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**truebluefan** · 11-11-2002, 03:00 PM

New writer for basketballboards.

http://www.basketballboards.net/foru...384#post109384

sports_oracle · 11-11-2002, 09:26 PM

Please let me know what you think of the column. Good or Bad. I fixed the problem with the email so if you prefer email, you should have no problem. Or you can post your comments here also.

**Sean** · 11-12-2002, 07:30 AM

You brought up some very good points.

What do you think about Dr. Buss's involvment in all of this? Is his tight grip on the "purse" one of the reasons that Mitch is not doing what other GM's are? If Mitch had the ability to hire someone without the worry of salary cap, do you think the Lakers might be in a better position now?

Great work, wlecome to BBB.

**truebluefan** · 11-12-2002, 07:59 AM

yes laker fans. He will write for us regularly. I thought his first article had some good points to it! When is Mitch going to make his own mark or move to tweak the team?

**Jamel Irief** · 11-12-2002, 08:11 AM

Mitch doesn't have much to work with here...

First I think you're incorrect about them not paying Ho his asking price. They offered just as much as Orlando but Ho wanted to go home.

Now on to my point, he inherited a high payroll team and was asked by the owner to stay under the luxury tax. He is following the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" adage for a championship team and is doing a damn good job with the limited resources that he has. He lost his starting power forward in Horace, and brings in Samaki. What better option was available for the price that they paid Samaki? This is a legit double digit rebounder threat and a great shot blocker. Back-up point guard Ty Lue walked away and the Lakers brought in a highly respected backup in Lindsey Hunter. Granted it didn't work but nobody questioned that it wasn't a great move at the time. The same was true with the Mitch Richmond replacing JR Rider signing.

You can't question his moves this summer. He basically traded a back-up gunner in Hunter for a guy who at worst will be a younge, taller Hunter (Rush). After that he resigned his key free agent for a cheaper price than other offers he was reportedly getting. Slava was also brought back and is the teams 3rd leading scorer. THAT IS IT Buss wouldn't let him spend anymore money. If he let him use the exception I have no doubts that Keon Clark would be a Laker today.

sports_oracle · 11-12-2002, 08:44 AM

naesdj:

Dr. Buss has a lot to do with it. He does not and is not willing to go over the luxury tax (salary cap) unless it is for a difference maker. In this time and case of business, I can greatly understand this and I have to respect his decision.

However, even when JWest was with the Lakers, he was not given unwelding freedom to go out and get any All-Star he wanted. West had to operate within a budget also and he still was able to get players that help this team win.

Kupchak to this point has not been able to do that. The Lakers needed to address the things this summer that was really costing them games: Point Guard and Power Forward. He was not able to address it and it seems like they are set for another summer of musical chairs.

<<<D>>> · 11-12-2002, 08:58 AM

I like your article, you've made some points, good work and welcome aboard.
My Questions for you, are similar to Naesdj and I read your reply, I'll bring up a few more Q's when I get the chance.

sports_oracle · 11-12-2002, 09:20 AM

Jemel Irief:

With the Lakers and Horace Grant, it was a game of money. Horace wanted a bigger contract than the Lakers were willing to offer and Orlando needed a PF. They paid Horace and LA didn't. That is why Samaki is still on the roster.

When you look at the Lakers, the Hunter move for Rush was a stroke of genius. However, Rush sitting on the bench is not helping this team win this year. Rush needs minutes and he should be getting minutes over Tracy Murray. Murray is not even 100% and he is getting minutes over the rookie.

I know that Kupchak is on a budget, but he has to find some talent that can contribute immediately to this team. While Keon would have been a nice fit, he was not going to play in LA for the veteran's minumum.

He only signed in Sac because they had their median exception and the Lakers had already used their median exception to resign Devean George to his contract.

Bottom line is that Kupchak has to find some more talent at the power forward and guard positions to help this team. They have until Shaq is back and then Kupchak will start evaluating. The big question is can he find someone that can help the Lakers this year or not.

jazzy1 · 11-12-2002, 11:25 AM

I think it comes down to what you believe is accurate is it Buss pulling the purse strings or is it Kupchak not using the available loot effectively, I really think Kupchak could be called into question, Devean George would you rather have him or a legitimate starting pf, I say pf because George to me is a duplicate and Fox is still better anyway, we could have spent that dough elsewhere , Clarke right now with Kobe would have been a much better option than George. As for pg the jury's still out as far as Pargo is concerned, this may haunt us later if he doesn't pan out. I say we should have kept Lue but I'm not willing to make a big deal out of it. I do believe also that the strings are tight but you have to make good decisions with what you do have to work with.

sports_oracle · 11-12-2002, 11:49 AM

I would say that Buss is keeping the purse tight to his hip. However, Kupchak has to find a way to upgrade the talent level on this team. Over the next couple of years with Shaq hinting towards retirement, this is the time to start or move ahead with the transition towards Kobe Bryant as the #1 option.

That means that they have to get a point guard that can deliver shots and points consistently and a post presence ala Dennis Rodman to rebound or Shaq that can score.

I additionally agree with you that George is a Rick Fox clone that is learning. With that said, Rush needs to be getting some playing time because he is a scorer and the Lakers need all the points they can get.

**Jamel Irief** · 11-12-2002, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by <b>sports_oracle</b>!
Jemel Irief:

With the Lakers and Horace Grant, it was a game of money. Horace wanted a bigger contract than the Lakers were willing to offer and Orlando needed a PF. They paid Horace and LA didn't. That is why Samaki is still on the roster.

When you look at the Lakers, the Hunter move for Rush was a stroke of genius. However, Rush sitting on the bench is not helping this team win this year. Rush needs minutes and he should be getting minutes over Tracy Murray. Murray is not even 100% and he is getting minutes over the rookie.

I know that Kupchak is on a budget, but he has to find some talent that can contribute immediately to this team. While Keon would have been a nice fit, he was not going to play in LA for the veteran's minumum.

He only signed in Sac because they had their median exception and the Lakers had already used their median exception to resign Devean George to his contract.

Bottom line is that Kupchak has to find some more talent at the power forward and guard positions to help this team. They have until Shaq is back and then Kupchak will start evaluating. The big question is can he find someone that can help the Lakers this year or not.

Apoligies on getting the Grant story wrong.

As for Rush's minutes, his lack of versatility is setting him back. Phil prefers Shaw at backup SG and for good reason considering he has been the second most consistent laker this year. Phil would rather give the backup SF job to Murray since he is 2 inches taller than Rush. But none of that matters now that Fox is back neiter of them will be playing.

But again how is he going to improve the PG and PF spots? The only real resource Kupchak will have is a draft pick after 20. The only real trade bait on the Lakers is Devean George. Not every GM can be like Jerry West and draft multiple all-stars after the 20th pick (see trivia thread). The only real team need I see the Lakers having as a quick PG that can play 20-25 minutes a game alongside Fisher. Sure the Lakers PF's have looked horrible in Shaq's absence but Horry and Walker are enough at that position when you have the most dominant low-post scorer helping them out. Come playoff time Horry is capable of getting double-doubles like he did in the Sacto series. He saved the Lakers that series and I'm not only refering to the shot. Remember the Bulls won 3 titles with Longely at center.

PG is a concern. Fisher's shot abandons him at times (like right now) and offensively that is all he is good for. He also can no longer keep up with the quick PG's the way he did in the past. Hopefully Kupchak can get a Kareem Rush caliber player at point in the draft next year. But he will have to rely on a team that is as desperate to cut cost as Toronto was last year.

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