NBA 2011-2012

[TripletDaddy]

Did you see the Kobe interview? He said the exact same thing. BTW, Kobe and company are pissed about the LO trade. When he was asked what he thinks if this move was to make way for Dwight he said ask me when again when he's here.

He did? He will get fined for sure. I'm not restricted on what I can say about the Commish. It is a fair point. A couple of days after all this jabba jabba about lopsided trades and the Commish approves a trade of the Sixth man of the year for nothing in return but cap space. lol.

I would expect a fast track approval of that Dwight Howard trade, thank you very much.

I don't blame Kobe for being skeptical. As of right now, all the lakers did was trade away a really critical piece of their team with no talent in return. How are they supposed to react? They can't say they are excited. I guess at best all they can say is that they are confused.

[Surfah]

He did? He will get fined for sure. I'm not restricted on what I can say about the Commish. It is a fair point. A couple of days after all this jabba jabba about lopsided trades and the Commish approves a trade of the Sixth man of the year for nothing in return but cap space. lol.

I would expect a fast track approval of that Dwight Howard trade, thank you very much.

I don't blame Kobe for being skeptical. As of right now, all the lakers did was trade away a really critical piece of their team with no talent in return. How are they supposed to react? They can't say they are excited. I guess at best all they can say is that they are confused.

Yeah I am sure he'll get a call about his comment:

As Bryant continued to answer questions about Odom joining the team that swept the Lakers out of the second round of the playoffs last spring, his anger grew.

"Now I'm getting pissed off," he said.

Bryant said he was "especially" upset about Odom joining the Mavs, who not only beat the Lakers, but beat them by 36 points in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals to put an end to the Phil Jackson era.

Bryant would not even call the Mavericks by name, instead referring to Dallas as "that team" on several occasions.

He did call the Mavericks owner by name, however.

"I don't think Mark Cuban is protesting this trade," Bryant said, adding a sarcastic smirk.

But in Mitch we trust:

"I trust management knows what they're doing," Bryant said. "I'll let them do their jobs and I'll never get in the way of it, but, it's tough.

"You got to let Mitch do his job. Look, Mitch has proven himself over the course of the years that he's been able to build a great team here. We have to all trust that he's going to do that."

On Howard:

Bryant acknowledged the sentiment that the Odom deal might precede another move by Lakers management, perhaps to secure Dwight Howard from Orlando.

"Whether they have something else going on, that's on them to decide," Bryant said.

Lakers forward Matt Barnes, a former teammate of Howard's, said he has spoken to him about the trade speculation but would not characterize the talks as pitches to come to L.A.

"He has a tough decision to make," Barnes said. "There's teams pulling at him every way. We just have real talks, more than anything about him being a Laker. He's got to do what's best for him and his family and what makes him happy."

Bryant, however said he has not spoken to Howard, who he played with on the 2008 U.S. Olympic team, and would not entertain how the Lakers would look if the three-time Defensive Player of the Year was traded to L.A.

"If?" Bryant said. "If it happens I'll give you my thoughts then."

[MarkGrace]

If anyones getting a fine it's dwill.

[TripletDaddy]

If anyones getting a fine it's dwill.

Darren is employing a bizarre strategy if he wants the Nets to slide on the tampering charges and then get a trade for Dwight approved. Seems like the wrong day to be poking Stern with a stick.

Darren has had a pretty big head ever since that Turkish team retired his number.

[TripletDaddy]

CP3 to the Clips. Now that is a great idea. An owner committed to winning, a team with a track record if keeping its talent....leave New Orleans because you want to take a shot at a ring and you go to the Clippers.

[Flystripper]

I am sad to see LO go. The Lakers better succeed on their overall plan for or there may be a riot in LA circa April 29, 1992...

NATIONAL GUARD! SMOKE FROM ALL AROUND!

[FN Phat]

I am sad to see LO go. The Lakers better succeed on their overall plan for or there may be a riot in LA circa April 29, 1992...

NATIONAL GUARD! SMOKE FROM ALL AROUND!

Tell me, where were you?

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

Broussard saying the deal is Kaman, Aminu, the Wolves picks AND Gordon. He's saying the Clips are trying hard to make sure Gordon's name isn't confirmed so if the deal doesn't go through they don't burn bridges with him.

Wojo of Yahoo is saying the deal is Kaman, Aminu, the Wolves pick and Bledsoe.

I think either deal is better than what NO would have gotten the first time around because Kaman's deal expires after just one year and that Wolves pick is unprotected. When moving an elite player like Paul the team needs to get cap room to go after free agents, a high draft pick, and a young prospect or two. Aminu + Bledsoe + a top 5 pick in this draft would be a nice pickup for Paul.

[Donuthole]

Broussard saying the deal is Kaman, Aminu, the Wolves picks AND Gordon. He's saying the Clips are trying hard to make sure Gordon's name isn't confirmed so if the deal doesn't go through they don't burn bridges with him.

Wojo of Yahoo is saying the deal is Kaman, Aminu, the Wolves pick and Bledsoe.

I think either deal is better than what NO would have gotten the first time around because Kaman's deal expires after just one year and that Wolves pick is unprotected. When moving an elite player like Paul the team needs to get cap room to go after free agents, a high draft pick, and a young prospect or two. Aminu + Bledsoe + a top 5 pick in this draft would be a nice pickup for Paul.

Haven't you heard? The package of Odom, Martin, Scola and Goric was the best possible deal NOH could get for Paul. By definition, this deal is worse.

[MarkGrace]

If they got gordon too damn. If not, the lac have something good going on iin paul, gordon, griffin and jordan.

[MarkGrace]

If they got gordon too damn. If not, the lac have something good going on iin paul, gordon, griffin and jordan.

A snr 4, a catch-and-dunk 5, a floor spacer in gordon, etc. Structurally that's a better set up for paul than what he would have seen in the other la.

[MarkGrace]

Sounds like it def includes gordon. Gordon, kaman, aminu, unprotected 1st and then the league asked them to add bledsoe on top. Damn

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

OJ Mayo officially traded to Indiana for McRoberts/Rush.

[Surfah]

Haven't you heard? The package of Odom, Martin, Scola and Goric was the best possible deal NOH could get for Paul. By definition, this deal is worse.

As far as talent is concerned, the previous deal was much better. In fact it's not really comparable.

[Donuthole]

As far as talent is concerned, the previous deal was much better. In fact it's not really comparable.

As far as talent is concerned, I think it's very debatable.

But even assuming our point is correct, it's a silly point. Talent isn't the only thing that matters when making a trade. Especially when making a trade from the standpoint of maximizing assets to allow for future flexibility (which is what Demps has said his goal is for NOH).