Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2020 7:26 am Post subject: Favorite 1 Year Lakers
Caron Butler is my favorite 1 year Laker. I'm a UCONN fan and loved Caron at UCONN, so I was somewhat thrilled to get him (though we lost Shaq). I think a Kobe/Lamar/Caron trio would have been fun to watch if they could stick together.
Could someone explain why we traded him for Kwame (which in turn later became Pau, which of course I'd gladly take Pau over Caron)?
Who are some 1 year Laker players that you wish stayed on a bit longer? _________________ From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals
Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2020 8:51 am Post subject: Re: Favorite 1 Year Lakers
yinoma2001 wrote:
Caron Butler is my favorite 1 year Laker. I'm a UCONN fan and loved Caron at UCONN, so I was somewhat thrilled to get him (though we lost Shaq). I think a Kobe/Lamar/Caron trio would have been fun to watch if they could stick together.
Could someone explain why we traded him for Kwame (which in turn later became Pau, which of course I'd gladly take Pau over Caron)?
Who are some 1 year Laker players that you wish stayed on a bit longer?
Loved Caron, at the time of the Shaq trade I saw him as the key trade piece. He had a slightly underwhelming sophomore season which undoubtedly was attributed to sharing the spotlight with LO and newcomer D-Wade. But when he landed in Tinseltown quickly became a fan favorite and for all the right reasons. Guy played all out on a transitioning hodgepodge assortment of young blossoming talent and some has beens like Vlade and Brian Grant. I also remembered Caron’s interview on Leno and how his heartfelt story had people in tears, here was a humble young man grateful for all the success and determined to make the most of things. He had Kobe’s approval and was one of his all time favorite teammates. So why did Mitch deal him for old Cake hands Kwame?
I blame Jermaine O’Neal the poster child for slow developing bigmen, who didn’t blow it up in Portland but showed flashes here and there, enough to encourage Indy to throw some coins and reap the great reward. Kwame was coming off rather encouraging statistical year and analystics might suggest he was poised for a Jermaine O’Neal-esque leap in production. But alas we all know no such breakout occurred and Caron went on to make the most of things with the Wiz. Could he have had continued success with the Lakers? I think so, but also think we needed statement gambles to show Kobe and the fans the serious nature of a championship pursuit. Recognizing the need to find the right pieces that complimented his game best i.e. big man with post ability was paramount. Obviously hindsight is 20/20 but as we all know, Kwame enabled us to grab Pau, so there you go.
Always rooted for Caron his entire career and hoped he’d come back to the LakeShow but it just didn’t work out that way. Still it’s fun to reminisce. I remember seeing him live in that lone season when the Lakes came to Sac-Town, Kobe was injured and it was clear who was gonna get the ball. Go Caron who was my favorite one hit wonder.
Honorable mention: Derek Harper- 98/99 Lockout shortened season was probably overshadowed by coaching changes, getting Glen Rice, and Dennis Rodman, but Harper who was really brought on to be the veteran mentor, ended up paying a major role in the rotation as our starting point guard. if only he were 10 years younger, we’d have won that chip for sure. Hey this fun, great topic!
Karl Malone. After years of underwhelming starting power forward play (really ever since Shaq arrived since Elden couldn't play next to Shaq), actually watching someone who could defend Garnett, Duncan and Webber and make those 15-20 ft jumpers was extremely refreshing.
Joined: 14 Apr 2001 Posts: 144432 Location: The Gold Coast
Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2020 9:47 am Post subject:
Waiters? Seriously, Ho Grant. Despite underwhelming PF play since we signed Shaq, it is no surprise that the team rolled that season. Grant was the perfect compliment to Shaq, a defensive forward who could hit the jumper and rebound. _________________ RIP mom. 11-21-1933 to 6-14-2023.
I would think Horace Grant also and yes perfect compliment to Shaq evidenced by that 2001 playoff run..but the bugger is did he play for the Lakers twice?? 2001 & 2004? So doesn't qualify as 1 year Laker
1 year Laker. I think Ho and Ariza played more than 1 season.
