it was very encouraging... i cant wait to see Gasol and Bynum compliment each other - its no secret Gasol plays better facing the basket, taking advantage of his length, athleticism & passing ability while Bynum looks to develop into a "true" center type, back to the basket, bodying down the defense and playing good defense on his own... its hard not be the least bit excited if you're a Lakers fan

Neil,

i'm perplexed as well about the Shaq/Marion trade, but on the surface its similar to the Gasol trade for the Lakers... the Heat dump soon to be expiring cap space in the form of Shaq's $20m/year contract and the Suns trade a disgruntled Marion... whether Marion stays with the Heat after will have to be determined, but what confuses me is the Suns supposedly want Shaq for his defensive presence? nevermind he's maybe half the force he used to be in the middle, but how exactly is he going to run up and down the court with Nash & company?

On Shaq/Marion, a friend who is a Heat fan is thrilled. Either they get a good complement to Wade or he opts out and they've dump Shaq's crushing contract. As for the Suns, I believe they are thinking that Shaq's defense is key and Nash will use him offensively. The off-court issues with Marion et. al. must have been large because rarely does one retool when they are nearly leading the conference.

Neil

I suppose the pundits assume Shaq will FINALLY drop those 30-40 extra pounds while sprinting up and down the court?

Not likely...

What is all this about a Shaq trade and some Spaniard?!?!?

All eyes should be focused on the new starting center for the Golden State Warriors.

CHRIS WEBBER!!!!!!!

I like that one....

Talk about someone who can't move up and down the court. The Warriors franchise seem to have cornered the recent market in forgiveness. First, the owner and Nellie now Nellie and Webber.

Enjoy,

Neil

quote:

Originally posted by Neil K.:

Finally, how far back do the Lakers fans reading go with the team? I was born in Newport Beach (in '66) and my earliest Laker memory is their winning the championship in 1972. My parents moved to California at the same time as the team. BTW, I still miss Chick but we finally again have a team that would make him proud.

Neil

Well, I go all the way back to the first year in LA, 1960. My mother would take me and my sister to game in the LA Sports Arena for $2.00 per seat and my sister and I would share a seat. I have pictures of me with West, Baylor, Hazard, Imoff, LaRusso etc. I still remember being at a game were Wilt, he was on the 76's at the time, got T'd out of the game. He never fouled out of a game so that was interesting. I am a 24 year Laker season ticket holder 84-85 was my first year to own seats. I've seen some of the best basketball every played and I know I'm blessed. I also can't believe I didn't see this post until today!!

quote:

Originally posted by Neil K.:
I like that one....

Talk about someone who can't move up and down the court. The Warriors franchise seem to have cornered the recent market in forgiveness. First, the owner and Nellie now Nellie and Webber.

Enjoy,

Neil

Now if they could get PJ and Spree back...

...and Sarunis Marcelonus

quote:

Originally posted by dannyk8232:
I suppose the pundits assume Shaq will FINALLY drop those 30-40 extra pounds while sprinting up and down the court?

Not likely...

I agree. The Suns are built for speed, and the Big Law Enforcer turns their offense into four on five, not to mention Shaq-Daddy's clogging up the middle, so Nash can't work his magic. Bad trade.

quote:

Originally posted by indybob:

quote:

Originally posted by dannyk8232:
I suppose the pundits assume Shaq will FINALLY drop those 30-40 extra pounds while sprinting up and down the court?

Not likely...

I agree. The Suns are built for speed, and the Big Law Enforcer turns their offense into four on five, not to mention Shaq-Daddy's clogging up the middle, so Nash can't work his magic. Bad trade.

What worries me is Shaq nabbing rebounds and throwing good outlet passes to start the break...but I'm hoping as well this was a bad trade.

Nice sig...Fumke I think, not Funke. I may be wrong. Annyang!

dannyk8232,

Annyang Indeed!

I'm not rooting against Kazaam, I just think he's broken down, and can't throw the switch like he used to. But, maybe the motivation to get another ring to spite Kobe will get Officer O'Neil to drop some flab.

FYI-It's Funke, but technically, there should be an umlaut tossed in.

Later Hermano,

Bob-

Definitely an umlaut missing...

It's not George, Sr., it's Oscar.

Or is it???

quote:

Funke

Here you go:

Fünke

The Suns were going to loose Marion at the end of the year and get nothing. This trade does lock up Shaq and 20 million for two years, which is about as long as the Suns have to try a win a ring. I would not underestimate Shaq. It's all about how it all comes together. I still think it won't work but you never know

quote:

Originally posted by wineismylife:

quote:

Funke

Here you go:

Fünke

Thanks, WIML.

And be sure to check out my website...imoscar dot com.

The Lakers who by the way came from Mpls look real good right now. I think shaq o'neill has seen his better days and steve kerr had to pull a trigger considering they have lost twice to the timberwolves this year and have no paint presence. I don't see any dominate team from either east or west. I like the pistons out of the east and the west is a crapshoot.

quote:

Originally posted by mpls wine guy:
The Lakers who by the way came from Mpls look real good right now. I think shaq o'neill has seen his better days and steve kerr had to pull a trigger considering they have lost twice to the timberwolves this year and have no paint presence. I don't see any dominate team from either east or west. I like the pistons out of the east and the west is a crapshoot.

The Lakers are from Minneapolis?????

I'ts been one month today, and the lakers are looking good with Gasol and Bynum coming back!

quote:

Originally posted by mpls wine guy:
I'ts been one month today, and the lakers are looking good with Gasol and Bynum coming back!

I am slightly worried about Kobe's finger...hopefully he is NOT a dummy for skipping surgery at this point.

Lakers kicked some ass tonight and beat up the suns with an aging Shaq...

GSW Hoop beats the Celtics tonight!!!!!

HUGE win vs. the Suns a couple nights ago...

and they still play Det and Bos 4 more times!

Yikes...

Why is it that at this time each year everyone seems to disregard the Spurs? And yet, they continue to win.

If Lakers fans are counting on Gasol and Bynum to fill the gaps in order to win the Title, they are more delusional than usual. A soft Spaniard and an unproven second-year player? NOPE!

quote:

Originally posted by gigabit:
Why is it that at this time each year everyone seems to disregard the Spurs? And yet, they continue to win.

If Lakers fans are counting on Gasol and Bynum to fill the gaps in order to win the Title, they are more delusional than usual. A soft Spaniard and an unproven second-year player? NOPE!

Longing for the days of Malone and Stockton are we?