A funny thing happened on the way to the Forum – the Lakers signed Steve Nash. Like many, I was idly sifting through twitter when the first rumblings began. Disbelief turned to giddiness and my 4th of July evening was lost to the internet. It’s been a while since I’ve seen such a dramatic spike in articles posted. Darius turned up the magnification on a deal that is most certainly value added. There’s a lot of other great reads on the subject, the list below is only a small sampling:
Brian Kamenetzky at the Land O’Lakers gives us a rundown on other guards that Kobe has been paired with, over the years.
Brian also participated in a 5-on-5 with Ramona Shelburne, J.A. Adande, Zach Harper, and Brian Windhorst.
C.A. Clark at Silver Screen and Roll says the Lakers have gone supernova.
Sekou Smith at NBA.com reports that Pau Gasol wants in on the Nash party.
Kevin Ding at the OC Register writes about the commonality between Nash and Kobe.
Mark Heisler contributes a piece for Hoopshype, about the grandson of Showtime.
Kurt Helin at ProBasketballTalk writes about Pau Gasol staying put.
Bill Plaschke at the L.A. Times says getting Nash is a steal.
Mark Medina at the Times offers five things to look at with the Nash trade.
Mike Bresnahan at the Times breaks down the deal, and the reasons for Nash’s decision.
Rey-Rey at The No-Look Pass considers how Nash will fit with his new team.
Gabriel Lee at Lakers Nation offers an iPhone upgrade analogy.
Kelly Dwyer at Ball Don’t Lie looks at the cracks in the Nash schematic.
Adrian Wojnarowski at Yahoo looks at the next possible step with the Dwight Howard question still looming.
Steve McPherson at Hardwood Paroxysm writes about Kobe and the burden of surrendering control.
***
There comes a point at which the list of links has to end. I’ve been reading and thinking about Steve Nash for the better part of a night and a day. And when I’m not reading words on a page, I’m imagining beautiful basketball patterns on the court. I always wondered how a supremely creative and intuitive player like Nash would have functioned in the triangle as opposed to his natural pick and roll instincts. We’ll never have the answer to that, but we will get to see two of the all-time greats in an extended swan song jam.
– Dave Murphy
Hale says
If Dwight Howard were to traded to the Lakers (not my preference) how would the spacing issues on O be any different than a Bynum/Gasol set? Brown will have to prove me wrong about him this year no matter who the starting center will be come season start.
sbdunks says
The spacing issues would remain the same. However, we’d have a center who plays defense night in and night out, not just on the rare occasions that he feels like it. He’s also a bigger lob threat and would be able to rim run in transition with Nash leading the break.
MannyP says
I only have one complaint regarding the above links: Please never, ever, ever, ever, ever again put a link to a Plaschke article. Thank you.
Aaron says
The Nash deal makes Pau Gasol more valuable to the Lakers… Not because I think he will be the young dominant PnR PF he was years ago… But because now the Lakers have the leverage. They can say to other teams “Hey… We don’t want to give up Gasol anymore since we got Nash… We think they will be great together.” when in reality Nash needs floor spacers. He didn’t look as good in his prime with both Shaq and Amare on the floor. The Lakers still need a floor spacing PF but now they have the leverage they need to turn Pau into great peices.
extrabeefy says
In response to post #3,
Also never, ever, ever link a Kelly Dwyer post as well.
…
Great pickup for the Lakers. Can’t wait for the season to start. Also, what is the hold up on extending Jordan Hill?
Toli says
Instead of DH, imagine swaping Bynum for Tyson Chandler and Toney Doughlas or iman shumpert
It would fit this roster perfectly and will in effect kill off a lot of salary in 2014/2015 when steve nash and everyone else salary went down…
T. Rogers says
sbdunks,
That’s all providing he can still move the way he did before. Eric Pincus had a piece at Hoopsworld where he writes the Lakers have real concerns about Howard’s back. Plus, it seems Howard is healing slower than was expected to the point where there is doubt he can begin the season on time.
