[Memphis Commercial Appeal] Pau Gasol traded to Lakers

Everybody needs to take a deep breath and calm down. The Lakers made this deal more because of Phoenix than anything else. And even if it were a possiblity to make this deal, Memphis most certainly wasn't about to trade Gasol to the Rockets anyway especially after the Stromile Swift experience. This changes nothing AFAIK because I didn't expect them to catch the Lakers anyway. They still have a chance for the playoffs but they have to concentrate on the business at hand and not worry about what other teams are doing especially since that's something they have no control over at all.

 

I would have traded whatever contracts we have, draft picks, and Scola + Landry.

 

Lakers are gonna be real good for a long time now though.

Wow. Just wow.

 

You're forgetting one thing: the Grizzlies are in tank mode. It's a fire sale, and everything must go. NJ still has VC and RJ, I don't think they're giving up that easily.

 

Lakers vs Celtics in the Finals!

Who would win in a playoff series?

Lakers
PG: Fisher/Farmar
SG: Kobe/Sasha
SF: Odom/Ariza/Puke
PF: Gasol/Turiaf/Vlad
C: Bynum/Mihm/Mbenga

 

Plus, NJ is in the East, where playing .400 ball gets you in the playoffs...

 

Pau Gasol is perfect for the Lakers. He is a very good player, but he has proven he isn't the kind of franchise player that can carry a team to success. he'll compliment Kobe well because it doesn't seem like he's the kind of player who needs to be the man. I'm sure he'll be fine with playing second fiddle to Kobe.

Man, I hate this trade.

 

Why didn't the Grizz throw in Rudy Gay and Mike Miller too since they're basically giving up.

 

You have to take into consideration that he has to learn the system. The current lakers team have been together for some time and they just now after 3 season together learned the triangle. You also must consider how with today's rules and how fast the game is,you have two 7'0 footers with only 1 basketball. One of them is going to get less touches and 1 may have to be converted to a player that rebounds and defends.


More is not always better, you have to have the right blend of players.I see a lot of foul trouble between bynum and gasol together and one of them is going to have to take the back seat offensively. Today's 4 men are versatile and play beyond the perimeter,Which player is the 4 man. Chemistry is going to play a big part in making this trade work.

 

Uh, which teams were going to drop out of the playoffs so the Rockets could get in? I hope the Rockets are working on something. Damon S. going to the "falling" Spurs makes them stronger, and they looked pretty good in beating the Suns last night. Hey, Morey, warm up your cell phone and get cracking.

 

Lakers might just get Kwame back after Memphis waives him or buy him out.

 

You have to take into consideration that Malone and Payton were past their prime. You have to take into consideration that most teams in the West have way more talent than the Rockets. You have to take into consideration that we're matching up with with players like Hayes and Alston.

 

I was being sarcastic with the trade proposal. I know its a long shot for Kidd to go anywhere but Dallas, but seriously I don't understand grizzlies trade.

And about the New Jersey not being in a Fire sale...Gasol demanded a trade about a year ago and now got his wish. He was virtually off the market for a while. This trade was a sudden reality check for everyone because not one person saw it coming. Everyone knows Kidd is getting traded and his trade value went down because of age and how he handled his trade demand. I think hes open bait because this new jersey team is getting ready to rebuild.

...sadly even with that rockets getting him is a long shot

 

Why would they give up Rudy Gay? Most likely a future all-star and big team score.

 

wont be a problem man, at the very least they just bring gasol in to play kwames role when bynum comes back. the lakers could their lineup (that was #1 in the west) and bring in gasol off the bench, to make a bench that was already one of the tops in the league even better. only positives can come from this trade.

you sound like one of the guys proclaiming that the celtics wouldnt be that good because "theres only one ball." well, that situation is working just fine, and so will the lakers.

 

Memphis basically sent Gasol to Lakers as a gift for the Valentine's Day.
Now they are sitting there and enjoying the battle among the West man team!

Unbelievable trade. Stern must be invovled in this trade. NBA wants to see the re-match between Lakers and Celtics in the finals.

 

I don't know what Memphis is smoking. Kwame Brown and prospects??? What prospects? You count the 29th pick as a prospect? Ridiculous.
Well, that does it. Lakers for the championship this year. Guaranteed.

 

Lakers will make the playoffs after all

 

Gasol fits in the triangle offense nicely. Gasol is a high assists guy averaging 3 apg in his career.

I dont really think Jackson will play Gasol and Bynum together. Gasol and Bynum will probably share minutes in C.

A lineup like that under Jackson looks good:

Gasol/Bynum
Odom/Turiaf/Radmanovic
Ariza/Walton
Kobe/Vujacic
Fisher/Framar

 

They got Crittendon as well. And some future first round picks.