End of the season thoughts...

[ROballer]

My ideal off season situation... Dwight goes to Hakeem and finally figures out what made Hakeem great... Hakeem played hybrid pf/c... Facing up much of the time and defended like a PF to allow his other big to perform down low... So Dwight develops a mid range, and quicker P&R game... Learns how to face up and maintain control of the ball and get's more comfortable at the line... 1000 free throws a day.
Resign him for the max.

We work out an extension with Pau in the 8M/yr range for 3yrs, voiding the last season on his contract... Pau stays off the Spain team, gets some rehab work done and gets some legs under him so that he can be our primary low post scorer.

Negotiate an extension with Kobe in the 10M/yr range for 3yrs, voiding the last season of his contract. He'll retire a Laker when he's comfortable with that decision. It's right to extend him and it saves us in the short term.

Amnesty MWP

Get rid of Duhon, Morris, Meeks (team option), Ebanks... Maybe get a trade out of them or picks or just salary help.

I think if you time everything right, you can get under the cap and be able to sign at least one free agent.

If you extended pau and kobe for around 20M for both, amnestied MWP, and waived anyone else possible, and wait to extend Dwight, you'll be between 40-50M.... Which, if the cap is around 60M should give us a little flexibility.

Take a run at CP3... Then when that inevitable fails, go for more realistic targets like maybe Calderon and Igoudala... Or Corey Brewer... Or...

Then fire MDA, give Phil some role in the FO and let him bring Pippen in to coach.... And exploit our interior superiority.

What about Nash?

[NEM]

My ideal off season situation... Dwight goes to Hakeem and finally figures out what made Hakeem great... Hakeem played hybrid pf/c... Facing up much of the time and defended like a PF to allow his other big to perform down low... So Dwight develops a mid range, and quicker P&R game... Learns how to face up and maintain control of the ball and get's more comfortable at the line... 1000 free throws a day.
Resign him for the max.

We work out an extension with Pau in the 8M/yr range for 3yrs, voiding the last season on his contract... Pau stays off the Spain team, gets some rehab work done and gets some legs under him so that he can be our primary low post scorer.

Negotiate an extension with Kobe in the 10M/yr range for 3yrs, voiding the last season of his contract. He'll retire a Laker when he's comfortable with that decision. It's right to extend him and it saves us in the short term.

Amnesty MWP

Get rid of Duhon, Morris, Meeks (team option), Ebanks... Maybe get a trade out of them or picks or just salary help.

I think if you time everything right, you can get under the cap and be able to sign at least one free agent.

If you extended pau and kobe for around 20M for both, amnestied MWP, and waived anyone else possible, and wait to extend Dwight, you'll be between 40-50M.... Which, if the cap is around 60M should give us a little flexibility.

Take a run at CP3... Then when that inevitable fails, go for more realistic targets like maybe Calderon and Igoudala... Or Corey Brewer... Or...

Then fire MDA, give Phil some role in the FO and let him bring Pippen in to coach.... And exploit our interior superiority.

LOL you can't re-negotiate contracts before they expire, this isn't the NFL. If that was the case, you think Rashard Lewis would STILL be getting paid, as well as Gilbert Arenas. Thats what the one time amnesty provision is for.

[Run-MKE 311]

Not much to say really, the season was for the most part a disaster, with a few positive moments sprinkled in between.

On the plus side I was glad to see how they finished the season, but expected a better effort against the Spurs - maybe I was just fooling myself all along.

The core 4 was certainly a mess, Kobe had a great year, Pau was inconsistent and both Nash & Howard were not what I had expected. I really wonder how the season would have gone sticking with Brown, not that I wanted to, but Coach D sure was a lot worse than I had expected.

So with that, my main point is that I really expected DAntoni to be a far better coach than he was. I will grant that there were a number of injuries which always ruins chemistry, but he just seemed lost all season long.

Ill say it once more and then be done for now, but now knowing that Phil was distracted by health concerns, I sure would like to see him come back one last time. It certainly would cement D12 staying here long term.

[The Laker Kid]

Fire everyone except Jordan Hill, Earl Clark and Kobe.

[Kilroy]

What about Nash?

The numbers include him... The question is, does he think he can still play or not... If he can, nothing changes. If he doesn't, he'll retire, and we'll be out from under the contract.

