Would we have been a better team with KG instead of Gasol?

[Leor_77]

I read something online where KG stated that he was very close to being a Laker, but that the Kobe/Phil feud really contributed to him deciding not to. When I look at when they matched up against each other, KG obviously outplayed Pau in 2008, and Pau outplayed KG in 2010. It would seem that a KG and Marc Gasol combination would definitely be more effective defensively, but as far as offensively, despite the last playoffs, Gasol has been very consistent and versatile for us. Curious as to your thoughts.

http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/20 ... g-a-laker/

Edit: You also have to take into account that you would be receiving a "past his prime" KG, vs an "in prime" Gasol.

[LApwnd]

how do you figure a KG/Bynum combo when Bynum was part of the deal? I"m glad we didn't get that deal, between Kobe/KG those two would've accounted for almost $50mill and that trade would've gutted this team.

[Slava]

Yeah no comparison between the deals there. Getting KG would have meant losing LO and Bynum.

[Doormatt]

we would have had a M. Gasol/KG combos, which would be much more devastating than a Gasol/Bynum combo imo. we easily win in 08, we probably dont in 09 (KG went down, if he doesnt another easy title) and we win in 10. im assuming for the sake of this hypothetical that Boston got Pau somehow, in which case, i dont think he develops the mental toughness he got playing with Kobe&PJ and the crew. hes not gonna get that intensity form PP and Allen, so i think he develops differently, and KG outplays him (like 08) both times. this year would be interesting, because the lakers would have Marc who was beastly and KG, who actually wasnt bad. i think the whole morale of the team is different and we see an entirely different lakers team in the playoffs.

i love Pau, but KG (even one out of his prime) is on another level of greatness.

[Doormatt]

oh, i forgot we would have lost LO. so that changes things a bit. idk, it depends who we would have gotten to replace him.

[LApwnd]

oh, i forgot we would have lost LO. so that changes things a bit. idk, it depends who we would have gotten to replace him.

how do you know Minn wouldn't have asked for Marc too? Lo/Kwame/Bynum was just the core, Minn got Al Jeff 3 other players I forget and PICKS.

[Doormatt]

Had McHale zigged instead of zagged, had he bit on what many believed to be the Lakers' best offer -- center Andrew Bynum, forward Lamar Odom and a first-round pick -- Garnett would have been playing on Pacific time, Bryant might have been Finals MVP and the Lakers might have been hanging the 15th championship banner in franchise history (five in Minneapolis, the next nine in Los Angeles, then a 10th that deserved a real Minnesota asterisk). It might not have come down to McHale's decision at all; had Garnett dug in his heels and balked at Boston even after Ray Allen's arrival, he might have been commuting to practices and games from his beachfront home in Malibu.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/w ... z1WjUuX1rY

[LApwnd]

^^^Odom/Bynum were the center piece, Kwame was involved too, Kg was already making high 20mill/yr, Odom/Bynum salary wouldn't have matched.

[Leor_77]

how do you figure a KG/Bynum combo when Bynum was part of the deal? I"m glad we didn't get that deal, between Kobe/KG those two would've accounted for almost $50mill and that trade would've gutted this team.

Yeah you're correct there. Not sure how I forgot about that. Regardless, you would be working with a Kobe, KG and Marc Gasol core (with Ariza/Artest and Fisher) - M. Gasol is a better defender than his brother.

[Doormatt]

^^^Odom/Bynum were the center piece, Kwame was involved too, Kg was already making high 20mill/yr, Odom/Bynum salary wouldn't have matched.

Normally you wouldn't use a 2nd round pick to try and make salaries match. The lakers would have just thrown in something else. Point is, there's a good chance we still would have had Marc.

[Jase]

They made mention of this on today's TrueHoop's bullets. How KG was almost a Laker, but Kobe and Phil were fighting, which turned him off.

I think KG would have made a stellar Laker. He'd supply superior defense, he'd provide an intensity that we sorely needed since then, especially in the Playoffs. He might have even been able to cool Kobe off.

[LApwnd]

They made mention of this on today's TrueHoop's bullets. How KG was almost a Laker, but Kobe and Phil were fighting, which turned him off.

I think KG would have made a stellar Laker. He'd supply superior defense, he'd provide an intensity that we sorely needed since then, especially in the Playoffs. He might have even been able to cool Kobe off.

yes but all that wouldn't have given us any dept......we would not have been able to produce a big 3 like Bos, so say we do keep Marc, its taken him almost 3yrs to develop to where he is now I dont think we wouldn't gone far the for the 3 yrs thus far with just Kobe/KG.

[Luxury]

Was it really because Kobe and Phil were fighting? IIRC, it was because he wanted to go on a team with 2 all-stars instead of one. Since Phil came back to the Lakers, I could have swore Kobe & Phil's relationship has never been better. And 2007 was the year Kobe got tired of losing to the Suns, so Kobe was trippin out on everyone and everything. First half of the season began, and Bynum was beasty then went down with an injury that prompted the Gasol trade.

Anyways even though Pau was a lil girl last season, Pau was the right decision in every aspect possible, including chemistry, salary, and the assets we kept.

[The Skyhook]

Marc Gasol wouldn't have been around in 2008. He was still playing over in Spain during that season.

[TyCobb]

I hate KG now though. So should I be glad we didn't end up with his punk ass? Or would he have turned out differently(probably even worse) paired in LA with Kobe?

[Doormatt]

Marc Gasol wouldn't have been around in 2008. He was still playing over in Spain during that season.

Take KG away from the celtics and give him to us. Now tell me, what other team would have even challenged us? Even assuming the celtics acquire a guy like Gasol (since there was no caliber of player available like KG), there is no way they could have beaten us. KG was playing like an MVP that year, I don't have the number right now, but the celtics without him were giving up like 112/100 pts per possession a game and with him, under 100. The worst defense in the league last year gave up around 112/100. He is super elite defensively, and is capable of turning a good defense, into an all time one.

[Siem]

If La would have been able to keep Marc Gasol along With KG and Kobe.... My opinion Kobe would have 6Rings already. Yes Odom was vital, But KG was still in his prime A dominant Defender, Skilled offensive player... I mean LA still have won 2more rings anyhow, but in hindsight I think they wouldve won 3 by now. Just my personal opinion.

[Gek]

I heard KG eats babies... Pass it on.

[Mamba Venom]

Hell yes we would.

But we would be done now after a 3 peat, instead of back to back w/ 2 years left as contenders.

Kobe's legacy would be less.

[Edrees]

No thanks, i wouldn't change a thing about the laker-gasol era