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**UMAIR316** · Jul 23, 2003, 06:34 PM

As far as I think, their will be major changes in the NBA. Lakers are no more dominant, and are not expected to win a title in the near future.
All they now have is Shaq alone.
As I said many times, Kobe will never be the same regardless of the outcomes of this current drama.
Both Malone and Payton have their foots in grave, and won't be doing any contributions to Lakers championship.
Spurs will still be the best in the west followed very closely by Dallas, Sacremento.
East will have their hands full of young rookies like Lebron James, TJ Ford, Milic and Carmelo Anthony.

**Diablo Kazama** · Jul 23, 2003, 10:48 PM

Originally posted by UMAIR316:
As I said many times, Kobe will never be the same regardless of the outcomes of this current drama.

dunno about his game but his endorsements won't be

In theory, Payton alone might work better fot the team as both of them are eager shot takers themselves. Derek Fisher was more of a chamcha and would almost always move to Kobe. He would rather first look for the open man rather than take it on himself, which might not be the case as much with Payton.

In any case, there will simply be no penetration in the Lakers roster to go for that kill without the Kobe-factor.

Out of all the talent-this talent-that buzz that's surrounding the young 'uns, I think Millic and TJ Ford will make the best impressions with their teams.

**^BaByGrL^** · Jul 23, 2003, 11:39 PM

Basketball is no fun anymore, can't stand to see raptors lose

but Raptors are loooooooooooseRRRs!

Carter gets paid to sit on the bench, cuz he's always hurt and the team can't do crap without him.

BOO RAPTORS BOO!

**UMAIR316** · Jul 24, 2003, 12:51 AM

Originally posted by ^BaByGrL^:
Basketball is no fun anymore, can't stand to see raptors lose

but Raptors are loooooooooooseRRRs!

Carter gets paid to sit on the bench, cuz he's always hurt and the team can't do crap without him.

BOO RAPTORS BOO!

True, they used to be my favorite team but for the past couple years they have hit rock bottom, regardless of having someone like Hakim Olajuwan.

**Pakistani Tiger** · Jul 24, 2003, 04:24 AM

Re: NBA: the upcoming 2003-2004 season

Okay, let me make few points.......

Originally posted by Diablo Kazama:
Kobe trouble, "oh no! how will the Lakers go for the kill sans Kobe?"

I don't wanna get into Ifs, Buts discussion because as of now, it depends on how long the trail goes; and to be honest, the trail has already began through Media.

And meaningless fairytales like Pippen returning to the Bulls, the 3rd musketeer Rodman wanting to follow pursuit by returnign to the league etc.

Well, Pippen has got hardly one-year left in him so I guess he wanted to go back to Chicago to end his career. He was hoping to go either Dallas or Memphis but in the end, he went for BULLS.

Yeah, bring back Rodman as it will help the image of NBA.

4-way deal with Van Horn to the Knicks, Sprewell to the Timberwolves, Glenn Robinson to the 76ers, Terrel Brandon to the Hawks.

Anndd the Knick continue to try adding more power forwards to their roster. I seriously don't get this one, although Van Horn was more than unhappy to get out of Philly. Anyway, the Timberwovles seem to be the getting the most out of this one with Sprewell. Robinson seems to be wanting out to go to a contender imo.

Clearly, WOVLES got the advantage of this useful trade. This will create more depth for them. I think that WOLVES have been inspired by the LAKERS' approach of Free-Agents. This has been their strongest supporting cast.

Arenas to the Wizards, Speedy Claxton to the GS Warriors
So by signing an offer sheet, Arenas has done what was being expected anyway. For all his skills, I thought Claxton was a poor backup to Tony Parker at San Antonio. Valuable contibutions were made in bursts and far between. Warriors seem to be losing big-time here.

I think WARRIORS just got lucky. They needed a PG like Speedy Claxton; and Claxton did a fantastic job in the NBA Finals. When Speedy took charged in the playoffs, Parker was lost. Anyway, let's see how Ron Mercer works out as a backup for Parker but I still think SPURS should have Speedy.

