[SmokedoutParticipant]

 Why? Cos this is kobes last year and he will mentor the future back court of russell and clarkson. There will still be minutes for all 3 and kobe can even play sf. There is no way they take risk on rondo when they know they have great change on signig bigs like gasol in the future.

[The Scare Crow RisesParticipant]

The Lakers need to fill the biggest hole on their roster, and that is a True Center…

Sure they could draft an heir to Kobe’s throne before he retires, but they have to do Kobe and themselves right by drafting the best potential Partner for Kobe and Julius Randle, especially when there are major signs that Rajon Rondo seems keen to signing with the Lakers and may take a favorable deal to join Kobe for his final stab at a title, I heard Paul Pierce could do the same and join them in his home town for his own retirement tour, barring he doesn’t go to the Clippers of course…

The Lakers will draft Okafor IMO, but I could see them shock us and draft Russell if they truly feel like he’s the best player in the Draft, which I have always agreed with in certain aspects…

[The Scare Crow RisesParticipant]

The Lakers need to fill the biggest hole on their roster, and that is a True Center…

Sure they could draft an heir to Kobe’s throne before he retires, but they have to do Kobe and themselves right by drafting the best potential Partner for Kobe and Julius Randle, especially when there are major signs that Rajon Rondo seems keen to signing with the Lakers and may take a favorable deal to join Kobe for his final stab at a title, I heard Paul Pierce could do the same and join them in his home town for his own retirement tour, barring he doesn’t go to the Clippers of course…

The Lakers will draft Okafor IMO, but I could see them shock us and draft Russell if they truly feel like he’s the best player in the Draft, which I have always agreed with in certain aspects…

[zer0d0ubt]

 yeah, kobe is such an amazing mentor. such a positive, generous soul. always puts the team first. and couldn’t be more humble.

 

 

[cuseflynn10Participant]

You really think that? Kobe wants to win more than anybody in the league. His passion and drive for the game is nearly unparalled in NBA history with only a handful of players who have approached the game with his intensity. You don’t think Kobe will do whatever it takes to make his teammates better so they can win more games? He may not be the nicest, most positive, or most generous mentor out there such as his practices where he puts pressures on younger guys like Lin or Clarkson, but you can’t seriously tell me that Kobe isn’t pushing them to be better. I’m pretty sure any person in the world would be lucky to have Kobe Bryant as a mentor. Even if he isn’t the nicest, most positive, or most genrous perosn, I’m sure a rookie could learn a ton just from seeing him up close and in person, watching how he prepares for games, and how he conducts himself as a professional. People tend to generalize players, and for whatever reason, people think Kobe = ballhog = bad mentor and teammate. That is definitely not the case, and I think Kobe could give you 5 good reasons why it’s not the case.

[zer0d0ubt]

 you’re delusional. But maybe he’s hiring a butler and you can cook his breakfast and wash his jock straps. It’d be a real honor, wouldn’t it?

Lakers aren’t winning anything next year, so it will be more grumpy, abusive Kobe. Because, uh, he wants to win so much and hates losing. 

But what rookie wouldn’t want to get verbally abused all season by one of the truly greatest players you’ve ever dreamed about cooking breakfast for, right?

 

 

 

 

[cuseflynn10Participant]

I’m assuming you are basing a lot of what you are saying off of the Kobe "soft like charmin" practice. What did he say it that video that was that over the top? He was pushing his teammates. He was daring Jeremy Lin to shoot which may have made him uncomfortable, but if Kobe is making Lin uncomfortable in practice, then what is stopping the opponent form making Lin uncomfortable during a game. Nick Young even said that the Lakers needed Kobe in practice and in games to lead the pack. The media definitely overplayed that story since there wasn’t much to read into. Cursing and hollering at your teammates isn’t anything new. If a rookie genuinely doesn’t want to learn for one season under a Hall of Famer, then that rookie has bigger problems. I’m not even a big Kobe or Lakers fan for that matter, but give the man some credit where credit is due and don’t just go out saying he is a terrible mentor. Kobe has been in the game for nearly two decades. Not many people on the planet have a knowledge of the game like Kobe has.

