Aw, say it ain’t so! Indeed. It really is. With Yao, McGrady, Francis and Deke as leaders, this team shouldn’t lose. It will be up to the new sheriff in town to turn this group into a lean, mean, scoring machine topped off with a good defense. Speaking as an outsider, I see this: Yao and Francis have a special relationship since SF3 really helped Yao out in the early years. Yao looks up to him (ha ha) and because Steve’s a gutsy guy, he’ll be all over Yao to man up in a way others can’t. Yao and T-Mac have shared the struggle over the last few seasons and have a mutual BFF club. Everyone respects the noble Deke and knows this is his last stand. Shake well then add some (Iced) Scola to the rest of the talented bench. (Is this called "depth?") Holy Moly! The sum of these guys really is something special to behold and it would be a shame not to watch it unfold. Now, there’s a solid Plan B if Yao and/or T-Mac go down. Now there’s a system to allow everyone rest without sacrificing points. Now there’s a system that plays to strengths AND weaknesses -- allowing everyone to bring something different to the table. Yeah, support this team, “It’s hot.”(tm Paris Hilton).
ooliver it's about making the Lakers better first before making another team better.. I'm sure they learned their lesson from the Shaq trade.
I agree. I love TMAC and proud to have him on our team but some of the stuff that he does on the court just bugs the hell out of me. Sometimes, I feel he's too "loose" out there. Just kind of cruising along until he "finds" his rhythm. It's always "Don't worry, I'm a vet. I know I can find my groove. It'll come. It's just a matter of time." Jeez man, we didn't give you a max contract just so you can spend half a season to find your "groove". You're NOT Big Shot Rob. You don't have the luxury of waiting until the playoffs to "turn it on". Unless you get a ring or two on your hand, get your **** together before the season starts. And yes, that INCLUDES free throws.
Add family for people with issues against Kobe. If i recall correctly, his parents were way against him getting married so young. Events years later showed they were probably correct in their assessment... Sticks in my memory for whatever reason, but I remember a Road Rules episode from way long ago when Reggie Miller and Kobe Bryant appeared out of nowhere on one of the missions. This was Kobe's 2nd-3rd year in the league when he was taking off, but some blonde girl said she wasnt that fond of him like everyone else was, even THEN (she probably was overplaying the i'ma sweet little white chick who hates sports, big bad tall black dudes are too macho image but still though...) Francis is a basketball knucklehead top to bottom, but is fairly decent with people. I don't think its totally within Francis to manipulate, create a semi phony public image, have a superiority complex over his teammates, blame others for the team shortcomings, etc, at the level that Kobe does it.
Stupid arguments. Was Shaq not a superstar despite not being able to hit free throws. Gilbert Arenas missed two big free throws in the playoffs a copule years ago. Lebron James is not a great free throw shooter either and has missed a lot of late second shots, but Im not seeing too many people say he isnt a superstar. As for not being as good as he was in his Orlando days, Tmac showed he could score at Kobe's level when Yao was down for 32 games last year. However, he knows he doesnt have to do that when Yao is healthy, nor should he do that when Yao is in the game. He is a far better overall player now then when he was a part of the Magic. Yes, Kobe has fire. He is ultra competitive. But this has led him to insult his teammates, demand to be traded, demand that he be traded but only to a couple locations, demand to be traded but not for too much in return, and rip apart the organization that has paid him millions of dollars. More importantly, if he is really that clutch, and that great, and can take over anytime he wants, how come he has done nothing in the playoffs since Shaq left. Even with a 3-1 lead against the Suns a couple years ago.
TMac has a back problem, which is very risk for your star player, the lakers will not do this trade, the bulls are the team that the Lakers should aim at. they can get two or three very good players. If they need a superstar, they can ask Dirk from Dallas, likey mav. will do it.
Yes, Kobe has fire. He is ultra competitive. But this has led him to insult his teammates, demand to be traded, demand that he be traded but only to a couple locations, demand to be traded but not for too much in return, and rip apart the organization that has paid him millions of dollars. More importantly, if he is really that clutch, and that great, and can take over anytime he wants, how come he has done nothing in the playoffs since Shaq left. Even with a 3-1 lead against the Suns a couple years ago.[/QUOTE] Kobe, with all the attitude, still is the best player in the word, and would make our team much much better
Tmac is much more of a team player with great attitude towards his team mates and infront of media. No thanks i'll pass up!
What's up with these 3 or 4 players everyone wants to throw in? Tmac and Kobe make just about the same salary.
Actually,Our Rockets now have very good chemistry,the only thing to do is to shrink our 20-something-man roster down to 15.I suppose it's like when Morey claimed to be going after Lewis but in fact ...... Perhaps we might be in the Kobe trade as a third or fourth party,getting a good backup C or something like that which we really need.But not Bryant,he gonna disrupt the whole team's chemistry and locker atmosphere.
why is everything on tmac and not on yao? it's like if we fail, it's all on tmac. and on no one else?
i'm not saying he shouldn't get most of the blame. but it seems like ppl give yao a HUGE pass on this board. u do know yao HAS NOT dominated one single playoff game. not one where he made the game into his own. NOT A SINGLE ONE.