LOL you can't re-negotiate contracts before they expire, this isn't the NFL. If that was the case, you think Rashard Lewis would STILL be getting paid, as well as Gilbert Arenas. Thats what the one time amnesty provision is for.

LOL... Reading.

http://www.cbafaq.com/salarycap.htm#Q58

Veteran extensions:

Extensions to contracts that are not rookie scale contracts (i.e., veteran extensions) may be signed up to June 30, the day before the player would have become a free agent.

A contract that contains an Early Termination Option (ETO) cannot be extended if the ETO is exercised (ending the contract early). A contract with an option can be extended if the player opts-in. A contract with an option can also be extended if the player opts-out, as long as the extension adds at least two new seasons onto the contract (excluding any new option year) and the salary in the first year of the extension is not less than the salary in the non-exercised option year. See question number 57 for more information on options and ETOs.

A veteran extension can contain an option (player or team), but cannot contain an ETO.

If the player agrees to waive a portion of his trade bonus in order to facilitate a trade (see question number 97), his contract may not be extended for six months following the trade.

[TruSkool]

sign and trade dwight for marc gasol and tony allen. pair up the gasol brothers, let nSh and kobe get healthy, and get delonte west.

POWERHOUSE

[BEazy]

All I know is Dwight's "baby mama" is a little bitch. Girl was born and raised in LA and she gonna agree that the media has gone out and blamed Dwight. Well of course you dumbass if he hadn't been ejected there wouldn't be a story like this..And she agreed that she wants to see Dwight in Houston or Brooklyn....Such a disgrace to even call herself a LA native. **** her.....

[chefy]

I just find it humorous that Ebanks was still getting DNPs. Guy must have serious attitude problems.

Man it sucks because he's the reason we didn't resign Barnes. Smh

[kblo247]

Brown - guy was in over his head from jump

Dantoni - should've never been hired for the job and should be fired from it even if it takes Dwight making that a condition

Ebanks - they should have waived him after the DUI

Clark - pleasant surprise for a slew of games, but he hit a wall hard like a rookie, and he needs to be in a gym all summer getting in reps

Morris - don't bring him back, he can't even dribble straight

Duhon - waive him out right, nothing else to say

Blake - he was the second best pg on the team (Kobe first) and I would love to see him bring that confidence back but for the love of god man learn to actually build your body up so you don't miss chunks of every year; he's the opposite of an iron man like Fish was here

Hill - just get healthy, love his hustle and energy, glue guy to have, and could probably start

Meeks - cut bait or make the third string G, he isn't a shooter, he isn't a scorer, he isn't a defender, and he isn't even SG size; a black Sasha without the length or height

Glock - hopes he gets a new contract and stays in the league

Sacre - needs to spend a year in the NBDL

Jamison - great signing, you can't ask for anything moe than what he gave for the cost of 800k, would love to have him back in a set role next year instead of being yanked around

Pau - love his 3 year run when he first got here, hated his 3 year run since. I believe he has game left but its at C. Ideally he would retire a laker, but he's just not lifer material in the court and at his cost. He can't defend his spot or score from it efficiently in the new nba and isn't even top 10 at his position. Hope he gets sent somewhere he can be useful

Nash - no secret, hated him in this team. He ally didnt earn the check, didnt do the job of pg, couldn't defend any perimeter spot, couldn't run the O and keep the bigs involved, couldn't handle the rock vs pressure, and he missed so many games away from Phoenix. Is why Cuban didnt want to pay him, he was scared he would break down, and he did which led to an oversized workload on Kobe. Hes not a top 15 pg in the league anymore and it showed, so I hope we either trade him, bench him, or he retires.

Metta - probably the second guy on the team I'm most happy with this year. Wasnt always pretty, but he always gave his all. Always played hard. Pau went down and he guarded PFs like Dirk, Zach, Boozer, Aldridge one on one without help and despite having a pelvic injury. He came back from surgery in 12 days to help the team make the playoffs, and he was just over worked an doer extended by Dantoni which caused his fizzle. Would not be against him coming back on a smaller deal and bench role, but if he doesn't opt out for that he has to be amnestied as he isn't worth his current money or a starting 3 anymore.

