Hoopshype says we are in the lead for Pau Gasol

[thead]

I saw Chad Ford's Big Board today. Muhammed was #3. I had a flash of the Raptors getting #3 with Muhammed there.

Lowry
Muhammed
Gay
Gasol
JV

6th: man Ross
1st big off bench: Amir


I then proceeded to wet myself.

Fields Bargnani and DeRozan would net us Gasol and Blake

[mcHAPPY]

I actually wont mind, in fact, id prefer it if they're already out of the playoff picture after acquiring these guys.

One, plenty of rest for these old timers, hehehe, address health issues, conditioning, etc.
Two, more time to assess the situation, what other pieces are needed

I saw Chad Ford's Big Board today. Muhammed was #3. I had a flash of the Raptors getting #3 with Muhammed there.

Lowry
Muhammed
Gay
Gasol
JV

6th: man Ross
1st big off bench: Amir


I then proceeded to wet myself.

[TheGloveinRapsUniform]

But the question is, would you get an accurate assessment if these old timers aren't playing at 100% intensity knowing that the playoffs are a pipe dream?

True. But i think where theyre at at this stage of their careers, you pretty much know what and what not youre going to get out of them, although it would help if they play with goal and purpose, i think one would be able to gauge if this 5 would work, or if certain pieces need to be alternated, or do they need to acquire more strength on this position, etc etc even if your stars are not playing balls out.

By assessing the situation, i meant was which positions need more help/depth, which groupings would statistically work better, etc etc.

I think it also lessens the pressure on not just the two acquisitions but the whole team as well. No scrambling to make things fit at the moment to make the playoffs but rather worry about working on chemistry and defining roles for the coming season.

[planetmars]

We go 30 - 12 and make the playoffs then the league bows at our feet. Then we sweep Miami on a game winning 4 point play by Rudy gay

Can we beat them by 40 points instead so that we can watch Bosh cry into a towel again?

[NoPropsneeded]

We go 30 - 12 and make the playoffs then the league bows at our feet. Then we sweep Miami on a game winning 4 point play by Rudy gay

[Nilanka]

I actually wont mind, in fact, id prefer it if they're already out of the playoff picture after acquiring these guys.

One, plenty of rest for these old timers, hehehe, address health issues, conditioning, etc.
Two, more time to assess the situation, what other pieces are needed

But the question is, would you get an accurate assessment if these old timers aren't playing at 100% intensity knowing that the playoffs are a pipe dream?

[TheGloveinRapsUniform]

Is Gasol the 2nd shoe to drop?

I have to say if Calderon, Davis, and Bargnani can turn in to Gay and Gasol, that is fairly impressive by Colangelo. Sadly the season may likely be lost by the time anything came about.

I actually wont mind, in fact, id prefer it if they're already out of the playoff picture after acquiring these guys.

One, plenty of rest for these old timers, hehehe, address health issues, conditioning, etc.
Two, more time to assess the situation, what other pieces are needed

[mcHAPPY]

Is Gasol the 2nd shoe to drop?

"I'm a competitor, I'm a guy that thinks I bring a lot to the table, and not being on the floor is something that I don't like, I don't appreciate," Gasol said.

Gasol had seven points, seven rebounds and seven assists in 21 minutes as the Lakers built an 83-73 lead through the first three quarters.

"It's a challenge," Gasol said when asked about toeing the line and accepting D'Antoni's decision so that he doesn't take away from the team while still defending his personal ability. "We're challenged every day, and I'm challenged every day to keep my calm and keep my peace and not let my emotions take over my words."

http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/s...rs-win-hornets

I have to say if Calderon, Davis, and Bargnani can turn in to Gay and Gasol, that is fairly impressive by Colangelo. Sadly the season may likely be lost by the time anything came about.