 

[Willfb3Participant]

I agree, Kobe is a proven winner, and does whatever it takes. He has this franchise’s best interest at heart. If a guy can’t handle pressure and criticism from one of the best ever, well they probably won’t be one of the best ever. A true grinder will use it as motivation, learn from it, and let it mold him into the best he can be. Kobe demands the best out of his teammates, and does whatever is necassary to get them to that point.

[Willfb3Participant]

I agree, Kobe is a proven winner, and does whatever it takes. He has this franchise’s best interest at heart. If a guy can’t handle pressure and criticism from one of the best ever, well they probably won’t be one of the best ever. A true grinder will use it as motivation, learn from it, and let it mold him into the best he can be. Kobe demands the best out of his teammates, and does whatever is necassary to get them to that point.

[zer0d0ubt]

 I love how Kobe took a pay cut because he loves winning so much. Or how he chucks low percentage turnaround fadeaways all the time instead of getting his teammates involved.

Or how he so obviously wanted to share the ball with Lin, and share the glory.

Kobe knew the Lakers just didn’t have the talent last year, and acted like a spoiled little bully.

It’s not like the Lakers are going to be a contender next year, so what the hey do you expect Kobe’s demeanor to be like next year?

Take a wild guess. 

You think Kobe wants to share the ball with a rookie like Russell, when the team is off to a 6-18 start?

Kobe with three all star teammates is good. Kobe with a non-contending embarrassment is bad. Very bad.

Jeremy Lin’s probably going to have a nice comeback season next year, finally playing without Harden or Kobe.

 

[zer0d0ubt]

 I love how Kobe took a pay cut because he loves winning so much. Or how he chucks low percentage turnaround fadeaways all the time instead of getting his teammates involved.

Or how he so obviously wanted to share the ball with Lin, and share the glory.

Kobe knew the Lakers just didn’t have the talent last year, and acted like a spoiled little bully.

It’s not like the Lakers are going to be a contender next year, so what the hey do you expect Kobe’s demeanor to be like next year?

Take a wild guess. 

You think Kobe wants to share the ball with a rookie like Russell, when the team is off to a 6-18 start?

Kobe with three all star teammates is good. Kobe with a non-contending embarrassment is bad. Very bad.

Jeremy Lin’s probably going to have a nice comeback season next year, finally playing without Harden or Kobe.

 

[cuseflynn10Participant]

What does taking a pay cut have to do with being a good mentor? What does chucking shots have to do with being a good mentor? Maybe the second point you could say doesn’t let other players develop their talents in game as much, but the first point has no barring on being a good or bad mentor. And let’s face it. All the Lakers players last year were known commodities with the exception of Randle who got hurt the first game and Clarkson. So it’s not like there were a lot of pieces that needed to be developed. The team was full of underachiveing veterans.

 

There is a difference between being a ball hog who stunts his teammates growth and a good mentor and I think there may be some confusion here. You can’t tell me that after 19 years in the NBA that Kobe Bryant hasn’t picked up any tricks of the trade that he’s willing to pass on to his teammates. That’s absurd. Just because Kobe Bryant is painted by the media in a certain light, doesn’t mean that there isn’t more to the man that what we are seeing at the surface. We may watch a player for 48 minutes in a night. But what about those other 23 hours and 12 minutes? 

[cuseflynn10Participant]

What does taking a pay cut have to do with being a good mentor? What does chucking shots have to do with being a good mentor? Maybe the second point you could say doesn’t let other players develop their talents in game as much, but the first point has no barring on being a good or bad mentor. And let’s face it. All the Lakers players last year were known commodities with the exception of Randle who got hurt the first game and Clarkson. So it’s not like there were a lot of pieces that needed to be developed. The team was full of underachiveing veterans.

