NBA / Aug 13, 2009 / 9:30 am

5 Things I Think I Know About the Pacific Division

Amar'e Stoudemire (photo. Mannion)

Amar'e Stoudemire (photo. Mannion)

With the vision of the 2009/2010 NBA season becoming more and more clear each day, we’ll take a look at each division and explain what we think we know about each. Sure, there are a lot of things that could change before opening day, but we have a pretty good idea of how each team will look and where we think they’re headed in the upcoming year.

Next up, 5 things I think I know about the Pacific Division

5. I think I know that the Warriors will score a lot of points.

Really, though, is there any question about this? Added to the mix of young, talented scorers is rookie Stephen Curry who can also put up a ton of points in a short amount of time, though I’d expect him to struggle a bit adjusting to the NBA game. Anthony Randolph has all the potential to score 20 a game, Monta Ellis close to 20, Stephen Jackson another 20, Maggette another 15, and several other players who can put up double-digits in points on any given night. Last season, Golden State averaged 108 ppg while struggling with injuries all year; this season, a healthy Warrior team could easily put up 112 a game with all the weapons they have. And yes, they’ll probably still give up a league worst 112 ppg, but it won’t matter because they’ll be so fun to watch. They only won 29 games in ‘08/09, but I see that win total being closer to 40 in ‘09/10.

4. I think I know that Blake Griffin will be Rookie of the Year.

He was a man amongst boys at the NBA Summer League, and it will translate seamlessly to the actual NBA season. The Clips have a deceivingly talented lineup and there is just enough room for Blake Griffin to emerge immediately as an impact player. Even though he’ll be in a Clipper uniform that typically jinxes rookies (see Danny Manning) Griffin is the most NBA-ready player to emerge in the draft since LeBron. He’ll be touted and criticized because of his publicity and potential, but he is so driven as a player (and level-headed enough) to shun the negativity and blow every other rookie out of the water.

3. I think I know that the Sacramento Kings will be terrible.

They just don’t have the talent to be remotely competitive. Though, to be fair, they are in a massive rebuilding process and I believe that Kevin Martin, Spencer Hawes, Jason Thompson and Tyreke Evans are all valuable pieces in that process. However, they are probably the least talented team collectively in the league (and the least deep) and will have a difficult time winning more than 30 games. The Western Conference (and Pacific Division, for that matter) is just too tough and with a roster that has just 1 player with more than 5 years experience (Kenny Thomas) it’s going to be a painful few years for Kings fans.

2. I think I know that Amar’e Stoudemire will lead the Suns to the playoffs.

Maybe it’s more accurate if I say Amar’e Stoudemire will lead the Suns to the playoffs IF he can stay on the floor consistently for the entire season; and there isn’t any reason to think that he won’t be able to. His knees are fully healthy, his retina has been deemed healed, and he wants a big payday come 2010. I’m actually glad he’ll be wearing goggles – remember the 49 point game he had against Indiana last season? He sported the goggles in that game, removed them after, and it was all downhill from there. Needless to say, not having Shaq around should allow the Suns to fly under the radar a bit, and there are certainly worse things the Suns could be dealing with besides a contract-motivated STAT. Steve Nash, Grant Hill, Leandro Barbosa, Jason Richardson, Channing Frye, Jared Dudley, and Lou Amundson are all athletic and good enough to ignite the 7 seconds or less system to new levels with Alvin Gentry at the helm, but Amare Stoudemire will be the driving force for any post-season appearances for Phoenix.

1. I KNOW the Lakers will be Western Conference Champions.

They’re just too good, too deep, and too talented not to be crowned Western Conference Champions for a 3rd year in a row. Ron Artest has seemingly put all negativity in his life behind him and is as happy as we’ve ever seen him. Kobe will stay motivated to repeat, Gasol has proven he can be somewhat tough in the post, Lamar Odom finally feels appreciated, and Andrew Bynum will be healthy and better. It doesn’t take a genius to see that the Lakers will be phenomenal next season, probably the best overall team in the league. Expect Dallas, Denver, or San Antonio to be in the Western Conference Finals with L.A., but none are good enough to beat them. Sigh.

What’s your take on the Pacific Division?

