Los Angeles Lakers (17x NBA Champions)

[muffler dragon]

Maybe the curse of losing to Boston in the Finals is over now.

What curse do you mean precisely?

On a more serious note...will Phil be back to coach or not? My guess is that he is finally done, and this was the cap to his amazing career. There isn't another coach as great as Phil Jackson, but not having him back will save the Lakers quite a bit of money. I think if the core of the Lakers stick together, it won't matter that much who the coach is.

I actually will feel more unsettled than I had previously thought IF PJ doesn't return. I believe that his impact is much greater than just the game day product.

IF he does step down; then I really wonder if they'll maintain the triangle offense. Personally, I like that offense, and I think it suits the pieces that the Lakers have.

As for replacements, emotionally I would love to see Byron take the helm. I just don't know if that is the best course. I recall the Rudy T experiment, and I'm left pessimistic (and yes, I do know about the other turmoils at the time).

 

[OCBucksFan]

I am wondering if he's going to give it a try at another 3-pete, I mean every time he's won a championship he's won 3. I hope he comes back and goes for #3, I would love the chance to get a go at Cleveland in the finals, assuming LBJ stays...

 

[methomps]

Lakers sign PG Steve Blake to a 4-year deal, shoring up the team's biggest weakness. Oh and they got some news yesterday, but I can't remember it off the top of my head.

 

[southcampus]

Lakers sign PG Steve Blake to a 4-year deal, shoring up the team's biggest weakness. Oh and they got some news yesterday, but I can't remember it off the top of my head.

Phil Jackson announced that he will continue to bang a buss and teach buddhism to the Lakers?

 

[BengalsAndBucks]

Love Steve Blake acquisition. And, I mean, Phil coming back is ok too.

 

[buckeyescott11]

Love Steve Blake acquisition. And, I mean, Phil coming back is ok too.

Same here, just re-sign D.Fish and we're set.

 

[BengalsAndBucks]

My only question is whose spot does Blake take? Absolutely no way they drop Fisher considering how clutch he was in the playoffs, which means Blake replaces either Brown or Farmar. Personally I like Brown a lot better, especially because he is a good enough athlete to play SG on the second unit. But after that the Lakers just need to find a 3rd PF, a center to back up the Gasol/Bynum combo, and then a body basically.

 

[muffler dragon]

My only question is whose spot does Blake take? Absolutely no way they drop Fisher considering how clutch he was in the playoffs, which means Blake replaces either Brown or Farmar. Personally I like Brown a lot better, especially because he is a good enough athlete to play SG on the second unit. But after that the Lakers just need to find a 3rd PF, a center to back up the Gasol/Bynum combo, and then a body basically.

Farmar's not going to sign with the Lakers. He wants to start some where. He may very well come up to Portland.

 

[muffler dragon]

Summary of events for the Lakers thus far this offseason:

Derek Fisher: Lakers offer no deal to free agent Derek Fisher - latimes.com

Buss gave Kupchak the green light to dip into the team's mid-level exception, allowing the Lakers to agree to terms Friday with veteran point guard Steve Blake on a four-year, $16-million contract that bought a pass-first player with a decent three-point touch.

Lakers' free-agent guards have decisions to make - latimes.com

Jordan Farmar has agreed to a three-year, $12-million deal with the New Jersey Nets. Derek Fisher has offers from the Lakers and the Miami Heat. Shannon Brown is in the negotiation process.

Derek Fisher remains a Laker . . . for life, it would appear - latimes.com

The Lakers agreed to terms on a three-year contract with the veteran guard, bringing back a steadying locker-room influence and one of their top clutch shooters of the last decade. The contract was believed to be worth about $10.5 million, including a player option in the third year.

Derrick Caracter and Devin Ebanks turning heads in Summer League - latimes.com

Caracter and Ebanks began to pave their path toward the NBA by playing sound basketball at the NBA's Summer League in Las Vegas.

"They've both played well," Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak said. "They've practiced well. Their effort and their attention to detail has been good. They've played well generally speaking, in practice and in games."

Caracter, taken 58th overall out of Texas El Paso, averaged 15.4 points on 59.2% shooting, and 8.6 rebounds in five summer league games.

