appears to be a big risk. The 6-10 forward is talented, but his lackluster showing in last year's Finals was a bad sign. Odom's height, meanwhile, is less of a factor now that the Lakers will have Bynum and Pau Gasol in the frontcourt. Ideally, L.A. would have been able to move him for a better defender/outside shooter on the perimeter.

They struck out on Posey and Barry

Kupchak tried to land free agents James Posey (Hornets) and Brent Barry (Rockets), but both veteran forwards opted to sign elsewhere. Due to financial constraints, Kupchak then decided not to match Golden State's offer sheet for reserve forward Ronny Turiaf (four years, $17 million). The loss of Turiaf, without the addition of any other proven veteran, leaves L.A.'s Bench Mob a bit thin in the frontcourt.

Kobe didn't get any rest

After carrying the Lakers through a long season that stretched into June, Kobe Bryant spent the summer helping lead Team USA to the gold medal at the Beijing Olympics. Due to those commitments, the reigning MVP also put off surgery to repair ligament damage in his right pinky. Bryant insists he's feeling spry as ever at age 30, but it remains to be seen how the long season affects him down the stretch next spring.

Grade: B-

Synopsis: The defending conference champs seem to be in good shape with a healthy Kobe and Bynum. But will they make a move with Odom?

http://sportsillustr...ex.html?eref=T1

Edited by ickerfan567, September 03, 2008 - 06:29 PM.

[magicbalala245]

Seems like a fair grade

[Cookie]

i agree we shud have traded odom...

[Aceis²FresH]

L.O is gone by Feb.

[popo]

I give it a D, Boston exposed our finesse game instead of resigning our hustle and dirty type player Turiaf we overpay Sasha when we already have 3point shooters in Fish, Farmar and Vlad. Now we have 3 guys in Luke, Sasha and Vlad making 16mill total a year, yikes. Hopefully we sign a backup center Mourning or Harrison and i would upgrade the off-season to a B, but as along as Mihm is on the roster we are in trouble at the back up c position.

Edited by popo, September 03, 2008 - 07:49 PM.

[Michaelyumm]

Keep Lo

who are we gonna trade for shawn marion his shooting scares me

If you trade Lo do it for prince

[Maddocks]

L.O is gone by Feb.

if our record is not as good as last year at the time, hes gone. But if its just as good or better, he will stay.

[Louizzle]

I have high expectations for Odom this season. He better deliver or he's out.

[ファイナルファンタジ]

Does anyone else feel that Kobe will have another MVP-like season?

[last stand 2.0]

lamar has been put into the kwame role

he either performs from the get go or hes gone by mid december

phil and rambis have clearly lost patience with him in the finals with their "hes not doing anything out there"(paraphrase) statements

but they feel it best to not make snap judgments and see how he does in a full time glue guy role

no more 2nd option or even 3rd option he is the fourth option and he can just make solid passes, grab rebounds keep the team moving

if he struggles hes gone plain and simple most likely for shawn marion

[daco_inc]

lamar has been put into the kwame role

he either performs from the get go or hes gone by mid december

phil and rambis have clearly lost patience with him in the finals with their "hes not doing anything out there"(paraphrase) statements

but they feel it best to not make snap judgments and see how he does in a full time glue guy role

no more 2nd option or even 3rd option he is the fourth option and he can just make solid passes, grab rebounds keep the team moving

if he struggles hes gone plain and simple most likely for shawn marion

How can you compare Lamar to KWAMAY BROWN? Lamar on an off day is still better than Kwame at his best.

And why do some people assume it'll be that easy to trade him and to get someone of equal value? Prince and Marion (minus the ego) is a better fit for us at the SF, and it were that easy to get them, we would have.

And we recently learned Odom played with a lot of pain during the playoffs. We had no one on our bench who could play as well as even an injured Odom, so I commend him for sucking it up and playing. If he didn't play through the pain, I guarantee you we don't even make it to the finals.

[netlord]

what was our rating last season?
The Kobe didn't get any rest is bs, he is resting now, he is not 70 he is 30. He will get enough rest. And his pinky is a non-factor.

Edited by netlord, September 04, 2008 - 01:22 AM.

[Daloyalfan18]

Does anyone else feel that Kobe will have another MVP-like season?

I definitely do!

[nameant]

They struck out on Posey and Barry

Kupchak tried to land free agents James Posey (Hornets) and Brent Barry (Rockets), but both veteran forwards opted to sign elsewhere. Due to financial constraints, Kupchak then decided not to match Golden State's offer sheet for reserve forward Ronny Turiaf (four years, $17 million). The loss of Turiaf, without the addition of any other proven veteran, leaves L.A.'s Bench Mob a bit thin in the frontcourt.

Translation:

- Mitch didn't overpay for Posey like the Hornets did.
- Brent Barry is garbage.
- Mitch didn't overpay for Turiaf like the Warriors did.

[A_V_R]

Translation:

- Mitch didn't overpay for Posey like the Hornets did.
- Brent Barry is garbage.
- Mitch didn't overpay for Turiaf like the Warriors did.

True brent barry had 2 good games and just because they were against us everyone went ape ish over him. Turiaf iam going to miss, but mostly from his activity on the bench. And when thats your worst problem heading into a season you know you have it pretty good.

Edited by A_V_R, September 04, 2008 - 10:00 AM.

[ファイナルファンタジ]

I definitely do!

Another scoring title? I don't know I wouldn't count on it though. Maybe All-Star MVP but that could be anybody (I think they do it by votes now from people). I just want the West to win again.

[Icker]

Kobe would have an OK season by his standards due to fatigue