Thorn's email to season-ticket holders

Laker_Holic

Please merge this if neccesary

Mark_in_Tulsa · Franchise Player Joined: 11 Jul 2005 Posts: 12977

Great.

I'm more confused now.
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The Buss · Star Player Joined: 05 Nov 2006 Posts: 1350

Just read this on CL a couple of minutes ago. Hopefully Thorn will finally fold and give us Kidd for some expiring K's and a 1st round pick.

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Laker_Holic · Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2007 10:50 pm Post subject:

Bergamotichek · Retired Number Joined: 02 Sep 2007 Posts: 16777206

That letter says absolutely nothing.

Seriously.

Laker_Holic · Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2007 10:59 pm Post subject:

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

I just find it odd, the GM will send out a letter like to its fans. Its almost as if their preparing them for something thats gonna happen. wink*wink.
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Laker_Holic · Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2007 11:09 pm Post subject:

4 Pointer · Star Player Joined: 18 Feb 2005 Posts: 1424

Or that he feels the need to respond and let people interpret it as they may because maybe he has received a lot of questions or comments regarding the state of the organization, as he states. But in the end, he does not reveal anything.

golakersgo121 · Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2007 11:36 pm Post subject:

TEEGUNN · Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2007 11:40 pm Post subject:

Vague.

What it says to me is, we want to try and save the season, but we might also trade our two best players. It's an insurance policy for all possible outcomes.
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Laker_Holic · Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2007 11:52 pm Post subject:

Thorn is warning the fans to pepare themselfs without Kidd and VC. there fans will probably get the message.

fansincemagic · Franchise Player Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 11051

it is very vague, but the timing is interesting. I'm not sure that many GMs would send this out to the season ticket holders, if they were in their situation. Even if we are making this out to be more than what it is, I give props to Rod for keeping even this bit of contact with the fans. Do you think Mitch would do the same thing midseason?

DancingBarry · Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007 12:08 am Post subject:

What's troubling is the part where he says "We have a strong nucleus with players such as Jason Kidd and Vince Carter..."

Oh, wait. My bad. He didn't include them? Must have been an oversight.

If not, well, hey, he can always dust off his comments from the Kenyon Martin trade if he decides to make a move:

"What would you say to the fans?
What I would say is stick with us and see what we do. We definitely expect to remain competitive. In any business that you are in, you are faced with very tough decisions from time to time. This was a monumental decision for this franchise, no doubt about it.

When you lose this kind of piece, unless we are very fortunate we are not going to be a championship contender but we fully expect to be a playoff contender. I’m not going to insult anybody’s intelligence by saying we are going to be a championship contender without [INSERT NAME HERE].

Understanding that in the short term we are obviously not going to be as good as we would be with [INSERT NAME HERE]. Now we are going to be in a much better financial position to give us the opportunity to do things to make our team better. "

Laker_Holic · Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007 12:12 am Post subject:

DB you sumed everything up

RetroNikes · Star Player Joined: 06 Jun 2005 Posts: 6376

Sounds like hes preparing the fans for the trade.

Something like; "Dont worry fans, even though were trading our top players, were still trying to improve this team"

SladeRider · Star Player Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Posts: 2107

AussieLakerFan · Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007 1:51 am Post subject:

angel · Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007 3:27 am Post subject:

Overview: Teams are in different categories, top contenders(#1 seed), contenders(top 4 seed), Playoff teams(#5-7 seed), borderline Playoff teams(#8-10), building teams(lottery teams on the way up), and teams blowing it up(lottery teams on the way down). A top contender like Dallas largely wants to stay with what they have to keep their chemistry intact. A contender might make a minor trade to fill a hole. A Playoff team that is striving to become a contender is looking for a final big piece. The Nuggets got their big trade for AI. The Lakers may have felt like a contender at one point, but now they are looking for one key player to get them over the top. The Clippers who are borderline want to look for upgrades. The T-Wolves are thinking about blowing it up. At the bottom, Boston is praying for Oden.

