The Goat Pen

re - Dwight was hurt last year and still made a difference on the court

I personally didn't see that.... maybe it's because I expected him to have the kind of impact he did in Orlando but he often seemed confused or disinterested imo.

Yeah. He was frustrating offensively and disappeared at times. Near the end of the year, he was moving with more urgency, but I still saw a lot of lackluster play (and a lot of balls being stripped because he held the ball so low...and never adjusted).

Maybe McHale (and Hakeem) will be a help to him. I certainly won't miss the Dwight we had last year.

What would you expect them to say? Cry, like the Cleveland owner did? He actually thought he had a chance at keeping LeBron. I think the Lakers have known since the end of the season that he was probably leaving. While the brass has been relatively quiet (nothing for them to say really), their proxy's have been quite vocal, sounding like the jilted lover.

The biggest proxy has been quiet...because he won't miss him. Cats in the front office have been joking that they knew Dwight was leaving becaus Cali child support laws make having baby mamas an expensive enterprise. I never realized he has like 4 baby mothers.

I hear, unless the Lakers can trade Gasol's contract, they really can't sign anyone of significance. They are in cap and luxury tax hell.

bummer

Child support is high in Texas, alimony is very low. Taxes on income is low, housing is exponentially cheaper in Houston than LA but property taxes are high in Texas.

I thought Howard was fixin to take his place amongst the alltime greats after Orlando beat Cleveland in the EC championship series a few years back. Obviously there's always more to it than one player against another player, but that was basically Howard vs. LeBron, and Howie won. He was a stud in that series. If Houston gets that guy, they'll be good...

LA is toast for the next year. They're good starting in 2014.

Howard is not strong, but landing him and keeping Asik, Parsons and The Beard is good shit. They may not knock off The Spurs and OKC, but they're definitely Top 4.

why are they good starting in 2014 Brook?

break it down for me, and you cant use the owner or organization as a reason now that Doc Buss is gone

Lakers amnesty Ron Ron

looks like he'll latch on to a contender next year

In 2014 Gasol is off the books. Kobe's deal is done. Ron Ron is gone. All of the signings this year are one years. They have no one but Nash under contract in 2014. They can make a push for a slew of players then...and Kobe will be back, most likely (considering he is now talking about playing another 3 years...and he said that for Dwight to sink the chances of him signing, btw), at a reduced rate.

So, they still have to execute rebuilding the roster, but from a financial standpoint (which was the basis of Sardis' post), they are good. There is no more luxury tax or cap inflexibility.

That's the negotiation stance he should take...right now.

How old will he be in 2015? 58?

Averaging 27.

Prime years. Hope he grows up.

LeBron has the ego to want to be a Laker. He doesn't have the mental make up of Kobe, Magic, Shaq, Wilt, or Kareem..... but he has the ego to think he can make a similar impact. I could ABSOLUTELY see him signing as a FA there. LA is positioned nicely to grab him and another top notch FA and convince Kobe to be a 2nd or 3rd fiddle there. I agree with Brook.... they are positioned nicely for next summer. No one will sign Kobe for a ton of money next year that LA can get what they want and then offer Kobe leftovers.

I am just surprised that the Lakers didn't amnesty Gasol and go in tank mode like the rest of the league.... if they got Wiggins, with all that cap space.... that would be scary. Heck, even if they got Jabari Parker with that cap space, things would be awesome for them.

LaBron ain't going to the Lakers. Ever. Just stop.

Never understood the Bron to LA talk, even the King can only whore himself out so much