 

There is a difference between being a ball hog who stunts his teammates growth and a good mentor and I think there may be some confusion here. You can’t tell me that after 19 years in the NBA that Kobe Bryant hasn’t picked up any tricks of the trade that he’s willing to pass on to his teammates. That’s absurd. Just because Kobe Bryant is painted by the media in a certain light, doesn’t mean that there isn’t more to the man that what we are seeing at the surface. We may watch a player for 48 minutes in a night. But what about those other 23 hours and 12 minutes? 

[zer0d0ubt]

 You fanboys claim that Kobe wants to win so bad he’ll do anything, but he doesn’t even take a pay cut. 

Then you ask how being a ball hog affects him as a mentor to rookies?

LOL. Let me guess: "Who wouldn’t want to have their development stunted and stand around watching Kobe chuck. It’d be an honor for anybody."

Then you act like as long as there’s one tip that Kobe imparts to a teammate/rookie, then that makes him a good mentor. Or at least gets you off the hook for hyping Kobe as a mentor so much.

 

 

[cuseflynn10Participant]

 Taking a pay cut has zero, that’s right, ZERO impact on being a mentor. If Kobe gets paid $1 or $20 million dollars, how does that affect how good of a mentor he can be? There is not a correlation between your knowledge of the game and how much you get paid. If that were the case, wouldn’t a guy like Chauncey Billups be the highest paid player back in his day?

Maybe it’d be better for the team if he took a paycut, but just because he doesn’t take a paycut doesn’t mean he’s not a good mentor. Maybe you mean he’s not a good teammate for not taking a paycut, but can you really fault the guy for taking the money that’s offered to him? But that’s a whole different argument that is not on the topic at hand.

And did you miss my comment on how being a ball hog affects him as a mentor to rookies? The only rookie on the team who is likely to stick around LA for the long haul is Jordan Clarkson and he played 25 minutes a game while taking 10 shots per game which is definitely a fair amount for a rookie. That’s twice as many minutes and shot attempts than Spencer Dinwiddie and Tyler Ennis got and they both were drafted ahead of him. So I don’t really think his development was stunted because of Kobe. Maybe some other players growth were stunted, but every other player was a veteran or a career benchwarmer who shouldn’t have already been near their peak or have already peaked.

I’m not denying that Kobe takes a lot of shots, and most likely he takes too many. But once again, taking shots and teaching the game of basketball have nothing in common. I’d much rather have guys like Kobe, Duncan, Ginobli, and Andre Miller teaching the young guys because they’ve been around the game much longer than say Kyrie Irving, John Wall, Tristan Thompson, or Derrick Favors. Not that the latter don’t have anything to offer to rookies, but in comparison to the older guys, they are just kids. Kobe, Duncan, Ginobli, Miller… they’ve been around the game so long. Experience is a much bigger factor in being a mentor than how much you get paid or how many shots you take. Heck, just look at schools. The people who are most experienced and at the top of their profession can go teach at Harvard. But some 25 year old just out of college isn’t likely to be teaching at such a prestigious school. That doesn’t mean the 25 year old (i.e. Irving, Wall, Thompson, Favors, etc.) don’t have anything to teach younger players, but that there are better people suited to teach the game. 

[cuseflynn10Participant]

 Taking a pay cut has zero, that’s right, ZERO impact on being a mentor. If Kobe gets paid $1 or $20 million dollars, how does that affect how good of a mentor he can be? There is not a correlation between your knowledge of the game and how much you get paid. If that were the case, wouldn’t a guy like Chauncey Billups be the highest paid player back in his day?

Maybe it’d be better for the team if he took a paycut, but just because he doesn’t take a paycut doesn’t mean he’s not a good mentor. Maybe you mean he’s not a good teammate for not taking a paycut, but can you really fault the guy for taking the money that’s offered to him? But that’s a whole different argument that is not on the topic at hand.

