[::2009 Champion LAKERS OFF-SEASON THREAD Vol. Boring Non-News Days Causing In-Thread Tension::]

[rukawa sj]

Originally Posted by nwtiger

i truly honestly trust mitch
we can not rest with just ron
wee need someone else
i know david lee is still out there
why not throw him some money around 8 mil?
considering NO ONE wants him since he is still out there.
i know he wants 10 mil but no one has offered him that soo why not take 8 mil for a championship team?

idk man im just saying !*@# now
ill wait for tupac to quote me and ask me if im serious
but i want to belive in this laker team and right now i dont

We don't have the money to throw at free agents, we already used our MLE on Artest...

 

[knightngale]

Originally Posted by nwtiger

i truly honestly trust mitch
we can not rest with just ron
wee need someone else
i know david lee is still out there
why not throw him some money around 8 mil?
considering NO ONE wants him since he is still out there.
i know he wants 10 mil but no one has offered him that soo why not take 8 mil for a championship team?

idk man im just saying !*@# now
ill wait for tupac to quote me and ask me if im serious
but i want to belive in this laker team and right now i dont

how can the lakers offer non laker free agents 8 mil? I thought we could offer odom that much cause of the bird rights
the lakers already used up their MLE and the veteran's excemption on brown right?

I don't think they can do any signing other than the minmum but I am not sur e

 

[goldmember]

Originally Posted by TH0MAS CR0WN

you guys are too damn pessimistic

C'mon man.. can you blame us?

 

[salahuddinxciii]

Originally Posted by Rukawa sj

Originally Posted by nwtiger

i truly honestly trust mitch
we can not rest with just ron
wee need someone else
i know david lee is still out there
why not throw him some money around 8 mil?
considering NO ONE wants him since he is still out there.
i know he wants 10 mil but no one has offered him that soo why not take 8 mil for a championship team?

idk man im just saying !*@# now
ill wait for tupac to quote me and ask me if im serious
but i want to belive in this laker team and right now i dont

We don't have the money to throw at free agents, we already used our MLE on Artest...

completely forgot about that
%%$*

 

[tupac003]

The State of Lamar Odom /profile/violation?ou=truehoopadmin&at=7&vid=1247583484564

July 14, 2009 10:58 AM

After winning the title and heading into the off-season on a high, the Lakers had some free agents to worry about, most notably Trevor Ariza and Lamar Odom.

The negotiations with Ariza stalled a bit and boom ... the Lakers went in another direction, bringing in Ron Artest instead.

Odom -- a favorite Laker, with abundant skill and size -- has now reached the point where his own contract negotiations have reached a sticking point.

A bit of a nervous time for Laker fans and Odom alike.

The L.A. Times' Broderick Turner reports:

Lakers owner Jerry Buss, who improved on his offer of $8 million a season to Odom, is getting frustrated and is thinking about pulling the deal off the table soon.

Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak talked at halftime of a game between the Lakers and Clippers on Monday in Las Vegas at the summer league, saying that the talks with Odom left him "not as hopeful as I was on Friday."

When asked why, Kupchak said, "Just a feeling you get."

"Right now, I'm not sure we're on the same page."

Kupchak added that it might be nearing time to give up on the talks, and Odom was coy about whether or not he had an offer from the Miami Heat. (Odom played well for the Heat in the 2003-2004 season, before being shipped to Los Angeles as part of the Shaquille O'Neal trade.)

Andrew Kamenetzky of the L.A. Times caught up with Odom, who tried to be somewhat sunny in the videotaped interview, but came off decidedly neutral when asked about the state of negotiations. "It is what it is," he said.

Odom also pointed out that even if you have a great relationship, things can get uncomfortable with anyone when the topic is money. "You can have a brother, a sister, a father, but when you start talking about money, it gets a little ... ehhhh ..."

Odom acknowledges he's in the middle of a balancing act. There's an argument for trying to get the most money possible. "You take a business man, anyone with a business mind, and they want the most money possible," he says. He points out that he's 29, and needs to secure his "legacy as a basketball player, and a business man."

But at the same time, Odom is clear that having a great chance to win a title means a lot, and he articulates a sophisticated bargaining position: "We try to do what's best for both sides, like what's fair. It doesn't happen overnight."

A Fair Price for Lamar Odom
It's very hard to say what any player is worth in this economy. So far there has been no suggestion that the teams with cap space -- Oklahoma City and Portland -- are in pursuit, so on the open market his suitors are the Lakers, who have Odom's "Bird rights" and can pay him any price, or some team's mid-level exception, which starts at a little under $6 million a year.

