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#41
02-01-2008, 11:30 PM
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#43
02-02-2008, 11:14 PM
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The NBA should step in and disallow this trade. It's absolute robbery. I am sick over this. As much as I hate the Lakers, I don't want this. This move will assure that they stay in the playoff hunt while Bynum is out, which wasn't guaranteed to happen in the West. How the team will perform when Bynum is back remains to be seen though. They obviously have to be considered one of the favorites in the conference. But I'm not so sure how these guys fit together. Will Gasol's presence stunt Bynum's development? I think it could. As much as Odom is criticized, I think it's important for him to play a prominent role on this team in order for them to have any real success. Having Gasol will mean the ball is out of Odom's hands more than I think it should be. Gasol has never struck me as the kind of player that can play within an offense if he's not the focal point. Also, as much as Kwame Brown sucked, the ONE thing he was good for was being a big body to defend against some of the big guys in the West. Now that's gone and I'm not sure that is a role Gasol can play. Overall though, this won't hurt the Lakers. I think it cements their spot in the top three in the conference. And finally, we'll get a chance to see if Kobe Bryant can indeed LEAD a team to a title. He's got a team now that if he's capable, they can do it. Now, we'll se if the comparisons to Michael Jordan are legit. I don't think they are.
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The real horses of the year (1986-2020) Manila, Java Gold, Alysheba, Sunday Silence, Go for Wand, In Excess, Paseana, Kotashaan, Holy Bull, Cigar, Alphabet Soup, Formal Gold, Skip Away, Artax, Tiznow, Point Given, Azeri, Candy Ride, Smarty Jones, Ghostzapper, Invasor, Curlin, Zenyatta, Zenyatta, Goldikova, Havre de Grace, Wise Dan, Wise Dan, California Chrome, American Pharoah, Arrogate, Gun Runner, Accelerate, Maximum Security, Gamine
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#44
02-02-2008, 11:56 PM
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Im glad the Lakers got this done because it will really be interesting to see how the work Gasol in. I think he is very talented. But... Gasol is somewhat of a headcase imo. He is an unknown under pressure. Gasol is definitely NOT a leader. Popovich loves this. All the attention goes elsewhere, Spurs get healthy, and bring the TV ratings for the Finals down yet again.
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#45
02-03-2008, 10:14 AM
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Being a "leader" would be a negative in LA because everybody knows there is only one top dog there, including Phil Jackson. Popovich surely does NOT love this. Because the Lakers now are a much bigger threat and present huge matchup problems for the Spurs if they were to meet.
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#46
02-03-2008, 10:18 AM
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#47
02-03-2008, 11:30 AM
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Same person? I think so.
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#48
02-03-2008, 12:12 PM
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I was joking about the NBA not allowing the trade. I know they wouldn't do it. I had it in my mind what they did back in the 1980's because of the Cleveland Cavs. I'm not sure if I have all the details exactly right on it but the Cavs had in two or three straight seasons dealt away their top pick in the draft so the NBA stepped in and created what was called the Ted Stepien Rule. I believe it forbid teams to do that anymore. The point was that they put in a rule to stop teams from hurting themselves continually. So I was joking that the NBA should not allow it because it was so grossly uneven that it seemed like Memphis' only objective was to help the Lakers and in no way help themselves. It is a great trade for the Lakers. Adding an all-star like Gasol is perfect for them...right now. I wasn't sure that while Bynum was out, the Lakers were going to be able to hold on to a top eight position in the West. They are currently in sixth, only 2.5 games over #9 Portland and 3.0 games over #10 Houston. They are on an extended road trip right now and it's not inconceivable to have seen them fall out of the top eight and therefore, out of a playoff spot in Bynum's absence. Now, with Gasol in there, they should be able to maintain their level of play until Bynum gets back. In essence, while he's much more than that obviously, Gasol in the interim is like the perfect "stop gap measure". When I say that it could hurt them, I mean down the line. I am not sure how Gasol will blend with Odom and especially with Bynum. Bynum was really coming along and his development is, I think, key to the Lakers' success. If he's dropped down a little bit in the pecking order of the offense, how will he respond? There was a noticeable difference in his level of play from when he was a starter and had a prominent role in the offense and when he was a reserve. Also, with Brown gone and until Bynum comes back, they have to worry about defending big men in the West. I think that the defense is going to suffer a little bit with Gasol in there. But at the same time, the increased offense could overshadow that. Overall, I was only mentioning that I think these things are things to keep under consideration as potential problems and that the addition of Gasol doesn't automatically elevate the team to the top of the Western standings, that it remains to be seen. Personally, I think it will work out but I'm not as automatically sold as some others seem to be. Sort of like an all that glitters is not gold outlook. As for Kobe and his leadership, I think he's got to win or else. He has always wanted to be the leader of a championship team. Everyone knows that the titles the Lakers won, Shaq was the driving force behind them. Now, Kobe's got his time to prove his leadership abilities. His brilliance as an offensive star (sometimes defensive too) are unquestioned. But there is a difference in being able to be great and being able to lead. The truly great ones are the ones that lead their teams to titles or at least to their highest possible levels. Kobe complained that the Lakers weren't committed to getting him the help he's needed. Well, with Bynum's improvement, the bringing back of a veteran point guard in Fisher, and now the trade for another all-star, they've given him the pieces to do some big things. Kobe has the team that he needs to prove himself as a true leader. This team is arguably better than the first three teams that Jordan led to titles. Kobe's got to put up or shut up, IMO. Now, I will back off a little and say that he doesn't have to win the title. But I do think that he's got to reach the finals to show that he can take a team that far on his own, without Shaq. I think Kobe would be the first to admit that it's time for him to prove himself in that area.
