The Lakers Built Around Shaq; How Would You Rebuild Around Kobe?

Money$hot! · Star Player Joined: 18 Dec 2002 Posts: 5911

Forget the 2007 or 2008 plan

Pieces in place, players that can play off each other. Not a KG/Bosh/LeBron pipe dream
This team goes deep in the playoffs 2006-2007 and is a championship contender 2007-2008 if Byum develops into a Zach Randolph type (or at least well enough to take the starting spot from Mihm). Luxury tax? Screw it. Buss would've took a luxury tax hit if he kept the old three-peat dynasty duo together. Lets get back into contention!

Andrew Bynum............ Chris Mihm
Carlos Boozer...............Rony Turiaf
Devean George.............Luke Walton \ Donta Smith
Kobe..............................Laron Profit \ Von Wafer
Joe Johnson..................Bobby Jackson

Brian Cook (trade bait for a vet PF)
Devin Green
Sasha Vuyabitch (trade bait for a 2nd rounder)

The Mihm/Bynum tandem will continue to develop as offensive players under Coach Cap. Drew's length and footwork should make him a Zach Randolph simulicrum which should be enough to eventually place him as a starter. Meahwhile Boozer & Turiaf take turns doing the dirty work as well as any PF rotation in the L. Devean George has shown he can make a difference alongside Kobe and on the offensive glass. His tri experience will eventually show the way for Donta Smith. Luke will be retained to stabilize the second units execution (especially if he plays as well as he can). Kobe's mini-me Laron Profit will be back for cheap providing defenses no rest when Kobe hits the pine, along with Darth Wafer who will shake the nerves after many months of NBDL & another Summer league session. Finally Joe Johnson is precisely the kind of guard that would flourish in the tri, backed up by hyper intense high-scoring sparkplug Bobby Jackson to check quick guards and provide a change of pace.

It's all about balance, hustle, and team play off Kobe. Kobe will provide the explosive scoring, the rest will balance the floor, execute like vets, and attack the defense. The perimeter defense with Kobe/Devean/Johnson and rebounding with Boozer/Mihm/Turiaf/Bynum/George would be best in league. The interior defense, rough, rugged, and raw. This squad can do it for many, many years. If we can pipe dream about KG, why not about a 3 team deal that would place the right players in the right places at the right time.

Trades/Signings

Free Agents
01.Bobby Jackson (partial MLE or full MLE)
02.Laron Profit SG (vet minimum)
03.Devean George SF (vet minimum or partial MLE (if necc))

Los Angeles gets...players that actually compliment Kobe NOW, that can contend for a title.
Carlos Boozer
wants in LA, Horace Grant type player, polished & tough prototype PF to play alongside Bynum. An incredible PF rotation of Booz & Rony

Joe Johnson
versitale career backcourt mate for Kobe is accustomed to playing as secondary ball-handler and tertiary or primary scorer. top-notch defender and prototype tri facilitator

Donta Smith
young and capable, cheap, athletic

Atlanta gets... a revamped lineup that can actually win games (especially in the East). Incredible cap flexibility in 2008.
Lamar Odom
upgrade over Harrington & can facilitate like Johnson

Kwame Brown
puss PF defender w/ expiring K $8 million

Devin Brown
skilled and sought after swing, tough, young, cheap

Smush Parker
explosive offensive PG would likely flourish in more wide-open offense

Utah gets... to dump salary, move Boozer, add Harrington, and move AK to PF.
Al Harrington
hardnosed SF scorer to let AK47 move to PF

Stanislav Medvedenko(sign & trade)
cheapie version of Okur may flourish in pure offensive role or cut to save $$

Aaron McKie
expiring K, reliable SG to keep or cut.