Reportedly Odom is hoping to get $10 million a season.

There are two players who are worth comparing Odom to.

The first, and most obvious, is Odom himself. Over the last five years he has earned something in the neighborhood of $55 million. Although he's seen as an inconsistent producer from game to game, Odom has been remarkably consistent from season to season. Over the last half-decade:

• Odom's PER has moved in a small window from 16.1 to 17.3. Last season it was 16.6.
• His true shooting percentage has been between 52 and 58% each of those years.
• His total rebounding percentage started the period at 15.9, and after a couple of off-years has been at 15.6 and 15.5 over the last two seasons.

In the 2009 playoffs, Odom was even better. According to Basketball-Reference, he had a PER of 18, a true shooting percentage of 59%, and a total rebounding percentage 16.7%.

Another comparision for Odom, from this summer's free agent market, is Hedo Turkoglu, who was also asking for $10 million a season, and reportedly received slightly more. They're very different forwards -- Odom plays more power forward, while Turkoglu handles the ball like a point guard -- but similar in that they're borderline stars for a Finals team.

By every measure, except those concerning passing, Odom's numbers look good compared to Turkoglu's. In this year's post-season, for instance, Turkoglu had a PER of 13.2 compared to Odom's 18, a true shooting percentage of 55% compared to Odom's 59%, and a total rebounding percentage of 7.3 which is less than half of Odom's 16.7.

That said, Turkoglu has value in creating shots for teammates. He assists on an estimated 21.6% of his teammates' shots when he's on the floor, compared with Odom's 9.1 rate.

What does it all mean?

The Lakers can make the case that at 29, in a bad economy and alongside Ron Artest, Odom is set to produce less on the basketball court, while the team has less ability to make money off of his efforts. They can also point out that their payroll is massive and in need of restraint. They have surely made the case that barring a big offer from Portland or Oklahoma City, or a sign-and-trade at the Lakers' behest, no one can pay Odom close to what the Lakers are offering.

The Odom camp can argue that $10 million is already a pay cut, the Lakers make more money than most teams, and how much can you ask a player to take a hit when he just won a title playing the best playoff basketball of his career?

So ... what's fair in a case like this? Both sides are right, so it's no wonder both sides sound frustrated. In a good economy, Odom is certainly the kind of player who would get a big contract. If Odom takes significantly less than $10 million from the Lakers, or plays somewhere for the mid-level, I'd take that as a sign that the economy is a factor in 2009 free agency.

There is only one qoute i saw in this piece that means anything...

He points out that he's 29, and needs to secure his "legacy as a basketball player, and a business man."
Secure your legacy as a basketball player and business man....

So your legacy goes like this...you take money from a college and end up at a no name school. You play for the clippers and smoke to much weed. You get awayfrom LA for a season and play good with the heat. You go to the lakers and play so/so but win a title. Then you either chase money and do nothing else in yourbasketball career with the blazers or you take less money and play with the heat and basicly go back to playing 05-07 laker basketball.......

It just sounds stupid.

 

[ledafuture36]

I hear what you're saying Tupac but I think we will make a move or 2 going into the regular season.. Do you think Mitch is gonna stand pat? Plus we stillhave Powell who is a decent defensive player and maybe if he got more PT he might show some things... I wanted LO back as much as the next guy but for peopleto sit on here and say they are throwing in the towel is a little bandwagon sounding... We still have a top 3 team and if Mitch pulls something off or signs agood player we are staright.. LO did half *** it a lot and as you watch your Laker DVD check to see how many times against the Magic he left Lewis all aloneand sagged on D.. He is a lazy player and that's a fact and if we can get someone who busts there *** every game but may not have the "talent" or"verastility" of LO I'm good with that.. The guy have a half of a good post season and we want to say we can't win it without him..

