Anyone else find all the scrambling going on interesting? I always tell myself I don't like the NBA, but continue to closely follow it. The newest rumor on the block is The Lakers clearing house to get Howard and Paul to join Bryant in a yellow uniform. Can you imagine? I'd take that trio over LBJ, Wade, and Bosh any day of the week and twice on Sundays. LBJ and Wade are mirror images and Bosh used to play similar until he is now playing out of his natural style to fit their offense. Bryant Paul and Howard are all unique players. Paul is the best PG in the game, Howard easily the best Center playing, and Bryant is still top 5 for a few more years for forwards. Another rumor has the clippers push for both of these players, but they are the clippers and never get anything right so I refuse to believe it works out for them.
Hmmm...interesting. Like anytime you put guys of this caliber together, how will they play together? You have two guys that dominate the ball for current team, and another that the offense goes through. Remember how Gasol would loaf at times and get caught watching? What happens to Howard if the ball isn't going through him? Should the offense go through him? Can Kobe, one of the NBA's biggest prima donnas ever, handle the offense not going directly through him? Paul is a notorious play maker. How will he play when he's not counted on to go 100% all the time? Its hard to turn it off and on for many players. I hope it happens, just so I can see how it plays out. Player shuffles is one the things I like about the NBA. I think it makes it more interesting. And its okay to like the NBA, or basketball in general, Trevor. I know most on this gun hunting forum prefer nonathletic sports, like golf and wrestling, but its okay to watch the most athletic players in the world.
LOL Basketball is hands down my favorite sport, with nothing coming close. I just hate how meaningless the regular season NBA is outside of about 10 key games. I think Kobe does BETTER with a surrounding cast. Sure, the offense has been centered around him, but the triangle offense was designed to prevent relying only on one star. One key component was missing during Kobes ball hog 81 pt game days, and that was quality players to complete the triangle. I think Gasol loafing is just his characteristics. I think an aging Kobe would benefit GREATLY from players like Paul and Howard lifting the load off his shoulders. That said, the triangle offense is now no longer in LA. Regardless the offense schemes though, EVERY championship team for the past two decades has had a great center (Howard being the best in the league now). A good PG to replace the grandpa named Derek Fisher would boost the team immensely as well. I was a kid during Kobe Bryants peak years. MJ as well, although I was a little too young to appreciate just how great he truly was. For that reason, I always loved Bryant and the lakers since I was gosh, 7-8 years old? I see them as done currently (same as Boston). Both great teams but just not quite young/great enough to overcome other upcoming great teams. Without Roster revamps, both will be quality teams making damage in the playoffs, but neither will bring home the gold. Reading this new CBA is interesting as well, it will soon cost teams like Dallas Boston and LA 2-3x what it does for them to continue overpaying for star players. I really think this will help make irrelevant teams more relevant.
Yeah, I know...I really just wanted to take a shot. I didn't even mention Nascar because we are discussing sports. I agree with much of what you said. I still have concerns, mostly with Bryant and Howard. Both will voice their opinions when they are not happy with something. I think Paul would be a great addition to any team. I believe he truly is a team player. But, Bryant needs the ball/shots and Howard needs to stay involved. If those things don't happen, it could be trouble. Its almost bizarre to watch Bryant play passively, like when he is trying to get others involved. Let them get their shots. He looks out of place. Unless, they are winning. That cures everything. First sign of trouble, though, and things could get interesting. I love interesting.
Interesting. I dont' know if Kobe can co exist with another superstar let alone two of them. Would be smart for him at this point in his career for an opportunity for another ring or two.
I think most underestimate Kobe. In his younger years he had some questionable teammate qualities (mainly cause he lacked quality teammates)....but he coexisted with Shaq, he is currently coexisting with Odom, Gasol, and weirdo Artest (excuse me Metta World Peace). Most all stars like him, he did fine on the ridiculously over talented USA team, and will do fine now. I think his main goals at this point are winning another ring, and averaging around 20 points a game to eventually lead the league in all time scoring. He will get both of those easier with help so that teams can't key on him alone. Mainly though, I just want this too happen for another team to rise up and prevent LBJ and Wade from a ring for another few years.
I can't agree with the co-existing with Shaq. Sure it worked when Kobe was younger and was an up-and-coming star. Once he became more established, Kobe blew the team up. The Lakers lost in 5 games to a much less talented Pistons team. Don't get me wrong, I'm very thankful for that. Then Shaq was forced out of town and Jackson retired, both blaming Kobe for most of it. Yeah, he's matured a little, but enough to play with two youngers stars? I would love to find out. The Olympic teams really aren't a good indication of who can play together. C'mon, you're better than that.
LMAO. me too. Love reading about it on ESPN and "following" it...but could care less to watch regular season games outside of a Heat Lakers matchup or similar.
How much less could you care? I actually couldn't care less about how much you could care less. I'm just trying to make 100 posts in one day.
IMO Shaq leaving town was the worst mistake ever for both him and the Lakers. They would have won 2-3 more likely. I see Kobe having been a problem, but it hasn't been an issue for nearly a decade now. That Pistons team was greatly underrated. Rasheed Wallace, Ben Wallace, Tayshaun Prince, Rip Hamilton, Chauncey Billups all in their prime? Okur and Williamson (I think was his name) were decent as well. Forget about it, that team was loaded! All this Lakers talk, and it reminds me of the Eddie Jones and Nick Van Exel days. When Kobe was a young pup and Shaq was in his prime.
I just happened to turn a game on and see this a few years ago... [video=youtube_share;aV8teDrJswY]http://youtu.be/aV8teDrJswY[/video] Ill skip the regular season...lol
No doubt they were a good team. They were in the finals for a reason. Still, if the Lakers weren't a mental mess, they would have beat the Pistons. I firmly believe this. Shaq checked out in that series. It was LeBron-esque.
I agree Shaq and Kobe alone should win championships when both play to their level, but they were hardly the overpowering team in the matchup. Their 3rd and 4th best players were Gary Payton and a 40 year old Karl Malone. I was/am a huge Prince fan, so I remember this series causing a conflict in my fan hood at the time. I'd love to see him end up on the Heat as they are talking about.
Remember, this was when the West was in its heyday. Kind of like how people view the cheaters of the SEC, now. If a SEC team were playing for the title and lost, it would be because they didn't play well. I remember someone saying the first meeting of LSU/Alabama was the national title game. Thats how everyone viewed the NBA West. Whoever came out of it, should easily beat whoever came out of the East. The Lakers had experience, and had won 3 of the last 4 titles. Basically playing with the same core. It was their series to lose. The Pistons were playing with misfits, and added a major misfit part way through the season. They hit their stride at the right time. Much like the Packers, after they won, they began playing at a different level. Too bad they didn't capitalize on it more.
To dredge this back up, Chris Paul is unofficially a Laker. Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom are moving east. Gutsy trade, if they don't lure in Dwight Howard with a Bynum trade now I'm not sure how this will work for them. They gave up BOTH power forwards for a point guard, and are losing shannon brown as well. IF they get Howard, they just leap frogged the Heat as being hands down the favorite to win it. 3 super stars that naturally play different roles rather than being forced to. I'm pretty excited right now to see how this works out.
LOL Now if they shed Luke Walton to amnesty and pick up a role player forward and really will be in the business.
The NBA is officially a joke! Stern doens't let Chris Paul trade go though because small market teams (especially the idiot in Cleveland) were crying it's not fair. Wow
