The biggest trade of this regular season has been completed. All-star PF Pau Gasol has been traded to the Lakers for Stone-Hand-Draft-Bust Kwame Brown (I really think he is missing a nerve or something in his right hand). The only thing of value the Lakers gave up was the promising young guard Crittenten. But they held onto the more promising Jordan Farmar. As for the 2 future 1st-round picks, considering the Lakers will probably be title contender for the next 5 years, so who cares about LATE 1st rounders.
The more important thing is the fact that Kupchak has redeemed himself in Lakerland. 2007-08 has to be the best season for him. First, Mitch somehow has survived the storm known as "I am the guy who traded Shaq AND Kobe". And not only has his boy project Andrew Bynum been showing full potentials, at least before the injury, the Lakers have been contending, and more importantly the Heat with the "Big So-Ready-to-Retire" is the joke of the town. To all those people who thought Riley robbed the Lakers, Kupchak just said, "screw you all".
Mitch is finally showing why Dr. Buss handed him the franchise after West left. Finally, with Bynum, Kobe, Odom, and Gasol, the Lakers are a real force to be reckoned with.
For the millions of Lakers fans around the world, the real reason why you should be happy today is not because Gasol is so much better than Kwame. The real reason is finally you can be sure that Mitch is for real!
Everyone seems to think this season is a lost cause and Kobe is as good as gone. I'm not ready to say that yet.
WINNING SOLVES EVERYTHING IN PROFESSIONAL SPORTS. EVERYTHING.
A healthy Laker team with a motivated Kobe Bryant (a make no mistake, he will be very motivated) has the potential to win 50 games. Bryant is going to dominate this season. Like I've said countless time, love or hate him, you cannot deny the fact that he elevates his game amidst controversy.
The real question will come when the Lakers are winning, will Kobe be able to #### his pride and back track on his trade demands?
Time will tell...
Hoffman
Oct 30, 2007
2:33 PM
Why do I think the Lakers will win a lot of games this season?
Derek Fisher is a HUGE UPGRADE on Smush Parker.
Bryant is angry and he plays very well when he's mad.
I like what I've seen from Bynum in the preseason. He has the skills. His conditioning has just been subpar. He looks like he's devoted himself to the game over the off-season.
Chris Mihm is a reliable low post scorer.
The Lakers have a decent bench. Farmar, Turiaf, Evans, Radmonovic, and Bynum or Mihm are ready to contribute.
You were absolutely right! Winning does fix a lot of things. Other than your optimisim for Mihm, you were right on with many predictions.
But I was also right for saying the best thing for the Lakers to do was to trade for Jermaine O'Neal. Kupchak of course did me one better by getting a younger and less-injured Pau Gasol, without giving up Lamar or Farmar.
You know something remarkable about Kwame? He grabbed up rebounds and loose balls just fine. Time and again I saw him go up in a crowd for a rebound and pull it from the likes of Alonzo and Amare. There was a panic-factor when catching a pass though, that seemed to get worse over time, as his reputation for stone hands broadened.
In retrospect, maybe it was all us critics that were stupid.
Exhibit A against Kupchak has always been trading away Caron Butler for Kwame Brown, but at the time the Lakers were very deep at the 3, and needed more depth at the 5. It ended up being a mistake, but at the time it did seem like a reasonable decision.
What other grievous error has Kupchak made? Not getting players we fans thought he should have (Kidd, Jermain O'Neal, Garnett)? The Lakers are looking pretty well off without those acquisitions at the moment.
All of a sudden, it looks as if the Lakers traded Caron Butler and Chucky Atkins for Pau Gasol and a number two pick. Genius.
All of a sudden, Shaquille O'Neal's departure allows the Lakers to draft center Andrew Bynum because had Shaq stayed in LA, Mitch probably takes a complementary power forward like Channing Frye instead. Genius.
All of a sudden, the picks of Farmar and Vujacic are starting to pan out because they are perfect role players to go with this nucleus especially Sasha, who cannot be left alone on the outside. Farmar is the future starting PG on the next dynasty. Genius.
All of a sudden, the trade that got Trevor Ariza might have gotten the Lakers the Scottie Pippen type of player they were looking for. Ariza is the future starting SF for the dynasty. Genius.
All of sudden, the Lakers shock the world (though I wasn't surprised one bit because around here in LA things like this is customary) and pick up Gasol for two dollars and change. Better yet, they get Pau without having to give up Odom. Genius.
The ZenMaster reminded Kupchak that there was once a time back in 1995 when his Bulls got rid of Wil Perdue to get The Worm. This led to three more titles for MJ and co. So Mitch proceeds to listen to Phil and makes a move. Genius.
One word to describe how Laker management always seems to get it right time after time: ZEN-LIKE.
What does this mean for the rest of the west?
The Lakers could wind up falling all the way to 7 or 8 in the West, but would still be favorites to win the first round with a healthy Bynum.
Last edited by J-DIZZLE on February 3rd at 12:48 AM.
Since Ricko and many others cannot handle my educational background, let's just pretend that I am a high school drop-out, who can barely do simple mathematics and can't read and write very well. I do however work at Stanford (they suck at any sports that matter). Mainly a basketball and football guy (NBA rules and Coach K sucks!). Okay with baseball, hockey, tennis, and golf. Soccer is for short guys who can't jump. Love hot Asian girls (don't know why?)