The Trade ID for this scenario is 3007346

Freakout · Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 4:36 pm Post subject:

I love the Joe Johnson idea.

straylight · Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 4:58 pm Post subject:

As starters, to complement Kobe on offense (especially in the tri) you need the following things:

1) at least 3 players who can convert once kobe draws the D and passers. a) Ideally 2 guys who can hit consistently from long-range as well as 1 elite perimeter shooter (3 total). this will help space the floor and keep defenses from sagging on Kobe (or triple teaming him)

2) at least one guy with strong slashing ability (in addition to the shooting) to help kobe break down the D. (doing it first or after kobe)

3) 1 guy who can take the post feed and finish quickly as well as hit mid-range so he doesn't clog the lane. I.e., a high post player

4) One post-player with go-to moves who can at least occasionally draw a double. can be same as 3)

5) At least one guy with strong passing skills and bball IQ to be the initiator. Preferably all players have at least average passing skills.

On defense you will need:

1) 1 Elite shotblocker.

2) 1 (preferably 2) very good permiter man defensive player. Preferably able to guard positions 1-3, even on fast PGs, able to switch with Kobe

3) 1 low-post man defender

4) 2 above average to elite rebounders.

Some of these things can be handled by bench players/6th men

For example:

PG Raja Bell - elite shooter, very good man defender, decent passer (a cheaper Joe Johnson)
SG Kobe
SF Boris Diaw -point forward (excellent passsing), superb defender (can guard 1-3), underrated shooter
PF Eddie Griffin - good long-range shooter, excellent rebounder and shotblocker. lacks strong post defense. Sheed Lite (sheed would be perfect)
C Bynum 3.0 - a more developed Bynum - some go-to post moves, able to finish, decent rebounding and shotblocking

Alternatively:

PG Chris Duhon - decent shooter, excellent initiator, good PG defender.
SG Kobe
SF Rashard Lewis - elite shooter, decent slasher. below average defender.
PF Chris Bosh - go to post player, will draw the double. Can hit mid-range. Rebounding, shotblocking, and man post defense lacking
C Chris kaman - strong rebounder and shotblocker, decent offensive player

AK47, Ron Artest, james Posey, Jason Terry, Iguodala, Jeff Foster and Mike james are also good fits (ignoring some of the obvious max players)

Of course, I have no idea how to assemble such a cast, but that's not what you asked.....

-stray
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Vlade · Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 7:18 pm Post subject:

Vlade · Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 7:20 pm Post subject:

here's another trade I would like... realistic? Perhaps, once both these teams fail to land KG. Lakers throw in the Miami pick as well...

L.A. Lakers Trade Breakdown
Outgoing

Lamar Odom
6-10 SF from Rhode Island
13.9 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 5.3 apg in 39.5 minutes

Chris Mihm
7-0 C from Texas
10.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 0.9 apg in 26.5 minutes
Incoming

Tyson Chandler
7-1 C from Dominguez (HS)
5.4 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 1.1 apg in 26.3 minutes

Ben Gordon
6-3 SG from Connecticut
16.5 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.9 apg in 30.3 minutes

Luol Deng
6-9 SF from Duke
13.2 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 1.8 apg in 31.6 minutes
Change in team outlook: +11.0 ppg, +1.9 rpg, and -0.4 apg.

Chicago Trade Breakdown
Outgoing

Tyson Chandler
7-1 C from Dominguez (HS)
5.4 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 1.1 apg in 26.3 minutes

Ben Gordon
6-3 SG from Connecticut
16.5 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.9 apg in 30.3 minutes

Luol Deng
6-9 SF from Duke
13.2 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 1.8 apg in 31.6 minutes
Incoming

Lamar Odom
6-10 SF from Rhode Island
13.9 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 5.3 apg in 39.5 minutes

Chris Mihm
7-0 C from Texas
10.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 0.9 apg in 26.5 minutes
Change in team outlook: -11.0 ppg, -1.9 rpg, and +0.4 apg.

Successful Scenario
There were BYC players involved in this trade, so this trade is subject to the BYC provisions of the CBA. Due to L.A. Lakers and Chicago being over the cap, the 25% trade rule is invoked. L.A. Lakers and Chicago had to be no more than 125% plus $100,000 of the salary given out unless trade exceptions were used for the trade to be accepted, which did happen here. This trade satisfies the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Trade ID
Every trade made by fans is allocated a unique Trade ID which you can share with friends and fellow basketball fans to allow them to see your trade scenario. The Trade ID for this scenario is 3007507.
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"All the truth in the world adds up to one big lie."

