Looking ahead to 2004/05

[jilbagh]

Who should the Lakers dedicate most of their money to?

[Hogg]

Shaq is my favorite player. I barely like Kobe as a Laker. I'll hate him if he leaves which I wouldn't mind.

[jilbagh]

Originally posted by Hogg Shaq is my favorite player. I barely like Kobe as a Laker. I'll hate him if he leaves which I wouldn't mind.

Shaq is already making 25+ million. maybe he should take a hint on what to do if he wants a real team around him like Karl and Gary Payton have done this year!!!

For him to yell out 'pay me" then baby his injuries was a little out of hand. If he wants to continue being a champion he'll shut up, take what he's offered, God knows its more than he needs, and let that money be put to use under the salary cap with other players, like Kobe, Fisher, or Rasweed

Sharing is caring, spread the love and wealth, God he owns his own lake!

It'll be sad and bad seeing Kobe leave. It was Jerry West and Magic who brought him in and lead him through maturation. And those 2 had their chances to leave but decided to be Lakers for life, Kobe even once said he'd like to end his career here. If Shaq would shut up and give up a few million.

[dstyle]

This might be blasphemy(spellcheck), but sign shaq at around $20 mil/year, trade kobe by feb 19 or whatever to philly for AI. problem solved. and phil if he stays he stays if he doesnt, pat riley welcome back.

[jilbagh]

Originally posted by dstyle This might be blasphemy(spellcheck), but sign shaq at around $20 mil/year, trade kobe by feb 19 or whatever to philly for AI. problem solved. and phil if he stays he stays if he doesnt, pat riley welcome back.

riles is under contract for another year and ahalf. Byron Scott, Jim Cleamons, Kurt Rambis are possibilities. Iverson takes too many shots for this offense... Shaq can make up to 32/year. Karl Malone too a 18 million cut to win, Gary took a 10 million cut to win...I dont think its difficult for Shaq to take a 5 million cut to win, if he says what he really wants to do!

[loseyourname]

It almost looks certain that Kobe will leave. It looks as if he'll go to the Clippers, judging from rumors alone. If that is true, I'd trade him right now, along with Slava Medvedenko, for Quentin Richardson and Elton Brand. If they can't pull that off, then let him go and sign Rasheed. He'll come cheap with his history, but they need to extend Phil, who may be the only coach in the NBA who can handle Rasheed. Start him at the three position, along with Payton at the point, Kareem Rush at the two, Karl at the four, and Shaq at center. Give Shaq whatever he wants; with Kobe off the payroll, there will more than enough to sign Wallace. Furthermore, they can dump Rick Fox or Devean George or Bryon Russell, perhaps even two of those guys. They have young talent to build around with Rush, Medvedenko, and Brian Cook, who all need to learn how to play defense and then can be meaningful contributors. As long as they have Shaq around and he isn't constantly injured (he'll need to again lose weight over the summer), they should be fine for a couple more seasons. They may not be at the championship level for more than another two or three, but they should be able to rebuild while maintaining strength.

[jilbagh]

Originally posted by loseyourname It almost looks certain that Kobe will leave. It looks as if he'll go to the Clippers, judging from rumors alone. If that is true, I'd trade him right now, along with Slava Medvedenko, for Quentin Richardson and Elton Brand. If they can't pull that off, then let him go and sign Rasheed. He'll come cheap with his history, but they need to extend Phil, who may be the only coach in the NBA who can handle Rasheed. Start him at the three position, along with Payton at the point, Kareem Rush at the two, Karl at the four, and Shaq at center. Give Shaq whatever he wants; with Kobe off the payroll, there will more than enough to sign Wallace. Furthermore, they can dump Rick Fox or Devean George or Bryon Russell, perhaps even two of those guys. They have young talent to build around with Rush, Medvedenko, and Brian Cook, who all need to learn how to play defense and then can be meaningful contributors. As long as they have Shaq around and he isn't constantly injured (he'll need to again lose weight over the summer), they should be fine for a couple more seasons. They may not be at the championship level for more than another two or three, but they should be able to rebuild while maintaining strength.

I agree with most of that, except Kobe is younger than Shaq. Shaq has about 3-5 years left, Kobe has about 8 or so. Rick I believe is under contract.

But lets not forget, they have to protect 8 players for this years expansion draft! Will Kobe be one of them? Who will be our playmaker? Who will we have that would be able to create? on a consistant basis...

Dr. Buss should also open up his checkbook, he's always said that he'll spent whatever it takes to compete!!!

[loseyourname]

I'd gladly build around Kobe, but if he doesn't want to be here, there isn't much the Lakers can do. They need Shaq more than they need anyone else. Shaq is a playmaker if they can just learn to get him the ball. Luke Walton has also shown ability as a playmaker, especially in the post, and Gary Payton is a wonderful ball distributor whose play has been elevated lately as he learns the triangle. His contract will run out and they'll need another ball handler, to be certain, but that is a concern for down the road. I'm just looking to next year primarily.

[dstyle]

Shaq is the most dominent player in the league by far. Lakers keep him, they can build around him, he can play for about 3-5 years and most elite guards in the league can better fit the offensive scheme then kobe. so sign shaq, get a good guard, maybe another filler, keep payton and malone. bam 3 more championships. after that go for garnett or duncan, once shaq retires.

[fstkhnan]

lan who cares!