Lakers set to dominate

adding Malone & Payton

[netcommr]

any NBA fans?

on July 16, Gary Payton has agreed to sign with Los Angeles Lakers, Carl Malone on the 18th. Magic Johnson offered to bring his old number, 32, out of retirement for Malone to wear, offer accepted.

with Payton at point, a dominated paint(Shaq & Malone), and Kobe just doing what he does, I believe they are a 'shoe in' for the next ring.

I just hope Jackson(coach) can keep that bunch together... they all want the ball.

[DrCool]

BOOOOOOO!

Payton is one of my favorite players and now I will have trouble rooting for him since he is playing for the dreaded Lakers. You can start engraving their name on the trophy.

Payton and Malone say they are going to the Lakers to win a ring but it would seem to me that winning a ring this way would be kind of hollow. I would think it would be more fulfilling to take a team that isn't stacked like the Lakers and win a championship.

[Sinner_G]

Would probably be more fulfilling if it was possible. Even a Malone or a Payton could not get the ring with say Golden State or the Clippers. Better a ring won with a team that COULD not loose than no ring at all.

[Learning Curve]

Yeah, but what about the synergy, Sinner_G?

There may be none. It may be a clash of titanic egos, particularly Payton and Kobe.

And Malone and Payton are at the end of their careers.

But if they don't win it all next year, it will go down as the biggest bust in NBA history.

[Sinner_G]

Not really, if they don't win it, the blame will simply be on the coach, because he hasn't done that part of his job (insuring sinner errrrr synergy) the right way. Anayways, if they are successfull, they probably leave their egos behind. But if they for some reason get into a losing streak they're finished, then not even Jackson will be abel to do anything.

Malone may be at the end of his career (although IMHO he doesn't look that way), but Payton surely has a couple more years to go.

The thing that interests me most is how the 5th guy (whoever that is) will feel. I know I would have the feeling of being there just because the rules say a team needs 5 players...

[DrCool]

I don't think the egos will be a problem. You have two hall of fame superstars who are taking huge paycuts just to win a ring. They know what they are getting in to and know they won't be the main guy on the team. They know they will be the third and fourth option.

If Rick Fox is healthy he will probably be the 5th man. Add in a bench of Kareem Rush, Jannero Pargo, Luke Walton, Brian Cook, Derek Fisher, and Medvedenko and I can't see any way (barring about 4 blown out ACLs) that the Lakers won't win.

As long as they are winning there shouldn't be any problems with ego or attitude but if they start out like they did last year they might be in for some dissention and name calling.

[Chicago]

Da Bulls!

[netcommr]

>> da Bulls ha ha ha

classic, got a laugh out of me ;)

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good points! I think the big? is Kobe, if he can keep his mouth under control and show these veterans the respect they deserve, I believe things will go smooth and the vets will let him run with it...

still much maturity needed, but learning fast.