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Cha*n
Star Player
Joined: 20 Jul 2009
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 Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 1:14 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | NBA Draft: Is Dante Exum destined to be a Laker?
Sean Deveney Sporting News
We are still a long way from the NBA draft—just about four months, in fact—but already, questions have arisen about the intentions of star Australian guard Dante Exum. Already, Exum has acknowledged that he is a fan of Kobe Bryant, and signed with agent Rob Pelinka, who also represents Bryant. And Exum has said he’d love to play in Los Angeles.
But would Exum go so far as to try to angle his way onto the Lakers, who currently have the fifth-worst record in the NBA? That’s the concern among some front-office executives around the league.
Kentucky's Julius Randle (AP Photo)
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“When you hear some of what he says, it does make you wonder how the process is going to go as far as workouts and that sort of thing,” one general manager told Sporting News. “We have seen this story before, of course. I am not sure a player can have that kind of control, though.”
And, in recent times, at least, the story has not exactly worked out the way the player hoped. When Ricky Rubio attempted to land himself with the Thunder, Clippers or Kings in ’09, all three teams passed on him and he wound up going to Minnesota.
In 2007, when Yi Jianlian was trying to select his market, he only worked out in front of the Hawks, Celtics, Bulls, Lakers, Clippers, Kings, Warriors and Sixers. Three teams with Top 7 picks—Milwaukee, Memphis and Minnesota—were not invited to watch him. The Bucks drafted Yi anyway. |
http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/story/2014-02-26/2014-nba-draft-dante-exum-los-angeles-lakers-kobe-bryant-andrew-wiggins-julius-randle |
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32
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Joined: 04 Nov 2009
Posts: 73061
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| Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 3:38 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers Both Ready to Part Ways After Turbulent Season
The trap door is no longer a threat to Pau Gasol.
He will finish in a couple months on his own two feet, in a manner befitting his grace. It’ll end when the Los Angeles Lakers’ regular-season schedule does, not via surprise trade to an unknown destination.
This summer, Gasol will move on to some other NBA franchise where, along with his two championship rings, the fresh fans will respect all that is clearly good in him—much as Lakers fans saw generosity in his heart when Memphis Grizzlies fans only saw Gasol wasn’t selfish enough to prop up a team all by himself.
It’s even possible he might do the Lakers one last good deed on his way out, considering a sign-and-trade deal could still give the Lakers a substantial boost in their rebuilding around and after Kobe Bryant.
Both the Lakers and Gasol, who’ve had a working relationship marked by a refreshing sort of maturity, understand it’s time to part.
As bad as the Lakers are now as they lose and lose with Gasol again unable to prop this team up by himself, it’s certainly not going to end well for the Spanish big man.
But it’s going to end OK.
There might be ongoing disagreement in philosophy with Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni—to be expected when D’Antoni came in and so catered to Dwight Howard, Steve Nash and Bryant all ahead of Gasol. There will not be anything more than that, however.
Gasol has no malicious intent toward the franchise that tried to trade him so many times. He is beyond open-minded in being mindful that they must’ve declined to trade him plenty, too.
Gasol has no interest in torching this Lakers nation he has served as aristocrat and warrior for six-and-a-half years, the exact same tenure he first lasted in Memphis. He returns to Memphis on Wednesday for his expected last appearance here as a Laker, and it was on the Lakers’ other trip here this season that Gasol’s farewell season got derailed. |
Link to read full article
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Peoples Hernandez
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Joined: 11 Apr 2009
Posts: 3727
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| Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 4:06 pm Post subject: |
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| oldschool32 wrote: | | Has Pau looked at our record? It's over, relax. This is just a tryout for next season now, Pau shouldn't play more than 25 mpg @ this point. No sense in grinding guys into the ground any further. |
Tell that to the reporter who asked him the question. It's tough to answer a silly question like that about the game after a loss during a lost season. It really is tough, but the reporter got what he wanted and Pau took the bait.