[ReubenJRD]

Well, things aren't going any easier for the Lakers and Gasol with Nash back. Gasol has a stinker last night: 27mins, 1-6, 2pts, 4 rebs, 2 ast, 2 blk, 1 to, 0-2 3pt, benched 4th quarter.

http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/s...-request-trade



Sadly, if the rumours are true, Minnesota still sports wood for Gasol but LAL is not interested in the return goods. Enter a third team. My hope had been Toronto with a combination of Bargnani and whoever else. Sadly, again if rumours are true, Raps have big time competition in Milwaukee as Ilyasova is reportedly on the block. A quick comparison shows Ersan with an advantage in just about every statistical category and he would cost about $3M less per year and is 2 years younger with less injury history. Milwaukee also has a cheaper, expiring, and pretty good backup PG option in Udrih as well as Dalembert's expiring contract who would be a good backup to Howard.

All I can say is: sh!t.

From purely a basketball perspective, wouldn't most people rather have Bargnani and Calderon? Sadly, a lot of my friends are Laker fans, and they watch a lot of Raptors basketball enough to know the strengths/weaknesses of the two, but the consensus thought of my friends were "man, that would be a steal to possibly acquire both!"

To be quick, LA is struggling to play basketball, Bargnani would be able to add a pure stretch-4 to the lineup, which betters their rotation compared to a tweener, and they have a locked position at the point guard spot. Money doesn't seem to be a problem for LA, but if that were the topic, $10 million off the books via Calderon's last year.

[mcHAPPY]

Well, things aren't going any easier for the Lakers and Gasol with Nash back. Gasol has a stinker last night: 27mins, 1-6, 2pts, 4 rebs, 2 ast, 2 blk, 1 to, 0-2 3pt, benched 4th quarter.

http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/s...-request-trade



Sadly, if the rumours are true, Minnesota still sports wood for Gasol but LAL is not interested in the return goods. Enter a third team. My hope had been Toronto with a combination of Bargnani and whoever else. Sadly, again if rumours are true, Raps have big time competition in Milwaukee as Ilyasova is reportedly on the block. A quick comparison shows Ersan with an advantage in just about every statistical category and he would cost about $3M less per year and is 2 years younger with less injury history. Milwaukee also has a cheaper, expiring, and pretty good backup PG option in Udrih as well as Dalembert's expiring contract who would be a good backup to Howard.

All I can say is: sh!t.

[tkfu]

How bout this?
http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=cveaplz

Gotta say, that makes absolutely no sense from Atlanta's perspective. They take on extra salary for extra years and get worse players who don't fill any need.

[mcHAPPY]

Yes and no.... On one hand I want bargs gone and Gasol is a winner and a vet... On the other hand I'd rather the raps get younger when they trade calderon/bargs and Pau won't help that... Although he could be great for JV... On another (third?) hand do I trust Lowry to run the raptors offence? Not sure I do.

On the third hand the Raps could always be the 3rd team in any deal and get the best of both worlds.

[Rapstor4Life]

Just wondering if anyone is following the Laker games man they just do not mesh. Pau looks so lost every game this trade seems more likely. Even though I still hope its a 3 way trade and Pau isn't a Raptor.

[AJ360]

Let the rumours start again.

Anyone else hoping Nash doesn't fix the Pau situation?

Yes and no.... On one hand I want bargs gone and Gasol is a winner and a vet... On the other hand I'd rather the raps get younger when they trade calderon/bargs and Pau won't help that... Although he could be great for JV... On another (third?) hand do I trust Lowry to run the raptors offence? Not sure I do.

[mcHAPPY]

Sam Amick @sam_amick

Lakers PG Steve Nash will play tonight, USA TODAY Sports has learned - http://usat.ly/Zrt9GT

Lakers point guard Steve Nash will play tonight against Golden State, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports.

The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss his situation. Nash has been out since Oct. 31 with a left leg injury. The Lakers have struggled this season without Nash directing new coach Mike D'Antoni's offense.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports...debut/1786753/

Let the rumours start again.

Anyone else hoping Nash doesn't fix the Pau situation?