(07-01-2018 04:45 PM)SpiderMan79x Wrote:  It's really interesting to all the Laker "targets" sign elsewhere. Now its pretty much down to the Lebron and Cousin's decisions being left, and who knows what's going on with SA/Leonard. An LA combo for 2019 of Lebron/Cousins with the intact young core seems pretty solid, but I don't know that its enough to take down the Warriors. However if they could then sign Leonard next year to add to that group, then I think you could have a potential threat to GS. Maybe I'm wrong, but I wouldn't mind seeing how that looked on the court.

Lakers blew it last summer on Paul George. Indiana wanted the #2 pick, which turned into Lonzo Ball, and other things in the trade. Lakers wouldn't give up the pick. Now George in OKC for 4 years.

Same thing could be happening with Kawhi. Lakers think they get him anyway next summer, so why make a big offer. But things can change. Brett Brown was with the Spurs for 12 years and has a relationship with Kawhi. 76ers would be a top defensive team with Embiid and Simmons and Kawhi.

Re the Spurs ask, seems like would have to be 2 out of Saric, Covington and Markelle. Plus the Miami '21 first rounder that they just got in the draft trade with the Suns. And two of their own firsts. Their own picks will be in the 20s, so not bad. Think I would jump on that deal if I were the 76ers. And then hope you can get him to re-sign next summer.

Pop would love to get Kawhi out of the Western conference.

(07-01-2018 06:07 PM)Tigx Wrote:  

(07-01-2018 04:45 PM)SpiderMan79x Wrote:  It's really interesting to all the Laker "targets" sign elsewhere. Now its pretty much down to the Lebron and Cousin's decisions being left, and who knows what's going on with SA/Leonard. An LA combo for 2019 of Lebron/Cousins with the intact young core seems pretty solid, but I don't know that its enough to take down the Warriors. However if they could then sign Leonard next year to add to that group, then I think you could have a potential threat to GS. Maybe I'm wrong, but I wouldn't mind seeing how that looked on the court.

Lakers blew it last summer on Paul George. Indiana wanted the #2 pick, which turned into Lonzo Ball, and other things in the trade. Lakers wouldn't give up the pick. Now George in OKC for 4 years.

Same thing could be happening with Kawhi. Lakers think they get him anyway next summer, so why make a big offer. But things can change. Brett Brown was with the Spurs for 12 years and has a relationship with Kawhi. 76ers would be a top defensive team with Embiid and Simmons and Kawhi.

Who knows how it all shakes out, but I have to think the diehard Lakers fans are getting a bit antsy.

The intrigue thickens....

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cbsspor...under/amp/

Think this was decided a long time ago:

(07-01-2018 07:09 PM)Tigx Wrote:  Think this was decided a long time ago:

Now I wonder if Cousins is the next domino to fall

(07-01-2018 07:21 PM)SpiderMan79x Wrote:  

(07-01-2018 07:09 PM)Tigx Wrote:  Think this was decided a long time ago:

Now I wonder if Cousins is the next domino to fall

Cousins, IMO, does not add enough to the Lakers to match Houston or GS even with James on the Lakers’ roster.

(07-01-2018 07:21 PM)SpiderMan79x Wrote:  

(07-01-2018 07:09 PM)Tigx Wrote:  Think this was decided a long time ago:

Now I wonder if Cousins is the next domino to fall

Kawhi's camp is going to try to force a trade to the Lakers. Pop hates the Lakers. Will he give in and trade Kawhi there?

Now KCP gone. And Lakers about out of money. Avery or Tyreke or Henzonga with our MLE.

(07-01-2018 07:45 PM)Tigx Wrote:  Now KCP gone. And Lakers about out of money. Avery or Tyreke or Henzonga with out MLE.

KCP also a Klutch sports client.

Scratch off Hezonja.

