*Official* 2007-2008 LA Lakers \"the year we missed out on KG\" thread
 

*Sigh*

When will Kupcake do something?

If season starts today this is our opening day roster:
C-Kwame Brown
C-Chris Mihm
C-Andrew Bynum
F-Ronny Turiaf
F-Lamar Odom
F-Vlad Rad
F-Brian Cook
F-Luke Walton
G-Kobe Bryant
G-Maurice Evans
G-Derek Fisher
G-Jordan Farmar
G-Sasha Vujacic
G-Coby Karl
G-Javaris Crittenton

The players in bold will probably be our starters. (Maybe Farmar over D-Fish or Mihm over Brown. Whatever)

Anyone happy with making the playoff as the 7th or 8th seed and getting destroyed in the first round again? I know I'm not.

I want JO.

Re: *Official* 2007-2008 LA Lakers \"the year we missed out on KG\" thread
 

Yes, because JO will get us to the 6th seed and a not-quite-so-embarrassing first round loss. That's much better.

Re: *Official* 2007-2008 LA Lakers \"the year we missed out on KG\" thre
 

[ QUOTE ]
Yes, because JO will get us to the 6th seed and a not-quite-so-embarrassing first round loss. That's much better.

[/ QUOTE ]

[img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] At least we will almost guarantee ourself a playoff spot. [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

Suns/Mavs/Spurs
Rockets/Nuggets/Utah

I think those teams are the top two tiers of the Western Conference at this moment. This basically leaves two spots for the remaining teams
Clippers, Hornets, Warriors, Lakers, Kings, Blazers.

Yea not THAT optimistic.

Re: *Official* 2007-2008 LA Lakers \"the year we missed out on KG\" thre
 

It's gonna be a depressing year. Go Bruins!

Re: *Official* 2007-2008 LA Lakers \"the year we missed out on KG\" thre
 

[ QUOTE ]
Yes, because JO will get us to the 6th seed and a not-quite-so-embarrassing first round loss. That's much better.

[/ QUOTE ]

It's actually is better. A lot better.

Re: *Official* 2007-2008 LA Lakers \"the year we missed out on KG\" thre
 

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[ QUOTE ]
Yes, because JO will get us to the 6th seed and a not-quite-so-embarrassing first round loss. That's much better.

[/ QUOTE ]

It's actually is better. A lot better.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ya. But we probably would have preferred KG [img]/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img]. Enjoy yourself this season watching Celts games gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaa.

Honestly, I don't know how other Lakers fans felt when they heard the news. My first response was whoa, then a second response of doubt for Kupchak's inability to get [censored] done. Yes maybe one day Bynum will be as good as Wilt and Russell and we will all look back and think ah how foolish we are to think of trading a young gamble for a almost-at-the-end-tail-of-his-prime KG. Miserable.

Oh well, 2008-2009 season looks promising as we will have some caproom to sign a player when Kwame comes off the payroll hahahahahahaha

Re: *Official* 2007-2008 LA Lakers \"the year we missed out on KG\" thre
 

[ QUOTE ]
I want JO.

[/ QUOTE ]

Take him

sincerely,

a fed up pacers fan

Re: *Official* 2007-2008 LA Lakers \"the year we missed out on KG\" thre
 

"Ya. But we probably would have preferred KG . Enjoy yourself this season watching Celts games gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaa"

With the addition of KG, Pierce is on record saying he's targeting a playing weight of 230 instead of the 240-245 he's been rocking the last two seasons. Reason? So he can guard positions 1-3. And he's working on defense all summer.

I don't know how close to getting the deal done the Lakers were, but if Bynum really was all that stood between Kidd coming to the Lakers, Kupchak should have been fired on the spot.

Re: *Official* 2007-2008 LA Lakers \"the year we missed out on KG\" thre
 

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I don't know how close to getting the deal done the Lakers were, but if Bynum really was all that stood between Kidd coming to the Lakers, Kupchak should have been fired on the spot.

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As far as I know (which isn't far), the Lakers were willing to part with Bynum, Odom, and draft picks/other players to get KG, but Minnesota didn't think the offer was good enough.

Re: *Official* 2007-2008 LA Lakers \"the year we missed out on KG\" thre
 

the lakers didn't miss out on KG, they had zero chance to trade for him. what exactly did you think the GM could do? he can't just will young players or draft picks on the team

Re: *Official* 2007-2008 LA Lakers \"the year we missed out on KG\" thre
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I want JO.

