Comments on: Summer League Stats, Thoughts

By: cahuitero

cahuitero — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 06:27:41 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLTJ5AptyPs&feature=related

By: cahuitero

cahuitero — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 06:16:48 +0000

DENG vs ARIZA
LO for Deng seems like a no-brainer for the Lakers but then there’s the luxury tax and everything that goes with that.

And the numbers between Deng and Ariza are strikingly similar per 40 MIN. Deng avgs 6 more points per 40min than Ariza but then Ariza has a better reputation as a defender and is more athletic (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1v6OIFNme6w).

So, is it possible that the discrepency in their salaries does not accurately reflect the parity in their talent level? I would love Luol Deng as Laker but Trevor Ariza appears worthy of chance to prove himself as a starter. I wouldn’t mind waiting to see what happens in 6-10 months before handing Deng $60 mil or so for the next 5 years. Ariza may be the answer at half that price.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/players/hollinger?playerId=2426&univLogin02=stateChanged

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/players/hollinger?playerId=2429

By: Kurt

Kurt — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:48:00 +0000

New post up, a round up talking more general NBA and Olympics than Lakers because, well, there is not a lot of Lakers news.

By: Darius

Darius — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:45:34 +0000

I know that this barely affects us at all, but the Warriors traded for Marcus Williams, PG from the Nets. I always liked Williams and think he’s going to be a pretty good player for the Warriors. Anyways, the Warriors aren’t quite replacing Baron, but they’re not standing pat and wallowing in the misery of losing a franchise type guy either. They’re rebuilding this team with some young guys and, to me at least, their future is still pretty bright with Monta, Biedrins, Wright, Randolph, and now Williams.

By: chris h

chris h — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:50:28 +0000

by the way, while I posted the clip from hoopsworld, I am not advocating trading LO. i think we should give this team a chance to develop together, with LO at the three, and with the versatility PJ will have with so many 6’8″ and taller players to switch around at the 3, 4 and 5 positions.

By: chris h

chris h — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:46:31 +0000

drrayeye, sasha sashay’s…funny
say this 3 times
sasha sashays into unique new york to buy a toy boat

By: The Fanalyst

The Fanalyst — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:35:38 +0000

Trading with Chicago won’t happen until at earliest mid-season. The Bulls will probably be a 7-10 seed playoff cusp team by the all-star break and the Lakers will know what to make of LO at the 3 (or wherever they land). Also, Bynum’s status should be more clear as far as his physical being and contract talks. No reason for a Finals appearance to lead to wholesale changes until this squad (minus Ronny) proves they need a lift. Health, as widely pointed out, is our biggest off-season triumph.

But man, some people can get testy here in the off-season. Lots of defensive intensity to burn with no hoops action to holler at, I guess. Please bring on Beijing asap or some of us might kill each other…

By: Darius

Darius — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:02:48 +0000

Almost every team in the league should be looking to fleece the Bulls right now. They’ve got some (seemingly) disgrutled RFA’s in Deng/Gordon, a quality PG that actually plays defense in Kirk, a *warrior* type of Vet that has a contract that actually decreases in the upcoming years in Nocioni (BTW, Heinrich’s contract is like that as well), and some young guys that I think have a real future in this league in Noah and Thomas. I know they’ve got a new coach that would probably like to see how all these guys pan out in his system before anyone is dealt away, but you never know what Paxon will do until you ask.

Kurt is right though about trading Odom for any one of those high salaried players (either currently high salaried or potentially high salaried like Deng), we’d be in cap HELL once Bynum is re-upped.

By: kwame a.

kwame a. — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:43:40 +0000

I agree D-Ray, the Bulls may have to move some parts and Mitch should keep an eye on what plays out.

By: drrayeye

drrayeye — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:35:24 +0000

I believe that Chicago might be a very good trade partner for the Lakers, but I never thought that Luol Deng was possible. I’ve had other possibilities in mind.

Deng probably isn’t possible–but it’s fun to speculate.

I don’t think that the Lakers are ready for serious negotiations with anyone yet for a major trade.