The Nets Situation: The Nets are close to being in the Playoff picture, but they have been frustrated by injuries. They need immediate help to get them into the Playoffs.

Interpretation of the Message:Thorn is leaving the door open for trades. He maintains that the Nets are continuing to try to make the Playoffs, so the type of trade that might favor is obtaining players who can immediately contribute.

Possible Trade: Since Kristic is out, it would help to have a center like Kwame. If they picked up a guard, Smush Parker might look pretty good, because he has been the starter for the Lakers for the better part of two seasons. Since there are many injuries, it would help to get someone flexible to fill the gap. Vlad makes sense. He can fill roles in both forward positions. All these Lakers are fairly young, so they also have some upside. McKie and Shammond can be used to balance trades. The Nets could fill multiple holes.

The Lakers side: The Lakers can afford to give up depth in order to make a run at a Championship in the next couple of seasons. Of course in a couple of seasons Bynum and Farmar should develop into players who can allow the Lakers to continue as a top contender. Meanwhile, Jason Kidd would add a lot of Playoff experience to blend with the Lakers' youth. When he retires, the Lakers will clear salary to sign Bynum to a big contract. Kidd can help make good use of Kobe's prime.
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fansincemagic · Franchise Player Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 11051

good post angel. It really can't hurt them to pickup a big that can defend in the post, because they'll need one next year when Kristic is healthy anyway. To deal Kidd wouldn't be conceding the playoff race, you let Williams get PT and can still field a nice lineup with the right VC trade.

Another thing to consider is that it is unique for the Lakers to be the frontrunner for a player like Kidd. I think a lot of us are holding out for bigger fish in the offseason, but as history has shown you can't just throw what you think is a nice package and expect someone to take it. Getting Kidd now isn't conceding KG, Gasol, ect...because chances are the Lakers won't be able to get into thoes sweepstakes.

About the playoffs though, it kinda puts into perspective how things are when they are fighting with the Knicks to be knocking on the door, and Miami can do nothing but get healthy. If you blow the thing up, you better get something solid for VC because it is going to be hard having Jefferson as your 1st option.

20,000 · Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007 6:07 am Post subject:

magic_bryant · Franchise Player Joined: 16 Oct 2002 Posts: 18179

Good to see Mr. Thorn lets the fans know that he prefers to keep Kidd and Carter and see how things play out the rest of the way.

Oh. He didn't say that.

Good to see Mr. Thorn lets the fans know that they'll trade the two guys rumored to be traded most only if a worthwhile package comes along.

Oh. He didn't say that.

Here's my overall take on the letter without the condescending stuff:

A) Thorn mentions his teams' 2 injured, very talented, young players - Nenad and Jefferson B) talks about being willing to do what it takes to win - be it for the now or later through Cap relief, C) talks up the talent on the bench that is more likely to help in the future - making note that Moore has even started and played well, D) mentions RJ getting back healthy for a playoff run, and most importantly, E) not one time does he mention a possible VC or Kidd trade - not even the mentioning of "exploring possibilities".

I'd say this a LOT closer to happening than the papers, excluding Vecsey, would have us to believe.
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Stephon Marbury on Kobe: "He's the only person on 'dis earth that can do 'dat. He guards people, like shuts 'em down. Then, to do 'dat on 'da offensive end. It's like 'Damn, I can't score on him AND he about to bust my ass."

Darkndeep · Star Player Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Posts: 2070

magic_bryant · Franchise Player Joined: 16 Oct 2002 Posts: 18179

I suspect Kidd to Golden State is no different than the Bibby to LA echoes.

The two teams trying to force the other into adding a piece that the other doesn't want to give.
_________________
Stephon Marbury on Kobe: "He's the only person on 'dis earth that can do 'dat. He guards people, like shuts 'em down. Then, to do 'dat on 'da offensive end. It's like 'Damn, I can't score on him AND he about to bust my ass."

Darkndeep · Star Player Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Posts: 2070