Aaron says
Not that I thought I would be that much smarter than the Lakers FO… But…
It appears they understand it’s a strong likley hood Dwigh Howard will never be the same player again.
http://www.hoopsworld.com/nba-pm-lakers-afraid-of-howards-back
In other news RJ Bell from Pregame.com says Vegas thinks “the Lakers should not make the Bynum/Howard trade.”
David Rivers says
Nash has more league MVPs than Kobe.
kehntangibles says
Even without Howard’s back problem, I’m still wary of exchanging him for Bynum – if we think Bynum’s knucklehead ways are problematic (and they are), that’s nothing compared to the drama Orlando with through with Howard. I’ll trust Mitch either way, but to me this is one case where the sexier move (Howard) isn’t the optimal one for us.
Kevin_ says
Lakers are as worried with Howard’s back as they are with Bynum’s knees. Not buying it.
Both centers have injury concerns both have maturity issues. Said it before but seems like Lakers are letting it be known their way or the highway.
Kevin_ says
Dwight had Nine 20-20 games last year
Dwight last game vs Lakers 21 pts 23 reb vs both bigs
25pts 24 reb and 24 pts 25 reb vs Miami respectively.
20 pts 22 reb the last game he played vs Sixers
He’s a game changer. We don’t see these numbers from anyone else besides K. Love. It’s a no brainer if you ask me.
KenOak says
I hope that we take the chance on his back and make the trade. You’re right Kevin_.
He is a game changer and he plays hard on the defensive end of the court every single night. I claim that he would pair up better with Nash too. Bynum is not nearly as polished in the PnR as Howard. (Although Bynum’s post up game is absolutely better.)
Aaron says
As usual I go with Vegas for all the reason I’ve already stated. Bell was saying all this even with the assumption that Dwight would be healthy (which is why he said it wouldn’t make sense for the Lakers).
T. Rogers says
Kevin,
It’s not the same. Yes, both players are injury risks. The difference is we know what Bynum looks like on the floor right now while playing with that risk. Not only is Howard’s ability to play up to his old standard in doubt, their is a chance he won’t even be able to start the season on time.
Looking at stats of what he did in the past doesn’t tell us anything about how he will look in October, or whenever he begins next season.
snowmassdave says
Bynum is not the force Howard is, plain and simple. Howard plays hard pretty much all the time. Gotta get him if we get a chance. Just more dynamic overall. Bynum faded in key playoff games in the second half and after years in the league, not sure we can count on him maturing anytime soon. He parks in handicap spaces, for Gosh sakes. Get Howard and we got a real shot at another title.
Kevin_ says
Bynum is playing it safe at 24 years old getting a shot in the knee at asb and going over to germany this offseason. It’s not a sure thing anybody in the nba will play a full season.
When Bynum starts a full 82 games playing 35 mins which is what will be asked of him. Then some of his injury concerns will be put to rest.
Nash would make either player better.
Aaron says
T Rogers,
What some people don’t understand is that all injuries aren’t created equal. No player has ever been permanently effected by the knee injuries Bynum has had. Most players who have the surgery Howard just had never are able to play the same way again. It’s weird people don’t understand this. It’s like having Microfracture or ACL surgery. It’s not the same as other injuries. Why can’t people understand this? Best case scenerio if Healthy Dwight is the slightest of upgrade over Bynum. That’s if Bynum doesn’t improve which it looks like he will.
Michael H says
Difference between Howard’s back and Andrew’s knees is Howard just has had surgery, reports out say he is healing very slowly and could miss part of the season. What Andrew did is a preventative procedure same as Kobe. He will only be down a few days.
We are in win now mode. If Howard can’t play for awhile that could be a huge setback in playoff seeding. That is the concern.
Michael H says
Luke Walton is a prime example of what disk problems can do to a player. He went from decent role player to glued to the pine, even in the triangle because he just couldn’t play at the same level anymore.
Snoopy2006 says
I was one of the most anti-Howard posters on here. But even I’ll admit that with this Nash move, Howard makes more sense for the team than Bynum. Howard is a far more lethal threat on the PnR than Bynum.
