Sure the Lakers just got clowned, but these nuggets that I found (via The Lakers Nation), only one day after the hideous 39-point loss, may instill some hope among the optimists out there.
First, Andrew Bynum on contracts: In an interview toward the end of the regular season, Bynum said he
wanted to stay with the team and did not necessarily expect a maximum
contract extension of about $80 million.”I just want to be a Laker,” he
said. “As long as they treat me right, it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t
have to be max [money] for me. I just want to be able to live
comfortably and take care of my family.” [LA TImes]
And second, Sasha on coming up short: “Next year, especially with
Andrew and the same group, we won’t be short two games like we were
this year; I can guarantee you that,” Vujacic said. “We are going to
work really hard. Personally, I’m going to work myself really hard in
the gym all summer. We want to win it. We lost our first (NBA) Finals,
and I think we have a lot more to go.” [OC Register]
There's also been a lot of talk about Ron Artest coming over, however he has made statements that suggest otherwise. I think the Lakers should consider pursuing him. He is going to be able to play a position (SF) that Lamar will need time to get adjusted to with Bynum coming back, with better efficiency, and most importantly, better consistency.
Finally, Phil Jackson, who is under increasing scrutiny (cough. after being out-coached by Doc), made these comments about the future during Tuesday's press conference:“We have to get some players if we’re going to come back and repeat, to have that kind of aggressiveness that we need.”
There's a lot of talk already. It's going to be a long off-season.
The Lakers have a logjam at shooting forward with V-Rad, Walton, Ariza, and now presumably Odom when Gasol moves to PF.
Kupchak has some decisions to make.
I like Artest but he's not opting out. Which is a good thing. If the Lakers are in position salary cap wise after next season, they can sign him as an unrestricted free agent.
This is good news. I'm glad to see that AB isnt expecting big money. He hasnt played long or well enough yet to warrant a max deal yet. I do like the fact that they sound very hungry and willing to do the work required to get back to the top. This will hopefully be contagious throughout the squad. Because you know Kobe is going to be playing out of his mind next season to redeem this team and try to get back there again. I think this bodes well for the Lakers future.
LNSU
Last edited by coronaboy10 on June 19th at 10:10 AM.
Whatever they do, we need toughness and defensive minded players.
The problem is guys like Vlad and Luke have too many years remaining on their current deals.
Artest scares me. His attitude may not mesh with Kobe. He would bring toughness though.
Keep: Kobe, Bynum, Fish, Ariza & Gasol
Trade bait: Odom, Vlad, Luke, Farmar (I'm open to keeping these guys if no reasonable trade can be worked out)
Resign or let go depending on the cost: Sasha, Ronny
Bye, bye: Mbenga, Mihm, Newble
Go after Posey...he's a free agent.
I'm even open to bring back bench player Kwame for interior defense purposes if the price is right.
(I must be desperate, but at least we know what to expect from him)
Could be a long hot summer if Kobe decides to act up again...
We don't need to hold a fire sale, but the players do need to dedicate themselves to defense.
I agree bleed. they'll do what they need to do, plus, mitch has proved himself to us as of late.
here's my list.
Keep: Kobe, Andrew, Fish, Ariza, Gasol, Farmar, and Vujacic.
I love Farmar and Sasha because I can already see the day when those guys will be the one and two starters... say 5 or 6 years from now. To be able to have Jordan, Sash, and Andrew carry over into the future is going to be huge for the Lakers.
With Ronny, he totally seems like the kind of dude that would easily take less to remain on the Lakers, but I have a feeling he'll be courted by others. If he is willing to stay cheap to remain a Laker, then I don't think the front office would think twice about keeping him... just because he's him.
Trade bait: Lamar. He might be able to attract some big names.
Peace the F out: Vlad, Luke, and Mihm. Hopefully these guys can be packaged together to somewhere in the east for a couple of affordable workmen. It would take a HUGE financial burden of the Lakers..
Also, I like Artest and Posey... though my dad said that bringing Posey over would implement the Rick Fox rule. It's almost like fan probation until they prove themselves to be a true laker.
anyway, hopefull Kobe stays occupied with the Olympics this summer.
I'm a realistic observer of the vast world that surrounds the Los Angeles Lakers. You can thank Nick Van Exel, Eddie Jones, Elden Campbell, Cedric Ceballos, and Vlade Divac for making that possible. The greatest person of all time is Francis Dayle "Chick" Hearn. There's no getting around that. Me? I'm eighteen years old and working my way to a journalism degree.
