The Marion for Odom talk falls into the same category as all the other trade rumors put out by ESPN, just rumors. Also, I haven’t heard a peep from re being traded to it is unclear if he is still “unhappy.” He may be, but at this point all that is speculation and not really worth talking about.

Kurt (65),

I just saw your post at comment 58, which answered my question before I even asked it! Going forward, I’ll try to read the comments before commencing prattle.

In other news, Chris Mihm still looks atrocious and as much as it pains me to say this, not having Kwame to come off the bench for Bynum is really going to hurt us against the Celtics. Hopefully Ronny will be more productive tonight as his ailments have cleary slowed his otherwise hot start.

Although Fisher’s defense is at times suspect, the Fisher/Farmar combo at point is really turning out to be a welcome development for the team.

I’ll listen to suggestions on what guidelines people want but this is not going to be a site of free flowing trade ideas (as seemed to happen this summer). I don’t want a bunch of wannabe GMs filling up comments.

Well Marion for Odom was actually discussed by the teams… Marion continues to be unhappy in Phoenix and Odom seems to be straying off from the system.

From my POV, its called “reason to believe” …

Much like the Kobe to Chicago and the likes.

Just curious Kurt, what exactly qualifies as inappropriate trade talk?

A Laker team that I really like–both as individuals and as basketball players. Let’s start with the diamonds in the rough:

Sasha
Lamar
Kwame
Trevor

Sasha is a great shooter in practice that clanks in the game–a pesky defender that loses his man in key situatiohns–a player who’s been counted out for years, but comes back a little more reformed each time.

Lamar could be the most talented player on the Lakers team when he is not totally lost in space. He has the potential to be a triple double man most every night–but he never has. Lamar has lived on the edge of catastrophe for years, suffered in many ways–and it has mellowed him. Can he finally put it all together, or find his home somewhere else?

Kwame grew up surrounded by abuse growing up in South Carolina, only to find himself surrounded by a different kind of abuse as a basketball player in the NBA. Though he can contribute more, his defensive presence is part of a team defensive concept shared by Kobe, Derek, Ronny, and Luke. We need him back ASAP.

Trevor never shoots the three, but he can run the floor like a road runner. He will give Twinkletoes Brown a run for his money on defense, but may not make as high a percentage of free throws. He needs to learn how to hit that 15 footer consistently (while improving his free throw percentage). If he wants to have a permanent slot with the Lakers, he’ll figure out how to play lock down defense on guys like Stoyakovitch and Redd that have killed us this year.

Let’s add the reliable veterans:

Kobe
Derek
Luke
VladRad
Chris

Yes, I added VladRad–and Chris. These guys have dependable basic skills that they deliver on a regular basis. Derek can make the 3 to win a game–so can VladRad. Luke can make a rally out of nothing. Chris can reliably deliver 15 minutes right now–but he will do much more later in the season. Kobe can do everything–but he doesn’t have to do it alone! In fact, he mustn’t do it alone.

Now, the emerging stars:

Jordan
Ronny
Andrew

The Lakers wouldn’t be nearly the team they are this year without them. Ronny is the starting 4. Jordan will be the starting point guard in minutes if not in title. Andrew is playing years ahead of his time–and he only looks up at Yao Ming.

And the rookies:

Kobe Carl
Javaris

With Mo gone, both of them might get some minutes. In an emergency, Javaris could get some serious minutes.

And that empty slot will keep Warren coming up with at least ten trade scenarios per week.

The Smusher is long gone–and we don’t have Cookie to kick around any more.

I like these guys as a team, with all their imperfections, win or lose.

The situation right now is better than most of us could have imagined one month ago.

I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next.

Let’s all give thanks.

That and the Bucks are perfect at home. Probably one we should’ve got, but oh well.

“I’m super excited to be back home with my family, to be around a great organization, get a new start, get a chance to start over,” Ariza said.

The Lakers, who acquired Ariza from the Orlando Magic for Brian Cook and Mo Evans on Tuesday, are hoping Ariza can play strong defense at small forward and fill the lanes in transition on offense.