And did you miss my comment on how being a ball hog affects him as a mentor to rookies? The only rookie on the team who is likely to stick around LA for the long haul is Jordan Clarkson and he played 25 minutes a game while taking 10 shots per game which is definitely a fair amount for a rookie. That’s twice as many minutes and shot attempts than Spencer Dinwiddie and Tyler Ennis got and they both were drafted ahead of him. So I don’t really think his development was stunted because of Kobe. Maybe some other players growth were stunted, but every other player was a veteran or a career benchwarmer who shouldn’t have already been near their peak or have already peaked.

I’m not denying that Kobe takes a lot of shots, and most likely he takes too many. But once again, taking shots and teaching the game of basketball have nothing in common. I’d much rather have guys like Kobe, Duncan, Ginobli, and Andre Miller teaching the young guys because they’ve been around the game much longer than say Kyrie Irving, John Wall, Tristan Thompson, or Derrick Favors. Not that the latter don’t have anything to offer to rookies, but in comparison to the older guys, they are just kids. Kobe, Duncan, Ginobli, Miller… they’ve been around the game so long. Experience is a much bigger factor in being a mentor than how much you get paid or how many shots you take. Heck, just look at schools. The people who are most experienced and at the top of their profession can go teach at Harvard. But some 25 year old just out of college isn’t likely to be teaching at such a prestigious school. That doesn’t mean the 25 year old (i.e. Irving, Wall, Thompson, Favors, etc.) don’t have anything to teach younger players, but that there are better people suited to teach the game. 

[zer0d0ubt]

 So Kobe will be a great mentor if he’s injured and the kid gets a chance to develop.

Sounds awesome.

 

 

 

[zer0d0ubt]

 So Kobe will be a great mentor if he’s injured and the kid gets a chance to develop.

Sounds awesome.

 

 

 

[cuseflynn10Participant]

 I’m done arguing with you. You clearly do not have the capacity to read and process what I am saying. 

 

Taking a lot of shots in a game does NOT influence on your ability to be a good mentor.

Getting paid a lot or a little does NOT influence on your ability to be a good mentor.

Experience in your field (i.e. basketball for Kobe) DOES have an influence on your ability to be a good mentor.

 

There are obviously other aspects to be a good mentor that play a role, but you are bringing up arguments against Kobe that are more shots about him as a player as opposed to him as a mentor which I’m perfectly fine with if that is what we were talking about, but it isn’t if you haven’t noticed by now.

[zer0d0ubt]

Take a few deep breaths and rock yourself to sleep.

 

 

[zer0d0ubt]

Take a few deep breaths and rock yourself to sleep.

 

 

[cuseflynn10Participant]

 I’m done arguing with you. You clearly do not have the capacity to read and process what I am saying. 

 

Taking a lot of shots in a game does NOT influence on your ability to be a good mentor.

Getting paid a lot or a little does NOT influence on your ability to be a good mentor.

Experience in your field (i.e. basketball for Kobe) DOES have an influence on your ability to be a good mentor.

 

There are obviously other aspects to be a good mentor that play a role, but you are bringing up arguments against Kobe that are more shots about him as a player as opposed to him as a mentor which I’m perfectly fine with if that is what we were talking about, but it isn’t if you haven’t noticed by now.

[zer0d0ubt]

 You fanboys claim that Kobe wants to win so bad he’ll do anything, but he doesn’t even take a pay cut. 

Then you ask how being a ball hog affects him as a mentor to rookies?

LOL. Let me guess: "Who wouldn’t want to have their development stunted and stand around watching Kobe chuck. It’d be an honor for anybody."

Then you act like as long as there’s one tip that Kobe imparts to a teammate/rookie, then that makes him a good mentor. Or at least gets you off the hook for hyping Kobe as a mentor so much.

 

 

[cuseflynn10Participant]

I’m assuming you are basing a lot of what you are saying off of the Kobe "soft like charmin" practice. What did he say it that video that was that over the top? He was pushing his teammates. He was daring Jeremy Lin to shoot which may have made him uncomfortable, but if Kobe is making Lin uncomfortable in practice, then what is stopping the opponent form making Lin uncomfortable during a game. Nick Young even said that the Lakers needed Kobe in practice and in games to lead the pack. The media definitely overplayed that story since there wasn’t much to read into. Cursing and hollering at your teammates isn’t anything new. If a rookie genuinely doesn’t want to learn for one season under a Hall of Famer, then that rookie has bigger problems. I’m not even a big Kobe or Lakers fan for that matter, but give the man some credit where credit is due and don’t just go out saying he is a terrible mentor. Kobe has been in the game for nearly two decades. Not many people on the planet have a knowledge of the game like Kobe has.