 

[th0mas cr0wn]

his legacy

it's simple, he stays with the Lakers, he can further cement his legacy and retire with some dignity(and another title or 2 or 3) when the time comes

or he leaves, and fades into obscurity on another team, everyone forgets about him like what has happened with so many other players who have left the teamthey've had the most success with


Lamar is funny

 

[tupac003]

ledafuture36 wrote:

---

I hear what you're saying Tupac but I think we will make a move or 2 going into the regular season.. Do you think Mitch is gonna stand pat? Plus we still have Powell who is a decent defensive player and maybe if he got more PT he might show some things... I wanted LO back as much as the next guy but for people to sit on here and say they are throwing in the towel is a little bandwagon sounding... We still have a top 3 team and if Mitch pulls something off or signs a good player we are staright.. LO did half *** it a lot and as you watch your Laker DVD check to see how many times against the Magic he left Lewis all alone and sagged on D.. He is a lazy player and that's a fact and if we can get someone who busts there *** every game but may not have the "talent" or "verastility" of LO I'm good with that.. The guy have a half of a good post season and we want to say we can't win it without him..


I agree. IF Mitch either finds a way to smooth this mess with Lamar or bring in a Prince or Boozer then we could be a top 3 team.

But if we stand pat, We are not a top 3 team. Period.

 

[mjsaver]

OUTRAGEOUS....

I feel like slapping somebody right now...


Its hard enough for a team to repeat as it is, now add this to the mix & it gets ugly.

Have all the faith you want, thats what us fans do...But LA's chances to repeat will take a huge hit if LO leaves...

Is it impossible to win w/o ODUM, of course not...But that's the wrong way to think about it I.M.O...

 

[ledafuture36]

^I'm not trying to start anything but I want to know what 3 teams right now are CLEARLY better then the Lakers and WHY?

 

[salahuddinxciii]

im stupified by the stupidty lamar displays

*+@ is this ______ thinking?

 

[tupac003]

From real gm

[h3]Lamar Odom to the Miami Heat MAKES SENSE[/h3]
by Lakersfan23 on Tue Jul 07, 2009 8:04 pm

The Contract:
- Heat sign Odom to a 1 year, MLE contract of $5.8 million this year
- Heat promise to re-sign Odom next summer in 2010 when they will be $28 million UNDER the salary cap (and this is assuming they pick up the options on Beasley, James Jones, Cook, AND Chalmers) to a big-time deal (something like 5 years, $50 million)
- Even if the Heat don't, Odom would be an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2010, when almost EVERY NBA team will be PLENTY of $$$ to spend and Odom will be able to get the $10 million/year offer he wants from one team at least (this summer sucks for him because only Portland and OKC have money to spend, next summer EVERY team will)

Why Odom would do it:
- Odom has been there, done that. Played for Miami before and Pat Riley was actually the man who signed him to the big contract he is now coming off of - Odom needs to thank Riley for getting him the $14 million he made this past year with the Lakers.
- Odom loves the beach, loves South Beach, loves the chicks and clubs in Miami
- Odom loves Pat Riley & Dwyane Wade, they are good buddies
- Odom would be guaranteed a starting PF spot, something he doesn't have on the Lakers

Why Miami would do it:
- Wade has already proclaimed he will leave next summer unless Miami becomse "instant title contenders", something they could possibly do with Odom's signing this summer and $28 million under the cap in 2010
- Getting Odom for the MLE is the best possible move they can make right now, being able to trot out a line-up of Chalmers, Wade, Beasley, Odom, and Jermaine O'Neal.
- They needs rebounding and defense, something Odom can give them, along with being a 2nd/3rd option behind Wade on offense

Lamar is that stupid.... (Lamar if you are reading this I am just upset and really want you to come back

)

^I'm not trying to start anything but I want to know what 3 teams right now are CLEARLY better then the Lakers and WHY?
Now all of this only applies if Lamar doesn't come back.

1. Spurs. Got younger and they could all be healthy next year. Still have Timmy, Tony and Manu and got RJ. Got a DEAL in the Draft. They did everything rightthis off season.
2. Celtics. Added a big man that can spread the floor and will fit right in with the big 3.
3. Cavs. They got the experience of losing in the ECF. Got a PROVEN big man who is playing good ball for his age. There still are question marks there buttheir core is coming back and should be better.

 

[MVP]

Originally Posted by ledafuture36

^I'm not trying to start anything but I want to know what 3 teams right now are CLEARLY better then the Lakers and WHY?

The only teams I can see that would potentially be better would be Boston and San Antonio, maybe Orlando...I still think we have a GREAT shot atcoming out of the West even without LO, the Spurs would have a better bench, but our starting five is more potent, this hinges on Drew an his ability to stayon the floor and if he does that and plays to the level he was before he got hurt we'll be fine. Both the Celtics and Spurs have huge cogs in their teamscoming off serious injuries so who knows how long it'll take KG and Manu to get back into all star form.