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The real horses of the year (1986-2020) Manila, Java Gold, Alysheba, Sunday Silence, Go for Wand, In Excess, Paseana, Kotashaan, Holy Bull, Cigar, Alphabet Soup, Formal Gold, Skip Away, Artax, Tiznow, Point Given, Azeri, Candy Ride, Smarty Jones, Ghostzapper, Invasor, Curlin, Zenyatta, Zenyatta, Goldikova, Havre de Grace, Wise Dan, Wise Dan, California Chrome, American Pharoah, Arrogate, Gun Runner, Accelerate, Maximum Security, Gamine
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#50
02-03-2008, 01:45 PM
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Gasol does not present a matchup problem for the Spurs. For Phoenix, Dallas, yes. The Spurs not really. Now Kidd would cause problems for the Spurs.
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#51
02-03-2008, 04:23 PM
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#52
02-03-2008, 08:15 PM
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He did during Olympic qualifying. Imagine how Kobe would feel with someone much better than him at running the break took over. I dont think that lineup would work. Golden State would tear that up. Not enough ball handlers or perimeter D. I would like the Lakers to present that lineup along with Fischer at point. Thats a ready made lineup to ball pressure. Actually, I would love the Lakers to run that against a healthy Parker, Ginobili, and Bowen. Bring in Udoka on Odom. I think that particular group of 4 wont work except in special situations.
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#53
02-03-2008, 10:28 PM
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#54
02-03-2008, 10:40 PM
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Im a junky that hates stats. Too much college also. Can you tell me how Duke is going to beat teams that are big? They shoot the heck out of the ball, but I just dont see them going far with that lack of size. Watched Dallas and Detroit today. Have been very impressed by Maxiel. Gasol, Bynum, Odom, Kobe.. and take your pick. Thats just not enough perimeter D with too many guys that work close to the basket.
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#55
02-03-2008, 10:57 PM
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Gasol and Bynum are both athletic enough to guard smaller big men. Odom doesnt do much more than float anyway and Kobe can be as good as anyone on defense. The Lakers also have enough depth to mix and match on the run. I really like the possibilities and want to resind my Spurs farther than the Lakers bet. The Lakers are a very serious threat. Dallas looks like they are totally out of synch. Detroit has some impressive guys on the bench. They need to play some of them like Affalo, Herrmann, Amir Johnson and Stuckey. Those guys can contribute solid minutes id given a chance to play. Johnson is averaging 3 rebounds a game which doesnt sound like much but he only averages 7 minuts a game. Stuckey is going to be solid and Herrmann, despite being funky looking is a really solid player who always plays hard.
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#56
02-03-2008, 11:08 PM
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I will also hold of on the LA, San Antonio bet for one reason (actually two). Parker. If Parker comes back at full strength, and then we actually have a legitmate back up in Stoudamire on offense. We are better than last year. We also need Barry back (2nd player we need). If those guys make it back at full strength, I will take the bet with you. I like Stuckey based on today. Maxiel is a beast. Detroit needed a tougher guy than R. Wallace and McDyess.
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#57
02-03-2008, 11:18 PM
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I hate to break it to you but Stoudamire is a shoot first guy who cant guard anybody. I can see him as an instant offense guy off the bench who plays in spurts but it is not playing to his strengths to play a pure point. Barry is never going to be full strength this year. Horry has been pitiful (he is like 60 years old).
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#58
02-03-2008, 11:25 PM
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I am now fat enough to beat him up. You may be right about Barry. Horry has not been good but I never count this guy out. I wanted him let go every year.
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#59
02-03-2008, 11:35 PM
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Horry is shooting 18% from the field. He should be able to shoot 18% from half court. I also think that Parker may not get back to 100% especially considering how he depends on his legs for his whole game. A heel spur can be a bitch, a long nagging injury. Storm Cadet could probably give us a little more indepth injury analysis.
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#60
02-03-2008, 11:47 PM
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Wallace has always hacked me off because he refuses to play down low in the tough part of games because he cant handle getting shoved around. If Wallace could control his temper and realize he can post up WITHOUT falling away and draw fouls in the last part of games. Getting to the foul line in the crunch is not his forte. I really think he just cant take the physical contact required by his team at the end of games. Therefore I think he is pansy as s. I really do. McDyess has gone thru so many injuries I cant really pee on him.
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