5 Things I Think I Know About the Atlantic Division

5 Things I Think I Know About the Central Division

5 Things I Think I Know About the Southeast Division

5 Things I Think I Know About the Southwest Division

5 Things I Think I Know About the Northwest Division

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71 Responses to “5 Things I Think I Know About the Pacific Division”

  1. Lionheart says:

    can u imagine a warriors and suns game that goes overtime or further? wow

  2. karizmatic says:

    I think I know the pacific division is the most boring division in the league.

  3. mapletown says:

    I don’t see how the Lakers will be challenged at all in the Pacific. If anything i can see the Clippers possibly challenging the Suns for 2nd place in the division. Other than that, its the Lakeshow’s division to lose.

  4. unca says:

    The Lakers will not win the Western Conference Champions, that spot is reserved for the Spurs. With Jefferson in Dyes in the mix, a starting five of TP, Manu, Duncan, Dyes and Jefferson is better than any other five in the league. You have 5 all star caliber players together with arguably one of the best coaches in the last decade. This is the Spurs year… again. Smells like dynasty.

  5. Celts Fan says:

    The Lakers are obviously the favorites out West, but to say there’s no chance they can lose is pretty assanine. Not only do the Spurs have the talent to hang with them, but barring injuries, they WILL beat them and win the west. Doesn’t have the talent to hang? Are you fuckin serious?

    1: TP, GHill
    2. Manu, Mason, Finley
    3. RJeff, Finley, Mason
    4. McDyess, Blair, Bonner
    5. Timmy (forgot who their backup 5 is)

    There’s a lot of talent and flexibility there. Sleeping on SA again. Must just be too “boring” for you…

  6. Kobeef says:

    Pacific 5

    5. Phoenix will miss the playoffs again. Steve Kerr will make a stupid trade again and continue to waste the careers of Nash and Amare. In 2010, Nash will get traded to Toronto and Amare will leave for New York to reunite with D’Antoni. The Suns will becoeme the worst team in the league by this time next year.

    4. The Warriors will realize that Stephen Curry is the same type of player (undersized volume shotting SG) as Monta (minus the athleticism) and that they can’t play together.

    3. The Kings will realize that they unknowingly drafted a SG. Tyreke and Kevin Martin are both SG’s and without a real playmaker they will need to trade one…which is not all bad.

    2. Griffin will be very good but the dysfunctional Mike Dunleavy Sr. will continue to make sure the Clippers play much worse than they should. And will never get fired since he is his own boss. The Clippers are doomed.

    1. The Lakeshow will destroy every other team in this division without breaking a sweat.

  7. Kobeef says:

    @Celts

    umm…TD is a 4. MdDyess will play the 5.
    But thanks for that insiders report on the spurs

  8. dk says:

    I think I know, your English is horrible….

  9. elaly says:

    @karizmatic…. u must be a spurs fan if u think the warriors, lakers, and suns play boring basketball

    @dk…. gotta love the grammar police… pointless

    @kobeef…. curry has range and can shoot which automatically makes him 100% better than Monta Ellis…. if u wanna compare Ellis to someone, try Rondo minus the ability to pass but quicker, well pre-moped at least….

  10. Yoooo says:

    whoa whoa whoa, 40 wins for Golden State? No way I seem them playin close to .500 ball. A lot of teams got better this offseason with proven NBA players. They added Steph and Monta will be healthy. Im feeling like 32 at most

  11. the_don_mega says:

    @ Griffin is the most NBA-ready player to emerge in the draft since LeBron =

    i aint so sure about this… how about B-Roy? the most NBA-ready (body-wise) to emerge in the draft since LeBron? maybe…

  12. Yoooo says:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhdGVt6y4ns

    O and peep this video of John Wall going NUTS

  13. elaly says:

    @don mega

    no way B-Roy has a better body coming into his rookie season when compared to Griffin… NO WAY… go back and look up pics of B-Roy, plus consider he played 4 years, Griffin is coming into the league 2 years younger and he is a beast…

  14. the_don_mega says:

    @elaly

    you must’ve misread my post man… i was saying B-Roy might be the most NBA rady player (game-wise)… i never said he had the bigger body…

    “the most NBA-ready (body-wise) to emerge in the draft since LeBron? maybe…”

    i was talkin’ about Griffin here on the last part…

  15. control says:

    These articles have been good, but one thing that doesn’t add up…there are so many teams that have been said to ‘improve’ and will increase their winning total…who is going to be losing some of these games?

  16. Big V says:

    The Spurs have a legit shot to knock of LA if they stay healthy.

