crap... i sincerely hope he doesn't go to the spurs. then even if we bag elton brand we still won't be able to beat them. think about it: the game's top player, and the game's top scorer. that's never happened before. on a spurs team, TMac will be rejuventated and start blocking 2 shots a game again, watch. scary scary scary.
Thanks, Almu. Scott's no longer available, but I guess that doesn't affect the heart of the deal. GATER, that's a very interesting post. It's not easy, but I think it is possible for the two teams to work out a mix that is reasonable for both teams. But we're talking serious overhaul. Here's one possible scenario: Shaq for #1 Hill Howard (PF) Lue (PG) DeClercq (C) Hunter (C) Orlando is left with: Shaq/Rooks Gooden/Pachulia Stevenson/Garrity T-Mac/Bogans Gaines/ L.A. has: Okafor/DeClercq/Hunter Malone/Howard/Medvedenko George/Fox Kobe/Rush Fisher/Payton/Lue Both teams don't look very good in my opinion, but it's doable. A lot depends on how the respective coaches try to shape the teams. Yeah, I don't know. I'd like to see Shaq go, but I'd hate to see Okafor turn into something special for the Lakers. Okafor's certainly a good frontcourt guy to pair with Kobe on a Kobe-centered team.
I think its all about Shaq and if he wants to go or not. Again, a rumor. But let me say what I felt was meant. The Lakers are on the last legs. They are going to keep Kobe over Shaq. Its almost 10 years difference. But I imagine that the soap opera they had this year won't be happening again next year. My opinion is that Malone will stay. If Jackson stays, Payton will go. If Jackson goes, Payton will stay. Again, IN MY OPINION, they are going to aim for YAO in a couple of years. Sure it makes no since to trade Shaq for the number one and whatever else. But think about this. They make the trade. Get Okafur. Add him to Bryant. Get Yao later. EVERYONE IS STILL NO WHERE NEAR 30 YET. If they thinking rebuilding, then it figures Jackson is gone because we all know he don't build teams. But the Lakers will be down for a couple of years but come back with a vengance with Yao/Okafur/Bryant. Hell of a nucleus.
Only way Yao goes to the Lakers is for less money, but he's the type of player that would take less money. However, I think he's also the type of player who would be loyal to the team that drafted him unless it really was going nowhere. If Yao went to the Lakers, I would hate him. Seriously. I would boo him mercilessly at Compaq. I don't think there's any team I would rather lose him to less than the Lakers.
Another Yao to LA thread. It will happen. Houston has so many bad contracts that it's impossible (unless somehow Les is willing to open up his wallet) to build a top tier team within the next two years.
It's funny but EVERY NBA team thinks it has a chance of getting T-Mac. My bro lives in Corpus Christie and receives the Spurs Sports radio talk shows and they are rumoring about sending Tony Parker and Ginobly for him, I am sure they have others involved b/c it wouldn't fit under the cap. I just find it funny that every team's fan base thinks they are going to land T-Mac. In the end, the guy will stay where he is at. He left Toronto b/c he wanted to ball-hog and be the main star of the team. Maybe he has matured and realizes that nobody can do it on their own but the guy has to jack up way too many shots to be effective. We NEED a bonafide PF more than another swingman. T-Mac is one of the best talents in the league, but he won't fit on this team. JVG is TOO stubborn and won't change his system for any player. My 2 cents may not be important but that's just how I feel. Peace.
Hell of a nucleus!? Lets not confuse Almu's opinions with the actual rumor. 1) Scott is a Hornet 2) Yao going to LA has nothing to do with the rumor 3) The finals start in early June. The Lakers will win the championship. If anyone is leaving the Lakers, it will be Kobe!!!
