So exactly how do the Lakers fill these multiple needs while they are in salary cap jail? Ain't gonna happen. They can't just trade Gasol and get all of this back at one time. Gasol's trade value has nosedived.
Winning a championship is the only way he can. For some reason, many here will never forgive him. He's held to a higher standard than other developing players (yes, he's top 10 but still developing). On the other hand, St. Durant (my favorite player in the NBA) can do no wrong and walks on water. The double-standard is maddening but WB is mentally tough enough to keep improving regardless.
Lakers can still make a run if Bynum continues to develop like I think he can, both mentally and with his game. And the Lakers must know how to utilize him better, and Kobe has to be on board. Otherwise, they're stuck in 2nd round purgatory. I think people just can't grasp the notion that a point guard can and has to score for his own team to win. They're like: "WTF is this? Shouldn't PG pass? He's shooting too damn much."
With Bynum improving and Kobe declining, they must improve their roster to legitimately contend. How does this happen? In the future, will Kobe ever admit he's 2nd fiddle to Bynum? I dunno. It may not end well.
I'm usually critical of Westbrook on Clutchfans mainly because he constantly gets overrated by a few people. He's already one of the best PGs, but of course he still has some flaws in his game that he needs to work on. He's only 23 years old though which is the best part. He has the chance to be the best PG, I just don't believe he's there yet.
Exactly, both Durant and Westbrook have played very good this year in the playoffs. In the past they both have been inconsistent in the playoffs. They are fun to watch. A few weeks ago I said I would rather go to war with CP3 in the playoffs over Durant well right now I'm definitely regretting saying that. Durant has been awesome down the stretch. I'm glad Brooks switched him on to Kobe down the stretch. Durant is too long for Kobe to consistently hit jumpers over him and Durant can stay with Kobe if he tries to drive.
Agree with you. What works in WB's favor is his dedication to basketball and improvement in the offseason. He might get there next season although the Olympics will interrupt his training.
Realistically, the Lakers could easily be up 3-1 in this series, and they match up well with SAS. So they're not completely out yet, even for next year. I think they can still make another run or 2 depending on Bynum's growth. Bynum has a chance to be a 22/12+ type of guy. It's up to him to reach that potential, which appears to be all mental right now. But the big part is will Kobe accept that and willing to at least be 1a/1b type of thing. What I saw yesterday in the 4th when he tried to win it on his own was just disappointing. He should know he doesn't have it, yet he tried to force it. Hopefully he sees that and accept Bynum and let the offense run through him; it'll save him energy for the playoffs. Hopefully, Kobe's willingness to win will help him with that transition. But other than that, they need to ship Gasol out to get more athletic players in there, and shore up the bench. Gasol isn't a bad player still I don't think. I think that the Lakers make it a point to develop Bynum and thus took away the paint from Gasol. He's playing in no-man's land out there. He'll still have some value with other teams. This team will still be a top 4 team next year. But to your logic so far, he can't be b/c he doesn't have his own team and isn't the #1 option, which will never be the case with Durant there.
Absolutely! Durant has clearly been the best player in this years playoffs. Do you guys remember a few years ago when Kenny Smith on TNT said that Durant will become the best player in the NBA in 3 years> <iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/iZAeo-Tgkxs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
You know what's crazy? OKC in 3 years can conceivably have the best PG (WB), best SG (Harden), and best SF (Durant). This team's future is way too bright. Way too bright.
Kobe should have gone for that scoring title because he's going to be leaving this season with nothing -other than knowing his current team is far from championship quality.
Paraphrasing Magic: People think I hate Mike Brown. I don't, I like Mike Brown. Mike Brown didn't make adjustments in Cleveland. He's not a great in game adjustments coach. When they went to the front on Bynum, all you had to do is swing the ball. Mike Brown did not adjust to that. I told Dave Winfield the Lakers were going to lose. Too many jumpshots.
Here is a video on one aspect of Westbrook. <script src="http://player.espn.com/player.js?&playerBrandingId=4ef8000cbaf34c1687a7d9a26fe0e89e&pcode=1kNG061cgaoolOncv54OAO1ceO-I&width=576&height=324&externalId=espn:7947483&thruParam_espn-ui[autoPlay]=false&thruParam_espn-ui[playRelatedExternally]=true"></script>
funny how Westbrook became Frazier and Durant reed. He made one shot after he bricked free throes , Westbrook carried the team. I hate zones and that's what the thunder played in the 4th.
By trading who? If it's Pau, he's owed about $40 million over the next 2 years. What kind of players will they get in return? A legit starting PG, SF & PF (to replace Pau)? Pipe dream.
Of course the Lakers will try. Pau is a goner. But because of their salary situation, they will be different next year but not better. Kobe will set LA on fire if Pau isn't traded. :grin:
Somebody should call out Bryant for blaming anybody but himself. Two costly late-game turnovers by Bryant in game 2? Because apparently Durant and OKC took risky moves to grab the steals. Costly late-game turnover by Gasol in game 4? Obviously Gasol's fault. And that Kobe and Bynum were crowded late. No, you forced it when Durant had covered you well. 2/10, with meaningless jumper at the buzzer.