Robert Horry to the Spurs
The moves this guy undergoes seriously give off the impression of a lota politician. As if he's jumping ship and glory hunting to ring-contending teams, lol. But anyway, let's hope for San Antonio's sake he improves on his lethargic numbers he put up in a Lakers unifrom last season.

Before you jump on conclusions, I want to make it clear that Horry didn't left LAKERS to SA for the sake of ring. This year, the LAKERS have been more interested in off bench and backcourt depth. LAKERS hired Payton-Malone on a two-year deal, combined amount of $ 6.4 million i.e getting two All-NBA Stars for Free... The LAKERS didn't have signficant salary-cap flexibility this year, which is why Horry missed out, who has signed a two-year contract deal with SPURS.

As such, I still believe the Spurs are stronger contenders for the Western Conference than the Lakers appear to be on paper.

I doubt it. SPURS have lost Claxton as well Stephen Jackson(well, you can say that since SPURS are no-longer looking for long-term deal with Jackson). Recently, they reached agreement with a 7-footer Ex-Wolf Rasho, who will take place of Robinson. There is a trade-talking going on between SPURS-KINGS-PACERS officials...I guess KINGS' Hedo Turkoglu is heading to San Antonio as well PACERS' Ron Mercer. Rightnow, the SPURS are just hoping to get these guys as well they need to re-signed Manu Ginobil. So, there you have it. SPURS, despite of having salary-cap, lost FAs like Jason Kidd, Alonzo Mourning and two(Speedy Claxton and Bruce Bown) of their own team-members; and looking for to what I call 'Second Choice FAs.' Conclusion: The SPURS have to re-build, re-organized their team as they did for 02-03 season.

Also, you're forgetting KINGS here. I believe, they've got the most powerful off bench support than any other team in the NBA. KINGS will trade Scott Pollad and get 7-footer Brad Miller from Indiana PACERS, a replacement for Vlade Divac. The KINGS had the clear chance of winning the NBA Champion if Chris Webber wasn't injured. It was a tough luck for Sacromento KINGS fans last season. Anyway, I can't really say who will end up in the Western Conference Finals but clearly the West Wing will see 'Best Contenders' for the playoffs 03-04 than it ever has.

Derek Fisher was more of a chamcha and would almost always move to Kobe. He would rather first look for the open man rather than take it on himself, which might not be the case as much with Payton.

Derek likes to take open 3-pointer shots, at which he's good at it. The LAKERS backcourt(Kobe-Fisher) won three Championships. It'll be interesting to watch what change would Kobe-Payton duo make in the game.

**Diablo Kazama** · Jul 24, 2003, 01:19 PM

Re: Re: NBA: the upcoming 2003-2004 season

Originally posted by Pakistani Tiger:

Before you jump on conclusions, I want to make it clear that Horry didn't left LAKERS to SA for the sake of ring.

I said he gives off such an image dude. Which is also why I followed up the line with an "lol".

^BaByGrL^, if you can't stand to watch the Raptors lose, have a seat and sit down and watch em do the same. They ain't going to places far and away anytime soon.

**UMAIR316** · Jul 24, 2003, 07:45 PM

If it wasn't good news that Horry has joined the future champs Spurs, Ron Mercer of Pacers has signed with the Spurs.
Man what a great team this will be.
Everyone say bye to Lakers, cause their 15 minutes of fame is over.

**Diablo Kazama** · Jul 24, 2003, 08:07 PM

word. Lakers are now a dynasty of the past. Their boat's as good as sunk.

Wake up Californi-yay, the sun shine in Sac-town now.

**Talha** · Jul 25, 2003, 05:04 AM

Originally posted by ^BaByGrL^:
Carter gets paid to sit on the bench, cuz he's always hurt and the team can't do crap without him.

Why blame the poor Carter? - How many players Raptors have got, who can shoot the ball? - You can't pin hopes of winning games on one person.