  17. Celts Fan says:

    @Kobeef – Duncan’s been a 4 in name only since DRob retired. He’s a 5 whether analysts want to admit it or not. McDyess is and has always been a 4, so to just say, “he’s the 5 cuz Duncan’s playing” even though McD will be shooting his mid-range Js and Duncan’ll be down on the block is wrong. Let’s end the charade; Duncan’s a 5.

  18. Celts Fan says:

    Here’s how ESPN stacks them up:

    http://espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=sas

    Notice who the starting 5 is.

    Oh, and their backup 5 (til he sprains his vag again in the 2nd game of the season) is Theo Ratliff.

  19. Chicagorilla says:

    “Everybody’s a killer but the deaths don’t add up, yall is it just my math sucks” – Joe Buddens

    I agree with control. No way has GState got better. Scoring 4pts more per game also means that the other team gets the ball back more times, which will turn into 116ppg they are giving up. They suck, and will probably ruin Steph Curry’s career (or at least WASTE the first 4yrs) with that No defense philosophy. Curry actually looks like he can play a little D, but Nellie ain’t having that.

    Clips will suck thanks to Dunleavy. Blake will be good.

    The Kings have two SG’s and Reke playing point will hurt him.

    Suns go out in the first round if they even make the playoffs.

    This may be the 2nd worse division in basketball. Lakers will flirt with 70wins.

  20. JH says:

    I think the Lakers own the division…but they by no means own the Western Conference. 3 years in a row? Possible but unlikely in my opinion.

    I’m gonna predict another Gasol finger injury to derail the Lakers train.

  21. fLaVa says:

    @ elaly

    FIRST OFF you’re an idiot saying just because Curry has range he is 100% better than Monta Ellis… What are u smoking dude??
    Does that mean Steve Kerr is a better player than MJ or Krover is better than Deron or Wally is better than LBJ? u’re retarded.
    On top of that Curry shot around 30% in Summer League as a volume shooter which is pretty sad but no doubt he will turn it around when season starts but please dont make stupid claims that hes better than Monta

    SECONDLY comparing Monta to Rondo is pretty stupid in itself.. Rondo is a pass first PG whereas Monta is a score first PG.. .how do they compare? and Rondo cant shoot FTs worth shit.. i aint hating on Rondo but Monta and him arent the same type of player… Parker and Monta are better comparisons.

    Please watch some basketball before you comment.

  22. Kobeef says:

    ^What he said

    Last time I checked Monta can shoot – in fact he has the one of the best FG% of all guards in the NBA (45% + 31 % from 3).

    Stephen has a lot to prove based on summer league. There haven’t been many NBA players who go from shooting 30% in summer league to 40% during the season.

  23. Michorizo says:

    Tyreke Evans will be sick. This is what I think. He is going to be a top tier player in the League. ROY? maybe, but I think he will be the best player of this past years draft. Too talented not to be and that is not a knock on Griffin. I think Griffin is good too, but Tyreke is going to be something special.

  24. Otto says:

    @ 18: Chicagorilla

    Huge Laker fan here, watch all their games. But there is no way they will flirt with 70 wins. Not because they can’t win 70, but because they will follow Kobe’s lead in pacing themselves to the playoffs. Apart from securing the top seed in the Western Conference (and perhaps the league), these lakers know they have nothing further to prove in the regular season. Just like last year, I expect them to drop the gimmie games agaisnt OKC and Charlotte every so often because they lack the aggression to get up for every game in the regular season. Don’t get me wrong, they will still come out King Leonidas styles for the big games against the likes of Boston and Cleveland, just to reinforce the fact that they are still the champs, but they will pick and choose their battles until the playoffs come around.

  25. karizmatic says:

    @ elaly

    Actually I’m a Lakers fan…I’m not saying they play boring basketball, but the results are so predictable it’s boring. The Lakers win the division hands down. Golden State and Phoenix run but go nowhere. The Clippers suck and Sacramento sucks. Doesn’t that about sum it up? As I said… boring.

  26. Student Of The Game says:

    If you seriously think a healthy spurs team can beat a healthy Lakers team then you must be drunk. Im not sayin it’ll be a romp, but the spurs are too old to hang with the Lakers.