Dwight - I hope he returns, but I get every reason that would make him say no. I think he can win a ring as Kobe's second.,I think he can grow and develop more just by getting in the gym and getting his old strength back. I also think he's clearly shown more even Ina down year than Bynum ever did. Hope he doesn't just walk for nothing but oh well we gave up nothing for him and insured we weren't the ones to make the decision Phili is stuck with.

Kobe - easily one of his most heroic seasons since his 81pt year, he carried this team and a bunch of sorry ass scrubs, hobbled masses, and inept coach to over 500 out west and in the playoffs. He willed us there and it was glaring how much we needed Kobe to do everything, how much he was the best on this team at everything, and it just can't be that ay. Respect the fact he went out like a lion that GS game, and like Nike says I have no doubt he will show us again

Jerry - RIP and thank you

Jeanie and Jim - you got big shoes to fill so learn to work as a team like Jerry and Jerry did p


Mitch - take out the clip and reload, don't rebuild, but reload. Use that vet min to go after Nate Robinson. G after Nick young and Kyle Korver. Go try and bring Barnes back after he was ran off by Mike Brown. Kick the tires on Odom if he's willing to take the min. Evaluate Delonte mentally. This team needs some damn perimeter skills because it was inept without Kobe there to break defenses down, without his scoring and driving without a pick, and without his ability to play such a minute and work heavy load. We need a new perimeter, we need a starting pg, starting SF who can actually score the ball, and we need a stretch 4 in this league to start along Kobe and Dwight so that they actually have guys who will play their role night in and out like Fhser, Fox, Shaw, and Horry did for Kobe and Dhaq

Its funny you never say anything negative about Kobe or Dwight. I'll help you. Kobe's defense was the worst on the team. Howard had a terrible attitude, he cannot play screen roll to save his life, turns the ball over like a handicapped 2nd grader and has terrible hands, cannot shoot free throws, and played lazy defense most of the year.

Also, Nash was much better then Blake all season. Blake had a few good games...Nash had quite a few.

Withou kobe and Dwight we don't make the playoffs or finish over 500. Nash didnt achieve that record nor Pau, they got their carcasses carried this year while collecting free money.

Kobe's D wasn't great but it was better than Nash's this year. Likewise Kobe was the better pg in terms of winning and Blake was the better two way pg. Nash at pg was a bunch of Ls, as a glorified off the ball guard like fish he was useful and we won. Don't tell me he was better than kobe or Blake in the column that mattered with the ball as the qb because all he did was lose lose get trapped burn clock and get stuck withouunt a pick then turn it over no matter what. He was a god damn albatross between his cost in terms of picks and the TPE, his lack of games played, his diminished skills since he had no first step or D, and the fact kobe had to log crazy ass minutes doing the job he was supposed to and collected a free check.

As for Dwight he could have very well packed it in. He didn't have to comeback do early. Didn't have to play with a torn labrum. He did, got better as the year went on, and is the one guy aside from Blake who stepped up without kobe. It was glaring what a layup line there was when he sat vs SA. He also slowly got his athleticism back unlike Larry Johnson and a summer of weight training should lead to his full strength returning

So no, kobe and Dwight are the only two guys who should be bright back and start in this team only without carrying dead ass weight on both ends of the floor as Dwight made our D and kobe made our , while guys didnt earn their keep, Pringles included

[kblo247]

All I know is Dwight's "baby mama" is a little bitch. Girl was born and raised in LA and she gonna agree that the media has gone out and blamed Dwight. Well of course you dumbass if he hadn't been ejected there wouldn't be a story like this..And she agreed that she wants to see Dwight in Houston or Brooklyn....Such a disgrace to even call herself a LA native. **** her.....

What makes her a bitch? Fact she doesn't want sensitive Dwight, the father of her kid emotional? The fact she said Brooklyn or Houston is better in terms of talent to play at when they are as the only other elite talent on this team is kobe as this season showed in spades when kobe and Dwight sat or were hurt?