[/ QUOTE ]

Take him

sincerely,

a fed up pacers fan

[/ QUOTE ]

QFT

Re: *Official* 2007-2008 LA Lakers \"the year we missed out on KG\" thre
 

<--Lakers fan

We're wasting Kobe's prime. [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

Re: *Official* 2007-2008 LA Lakers \"the year we missed out on KG\" thre
 

I don't think KG would have gone to LA. He wanted to be on a contender.

http://i.usatoday.net/sports/_photos...ettx-large.jpg

Re: *Official* 2007-2008 LA Lakers \"the year we missed out on KG\" thre
 

[ QUOTE ]
I don't think KG would have gone to LA. He wanted to be on a contender.

http://i.usatoday.net/sports/_photos...ettx-large.jpg

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KG+Kobe=4th seed. Which equals contender. Not favorite by any means but contender for sure.

Re: *Official* 2007-2008 LA Lakers \"the year we missed out on KG\" thre
 

Kobe > Pierce + Allen. However, playoff path through East >> path through West.

Re: *Official* 2007-2008 LA Lakers \"the year we missed out on KG\" thre
 

Also the Celtics have a PG who can give him the ball!

Re: *Official* 2007-2008 LA Lakers \"the year we missed out on KG\" thre
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I don't think KG would have gone to LA. He wanted to be on a contender.

http://i.usatoday.net/sports/_photos...ettx-large.jpg

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KG+Kobe=4th seed. Which equals contender. Not favorite by any means but contender for sure.

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I'm not quite sure people understand just how good Kevin Garnett is due to his former allegiance to one of the shittiest basketball organizations over the past 10 years. They'll understand this year though...some douchebag announcer is going to say in May "Kevin Garnett has established that he is the best player in the NBA, better than Kobe, better than Lebron, simply the best."

What's really nice is that Allen and Pierce aren't slouches on defense either. They are both competent and unselfish. I see the Celtics winning ~62 games this year. It's going to be hillarious when the Celtics run into the Cavs or Pistons in the Conference finals.

Barry

Re: *Official* 2007-2008 LA Lakers \"the year we missed out on KG\" thre
 

[ QUOTE ]
*Sigh*

When will Kupcake do something?

If season starts today this is our opening day roster:
C-Kwame Brown
C-Chris Mihm
C-Andrew Bynum
F-Ronny Turiaf
F-Lamar Odom
F-Vlad Rad
F-Brian Cook
F-Luke Walton
G-Kobe Bryant
G-Maurice Evans
G-Derek Fisher
G-Jordan Farmar
G-Sasha Vujacic
G-Coby Karl
G-Javaris Crittenton

The players in bold will probably be our starters. (Maybe Farmar over D-Fish or Mihm over Brown. Whatever)

Anyone happy with making the playoff as the 7th or 8th seed and getting destroyed in the first round again? I know I'm not.

I want JO.

[/ QUOTE ]
Whenever I heard these sentiments around the city I always thought does nobody remember how last year the Lakers were kicking general booty, playing really good ball, and putting themselves into the top 10 of almost every power ranking (and some top 5s)? Injuries derailed this team, especially Walton's. Outside of Kobe he's really the only one that gets this offense. He's back, and they have D-Fish as well, who played in the system for almost a decade. Mix that in with a lot of young hustle guys, and the pessimism about this team never really made sense to me. But, as Kobe just pointed out it is really early, and getting carried away might be a a mistake. Even so, these guys are looking damn good, and their second best player isn't even playing. As long as they stay healthy I really doubt this is a 7th seed team.

Re: *Official* 2007-2008 LA Lakers \"the year we missed out on KG\" thre
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
*Sigh*

When will Kupcake do something?

If season starts today this is our opening day roster:
C-Kwame Brown
C-Chris Mihm
C-Andrew Bynum
F-Ronny Turiaf
F-Lamar Odom
F-Vlad Rad
F-Brian Cook
F-Luke Walton
G-Kobe Bryant
G-Maurice Evans
G-Derek Fisher
G-Jordan Farmar
G-Sasha Vujacic
G-Coby Karl
G-Javaris Crittenton

The players in bold will probably be our starters. (Maybe Farmar over D-Fish or Mihm over Brown. Whatever)

Anyone happy with making the playoff as the 7th or 8th seed and getting destroyed in the first round again? I know I'm not.

I want JO.