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Whenever the Lakers benefit all of a sudden rules need to be changed and trades need to be blocked.
"It's all entertainment" -Rasheed Wallace |
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ShotInTheDark
Starting Rotation
Joined: 20 Jun 2005
Posts: 308
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| Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 4:07 pm Post subject: |
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| Cha*n wrote: | Pau Gasol, Lakers next Head Coach?
:cheers: |
Pau might make a good GM someday...
Interesting timing by Pau to express himself. Almost like he wants to gently let Lakerland he isn't coming back, and to let Memphis know that he will be available. |
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Peoples Hernandez
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Joined: 11 Apr 2009
Posts: 3727
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| Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 4:16 pm Post subject: |
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| 32 wrote: | | Quote: | Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers Both Ready to Part Ways After Turbulent Season
The trap door is no longer a threat to Pau Gasol.
He will finish in a couple months on his own two feet, in a manner befitting his grace. It’ll end when the Los Angeles Lakers’ regular-season schedule does, not via surprise trade to an unknown destination.
This summer, Gasol will move on to some other NBA franchise where, along with his two championship rings, the fresh fans will respect all that is clearly good in him—much as Lakers fans saw generosity in his heart when Memphis Grizzlies fans only saw Gasol wasn’t selfish enough to prop up a team all by himself.
It’s even possible he might do the Lakers one last good deed on his way out, considering a sign-and-trade deal could still give the Lakers a substantial boost in their rebuilding around and after Kobe Bryant.
Both the Lakers and Gasol, who’ve had a working relationship marked by a refreshing sort of maturity, understand it’s time to part.
As bad as the Lakers are now as they lose and lose with Gasol again unable to prop this team up by himself, it’s certainly not going to end well for the Spanish big man.
But it’s going to end OK.
There might be ongoing disagreement in philosophy with Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni—to be expected when D’Antoni came in and so catered to Dwight Howard, Steve Nash and Bryant all ahead of Gasol. There will not be anything more than that, however.
Gasol has no malicious intent toward the franchise that tried to trade him so many times. He is beyond open-minded in being mindful that they must’ve declined to trade him plenty, too.
Gasol has no interest in torching this Lakers nation he has served as aristocrat and warrior for six-and-a-half years, the exact same tenure he first lasted in Memphis. He returns to Memphis on Wednesday for his expected last appearance here as a Laker, and it was on the Lakers’ other trip here this season that Gasol’s farewell season got derailed. |
Link to read full article |
I don't say it too often but what a great pleasure it was to have Pau play for us and really put us back on the map after the Shaq debacle. Can't wait for the night that #16 goes up in the rafters forever.
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Whenever the Lakers benefit all of a sudden rules need to be changed and trades need to be blocked.
"It's all entertainment" -Rasheed Wallace |
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32
Retired Number
Joined: 04 Nov 2009
Posts: 73061
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| Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 4:19 pm Post subject: |
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| Peoples Hernandez wrote: | | I don't say it too often but what a great pleasure it was to have Pau play for us and really put us back on the map after the Shaq debacle. Can't wait for the night that #16 goes up in the rafters forever. |
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Nobody in the NBA can touch the Laker brand, which, like the uniform color, is pure gold. |
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Cha*n
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Joined: 20 Jul 2009
Posts: 7233
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| Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 8:11 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | Report: NBA personnel concerned Exum will force way to Lakers
By Matt Moore | NBA writer
February 26, 2014 5:18 pm ET
When projected first-rounder Australian guard Dante Exum told an Australian paper that he planned to speak with Lakers star Kobe Bryant about the transition to the NBA and signed with Bryant's agent, Rob Pelinka, there was a degree of concern that this could be foreshadowing. There were rumors, after all, later denied by Bryant and some executives, that as a high school phenom Bryant had threatened to play in Europe if anyone but the Lakers tried to draft him.
