[SPORTS] OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER TRADE THEIR 6TH MAN : JAMES HARDEN

Well I must say I am one happy LAKER fan right now. The Oklahoma City Thunder have just traded away their 6th man of the year, James Harden. Yep you read that right. Harden was up for a contract extension, that technically could have been revisited at the end of the season, but Sam Presti tried to get a deal done by the deadline of 10/31 offering James 4yrs, $53-54M.

First tell me why that’s not a good deal? James get’s paid, and he stays on a true contender?! He get’s traded to Houston, who will pay him a max deal believed to be $60M for 5yrs of service. Seriously, $6M is the difference here? This guy, along with Durant/Westbrook were the future for the OKC Thunder. I hope someone tells James that he has officially become the Joe Johnson of the NBA. He got his money, but he will be stuck at the bottom of the playoff pole, if he is there at all. Being a 6th man, & being THE MAN are two entirely different things. When you are keyed on night after night, with the role players he has..it’s going to be a long 82 games. But hey, I’m a Lakers fan so I just say thank you!

As for OKC, I understand you got Kevin Martin, & Jeremy Lamb in the deal along with picks…but Kevin Martin hasn’t played a full 82 games since…well the beginning of his career. Yes he can score, but if he is not available for the playoffs what good will it do? And what about this chemistry everyone continues to talk about? People saying the Lakers will have problems this season because of possible chemistry issues, well please believe this is a totally different dynamic for this OKC team as well.

The NBA season officially begins 10/30. I pray that DirecTV comes to terms with Time Warner Sports Net, in order for those in California can get the Lakers channel, as for me, NBA League Pass all day.

 

LAKERS TRADE DEREK FISHER and PAU GASOL GETS TO STAY

Words cannot explain how seeing Derek Fisher go, for the second time, hurts more than the first time. I remember back in 2005 when he left to go to Golden State, I was cool with it simply because he left on his own. So when I would see him in that Warriors uniform, I could just root against him (when he played against the Lakers). I felt justified. This time it was an organizational decision.

One of the greatest basketball leaders ever to play the game. The big shot maker, momentum changer, and most important, the AMBASSADOR to Kobe Bryant’s conscience. Kobe openly admitted that Derek Fisher was the one person in the locker room that could tell him when he was messing up. For as great as Kobe is, for him to say that, says so much about who Derek Fisher is. Now because of obvious reasons, he is no longer a Laker.

Don’t get it twisted, I’m so excited to see what Ramon Sessions can give to this organization, along with Jordan Hill, I just didn’t want it to be at the expense of the one stable fixture you have in the locker room. I mean I would have rather seen Steve Blake go (he was already rumored to be leaving in a 3-team trade involving Minnesota/Portland). Now that’s not to say that I don’t like having Steve Blake on the team, but if there had to be an odd man out, I just never thought it would be Fish. With Darius Morris still developing, and now Sessions, just seemed Fish would definitely have been needed more. The question though, is would the “bulldog” have accepted very limited minutes off the bench? Honestly I’m not sure about that. But one thing is certain, if Houston buys him out, I don’t want to be staring at him in the playoffs with the game on the line, and across his chest it says (I’m not a Laker: insert new team)…bye bye Lakers…I play for a new team now. smh

This will always be the greatest shot of his life..for me as a Laker fan.

But now that we have to move on, who is Ramon Sessions. Well check out the point guard who will be asked to fill some very large shoes. I really do say a prayer for the young man, because it’s not simply about performing on the court, with Fisher gone…he now has to show Kobe Bryant, that he deserves to be beside him on the court..smh…LORD HELP MY TEAM.

HaHa and I’m so happy for the big Spainard, Pau Gasol, who was not traded at the deadline. Check out his response once the trade dealine passed.

 

LAKERS TRADE RUMOR: LAKERS WON’T TRADE GASOL FOR RONDO?

