not to bring back a moot point, but just a few things regarding bynum i didn’t get a chance to say: i think the lakers are giving him too much credit. as much as i wish otherwise, bynum simply hasn’t given any indication that he has potential to become a franchise player or even a great player.

what appears to be overlooked is how little impact he has had in our last two championship series victories. so we didn’t have him in 08 and still we made it to the finals, albeit we lost. the following year we hardly had him/used him against orlando. it was pau gasol who neutralized and outplayed dwight howard. bynum was hardly a factor.

last year against the celtics, we made it to the finals largely without bynum in the middle rounds, and hardly utilized against the celtics in the series. sure he blocked shots and was a presence in the paint on the defensive end, but to think he was the deciding factor would be foolish. the kid has a huge body and has some skills, but his motivation is lacking, not to mention his susceptibility to injuries makes him more of a liability than a commodity. i think the lakers are foolish for not parting with him for carmelo. and if this is jim buss’ decision, and he is adamant on not trading him because he is enamored with his first ever selection without daddy’s consent, then i am reluctant to put my trust in that man.
fact of the matter is that bynum doesn’t even finish games, let alone become a big factor in their outcome. it is still kobe bryant’s team, and he, then pau gasol have the greatest influence on the outcome of games. these two guys are the biggest reasons why the lakers have won 2 out of the last 3 titles.

it’s too bad jerry buss is aging, and has given the keys to his son. for the sake of this franchise’s legacy, let’s hope he isn’t incompetent. though i already have some strong reservations about him. there will come a point where he needs to put emotions aside, and make sound basketball decisions. he needs to be able to say goodbye a hell of a lot easier than he says hello.

if i am jim buss, i trade bynum for melo. in 2 years i make a run at howard. currently, neither melo nor howard seem capable of carrying a franchise to a title. but together, the task becomes easier. that is not to say, however, that the logic behind trading bynum now is the hope of luring howard in the future. no, rather trading bynum for melo would add a strong, explosive scorer that it seems we lack at times. for all of his faults in not being a bona fide franchise player, melo is nevertheless a much greater player than andrew bynum, and i believe the lakers would offset their lack of (bynum’s) size by superior scoring through the addition of one of the best players in the league.

In two years we might look back on this golden opportunity and think of what could have been. But we shouldn't have to. Not when a player of this caliber is available now, and especially when the Lakers, in Bynum, have the most to offer the Nuggets in return. If this were Gasol, involved in the deal, then I would say absolutely no, for he's proven that his worth to this franchise is invaluable. But if you could land Melo by parting ways with a player who has had little impact and made small contributions to your team in the postseason the last several years, not jumping on such an opportunity is foolish in my estimation.

I posted this as a comment, but realized it was rather long. Thus, I decided to post it here.

i for one am not complaining about shadiness involving the big trio teaming up in miami. i don’t think there was anything shady, and frankly don’t care if there was. the only thing that i find a little disappointing is that i enjoyed watching wade vs james. i love watching teams with a superstar play against another team with a superstar. and every time these 2 played against each other, it was very entertaining to say the least. when you look at the history of nba rivalries, as a fan, you want to see a superstar vs a superstar. jordan vs isaiah, magic, bird.
malone vs barkley. ewing vs hakeem, etc.

i personally think that lebron james could have established a legacy, as did jordan, magic, or bird, by leading a team of his own. and when i say of his own, i mean a team in which he is the clear cut leader. it’s hard to say (at this point) who the main guy is in miami. wade or james? i don’t know. i think lebron is a better all around player, and i’d be inclined to believe he will be the leader, but wade has shown a better knack for finishing games than his new teammate.

i honestly, and respectfully, will say that wade needed lebron more than lebron needed him. and here’s why: at 6’4, wade does not have the physique that is characteristic of a player who is perennially capable of carrying a franchise on his back and leading it to winning multiple championships. simply put, as great as he is he is too short to be that kind of guy, and is somewhat susceptible to injury. further, i contend, as many of you, that wade was the clear cut best player on the heat’s championship team not too long ago. an aging shaq was a big factor, but wade was the man on that team. am i saying wade is incapable of being the main dog on a title contender? no. he has proven that can be, under the rare right circumstances. but i don’t think it is something he can do year in, year out. history up to now has shown that i am somewhat correct on this argument, as he has only one title, and only one finals appearance in his career thus far.