Now the Sporting News reports that some personnel are concerned about the same thing with Exum.
But would Exum go so far as to try to angle his way onto the Lakers, who currently have the fifth-worst record in the NBA? That's the concern among some front-office executives around the league.
“When you hear some of what he says, it does make you wonder how the process is going to go as far as workouts and that sort of thing,” one general manager told Sporting News. “We have seen this story before, of course. I am not sure a player can have that kind of control, though.”
via NBA Draft: Is Dante Exum destined to be a Laker? - NBA - Sporting News.
Pulling that kind of stunt now as opposed to when Bryant did it in the late-90's is a different deal, now. Not only is there more reporting and more scrutiny with the internet and social media, but Adam Silver played a huge hand in the CBA negotiations towards leveling the playing field for small markets to prevent exactly this kind of thing. |
http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/24457934/report-nba-personnel-concerned-exum-will-try-to-force-his-way-to-lakers |
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LuciusAllen
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Joined: 24 Sep 2005
Posts: 5786
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| Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 8:20 pm Post subject: |
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| 32 wrote: | | Peoples Hernandez wrote: | | I don't say it too often but what a great pleasure it was to have Pau play for us and really put us back on the map after the Shaq debacle. Can't wait for the night that #16 goes up in the rafters forever. |
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K0BEE 2.0
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Joined: 17 May 2013
Posts: 10949
Location: I wish I knew
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| Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 8:23 pm Post subject: |
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| People Hernandez wrote: | | I don't say it too often but what a great pleasure it was to have Pau play for us and really put us back on the map after the Shaq debacle. Can't wait for the night that #16 goes up in the rafters forever. |
I agree.
it was a great ride, which came to end unfortunate end.... I hope whoever we draft puts us in the same position as Gasol did even if it takes a few years. |
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babyskyhook
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Joined: 15 Jul 2009
Posts: 18492
Location: The Garden Island
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| Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 8:32 pm Post subject: |
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| Peoples Hernandez wrote: | | I don't say it too often but what a great pleasure it was to have Pau play for us and really put us back on the map after the Shaq debacle. Can't wait for the night that #16 goes up in the rafters forever. |
I'll be wearing my Pau jersey that night. |
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999
Franchise Player
Joined: 19 Oct 2006
Posts: 20266
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| Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 8:54 pm Post subject: |
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| Retire 16. Pau gasol sweet 16 laker for life |
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ElginBaylor
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Joined: 05 Nov 2005
Posts: 10775
Location: Hoosier Nation
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| Posted: Thu Feb 27, 2014 5:55 am Post subject: |
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It's premature to start saying our goodbyes to Pau. Despite what Kevin Ding says, no one can say for sure where he'll be playing next year. And given how many times his obituary in L.A. has been written, I wouldn't be surprised if he finishes his career here, albeit making somewhat less than what he's making now.
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yinoma2001
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Joined: 19 Jun 2010
Posts: 119487
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| Posted: Thu Feb 27, 2014 6:40 am Post subject: |
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| babyskyhook wrote: | | Peoples Hernandez wrote: | | I don't say it too often but what a great pleasure it was to have Pau play for us and really put us back on the map after the Shaq debacle. Can't wait for the night that #16 goes up in the rafters forever. |
I'll be wearing my Pau jersey that night. |
No doubt. It's been excrutiating seeing the 3 year break up though.
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From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals |
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ericp6387
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Joined: 11 Feb 2004
Posts: 1836
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| Posted: Thu Feb 27, 2014 7:05 am Post subject: |
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Draft Exum or Randle and sign Stephenson in offseason 2014.
Sign Mark Gasol or Love in offseason in 2015.
Sign Durant to replace Kobe in offseason 2016. If he refuses sign Westbrook in offseason 2017.
