2013-2014 NBA Season

[T3hRaven]

Who would be right player even be? I don't know about you second statement but overall, the West is most definitely deeper than several years ago. Tons of variables but I just don't see the Lakers being relevant unless a lot goes their way. 

 

That's the ~$80 million question.  I know they want Lebron, but that's probably not going to happen.

 

The West is certainly deeper, but I don't think there's a truly dominant team.  I wouldn't put anything past Kobe in the playoffs, if he has enough help.

[Gordo52]

Kobe probably saw what happened to Rose and jumped on getting a new deal. Anything could happen at any time

[cursona pirate]

Hope the Twolves take down the Pacers tonight. Im actually shooting some hoops at 7 for the first time since gym class.

[T3hRaven]

Kobe probably saw what happened to Rose and jumped on getting a new deal. Anything could happen at any time

He was offered another $48 million and will remain the league's highest paid player. I don't think there's much more to it than that.

[Geving]

Stupid move by the Lakers. 

[Gordo52]

He was offered another $48 million and will remain the league's highest paid player. I don't think there's much more to it than that.

I thought they were trying to extend him a while ago. I'm just saying Kobe might of said, "OK. Let's get this deal done"

[BloodRaven]

Stupid move by the Lakers. 

 

Well it's that and the hope they can lure some talent to put around him or they become the new Celtics.

[flaccopoe]

For the sake of his career, I'm glad that Derrick Rose's surgery will shelve him for the rest of the season. Because had they been unable to repair his meniscus, they would've had to shave it down. He would've been able to return within two weeks, but it would've meant risking bone on bone contact. The same thing that happened to Brandon Roy.

POR was stupid for letting him play 8 days after surgery.

[Ed_Reed20]

That's the ~$80 million question.  I know they want Lebron, but that's probably not going to happen.

 

The West is certainly deeper, but I don't think there's a truly dominant team.  I wouldn't put anything past Kobe in the playoffs, if he has enough help.

 

Even without a truly dominant team, the Lakers are so far off the pace, they can't compete with the top guns. It's highly unlikely Kobe will get that help either. This article breaks down the contract fallout perfectly.  

 

Excerpts like these say it all:

 

Making Bryant the highest-paid player in the NBA over the next two seasons is, objectively, not a smart thing.

 

The deal also kills the Lakers' dreamy goals of bringing two max-level stars to team with Bryant this summer. The Lakers could have, at most, about $21.5 million in cap space this summer if they retain Steve Nash's full salary. And even that figure assumes the following:

 

• L.A. renounces its rights to Pau Gasol, and does not re-sign him;

 

• The Lakers pick around no. 14 or no. 15 in the draft;

 

• The Lakers sign zero other players before luring Star Player X in free agency, so that the empty remaining roster spots carry minimum charges of only about $500,000 each.

 

Again: The deal makes sense in its own way, and it’s only a two-year extension. The Lakers will have an honest chance at unrestricted free agents that crop up after 2015-16, a group that could include Roy Hibbert, Brook Lopez, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and Kevin Love, a long-rumored Laker (and Knick) free-agent target. But Love can opt out of his deal after next season (KAAAHHNNNNN!!!!!!!), and the new CBA makes it so that players should enter free agency at the first possible moment in order to secure a max-level long-term deal right away — before injury, a new and more restrictive CBA, or some other variable can pop up. In that scenario, Love would hit the open market in the summer of 2015, with Bryant still clogging up the Lakers' books. Hibbert and Lopez can do the same if they decline their own player options. The Lakers will have a hard time signing any big free agents that summer, especially if they give out even one big-money multi-year deal in the interim (i.e., this summer) to Gasol or someone else.

 

 

The Celtics are now the envy of every front-office executive who craves a rebuilding challenge, provided the challenge comes with some nice resources. The Lakers are an expensive mediocrity overpaying a franchise star in decline.

[T3hRaven]

For the record, I didn't say it was a good move.  I'm just saying don't count the Lakers out next season.  But the reality is there was no way the Lakers weren't going to re-sign Kobe.  He makes them a ton of money in marketing and merchandise.

[Guest Mr. Nobody]

Even without a truly dominant team, the Lakers are so far off the pace, they can't compete with the top guns. It's highly unlikely Kobe will get that help either. This article breaks down the contract fallout perfectly.  