With that said, I’d still only be in favor of the move after seeing Howard healthy. I’ve got serious concerns about the back and I’m glad the Lakers FO feels the same.
Jesse P – just saw your post a few threads back. My post wasn’t directed at you. To be honest, I don’t remember any of your original posts on the topic. They were intended for other posters who were less reasonable and more bombastic in their criticisms.
mindcrime says
I’ve been a Bynum-basher on a myriad of occasions of late–particularly during the playoffs. But if the rumors (and they are rumors, I know) going around that Howard’s recovery has been slow are true–Thanks, but no thanks. For all of Drew’s issues at times this year, Howard’s self-inflicted drama-queen, coach-killer, three-ring circus dwarfs them by comparison. Unless ORL makes an offer that can’t be refused—stick with Bynum and see what happens.
Hale says
Bynum is the devil you know. I don’t trust Howard nor his back. A big part of Brown’s excuse was lack of practice time. If Howard is not ready by training camp then that will be another built in excuse for failure. If Bynum is to stay and he squanders the opportunity of having an expert ball distributor orchestrate the offense, then I’d question his intellect ala Kendrick Perkins. I guess we’ll see who makes the cut.
Dave M. says
I agree that Howard’s back is an issue. I’ve lived with disc problems for a lot of years and they’re no fun. I have to trust management on this one though – they are hyper aware of injury situations and deal with them on a day-by-day, sometimes hour-by-hour basis. I can’t see them trading Andrew away if they’re not completely signed off on Dwight’s status.
Cdog says
This has nothing to do with trade speculation, just a comparison of injuries. . .
Jan 13, 2008 – Bynum partially dislocated left kneecap when he landed on Odom’s foot. 4 months laters – he had to have arthroscopic surgery on that kneecap.
February 2, 2009 – Bynum tore is right MCL when Kobe fell on his knee.
Game 6, Rd. 1 of 2010 Playoffs – Bynum tears a meniscus in his knee. Plays through it in the playoffs, was a shell of himself, and then delayed surgery in the summer so that he could watch soccer.
April 12, 2011 – Bynum hyperextended his right knee against the Spurs – bone bruise.
Miraculously, no injuries last year.
So Bynum has had (1) arthroscopic surgery for a torn kneecap, (2) surgery for a torn MCL, and (3) Surgery for a torn meniscus, with some other light injuries here and there.
Dwight Howard has had 1 injury – a herniated disk requiring a discectomy. In case you are wondering, according to webmd:
“If you work in an office, you may go back to work in 2 to 4 weeks. If your job requires physical labor (such as lifting or operating machinery that vibrates) you may be able to go back to work 4 to 8 weeks after surgery.”
I have had some experience training adult triathletes – I trained the swimming portion for those people- and I know of 3 people that were back to fully training after a lower back discectomy, including the pounding of the running, within 4 months.
One person completed their iron man a year and a half after the surgery.
Howard will likely lose some of his athleticism a little quicker than father time had intended. However, consider that he played with a herniated disc for two months – playing through the pain – and was still a monster defensively.
So I do question how much he will be limited.
With Dwight, there is certainly uncertainness with his injury – because back surgeries can have complications down the line.
But with Drew, there is certainty. He has a bum knee and struggles to get up and down the court.
Just remember – reports are out that Dwight was struggling with his back as early as January of this year.
On January 9, 2012 the Lakers lost to the Orlando Magic 92-80. Dwight Howard played 46 minutes, and had 21 points and 23 Rebounds.
Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol, combined, played 67 minutes and had 23 points and 22 rebounds.
Bynum himself had 10 points and 12 rebounds and was in foul trouble because of Dwight throughout the night.
Craig W. says
Cdog,
I have to call you on one point.
“Game 6, Rd. 1 of 2010 Playoffs – Bynum tears a meniscus in his knee. Plays through it in the playoffs, was a shell of himself, and then delayed surgery in the summer so that he could watch soccer.”
There was no need to comment about how he delayed the surgery. He checked with the Laker doctors and they told him there was no hurry. The fact was, it wasn’t until the surgery was done – and the doctor found more damage than expected – that the extended healing time was dictated.