  27. karizmatic says:

    @ Otto

    I don’t even know if they’ll bring out the big guns for the games against Cleveland and Boston. Well they’ll come out against Boston, but you know the Lakers…especially Kobe tend to be a bit cocky. They’ll take the…”it’s one regular season game, it means nothihng. We don’t have anything to prove to them, we’re the reigning champions.” stance. Whether they actually try to win those “big” games or not.

  28. Kobeef says:

    @Karizmatic

    Phil totally does that…and it drives the other teams insane. I’ve watched most of the “big” matchups with the lakers from last year and most of the time Phil sits his key guys for long stretches, just like he does against the worst teams in the league.

    Don’t get my wrong, the Lakers are always trying for the win, but Phil loves to send the message that “this is nothing special for us”, and “we’re not going to show you what 100% looks like”

  29. BiG ShoT BoB says:

    Lakers vs. Celtics Finals rematch…Celtics in 7

  30. karizmatic says:

    @ Kobeef

    Yeah…it drives me insane sometimes too, because every now and then I would like to see the Lakers go 100% at a team in the regular season just for my own selfish entertainment purposes. But it’s a great mind game to play, you never know what Phil learned or didn’t learn from a particular regular season game.

  31. LakeShow84 says:

    Hearing peeps say SA will be able to hang with us reminds of peeps saying Denver could hang with us..

    And they won what 2 games against us in the playoffs??

    That RJ signing aint going to mean shit cuz I expect Kobe will man him up while Artest mans up Manu.. so right there the Spurs most deadly perimeter threats are neutralized.. And the Spurs really CANT hang with us for one reason which they never did address.. WE JUST TOO BIG FOR EM.. i cant wait to see Bryant, Artest, Odom, Gasol and Bynum running out there.. its going to be filthy..

    I KNOW we going to run away with the West.. every year HATERS question our SWAG and say “so and so looks like they can do it” and what happens?? they win TWO games in the money rounds lol Spurs in 08 and Denver in 09..

    Guess what peoples.. IT WONT HAPPEN.. 3 years in a row Western conference champs?? get ready to throw up in yo mouths everytime u see purple and gold..

  32. Celts Fan says:

    Man you guys get chesty when you finally win. Did you send Chris Wallace his ring yet or does he get to come to the ceremony?

  33. Celts Fan says:

    *and before anyone starts w/ the “What’s McHale’s ring size?” BS, just remember that we sent a package centering on Big Al, who was voted better than Stat on this site just last month, so it certainly wasn’t Kwame and a sack of unmarked bills.

  34. NC says:

    I think the ROY is going to be contested closely between Griffin, Harden and DeRozan.

  35. Celts Fan says:

    @NC – gotta throw Jonny Flynn in there too. If nothing else, Minni will give him a ton of PT, trying to show, “See, we didn’t screw up the draft. This guy can play!” and he can. But, I think the top 3 comes down to:
    1. Griffin
    2. Harden
    3. Flynn

  36. Ian says:

    lakeshow true manu and rj arent going to score because your boys will neutralize them. do you laker fans watch the games?? have u ever seen kobe neutralize a healthy manu?? the two teams that now how good manu is for real are the suns and the lakers.the only big IF of the 4 players is artest. no spurs fan here is talking shit but then again you guys always bring it up. no one is talking about rj hell we has a shot at the 08 series with a healthy team.

    yeah you might be too big for us but dont forget u guys have the softest team ever to win a chip.

    im sorry did we watch diff series denver won 2 games u said? and lost two because of stupid turnovers at the end right? isnt that shit hanging? what is hanging to u? 4-3 series with 15 overtimes. dude it coulda been 4-0 series and if the games could go either way its hanging.

  37. LakeShow84 says:

    Lol Al Jefferson is a waste of space Celts.. if he was on a contending team dude would be a 3rd-4th option..

    Another Randolph.. defend it anyway you want but that trade was a pure Celtic trade.. so you know u cant complain lol you can tell by the amount of players Boston sent with how many draft picks?? i could see a couple #1’s moved but just garbage players??

    And WE get chesty?? lol u might not be but check yo team pal.. Paul Pierce and KG aint been doing NOTHIN but acting chesty..

  38. Ian says:

    lakeshow???????
    jefferson could be the second best player on a champ team like gasol wtf??????

  39. LakeShow84 says:

    Notice how everytime i respond to u its with “lol Ian”..

    That Denver series SHOULDNT have even been that close seeing JR Smith had a CLEAR lane violation AND Kmart mugged my boy Gasol in the end game.. And i do say Kobe will get into Manu because Manu wont be quite the same this year.. Dude hasnt been playing much in TWO seasons and he is returning from major ankle surgery..

