Not sure if this is what Kobe Bryant meant when he demanded new running mates, but the Lakers acquired 6' 8" swingman Trevor Ariza from the Orlando Magic on Tuesday for forward Brian Cook and guard Maurice Evans. While Ariza isn't quite Jermaine O'Neal, he is an upgrade over Cook and Evans. He adds athleticism and lock-down defensive skills to the Lakers small forward spot, elements that were lacking in players like Luke Walton and Vladimir Radmanovic. And Ariza can run the floor, finish at the basket and rebounds well for a small forward.
The Lakers addditionally benefitted by dumping Cook's 3-year $10.5 million and Evans' 1-year $1.5 contracts -- Ariza has only 2 years and $5.6 million on his deal. The trade also creates a roster spot for the Lakers, who could, if they were so inclined, go after a free agent like PJ Brown or Chris Webber. In the end though, this deal has as much to do with salaries as it does with actual basketball talent. GM Mitch Kup-cake has made a lot of bad moves during his tenure, but perhaps this will go down as one of his better ones.
To celebrate the deal, or perhaps just because they can, the Lakers went out and put the beat-down on the Indiana Pacers, beating JO's squad by a score of 134-114.
I think most Lakers fans would agree that Kupchak has a pretty terrible track record.
He traded Shaq for Caron Butler, Odom and Brian Grant (and his horrible contract). He could have waited and possibly gotten a superstar back in return. Remember, Shaq's value was much, much higher than it is today.
He then traded Caron Butler and Chucky Atkins for Kwame Brown. No comment necessary. One of the worst recent trades -- not only considering the Lakers, but all NBA trades in general.
He also signed, if you don't recall, Radmanovic (overpaying him in the process), Shammond Williams, Isaiah Rider and Dennis Rodman (way past his prime).
And, these are some of his first round picks. Brian Cook. Sasha Vujacic. Kareem Rush (in a trade).
Sure, to your point, both the Farmar and Bynum trades are looking good this year. But, I would rather have traded for Jason Kidd, which they had a chance to do last year. Can you imagine Kidd running point with Kobe and Odom on the wing?
And let's not forget Jannero Pargo, signing Smush Parker, Bringing in Gary Payton who immediately announced he didn't like the triangle and he wasn't playing the triangle. (and who shot 19% in the Piston Lakers fiasco.)
Last edited by Dusty_Outlaw on November 21st at 7:52 AM.
Little aside on Bucher, but does anybody else see what a worthless, talking head he has turned into? He's reaching Peter Vescey status in my book. He jumps on every rumor, spouts off some jibberish and is hardly ever right with his "insight".
Good post! I don't care much about Mo Evans, but the Lakers might need Cook's outside shooting if Radmonic goes down with an injury, and we all know how fragile he is.
I generally the Lakers should do as less trading as possible because it takes a while for players to learn the triangle. Just when the Lakers seem to have turned the corner and playing well within the triangle, Kupchak gets rid of two experienced guy and bring in someone new.
Note to GRUN54, stop posting Kobe's rant! Who cares! The Lakers are winning and Kobe is still the best player in the game. And guess what? His teammates actually like to play with him.....look at their 7-3 record!
note to bbing16-- what was the lakers record after 10 games last year?
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1 2006-10-31 LAL PHO W 114-106 1-0 Won 1
2 2006-11-01 LAL @GSW W 110-98 2-0 Won 2
3 2006-11-03 LAL SEA W 118-112 3-0 Won 3
4 2006-11-05 LAL @SEA L 101-117 3-1 Lost 1
5 2006-11-07 LAL MIN W 95-88 4-1 Won 1
6 2006-11-08 LAL @POR L 90-101 4-2 Lost 1
7 2006-11-10 LAL DET L 83-97 4-3 Lost 2
8 2006-11-12 LAL MEM W 91-81 5-3 Won 1
9 2006-11-17 LAL TOR W 107-100 6-3 Won 2
10 2006-11-19 LAL CHI W 82-72 7-3 Won 3
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WOW!!
look at that 7-3 last year. and we know how that turned out don't we.
kobe bryant hates his teammates, and his teammates hate him.
that is the TRUTH that bing is not ready to accept.
This trade is the "we don't have anyone to slow down Shawn Marion and get past the Suns" trade.
This year Phil Jackson has been using Cook on the floor at the same time with Radmanavich. That was an interesting combination because both REQUIRE defending on the perimeter, which brings the opposing bigs away from the basket and allows Bynum, Bryant, Odom, etc. to get offensive boards.
This is a great trade for Cook though. His range will be an asset for Orlando; he'll be more important to them than he was to the Lakers.
Kobe's complaint about Bynum's work ethic last season is well documented and, frankly, spot on.
Like Bynum, Kobe went from high school to the NBA.
Unlike Bynum, young Kobe was obsessed with studying, practicing and improving his game. Bynum showed no such work ethic ... that is until Kobe called him out this summer!
That doesn't mean Kobe should have trashed his teammate like that; he should not have. But sometimes good things come from bad -- especially when apologies and changes follow. Kobe was wrong and admitted it, which makes him more of a man than those who refuse to acknowledge that.
As for your "TRUTH" that Kobe's teammates hate him, do you have quotes to back that up?
Speaking of truth, the Lakers 7-3 start last season and then limping to the finish line is just a half-truth.
The rest of the truth is no other team in the NBA overcame as many injuries as the Lakers did, and still made the playoffs. Factor in how tough their conference and division are, and it is actually impressive that the Lakers went as far as they did with games missed by Kobe Bryant, Chris Mihm, Lamar Odom, Luke Walton, Kwame Brown, Aaron McKie, Vladimir Radmanovic, Brian Cook and Ronny Turiaf. Even coach Phil Jackson lost games to a hip injury!
At any rate, don't let yourself be so distracted by Kobe. I've learned a lot reading your writing as I have bbing. No need for personal attacks.