Krispy Kreme · Franchise Player Joined: 30 Mar 2003 Posts: 12252

#1

True #2 scorer. Who can create his own shot, and play well off of Kobe

closest player to that : Rashard Lewis

#2

Lockdown defender, but can also score and handle the ball. Ala, Kobe's "Pippen"

closest player to that: Ron Artest

#2b

Strictly a lockdown defender

closest player to that : Bowen or Hassell

#3

Talented 2 way big

closest player(s) to that: Bosh, Brand, Howard

#4

PG that can create open looks for others and have a little offensive game too

closest player to that: Luke Ridnour

VEN_150 · Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 8:01 pm Post subject:

Point guard: someone who can break down a defense with penetration and hit the open jumper, and play intense D. A Tony Parker type PG would be perfect. Maybe Earl watson?

Shooting guard: Kobe

Small forward: Lamar Odom

Power Forward: We need a veteran here, hard nosed, good postup game, who can crash the boards (he would have to be the enforcer). And can hit the open mid range shot when Kobe or the Point Guard penetrates and dishes it out. A healthy Karl Malone would've been ideal. KG would also be great here, But maybe Boozer is a more likely acquisition, not sure about him crashing the boards though. The key here is the PF has to have the enforcer mentality.

Center: Mihm is ok until Bynum developes. After Bynum developes Mihm would be the perfect backup center.

Good Bench Players:

1.Turiaf

2.Deven Green: can develope into a scrappy guard coming off the bench (he's already showing that he's not afraid to mix it up inside).

3.Eddie Jones (if we could ever get him) he could come off the bench and spell Kobe, with hard D, outside shooting, and penetration. He could finish his career with the team that he started with and finally get his championship ring.

4.Another tough frontcourt defender and rebounder: Like Udonis Haslem of miami, malik rose or kurt thomas

5.Bynum

6.Eric Piatkowski for another REAL outside shooting threat

7. This team would provide kobe with consistent scoring help, rebounding and tough D - Ship the rest of the current laker squad out!!!!

Mike@LG · Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 8:18 pm Post subject:

1. Two-way PG. Not asking for a 20-10 PG here. Chris Paul would be the most ideal. Shaun Livingston would be a stud. Chris Duhon would suffice.

2. Consistent two-way post player. Only name that comes to mind is Bosh. Chris Kaman qualifies. Samuel Dalembert. Just a 10-10 guy who can swat. I can only hope Bynum gets there REAL soon.

3. A 2-way PF with perimeter ability, energy, intensity, some post play, solid post D. Ronny Turiaf is in.

4. A 2-way SF. Joe Johnson is perfect. Triple threat skills who can defend. Kirilenko. Ron Artest.

5. Scoring firepower off the bench from a guard slot. Allows 3 guard rotation into the playoffs without missing too much of a step with Bryant on the pine.

6. PG defender. I would've liked to kick someone's behind for skipping out on Brevin Knight for the past 3 years. Really, how many times does the have to show he's a leader on the floor, creates plays well, and tries hard on D?

7. Rebounder. Turiaf is in foul trouble. Reggie Evans would've been great.

8. Dying for two shooters here.

Chris Paul
Kobe Bryant
Joe Johnson
Ronny Turiaf
Andrew Bynum

Ronald Murray
Brevin Knight
Reggie Evans
Kwame Brown
Von Wafer
Brian Cook

Keys:

1. Starting lineup has 3 triple threat players and 1 bonafide PG that can dictate tempo.
2. Players off the bench plug in for a specific purpose. Post defense. Rebounding. Perimeter shooting. Leadership. Scoring.
3. Rotation can be tightened to 9 by playoff time.
4. The only unathletic people in the above listed team is Brian Cook and arguably, Reggie Evans. Luckily Cook developed perimeter shooting skills to the 3pt. line. Valuable at PF, but not as a starter with slow defense. Evans has a knack to rebound and get opposing frontlines in foul trouble.
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Money$hot! · Star Player Joined: 18 Dec 2002 Posts: 5911