It's ignorant to say put the city over what's best for the kid. The kid having a dad who isn't emotional because he can't handle being the villain isn't good, a mother, baby out of wedlock or not, knows that. If it was all about the bank she would stay in la where she would get more support and him higher pay, but the reasoning of she fkednt want Dwight hurt mentally doesnt make her a bitch just makes u silly grasping at straws to call a woman that

[IamBBAnalysis]

Brown - guy was in over his head from jump

Dantoni - should've never been hired for the job and should be fired from it even if it takes Dwight making that a condition

Ebanks - they should have waived him after the DUI

Clark - pleasant surprise for a slew of games, but he hit a wall hard like a rookie, and he needs to be in a gym all summer getting in reps

Morris - don't bring him back, he can't even dribble straight

Duhon - waive him out right, nothing else to say

Blake - he was the second best pg on the team (Kobe first) and I would love to see him bring that confidence back but for the love of god man learn to actually build your body up so you don't miss chunks of every year; he's the opposite of an iron man like Fish was here

Hill - just get healthy, love his hustle and energy, glue guy to have, and could probably start

Meeks - cut bait or make the third string G, he isn't a shooter, he isn't a scorer, he isn't a defender, and he isn't even SG size; a black Sasha without the length or height

Glock - hopes he gets a new contract and stays in the league

Sacre - needs to spend a year in the NBDL

Jamison - great signing, you can't ask for anything moe than what he gave for the cost of 800k, would love to have him back in a set role next year instead of being yanked around

Pau - love his 3 year run when he first got here, hated his 3 year run since. I believe he has game left but its at C. Ideally he would retire a laker, but he's just not lifer material in the court and at his cost. He can't defend his spot or score from it efficiently in the new nba and isn't even top 10 at his position. Hope he gets sent somewhere he can be useful

Nash - no secret, hated him in this team. He ally didnt earn the check, didnt do the job of pg, couldn't defend any perimeter spot, couldn't run the O and keep the bigs involved, couldn't handle the rock vs pressure, and he missed so many games away from Phoenix. Is why Cuban didnt want to pay him, he was scared he would break down, and he did which led to an oversized workload on Kobe. Hes not a top 15 pg in the league anymore and it showed, so I hope we either trade him, bench him, or he retires.

Metta - probably the second guy on the team I'm most happy with this year. Wasnt always pretty, but he always gave his all. Always played hard. Pau went down and he guarded PFs like Dirk, Zach, Boozer, Aldridge one on one without help and despite having a pelvic injury. He came back from surgery in 12 days to help the team make the playoffs, and he was just over worked an doer extended by Dantoni which caused his fizzle. Would not be against him coming back on a smaller deal and bench role, but if he doesn't opt out for that he has to be amnestied as he isn't worth his current money or a starting 3 anymore.

Dwight - I hope he returns, but I get every reason that would make him say no. I think he can win a ring as Kobe's second.,I think he can grow and develop more just by getting in the gym and getting his old strength back. I also think he's clearly shown more even Ina down year than Bynum ever did. Hope he doesn't just walk for nothing but oh well we gave up nothing for him and insured we weren't the ones to make the decision Phili is stuck with.

Kobe - easily one of his most heroic seasons since his 81pt year, he carried this team and a bunch of sorry ass scrubs, hobbled masses, and inept coach to over 500 out west and in the playoffs. He willed us there and it was glaring how much we needed Kobe to do everything, how much he was the best on this team at everything, and it just can't be that ay. Respect the fact he went out like a lion that GS game, and like Nike says I have no doubt he will show us again

Jerry - RIP and thank you

Jeanie and Jim - you got big shoes to fill so learn to work as a team like Jerry and Jerry did p


Mitch - take out the clip and reload, don't rebuild, but reload. Use that vet min to go after Nate Robinson. G after Nick young and Kyle Korver. Go try and bring Barnes back after he was ran off by Mike Brown. Kick the tires on Odom if he's willing to take the min. Evaluate Delonte mentally. This team needs some damn perimeter skills because it was inept without Kobe there to break defenses down, without his scoring and driving without a pick, and without his ability to play such a minute and work heavy load. We need a new perimeter, we need a starting pg, starting SF who can actually score the ball, and we need a stretch 4 in this league to start along Kobe and Dwight so that they actually have guys who will play their role night in and out like Fhser, Fox, Shaw, and Horry did for Kobe and Dhaq

Its funny you never say anything negative about Kobe or Dwight. I'll help you. Kobe's defense was the worst on the team. Howard had a terrible attitude, he cannot play screen roll to save his life, turns the ball over like a handicapped 2nd grader and has terrible hands, cannot shoot free throws, and played lazy defense most of the year.