It was the “talking heads” that made all this all Bynum’s fault. Since I am always on a crusade against the constant “talking head” misinformation that is spouted by the media, it is my duty to point this stuff out.
Your analysis, otherwise, was quite to the point.
KenOak says
Cdog.
This this this. Dwight howard has almost zero injury history aside from the back. On the other hand bynum is a walking/hobbling injury. He labors up and down the court and has already lost some athleticism.
I’m a gambler. “Time to toss the dice.”
rr says
I am not a doctor or a trainer, but the knee injuries have already permanently affected Bynum: he plays like he is about 32. Bynum actually reminds me some of Patrick Ewing in that respect. He is huge, tough and well-coordinated–but slow both up and down the off it.
The platelet procedure may help, of course.
As to Howard, no idea. That is a medical issue. I will just have to wait and see him play, either in a Lakers uniform or someone else’s.
Aaron says
For those who think Bynum has lost athletisim… The eye test and athletisim measurements like rebounds, blocks, and FG percentage say something else. Last year playing almost everyday in a condensed season Bynum looked like a monster. You don’t block ten shots in a playoff game (something only freak athletes like Hakeem and Abdul Jabar had done ) without doing crazy stupid athletic things. Yes… Sometime he runs loose like Hakeem and Duncan used to do but that doesnt make you slow. Guys that run like Tom Cruise and Dwight Howard usually suffer back problems anyways. All those injuries you described don’t effect athletism. They just don’t. Especially not at 21 years old. Bynum was doing things last year athletically he never has done before from an athletic stand point. And doing so while playing a career high in minutes. Will Bynum get hurt again? Probably. But so far history says it will be due to injuries he can make complete recoveries from. So far Howard’s says even if he recovers fully from this one (something few have) he will most likley have to fight this for a long time. Again… This isn’t a high risk high reward gamble. Everyone can see that right? Sticking with Andrew is a lower risk/ higher reward sittuation. Andrew is younger, less experienced, taller, longer, stronger, and more skilled. Even if Howard returns to full strength Bynum might still be the best Center next year. There is a very good chance of that. I have been on record saying before the Howard back surgery that although Bynum had the higher ceiling I didn’t want to gamble on Bynums health. Well… I’m saying the same thing now if Howard didn’t have back surgery. I would rather have Howard even though he doesmt have the same ceiling. But Howard had serious back surgery. Something that had crippled the athletisim of every player except Scottie Pippen. Pippen is the exeption to the rule. Howard might be the second. He might be. But I wouldn’t bet on it.
KenOak says
rr- Exactly. A hobbling Patrick Ewing is a perfect comparison except that Bynum doesn’t have his range.
Only time will tell…
Mojo- I would much rather move Pau for Dirk and pair up Bynum/Dirk or Howard/Dirk. That would be the perfect complement. No way that either of those trades happen, of course!
Holy crap. Rumor mill is saying that Dwight will sign an extension with the Lakers if he is traded here. Many grains of salt!
Dave says
Swapping the number 1 and 2 centers in the league doesn’t have much of an impact on the significant remaining issues that the Lakers face.
We now have 2 aging superstar guards which I’m fine with, but they will need lots of rest over the course of an 82 game season.
If Brown doesn’t have the guns off the bench he’ll play those guys 35 to 40 mins. We need reserve help across the board, especially at guard.
I don’t know where that’s going to come from, certainly not from the 2nd round picks of last year who are roster fillers at best IMO.
But regardless, Dwight Howard doesn’t begin to address any part of that problem.
If we fall apart when our starters are resting as we’ve done the past several seasons, we won’t compete with OKC or Miami.
We have the starting five now. We need a bench. Not a center.
Kevin_ says
Avg. last 5 years: 20.6 pts 13.9 reb 2.4 blks 3.7 off reb 10.7 FTA
3 time defensive player of the year
Best 3 players ever played with: Jammer Nelson, Hedo Turkoglu, Rashard Lewis
Please don’t let back surgery jade your vision. It’s still not close.