I think Raptors signed Jerome Moiso, Milt Palacio and Menk Bateer, three guys who should add a little depth at least - Chris Bosh, a newbie to NBA, is another good bb player I heard - Kevin O�Neill and Vince Carter have to motivated themselves again for the next season - and if next season, Antonio Davis and Jerome Williams comes back strong - Raptors could have a chance in the playoffs - All Raptors need is motivation.

aight, again I see Stronger West Coast vs Who-We-Are East Coast. Is New Jersey the only team alive? - Spurs, Kings have got what they wanted. Lakers' future looks uncertain because of Kobe's case - if the trial goes long and Kobe misses games(which looks inevitable) - I would not write off Lakers from the Championship - They are still the best team to be defeated - Having Zen Master as your Coach - and Shaq, Malone, Payton, Fisher and Fox as team-players, I think Lakers could have a chance next year but not as bright as if Kobe is not there.

**Diablo Kazama** · Jul 25, 2003, 10:39 AM

Originally posted by Talha:
Why blame the poor Carter? - How many players Raptors have got, who can shoot the ball? - You can't pin hopes of winning games on one person.

I think Raptors signed Jerome Moiso, Milt Palacio and Menk Bateer, three guys who should add a little depth at least - Chris Bosh, a newbie to NBA, is another good bb player I heard - Kevin O�Neill and Vince Carter have to motivated themselves again for the next season - and if next season, Antonio Davis and Jerome Williams comes back strong - Raptors could have a chance in the playoffs - All Raptors need is motivation.

I agree, they hardly have any good shooters. But what they need most of all, is sense of direction. Their point guard situation is messed up- Alvin Williams can't move the floor well at all on a regular basis, Lindsey Hunter might do something but that reamins to be seen, noone was willing to be a leader for the longest time until AD stepped up, and they keep signing exciting but injured (Lamond Murray) and exciting but past-their-prime (Hakeem) bench warmers.

This Kevin O' Neil guy better have some ideas to counter such things before the Christmas break, or these dinosaurs are as good as extinct from the post-season.

**Talha** · Jul 27, 2003, 01:52 PM

Yeah gurad position is so-messed up for Raptors - And there's no fixed guy for center position as well - Too many forwards in the team!

**Pakistani Tiger** · Jul 29, 2003, 01:37 AM

Woohoo...

16-year old Veteran Horace Grant returns to the Los Angeles LAKERS.

Grant has been a Member of four NBA Championship teams (1990-91, 1991-92, 1992-93 with Chicago BULLS; 2000-01 with L.A. LAKERS), and also reached the NBA Finals in 1995 as a member of the Orlando MAGIC. Having Grant on the bench will give more depth to the LAKERS bench.

Btw, Diablo Kazama, it's up to you how you look at Robert Horry. The way I see it is that he wasn't offered a contract deal by the LAKERS Organization 'cause he ran out of gas last season with the LAKERS and also LAKERS have got salary-cap only for Veterans(1 Million $), an agreement Robert Horry was unlikely to accept.

Horry now moves closer(San Antionio) to his home(Houston); and according to Horry, SPURS were his second choice after the LAKERS.

He'll make 5 million$ in a year with the SPURS as he did with the LAKERS. Oh btw, Robert Horry has signed an agreement for one year only. The second year contract is 'bout 5.5 million $, which he'll think about it after the 03-04 season.

**Kaleem** · Jul 30, 2003, 09:40 AM

Lakers are no more dominant, and are not expected to win a title in the near future.

Umair, have you really looked closely who the lakers have added? Do the names like Karl Malone and Gary Payton mean anything to you ??
I agree, Kobe saga will have an affect, but lakers are still the team to beat.

**UMAIR316** · Jul 30, 2003, 11:00 AM

Originally posted by Kaleem:

Umair, have you really looked closely who the lakers have added? Do the names like Karl Malone and Gary Payton mean anything to you ??
I agree, Kobe saga will have an affect, but lakers are still the team to beat.

Karl Malone and Gary payton are great players but their time is gone, they are finished, they are no where what they used to be. Lakers only signed them for their reputation, I don't expect them to contribute anything for the Lakers.
Now Shaq is a lonewolf in the LA Lakers team.

Announcement

NBA: the upcoming 2003-2004 season

NBA: the upcoming 2003-2004 season

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