Oh my goodness. Mike Bresnahan of the LA Times is reporting that the Lakers are unwilling to give up Pau Gasol for Boston’s 25yr. old walking triple double, Rajon Rondo? I really hope that this is not true. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m one of the biggest Laker fans in the world and I love what Pau Gasol brings to our team, but we are talking about a guy in Rajon Rondo who has a Chris Paul type mindset on the court, and his hunger to win is always on 10. I’m not sure if that’s a good move for the Lakers not to explore this situation deeper. You have to give up something to get something, and unfortunately, Pau is the only “movable” piece we have.

The Lakers are unwilling to trade Pau Gasol for Rondo, making a deal with Boston unlikely before the trade deadline Thursday.

The only reason I’m okay with the trade of Pau Gasol for Rajon Rondo is simply because the offensive style the Lakers are now running calls for a point guard that’s on the highest level. Lebron James in this same offense was able to get to the finals with a pg named Mo Williams, so imagine Kobe, Andrew, and Rajon on the same team. That would definitely be an upgrade for Mike Brown’s chances to get back to the finals again.

It’s always tough to trade a player of Pau’s caliber, simply because of his dedication to the organization and the team. Also you know the Lakers don’t want to have another big “falling out” with a player, like with what happened with the Lamar Odom trade. I would not want to be Mitch Kupchak. What do you think LakerNation, is this a good decision by the Lakers to not trade Pau for Rondo? Will a lower level pg do this roster any justice, or should you go for the right now/future all in one trade?

 

[SPORTS] RAJON RONDO TO LAKERS?

Okay I don’t know how much I would allow this to be mulled over, but Eric Pincus of HOOPSWORLD has a “theory” that leads him to possibly believe that the Celtics & Lakers are talking about a possible trade that would land Rajon Rondo in LA, and Pau Gasol in Boston.

Now although I really won’t hold my breath to see this happen, BUT let’s explore it anyway. With David Stern flexing his muscle against the Lakers and nixing the possible trade for all-star guard Chris Paul, and watching the Celtics struggle early in the season (although they are doing better now), it begin to way in my mind that the league seemed to be putting a nail in the coffin for 2 of the greatest franchises in NBA history. Cause remember, the Celtics also offered Rondo to New Orleans (the league owned team) for Chris Paul and were turned away. Now as we sit 35 games into the 66 game season, the 2 most historic franchises are looking to add pieces to stay in the hunt. No other teams in the league will seemingly help them, so why not help each other. Contrary to popular belief, the only thing bigger than the Celtic/Laker rivalry is the fact that they both know that they are the top dogs in this league, and are not ready to leave their championship ways standing at 17/16.

 

Houston Rockets & Tracy McGrady Seeking a Trade

Hello Lakeshow fam, for the life of me I don’t understand the Rockets take on this thing? We have all known for a while that T-Mac is injury prone, but so is Yao Ming…and yet they are ready to get rid of this guy with no problem? Well it wasn’t hard to see this coming for sure, with McGrady finally believing he is healthy enough to play and the Rockets choosing not to play him, a trade was inevitable.
I don’t know what type of “locker room” guy Tracy is, but I do know if he came to the Lakers, he would save a lot of wear and tear not only on Kobe, but Lamar & Fisher as well. Remember fam, T-Mac has a HUGE expiring contract that could possibly bring us a lot of relief next summer (I think that’s how it goes), and he is definitely instant offense. For me personally seeing T-Mac come in for Kobe is alot more entertaining than watching Sasha V hit the court. As for his durability, if he goes down again, Kobe is ALWAYS available, but the best part of it all, he doesn’t end up in San Antonio or Denver, dang or Dallas for that matter. Nor with our archenemy Boston, or even Cleveland…let’s just look at the big picture here.
Oh it’s no secret that Tracy said when his days with the Rockets were over he would love to play with Kobe Bryant…unfortunately the video over at ESPN is (not available) anymore…theLakersNation.com

Leave me your thoughts and comments on this developing situation.

 

Lakers Trade Radmonivich for Adam Morrison, Shannon Brown