[/ QUOTE ]
Whenever I heard these sentiments around the city I always thought does nobody remember how last year the Lakers were kicking general booty, playing really good ball, and putting themselves into the top 10 of almost every power ranking (and some top 5s)? Injuries derailed this team, especially Walton's. Outside of Kobe he's really the only one that gets this offense. He's back, and they have D-Fish as well, who played in the system for almost a decade. Mix that in with a lot of young hustle guys, and the pessimism about this team never really made sense to me. But, as Kobe just pointed out it is really early, and getting carried away might be a a mistake. Even so, these guys are looking damn good, and their second best player isn't even playing. As long as they stay healthy I really doubt this is a 7th seed team.

[/ QUOTE ]

"Suns/Mavs/Spurs
Rockets/Nuggets/Utah"

even if everything goes right for them do you think they're better than any of these 6 teams?

Re: *Official* 2007-2008 LA Lakers \"the year we missed out on KG\" thre
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
*Sigh*

When will Kupcake do something?

If season starts today this is our opening day roster:
C-Kwame Brown
C-Chris Mihm
C-Andrew Bynum
F-Ronny Turiaf
F-Lamar Odom
F-Vlad Rad
F-Brian Cook
F-Luke Walton
G-Kobe Bryant
G-Maurice Evans
G-Derek Fisher
G-Jordan Farmar
G-Sasha Vujacic
G-Coby Karl
G-Javaris Crittenton

The players in bold will probably be our starters. (Maybe Farmar over D-Fish or Mihm over Brown. Whatever)

Anyone happy with making the playoff as the 7th or 8th seed and getting destroyed in the first round again? I know I'm not.

I want JO.

[/ QUOTE ]
Whenever I heard these sentiments around the city I always thought does nobody remember how last year the Lakers were kicking general booty, playing really good ball, and putting themselves into the top 10 of almost every power ranking (and some top 5s)? Injuries derailed this team, especially Walton's. Outside of Kobe he's really the only one that gets this offense. He's back, and they have D-Fish as well, who played in the system for almost a decade. Mix that in with a lot of young hustle guys, and the pessimism about this team never really made sense to me. But, as Kobe just pointed out it is really early, and getting carried away might be a a mistake. Even so, these guys are looking damn good, and their second best player isn't even playing. As long as they stay healthy I really doubt this is a 7th seed team.

[/ QUOTE ]

"Suns/Mavs/Spurs
Rockets/Nuggets/Utah"

even if everything goes right for them do you think they're better than any of these 6 teams?

[/ QUOTE ]
I might be wrong with this number but they have taken the last 3/4 against the Jazz over this and all of last season. They are better than last year with the addition of Fisher. Do I think they are better than the Nuggets or the Rockets? Ummm right now yes but its close. They have been over-performing I'm pretty sure but they have also been playing without Odom.

Re: *Official* 2007-2008 LA Lakers \"the year we missed out on KG\" thre
 

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Kobe > Pierce + Allen.

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LOL

Re: *Official* 2007-2008 LA Lakers \"the year we missed out on KG\" thre
 

I'm very glad they're doing well right now, and to Semtex, I feel you on that one. I am frustrated in the way that we cannot compete with the top tier, given that we are a second-tier team (at the moment, I honestly don't know whether we are second tier or fighting for the 7th seed. They were doing really well last year until injuries hit them, yes, but also realize when we had our squad for the playoff we were of no match against the Suns. My gripe was mainly about Kupcake not going out and doing something, ANYTHING, to make us a top contender instead of floating around the second-tier. I hate to see Kobe's prime years go to waste.

Re: *Official* 2007-2008 LA Lakers \"the year we missed out on KG\" thre
 

Have faith brothers...I'm confident that an opportunity to pick up a quality player (with a big salary) for next-to-nothing (eg. Kwame Brown's expiring deal and a 1st rounder or two) will present itself in the next month or two.

Sacramento looks like an imminent fire sale - with Bibby, Artest and BMiller candidates for dumping. All would fit well with what the Lakers have/do...especially Artest imo. If they could ship Kwame+Crittendon+1st for Artest, the Lakers would cement their place as a legit contender imo.

The Lakers are looking great now, Bynum continues to improve/impress, Odom's due back soon...life is good. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: *Official* 2007-2008 LA Lakers \"the year we missed out on KG\" thre
 

[ QUOTE ]
Have faith brothers...I'm confident that an opportunity to pick up a quality player (with a big salary) for next-to-nothing (eg. Kwame Brown's expiring deal and a 1st rounder or two) will present itself in the next month or two.

Sacramento looks like an imminent fire sale - with Bibby, Artest and BMiller candidates for dumping. All would fit well with what the Lakers have/do...especially Artest imo. If they could ship Kwame+Crittendon+1st for Artest, the Lakers would cement their place as a legit contender imo.