 

[OhCanada-Participant]

 I’d gladly be Kobe’s personal chef who are you kidding that would be a great job. Free Lakers tickets, probably get to live in his crib…

"What do you do?"

"Well, I’m Kobe Bryants personal chef"

"Oh wow really!"

"Yah that’s right"

 

 

[OhCanada-Participant]

 I’d gladly be Kobe’s personal chef who are you kidding that would be a great job. Free Lakers tickets, probably get to live in his crib…

"What do you do?"

"Well, I’m Kobe Bryants personal chef"

"Oh wow really!"

"Yah that’s right"

 

 

[zer0d0ubt]

 you’re delusional. But maybe he’s hiring a butler and you can cook his breakfast and wash his jock straps. It’d be a real honor, wouldn’t it?

Lakers aren’t winning anything next year, so it will be more grumpy, abusive Kobe. Because, uh, he wants to win so much and hates losing. 

But what rookie wouldn’t want to get verbally abused all season by one of the truly greatest players you’ve ever dreamed about cooking breakfast for, right?

 

 

 

 

[BleedGreen808Participant]

 He killed Jeremy Lin’s confidence last year.  He is extremely knowledgeable and can teach young players so much.  But some players learn in different ways and respond differently to being yelled at.  I remember seeing a game where Kobe ripped Lin and after that he played more tentatively and was bascially looking over his shoulder for the rest of the game.  Now I’m not giving Lin a pass for his poor season but Kobe needs to realize that leadership isn’t just yelling.  There are different personalities in a locker room and some will be afraid of his intimidating personality.  

I also don’t want it to sound like he only yells at players.  I saw him speaking to players like Clarkson and Randle on the bench.  That’s how Kobe can teach younger players during a game or in a practice.  I just think he needs to recongnize when to yell and when to teach.  If players play scared because they think he’s going to chew them out then they can’t focus on playing the game.  

[Willfb3Participant]

 Lin has gotten worse every year since he left New York and this was his first season in LA. That’s not on Kobe.

[Willfb3Participant]

 Lin has gotten worse every year since he left New York and this was his first season in LA. That’s not on Kobe.

[BleedGreen808Participant]

 As I said I’m not blaming his bad season on Kobe.  I just pointed out how in a game I watched Kobe rip Lin during a free throw.  After that he played even worse because he was afraid of Kobe.  Kobe is an animal on the court.  He has a killer instinct and its his greastest strength.   His intensity and will to win makes him expect the same from everybody else.  Except none of his teammates are Kobe.  

My point was that if whoever they draft starts struggling early on and is losing confidence Kobe needs to teach not make them feel worse.  Yelling isn’t always the best motivation.  

[BleedGreen808Participant]

 As I said I’m not blaming his bad season on Kobe.  I just pointed out how in a game I watched Kobe rip Lin during a free throw.  After that he played even worse because he was afraid of Kobe.  Kobe is an animal on the court.  He has a killer instinct and its his greastest strength.   His intensity and will to win makes him expect the same from everybody else.  Except none of his teammates are Kobe.  

My point was that if whoever they draft starts struggling early on and is losing confidence Kobe needs to teach not make them feel worse.  Yelling isn’t always the best motivation.  

[Willfb3Participant]

That’s fair enough. I thought you were saying Kobe was responsible for ruining Lin’s confidence, and not three straight years of decline in production, my bad.

[Willfb3Participant]

That’s fair enough. I thought you were saying Kobe was responsible for ruining Lin’s confidence, and not three straight years of decline in production, my bad.

