The Laker implosion begins

bdoughty · Post by **bdoughty** » Sat Jun 19, 2004 2:08 am

Phil says goodbye to Lakers

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1824658

Shaq wants trade

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1824691

Well Kobe you want the ball, looks like you wont have any problem getting your shots if you stay with LA.

Sudz · Post by **Sudz** » Sat Jun 19, 2004 2:19 am

As a long suffering Celts fan I say...ha ha.

Where the hell else does Shaq want to play? The Clippers................hee hee.

See my Blog for my opinion.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Sat Jun 19, 2004 9:56 am

Shaq can come to the Bulls.
Kobe can stay in LA.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Sat Jun 19, 2004 10:43 am

Shaq to Orlando.

Kobe to jail.

Cincinnati_Kid · Post by **Cincinnati_Kid** » Sat Jun 19, 2004 12:03 pm

shaq to orlando

mcgrady to houston,indiana,chicago,phoenix or LA

kobe stays breaks the bank for 100 million plus in LA no jail time

phil takes a year or 2 off then returns to sign a huge contract offered by mark cuban to embark on the chase for title number 10 with the dallas mavericks

Badgun · Post by **Badgun** » Sat Jun 19, 2004 5:50 pm

I wouldn't really call it an implosion. Everyone knew this was coming. Jackson would have left even if they won it. Shaq will likely request a trade to wherever Jackson goes, but his agent says Jackson won't coach next year.

Kobe would be a fool not to test the market, but he's been quoted as saying he'd like to finish his career in LA.

As for Malone and Payton, who gives sh*t? Payton was a huge letdown and Malone wasn't a lot better. Depending on who coaches next year, you might even see the team stay intact. If Shaq likes the new coach, he will probably stay. If Shaq stays, then Kobe probably resigns. They just need to make sure and get 3 guys to play with them.

DChaps · Post by **DChaps** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 11:01 am

Shaq and Phil will both be with the Atlanta Hawks.

TheTruth · Post by **TheTruth** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 11:48 am

I heard a blurb on espn radio this morning while driving to work about Shaq and McGrady going to the Mavericks. Didn't catch the story...anyone know anything about this?

Badgun · Post by **Badgun** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 12:06 pm

The consensus is that Shaq will go to Orlando, since he still owns a home there. If Shaq does come to town, then McGrady stays.

I couldn't imagine Dallas being able to sign both Shaq and McGrady, but if they can, that will be one awesome team.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 1:06 pm

Badgun wrote:I couldn't imagine Dallas being able to sign both Shaq and McGrady, but if they can, that will be one awesome team.

You do realise that it would also mean, Dirk and Nash would be gone. They'd both be used, most likely, one in each deal (assuming Nash agrees to a sign and trade since he's a FA). Dallas, as you know it right now, would cease to exist and you'd be left with a fat, outta shape Shaq, and Kobe Jr. when it comes to whining.

Think LA was bad this year...wait till Cuban gets ahold of the two biggest whiney pussies on the planet.

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 1:18 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:
Badgun wrote:I couldn't imagine Dallas being able to sign both Shaq and McGrady, but if they can, that will be one awesome team.
You do realise that it would also mean, Dirk and Nash would be gone. They'd both be used, most likely, one in each deal (assuming Nash agrees to a sign and trade since he's a FA). Dallas, as you know it right now, would cease to exist and you'd be left with a fat, outta shape Shaq, and Kobe Jr. when it comes to whining.

Think LA was bad this year...wait till Cuban gets ahold of the two biggest whiney pussies on the planet.

Yeah, maybe that Mavs team will actually reach the championship instead of getting bounced early because Dieter and Dave Grohl can't play D.

Shaq is still the most dominant player in the league. He's probably got at least one more year in him at that level. McGrady may be a whiny b*tch, but that didn't stop Scottie Pippen from getting 6 rings when he had some help.

Kazuya · Post by **Kazuya** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 4:36 pm

Brando70 wrote:Shaq is still the most dominant player in the league. He's probably got at least one more year in him at that level.

O'Neal hasn't been the most dominating player in the league for years now. There is more to basketball than dunking the ball and making so much money that your team is forced to have a bunch of scrub role players. If Shaq can play defense like he did in 2000 and get up to 65% from the line, then I think he's the best player in the league. Untill then, he doesn't have close to the impact on a game that even Kobe Bryant has, much less Tim Duncan or Kevin Garnett.

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 5:40 pm

Kazuya wrote:
Brando70 wrote:Shaq is still the most dominant player in the league. He's probably got at least one more year in him at that level.
O'Neal hasn't been the most dominating player in the league for years now. There is more to basketball than dunking the ball and making so much money that your team is forced to have a bunch of scrub role players. If Shaq can play defense like he did in 2000 and get up to 65% from the line, then I think he's the best player in the league. Untill then, he doesn't have close to the impact on a game that even Kobe Bryant has, much less Tim Duncan or Kevin Garnett.

I'll agree he's not the best player in the league -- I think that would be Garnett. But check the stats this year, and you'll see it's pretty even between Shaq, KG, and TD. KG averaged 3 more and had a couple more assists per game than Duncan or Shaq. But I think Shaq is still the most dominant because he is so much better than anyone else at his position in the league. There are other 3s and 4s that are at least within striking range of KG and Duncan, but at the 5 there's Shaq and everyone else.

Now, if he has another 6 ppg fall off like he did this year, that's another story. But put him on a new team and I think he'll bust his butt to prove himself again. That's why, if I wanted to win a championship next year, I'd probably try to take him over anyone else.

rheller · Post by **rheller** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 12:28 pm

But I think Shaq is still the most dominant because he is so much better than anyone else at his position in the league. There are other 3s and 4s that are at least within striking range of KG and Duncan, but at the 5 there's Shaq and everyone else

I agree. Dominance isn't only shown by points, assists, and rebounds (although it is a big part of it). Dominance is shown by how another team has to play you. If a team has to double and triple team you constantly, then IMO you are dominant.

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 1:27 pm

However, as a GM, you have to be careful who you match Shaq with. If the Francise/McGrady trade goes through, then Orlando shouldn't get Shaq. I really think he and Francis would not get along, and Shaq would be pissed about Francis's constant shooting. He needs to be fed the ball, and would work much better with someone like Jason Kidd. Shaq is a big baby as far as demanding the ball. He will play great if he feels like he's the main scoring threat and gets the ball regularly, will disappear when others are hoisting up a lot of outside shots every game.