The Lakers are looking great now, Bynum continues to improve/impress, Odom's due back soon...life is good. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]
See I am not so sure about this. I think Walton is key to this teams success manning the 3. Me and my friends were discussing the Lakers with Caron Butler instead of Kwame and the conclusion was that all Butler would bring is scoring and maybe some more defense but thats not really necessary. With Artest its almost the same, except you're not getting as much scoring but some more defense. The key to that position is the ball movement, and I think Walton is the best fit for the Lakers out of those three guys, and there's no way Artest is going to take coming off the bench or getting limited minutes, and the same probably goes for Butler.

This team is pretty good as is, starting Fish, Kobe, Luke, Odom and Bynum, and bringing Farmar, Sasha, Radmanovic, Turiaf and Kwame off the bench. Cook, Mihm and Maurice Evans give added depth in the frontcourt, and looks like to me all that is needed is maybe some more depth at the 1 and the 2.

Re: *Official* 2007-2008 LA Lakers \"the year we missed out on KG\" thre
 

C'mon man, you're saying that you'd rather have Walton than Artest or Butler and even implied that if you could undo the Butler for Kwame trade it wouldn't help the team that much. Think about it for a second.

Re: *Official* 2007-2008 LA Lakers \"the year we missed out on KG\" thre
 

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C'mon man, you're saying that you'd rather have Walton than Artest or Butler and even implied that if you could undo the Butler for Kwame trade it wouldn't help the team that much. Think about it for a second.

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Not exactly. Lakers would definitely be a better team, but only because they would have depth at the 3. I think Walton would be a better fit to start with either Artest or Butler coming off the bench but do you ever see that happening? If you watch this team, Walton is unbelievably key to getting the offense moving.

Re: *Official* 2007-2008 LA Lakers \"the year we missed out on KG\" thre
 

I think Semtex is trying to say our improvements need not to be in the SF slot, but rather expend the players somewhere else.

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bringing Farmar, Sasha, Radmanovic, Turiaf and Kwame off the bench

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I really want to see Javaris be part of this, and drop Farmar. Hate Farmar. And I go to UCLA

Re: *Official* 2007-2008 LA Lakers \"the year we missed out on KG\" thre
 

Regardless of how much you like Walton (and I don't fwiw), what the Lakers lack is top-end talent. Artest is dominant defensively and a quality 3rd offensive option. He can guard 2s, 3s and a lot of 4s. Phil can handle nutjobs.

Plus, Phil's not too worried about positions anyway...you can rotate Fish/Kobe/Odom (ballhandlers) and Walton/Artest/Bynum on the floor for the bulk of the game, with the other scrubs getting spot minutes.

Regardless...my sole goal is for Kwame's contract to get turned into another quality player. Despite dire forecasts, I really think that the Lakers are one good player away from being legitimate, even in the West. Kobe's an elite talent, Odom's an All-Star, Bynum's looking better and better...one more and the team will be in solid shape.

Re: *Official* 2007-2008 LA Lakers \"the year we missed out on KG\" thre
 

lol @ odom all-star comment.

Re: *Official* 2007-2008 LA Lakers \"the year we missed out on KG\" thre
 

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Regardless of how much you like Walton (and I don't fwiw), what the Lakers lack is top-end talent. Artest is dominant defensively and a quality 3rd offensive option. He can guard 2s, 3s and a lot of 4s. Phil can handle nutjobs.

Plus, Phil's not too worried about positions anyway...you can rotate Fish/Kobe/Odom (ballhandlers) and Walton/Artest/Bynum on the floor for the bulk of the game, with the other scrubs getting spot minutes.

Regardless...my sole goal is for Kwame's contract to get turned into another quality player. Despite dire forecasts, I really think that the Lakers are one good player away from being legitimate, even in the West. Kobe's an elite talent, Odom's an All-Star, Bynum's looking better and better...one more and the team will be in solid shape.

[/ QUOTE ]
Yeah after seeing Peja go absolutely nuts last night I definitely think Artest would be a good pickup.

Re: *Official* 2007-2008 LA Lakers \"the year we missed out on KG\" thre
 

[ QUOTE ]
Regardless of how much you like Walton (and I don't fwiw), what the Lakers lack is top-end talent. Artest is dominant defensively and a quality 3rd offensive option. He can guard 2s, 3s and a lot of 4s. Phil can handle nutjobs.

Plus, Phil's not too worried about positions anyway...you can rotate Fish/Kobe/Odom (ballhandlers) and Walton/Artest/Bynum on the floor for the bulk of the game, with the other scrubs getting spot minutes.

