Goodbye Turiaf?

[MikeyMike]

So what's going on with Turiaf? Isn't today the deadline? Is he gone?

[bynumite120]

the deadlines tomorow but it seems that the lakers wont match since he wont get significant minuets next year. hopefully they announce tomorow that artest and kenny thomas have been traded to tha lakers for lamar

[TommyTheCat]

thanks for the hustle, ronny. good luck w/ your stint in norcal

[Danny Darko]

it was fun watching him. amazing to see him recover from the surgery to be a solid player. Disapointing to watch in the playoffs. We just can't afford him at that rate considering minutes. It's too bad because replacing the energy and chemistry is very tough to do. I'll keep an eye on him in GS.

[MAMBAEMD]

The Lakers will miss his hustle and energy and I think his absence will hurt the team unless they get other similar players which is unlikely.
But I would not match that offer sheet. That is too much money for the minutes he plays.
Too bad. He was one of my favorite Lakers.

[Kreuk]

golden state overpays another laker (fisher being the first). hpoefully we get him on the cheap after the warriors get sick of him and trade him to utah.

[Danny Darko]

^^ excellent plan. I'm thinking he needs to be monitored by doctors in LA. See ya in 2 years Ron

[milesfides]

Considering that we haven't had a year when our all our bigs were healthy, I'd say that 4m a year is cheap insurance for a quality young big man who plays with passion. Especially since the next 4 years will probably be the best in his career.

Mihm's getting paid 2.5m this year - why not let him expire and keep Turiaf?

Turiaf's minutes will be limited - if Odom says. If not, somebody will have to back up Bynum and Gasol, and Turiaf can play up to 20+ minutes.

I just don't think Turiaf's potential is maxed out at all, and with his skills, he's going to be a steal.

[Dexmor]

Either Ron Artest is coming or we are in a little bit of trouble. The Lakers are very talented but clearly on the soft side. RonnyT was not and we can't afford to lose our tough guys if we don't plan on gaining any so I really hope we get Ron Artest. I know they don't want to take on Thomas but if they do they get Artest which makes them tougher and they don't have to worry about signing a replacement.

[Leonidas]

Ronny u were my first and last sig that I ever made. I hope u ball in Golden St. You will be the mascot, because u are a true Warrior.

That endless energy, dancing, cheering and positive tude will be missed by us fans and the team.. Dont hard foul Kobe....lol

[wfiles]

If we don't match then it means Ron Artest is coming with Kenny Thomas. Mitch did publicly state re-signing Vujacic and Turiaf were the biggest priorities this offseason. I can't see him letting Turiaf go and not having someone to replace him.

[Mamba Venom]

Lakers hustle players

Rambis
Madson
Turiaf

Who's Next?

[SashAlex]

Aurevoir,monsieur !

We'll be missing you, Ronny !

[Anklebreaker702]

Good luck Turiaf! You're the kind of hustle player every team needs!!!!!!!!!

[Mindflayer]

Rambis > Turiaf > Madson

This loss is not that bad. Best of luck Ronnie.

[milesfides]

I don't get the logic of letting go of a young PF/C who has a PER of 15, better than Al Horford, Kurt Thomas, Kendrick Perkins, Mutumbo, etc.

Check 82games.com, he held his own at PF, and at Center, boasted a +3.5 PER advantage.

Does he get into foul trouble? Yes. Was he really given consistent playing time? No.

Does he have post moves? Yes. Does he have the midrange? Yes. Does he play hard? Yes.

You can't even FIND young bigs who have the all-around skills of Turiaf, especially with such a great attitude.

Elson? Are you kidding me? His offense is borderline (Please Use More Appropriate Word). Kurt Thomas? Who wants to bet he's next in line for the Divac-Grant-McKie-Jim Jackson role, the you-don't-know-when-your-career-is-done-until-you-sign-with-the-Lakers swan song. Mutumbo is next in line. You know, there's eventually going to be that season where Mutumbo realizes he's 57 years old. And you'd better believe there's a good chance it'll happen on the Lakers. Who's left, Kwame Brown?

Damn, we need a decent backup big man, and guess what, Turiaf is the best option.

We're paying 10m for 2 backup small forwards who've got their set of problems.

We won't pay 4m for Turiaf?

Buss better eat the luxury tax that Turiaf incurs, because whether or not Odom goes or stays, whether we get Artest or not, we need a tough big man who can give some hard fouls, bang, hustle, and beat up on second units.

Turiaf will have a great career, he will be an impact player, he will get an opportunity. And it all better happen on the Lakers.

[crazyeights]

Great post, Miles. Ronny is more than a hustle player. He's not a cheerleader. He's a skilled big man, that needs to get more burn.

If only he wasn't such a locker room cancer.

[islander009]

At this late in the evening without any word I am presuming that the Lakers FO has decided not to pick up Ronny. So i guess this is where we say our farewells. Ronny you were one of my favorite Lakers to watch, you played the game with hustle, determination, without fear, and you played every single day. Good luck to you with GS, I hope we can trade for you around dec or the trade deadline, say a vlad or luke for RT. haha. Well Ronny,...we will for sure miss your game with this organization.

[MAMBAEMD]

I don't get the logic of letting go of a young PF/C who has a PER of 15, better than Al Horford, Kurt Thomas, Kendrick Perkins, Mutumbo, etc.

Check 82games.com, he held his own at PF, and at Center, boasted a +3.5 PER advantage.

Does he get into foul trouble? Yes. Was he really given consistent playing time? No.

Does he have post moves? Yes. Does he have the midrange? Yes. Does he play hard? Yes.

You can't even FIND young bigs who have the all-around skills of Turiaf, especially with such a great attitude.

Elson? Are you kidding me? His offense is borderline (Please Use More Appropriate Word). Kurt Thomas? Who wants to bet he's next in line for the Divac-Grant-McKie-Jim Jackson role, the you-don't-know-when-your-career-is-done-until-you-sign-with-the-Lakers swan song. Mutumbo is next in line. You know, there's eventually going to be that season where Mutumbo realizes he's 57 years old. And you'd better believe there's a good chance it'll happen on the Lakers. Who's left, Kwame Brown?

Damn, we need a decent backup big man, and guess what, Turiaf is the best option.

We're paying 10m for 2 backup small forwards who've got their set of problems.

We won't pay 4m for Turiaf?

Buss better eat the luxury tax that Turiaf incurs, because whether or not Odom goes or stays, whether we get Artest or not, we need a tough big man who can give some hard fouls, bang, hustle, and beat up on second units.

Turiaf will have a great career, he will be an impact player, he will get an opportunity. And it all better happen on the Lakers.

I agree with you 100%.
We badly need a player like Ronny. I just don't see it happening because of some of the other contracts we have.
I have to believe one of the reasons we won't keep him is because of the 2 bad contracts we have with Luke and Radman and the fact that we are still trying to sign Sasha.
If we didn't have either one of those two contracts or if we were somehow able to dump one of them, I bet we would keep Ronny.

[hermes]

man this has been a long week

what are the odds mitch jumps in at the 11th hour and ronny's a laker next year