[BleedGreen808Participant]

 He killed Jeremy Lin’s confidence last year.  He is extremely knowledgeable and can teach young players so much.  But some players learn in different ways and respond differently to being yelled at.  I remember seeing a game where Kobe ripped Lin and after that he played more tentatively and was bascially looking over his shoulder for the rest of the game.  Now I’m not giving Lin a pass for his poor season but Kobe needs to realize that leadership isn’t just yelling.  There are different personalities in a locker room and some will be afraid of his intimidating personality.  

I also don’t want it to sound like he only yells at players.  I saw him speaking to players like Clarkson and Randle on the bench.  That’s how Kobe can teach younger players during a game or in a practice.  I just think he needs to recongnize when to yell and when to teach.  If players play scared because they think he’s going to chew them out then they can’t focus on playing the game.  

[Ahkasi ClayParticipant]

 Kobe has not played in a play off game since 5.21.12

[Ahkasi ClayParticipant]

 Kobe has not played in a play off game since 5.21.12

[cuseflynn10Participant]

You really think that? Kobe wants to win more than anybody in the league. His passion and drive for the game is nearly unparalled in NBA history with only a handful of players who have approached the game with his intensity. You don’t think Kobe will do whatever it takes to make his teammates better so they can win more games? He may not be the nicest, most positive, or most generous mentor out there such as his practices where he puts pressures on younger guys like Lin or Clarkson, but you can’t seriously tell me that Kobe isn’t pushing them to be better. I’m pretty sure any person in the world would be lucky to have Kobe Bryant as a mentor. Even if he isn’t the nicest, most positive, or most genrous perosn, I’m sure a rookie could learn a ton just from seeing him up close and in person, watching how he prepares for games, and how he conducts himself as a professional. People tend to generalize players, and for whatever reason, people think Kobe = ballhog = bad mentor and teammate. That is definitely not the case, and I think Kobe could give you 5 good reasons why it’s not the case.

[ZachAttackParticipant]

 Dang, I’ve never seen so many +’s on a zer0d0ubt post.

[ZachAttackParticipant]

 Dang, I’ve never seen so many +’s on a zer0d0ubt post.

[zer0d0ubt]

 You’re still my number one stalker though.

 

 

[zer0d0ubt]

 You’re still my number one stalker though.

 

 

[zer0d0ubt]

 yeah, kobe is such an amazing mentor. such a positive, generous soul. always puts the team first. and couldn’t be more humble.

 

 

[SmokedoutParticipant]

 Lakers wont win title next year no matter who they sign. And i bet there is a lot u can learn from one of the alltime greatest specialy if u are some one with littile bit similar skillset like russell. Im not saying they got same play style or skills.

[SmokedoutParticipant]

 Lakers wont win title next year no matter who they sign. And i bet there is a lot u can learn from one of the alltime greatest specialy if u are some one with littile bit similar skillset like russell. Im not saying they got same play style or skills.

[Ahkasi ClayParticipant]

 If the Lakers have a under the table deal already in place to sign Love, this would make alot of sence.  no reason to draft a big @ #2.

 

on a sidenote,

The Timberwolves had to give up 3, 1st round draft picks when they got caught doing a under the table deal with Joe Smith.

 

 

 

[Ahkasi ClayParticipant]

 If the Lakers have a under the table deal already in place to sign Love, this would make alot of sence.  no reason to draft a big @ #2.

 

on a sidenote,

The Timberwolves had to give up 3, 1st round draft picks when they got caught doing a under the table deal with Joe Smith.

 

 

 

[Dog_ShammdogParticipant]

 Kobe wants to win. Period. His work ethic is unparalleled and that is a well and widely  accepted statement. His work ethic alone is something great for your young players to merely watch day in and day out. Kobe is also a technician, he has broken the game down to it’s finest points, and can teach their young players in a way that nobody else can, bc he has a surplus of bball knowledge and has enough gas in the tank to practically apply it against and with his teammates. 

