NBA Off-Season

[loseyourname]

Word is that no deal goes through unless it includes Nash and Nowitzki, which I think Mark Cuban would do in half a second if he had half a brain. They'd still have Finley and Walker, Josh Howard. The run 'n' gun Nash/Nowitzki duo would just get in Shaq's way and never give him the ball anyway.

The Lakers would just become a scoring machine. What would the starting lineup be? Nash, Payton, Kobe, Nowitzki and whoever they could get at center? I've heard that Erick Dampier wants to play in LA. That team would just be sprinting up and down the court every possession. Then you'd have George, Malone, Rush, Medvedenko and Fisher coming off the bench? That team could score 110 a game. Imagine the Lakers - Kings games. I can see scores in the 130's. They'd still have some defensive-minded players in Kobe, George, Karl, GP, Fisher and Dampier. They wouldn't be the dominant team they should have been last year, but last year didn't work anyway.

On the other hand, if they can get Jermaine O'Neal and Ron Artest, and get Erick Dampier to sign, that might be the best defensive starting lineup ever assembled. It's hard to see O'Neal leaving Indiana, though.

[jilbagh]

LA's #1 destination is Indiana, for the obivous reasons of him being in the East, and getting the younger O'Neal with Artest, croshere and/or harrington. That would insure Fisher staying in LA. And give the big body role players off the bench that can produce defensivly.

If Nash comes to LA in the trade with Nowitzki and Howard or #5 pick, you can kiss Fisher goodbye, he will not come off the bench.

Even siging Dampier, that only gives us 1 true center. It's ok to have 1 true center if its Shaq. Medvedenko is more of a 4.

I say Indiana or Bust.

[loseyourname]

Dallas picked up Pavel Podvolzine (whatever the dude's name is). 7'5" true center. Young and probably not very polished, but huge upside. They're loading up on guys, presumably to try and offer LA everything but the kitchen sink (and everything but Dirk Nowitzki) in return for Shaq.

[Hogg]

No Dirk, no deal. That's what I say if I'm Mitch Kupchak. I don't want Nash, Finley, Walker *barf*, or anyone else as the centerpiece of a deal for Shaq. I'd rather keep Shaq and have him sit the whole year if that's what he'll do, which I doubt. It seems as though Shaq is making it harder for the Lakers to get a deal. He won't join the Clippers because they won't win. If he goes to Dallas, he wants Dirk with him. Well, um...good luck, moron. I don't know if he's trying to really screw the Lakers over (I hope not) or if he thinks they can get a good deal done with all these requests of his. He's supposedly said he'll play for the Queens now. It'll be great if they trade him there and all day on sports radio, they play clips of all the things that Shaq has said about the team and city throughout the years. Can you dig iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit?!

[jilbagh]

That is the case...Dirk has to be included. But I got news, there is going to be NO deal! Even Jerry West said that Shaq will remain a Laker and there's no way they would trade inside their own conference.

They have bigger issues to sort out like finding a coach, a back up for shaq, kobe, fisher, slava...

No worries fellas...we will load up on the shooting we need and I think if everything takes place and Rudy T's style opens up play for everyone, not just set shooters in a boring offense...the Lakers will return to Showtime.

Key FA's (that are realistic to come on board): Erick Dampier, Keon Clark, Wesley Person, Brent Barry, Charlie Ward

[Hogg]

How do we have a shot at Dampier if Shaq stays? He had a career year and I'm sure he wants a huge contract. Out of the other 4, the 1st 3 are cool but I'm not a big fan of Ward for some reason. Person would be deadly if his man doubles on Shaq. If we get Barry, he can play enough PG for backup minutes and our pick yesterday can be the 3rd guy. Imagine Barry coming off the bench, moving Kobe to the 3 and having GP, Barry, Kobe, Malone (guessing he returns), and Shaq. I think that's wishful thinking and I don't know if Kobe would start at the 3.

[jilbagh]

Dampier would love to be in LA and play in LA. He'll take part of the vet's exemption just to be in a winning team rather than a sub-par warriors team. I'm doubtful on Karl returning, that will be known in the coming weeks But if Fisher blasts to the Rockets, we can start GP, Barry, Kobe, Damp, Shaq

[jilbagh]

With the T-Mac deal done, Houston is shopping for a PG. Can they afford Fisher? They're going to need to add a couple more parts on the Rockets and Lue wants to start. But I dont think he'll have a hard time re-living the 2 championships he won playing behind Fisher...Let's see what crippelates

[jilbagh]

haven't heard about the Coach K coaching offer...what do y'all think about it?? im thinking about a new line "Coach K? NO WAY! He can't hack it in LA!!!"

[Inna]

haven't heard about the Coach K coaching offer...what do y'all think about it?? im thinking about a new line "Coach K? NO WAY! He can't hack it in LA!!!"

hahaha...don't worry..he turned down the offer so you wont be seeing him...I'm glad his staying at Duke, its where he belongs..LA doesnt deserve a great coach like him..his better off in North Carolina