Correction:

(07-01-2018 07:27 PM)Tiger1983 Wrote:  

(07-01-2018 07:21 PM)SpiderMan79x Wrote:  

(07-01-2018 07:09 PM)Tigx Wrote:  Think this was decided a long time ago:

Now I wonder if Cousins is the next domino to fall

Cousins, IMO, does not add enough to the Lakers to match Houston or GS even with James on the Lakers’ roster.

I feel the same way with Lebron/Cousins, but it gets the Lakers back relevancy I suppose. Assuming they don't trade for Leonard and gut the young core, and instead add him to the mix after next season then I think you might have a legit threat. But those are a lot of "ifs".

I heard on the radio that Leonard will be a free agent after next year and perhaps he will then join the Lakers.

I am fascinated by the free agency process. I am learning about it (this thread helps) but I find it a complicated puzzle with significant consequences and twists of drama.

Lakers gambling that James will remain at or near his current level for the next 3-4 years.

Because seems unlikely they will add anything else great this coming season. But, they are ready to become favorites in 2019-2020. Leonard. Klay Thompson. Many other higher profile options.

Would be surprised if they can do it though by next season. That second or additional player matters, even with the best of them. Take Pippen off those Bull teams. Add Kevin Durant to the Malone Stockton Jazz. Take Irving and Love off the Cavaliers. Add Durant to the Warriors. Thee are some exceptions, but they are rare.

In the last generation, Detroit was a major contender for a bit, and the post Shaquille Lakers dropped significantly then got back to contender status, but really only after adding Pau Gasol, who at that time was all star caliber.

Not sure it would be in Lakers best interest to get rid of too much to get Leonard this coming season. Patience. Even if that means they have a good year but meet Houston or Golden State in first or second round and lose.

LOL, Born Ready and LeBron on the same team.

(07-02-2018 08:14 AM)mairving Wrote:  LOL, Born Ready and LeBron on the same team.

Lebron DID have the stones.

I'll take it.

(06-29-2018 03:36 PM)Tiger1983 Wrote:  

(06-29-2018 12:29 PM)macgar32 Wrote:  

(06-29-2018 11:22 AM)Tiger1983 Wrote:  

(06-29-2018 11:01 AM)Tigx Wrote:  

(06-29-2018 10:53 AM)Tiger1983 Wrote:  I do not know the whole story, but the preponderance of publically available information indicts Leonard with unprofessional refusal to play. His relationship with his teammates is not relevant in doing the job he is paid to perform. In the real world, people have to work with people they may despise and the coddled NBA workplace should not differ.

Just fundamentally disagree with that statement. Many in the media support Kawhi, and question the way the Spurs handled this.

I think you are generally pro-team in team vs. player arguments, so you are reading into this something that is not there. Kawhi has no spoken to the media since the first week of March. Not like he is out pleading his case all the time. And who has called him unprofressional?

The bottom line to me is he should work while paid unless he is injured to the extent not allowing work.

Simple analogy...

Your car will drive if it has no oil in it...Are you willing to risk it?

I would check the oil to determine the presence, level, and condition of the oil before driving. If the oil is satisfactory, I would then drive the car for its intended purpose.

Similarly, I would expect a player to perform for his intended purpose (ie contract) upon proof of adequate health.

See that is the deal...

Who decides what is adequate Health...The player and his doctor or the team and their doctors.

Isaiah Thomas chose the teams doctors and we see where that landed him.

Let's go back to the analogy...Say you say your car is too low on oil to drive but your bosses mechanic says it is fine...You still going to drive your car knowing you will have to deal with the ramifications if it fails.

(07-01-2018 08:19 PM)SpiderMan79x Wrote:  

(07-01-2018 07:27 PM)Tiger1983 Wrote:  

(07-01-2018 07:21 PM)SpiderMan79x Wrote:  

(07-01-2018 07:09 PM)Tigx Wrote:  Think this was decided a long time ago:

Now I wonder if Cousins is the next domino to fall

Cousins, IMO, does not add enough to the Lakers to match Houston or GS even with James on the Lakers’ roster.