KenOak says
Dave @31
You are absolutely right. There is still the issue of a shooter to spread the floor. However, if you need a new car and you have the opportunity to trade in a $50 bill for a $100 dollar bill, do you decline to do that because it doesn’t get you all the way to that new car? Or, do you make that trade because it is a good trade to make?
Kevin_ says
Howard would literally be Bill Russell playing alonside Pau. Rebounds and Block shots.
Dwight has a motor, gets putback dunks, elite on PnR offense and defense, finishes at the rim and brings a fear factor on defense. Bynum does none of this.
I don’t want to continue to say it til I’m blue in the face. But if you put Dwight at C with this lineup. Nobody is stopping us.
Kevin_ says
Dave: My hope is all the 1st and 2nd year players get rotation minutes. To try and develop some talent for the future. Two of Lakers big 4 will be on the floor at all times. I think it could work.
MannyP says
I don’t like Bynum. I’ve said this many times here do I won’t bore you all with a recap.
I also agree that DHoward is the type of dominating sturdy player I’d like to see in a Laker uniform.
However, this Nash move tells me the Lakers want a title now before Kobe’s window closes and we run into a situation where we can’t afford to keep Kobe, Pau and Bynum (or Howard). Given the fact that Dwight may miss a couple of months early in the season and considering he will likely not be in basketball shape – not to mention his express desire not to resign with any team but the Nets – I don’t see how this Ownership takes a chance.
I believe the goal of this FO is to go all-in for the next two to threebyears years and then settle in for a couple of years of rebuilding particularly since we don’t get to keep our first round draft picks until 2015.
So, in a nut shell, Bynum is not going anywhere. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing in a year where he will likely be the best center in the league.
Kenny says
Who shoots technical free throws now? Nash is a far better shooter (.90 vs .83) but I bet Kobe will be selfish and want to shoot the free throws himself.
rr says
Zach Lowe on Bynum’s D in the OKC series:
http://nba-point-forward.si.com/2012/05/15/okc-exploits-andrew-bynums-weakness/
Chris J says
mindcrime said it best
J DOG says
So I’ve been thinking about what to do next now that we have nash. Obviously dwight is a top idea, but if we’re keeping our current big 4 (nash, kobe, bynum, gasol), then I think it’s extremely important we try to add some wings who can fly or some wings who are knock down pure shooters.
Also, I think we need an athletic 4 who boards, bullies, blocks shots, and RUNs, and to be honest, it seems jordan hill is that guy. if we don’t keep him, I think we need a stretch 4, ala channing frye, to keep the middle open. Is Frye possible to trade for? is he in the suns future? Speaking of the suns, I would DIE for jared dudley. Dude plays hard d, can run the floor, and can shoot the lights out. i think he would be a perfect starting 3, or sixth man.
Please correct me if I’m wrong, but is all we have left the mle (mini) and the vet min? Other than that, is the only way we can acquire new players (other than straight up trading) by signing and trading our current guys?
Is signing and trading sessions or hill an option? Because I actually think we should keep blake as our back up 2…he spreads the floor better than sessions and I would try to sign and trade sessions instead. Now obviously sessions it better, but I think we can get a lot more trading him than if we tried to trade blake. So, that said, if we can sign and trade sessions, what would his salary be in the first year? something btwn 4 and 5 mill? higher? lower? If sessions can get…say 5 mill a year, who would u target in a sign and trade? Can we get oj mayo for 5 mil la year? He’d be a great 2 off the bench, and if we go small, he could play the 2 and kobe the 3, and we could be pretty deadly, but i dont think the grizz have a glaring need for sessions. Or what about Ray Allen? I know he’s old, but the Clippers have just passed on him, and miami can only offer about 3 mill a year, He has issues with rondo, so Im thinking, maybe a sign and trade of sessions for allen? Boston could use a back up 1…they have their 2 guards in bradley and terry, and sessions would give them a scoring pg off the bench. We could sign ray to a deal richer than miami could, and he could play major minutes as our 6th man at the 2 or 3, and he would absolutely kill it with nash. I know we’d be a complete liability on defense, but the truth is, nobody can stop westbrook, parker, rose etc. Its not like when westbrook plays against chris paul he only scores 12 points….good scorers always score.