Anybody who says that kobe isn’t a good mentor musta never made it past jv ball bc they were too soft and narrow minded to appreciate the tenacity necessary to succeed.

Kobe may run some guys out of LA, but not anyone that they’d want going forward. If you can’t get with the program, get steppin! Kobe makes his priorities(y) abundantly clear, and that is winning championships.

[Dog_ShammdogParticipant]

 Kobe wants to win. Period. His work ethic is unparalleled and that is a well and widely  accepted statement. His work ethic alone is something great for your young players to merely watch day in and day out. Kobe is also a technician, he has broken the game down to it’s finest points, and can teach their young players in a way that nobody else can, bc he has a surplus of bball knowledge and has enough gas in the tank to practically apply it against and with his teammates. 

Anybody who says that kobe isn’t a good mentor musta never made it past jv ball bc they were too soft and narrow minded to appreciate the tenacity necessary to succeed.

Kobe may run some guys out of LA, but not anyone that they’d want going forward. If you can’t get with the program, get steppin! Kobe makes his priorities(y) abundantly clear, and that is winning championships.

[SinaParticipant]

 Draft Russell, sign Rondo and bring back Davis and Lin. Then they’ll have the following roster:

Black, Davis

Randle

Kobe, Young

Russel, Lin

Rondo, Clarkson

deep in guards which fit in today’s game

[SinaParticipant]

 Draft Russell, sign Rondo and bring back Davis and Lin. Then they’ll have the following roster:

Black, Davis

Randle

Kobe, Young

Russel, Lin

Rondo, Clarkson

deep in guards which fit in today’s game

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 Who has Kobe "mentored"

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 Who has Kobe "mentored"

[zer0d0ubt]

 Kobe CAN impart a lot of wisdom. And Michael Jordan CAN open a charity for the homeless. Just like Jordan COULD HAVE not driven Kwame Brown to alcoholism.

 

 

 

 

[zer0d0ubt]

 Kobe CAN impart a lot of wisdom. And Michael Jordan CAN open a charity for the homeless. Just like Jordan COULD HAVE not driven Kwame Brown to alcoholism.

 

 

 

 

[Rip255]

Lakers are still my pick for the leagues worst record next season. 

With or without Kobe. 

I also put the under/over on the number of games Kobe plays at 50. Hes got a LOT of miles on the clock and even if he was 100% healthy, hes not carrying this team to more than 20 wins in the west.

Randle is basically a rookie. Swaggy P just isnt that good. Okafor and Russell might be ok in the future, but 19yo rookies dont help you win. And they’ve probably got the worst coach in the nba.

 

[Rip255]

Lakers are still my pick for the leagues worst record next season. 

With or without Kobe. 

I also put the under/over on the number of games Kobe plays at 50. Hes got a LOT of miles on the clock and even if he was 100% healthy, hes not carrying this team to more than 20 wins in the west.

Randle is basically a rookie. Swaggy P just isnt that good. Okafor and Russell might be ok in the future, but 19yo rookies dont help you win. And they’ve probably got the worst coach in the nba.

 

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

I wish I could agree with you…but the Lakers weren’t the worst team in the league this past season, and its hard to imagine them being worse even if they strike out in free agency. They’ll add the #2 pick and presumably Randle along with half a season worth of Kobe. 

Then again, it is the Lakers and maybe they’ll sign free agents like Rondo who will bring them down and make them even worse. That would be cool but I don’t really see them being worse…maybe about the same 

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

I wish I could agree with you…but the Lakers weren’t the worst team in the league this past season, and its hard to imagine them being worse even if they strike out in free agency. They’ll add the #2 pick and presumably Randle along with half a season worth of Kobe. 

Then again, it is the Lakers and maybe they’ll sign free agents like Rondo who will bring them down and make them even worse. That would be cool but I don’t really see them being worse…maybe about the same 

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 Lol at Purp n Yellow

Lots of guys have gotten steppin…hence the awful team. 