 

[salahuddinxciii]

.......
im speechless right now

 

[ledafuture36]

 

[ledafuture36]

And even if we stand pat its not a sure thing Boston or San Antonio are better.. I think people don't realize what kind of boost Artest brings to theLakers defense.. He's a better match up then Ariza with all these teams.. He's big and strong enough to guard Pierce, LeBron, Carmelo, Jefferson, VCand Rashard Lewis for that matter... Ariza was muscled around by Carmelo and Kobe had to step in and if Artest isn't quick enough for anybody Kobe D'sthem up.. Artest was a DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR and he's a year younger then Odom!! You are talking the @ best perimeter defenders in Kobe and Artestand 2 7 footers!!

 

[herman818]

Some not so good news regarding LO. Sorry if its a repost.

Updated: July 15, 2009, 12:46 AM ET
Report: Lakers pull Odom offer
Comment Email Print Share
ESPN.com news services

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4328376

 

[lalakerfan213]

I do believe that Odom is that stupid.

 

[tupac003]

For those who may have missed it (myself included)

Mitch was on KLAC monday to talk about why the negotiations with Ariza fell through.

Link Here

Also a break down of an interview with Ariza...

Link Here

 

[th0mas cr0wn]

Originally Posted by tupac003

Now all of this only applies if Lamar doesn't come back.

1. Spurs. Got younger and they could all be healthy next year. Still have Timmy, Tony and Manu and got RJ. Got a DEAL in the Draft. They did everything right this off season.
2. Celtics. Added a big man that can spread the floor and will fit right in with the big 3.
3. Cavs. They got the experience of losing in the ECF. Got a PROVEN big man who is playing good ball for his age. There still are question marks there but their core is coming back and should be better.

I'm sorry but

at the thought of the Cavs being better than us byadding Shaq in what is probably his last year in the league

for the record, without Lamar I still believe we are a top 3 team

 

[iminchucks5]

if the rockets offered artest for ariza+odom...guarantee u guys wouldnt do it

 

[westcoastsfinest]

Originally Posted by tupac003

This team IMO is a middle of the pack team without Lamar.

Its just a shame. Just a shame. A championship team can't stay together.

Ariza I understood. His agent gassed him up and maybe his agent talked to much.

Now Lamar agent doesn't talk enough. Doesn't respond to a 9 million dollar offer which was only ONE million dollars off what he wanted.

NOBODY HAS COME CLOSE TO OFFERING ANYTHING!!! So why not take the 9 mil? I don't see anything wrong with a 3 year deal. I dare lamarownsem to come with any comeback. There is none.

So where do you go now? Do you chase dollars in portland when there is no deal even in place? Do you run to south beach for the MLE? Run to the Mavs for the MLE?

Doesn't sound to damn smart to me. But when has Lamar really been smart? Us as laker fans have given LO a lot hell but we always stood behind him. We would always try to defend him.

He won't get that anywhere else.

That candy must be rotting his brain. There are times when you don't need to listen to your agent. There are times when you need to do things on your own if you mean what you say. IF you want to be a laker BE A DAMN LAKER! PICK UP THE PHONE AND MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN. Don't sit around and let good money pass you by.

I feel like drinking.....

co-sign...but hell if he aint with us hes against us

 

[ledafuture36]

^^Before the postseason?

 

[tupac003]

Originally Posted by TH0MAS CR0WN

Originally Posted by tupac003

Now all of this only applies if Lamar doesn't come back.

1. Spurs. Got younger and they could all be healthy next year. Still have Timmy, Tony and Manu and got RJ. Got a DEAL in the Draft. They did everything right this off season.
2. Celtics. Added a big man that can spread the floor and will fit right in with the big 3.
3. Cavs. They got the experience of losing in the ECF. Got a PROVEN big man who is playing good ball for his age. There still are question marks there but their core is coming back and should be better.

I'm sorry but

at the thought of the Cavs being better than us by adding Shaq in what is probably his last year in the league

for the record, without Lamar I still believe we are a top 3 team

Ok I know I am pushing with the Cavs but I still don't think we are a top 3 team without LO..

Man its time for me to shut down the laptop. Wife is hot that I brought it up to the bed room to talk about LO.

Cutting something >>>>>>>>>>>>>LO

Anyday...All Day.

Night yall

 

[iminchucks5]

Originally Posted by ledafuture36

^^Before the postseason?

before anything..u guys woulda been like..we would do LO..but NOTTT ariza or vice versa