So, I guess, If we could sign and trade sessions for say 5 mil a year, who would u guys want? do mayo or allen sound attractive? Another guy I think would work winders with nash is brandon rush…he might be the next marion (with a better shooting touch). dude shoots over 40% from 3 and is pretty athletic. with only curry at pg (jenkins is raw) and a plethora of wings, maybe gs would like this sign and trade, they’d probably counter with dorel wright, but he’s definitely not as good as rush.
anybody else u guys would target in a sessions sign and trade? i know the mavs need a pg, but there’s literally nobody on their roster I would want to trade for…
let me know your thoughts!!!
Nashvilla says
steve nash on the court with KB. Can’t wait 2c it. this will be B ball heaven for Kobe
Magic Phil says
This is hilarious:
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/lakers-not-steve-nash-fan-reaction-203700142–nba.html
Laker Time says
Thing is with Nash is now no Team can sag off our PG. That alone will make a big difference for Pau and Bynum. Nash will kill you if you leave him alone.
harold says
You make the deal only if you’re certain Howard can come back the same.
We know what post-injury Bynum looks like. We know that as long as his mind is into it, he is a monster (which is not a given).
With Howard, we don’t know.
Sure Bynum could get injured again, but I would rather roll that dice instead of rolling a totally unknown dice regarding how DH performs after injury.
LT mitchell says
Lets break down Dwight versus Bynum:
P&R Defense – Dwight in a landslide
Transition Defense – Dwight in a landslide
One on One Defense – Slight edge to Dwight
One on One Offense – Bynum
P&R Offense – Dwight
Transition Offense – Dwight
Free Throws – Bynum
Rebounding – Slight edge to Dwight
Durability – Dwight in a landslide
Stamina – Dwight in a landslide
Health Concerns – Debatable, Even
Passing – slight edge to Dwight (although Bynum is improving)
Hustle – Dwight
Marketability – Dwight
Not. Even. Close.
Michael H says
Nobody at this point even knows when Howard will be able to play again. Up to this point the only report is he is healing very slowly and will most likely miss part of the season. But how many games is that? Will he miss a week? A month? The year? Nobody know yet. Why would anyone in their right mind want to make a trade without know the answers to those questions, especially when Andrew is as good as he is? Just remember, this team has a two year window. I don’t want to be down a guy for a large portion of it.
Ko says
Lt Mitchell
Forgot one thing.
Ready to start the season. Andrew in a landslide
How stupid would FO be if Dwight is out a month, two or more. You traded the 2nd best center for Odem from Portland. Why do you think
Orlando is so desperate to trade him now. Perhaps their Docters know more then we do.
Renato Afonso says
I’ve been playing competitive basketball for a semi-pro team in my country and I had to retire last season due to two herniated disks (I’m 31 now and became the coach of my former team).
Granted that I didn’t make enough money playing ball to have a surgery and go through the kind of recovery needed to have a CHANCE at playing basketball again. I’ve read a few things above about guys recovering fairly quick from it and getting back to running and etc. So, take this from experience…
A back surgery is a crapshoot. Most people are able to get back to playing their sport but they never get back to the level they once had. It requires significant strengthening of your legs and torso while reducing your body weight. Most volleyball and basketball players aren’t able to leap like they used to before the injury. And some players never get back to playing at all.
I have a back injury that causes me SEVERE pain if I play basketball (I played SF/PF) but if I rest enough and do my exercises I’m able to play soccer, run, swim and almost everything that doesn’t require me to jump constantly without experiencing any pain. You cannot compare the effort on the back of triathlete to a basketball player, specially a Dwight Howard-sized player that endures an 82+ game season.
There are obvious exceptions to the rule but Bynum is a known commodity and Howard is not. If Howard shows signs of a great recovery and is able to go back to do what he did, then great, go for it if he’s willing to move to LA. However, chances are that he won’t be that good again and in that case, stick to Bynum. On court, I would take a bum knee or a bum ankle over a bad back anytime.
