Lebron after 13-14

[Wavy Q]

The johnnies have been rangled

[AdonisDeMarion]

I'm all about titles, if James wants to come to LA and him and Howard form a duo it would be damn near unstoppable. James and Howard pick and roll would be devastating for any of the other 29 teams. Like I said before I'm all about titles. I never liked James until last season because he played with heart for the first time. So I'm all for improvement and let's all face it Bryant will retire and will need a replacement so why not stay on top and just go after James.

[leeprettyp]

No I think we should keep Kobe as long as we can because with Nash he'll get alot more open shots and I think I heard that he shoots 51% on open shots (he should also stop trying to go 1 on 5 he's to old for that now), I'm expecting Lebron to pick up an injury soon and slow down, nobody can be that big and move that fast and jump that high for that long, Kobe used to be really athletic then he slowed down but he could still shoot, when Lebron slows down I don't think he's going to be very good. When Kobe retires I'm more than happy for this to be Dwights team.

Thats just my opinion though so if you disagree then be nice about it

100% Agree... I say our next target for life after Kobe should be either Rose, Irving, Durant or Westbrook to put alongside of Dwight. Lebron gonna be pushing 30 around that time and has put ALOT of mins on that body and isnt a great jump shooter and not great post player (he got better this past season). Kobe is a LAKER and should only wear the purple n gold IMO. If Magic (he was never going anywhere), Cooper, West, Miken, Baylor, Worthy and Jabbar all got the opportunity to end their careers in the purple n gold so should Kobe. The greatest wing player IMO from 2000-2010 and still the best 2 guard in the league

[laduane1]

The plain fact is the Lakers will need to start to cut money in a few years. So going after a big time free agent means that there would be no Kobe or Pau. Maybe D12 and someone else. The Buss family can not keep paying the price for a team that might make the west finals. OKC is built to win for a long time and they are young. We might be able to steal 1 championship in the next few years. But is that enough. I would say NO.

[EArl]

As scary as OKC seems right now I dont expect them to have that same roster in a couple of years. Harden will probably leave and i wouldnt be surprised to see some of those great role players do the same for more money!

[Stebo_SSK]

No I think we should keep Kobe as long as we can because with Nash he'll get alot more open shots and I think I heard that he shoots 51% on open shots (he should also stop trying to go 1 on 5 he's to old for that now), I'm expecting Lebron to pick up an injury soon and slow down, nobody can be that big and move that fast and jump that high for that long, Kobe used to be really athletic then he slowed down but he could still shoot, when Lebron slows down I don't think he's going to be very good. When Kobe retires I'm more than happy for this to be Dwights team.

Thats just my opinion though so if you disagree then be nice about it

100% Agree... I say our next target for life after Kobe should be either Rose, Irving, Durant or Westbrook to put alongside of Dwight. Lebron gonna be pushing 30 around that time and has put ALOT of mins on that body and isnt a great jump shooter and not great post player (he got better this past season). Kobe is a LAKER and should only wear the purple n gold IMO. If Magic (he was never going anywhere), Cooper, West, Miken, Baylor, Worthy and Jabbar all got the opportunity to end their careers in the purple n gold so should Kobe. The greatest wing player IMO from 2000-2010 and still the best 2 guard in the league

You know Rose and Durant will be pushing 30 by the time they are free agents in 16-17 right? We arent talking 5 years down the line. We cant even fathom the landscape of the NBA then. 2 years Kobe will be 36 and a free agent. If LA had the chance to sign the best player in the NBA vs giving Kobe a huge extension at 36 (which he probably retiring anyway) you would so no to that? Only to ride out with Kobe and Nash at 36 and 41 years old? The hate for Lebron is so strong it seems to kill logic

[Kilroy]

LeBron is a great player... But he'll be 30 in 2014...
And he still relies heavily on physicality. Unless he develops some other aspects to his game, I'm not sure how effective he's going to be as his physical gifts start to fade. Specifically, how is he going to adapt when he starts to slow down a bit... He's a big dude, but he quick right now... What happens when he's just a big dude?
When Kobe leaves, whether we force the issue or he plays out his career, I hope we are looking for 'The Next LeBron' rather than jumping on the old one...

[Mamba Venom]

Lebron will never leave Miami and if he does, it will likely be back to Cleveland to help patch up old wounds.

lol Whatever.

... until Wade declines. Wade wont decline for 3 more years.

[AdonisDeMarion]

I don't care, I just want Howard to gave a great wing or point guard player once Bryant leaves

[Beethoven]

Lebron will never leave Miami and if he does, it will likely be back to Cleveland to help patch up old wounds.

This would be nice to see. I prefer Lebron coming to the Lakers for the rest of his career, but to go back to Cleveland and at least win one championship for them would be...just epic.

[leeprettyp]

So most of you guys really think Lebron gonna be the same exact player he is now at age 30? Remember Lebron has yet to have a serious injury yet (not saying I want that to happen) and his body already has alot of minutes on it so imagine around that time. I say a guy like Irving would be an ideal target once his rookie deal is up. We'll need another great wing to put alongside Dwight and if Kobe wants to go an extra couple of years cuz he can always be a good spot up shooter of course he'd have to be willing to take a paycut somewhere around 8-10mill (isnt that what KG and Duncan are getting in their new deals?) But honestly I prefer the Bean retired after this contract expires and not wait till he damn near crippled out there lol

[DEEP3CL]

I'm getting the feel that a lot of my fellow fans are bigger lovers of Kobe than the franchise itself. Hmmmmmmmm......