"Forget the 2007 or 2008 plan" scenario II

Expiring Contracts
Mitch might have been able to swing this earlier in the season when Kwame was still a "?" and we had expiring K's to deal. This squad is a playoff contending upgrade (not as good as the Atl/Uta/LAL trade above) but still an upgrade. Mitch just may suck. =b

Andrew Bynum / Chris Mihm
Kenyon Martin / Rony Turiaf
Michael Pietrus / Luke Walton
Kobe Bryant / Laron Proft / Von Wafer
Derek Fisher / Smush Parker / Monta Ellis

Brian Cook
Devin Green
Sasha Vuyabitch

Trades & Signings
LAL and GSW
Lakers get vet tri PG, defensive SF, rookie PG to develop
Derek Fisher
Michael Pietrus
Monta Ellis

Warriors get defensive center to play in place of Adonal Foyle
Kwame Brown
2nd Round Pick

The Trade ID for this scenario is 3007645

LAL and DEN
Lakers get an aggressive (borderline psycho) PF
Kenyon Martin

Nuggets Get 10.7 expiring K's + 1st Rounder
Devean George (exp K $5 mil)
Slava Medvedenko (exp K $3mil)
Aaron McKie (exp K '07 $2.7mil)
1st Round Pick (from Miami)

The Trade ID for this scenario is 3007649

Lakers sign Laron Profit for LLE

rscogold · Starting Rotation Joined: 27 Nov 2004 Posts: 150

Wallace
Wallace
Prince
Bryant
Billups

or

Kaman
Brand
Maggette
Bryant
Livingston
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'04-'07: Kobe's prime, Lakers decline.

JIFISH · Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 10:23 pm Post subject:

The Lakers weren't "built around Shaq", they were built around his mammoth, pre-cba contract. And until we got Phil as coach, we didn't see any return for that investment beyond what you are likely to see this season. First or second round playoff team. And those teams, like this one, always seemed to have a problem with motivation. I always assumed back then that it was a reflection of Shaq's lack of total commitment. But now Shaq's gone and Kobe--who by all accounts is one of if not the most commited player in the history of the game--is the player this team is built around, and we still have this on-again-off-again, flip-the-switch mentality. And that's with every player from Shaq's days gone except for Kobe and Devean.

But we are still a team that is hobbled by the after-effects of Shaq's contract, along with the rules that restrict how much money we are able to spend on players. We made a deal with the devil when we agreed to Shaq's terms. And we are paying the price, now that he's gone.
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LTD · Starting Rotation Joined: 21 Jun 2005 Posts: 463

Money$hot, I like your post, but it's a slap in the face to Okur to say that Slava is a cheapie version of him.

Money$hot! · Star Player Joined: 18 Dec 2002 Posts: 5911

uberzev · Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 8:23 am Post subject:

PG: Banks, Smush, Vujacic
SG: Kobe, Profit, Wafer
SF: Butler, George, Walton
PF: Boozer, Cook, Turiaf
C: Mihm, Bynum
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filipensses · Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 9:53 am Post subject:

Aloha · Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 10:06 am Post subject:

PG-Sharp Shooting 3
SF-Tall Aggressive Defender/Who can run/score too
PF-Midrange Rebounder
C-Fair Rotational Centers

Paxton/Armstrong/Kerr/Harper
Pippen/Kukoc
HoGrant/Rodman
Cartright/Longly/

Pieces that were supposedly
Pippen=Odom
Weddington/Longly=Milhm/Brown

ok--- this puzzle has more missing pieces...
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LTD · Starting Rotation Joined: 21 Jun 2005 Posts: 463

LOL @ money.

wolfpaclaker · Retired Number Joined: 29 May 2002 Posts: 58336

Joe Johnson and Boozer for Odom and Kwame?

Interesting. I kind of like that idea. The combo of Booz-JJ is much better. No arguments on that.

But the argent? Would Buss sign for that HUGE K of JJ's and Booz's?

Freakout · Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 11:02 am Post subject:

The Mike · Star Player Joined: 16 Aug 2005 Posts: 1126

I very much tired to keep inmind the salary cap while doing this.