I won’t bash on Kobe because I don’t hate him like some do. I also don’t love him though, and it would seem as though he is something of a problem for them when it comes to recruiting players. The whole "pass the torch on to carry the Lakers" is a bunch of BS for the media to fawn over the glorious Lakers. Build a good team and stop worrying about that stupid babble. Hard to do that when Kobe won’t change his ways. 

 

 

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 Lol at Purp n Yellow

Lots of guys have gotten steppin…hence the awful team. 

I won’t bash on Kobe because I don’t hate him like some do. I also don’t love him though, and it would seem as though he is something of a problem for them when it comes to recruiting players. The whole "pass the torch on to carry the Lakers" is a bunch of BS for the media to fawn over the glorious Lakers. Build a good team and stop worrying about that stupid babble. Hard to do that when Kobe won’t change his ways. 

 

 

[Bmore_DCParticipant]

 Ive been saying the Lakers should take Russell all along, he can play the 1 and the 2. Kobe has one more year MAYBE 2 (i think scott said this would be his last year). The Lakers have some money to spend in free-agency, and there arent many good guards available with Russell’s star potential to sign. But there are some good big guys who might like to come to LA. Aldridge, Gasol, Deandre (Deandre being the best fit IMO). You never know with the Lakers. Plus, assuming the Wolves take Towns, i dont think Okafor and Randle are a good mix. They will get eaten up down low on defense. 

Honestly, they should play small-ball

Clarkson

Russell

Kobe

Randle

Aldridge/Gasol/Deandre 

[zer0d0ubt]

 Saying something "all along" doesn’t make it any more true, especially as new facts come into play.

 

 

[zer0d0ubt]

 Saying something "all along" doesn’t make it any more true, especially as new facts come into play.

 

 

[Bmore_DCParticipant]

 Ive been saying the Lakers should take Russell all along, he can play the 1 and the 2. Kobe has one more year MAYBE 2 (i think scott said this would be his last year). The Lakers have some money to spend in free-agency, and there arent many good guards available with Russell’s star potential to sign. But there are some good big guys who might like to come to LA. Aldridge, Gasol, Deandre (Deandre being the best fit IMO). You never know with the Lakers. Plus, assuming the Wolves take Towns, i dont think Okafor and Randle are a good mix. They will get eaten up down low on defense. 

Honestly, they should play small-ball

Clarkson

Russell

Kobe

Randle

Aldridge/Gasol/Deandre 

[SinaParticipant]

 Draft Russell, then Lakers will have similar roster to Wizards:

Clarkson vs Wall: young, tall PG can defend and score

Russell vs Beal: young, smooth SG with range and can set plays

Kobe vs Pierce: veteran MVP still do many things: 3s, post up, dish, defend, leadership

Randle and Black can provide post score and defense. Lakers can bring back Lin and Davis, couple with Young, to provide back up fire power. With this roster, Lakers still have salary room to bring another all star calibre player in coming this summer and, if Kobe willing to take significant cut, add another star player next summer

 

[SinaParticipant]

 Draft Russell, then Lakers will have similar roster to Wizards:

Clarkson vs Wall: young, tall PG can defend and score

Russell vs Beal: young, smooth SG with range and can set plays

Kobe vs Pierce: veteran MVP still do many things: 3s, post up, dish, defend, leadership

Randle and Black can provide post score and defense. Lakers can bring back Lin and Davis, couple with Young, to provide back up fire power. With this roster, Lakers still have salary room to bring another all star calibre player in coming this summer and, if Kobe willing to take significant cut, add another star player next summer

 

[cycloParticipant]

 I believe the Lakers will draft Russell.

Watching the Finals, Jahlil Okafor isn’t going to help them vs. that slashing/shooting Golden State roster, but a 6’5" cross between Stephen Curry and Russell Westbrook would be a step in the right direction.

[cycloParticipant]

 I believe the Lakers will draft Russell.

Watching the Finals, Jahlil Okafor isn’t going to help them vs. that slashing/shooting Golden State roster, but a 6’5" cross between Stephen Curry and Russell Westbrook would be a step in the right direction.

[Author]

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