** The Official Los Angeles Lakers Thread **

[SuitedAces21 2,703]

Discuss the LA Lakers.

[princeof56k 0]

Hopefully Kobe has been watching these last couple of games and saying "That Odom guy is pretty good. Maybe I should pass to him more often." I don't think he knew that last season. And I'm not a Kobe hater. I love the Black Mamba.And btw, there's actually a chance that Odom's good play is actually his way of auditioning for other clubs. As in, "Hey look! When I get the ball every now and then I'm one of the top players in league! Someone please trade for me and get me out of here!" I think there's at least a 25% chance thats what's going on.

[SuitedAces21 2,703]

Hopefully Kobe has been watching these last couple of games and saying "That Odom guy is pretty good. Maybe I should pass to him more often." I don't think he knew that last season. And I'm not a Kobe hater. I love the Black Mamba.And btw, there's actually a chance that Odom's good play is actually his way of auditioning for other clubs. As in, "Hey look! When I get the ball every now and then I'm one of the top players in league! Someone please trade for me and get me out of here!" I think there's at least a 25% chance thats what's going on.

I think Kobe knows that he cant win without making Odom his Pippen. I just hope he allows it.

[Jadaki 0]

I think Kobe knows that he cant win without making Odom his Pippen. I just hope he allows it.

Kobe /= JordanOdom /= PippenNever make the comparison again.

[SuitedAces21 2,703]

Kobe /= JordanOdom /= PippenNever make the comparison again.

obviously no one will ever be Jordan. But Kobe and Odom is as close as Jordan - Pippen there is today.

[ncperrotta069 0]

without Kobe Odom goes off and with Kobe he hasnt had a great game they need to get on the same page.. on a positive note i think Walton, Cook and Bynum have improved alot and Farmar is looking good

[Jadaki 0]

obviously no one will ever be Jordan. But Kobe and Odom is as close as Jordan - Pippen there is today.

Let me know when Odom learns to play defense or is a all star on a regular basis. Until then he can't be mentioned in the same breath as Pippen's jock strap.

[princeof56k 0]

I know I'm way late on this, but why did Kobe change his number? I think its his old high school number or something, but I missed why he changed it.And is he still calling himself the Black Mamba or has he changed that too? Even is he changed it, I would assume he would still keep it some deadly venomous snake. Although he could name himself after the Garter Snake to just confuse everyone.

[Jadaki 0]

I know I'm way late on this, but why did Kobe change his number? I think its his old high school number or something, but I missed why he changed it.And is he still calling himself the Black Mamba or has he changed that too? Even is he changed it, I would assume he would still keep it some deadly venomous snake. Although he could name himself after the Garter Snake to just confuse everyone.

I've heard various reasons why he changed his number, I never knew that the black mamba was an official nickname for him. That's a fairly retarded nickname.

[SuitedAces21 2,703]

12-5 and a game and half up on the Suns, but the Suns are streaking.

[Jadaki 0]

12-5 and a game and half up on the Suns, but the Suns are streaking.

I really don't want to see a bunch of pro basketball players running down my street naked

[Azreous 0]

I really don't want to see a bunch of pro basketball players running down my street naked

Steve Nash is the new hotness....Nope, not even a Suns fan can say that with a straight face.

[unclemonty 0]

12-5 and a game and half up on the Suns, but the Suns are streaking.

You had to figure that Phoenix would right the ship. The slow start they got off to was no need for everyone to panic like they did.

[SuitedAces21 2,703]

Odom going down for a month right as they hit the road for 14 of 20. We'll see what this team is made up over the next 6 weeks.

[SuitedAces21 2,703]

Still playing well. A super tough back to back tonight and tommorow at San Antonio and at Dallas. Should be interesting.

[flyingdonkey 0]

Read some rumors that the Lakers might be interested in Kidd... Kidd and Kobe would be sick.

[princeof56k 0]

Read some rumors that the Lakers might be interested in Kidd... Kidd and Kobe would be sick.

I dont doubt they're interested in Kidd. But are they able to get him? Thats the real question.

[SuitedAces21 2,703]

Big win tonight. Kobe is playing better than ever.

[SuitedAces21 2,703]

a nonsense suspension cost the lakers a game yesterday. David Stern is out of control.