First the players I have staying from the current squad.

Kobe
Turiaf
Mihm
Bynum
Smush
Cook
Wafer
George
Sasha

Assuming that I can't get a KG type player in a trade for Odom. I would try and trade Odom & Walton to New Oreleans for a resigned Speedy Claxton, Desmond Mason, & Kirk Synder.

I feel this answers quite a few of our problems as all 3 of these players are solid players that can really contribute to our biggest problem.... talent depth. If I had too I would throw in a second rounder.

I would really like to bring in a big guard as well, since that is what Phil likes in the triangle.

Ideally I would want Eddie Jones back, but he is on the last year of a very expense deal. Another idea is Fred Jones of Indiana who is a restricted free agent. Also it is possible that Synder mentioned above could fill this role.

I would like to resign Devean, but it would depend on if the price is right. I really like his hustle and D. But I would probably not be willing to pay more than we are paying him now.

I would try and get Al Harrington aswell. Maybe in a possible sign and trade for Kwame.

I would then use the MLE to get us a legit PF like a Nene, Wilcox, Melvin Ely(who are all restricted Free agents.) Ely might be the most attainable considering that Char already has Oakfor & May. If a player like that isn't available I would either split the MLE and get a couple older serviceable big men like Antonio Davis and Othello Harrington, or try and get one with the LLE.

Hopefully I can use Aron Mckie's salry somewhere in a deal to move him from the team.

I keep Smush because he could be a very good bench scorer, and he has nice chemistry with Kobe(though not a deal breaker by any means.)

I keep Wafer, because he is young and inexpensive.

Turiaf for his energy and heart.

Cook because he brings an offesive presence that we will need to spark us on some nights, and he might be our best 3 point shooter.

Keep Sasha because he has come so far from just last season, I would like to see what he can develop into.

So the team looks something like this.

PG - Claxton/Smush/Sasha
SG- Kobe/Synder/Wafer
SF- A.Harrington/Mason/George?
PF - Ely/Turiaf/Cook
C- Mihm/Bynum/O.Harrington or Davis.

There is a possibility of moving A. Harrington to PF, and starting Mason, depending on who we play or who fits better in the system on O and D.

This is far from a conteder, but this team has a much deeper talent pool, and I think would play well around Kobe's talents. The one thing I really worry about in the D from the point position. But I think between Claxton, Smush, Sasha & Synder we have enough different looks to be okay.

This will put us around 60-63 million in salary , not including Brian Grant's contract. And it also gives us several good pieces for dealing should that Superstar trade come around.

At least that is my thinking today, I could come up with something I think is better tomorrow.
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"Kobe Bryant is an absolute nightmare. You can hold your breath, send for help, sacrifice a chicken, it won't matter. Kobe Bryant is coming for you. He's got the ball and he's going to score...some way, some how."
Dancing Barry

Savory Griddles · Starting Rotation Joined: 11 Aug 2005 Posts: 920

Bynum/Kwame
Boozer/Turiaf
R. Lewis/Grant Hill
Kobe/Grant Hill
Banks/Smush

dcarter4kobe · Franchise Player Joined: 30 Jul 2005 Posts: 17674

Brad Millier,A.Davis
Pau Gasol
Joe Johnson,Adrain Griffin
KObe
Chris Duhon,Eric Snow

perfect 8 man rotation

LakersRGolden · Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2006 3:47 pm Post subject:

Just add Nash and Bosh. (kidding)

Banks part of MLE
Lamar + Mihm-> Utah for Boozer + Harpring (S&T)

Brown / Bynum
Boozer / Turiaf / Cook
Harpring / George
Bryant / Profit
Banks / Smush / Sasha

kups · Star Player Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Posts: 1716

Duhon
Kobe
Battier
Melvin Ely
Mihm

Bench:
Mike James
Profit
D. George
Steven Hunter / Bynum
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#28 Derrick White, Jordan Bell, Deonte Burton

thumpinghead · Star Player Joined: 17 Nov 2005 Posts: 5657