How does one organization ALWAYS seem to get the most prolific center in the league?

Of course, you would have to be on drugs to think Howard is in the same league as the other three but he is the best out there now.

On the bright side, the Heat took a big dump in their pants this morning. No way they repeat unless they get a real center. Joel Anthony isn't going to cut it next year.

Give LAL credit for having the assets to make this trade. They allowed themselves to have 1 mediocre lottery season, which they used to draft a player (10th pick) that developed into the 2nd best center in the league (and at a slow enough pace where they didn't have to give him a max contract).

And they were able to successfully clear cap space for Shaq in 1997.

NBA trades before the mid-80s were just a cluster**** of bizarre circumstances.

The Gasol trade is still the biggest steal.

True. Although the Orlando owner must have been smoking some good stuff to agree to the terms. Lottery protected draft picks?! That's nuts and basically ensures that Orlando will be a mediocre team for a few years. With all Howard's complaining, I actually think Orlando had a decent chance to resign him next year with the CBA so slanted to the home team (extra year and extra 20-25 mil).

Going back to the Lakers and their one sorry year, the consistent success of the Mavs (11 years with 50+ wins) has kind of put them in tight spot. Letting what could be the 3rd or 4th best center in the league (and probably the best defensive center) walk compounded that. Oh well.

[This message has been edited by AgBeliever (edited 8/10/2012 10:49a).]

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The Gasol trade is still the biggest steal.

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True. Although getting Collison for Mahimi was pretty decent steal as well, especially since the Mavs were about to lose Mahimi.

The Lakers are simply the best run organization in pro sports.

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The Lakers are simply the best run organization in pro sports.

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On the bright side, the Heat took a big dump in their pants this morning. No way they repeat unless they get a real center. Joel Anthony isn't going to cut it next year.

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They didn't have a real center this year and they won...not sure why next year will be any different...with the exception of the 10-11 season, Howard's numbers take a dip in the playoffs vs the regular season, where as most superstars' production increases. Not to mention no one knows how his back will react after surgery.

Howard wasn't playing alongside Kobe, Nash and Gasol before either.

I agree about the point with his back though. See: Bird, Larry.

Media spotlight in LA and NY, clubs and hos in Miami. Hard for other teams to compete with that unless they have significantly more $$$$ to offer.

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I agree about the point with his back though. See: Bird, Larry.

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Lakers wouldn't have pulled the trigger without doing due diligence on Dwight's back

Wonder how long the Lakers will be able to keep the Fab Four together.

With Kobe, Nash, Gasol. Artest, Blake, Duhon, and Jordan Hill under contract next year, the Lakers are ~9mm over the luxury tax line for 2013-2014. That is before Dwightmare resigns.

The Lakers are $27mm over the Lux Tax line for 2012-2013, right now.

I guess we will see if Cuban's predictions are correct.

Actually prepy makes a good point, for once. Until the back is fully healed, Howard isn't Howard. As stated, once Bird started having back problems, he was on a downward slide.

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The Lakers are simply the best run organization in pro sports

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Need to tap the brakes on this statement.

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Actually prepy makes a good point, for once. Until the back is fully healed, Howard isn't Howard. As stated, once Bird started having back problems, he was on a downward slide.

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I have my moments, while few and far between. I just think that with a player like howard who thrives on athleticism (he's not that skilled in the post) having back issues would/could severely hinder his game.

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The Lakers are $27mm over the Lux Tax line for 2012-2013, right now.

I guess we will see if Cuban's predictions are correct.

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I like Cuban a lot, but NY, NJ, and LA are just smacking around his quaint notion of cap integrity. Supposedly, being over the cap would paralyze your team, because you have a lower annual exemption, can't pick up amnesties, can't sign and trade, and can't take on salary in a trade.

For all his carping on the new "teeth" in this CBA, those other teams are running circles around his "flexibility" while still over the cap.

All those things you listed as penalties go into effect next year.

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How does one organization ALWAYS seem to get the most prolific center in the league?

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It's Los Angeles man. They've got great weather, Hollywood, oceanside mansions on cliffs, lots of tradition (meaning the Lakers are a historically relevant, iconic team), and more glam than just about any other city in the US (New York is the only real competitor). Probably one of the most fun places in the US to live if you're a millionaire who's into partying. And 99% of them are millionaires into partying.

When the Lakers say "come sign with us, we want you," everybody listens. Just the way it goes.

[This message has been edited by atfarmer (edited 8/10/2012 6:14p).]

Plus homes are cheap now!

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quote:The Gasol trade is still the biggest steal.



True. Although getting Collison for Mahimi was pretty decent steal as well, especially since the Mavs were about to lose Mahimi.

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this brilliance should not be brushed over

Mavs fans

Haha. Yeah screw the howard deal. Clearly collison, at best a back up pg for a contending team, is the best trade this offseason.

Please don't count the huge gash as a Mavs fan.

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The Gasol trade is still the biggest steal.

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You can wake up from 2008, this is hardly considered true by anyone who watches basketball.

The Grizzlies were the rare team that actually got an (eventual) All-Star back. And like very few, they actually got enough cap relief to go pick up another All-Star.

What did Cleveland get when they lost LeBron or Carlos Boozer?
What did Dallas and Phoenix get when they lost Nash?
What did Dallas get when they lost Tyson Chandler?
What did Toronto get when they lost Bosh?
Even the parts that Denver and Utah got for Carmello and Deron Williams might not have a player that ends up being an all star (Derrick Favors might).


The biggest steals in the league are the blockbuster free agent signings that either cost the team nothing or a couple of first round picks.

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What did Dallas and Phoenix get when they lost Nash?

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Dallas had the ability to retain Nash, but chose to sign Erick Dampier instead.

Nash is now 38. Most teams aren't getting a lot of compensation for 38 year old former MVPs.

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What did Cleveland get when they lost LeBron or Carlos Boozer?

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Cleveland themselves are at fault for losing Boozer. They gave him up willingly when they had him under contract. Cleveland still has three draft picks up coming from the LeBron trade and has gained the cap flexibility to sign a star, just like Memphis did. We will see if they are able to utilize that cap space.

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What did Dallas get when they lost Tyson Chandler?

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Dallas had the ability and opportunity to keep Tyson. Tyson wanted to stay, but Cuban didn't want to spend. So Dallas gained the salary cap flexibility to go after Deron Williams and Dwight Howard. Yields have yet to be seen.

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What did Toronto get when they lost Bosh?

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They got the salary cap space to add Kyle Lowery and Landry Fields so far.

The Grizzlies got Marc Gasol who was a complete unknown as far as talent went before the trade. The draft picks both sucked. They traded for ZBo, but had to give up a player with a large salary to do so (QRich). Pau turned the Lakers into a championship team. Marc turned the Grizzlies into a 4 seed. Big difference and a huge steal by the Lakers.

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So Dallas gained the salary cap flexibility to go after Deron Williams and Dwight Howard. Yields are so minimal that they're yet to be seen.

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FIFY