Who do you think is the better PF for the Lakers? Ho Grant's the familiar pick for Phil, but I think he could have possibly gotten a better player without giving up anything. Joe's length and quickness match up well with the star PF's in the West like Rasheed, Garnett, McDyess, and Webber. I even thought Joe Smith could guard Tim Duncan well compared to other PF's. You don't need a thug PF in the West. Our Mo and Seattle's Baker are the only star PF's with any muscle to them aside from Duncan, and Duncan struggles with longer, quicker defenders more than the more muscular, slower type. Joe's got a pretty good jump shot too, right? Plus, they wouldn't have had to have given up Glen Rice for Joe, though it seems as though Phil was set on doing that anyway. I'm disappointed. I would have liked to have seen Joe on the Lakers. I think it would have made the matchups in the West a lot more interesting. It is true that this deal makes more sense in that the Lakers probably would not have been able to sign JS after this season, but Ho Grant doesn't have that many seasons of good play left in him anyway. Anyway, just in terms of this year, who do you think would be the better PF for the Lakers? ALSO, Glen Rice was their only real pure shooter on the outside last year and a large part of their offense. I know Isiah Rider's going to be able to pick up some of the scoring, but he's not really a shooter. Is Chuck Person going to be able to fill that role of outside sniper to punish teams for doubling Shaq....or do you think the Lakers would be wise to sign Chris Mullin......or does the triangle offense even need outside shooting (Phil certainly didn't seem to concerned with keeping Rice in the game in the Finals)? I kind of hope the Lakers sign Chris Mullin, and he gets some minutes. He's been a great player, and it would be nice to see him contribute on a contender.....a contender that will be upset by H-town! [This message has been edited by Oatdog (edited September 20, 2000).]
Grant is better for the here and now....but Joe Smith is a nice player and not far behind Grant skillwise. Smith is younger and could get better as the years go by. Grant is exactly what LA needs, an experienced, veteran, championship tested PF that still has a year or two in the tank. GRRRRRRR!! ------------------ There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness." [This message has been edited by HOOP-T (edited September 21, 2000).]