i do think that having the right complimentary player,even a star player a la bosh, wade would have a greater chance at success. but i am not sure that simply he and bosh would make them favorites to win a title. bosh is not a superstar. he is not the caliber of james and wade. he is a good complimentary player, but unable to be the go to guy on a contender.

and this will never be known, but i think lebron would have had more success had he elected to join the bulls, with boozer (nice complimentary player), rose (rising star), noah (great role player), and the rest of those guys than wade and bosh would have had in miami. however, this is a moot point, because….well that’s not what happened. we are here with a team featuring both james and wade.

while being a bit disappointed that 2 of the league’s top 3 or 4 players joined forces, i am also excited. anytime a team makes acquisitions such as this one (and there haven’t been many like this one, if any at all) it creates a buzz and suspense around the league that is enthralling. i cannot wait for the season to begin. and yes, i would like nothing more than to see a lakers vs heat finals. my next wish was that kobe beat lebron next finals, but i didn’t imagine that he’d have wade on the same team.

Many believe that a fundamental principle to winning the Larry O'Brien Trophy is to build a contender with a dominant forward--if not a center--and great guard. Historically speaking, this recipe obviously has had a great deal of success, for we've seen some great ones from Jordan and Pippen to Magic and Worthy--to name a couple--who have led their teams to multiple titles. But just who has the best forward/guard combination in the NBA today?   Is it the Lakers' Bryant and Gasol? The Spurs' Duncan and Parker? Hornets' Paul and West? Cavs' James and Wiliams? Or another combination? Further, is said combination as critical to winning a title in the present NBA as it once was, or has it ever been? Try not to be bias, folks, as you weigh in on the poll. ;)

     This is undoubtedly a difficult question, and perhaps one that is unfair. Comparing the talents of current and future Hall of Famers who played in different eras is like a conundrum that no logic, math equation, or science formula could solve. This doesn't mean, however, that critics and fans alike are not at liberty to render their opinions. After all, comparing superstars of any sport, let alone basketball, provides good fodder for discussion. This, in turn, brings me to the topic of discussion: Just who is the greatest Laker of all-time? Feel free to debate via the comments and/or place your vote in the poll.

     Months ago—during the playoffs—I created a Fanpost on Ariza and Odom, and the possibility of their leaving the team. Some remarked that it was unnecessary to create such a post, for it was bad karma, while some said it was way too early to make such comments. However, I simply brought to light a possibility that is one signature away from becoming a harsh reality: the summer in which both Ariza and Odom left the Lakers. With Odom's departure--and little cash to sign a player from a thin market--the Lakers will likely have to look hard at their current roster to find a replacement. But who, if anyone, on this current roster can fill his shoes? Who benefits the most from his departure?

     Conventional wisdom might say that Bynum is the one who can gain the most from an Odom departure, for it was Lamar who took away a chunk of Andrew's minutes, especially in the playoffs. But Bynum is still an unproven player in many regards, and asking him to fill in for Odom may be a tall order. Nevertheless, it is not unreasonable for the Lakers and their fans to expect Bynum to take on added duties. After all, expectations and demands of a club and its fans come with the territory of an 80 plus million dollar extension. In spite of Bynum's development, I think the one who can benefit the most is Adam Morrison, who has averaged 20.8 points a game in summer league play. Clearly, I am kidding no one when trying to make a case for a player who has so far been a "bust"in his brief career, nor am I making a strong case by bringing into the equation stats from a mere five games of summer league basketball. However, I don't see anyone else on this current roster stepping in and making us forget Lamar Odom. Unlike many of the current players on our bench, Morrison still has not had ample, if any, opportunity to show what or how he can contribute. It is said that the lingering effects of a knee injury hurt his confidence and playing ability, but  he recently stated that his knee has vastly improved, and hopefully so has his confidence. While I am hopeful, it may be wishful thinking to ask a former number one pick who has not lived up to expectations to fill in for a player of Lamar's caliber. But like I stated with Bynum, it is not unreasonable to ask that an NBA player, let alone a former number one three overall pick, to start living up to expecations.