Also, Nash was much better then Blake all season. Blake had a few good games...Nash had quite a few.

Withou kobe and Dwight we don't make the playoffs or finish over 500. Nash didnt achieve that record nor Pau, they got their carcasses carried this year while collecting free money.

Kobe's D wasn't great but it was better than Nash's this year. Likewise Kobe was the better pg in terms of winning and Blake was the better two way pg. Nash at pg was a bunch of Ls, as a glorified off the ball guard like fish he was useful and we won. Don't tell me he was better than kobe or Blake in the column that mattered with the ball as the qb because all he did was lose lose get trapped burn clock and get stuck withouunt a pick then turn it over no matter what. He was a god damn albatross between his cost in terms of picks and the TPE, his lack of games played, his diminished skills since he had no first step or D, and the fact kobe had to log crazy ass minutes doing the job he was supposed to and collected a free check.

As for Dwight he could have very well packed it in. He didn't have to comeback do early. Didn't have to play with a torn labrum. He did, got better as the year went on, and is the one guy aside from Blake who stepped up without kobe. It was glaring what a layup line there was when he sat vs SA. He also slowly got his athleticism back unlike Larry Johnson and a summer of weight training should lead to his full strength returning

So no, kobe and Dwight are the only two guys who should be bright back and start in this team only without carrying dead ass weight on both ends of the floor as Dwight made our D and kobe made our , while guys didnt earn their keep, Pringles included

You're stating some stuff over again that I didn't argue and then stating some things that are not accurate. Everyone knows Kobe and Dwight are the most important overall players. No point in getting yourself all worked up. I just pointed out that you always defend them and never point out the obvious negatives. Its a flaw in your analysis that makes people not take you seriously. Its called being bias. Not a positive thing when trying to prove a point.

Here is another example from above (yes you did again):

"As for Dwight he could have very well packed it in. He didn't have to comeback do early. Didn't have to play with a torn labrum"

Who else does that remind you of? Nash? Yes, Nash tried to come back and play in the playoffs even though he was hurting...and be all accounts in much more pain then anything Dwight experienced. Anyway, this is a waste of time. Anytime someone hates irrationally you cannot have a rational argument.

[kblo247]

Dwight was out there in October when he wasn't supposed to be here till January off severe back surgery. You don't think he was in pain after all those months off and not being able to lift weights? He was quoted as not feeling his legs for gods sake

Nash just didnt seem like a lemon at the car lot. High sticker price (9mil and 4 picks), fncy paint job (new haircut and suit look), and then he crapped out as soon as you drive off. It was just ugh. At the old mle he would've been worth it but not at that price and trade we wore off Kobe's tires all year covering for or poor perimeter. Shoot we could have had Kidd and Sessions at his price and been better off. I also just don't see how he can start anymore in this league, with Pau you can see him being a starting C sure, but nothing Nash did showed him as a top 15 pg in the league let alone that he could survive without the Phoenix medical staff which is what Cuban said back in 04 when he didn't pay him (his back wasn't a longterm investment).

I put a lot of kobe and Dwight's defecincies on the others not doing he job they were paid for as they had to cover for a bunch of guys roles just to win games, play a lot of minutes, cut corners and try to save gas where they could

[Jaykoolzboy]

This season is definitely one of the most forgettable one in the history of this franchise, how would you grade each player and important personnel on the squad

I will start with some key player and personnel

Kobe -- A- Overachieved isn't really a word for Kobe, but he did somehow manage to do so, he showed us different type of Kobe this season from facilitator, scoring first and occasionally Lock-Down Kobe Bryant. Too bad age isn't on his side. Expect him to recover well from the injury.

Dwight -- B- Had his moments and opportunities, but was never the alpha male we hope he will be, still one of the top defender in the game, can still dominate, condition and will is the problem for him. I hope he stays and be healthy next season.

Gasol --- C+ I am not as harsh as most of fans do on Pau, he tried hard under DMA system, thing just never worked out for him, lost a step also. However, he did tried his best to adopt into the system by becoming more of a post facilitator, that's just not his role even tho he tried. I think he's a goner this season .