Mitchell says
Toli: Bynum is a top 5 player in the league – the Lakers would require significantly more talent back in the proposals you offer.
At this point, I think the Lakers should keep Bynum. Trading him needs to bring the team players that can become the foundation of the post Kobe Lakers.
KP says
In the debate of Howard vs. Bynum, most forgot to mention HEART.
I don’t think we’d ever see Howard get outplayed by lesser talent, such as McGee and Perkins, in consecutive playoff rounds. Lack of effort/heart is contagious, and damages team chemistry. Mitch and Jim should roll the dice with Howard…
Funky Chicken says
Adding Nash will make the Lakers significantly better in the half court, but they will still be very slow and bad in transition.
Nash is clearly better than Sessions, but Ramon is faster than Steve and that didn’t translate to a faster Laker team. It’s not about the PG as much as it is the lack of speed in the front court. Whatever else he might be, Andrew Bynum is (and will always be) a slow, half court player. Teaming him with another slow 7-footer ensures that the Lakers will not be able to play at the pace of the league’s best teams.
Kevin_ says
It’s more about the max contract if keeping Bynum. Whole demeanor changed once he found out he wasn’t traded. Which prompted him to feel entitled to not join huddles and quit on his team 3 times. Give Bynum the security of a 5 yr max deal you’ll probably regret it.
You’d definitely have to take a leap of faith assuming Dwight would be the player he was before the injury. Can see the concern with bringing him aboard.
Warren Wee Lim says
All I know is I would want to see a Josh McBob alleyoop. #showtimeLA
Kevin_ says
Lakers brass can easily put these rumors to bed by giving Bynum the max now.
MannyP says
Rwnato – you argument is logical and soundly based on the realities of this team. However, you will never convince a certain percentage of Laker fans that want Dwight here at all costs.
I don’t like Bynum and wished he would have een traded, but I also know it would be very stupid to make that move absent some inside knowledge on Howard’s recovery process and his fitness level. Like you, I too had a back injury do I know how debilitating and difficult they can be. Granted, I’m not the physical specimen DHoward is, but I also don’t have 82 nights a year when 240 lb guys are draping themselves in my shoulders and putting stress in my injured back.
In the end, what these guys are in love with is the “potential” for greatness if Dwight comes back early if he is in food shape if he gels with Kobe and mike brown’s incorporation of Nash and if he decides to resign wih the Lakers. That’s too many ifs if your goal is to try and get a title now.
The prudent thing to do here is to wait. Let’s see what happens the first couple of months. Once we close in on the all star break, it may make sense to revisit DHoward – but right now this is a fools argument.
Rubenowski says
Dwight’s back issue is starting to really worry me. Does this mean Aaron has gotten into my head? Or is this legit?
Leo says
Now that it appears the team has pulled Andrew and Pau off the table we should look at improving our bench. In my estimation the team needs a defensive minded guard, an outside shooter and a Plan B should we not resign Hill.
Courtney Lee would be a nice fit for the backcourt. He’s a 2 but can guard both spots. We can use a true 2 to back up KB – we really missed Brown last year.
As for a shooter, I like Donte Green – who is a free agent from Sacramento. While his stats are not great I tend to discount poor numbers for young players on poor teams. He’s not shy about pulling the trigger and my sense is that he would benefit from the structure and definitive role we can provide.
Regarding front court depth, I would like to resign Hill. However, if that falls through I’d look at Jason Thompson and or Anthony Randolph. Thompson is more of a pure post as he’s able to play both the 4 and 5. Randolph is intriguing because he could be a poor man’s Lamar Odom playing the 3 or 4. Again his stats are spotty but he’s always been on horrible teams that were trying to create a foundation. In my mind he would flourish as a Laker.
We can not underestimate the influence players such as Kobe, Pau and now Nash can have on younger players. In the past the Lakers always filled bench roles with veterans on their last legs. We need to roll the dice on younger players with upside. Uncovering a diamond in the rough on our own bench will make winning a championship easier.
