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Arroyo30 wrote:bynum stays, rubio will be a bust you'll see
mnkinga23 wrote:I have a trade proposal for you all that would land Rubio in LA. In the OKC forums, the Pistons have a trade proposal and this is an expansion of that trade.
Detroit sends #15 and Amir Johnson/ receive #25
OKC sends #3, #25, and Earl Watson/ receive Andrew Bynum
Lakers send Andrew Bynum/ receive #3, #15, Amir Johnson, and Earl Watson
Detroit clears some cap space for the summer of '09. The Thunder get the young center of their future. With the expiring contracts of both Johnson and Watson, the Lakers are able to allocate the money that they save from Bynum's contract for Odom and Ariza without their payroll getting into the low 90s. They can also use the picks that they get to get some young talent to supplement the veterans on their roster. Obviously this only works if Rubio makes it past Memphis.
milesfides wrote:^Those are good points to bring up, but I'd like to put in my two cents:
1. Ok, Rubio might be utilized better without the triangle. That being said, one could say that about a lot of players, including Lamar Odom and even Kobe Bryant. True point guards would always be somewhat limited in the triangle offense, which requires a more fair distribution of the ball to be run correctly. However, ballers are ballers - the triangle utilizes talent like any other offense, and Rubio is immensely talented. Lastly, who knows how longer Phil will coach. If he doesn't, the triangle offense argument becomes a moot point. Pick and rolls with Rubio/Kobe and Gasol all day and night.
Regarding Andrew Bynum - he would be better on another team too. As long as he's on a team with Kobe, Bynum, and Odom (and to a large extent, guys like Fisher, Ariza, etc. non playmakers), Bynum will most likely be a secondary offensive option - at best. On another team? Bynum would be forced to be the primary option, and that would be better for his individual game as well.
So I don't see a major difference between Rubio and Bynum's suitability for the triangle offense; both will have to make individual sacrifices for the team.
2. Kobe will easily trust Rubio, just how he trusts all the guys on our team. Aside from forcing up a last second shot at the end of the 4th quarter yesterday, he has no problem kicking it out to unproven shooters like Ariza, who's been a nonfactor from behind the arc for most of his career. Kobe respects game, and I don't think there would be problems at all - in fact, I think Kobe would benefit the most in the 2nd half of his career with another true playmaker (like Jordan's Pippen).
3. I believe point guard defense has been our biggest weakness for the better part of a decade. I said this before, but I challenge people to find a team that had worse point guards for the past 10 years. There ain't many, we're right there at the bottom. I'll say it again, and tkb pointed out the PER differentials, PG is our biggest weakness. We lose Bynum, believe it or not, we'll still be one of the best teams in the league. It's a fact, because we've proven that when he was out. With an elite point guard like Rubio (and there's no doubt this kid will be elite, he's played against in elite competition, which is why he's a lock for a top 3 pick), our team will get the biggest boost by addressing our weakest position.
4. Point guards who can fill our team needs at point guard even adequately are hard to find. Superbly? Rare. I don't even like Kirk Hinrich, but I'd have to admit he's probably the best fit for us and the most available among decent point guards. And again, I think he's wildly overrated and limited in his game.
5. Bottom line: If Bynum is next in line among the league's great centers, then you keep him and build around him as Kobe retires. Nothing more rare than a Tim Duncan. The question is, is he a Tim Duncan? Is he a dominant center for the next 10 years?
Personally, I don't know. I like certain things, I don't like certain things. I have to admit, I was a skeptic from the beginning. He never had the natural talent as a 17-year-old (unlike Shaq). He had to really work on his game, and he opened my eyes the summer after Kobe wanted to "ship his ass out." Then, he was uneven.
Rubio, on the other hand, has exceptional written all over him. This kid is a genius with the ball. You can't learn that. You can't teach the kind of vision he has. He's fearless as well. This kid has been balling on the highest stage outside of the NBA as a teenager. And above all, this guy plays elite defense, and he LOVES TO PLAY DEFENSE. That's game over.
I've posted about Rubio for awhile now. All I can say is this: at this point, I'd probably choose him over Bynum to carry this Laker team if Kobe retires. Rubio would bring showtime back to L.A. And with his unique skills, ensure the trophy remains in L.A.
As much as everybody loves the status quo, I'd be willing to trade one of our three quality big men for a comparable talent at point guard. Because I truly believe with our biggest weakness addressed, we would be blowing teams out - and the stats tend to support that as well as our observation.
With a guy like Rubio at point, we'd be destroying teams silly, it would be a clinic offensively and defensively. And it'd be beautiful to watch.
Rubio, Kobe, Ariza, Odom, and Gasol - that would be unbelievable to watch. Ball movement, hustle, defensive lockdowns, highlight finishes...the Lakers would redefine another era in the NBA, and the game of basketball.
mnkinga23 wrote:I have a trade proposal for you all that would land Rubio in LA. In the OKC forums, the Pistons have a trade proposal and this is an expansion of that trade.
Detroit sends #15 and Amir Johnson/ receive #25
OKC sends #3, #25, and Earl Watson/ receive Andrew Bynum
Lakers send Andrew Bynum/ receive #3, #15, Amir Johnson, and Earl Watson
Detroit clears some cap space for the summer of '09. The Thunder get the young center of their future. With the expiring contracts of both Johnson and Watson, the Lakers are able to allocate the money that they save from Bynum's contract for Odom and Ariza without their payroll getting into the low 90s. They can also use the picks that they get to get some young talent to supplement the veterans on their roster. Obviously this only works if Rubio makes it past Memphis.