Ron Artest--- C- Hate the name Metta World Peace, it's just silly. Had a good pre-season and looks in great condition, had his moments this season where he consistently drop down 18+ ppg, the problem is his D, he lost 2 steps compare to his prime, it's hard to trade him. Would love to see him coming out of bench next season

Nash --- F Was never part of the core, was never what Lakers fan hope he will be. Age and condition isn't helping either, totally waste of roster and hype IMO, hope he can bounce back next season. He was one of my favorite player for the last decade, it's sad to see him drop like that.

Clark---- B Nice sparks and Clarksanity , then just coming back to earth after that amazing run, still young and has potential to be a regular starter in this league, he should learn his game from Tayshaun Prince

Jamison ---- C Had ups and downs, mainly what we expected from him, can still score a bit and basically that's all he left in his tank. If MDA stays, I wouldn't mind him to stay.

MDA---- C- I admire him for stick with his style no matter what happened (it's really hard to do with all the pressure and media....), but his style just isn't working for this Lakers team, a bad choice for the coach is what I would say

Jim Buss - D+ He gambled on MDA when Phil isn't an option for us, however, results were bad and really bad. It's one of those scenario where he would be consider Genius if this worked out and a fool if it's not. Too bad it aint working .

[AcecardZ]

One thing I'd like to add about the season....

This season could not have gone worse. I think everybody would unanimously agree on this. If we can have a season like that and a guy with options like Dwight has still chooses to remain a Laker can we all get off the guy's back once and for all?

It says a lot about the guy if he can go through a nightmare of a season and still want to be a Laker.

Lol It probably says a lot more about the guy if he chooses something other than the Lakers but that's coming from a diehard Laker Fan!

I hope he returns and wins most the most improved player of the year award while leading us to a deep playoff run!


Also, our team has two of the best big men in the league! Other teams dream of having the size and skill our bigs have. Do we really want to trade some of that size for more speed or do we have to do a better job of figuring out how to utilize what we have? I only ask because it feels like trying to beat other teams at their game might be a huge mistake. We need to maybe go a different route and try to make them be capable of beating us at our game. (Nice theory anyway) meh! I know I know.. We still need shooters and speed. For the life of me I can't figure out how a front court of Pau and Dwight couldn't do a better jobs of torturing opponents.

If Pau returns next year and can barely jump over a piece of paper I'm going to scream!

Also we have one other glaring problem... What kind of Kobe will we have post surgery? We could put together the most amazing team ever but success is still going to rely heavily on Kobe being able to dominate.

[TylersLakers]

I was on Howard for most of the season but looking back, I probably shouldn't have. After the All Star break, you could start to see his impact on this team. So, for better or worse I think we're locked into him. At this point, to just let him walk and get nothing wouldn't look good. So, he'll be re-signed to a max contract and we'll be stuck with him. He'll have to be significantly better. No other option.

Injuries were just huge. No other way to cut it. This season really just is another example of how great Kobe is. Up until he got hurt, he willed this team to a playoff spot.

I just think we need to get healthy, add a few athletic pieces, another couple shooters and we'll be in solid shape. Payroll and luxury taxes will obviously gear towards that.

[AdonisDeMarion]

Players to keep

Bryant
Howard
Gasol
Nash
Clark
Artest
Hill

We need wing players and a back up lead guard

[TyCobb]

And a new CBA to make that possible.

[kblo247]

Players to keep

Bryant
Howard
Gasol
Nash
Clark
Artest
Hill

We need wing players and a back up lead guard

If you keep them, how did you improve the team?

You still leave the glaring hole that is Nash and Pau starting together. That's a defensive hole and offensive issue in itself.

I would keep Kobe, Dwight, Hill, Goudelock, and Metta (for less) myself. I want to say Clark but I really think its on his price. Nash is okay as a sixth man or just solely if you make him and Blake a oh split like Ford and Calderon used to be 24mpg each, but then again neither are fish when it comes to suiting up nightly,

I would love a guard like Nate, 2 swings, and a run at LO and Brand because Hill is likely to get hurt. Wish Pau could be dealt for a decent pick

[kblo247]

Kobe: A-
Dwight: A
Pau: C
MWP: C+
Nash: C-
Jamison: B
Meeks: D
Blake: B+
Hill: I
Clark: B
Duhon: D-
Goudelock: I
Morris: D
Sacre: A+ he was a cheerleader
Ebanks: whatever is lower than F

D'antoni: F