Ewing kind of did try to do what Gary and Karl did by signing with Orlando. Orlando was suppossed to have a healthy Grant Hill that year and if they did (along with Doc playing Ewing more which he should've done) then they probably would've contended for a title. Now it wouldn't have been as cheap as what Karl and Gary are doing but he would still be the 3rd option on that team.

[Edited by - s3231 on 05/28/2004 16:34:45]

good topic.

I think Karl and Gary are kitty cats(since the "p" word would get edited).

I think if Karl and Payton get a ring this year they need to apologize to their fans and the basketball fans alike, especially the Laker fans. They don't care about the game they figured since they couldn't beat the best they might as well play with them.

That's like Ewing going to play with Indiana for the veteran minimum just to get to the Finals again.

I would think Seattle fans and Utah fans hate the Lakers and they should hate Karl and Payton just the same.

I would rather go out without a ring then join one of your hated rivals just to get a ring. Where is the pride of saying we tried to beat them but couldn't?

Like if Ewing signed with the Bulls for the minimum instead of re-signing with the Knicks.....Ewing would be shot on sight if he were to come back to NY.

Where is their pride?

Barkley tried to do it and failed when he tried to get down with Hakeem and Pippen. But the thing with that is Barkley didn't take much of a pay cut.

I would rather go off into the sunset a loser.....so to speak.

Posted by ToddTT:

The rings that Malone and Payton will soon be wearing will be cheap and somewhat meaningless. If the Lakers actually needed these two to win, it might be a different story. But all they ever really needed was decent role players to surround Shaq and Kobe.

It would have sickened me to see Ewing put himself in a situation where winning was a sure thing. His entire career was about hard work, and facing near impossible odds(aka Michael).

Malone, Payton, and Jackson should be very grateful, and a little ashamed of themselves.

Good topic.

I agree, but only if Ewing just sat on the bench and won. If he contributed then it would be different. Malone and Payton are contributing and they are starters. Without them you can argue the Lakers would not beat the Spurs as they couldn't do last season.

but Payton did a nice job on Parker after the first 2 games and he had a big game this series against the wolves to help the Lakers win. Sounds like contribution to me.

Posted by gunsnewing:

but Payton did a nice job on Parker after the first 2 games and he had a big game this series against the wolves to help the Lakers win. Sounds like contribution to me.

One good game out of every four games is not really a contribution. It's less than the bare minimum you expect from a starter.

Yo Guns: You signature is stupid and its time you change it.

But Isiah and Lenny are listening to him; they obviously need his advice (sarcasm)


[Edited by - Bonn1997 on 05/30/2004 09:07:27]

I don't think the lakers win without Malone. He did a great job on Duncan and is holding ok against Garnett.

Payton is garbage on that team, just not needed.

Ewing did not expect to fall apart as he did. He wanted to prove he was still "the man" and lead another team.

Foolish pride. Too bad.

The contributions of Malone and Payton are meaningless. With Kobe and Shaq healthy you could replace Malone and Payton with any non-bum forward and guard, and the Lakers will win.

Malone and Payton are not doing an admirable thing(boo hoo they took a pay cut)... they are doing a sure thing.

They are still great players, but I'll remember them for what they did in Utah and Seattle. This year doesn't count in my book.

Likewise Phil Jackson is not the greatest coach in history. Anyone on this board could coach the Lakers to a championship.

Posted by daddynel:

taking a pay cut to help your team in some way probably would be an admirable thing in some cases. "your team". now if you take a pay cut to go to an already established championship team, w/two future hall of fame players, thats a different story. that's the easy way out.

So if Malone had signed with the Lakers for $10 mil a year, then you'd respect what he did?

Posted by EnySpree:

good topic.

I think Karl and Gary are kitty cats(since the "p" word would get edited).

I think if Karl and Payton get a ring this year they need to apologize to their fans and the basketball fans alike, especially the Laker fans. They don't care about the game they figured since they couldn't beat the best they might as well play with them.

That's like Ewing going to play with Indiana for the veteran minimum just to get to the Finals again.

I would think Seattle fans and Utah fans hate the Lakers and they should hate Karl and Payton just the same.

I would rather go out without a ring then join one of your hated rivals just to get a ring. Where is the pride of saying we tried to beat them but couldn't?

Like if Ewing signed with the Bulls for the minimum instead of re-signing with the Knicks.....Ewing would be shot on sight if he were to come back to NY.

Where is their pride?

Barkley tried to do it and failed when he tried to get down with Hakeem and Pippen. But the thing with that is Barkley didn't take much of a pay cut.

I would rather go off into the sunset a loser.....so to speak.

I agree, I consider payton and malone to be "hangers on" they (especially malone) are on their last legs trying to win a ring, any way they can. Hey if that suits them then fine. But when the argument comes up about great players and people say Barkley and Ewing aren't great but Payton and Malone are because of winning rings, I am not buying it!!!!