This all assumes no Lebron by the way... |
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ReaListik
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Joined: 08 Jun 2008
Posts: 6553
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| Posted: Thu Feb 27, 2014 7:27 am Post subject: |
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What a crappy way to end this way, it's really unfortunate and it's been this bad since 2010
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JamezAmp
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Joined: 25 Jun 2005
Posts: 1788
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
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| Posted: Thu Feb 27, 2014 7:48 am Post subject: |
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| 32 wrote: | | Peoples Hernandez wrote: | | I don't say it too often but what a great pleasure it was to have Pau play for us and really put us back on the map after the Shaq debacle. Can't wait for the night that #16 goes up in the rafters forever. |
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pio2u
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Joined: 26 Dec 2012
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| Posted: Thu Feb 27, 2014 8:04 pm Post subject: |
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| I hope Pau takes a pay cut & remains a Laker. However with MDA around & a heftier offer from a contender the chances of PG staying after all this mess is nil. |
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tlim
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| Posted: Thu Feb 27, 2014 8:38 pm Post subject: |
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| MDA doesn't know how to coach bigs. It's just that simple. |
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ReaListik
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Joined: 08 Jun 2008
Posts: 6553
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| Posted: Thu Feb 27, 2014 9:43 pm Post subject: |
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| pio2u wrote: | | I hope Pau takes a pay cut & remains a Laker. However with MDA around & a heftier offer from a contender the chances of PG staying after all this mess is nil. |
That's what makes me cringe, losing Pau because he wasn't used the right way, and instead holding onto a coach who isn't willing to learn how to use bigs. Its a shame.
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"We are the goodest." - Shaq ESPN interview |
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lakerjoshua
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Joined: 28 Nov 2007
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Location: Bay Area
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| Posted: Thu Feb 27, 2014 9:49 pm Post subject: |
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| My gut feeling is Pau stays, MDA goes. |
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Jajwanda
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Joined: 17 Nov 2012
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| Posted: Thu Feb 27, 2014 11:17 pm Post subject: |
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| I could see Pau and Kobe doing well in a post-up offense under Lionel Hollins. |
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Black Salt
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Joined: 31 Jul 2013
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| Posted: Thu Feb 27, 2014 11:56 pm Post subject: |
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| ReaListik wrote: | | What a crappy way to end this way, it's really unfortunate and it's been this bad since 2010 |
He was awesome in 2011, he just ran out of gas in the playoffs. |
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crackadon
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Posts: 1015
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| Posted: Fri Feb 28, 2014 3:06 am Post subject: |
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wtf?
all season LG has been putting Pau on blast for his weak defense, weak inside presence, lack of leadership/intensity, passive-aggressive comments, and overall failure to carry or inspire this squad, now we're all sad he might leave us next year? we all want his jersey retired now?
i'm appreciative for everything he's done for this team. i've rooted for him throughout the years and honestly think he comes across like a good guy/professional, but i'm not gonna act like i haven't wanted him gone for over 2 seasons now.
you guys sure flip-flop a lot. |
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Chronicle
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Joined: 21 Jul 2012
Posts: 31935
Location: Manhattan
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| Posted: Fri Feb 28, 2014 3:17 am Post subject: |
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| smokecrack wrote: | what the heck?
all season LG has been putting Pau on blast for his weak defense, weak inside presence, lack of leadership/intensity, passive-aggressive comments, and overall failure to carry or inspire this squad, now we're all sad he might leave us next year? we all want his jersey retired now?
i'm appreciative for everything he's done for this team. i've rooted for him throughout the years and honestly think he comes across like a good guy/professional, but i'm not gonna act like i haven't wanted him gone for over 2 seasons now.
you guys sure flip-flop a lot. |
I still really want him gone. I'm tired of his crap.
But I do think they should retire his jersey. I've always thought that.
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BigBoi
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| Posted: Fri Feb 28, 2014 4:39 am Post subject: |
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| Jajwanda wrote: | | I could see Pau and Kobe doing well in a post-up offense under Lionel Hollins. |
I couldn't, they have to play the other end of basketball too
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