Regardless...my sole goal is for Kwame's contract to get turned into another quality player. Despite dire forecasts, I really think that the Lakers are one good player away from being legitimate, even in the West. Kobe's an elite talent, Odom's an All-Star, Bynum's looking better and better...one more and the team will be in solid shape.

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't know, Walton is pretty huge in our offense. He's such a good facilitator for the triangle.

I agree that one more quality starter would be huge, but I'm skeptical that Kwame's contract would provide us with such a talent. And Odom definitely isn't an All-Star in terms of his production. He may have the talent, but he hasn't sustained a high level of performance for very long.

Re: *Official* 2007-2008 LA Lakers \"the year we missed out on KG\" thre
 

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Yeah after seeing Peja go absolutely nuts last night I definitely think Artest would be a good pickup.

[/ QUOTE ]

It wasn't one on one defense that let Peja go off, it was help defense. Our rotations were just awful. Chris Paul would break down our defense and we would just inexplicably leave Peja to help out. It was pretty baffling, especially considering that he was on fire. A lot of times it's not the man guarding Peja that is at fault.

When the Lakers play solid defense they can play with any team.

Re: *Official* 2007-2008 LA Lakers \"the year we missed out on KG\" thre
 

[ QUOTE ]

Regardless...my sole goal is for Kwame's contract to get turned into another quality player. Despite dire forecasts, I really think that the Lakers are one good player away from being legitimate, even in the West. Kobe's an elite talent, Odom's an All-Star, Bynum's looking better and better...one more and the team will be in solid shape.

[/ QUOTE ]
I guess my Jazz have 4 all stars then, right? Clearly AK, Okur, Deron, and Boozer, plus a potential all star in Brewer and Milsap. hell, harpring is all star potential too.

Re: *Official* 2007-2008 LA Lakers \"the year we missed out on KG\" thre
 

Odom could be an All Star fo sho.

Lakers are a decent team, I think they will get in the mid 40 as far as wins go.

Kobe still wants out though. He thinks that management sucks and they lied to him and he feels like he has been mistreated. Not even so much he wants to go to a much better team, but he just wants to be done with Mitch and the whole gang.

To the poster talking about Walton, yes yes yes. He is absolutely key. We can't trade him. If you watch the games you will realize this. Basketball doesn't have the statistical purity of baseball, Walton definitely is key to this team.

Re: *Official* 2007-2008 LA Lakers \"the year we missed out on KG\" thre
 

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Walton definitely is key to this team.]

[/ QUOTE ]

man, you LA people do too many drugs

Re: *Official* 2007-2008 LA Lakers \"the year we missed out on KG\" thre
 

[img]/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

Re: *Official* 2007-2008 LA Lakers \"the year we missed out on KG\" thre
 

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I guess my Jazz have 4 all stars then, right? Clearly AK, Okur, Deron, and Boozer, plus a potential all star in Brewer and Milsap. hell, harpring is all star potential too.

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Deron and Boozer are definitely All-Star level guys. AK used to be...but that was two years ago. Okur? Solid starter...but nothing worth getting excited about.

IMO, Deron>Boozer>Odom>Okur>AK in terms of present-day value, considering contract/age/production.

Re: *Official* 2007-2008 LA Lakers \"the year we missed out on KG\" thre
 

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[ QUOTE ]
Walton definitely is key to this team.]

[/ QUOTE ]

man, you LA people do too many drugs

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I don't think you realize what happens when he is not in the game. What you get is 4 statues who can't shoot, pass, or dribble and Kobe. It's awful to watch. Fisher makes things a little better because he understands the offense, but nobody can create a shot.

Re: *Official* 2007-2008 LA Lakers \"the year we missed out on KG\" thre
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Walton definitely is key to this team.]

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man, you LA people do too many drugs

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I don't think you realize what happens when he is not in the game. What you get is 4 statues who can't shoot, pass, or dribble and Kobe. It's awful to watch. Fisher makes things a little better because he understands the offense, but nobody can create a shot.

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walton cant create a shot either, sorry

Re: *Official* 2007-2008 LA Lakers \"the year we missed out on KG\" thre
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
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Walton definitely is key to this team.]

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man, you LA people do too many drugs

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I don't think you realize what happens when he is not in the game. What you get is 4 statues who can't shoot, pass, or dribble and Kobe. It's awful to watch. Fisher makes things a little better because he understands the offense, but nobody can create a shot.

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walton cant create a shot either, sorry

[/ QUOTE ]
wrong