[Jadaki 0]

David Stern is out of control.

Yea, I'm with Mark Cuban on that.Sidenote: Kobe's duck last night was pretty sick, so was the pull up 3 from just after halfcourt.

[SuitedAces21 2,703]

Lakers have lost 5 straight and sit at 30-24 going into the all-star break. They need to pick it up, and I am confident that they will.

[3A 0]

Scottie Pippen is thinking about coming back and wants to play for a contender with warm weather. He made it known that Miami and San Antonio have some consideration, but I would think playing for his old coach with a superstar playing along side him would be perfect. Not to mention if they did that they could make room by trading Odom for someone like Kidd, most likely not a straight up deal, but it would make sense for the long term future of the Nets and they could also unload Carter on another team for some youth, maybe a team like the Clippers and grab Maggette and a draft pick. that would leave them with Jefferson as a building piece or they could even unload him or have him packaged in a deal with the Lakers and try to get Bynum or Walton and draft picks.I'm not much of a Lakers fan, but from a fan of the game getting Pippen and trading Odom for another player makes perfect sense for them. Obviously Scottie knows how to play the triangle also.

[princeof56k 0]

Scottie Pippen is thinking about coming back and wants to play for a contender with warm weather. He made it known that Miami and San Antonio have some consideration, but I would think playing for his old coach with a superstar playing along side him would be perfect. Not to mention if they did that they could make room by trading Odom for someone like Kidd, most likely not a straight up deal, but it would make sense for the long term future of the Nets and they could also unload Carter on another team for some youth, maybe a team like the Clippers and grab Maggette and a draft pick. that would leave them with Jefferson as a building piece or they could even unload him or have him packaged in a deal with the Lakers and try to get Bynum or Walton and draft picks.I'm not much of a Lakers fan, but from a fan of the game getting Pippen and trading Odom for another player makes perfect sense for them. Obviously Scottie knows how to play the triangle also.

If this is a joke and I missed it, then I apologize.First, I find it hard to believe Pippen is coming back. He's 41 years old and hasnt played in 2 years.Second, the idea of getting Pippen so that you can trade Odom is pure insanity. I dont even know how to discuss this further.I have a hard time seeing a team wanting Pippen in the first place much less giving him the significant minutes he surely wants.EDIT: I just looked it up. It's no joke. Pippen is thinking about a come back. I actually feel back for him thats he's going senile in his old age.

[3A 0]

Lamar Odom's production is so much lower when Kobe Bryant is playing its sad to watch, hes no superstar, but he would greatly benifit from a team that was willing to let him use his talents more openly. I don't think Scottie Pippen would be a savior for this team, I think it would allow them more flexability. Most importantly a player whether its Pippen or someone else that would take Odoms spot on the floor would be a great benifit, someone like Vince Carter would obviously be a better choice. I just don't think the lakers could take on a salary as high as Carters, Kidd's contract is much more managable and the obvious bonus of Pippen knowing the triangle offense would be a nice lift.So to clarify I don't think Pippen will be a huge signing, but he would be an excellent 3rd or 4th option in the offense not to mention he would be one of their top defenders immediately (if he's in basketball shape) So really if they get Pippen and get a PG, PF or C in return for Odom I think it would be a step i the right direction for the Lakers to make a run. I mostly put this on the Lakers thread, because I don't think Pippen is a great fit for the Spurs, he would just be another aging vetren who came in during the end of games in their system. Also, he might make a descent fit in Miami, but that would basically force their hand to deal one of their top defenders in Posey, it could happen and Riley is a guy who might take that risk.These are just my opinions and I have little to go by aside from what was writting on www.espn.com as well as my knowledge of Pippen/Jackson's past relationship. Six championships worth.

[fleung22 1]

3rd or 4th option?I think the game is too fast for Scotty to even start on any team. Maybe he's been running his butt off in the gym but I'd be surprised if he could walk into a locker room full of young athletes in mid-season shape and outlast/outplay half of them. Pippen would be at best a 6th man. If he proves himself he might move up in order but no contender is going to mess with the starting line-up. He DEFINITELY won't crack the Spurs or Mavs starting five by the time playoffs roll around.