    Softest team ever to win a chip?? Tsk tsk tsk.. still talking that Boston sewage eh?? So D-Fish, Kobe, Artest and Bynum are soft?? because i just named 4 of our 5 starters.. all you got is hearsay on us Ian.. and i commented at CeltsFan.. but i can depend on you to jump in cant i??

    And how soft can we really be if we stomped out the Magic in 5 games?? And how soft were we really when we STOMPED out the Spurs in 08 in 5 games?? cuz that was the “soft” team everyone refers to..

    Oh my bad but if Fisher was called for a foul on Barry the whole series wouldve turned around :/

  40. LakeShow84 says:

    You really just compared Jefferson to Gasol Ian??

    How many blocks and assist does Jefferson avg?? cuz i know his ASST/TO ratio is ugly..

    Gasol is a complete package.. Jefferson is ONLY Points and Boards.. which is coo but it aint hard to do that when u the main option.. Look at Gasol in Memphis.. CONSTANT 20-10.. in LA?? try 17-8,9.. Put him in Portland, Denver, SA, LA or Boston, Orlando, Cleveland and dude wouldnt look so shiny cuz those teams have OTHER TALENT.. who Minny got??

  41. Nukky G. says:

    Lakers 64-18
    Suns 46-36
    Clippers 33-49
    Warriors 27-55
    Kings 23-59

  42. Ian says:

    lakeshow
    keep reading whatever u want i said like gasol as in second option not the player as parker as pierce as whoever the fuck is the second best player. im sorry i didnt know artest got traded after the houston series and won with you because i said the team that won. bynum is tuff now???? sure ok. you are pointing out the teams u beat so what??? you guys had the best talent but the team is soft.
    everytime u answer me its with a “LOL” what are the ultimate authority of whats right??

    jefferson 3-4th option goh. if your posts are only for celtsfan email him.

  43. Brittney says:

    Agreed with all 5 points made

  44. LakeShow84 says:

    Cuz you speak blasphemy my friend!!

    So Bynum isnt tough?? you saying hes soft?? please answer that one for me.. And we could beat you guys for the next FIVE years and all will come out of mouth is some dumb shit that you read from the next man..

    That soft shit always cracked me up.. How we soft and that year we lost in the Finals we went through Denver, Utah and SA?? 3 of the grittiest, toughest teams in the West.. but we get man handled by some punk ass Boston team cuz we basically wet our pants on the big stage and all of a sudden our team is the softest in the league.. YEAH and dont even get me started on the officiating of the game2 in Boston..

    Funny as hell.. Well this “soft” team bout to make 3 STRAIGHT trips to the Finals.. gotta be hard somehow..

    What did DOC say once?? “I aint never seen no team full of pussies win the big one”.. i been meaning to ask him bout that one..

    And Ian look at the teams i listed and tell me where he would be a clear #2 besides Cleveland.. But you really going to feed Jefferon over Shaq?? dunno bout that..

  45. LakeShow84 says:

    And i dont need to Email CeltsFan.. It would go against my Laker heritage..

    Plus i have fun enough eating up u Spurs fans..

  46. Michorizo says:

    Per comments: Lakers/Celtics rivalry is back…1980s style…

  47. Sacto_J says:

    Kings for the chip, and Tyreke for MVP, fuck what you think you know…lol
    Seriously, though – KMoney and ‘Reke are going to have problems as they are both natural 2’s. Evans could be a good pg, but more like an Arenas than a Bibby. Not sure if that’s going to be a good thing for Martin. This team needs a quality ball distributor. Sadly, I can only agree that the Lakers are probly top dogs in the division and most likely the conference. Clips will be entertaining this year…

  48. Ian says:

    did i say he is a clear 2 in any team?? wtf is wrong with? im sayin you can make a team with him being the 2nd option. the lakers arent full of pussies but they do have alot of them. why is bynum tuff cuz he knocked someone down?? thats fake tuff like kmart.
    its really funny how you say that my opinions come from someone else but yet you finish your post with what doc said?? im going to end this with something i dont like to do but listen man u earned a big gtfoh today. if u dont like your posts answered dont post.

    but hey i apologize i didnt know u were the ultimate post authority here.