I feel the same way with Lebron/Cousins, but it gets the Lakers back relevancy I suppose. Assuming they don't trade for Leonard and gut the young core, and instead add him to the mix after next season then I think you might have a legit threat. But those are a lot of "ifs".

Bron needs shooters on offense and guys who are going to defend. I don't think adding cousins to this roster gives them that, although Cousins can shoot the ball he is not a great defender.

(07-02-2018 10:02 AM)macgar32 Wrote:  

(06-29-2018 03:36 PM)Tiger1983 Wrote:  

(06-29-2018 12:29 PM)macgar32 Wrote:  

(06-29-2018 11:22 AM)Tiger1983 Wrote:  

(06-29-2018 11:01 AM)Tigx Wrote:  Just fundamentally disagree with that statement. Many in the media support Kawhi, and question the way the Spurs handled this.

I think you are generally pro-team in team vs. player arguments, so you are reading into this something that is not there. Kawhi has no spoken to the media since the first week of March. Not like he is out pleading his case all the time. And who has called him unprofressional?

The bottom line to me is he should work while paid unless he is injured to the extent not allowing work.

Simple analogy...

Your car will drive if it has no oil in it...Are you willing to risk it?

I would check the oil to determine the presence, level, and condition of the oil before driving. If the oil is satisfactory, I would then drive the car for its intended purpose.

Similarly, I would expect a player to perform for his intended purpose (ie contract) upon proof of adequate health.

See that is the deal...

Who decides what is adequate Health...The player and his doctor or the team and their doctors.

Isaiah Thomas chose the teams doctors and we see where that landed him.

Let's go back to the analogy...Say you say your car is too low on oil to drive but your bosses mechanic says it is fine...You still going to drive your car knowing you will have to deal with the ramifications if it fails.

And Kawhi had a weird injury, tendinopathy of the tendon Actually tendinopathy is termed a disease and not an injury. So it's not like a broken bone, or a meniscus tear where you have surgery and a defined recovery term. Not a normal injury, so not surprising that different doctors would have conflicting opinions on rehab and recovery.

(07-02-2018 10:02 AM)macgar32 Wrote:  

(06-29-2018 03:36 PM)Tiger1983 Wrote:  

(06-29-2018 12:29 PM)macgar32 Wrote:  

(06-29-2018 11:22 AM)Tiger1983 Wrote:  

(06-29-2018 11:01 AM)Tigx Wrote:  Just fundamentally disagree with that statement. Many in the media support Kawhi, and question the way the Spurs handled this.

I think you are generally pro-team in team vs. player arguments, so you are reading into this something that is not there. Kawhi has no spoken to the media since the first week of March. Not like he is out pleading his case all the time. And who has called him unprofressional?

The bottom line to me is he should work while paid unless he is injured to the extent not allowing work.

Simple analogy...

Your car will drive if it has no oil in it...Are you willing to risk it?

I would check the oil to determine the presence, level, and condition of the oil before driving. If the oil is satisfactory, I would then drive the car for its intended purpose.

Similarly, I would expect a player to perform for his intended purpose (ie contract) upon proof of adequate health.

See that is the deal...

Who decides what is adequate Health...The player and his doctor or the team and their doctors.

Isaiah Thomas chose the teams doctors and we see where that landed him.

Let's go back to the analogy...Say you say your car is too low on oil to drive but your bosses mechanic says it is fine...You still going to drive your car knowing you will have to deal with the ramifications if it fails.

Let’s torture the metaphor further. Everyone (teammates and professionals included) except Leonard’s people on his payroll stated that Leonard’s “oil” is fine. Now it is possible that everyone is wrong except Leonard’s hand picked medical staff but they - to my knowledge - have not shared his medical information to a third party for verification.

I do not know if Leonard is a malinger peeved by perceived slights, but I am skeptical and would want answers before placing my franchise at risk.