USC Wuz Robbed! 0 Report post Posted June 19, 2004 You're out of your mind. Shaq is in the top 5, if not one of the two best players in the league (he and Kobe). If you didn't know, Shaq was ALL-NBA 1st Team again this year. And now that I think about it, Shaq averaged only 21 points this season because he was getting only 13-14 shot attempts per game, as opposed to 21-22 the year before when he averaged 28 points. So, Shaq's skills haven't necessarily declined, his shot attempts have, which translate into fewer points, and perpetuates the misconception that he isn't as dominant as he once was. If Shaq goes to a team where he can get lots of touches, look out... And don't forget, he's led the league in field-goal percentage for like eight years in a row. Do I need to bring up his more-than-abysmal free throwing? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest OraleHolmes Report post Posted June 19, 2004 Since he shoots such an exorbitant number of free throws per game, as long as he converts 50 percent of them, his team will be just fine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest NaturalBornThriller4:20 Report post Posted June 19, 2004 Orale, weren't you hating Shaq last week? Now, you are his #1 fanboy. Jesus, make up your mind. BTW, Kobe Bryant is still the most wanted Free Agent in the market. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest FrigidSoul Report post Posted June 19, 2004 After Orale's last post I can see that this whole arguement isn't even worth my time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest OraleHolmes Report post Posted June 19, 2004 Kobe is staying with the Lakers. Teams can covet him all day, but at the end of the day he's staying with the Lakers. Jerry Buss has gotten rid of Phil Jackson and most probably Shaq for him. Kobe would be the DUMBEST MOTHERFUCKER EVER if he decided to leave. Therefore, he appreciates the love and WILL STAY in L.A. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
USC Wuz Robbed! 0 Report post Posted June 20, 2004 Kobe is staying with the Lakers. Teams can covet him all day, but at the end of the day he's staying with the Lakers. Jerry Buss has gotten rid of Phil Jackson and most probably Shaq for him. Kobe would be the DUMBEST MOTHERFUCKER EVER if he decided to leave. Therefore, he appreciates the love and WILL STAY in L.A. Kobe's sure showing a lot of love for L.A. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Just John 0 Report post Posted June 20, 2004 If Kobe stays in LA, he'll be playing for their other team. I'm pretty sure he'll wind up in Memphis, though. I have no idea why Houston would even consider giving Cato, Mobley, or Francis to LA. We have to keep either Francis or Mobley, and unless we get Kobe, there's absolutely no reason to look at LA. Shaq is worthless to Houston since we already have Yao, and no one else on the Lakers' roster is worth a damn. If Dallas wound up getting Shaq for Jamison and Walker and could get maybe one B-list player, they could take it in the west. I don't think Shaq would fit in with the fast-paced Mavs. He'd be worn out 3 minutes into every game. Dallas can't exactly switch to half court game either because they have no defense. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted June 20, 2004 Apparently, the Lakers could get McGrady and perhaps the number one pick for Shaq, but they don't want it. They believe that a Kobe-McGrady partnership would NOT work under any circumstances. Apparently, the Lakers are interested in Jamison and Walker or Stoudemire and Marion or Francis, Mobley, Cato or Jefferson and Martin or Jermaine O'Neal and Artest... Looks interesting. On a side note, you're Laker-Hating ways are absurd. Shaq is the most wanted player in the NBA now and teams are willing to give up A LOT for him. Granted, Shaq's skills have deteriorated, but his mere presence in the lane changes the complexion of the game for both the team he's playing on and the opposing team. You are right. Shaq's the most wanted Free Agent. I'm just saying for the long-term, such investment is unwise. Kobe is a better deal and I don't like either guy. Teams don't necessarily build for the long term anymore. They want a title now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest El Satanico Report post Posted June 20, 2004 That makes two people to claim that Kobe would be foolish to leave LA. I really wish they'd give a better explanation as to why. The explanation that the GM is showing willingness to build the team around Kobe's wishes doesn't hold much water. Kobe could get that from any team that lacks a big star. Unless LA offers something insane like a share of ownership, Kobe would be a fool to not follow the money. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MrRant 0 Report post Posted June 20, 2004 Supposedly they may offer him a share of ownership. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steviekick 0 Report post Posted June 20, 2004 But isn't it that you can't own and play at the same time in the NBA? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest OraleHolmes Report post Posted June 21, 2004 He is going to be offered 20% of the Lakers ownership down the road (once he retires). I still don't get why Jerry Buss is so intent on building around Bryant. He's extremely selfish, is not driven to win but driven to be the hero, most players resent him, and he's very overrated. Unlike Shaq, he CAN be stopped. Look no further than the NBA Finals. Furthermore, he jacks up too many wild shots, shoots a mediocre/below average shooting percentage and doesn't make the players around him any better. Let's not forget he's sensitive, holds grudges, is childish and pouty (tanks games to make a point), and isn't exactly the classiest person off the court. He's not a team player, goes one on one too often, and feels threatened by anyone who is just as skilled as he is (that's why a Kobe-McGrady duo would never work). If Shaq and T-MAC find a way to play together, the world will see how McGrady is better at playing with Shaq than Kobe was for the last 8 years. With Kobe ostensibly as the sole star next season, we'll see if he can do any better than McGrady. Then the world will see that Kobe was a player who was the beneficiary of playing with a behemoth in the middle of the paint. For all of these years, Kobe's poor shooting, bad decisions on the court, and below-average play in big game situations have been downplayed by the NBA...but when Kobe is on a team where others can't cover up for him, the NBA will have a hard time protecting his "Jordan-like" image, and everyone will finally realize that Kobe was never that good to begin with. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alfdogg 0 Report post Posted June 21, 2004 Would you mind possibly providing a SOURCE for some of these rumors you're giving (or starting, whatever the case may be)? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest OraleHolmes Report post Posted June 21, 2004 LATIMES Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alfdogg 0 Report post Posted June 21, 2004 Thank you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
razazteca 0 Report post Posted June 21, 2004 He's extremely selfish, is not driven to win but driven to be the hero, most players resent him, and he's very overrated. Furthermore, he jacks up too many wild shots, shoots a mediocre/below average shooting percentage and doesn't make the players around him any better. Let's not forget he's sensitive, holds grudges, is childish and pouty (tanks games to make a point), and isn't exactly the classiest person off the court. He's not a team player, goes one on one too often, and feels threatened by anyone who is just as skilled as he is . All part of the master plan of getting Kobe that oh so important "street cred". What if Kobe, Allen Iverson, Stevie Francis, Ron Artest, Shaq were on the same team? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alfdogg 0 Report post Posted June 21, 2004 How does Artest fit in that group? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MrRant 0 Report post Posted June 21, 2004 Well he's black. Doesn't that make him a thug? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Smell the ratings!!! Report post Posted June 21, 2004 LOL, Artest would be lucky to touch the ball on that team. Satanico, the money is exactly why Kobe wil stay in LA. As his former team they get to offer an extra year and more cash per year than any other team. But if I were Kobe I'd be real careful about LA. They've already lost Phil and could lose Shaq, Payton, Malone and Fisher. Sounds exactly like what T-Mac is trying like hell to get away from in Orlando. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest FrigidSoul Report post Posted June 21, 2004 Gary Payton is staying with the Lakers. I gave reasons why he most likely was and yesterday his agent actually confirmed it on ESPN News. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alfdogg 0 Report post Posted June 21, 2004 I think Malone will probably stay, too. I read somewhere that Fisher wants $7 million this year. If that's true, then yeah, he's gone. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest FrigidSoul Report post Posted June 21, 2004 Mallone opted out of his contract already and wants more than the $1.6mill he was slated to get. He also said he's going to retire if he doesn't feel his knee is completely healed. Even then, I'd be iffy about giving a man over 40 any kind of fairly large contract when his knee is shit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest OraleHolmes Report post Posted June 21, 2004 Fisher isn't worth more than 3 million. He's one of the most inconsistent players I've ever seen. Now, if the Lakers had won the championship this year, he would be deserving of 7 million -- even for only one year -- just for that 0.4 shot alone. But now that the Lakers crumbled in the Finals, all bets are off. Oh, and there are a few more trades on the table regarding Shaq: - Shaq to New Orleans for Jamaal Magloire, P.J. Brown, Jamal Mashburn and David Wesley To Dallas for Antawn Jamison, Antoine Walker, Danny Fortson and Josh Howard or Dirk Nowitzki, Fortson, Howard, change and draft picks - To Indiana for Jermaine O'Neal and change (and draft picks) - To New Jersey for Kenyon Martin and Richard Jefferson (and draft picks) credit: LA Daily News So, along with Bryant, Payton, (possibly Malone) and any of the aforementioned players, the Lakers can conceivably make another run for the title next year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Damaramu 0 Report post Posted June 21, 2004 The Lakers can make another run at the title and if they face up with the Pistons or another team like them then they'll fail again. They weren't very good and they are going to have to make some drastic changes to get good enough to beat a team like The Pistons. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest El Satanico Report post Posted June 21, 2004 But if I were Kobe I'd be real careful about LA. They've already lost Phil and could lose Shaq, Payton, Malone and Fisher. Sounds exactly like what T-Mac is trying like hell to get away from in Orlando. I don't think Kobe cares that he will be the only star if he resigns. In fact it will most likely please him greatly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slayer 0 Report post Posted June 21, 2004 Don't worry about Phil, looks like he found another job pretty quickly Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted June 21, 2004 Fisher isn't worth more than 3 million. He's one of the most inconsistent players I've ever seen. Now, if the Lakers had won the championship this year, he would be deserving of 7 million -- even for only one year -- just for that 0.4 shot alone. But now that the Lakers crumbled in the Finals, all bets are off. Oh, and there are a few more trades on the table regarding Shaq: - Shaq to New Orleans for Jamaal Magloire, P.J. Brown, Jamal Mashburn and David Wesley To Dallas for Antawn Jamison, Antoine Walker, Danny Fortson and Josh Howard or Dirk Nowitzki, Fortson, Howard, change and draft picks - To Indiana for Jermaine O'Neal and change (and draft picks) - To New Jersey for Kenyon Martin and Richard Jefferson (and draft picks) credit: LA Daily News So, along with Bryant, Payton, (possibly Malone) and any of the aforementioned players, the Lakers can conceivably make another run for the title next year. SHAQ FOR DIRK?? I won't allow it! Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash, along with Nelson and Cuban, are what make the Dallas Mavericks the coolest team in the NBA. Shaq wouldn't be that much help anyway and is out of his prime in terms of talent and amusing-ness. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steviekick 0 Report post Posted June 22, 2004 How does Artest fit in that group? He's starting to get a little cocky now that people are paying attention to him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vitamin X Report post Posted June 22, 2004 But if I were Kobe I'd be real careful about LA. They've already lost Phil and could lose Shaq, Payton, Malone and Fisher. Sounds exactly like what T-Mac is trying like hell to get away from in Orlando. The Lakers would be better off without Malone and an aging Shaq for the long-term. Shaq leaving to go to another team would be the equivalent of Jerry Rice leaving the Niners (although granted Rice was much older and ready for retirement) for the Raiders: A talent that was once great, now past their prime, their level of play could come down anyday now, but they'll still have an occasional great game. Shaq didn't do anything another good center could do until they faced Detroit. Kobe was the one that got them there, and pretty much carried the team throughout the season. And as many people have pointed out, he's not even in his prime yet. I think the level of commitment LA is showing towards Kobe is the reason why he'd be foolish to leave. They're willing to give him what he's wanted and that's to make the Lakers really officially HIS team (unofficially they pretty much were, but Shaq and Jackson seem to feel otherwise..) and of course, the media attention and hype which comes with being in the second largest city in the country. The only place he'd get that kind of attention is New York maybe. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sass 0 Report post Posted June 22, 2004 Zeke tapped the Knicks' cash out so Kobe won't be singing "New York, New York" anytime soon with Peter Vescey and pals. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