  49. Ian says:

    eating up a spurs fan?? dont even know what that shit means. are laker fans so damn jealous of us? everything there is a discussion about anything here not even spurs talk you and your friend doug always bring us up.

  50. NC says:

    @Celts Fan not a bad point about Flynn and Minni. He will play a boatload of minutes.

  51. A.R. says:

    Smh…can’t wait to see what the haters have to say when they see the Lakers standing on top of that stage again next June.

    lakersss!!

  52. BERN BROGDEN aka BINO BROWN STR8 UP N DOWN says:

    5 THINGS I THINK I KNOW ABOUT THE PACIFIC DIVISION

    5. If the Lakers spontaneously combust, that leaves 4 teams that the EAST COULD STOMP ON!!!!

    4. Amare DOESN’T finish seasons. Suns don’t get gassed.

    3. SACTOWN GOT SCORERS…but…like the comedy scene in Philly…TOO MANY CHEFS, ONLY ONE KITCHEN.

    2. BLAKE AND TYREKE will play somewhere, in some game at ASG WEEKEND.

    1. LAKERS GOT A BOMB SQUAD DAWG!!!!!!!!!!!

    **I am NOT a Lakers fan

  53. sans says:

    All the Wolves have is Al Jefferson. Kevlar is gonna have to step up, but unless Rubio comes over and starts walking on water, then Minny is definitively the least talented squad in the L.

  54. LakeShow84 says:

    I enjoy the banter with u Ian.. its never personal.. this is bloggin.. who really cares??

    And who said i was the authority?? im just saying make sense with what u say.. at least i answer u when u say ABSURD shit.. i ignore a lot of goofy bastids on here.. but u seem to pop up with weird shit.. like Kobe Bryant is overrated lol and Kobe isnt clutch LMAO.. but yes u can make a team with Jefferson as the second option..

    U can also make a team with Horford, Jamison, Randolph as the 2nd option.. but MY POINT is that team wont go anywhere.. im just saying Jefferson being traded as a center piece for KEVIN GARNETT?? come on man.. that was my main point..

    And my Spurs rant was for KNOCKS (someone who acts like they on drugs or is indeed on drugs) who say a healthy Spurs team will beat us for surely.. We jealous of the Spurs?? YEAH.. OK..

  55. Ian says:

    jefferson is a better player than all those u mentioned those are third options or less hell randolph shouldnt even touch the ball.

    tell me a better deal they could have gotten for garnett?? the wolves did ok they have a crappy team and did they when garnett was there so tell me whats wrong with that minny trade?

    now heres the thing about crazy fans you think that when i call kobe overrated he sucks? dude u can be the second best player ever and if someone calls u the best hes overrating u. some fools got kobe as a top 5 player alltime thats overrating him. clutch situations he shoots poorly and takes many bad shots yes he hits the occasional game winner but stats back my ABSURD shit up.

    now tell me why cant i talk about we knockin down the lakers if we are healthy??? im i on drugs because of this?? dude im not talking about the kings here im talking about a good team.

    you said you ignore alot of goofy bastaids also this is what im talking about who the h… told you that you were right? if we are talking about goofy stuff our side yes we have a crazy fan but you guys have the biggest kobe nuthugger ever. shit goes both ways the same the problem is that u only see your side. remember when u said that bynum was better than gasol? you wouldnt accept facts of what the man had done to accept u mighta been wrong.

    thank god is raining no more work today im tired.

  56. Celts Fan says:

    @Lakeshow – the key thing to remember though, is that Big Al is 9 years younger than KG, who was 31 at the time of the trade. If you’re trading a 24 year old KG, then of course Big Al wouldn’t've been enough, but you’re trading for a guy with 2-3 years left (and yes, I know this is year 3, I hate life,) for a guy that has barely scratched the surface, $12M in cap space, another B prospect (Gerald Green, who’s since dropped to an F prospect, but at the time people thought he could still pan out,) Ryan Gomes (who they reupped long-term,) Telfair (aka, more cap space,) and 2 draft picks. That’s not a bad move for a guy that had 2-3 years left in the tank.