Excerpts like these say it all:

 

fun spoiler lol, can't you just let me be happy for a moment? Kobe is back! Lakers are a much better team with him in one leg and hands tied behind his back than him not playing at all

[Ed_Reed20]

fun spoiler lol, can't you just let me be happy for a moment? Kobe is back! Lakers are a much better team with him in one leg and hands tied behind his back than him not playing at all

 

Wish ya'll the best. 

[flaccopoe]

For the record, I didn't say it was a good move.  I'm just saying don't count the Lakers out next season.  But the reality is there was no way the Lakers weren't going to re-sign Kobe.  He makes them a ton of money in marketing and merchandise.

 

Especially in Tinseltown, what with its star fetish.

[flaccopoe]

LAL @ WAS, tonight on NBA TV!

[-Truth-]

POR was stupid for letting him play 8 days after surgery.

 

He did return sooner than anticipated. The unfortunate part of the situation with Roy was that he had to have his meniscus shaved down. The issue was degenerative, and after several years in the NBA, he lacked the cartilage in his knees. It was such a shame since Roy was one of my favorite players.

[Ed_Reed20]

Good to see Wall continuing to light it up. 

[flaccopoe]

Good to see Wall continuing to light it up. 

 

Ariza too!

[Gordo52]

That 360 dunk Wall did last night was sick. Only thing WSH needs is a legit scoring threat.

Imagine the assists Wall would get. He's averaging 8.9 with the current group. Unfortuante I don't think Otto Porter is the guy, FA is the way to go IMO.

[-Truth-]

That 360 dunk Wall did last night was sick. Only thing WSH needs is a legit scoring threat.

Imagine the assists Wall would get. He's averaging 8.9 with the current group. Unfortuante I don't think Otto Porter is the guy, FA is the way to go IMO.

 

Bradley Beal looks to be a legit scoring threat.

[codizzle]

That 360 dunk Wall did last night was sick. Only thing WSH needs is a legit scoring threat.

Imagine the assists Wall would get. He's averaging 8.9 with the current group. Unfortuante I don't think Otto Porter is the guy, FA is the way to go IMO.

Bradley beal has been scoring nicely

[FerrariFan87]

Yeah, too bad Beal is injured again... kid's been injury-prone, unfortunately.

[Gordo52]

Yeah but he don't strike any fear in defenses. He's definitely progressed from last year already.

And like Ferrari Fan said he seems really injury prone.

They need a consistent scoring threat in their front court. I'm really excited to see Porter play though. I guess I'm also just still mad about Georgetown ruining my bracket last year.

[SecretAgentMan]

That 360 dunk Wall did last night was sick. Only thing WSH needs is a legit scoring threat.

Imagine the assists Wall would get. He's averaging 8.9 with the current group. Unfortuante I don't think Otto Porter is the guy, FA is the way to go IMO.

Porter isn't going to be a superstar scorer. What he should become is an elite defender and good rebounder. He develops a better shot and he should be a guy Wall looks to a lot for a 3.

Beal is a nice scorer, but is always injured.

[BloodRaven]

For the record, I didn't say it was a good move.  I'm just saying don't count the Lakers out next season.  But the reality is there was no way the Lakers weren't going to re-sign Kobe.  He makes them a ton of money in marketing and merchandise.

 

They'll probably pick up Lowry or Bledsoe and a big name max contract, I think they'll make a lot of noise next season.

[gabefergy]

They'll probably pick up Lowry or Bledsoe and a big name max contract, I think they'll make a lot of noise next season.

I think Bledsoe stays in Phx.

[T3hRaven]

They'll probably pick up Lowry or Bledsoe and a big name max contract, I think they'll make a lot of noise next season.

 

Those aren't bad moves either.  Lowry is a pretty decent PG, definitely better than Steve Nash at this point.  In retrospect, the hype surrounding Nash's acquisition was way too much.

[BloodRaven]

Those aren't bad moves either.  Lowry is a pretty decent PG, definitely better than Steve Nash at this point.  In retrospect, the hype surrounding Nash's acquisition was way too much.

 

It looked good on paper but so did Howard, I think they'll pick up players who fit the scheme.

[Gordo52]

Westbrooks back

[Ed_Reed20]

Dirty pass by Born Ready. 

[Guest Mr. Nobody]

Lakers have winning record and Kobe's yet to play... ohh the thrill