Ebanks, taken 43rd overall out of West Virginia, averaged 15 points and 3.6 rebounds in five summer league games. He shot 42.45% from the field and an impressive 45.4% from three-point range.

Andrew Bynum's knee surgery is set for July 28 - latimes.com

For the second time in three years, Lakers starting center Andrew Bynum will have surgery on his knee.

Bynum will have arthroscopic surgery July 28 to repair torn cartilage in his right knee, a Lakers spokesman said Tuesday. The procedure will be performed by Dr. David Altchek in New York.

Bynum, 22, said during his exit interview last month that he expected to have the surgery July 18, but his doctor didn't have an opening for the surgery until later this month.

Lakers public relations director John Black said the team would have a timetable for Bynum's recovery after the surgery.

"Supposedly he'll be 100% by training camp," Black said.

The Lakers training camp will start in late September ? earlier than normal ? because the team is scheduled to play exhibition games in London and Barcelona in October.

Lakers add Matt Barnes and Theo Ratliff - latimes.com

The Lakers were unable to sign Raja Bell, but another antagonist is on the way.

Free-agent forward Matt Barnes decided to sign a two-year deal with the Lakers, choosing the chance at a championship over a more lucrative offer from Cleveland on the same day Theo Ratliff agreed to a one-year, $1.35-million contract with the Lakers, adding a veteran shot-blocking center to the second unit.

Lakers' Kobe Bryant rehabilitating from knee surgery - latimes.com

The right knee that bothered Kobe Bryant last season finally went in for some service.

Bryant had arthroscopic surgery last week on the knee, the Lakers announced Friday. The knee bothered Bryant so much in April that he sat out a handful of regular-season games, and it was eventually drained near the end of the Lakers' first-round playoff series against Oklahoma City.

Bryant is rehabilitating the knee and is expected to return in time for training camp, which opens Sept. 25 in El Segundo.

<snip>

It was unclear whether Bryant would also have surgery on his right index finger or left ankle, both of which irritated him during the season.

"We have not really discussed it in great depth with Kobe," General Manager Mitch Kupchak said earlier Friday, before the team sent out the release. "I know he is looking at things that he may want to do. Kobe kind of runs his medical stuff on his own a little bit. I know he's in touch with? [trainer] Gary [Vitti]."

 

[brodybuck21]

im loving the off season moves. now get everyone healthy and make a run at a 3-peat

 

[OSUScoonie12]

Agreed. I think re-signing Fisher was huge. I don't see any other PG we have taking over and being as clutch as him. I also really liked the Theo Ratliff pickup. He will add that extra big man that can actually still play. I was hoping we could get Raja Bell, but i'm not that upset about not getting him.

As long as people stay healthy we have a good shot at a 3-peat. I am not worried about Miami at all, i really don't think they will even make the finals this year.

 

[brodybuck21]

Agreed. I think re-signing Fisher was huge. I don't see any other PG we have taking over and being as clutch as him. I also really liked the Theo Ratliff pickup. He will add that extra big man that can actually still play. I was hoping we could get Raja Bell, but i'm not that upset about not getting him.

As long as people stay healthy we have a good shot at a 3-peat. I am not worried about Miami at all, i really don't think they will even make the finals this year.

^^^^great point^^^^

i like the ratliff singing as well. gives us a no nonsense defender who can block shots and rebound.

 

[methomps]

If the Lakers stay healthy (a big if) or healthy relative to Miami, I think Bynum provides the edge over Miami.

 

[muffler dragon]

If the Lakers stay healthy (a big if) or healthy relative to Miami, I think Bynum provides the edge over Miami.

I don't think Miami comes close to being a defensive team, and I don't see them being all that aggressive on the boards. The Lakers have added to both qualities quite well this off season. I do agree that Bynum helps with making it "easier".

 

[OSUScoonie12]

I would love to see Bynum stay healthly for an entire year. He could put up some huge numbers if he could stay healthy. Like i said before, i don't see Miami even getting to the finals. Boston or Orlando will beat them out for the spot.

What do you guys think about Boston with signing Shaq now? Honestly, he is over the hill and won't be that big of a threat to opposing teams anymore. And with the signing of Ratliff for us, that gives us an extra big man to against a Shaq or anyone else that may get Bynum and Gasol in foul trouble.