Brian Cook's agent, Mark Bartelstein: Extension might not get done

KobeDunk · Retired Number Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 26849

Vlad is a much better player that Cook... The comparisons need to stop!

As far as the Cook extension, maybe the Lakers could move him along with Mihm and Mckey before the trade dealine and get us a descent player in return.

Pappy · Star Player Joined: 02 May 2004 Posts: 3203

Cook has leverage now that Rad is in need of surgery and wont be able to fullfill the reason he was signed, to be the three point specialist.

RG73 · Franchise Player Joined: 14 Jul 2001 Posts: 11508

I wouldn't make much of this. Typical agent negotiating tactic.

It wouldn't be the end of the world if Cook walked, but I'm not convinced the extension won't get done either. If his agent wasn't making noise in the media he wouldn't be doing his job. All part of the game.

LakerJam · Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2006 8:46 am Post subject:

It's all good. Cook will play hard all year, he'll get offers next year and if they're reasonable enough, the Lakers will match. If not, then good luck to Cook. I'm not going to bash the guy because he's improved every year he's been with us, and is instant production off the bench; and while that's valuable, there's only so much a team can pay for that.

activeverb · Retired Number Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 37470

It's not surprising. My guess is the Lakers offered a fairly minimal contract -- probably $2 million per year for 2 years or something. With all the injuries, Cook and his agent probably figure they had a good chance to put up decent numbers and drive up his price in the free agent market. It's a worthwhile gamble. At this point, Cook is worth keeping at the right price, but when everyone gets healthy he may well not even make the rotation, so it doesn't make sense to throw a lot of money at him.

ALbino · Star Player Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Posts: 1270

He's an RFA, so unless somebody really overpays (very likely IMHO) we can always just match.

AL.

raffi · LG Contributor Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Posts: 9987

i think we should re-sign him, even if we overpay a little. Of course, we have no idea what kind of offer the Lakers have made, so I can't get a true sense of that yet.

Being over the cap, it's imperative that we retain good, young and relatively inexpensive talent, whether to keep them long-term or package them in a future trade. We really have no other way to get better.

It's why, assuming he's healthy and there isn't a good trade offer for him, I would sign Mihm long term, rather than have him walk. At least this way, you have parts to move.

IMO, these types of signings are worth the luxury tax hit.

jbjb · Star Player Joined: 11 Apr 2001 Posts: 5401

Exick · Site Staff Joined: 17 Mar 2005 Posts: 15880

topramen78 · Star Player Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 1879

THE_SHOES · Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2006 9:36 am Post subject:

AJLakerFan · Star Player Joined: 14 Jul 2006 Posts: 4161

KobeButler · Franchise Player Joined: 14 Nov 2004 Posts: 10179

I just know his shooting is gonna be valuble somewhere else in the league....like phoenix

_________________
Pain is temporary, at the end of pain is success...

LawyerShawn · Star Player Joined: 22 Jun 2005 Posts: 1834

Vancouver Fan · Franchise Player Joined: 17 Apr 2006 Posts: 17740

B_P · Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2006 10:26 am Post subject:

Cook is the definition of a "one dimensional offensive player."

He is a specialist.

Cook is a catch-and-shoot shooter ONLY.

In fact, he is so one-dimensional, if he doesn't catch the ball in the EXACT rhythm that he likes, his shooting accuracy goes WAY down.

He can't even shoot off a one-dribble move, or off a head-fake.

I'm not hatin', but that's what he it.
Catch-and-shoot only. No hesitation. No fakes.
If he doesn't catch it cleanly, accuracy goes down.
If his footwork isn’t correct when he catches it, his accuracy goes down.
If his rhythm is off at all, his accuracy goes down.

Catch...
Shoot.

That’s it.

But hey, when he DOES catch it in his rhythm, he's a MONEY SHOOTER. Quick release, pick-and-pop - that's his game. That's "Brian Cook" basketball.

(Although, he has improved his offensive rebounding/putback skills)

Now Radmanovic, on the other hand (no pun intended) has a MUCH more complete offensive game. Yes, he hits the 3, but he's a MUCH better athlete, much more mobile, can shoot on-the-move, can fake-and-go, can run and finish the break strong, can handle the ball in the open court and he's a much more active and AWARE perimeter defender.

Night and day
_________________
Everything. Changes.

jlkr42 · Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2006 11:22 am Post subject:

THE_SHOES · Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2006 12:52 pm Post subject:

wolfpaclaker · Retired Number Joined: 29 May 2002 Posts: 58352

People should know that Cook's agent realizes that with Radman's injury Brian could probably even up his value more than it is now.

Cook getting a few extra million dollars through free agency in the summer is very possible. Some team will overpay him a bit and that will mean he may sign an offer sheet. I have seen bigman shooters far less consistent than Cook get paid a hefty amount.

Brian's gotta do what's best for Brian and his family. I hope the Lakers set a limit on what they'll offer him and he takes that. It not, then maybe we should deal him at deadline or let him walk next summer.

I also hope that Cook understands how good he is in this system and playing of Kobe. Not too many situations that can beat what he has right now.

Socks · Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2006 12:59 pm Post subject:

He's a RFA. The market will set the value if we can't agree to a deal now.

If Cookie has a gangbusters kinda season he'll drive his value up and probably above what the Lakers want to pay. If he doesn't, the price tag will likely come down and he remains with the Lakers.

Cookie doesn't have any leverage over the Lakers this year with the Vlad injury because no matter what he's still under contract for the year, and he's still gotta play well to drive his value up.

rebirth · Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2006 1:14 pm Post subject:

Heartburn · Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2006 1:23 pm Post subject:

angel · Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2006 1:45 pm Post subject:

Cook has a great opportunity to earn a good contract. The reason he hasn't reached an agreement is probably the fact that the Lakers can match. They aren't motivated to overpay and destroy their flexibility. On the other hand, Cook must risk injury without a long-term guaranteed contract if he doesn't get a deal done. The next contact will likely set him for life.
_________________
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that." ~~Martin Luther King Jr.~~