Kobe for TMac (plus #1?) is doable. That is the only way I see Shaq and TMac playing together. L.A. Lakers trades: SG Kobe Bryant (23.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 5.1 apg in 37.6 minutes) L.A. Lakers receives: SG Tracy McGrady (28.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 5.5 apg in 39.9 minutes) Change in team outlook: +4.1 ppg, +0.5 rpg, and +0.4 apg. Orlando trades: SG Tracy McGrady (28.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 5.5 apg in 39.9 minutes) Orlando receives: SG Kobe Bryant (23.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 5.1 apg in 65 games) Change in team outlook: -4.1 ppg, -0.5 rpg, and -0.4 apg. TRADE ACCEPTED
Great rumor! There's one problem though: Byron Scott just took the Hornet's coaching job. Also, Orlando does not appear to be in the market to trade the no. 1 pick. They are trying to convince T-Mac that they are serious about putting together a competative team and drafting Okafur would go a long way toward that end. Also, getting Shaq at this stage in his career would not be enough to make them a championship team. Also let's face it: Grant Hill is done - the guy can barely walk now let alone play. His name only comes up in every trade rumor because his salary is paid by disability insurance. It's just as well because all of these McGrady to Houston posts are nothing more than an exercise in mental masturbation. The Rockets have zero chance of landing T-Mac. Too many bad contracts, bad drafts and stupid personnel moves have got them boxed into a corner. The time has come to pay the piper...
Here is a possible SA deal uniting Duncan and TMac San Antonio trades: Manu Ginobili ( ppg, rpg, apg in minutes) PG Tony Parker (14.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 5.5 apg in 34.4 minutes) PF Malik Rose (7.9 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.0 apg in 18.8 minutes) C Radoslav Nesterovic (8.7 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 1.4 apg in 28.7 minutes) San Antonio receives: SG Tracy McGrady (28.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 5.5 apg in 39.9 minutes) Change in team outlook: -3.3 ppg, -9.7 rpg, and -2.4 apg. Orlando trades: SG Tracy McGrady (28.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 5.5 apg in 39.9 minutes) Orlando receives: Manu Ginobili ( ppg, rpg, apg in games) PG Tony Parker (14.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 5.5 apg in 75 games) PF Malik Rose (7.9 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.0 apg in 67 games) C Radoslav Nesterovic (8.7 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 1.4 apg in 82 games) Change in team outlook: +3.3 ppg, +9.7 rpg, and +2.4 apg. TRADE ACCEPTED SA is gutted after the trade. And Orlando gets some good players but no stars. Kobe for TMac would be a better trade for Orlando.
But Kobe might be the best deal he gets. Also if Kobe does not work out for Orlando, he has great trade value and could be moved later.
But Kobe would have to want to go there. LA can't just ship him off against his will. The clipps would be the more likely destination over Orlando if he were to leave.
I just had to quote this. Not flaming you at all. Do I believe the rumor is legit? Sure. I'd rate the chances of it happening are 5% It does make sense on both sides, though, in my opinion. LAL: They've decided Kobe is more important than the rest of the team, most likely why the extension negotiations for Jackson and O'Neal were cut off mid-season. Also, Shaq is very clearly in decline and it won't be long before he's grossly overpaid. Buss can't possibly want to add more years at over $30 million a season when there's no promise he'll still be dominant at the end of his current deal. As said earlier, the team is ripe to be gutted in the offseason. It would make sense to bring in half of Orlando's squad when you have so many holes to fill. I personally believe PG is going to be filled by Fisher, who's obviously done a better job than Payton anyway. ORL: Pure and simple, Shaq and McGrady would be the class of the East. At least for a while. The surrounding pieces around McGrady right now are scrap. Make the move while keeping Howard or Gooden, and the MLE will be enough to bring in a couple of role players. Orlando's already a decent place to go, seeing as Florida and Texas are the homes of 80% of the NBA. McGrady stays put, and Shaq sets himself up to become owner of the Magic after he retires. But again, I'm rating the chances of such a HUGE deal happening at 5% Evan
Tony Parker and Ginobili? Hahaha. That's funny, San Antonio. Somebody start on T-Mac's locker in Toyota center.
Well, since he hasn't siad it to me or in my presense, yet I have heard it enough to believe it to be true, then I am qualifying what I said to stay out of straight BBS BS hell.
