How much do you think they spend to retain these two FAs? Will they be able to afford both? One of them leaving would make that team much easier to beat.
I would like to think that they'll have to make a choice on who they want to keep. In my opinion they would probably keep Odom and let Ariza go even though Ariza could be signed for less money than Odom. Both of them were obviously very crucial for getting this championship in their own way, but I just think when Odom is playing determent he brings much more to the team that is much harder to replace than Ariza. I have a feeling that Kobe may not pick up his player option and resign a new contract that allows Odom and Ariza both to be resigned (assuming that no one in the nba make big offer for Odom).
they would need to retain ariza. he's young, still has upside and a whole lot cheaper re-signing than odom. he'll be kobe's pippen to guard the other team's best perimeter player. Odom would probably get a big contract from teams out there. if they let him go, the lakers will be hard pressed to find a mobile big like him who's a decent defender, good handles, can run and shoot the 3 unless they're willing to sign him upwards of 15m/yr. if i were the lakers, id trade bynum.
Completely agree. I like Ariza plus he's the younger of the two. Based on the post-game interview, seems as if LO7 is looking to get paid. Lakers messed up by giving an extension to a kid that didn't prove anything in Bynum except that he could carry girls on his shoulders instead of a team but with Kobe/Pau/Lamar on his team it hides a lot of his flaws.
Letting Ariza walk would be insanely idiotic. Let's not forget that he basically won that Denver series alone due to his stellar defense. He's young, he's improving, his outside shot looks like it's money, he's one of the best transition players in the game and he's a completely selfless player.
I asked the exact same question on a Chinese board. In my opinion, those 2 are so critical to Lakers' success. Especially Odom, he's the glue of the team, in every single aspect of the game. He's more important than Bynum. If Ariza keeps improving, he could well be their prime time Robert Horry. Lakers definitely need to keep them both (don't know how, maybe try to dump some salary of some other role players), in order to have long term success. Damn, it just makes you jealous how deep and talented this Lakers team is.
I totally agree. I think even Laker fans underrate his importance, because sometimes he'll make some dumb mistakes. Too much importance is attached to scoring, but he does so many other things well.
They had better keep Ariza. He's basically turned into everything he was touted for (great athlete, good transition game, long, athletic defender etc) and actually exceeded expectations with clutch, timely defensive plays, smart play, hustling for the loose ball and big time 3 pointers. I hope the Lakers have to overpay to keep him.
I would say the celtics can compete with them in talent. If rockets are completely healthy I would say the rockets 1-9 is better.
Have the Lakers ever tried using Kobe at point for stretches? I understand they want him playing off the ball and to relieve him of having to bring the ball up the court consistently but this lineup seems pretty lethal to me, even if only used in spurts (depending on the matchups): Kobe Ariza Odom Gasol Bynum Good luck getting a rebound against that group. Odom is also a great facilitator and solid ballhandler so he could do some playmaking in the halfcourt and let Kobe post up and come off screens.
I think one of them will be gone..... Someone will offer Odom or Ariza a contract that would force the Lakers DEEP into Lux tax, essentially costing them 2 dollars for every dollar of their contract. Jerry Buss is not stupid..... I think Odom leaves.....he got his ring, now will want to start and star and get paid...IMO. DD
After seeing his kid last night, I'm not so sure... I suppose being a douche is different than being stupid though.
Since Kobe is losing his athleticism, they definitly need a athletic wing player. Ariza is the one that they need more. Espeically, with Baynum growing, they don't need Odom that much! However, I feel more teams will want Ariza. He may get a better offer from another team. I mean that offer will be over the lakers' bottom line!
Another question, if the Yao and Tmac are both healthy next season, and the rockets win the title, what will the rockets do with them? Both Yao and Tmac will be free agents after next season.
Do you yell a lot in real life? Almost every one of your posts includes a number of exclamation marks, even for pretty mundane statements. I can see an SNL skit based on your behavior. They'd call it "The Guy that Gets Excited for No Reason!" or something like that...