Joe Atlanta says
@Leo, Courtney Lee wont take the Mini Mid level at this point. He would have to strike out in other places 1st. Also, Thompson and Randolph will command more than veteran minimum.
TheNCDon says
All the Nash signing did was make a top heavy team even heavier. The question last year was not the first five, it was the 6th, 7th, and 8th man coming off the bench. The starting five can compete with any team in the league, but this AARP squad will need to be spelled and if the same bench players are being counted on too contribute. IM VERY AFRAID the results will be the same as well(early exit).
LA needs bench help and the thought of Blake coming in to spell Steve is making me sick on the stomach already. How about using the amnesty on Blake, sign Sessions(Blake money) and Jordan Hill, make a play on a serviceable vet with MLE. In two years everyone with a major cap hit with the exception of Bynum will be off the books, no need saving the amnesty. The FO will have tricked us fans with the new car smell of Nash, big signing, buts its the little ones that wins titles.
Cdog says
@ Mitchell – Bynum’s not a top 5 player in the League . . .
smh.
Leo says
Joe Atlanta:
Forgot to mention that to acquire these folks the Lakers would need to do sign and trades with the remaining peripheral assets we have: McRoberts, Blake or Ebanks (if we decide he is no longer a fit).
MItchell says
Cdog:
Sorry, you are correct. According to Hollinger’s PER Rating, Bynum is the 10th best player (tied w/ Westbrook) in the league.
The Link is below. http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/statistics
Warren Wee Lim says
Dear Mitchell,
Lebron James
Kevin Durant
Dwight Howard
Chris Paul
Kevin Love
Kobe Bryant
Russell Westbrook
Dwyane Wade
Do I go on?…
KenOak says
I think that there is an argument to be made for top 10, but not top 5. Of course, there are those GMs that will value his size enough that he may be a top 5 player to them…
I’m not certain that you can use PER to make this evaluation though.
KenOak says
Mitchell,
Sorry for the double post on this topic, but how do you value Manu Ginobli? He has a top 7 PER, but there is no way in hell that this guy is a top 7 player in the NBA, right? PER is flawed. There is no GM that would trade Bynum for Manu even though Manu has a better PER for his entire career.
Dirk is 20th on that list, but carried his team to a championship a year ago.
Ed says
Howard is in LA recovering. The Lakers have a relationship with his Doc(Watkins). So, I think they have a pretty good idea on his condition and recovery,and am willing to go with their decision. Upgrading the bench and SF position is the
priority now, the Howard decision has to wait until there is better info on his condition and recovery time.
Aaron says
If there was a draft today for one season this is how it would go…
1.LeBron
2.Durant
3.Bynum
4.CP3
5.Westrbook
Some GMs would take Bynum in front of Durant and some would take Westbrook in front of CP3. No GM would touch Howard or Rose in the top 15 after career altering injuries last year.
Kevin_ says
Lakers got Nash but you still have to feel bad for Sessions. To help him out S&T him to Chicago for Brewer.
any_one_mouse says
64. Kevin_
A very good point. We may be able to use Sessions in a S&T to bring back some value – remember how Aaron McKie helped us net Gasol?
Of course, in this case, Sessions has to figure out where he wants to go first – so our options will be limited.
BTW, what’s the 411 on Barnes? Will he be back?
Kevin_ says
Nash, Kobe, Ron, Pau, Bynum
Blake, Goudelock, Ebanks, Sacre, Johnson-Odom. Hopefully they resign J. Hill and Ebanks.
Outside of maybe swapping Lewis for J. Hill or G. hill for Ebanks. I think Lakers bench comes back shaky being so top heavy. I like the idea of having multiple young players for Brown to develop.
Darius Soriano says
A new post is up.
http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2012/07/06/2012-12-lakers-reminiscient-of/
aar0n says
I still think Ramon Sessions would have been the better choice to run LA. More upside and his quickness will soon catch up with the LA bigs. He did not have chance to fit in in a shortened season. Nash already contemplated retiring. He’s on the way out. Bad deal.