Great Article "Lakers' Kupchak Can Finally Rest"

[slickgreek]

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=13530

These past five years haven't exactly been full of rest and relaxation for Los Angeles Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak. At this time back in 2004 Kupchak was taking a lot of heat for the Shaquille O'Neal trade that sent the Lakers back to the lottery for the first time in ten years. Patience was preached but no other franchise in sports is more accustomed to competing for a championship than the Lakers.

Mitch's accomplishments are so impressive because he made all the right decisions when necessary even when faced with an overwhelming amount of disapproval. The Lakers' future is so bright because Kupchak didn't jeopardize the long-term success of the club on undependable players like Jason Kidd or Jermaine O'Neal, instead he waited for the perfect pieces to come along and they did.

The 2009-2010 Lakers' roster looks to be one for the ages with depth that could rival some of the best teams of all-time. The re-signing of Lamar Odom
cemented them as the favorites to repeat next season and the dynasty word is starting to be thrown around. However, the offseason nearly took a turn for the worst as Odom was rumored to be strongly leaning towards signing with the Miami HEAT, which would have been devastating to the Lakers.

"There are two sides to the whole negotiation," said Kupchak this week on ESPN's the Herd with Colin Cowherd. "The Lakers side and I know you're familiar with some of what took place. We are trying to keep a team intact, but there are financial challenges, just by nature of the players that we have and what they are getting paid. The fact we have Ron Artest. We brought back Shannon Brown. You could only do so much. You can only expect ownership to do so much. There was actually a concern from my point of view that we wouldn't even have the "ability" to keep this team intact.

"Phil has always looked at Ron as a player he'd like to bring on board, so we have a coach that eager to coach him," said Kupchak. "I am concerned about the change. We won a championship and our small forward was Trevor Ariza, who we tried to bring back and negotiations broke down, so you really try to keep that team together because you know that team won the year before now were bringing a new player on board. I think he'll fit in; offensively he's more polished than Trevor is at this point. Trevor is much younger and is going to continue to improve and that's a little scary to be facing Trevor two or three years in a row with Houston. We think we had a good backup Plan B when we couldn't come to terms with Trevor and there's Ron Artest ready to go."

[crazyeights]

Great article? Eh, I disagree. Could it be the writer is Greek and that's why you said so?

IMO it was pretty biased toward the Lakers.

[Laker_Love]

good read, thanks

[slickgreek]

Great article? Eh, I disagree. Could it be the writer is Greek and that's why you said so?

IMO it was pretty biased toward the Lakers.

haha didnt even notice that? Must be some greek connection!

[dockingsched]

"Mitch's accomplishments are so impressive because he made all the right decisions when necessary even when faced with an overwhelming amount of disapproval."

butler for kwame, vlad MLE, walton 6yr deal...he isn't without blemish.

[Patterns]

"Phil has always looked at Ron as a player he'd like to bring on board, so we have a coach that eager to coach him," said Kupchak. "I am concerned about the change. We won a championship and our small forward was Trevor Ariza, who we tried to bring back and negotiations broke down, so you really try to keep that team together because you know that team won the year before now were bringing a new player on board. I think he'll fit in; offensively he's more polished than Trevor is at this point. Trevor is much younger and is going to continue to improve and that's a little scary to be facing Trevor two or three years in a row with Houston. We think we had a good backup Plan B when we couldn't come to terms with Trevor and there's Ron Artest ready to go."

Get real Mitch. There are many players that you fear in this league and Trevor Ariza is not even close to being one of them.

[iQon]

He's made poor decisions, but ultimately, he's redeemed himself if you use triangular logic.

We lost what turned out to be a solid backup center/potential starter (that we need) in Gasol, but we did end up giving up Butler for Kwame for Pau.
We dumped Vlad for a potential PG of our future and who knows what Morrison can contribute this year. We saved money and added depth to the rotation.
Walton is overpaid (then again, who isn't in the league?), but he does fit in the Triangle well. There's still potential for him to be of use again.

But then there's always great moves like ridding us of the useless Brian Cook for an expiring contract in Trevor Ariza, who ends up being a vital piece to the team.

Overall, I appreciate Kupchak and he earned my confidence. I remember the JO and Kidd rumors very well and most GM's would have caved in and pulled the trigger on that opportunity. We'd have nothing with them.

[Mamba Venom]

Kwame for Caron Butler and the Lakers starter PG (Making room for Smush) was a great move... It was fate

[Tommy Trojan]

Kwame for Caron Butler and the Lakers starter PG (Making room for Smush) was a great move... It was fate

Kwame got us Gasol

[daddyfivestar]

The New Testament - Phil X.15.
authored by Mitch

Shaq begat Odom and Caron; Caron begat Bynum and Kwame; Kwame begat Pau;
Pau, Bynum, Odom as 3/6 with Kobe, Fish, Ariza begat the history of Phil X.15

[Dexmor]

Shouldn't he not be resting and looking for another player. I know they said they would only carry 13 but I think that is a mistake.

[Cookin Baskets]

Shouldn't he not be resting and looking for another player. I know they said they would only carry 13 but I think that is a mistake.

He doesn't have anything worry made a summer splash and won a championship with Bynum not even playing close to his way he plays when he dominated right before the Gasol trade. The injuries have been killing him and even then still they have a shot. Even with the league improvements in Orlando Vince Carter,Brandon Bass,(losing turk as well hurts and lewis suspended 10 games hurts!!)San Antonio Richard Jefferson,Boston Celtics Rasheed Wallace,Marquis Daniels and with all that still Lakers can make a real promising run possibly winning multiple titles.

I think Mitch Kupch has finished what he has needed to do. Do not overlook free agent switch with Ariza/ Artest. Ron Artest is an all-star and another strong weapon on offense he can be a number 2 option on the perimeter with Kobe when he's doubled. Won't be afraid to take the big shots, and will get so many open looks with the talent the lakers have. So don't overlook that move Trevor Ariza might play well in Houston where he might be the #1 option without Yao for the season and Tmac questionable at this moment in his career. In which they will not make the playoffs, Suns will make it back while they won't.

[Dexmor]

I still think they need a backup sg/sf. I can't believe Linus is out there for nothing. I know we have no money but if we did, to get him for 3-5 million is crazy, Sessions to.

[Dexmor]

They touched on Kobe's playing longevity so why not get a young sg like a Von Wafer, Gerald Green, McCants, Carney type guy who can play alot of minutes as a backup. As soon as the Lakers go up by 15 they can put in the young guy and let Kobe rest and let the rest of the team finish the game.

How great would it be if Kobe played 28 minutes instead of Bynum.