     The responsibility may ultimately fall on Kobe Bryant's shoulders, as he is the greatest competitor in the NBA today and is always looking for another challenge. Besides, with the addition of Ron Artest, and the expectation that he will take on the task of defending the opposition's best perimeter threat, it will, theoritically, allow Bryant to do more on the offensive end. Gasol's numbers may also see a small increase, as he will probably be asked to do more offensively.  In the end, every player will have to step up in order to account for Odom's departure. The versatility that he brought to the Lakers is simply unparallel. No individual player will make up for an Odom departure, but with a collective effort the Lakers can and should still be a powerhouse in the NBA. That means that Walton, Farmar, Morrison, Sasha, Brown, and Powell, will have to take their game up a notch. The same goes for every starter. If that happens, I still like their chances. After all, the Lakers still have two of the marquee players in the league in Gasol and Bryant. The addition of Artest, and hopefully with Bynum's development, the Lakers can and should make a strong push for a repeat.

So the 2008-2009 season is in the books. The  empty champagne bottles have been recycled, the confetti swept, and the parade detours cleared. Some players are probably basking in the sun, while others may still be partying; still, others may simply be relaxing. But not Lakers fans. We Lakers fans rarely live an experience longer than the moment in which it occurs. We quickly move/look forward.  Thus, assuming the Lakers resign both Trevor and Lamar, stay healthy, and make another trip to the NBA Finals next June, which opponent would you like to play against?

http://www.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idUSTRE54H5PF20090518

"The Great Debate," as many are calling it these days, is not about our economic recession. No, at this time of the year, there are far more important things on the minds of basketball aficionados. Today we bring the issue under the limelight. Who's truly the better basketball player, Kobe Bryant or LeBron James? I, personally, find it difficult to claim either one of these guys as better than the other.  For one, their games are totally different. Additionally, certain aspects of each player's games are stronger than the other's and vice versa. It's a coin flip, no matter how you look at it. And you cannot lose either way. I'll leave the analysis for you avid fans. Has LeBron James supplanted Kobe Bryant as the best basketball player in the NBA? Add a comment and/or weigh in on the poll.

While I like many of Phil Jackson's coaching qualities/abilities, I question several of his approaches as well. It absolutely angers me that he does not hold himself accountable. What an arrogant SOB. I cannot stand that. These are not the Jordan-led Bulls where his team consisted of mostly veteran players, two hall of famers, and a collection of good defenders, shooters, and what have you. Kobe is not Jordan. He does not possess the same drive. Phil’s laid back approach worked well in Chicago because Jordan was like a coach on the court, as well as a motivator. He would chew out players (and right in their face, on the court) if they did not play well. Kobe doesn’t do that. These Lakers are not his Bulls. He needs to change his approach and keep this team focused and motivated. I seriously think we need a different coach for this group. They are way too talented not to win easily against the likes of the Jazz and now, the depleted Rockets. I don’t get it. I really don’t get his approach. It didn’t work in the last NBA Finals. It didn’t work last game. Enough of the mind games. Get your ass up from that bench and earn your 12 million dollar annual salary; or go home and fish all day long.

     With the 2009 NBA playoffs still a month away from ending, I cannot help but think of our upcoming offseason and our free agents to be, Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza. I wonder if the Lakers will make a serious effort to resign both? Can they afford to sign both? Part of me wants to believe that the Lakers could survive without Odom, who figures to be a hot commodity, especially if he continues his strong post-season play, but I think that is me in denial.  That is, in denial about what could very well turn out to be Odom's last season as a Laker. Think about it.  He is good enough to be a starter in this league. There was some talk as to his being unhappy about coming off the bench; however, his unselfishness disallows any complaining. He's got a good attitude, is a team player, and a very good all around player. Teams will be after him, and probably offer him more than the Lakers will be willing to pay. Further, winning a title this season may make it easier for Odom to leave for a bigger paycheck. Then again, winning the title may make it difficult for him to leave. He may feel that his best chance at winning another title (or even multiple titles) is with the Lakers.

     Adding to the possibility of a Lamar Odom departure is the surging play of Trevor Ariza. The man is a talented player with much room for growth. He is pretty good already. He is a very good defender, and hustles on almost every play. Fans and coaches alike love players who play their hearts out. While Ariza does not have the all around skills that Odom possesses, he is a better defender. Again, Ariza can develop into a polished player--3 point shooter (which would help the team tremendously), a better rebounder, and a better scorer--but even at his peak I just don't see him having the all around talent that Odom has. But he doesn't have to, for on our team he will be the 4th option at best.

     Here's to wishing we keep both players, and maintain a strong, and deep team. I hope both players take less money in favor of winning championships. They both are key contributors to our basketball team and they both will play huge roles in our championship run this year.