Originally posted by JayJayDeanNot to nitpick (OK, to nitpick) but you keep mention "Seattle" in the same sentence as "Gary Payton" and "staying". Gary was traded to MILWAUKEE, and if he was staying someplace, it'd be THERE.
Seattle loves Ray Allen, though, even if we have no chance to win the championship.
Yeah I realize that but BucsFan said that a title wouldn't mean as much as it would in Utah or Seattle, so I was using Seattle in my reply. Although it would be impossible for him to stay there since, like you said he got traded away. So now he's in Milwaukee where he has no chance of winning a title and has no loyalty to the team so why not go somewhere where a) he's wanted and b) he can win a title. And the only place is LA.
Ask Paul Allen, Bob Whitset and the Portland Trailblazers how well getting every big name free agent worked out for them in the late 90's. There's only one ball out there and Malone, Payton, Shaq and Kobe can only touch it so many times in a game. It's totally different than everyone jumping to the Yankees, because in baseball everyone gets a turn to bat or a turn in the rotation. In basketball there is only 48 minutes to please everyone. Here's to a disaster waiting to happen.
There are two main differences between that Portland team and the Lakeshow... 1. Two words: Triangle Offense. It's worked to give everyone a touch (ideally) before a shot is made. You break the offense, you don't play. Simple as that.
2. How can you compare the Blazers of a few years ago to the new-look Lakers? That Blazer team was filled with a bunch of good players. There was not leadership. There were no "great" players. Above average, yes. But none that could hold a candle to either Shaq or Kobe. In the Lakers situation, those two are the elder statesmen. Malone and Payton are the newcomers who have to find a way to fit into the offense.
I have to disagree with your declaration that this is a disaster waiting to happen. I think that an aging Payton and an old Malone will fit very well into the Lakers scheme. As a fan of the Lakers, I do not want to see Malone in that jersey. I just hate him. I'd much rather see the front office go after Pippen. Let him have one last "hurrah" for Phil.
"Behind that twinkle in your eye, I can see the bitch in you." - 50
A league source told ESPN the Magazine's Ric Bucher that Karl Malone has decided to join the Los Angeles Lakers. The move comes just days after Gary Payton joined the team as well.
This should more than likely send San Antonio (and the rest of the NBA, for that matter) into "Panic Mode".
Tony Parker's days as a starter (or maybe even as a SPUR) may be numbered. Look for San Antonio to try and counter by bringing in Jason Kidd and POSSIBLY going for restricted free agent Elton Brand.
It could be a two-team race in the NBA next season.
"Yeah, I'm ugly and disfigured. Just like Molly's fatass. Right."
Well, hell, if Chris is coming up to the cities, maybe the Wolves could get Peja. We're just dying for an excuse to unload Wally somehwere where he can get his nails done more regularily.