I'm all about keeping the franchise afloat. But Buss loves Kobe like a son, he won't be renounced and I doubt if Lebron ever ends up here. But the NBA is a business. We'll get past the Kobe era and even if Lebron came here he'd be in a window of having about 3-4 elite years left, but I expect injuries to start catching him like they did Kobe the last few seasons. It will limit that flamboyant player you see now.

[Alienware]

Of course I'd want the best player of the game in our roster, but only if Kobe is seriously retiring, don't wanna see the FO ditching him to save cash and acquire some big name.

[leeprettyp]

I'm getting the feel that a lot of my fellow fans are bigger lovers of Kobe than the franchise itself. Hmmmmmmmm......

I'm all about keeping the franchise afloat. But Buss loves Kobe like a son, he won't be renounced and I doubt if Lebron ever ends up here. But the NBA is a business. We'll get past the Kobe era and even if Lebron came here he'd be in a window of having about 3-4 elite years left, but I expect injuries to start catching him like they did Kobe the last few seasons. It will limit that flamboyant player you see now.

One thing I dont get as in the now is people acting like Kobe is done. 28ppg 5rpg 5apg for majority wing players is a career year. Was it on inefficient shooting 43%? Yes of course, but I attribute that more to the wrist injury he got in preseason (the same one that kept Deng out of the lineup for games but Kobe played through it), not having another good playmaker on the team (we really missed Odom last season) and that jacked up pinkie finger. I'm telling ya'll fellow Laker fans appreciate the guy now for the next 2-3years because once he's gone...he's gone. Yes the franchise will move on with Dwight and future stars but one thing Kobe has always brought to the table is the attitude if he can walk, he's gonna play.

DEEP3CL I like your picture of the true greatest player ever IMO The Capt Kareem

[DEEP3CL]

@leeprettyp..... Thanks, I've always viewed him as the GOAT. That other dude they like to prop can kick rocks.

[leeprettyp]

lol alot of people grew up on MJ and are fans of his shoes so he is untouchable i feel. But for me Kareem dominated EVERY LEVEL of basketball he played in. 20 years of NBA dominance (He was in his late 30's still dropping +30pts). To think his 1st year of college at UCLA he led a group of Freshman to a victory over the exact UCLA team that won the NCAA Title the year before. I think much like Kobe, Cap personality rubbed alot of people in the media the wrong way. But I know the real and its a reason that Sky Hook (most unstoppable post shot ever) hasnt been duplicated by anybody else ( Magic had a nice little hook shot going tho)

[AdonisDeMarion]

Andre Iguodala Denver Nuggets $16,154,750 *
Monta Ellis Milwaukee Bucks $11,000,000 *
Klay Thompson Golden State Warriors $2,317,920 $3,075,880 T*
O.J. Mayo Dallas Mavericks $4,200,900 *
Paul George Indiana Pacers $3,282,003 $4,470,088 Q*
Evan Turner Philadelphia 76ers $6,679,867 $8,717,226 Q*
MarShon Brooks Brooklyn Nets $1,210,080 $2,179,354 T*
Brandon Rush Golden State Warriors $4,000,000 *
J.R. Smith New York Knicks $2,932,742 *
LeBron James Miami Heat $19,067,500 $20,590,000 E
Carmelo Anthony New York Knicks $22,407,474 $24,351,924 E
Rudy Gay Memphis Grizzlies $17,888,932 $19,317,326 P
Gordon Hayward Utah Jazz $3,452,183 $4,677,708 Q*
Evan Turner Philadelphia 76ers $6,679,867 $8,717,226 Q*
Derrick Favors Utah Jazz $6,008,196 $7,882,753 Q*
Andrea Bargnani Toronto Raptors $10,750,000 $11,500,000 E
Michael Beasley Phoenix Suns $6,000,000 $6,250,000 N
John Wall Washington Wizards $7,459,925 $9,697,903 Q*
Kyle Lowry Toronto Raptors $6,210,000
Brandon Knight Detroit Pistons $2,793,960 $3,553,917 T*
Kemba Walker Charlotte Bobcats $2,568,360 $3,272,091 T*
Avery Bradley Boston Celtics $2,511,432 $3,581,302 Q*
Isaiah Thomas Sacramento Kings $884,293 $1,148,163 Q*
Greivis Vasquez New Orleans Hornets $2,150,188 $3,203,780 Q*
Jimmer Fredette Sacramento Kings $2,439,840 $3,110,796 T*
Jerryd Bayless Memphis Grizzlies $3,135,000 *
Kendall Marshall Phoenix Suns $2,005,560 $2,091,840 T

[sisibilio]

I'll take LeBron of course.. who wouldn't? At that point, Kobe will probably just either sign for the vet min, or sign as a talent scout, be one of the assistant coaches or just retire.

You have to be out of your mind if you think Kobe would ever play for a vet minimum...

Yea, take a paycut to help the team pursue some sexy FA like Love maybe, but i'm thinking of something like 3/40 million. Talking about the vet min is beyond ridiculous.

[sisibilio]

I don't care, I just want Howard to gave a great wing or point guard player once Bryant leaves

Barring major injuries Kobe still has quite a few seasons in him. The guy is a basketball junkie, he'll play as long as he can be competitive.

[rand0m]

I'm a huge Kobe fan and really detest lebron but I honestly think lebron will still be the best player in the league in a few years. I don't see him losing his athleticism that soon and he is already leaps and bounds ahead of his defenders in that department. He also has other aspects to his game that make him so well rounded like passing, rebounding, and defense. Kobe can still be effective but I don't see him retiring as a spot of shooter in his late 30s and a turnstile on defense. He will go out on top. He has said this in interviews in the past.