NBA Off-Season

[loseyourname]

I don't know that I agree. If you could get Jermain O'Neal and Ron Artest, I'd trade Shaq in a second. If they could resign Kobe (and with Shaq and Phil Jackson gone, why would he still want to leave?), that would give them three potential franchise players who give it all on both sides of the court every night that are all in their mid twenties. They really wouldn't even need a legimate center (look at what the Pistons did with Ben Wallace). They'd just need role players. They've got the crafty utility-man who can run the offense from the forward position (Luke Walton), the spot-up shooter, instant-offense off the bench guy (Kareem Rush, who I can see becoming another Michael Redd), if Fisher stays, another good spot-up shooter who plays tough D and always hustles. Devean George can still hit the open three, plays good defense, and will make a more than servicable backup to Artest. Heck, even if you put in Harrington and Croshere instead of Artest, that still gives two very good perimeter shooters with no fear, a guy in Harrington that can play the post and lead the team in scoring on any given night, but who doesn't mind not being in the spotlight, and a guy in Croshere who we know is talented and is just itching for the chance to play on a team where he can contribute. I say do it. Bring in some hungry young players and build around Kobe and Jermaine. Imagine the defensive energy on a team like that. The only question is who would coach this team? You'd think the Lakers could get anyone they wanted, but who is out there? Mike Fratello? Byron Scott? There isn't anyone available with even close to the credentials that Phil had.

[loseyourname]

By the way, the mock draft at www.nba.com has the Clippers taking Ben Gordon with the number four pick. Imagine a starting lineup of Ben Gordon, Quentin Richardson, Cory Maggete, Elton Brand, and Chris Kaman. That's an extremely athletic team that could potentially be next year's Memphis Grizzlies. They badly need a point guard and Dunleavy needs to give this team some vision. Hopefully they don't have such bad luck with injuries this time around.

[dstyle]

Clippers can do amazing things in the offseason if there owner lets, iffff there owner lets. If I were them I'd try to get arenas in a trade for the #4 and maybe ely, and q. Then I'd sign brent barry of jackson, so the starting five would be as follows.

PG Arenas, Jaric
SG Barry, Barnes, house
SF Maggette, Simmons
PF Brand Wilcox
C Kaman

The payroll I think can be around 45 millions which isnt tooo high, but that team would make the playoffs.

[jilbagh]

Indiana is trying to unload Croshere's contract, I'd take him, we almost did in a Robert Horry trade 2 years ago.

I think the trade from Indy included O'Neal, Artest and Harrington and/or Croshere.

Clips will be off well, i'm sure they'll keep Marko Jaric as in the lineup, with what you mentioned as the potential starters, they still have Dooling, Ely, Jaric on the bench that can produce right off the bench.

As much as I would hate to move the big fella, (or for the past week the big baby) I would do the Indiana trade in an instant to get young, athletic and be able to compete with other young and successful teams like the Spurs, Rockets, Detroit, Denver, New Orleans...

And I think Rudy T could do it. If not, my #1 choice would be Brian Shaw, a player who knows how to operate a offense, has the court smarts and loves scoring.

(My #2 choice is me)

[jilbagh]

Brent Barry vowed never to go back to the Clippers, Barnes needs some NBDL work

[dstyle]

Man so exciting.

Ya I know about barry, but I'd still love too see him with the new team.

[jilbagh]

I'd love to see him with the Lakers lol...Fisher,Kobe, Artest, Medvedenko, J Oneal your starting line up, Payton, Barry, George, Harrington, Walton, Croshere, Rush your bench yeah right lol

[dstyle]

Ok from the players your talking, you would need a pf, so you get back Malone who's very close to Kobe now. Then you'd have this.

PG Payton
SG Kobe
SF Artest
PF Malone
C Oneal J.

Off the bench: Walton, Medvedenko, Rush, Cook, Harrington, and Barry, playing anywhere from 1-3.

[Hogg]

I love Brent Barry but I don't know if he'd sign with the Lakers to come off the bench. He is interested in the Lakers though. I'm just not sure he fits in with Payton staying. I was hoping Barry would come in and be the PG in the triangle.

Stackhouse, Laettner, and the #5 pick to Dallas for Jamison. Is that #5 for the Lakers? This offseason could be the biggest ever in terms of big names moving.

[jilbagh]

If we pick up Antoine walker in any part of the trade...they should be sent to have their head checked....Dallas is trying to get rid of his contract and attitude, we dont want either, and most importantly...i'll boo him every game