Interestingly, I have Karl and Butler on my NBA2K MyLeague team with Kobe and prime KAJ. Fun team. _________________ From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals
Joined: 15 Sep 2012 Posts: 29150 Location: La La Land
Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2020 1:50 pm Post subject:
JUST-MING wrote:
Trevor Ariza
yinoma2001 wrote:
1 year Laker. I think Ho and Ariza played more than 1 season.
Interestingly, I have Karl and Butler on my NBA2K MyLeague team with Kobe and prime KAJ. Fun team.
Technically he was here for a year and a 1/2. Would've won in '08 IMO if he was healthy for the finals. _________________ "Every hurt is a lesson, and every lesson makes you better”
Mine was probably GP, not necessarily for his contribution to the Lakers, but i just like him in general _________________ 48 49 50 52 53 54 72 80 82
85 87 88 00 01 02 09 10 20
Joined: 24 Dec 2007 Posts: 35750 Location: Santa Clarita, CA (Hell) ->>>>>Ithaca, NY -≥≥≥≥≥Berkeley, CA
Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2020 4:14 pm Post subject:
yinoma2001 wrote:
1 year Laker. I think Ho and Ariza played more than 1 season.
Interestingly, I have Karl and Butler on my NBA2K MyLeague team with Kobe and prime KAJ. Fun team.
Ariza only played 137 total games in a Laker uniform over two seasons, but I've always thought of him primarily as a Laker for some reason. He's actually spent the most time on the Rockets and the Wizards.
Something I never noticed until now-- the Magic traded Ariza to us in November 2007. In June of 2009, Ariza would be a key reason why we beat them in Game 4. Interesting to think about what would have happened if they hadn't made that trade. _________________ Damian Lillard shatters Dwight Coward's championship dreams:
Yeah Ariza is certainly one of my favorite Lakers, though his time was so short lived. That 2009/2010 Lakers team always has a soft spot in my heart. Was there for Showtime and Shaq/Kobe, but I love something about that team. _________________ From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals
Laron Profit
Ed Davis
Carlos Boozer
Brandon Bass
Lance Stevenson
Roy Hibbert
Derek Harper
Andrew Bogut
Antawn Jamison
Jim Jackson
Isaiah Thomas
Mitch Richmond
Dennis Rodman
Joined: 15 Sep 2012 Posts: 29150 Location: La La Land
Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2020 7:43 am Post subject:
There's a reason why Ariza is mentioned in this thread over and over again. That '09 playoffs he came up with 3 late game steals for us that helped us beat Denver and Orlando. Not to mention he was lights out from 3.
He soaked up Phil and Kobe's guidance like no other player to ever put on P&G. _________________ "Every hurt is a lesson, and every lesson makes you better”
Laron Profit
Ed Davis
Carlos Boozer
Brandon Bass
Lance Stevenson
Roy Hibbert
Derek Harper
Andrew Bogut
Antawn Jamison
Jim Jackson
Isaiah Thomas
Mitch Richmond
Dennis Rodman
Joined: 24 Dec 2007 Posts: 35750 Location: Santa Clarita, CA (Hell) ->>>>>Ithaca, NY -≥≥≥≥≥Berkeley, CA
Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2020 9:59 am Post subject:
Harlemlakerfan wrote:
Ariza played more than 1 year. He was on the 2008 team as well.
Though he only played 23 games and missed the playoffs because he broke his foot. _________________ Damian Lillard shatters Dwight Coward's championship dreams:
Joined: 24 Dec 2007 Posts: 35750 Location: Santa Clarita, CA (Hell) ->>>>>Ithaca, NY -≥≥≥≥≥Berkeley, CA
Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2020 9:59 am Post subject:
yinoma2001 wrote:
Harlemlakerfan wrote:
Ariza played more than 1 year. He was on the 2008 team as well.
In a perfect Lakers world we sign both Ariza and Artest.
Or re-signed Ariza and used the MLE on a PG like Jarrett Jack instead. Signing Artest was actually a blunder. _________________ Damian Lillard shatters Dwight Coward's championship dreams:
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