Posted by BRIGGS:

Phil Jackson just said yesterday the Lakers are better overall with Bynum. Bynum IS a player you can build around--he has the kind of ability to help get a team far in the playoffs. It's a shame he's been hurt twice just as he was showing what he really has. He has a very attractive package with his ability to be able to score a lot of points grab a lot of rebounds and effect a game defensively. That is the rarest bird in the NBA right now.
Most Laker fans do not think they can sign Odom. S+T is likely out because you still have to take back the cash. The odds of him going to Memphis or OKC---less than 10% imho. David Lee has a much better chance of going to Memphis than Odom and OKL is building through the draft. They don't need Odom. There is a simple equation with some of these ball players. the economy has changed and there is very little cap space in 2009. there will be really good players taking less OR facing what Bonzi Well got-- refusing an offer of 40mm and now playing in China. The only way the Lakers could keep Odom is IF Kobe opts out and takes much less. He doesnt strike me as that type as much as he wants to win. I wouldnt take 7mm less--barely anyone would.

Too much information.

Posted by franco12:

Briggs- I agree with you. We've sucked with the draft. And if there is any team that should be able to out draft other teams, its us- rather than blow money on salaries & salary tax, we should hire more scouts than any other team.


The big question I have with 2010 is what is plan B? Is plan B possibly Bosh or Joe Johnson? Or possibly both?

Plan B is what gets us screwed into forever mediocrity.

If we fail in 2010 to land either Lebron or Wade, we need to just go into full rebuild through draft mode. And then maybe aim for Chris Paul & Dwight Howard.

We've had great chances to have great players and we've blown it every time. They say their rebuilding but I see less and less evidence of that with Wilson Chandler abruptly removed from the starting line up AFTER he started playing very well and still reluctant to let Gallinari play more than spot minutes. I understand if they didnt want a pure 5 but how could they miss on Anthony Randolph? You would think the guy was perfect for this system. There is no Anthony Randolph in this draft or anything even remotely close to him. We are likely going to have to focus on guards--the problem is a lot of the good one's are smallish. I can't see us taking another guy who would be considered a project even if the thought process was keen. I think the 3 guards we need to focus on are Teague Warren and Jennings. While all 3 are on the small side--they represent guys who have NBA level type of elite athletic ability we need with a diversity of abilities. All of these guys have the ability to break you off the dribble with a quick first step and have the ability to finish strong at the rim. Teague doesnt have great form on his shot but has been making them at a pretty good clip and he is also the best of the three in terms of his ability to get to the basket and draw contact which is attractive.
If we fall back further then I think you are looking at Lawson and Patterson. No projects no players that lack tier one athletic ability after Gallinari. There is no way a team is going to trade us Thabeet or Hill--isnt happening--we need luck to get up there. There is no way I would move from position 2 or 3 in this draft down to 9-11 even with sweetners--isnt happening.

Posted by BRIGGS:

Posted by franco12:

Briggs- I agree with you. We've sucked with the draft. And if there is any team that should be able to out draft other teams, its us- rather than blow money on salaries & salary tax, we should hire more scouts than any other team.


The big question I have with 2010 is what is plan B? Is plan B possibly Bosh or Joe Johnson? Or possibly both?

Plan B is what gets us screwed into forever mediocrity.

If we fail in 2010 to land either Lebron or Wade, we need to just go into full rebuild through draft mode. And then maybe aim for Chris Paul & Dwight Howard.

We've had great chances to have great players and we've blown it every time. They say their rebuilding but I see less and less evidence of that with Wilson Chandler abruptly removed from the starting line up AFTER he started playing very well and still reluctant to let Gallinari play more than spot minutes. I understand if they didnt want a pure 5 but how could they miss on Anthony Randolph? You would think the guy was perfect for this system. There is no Anthony Randolph in this draft or anything even remotely close to him. We are likely going to have to focus on guards--the problem is a lot of the good one's are smallish. I can't see us taking another guy who would be considered a project even if the thought process was keen. I think the 3 guards we need to focus on are Teague Warren and Jennings. While all 3 are on the small side--they represent guys who have NBA level type of elite athletic ability we need with a diversity of abilities. All of these guys have the ability to break you off the dribble with a quick first step and have the ability to finish strong at the rim. Teague doesnt have great form on his shot but has been making them at a pretty good clip and he is also the best of the three in terms of his ability to get to the basket and draw contact which is attractive.
If we fall back further then I think you are looking at Lawson and Patterson. No projects no players that lack tier one athletic ability after Gallinari. There is no way a team is going to trade us Thabeet or Hill--isnt happening--we need luck to get up there. There is no way I would move from position 2 or 3 in this draft down to 9-11 even with sweetners--isnt happening.

If Walsh doesn't buy at least one pick in this draft, he should be shot.

With all the teams looking to dump salary, we should be able to buy at least 1 if not 2 picks.

Bundled with our own, we should be able to move up. And if not, lets take a flyer on some guys- they can be the cheap supporting role players we'll need either in 2010 if we luck out, or they might actually develop into quality NBA Players.