    I’ll put it this way, name another trade for a 30+ YEAR OLD superstar with a better centerpiece. I’d love to be proven wrong, but I don’t see it happening. You may be able to name one or 2 deals, but most of them are for worse than the haul Minnesota got. I’m not saying it’s balanced, just that ALMOST ALL “almost past their prime” superstars that get traded go for pennies on the dollar and that this (probably like 70 cents on the dollar for KG) is one of the better deals. Hell, look what NJ just got for Vince or what you gave up for Pau (who’s still pretty young!) Deals like this, you try to acquire draft picks (Minn. got 2 #1s from us,) cap space (Theo and Bassy = roughly $14M coming off the books,) and young talent (Gerald Green -he coulda been aight, in the end, he’s useless, but no one knew for sure at that point -Gomes and Big Al. They hit 2 of the 3, with Gomes being a solid contributor and Big Al being the new face of the franchise for the next decade.) They got a little bit of everything.

  57. Ian says:

    btw add me (dark plizken) xbox id thingy
    got sf4 just for u

  58. Celts Fan says:

    *KG had 2-3 years left in the tank as a true impact player. dude could play another 5 years if he wants, but this may be his last year of being truly feared. It may, sadly, be the last show for The Big Ticket…

  59. the cynic says:

    Warriors have a better shot at the playoffs then the Suns. The Suns are drowning in the Pacific and they’re going to be sinking for a couple years

  60. the cynic says:

    I wonder how long before the rest of the lakers fans figure what I already know, that Artest can’t defend on the perimeter anymore

  61. LakeShow84 says:

    @ CeltsFan & Ian

    I dont see why everyone thinks Jefferson is so good.. Yes hes a 20-10 threat but THATS all.. Defensively?? hes stiff as a board and he cant pass to save his life.. And i wouldnt trip if it was a steal in the night from Boston but KG openly said he wanted to go and PLENTY of other teams were trying to get in the mix.. Phoenix, LA, Cleveland and a few others were trying to get him..

    Shit we were about to trade Odom AND Bynum for KG.. and McHale turns to the Celtics for a proven unknown?? thats like trading Battier for Courteney Lee.. an ESTABLISHED player for a POTENTIAL player.. Come on Celts you think if someone else was running the Wolves that trade wouldve been made?? HONESTLY answer that without smiling lol

    @ Ian – we the defending champs and we are even more talented this year than last year AND we got the best player on our team.. So yes.. i say foo’s on crack saying the Spurs WILL beat us.. im picky on word choosing.. If Celts had said the Spurs HAVE A CHANCE to beat us i probably wouldnt have responded..

    Go into a meeting with some basketball heads and tell them Kobe Bean Bryant isnt clutch and they will laugh you out bruh.. so yes.. thats absurd shit..

    And its a debate dude.. say what u want but just know im going to attack it.. especially if you say the Spurs will beat us if healthy.. cuz i’d bet the house they wouldnt.. which would be called gambling ok.. making a bet with a chance of losing..

    And trade Jamison for Jefferson and bet Jamison drops better stats as a #1.. Jamison does more as a 2nd option..

  62. LakeShow84 says:

    @ Cynic

    He cant defend against small speedy permieter players but players like Melo, Pierce, Lebron he got all day..

    i know Artest’s role clearly.. Be a 3-4th option and play tough physical D..

  63. Ian says:

    stats??? jamison is a better player based on stats??? statssssssssssssss??????? ricky davis is better than battier based on stats who would u rather have????

    dude what basketball heads???? lol im sorry but you need to take a trip to 82games.com and check out his %s in game winners and close games. dont get me wrong the 1/5 game winners he hits will get a lot of play in espn.

    btw you wouldnt bet your house that the lakers will beat the spurs nor the other way around ull prob bet 10 bucks on it. slight favs but farrrrr from being a sure thing.

  64. LakeShow84 says:

    Come on Ian dont make me go look up Jeffersons stats and compare them to Jamison stats.. im not that bored lol

    And its funny how you base ur 1st paragraph on saying stats dont matter but then you turn around in the 2nd paragraph and tell me to check stats on Kobe being clutch.. lol like u said it aint about stats bruh.. its about it being what it is.. Kobe can go cold ALL GAME and turn around and drop a quick 6-7 points in the last minute.. that my friend is clutch..

    And this year barring injuries id bet an honest 4-5Bills we would woop that ass in a best of 7.. even if u guys finished with a better record..

  65. David_Brandon says:

    @michorizo and sacto_j,

    it kinda sucks bein a kings fan right now… lol this bottom of the barrel shit sucks!

  66. Ian says:

    hahahaha i knew you were going to pull that one %s show how effective u are dont be a fool.

    10 pts on 6 shots are better than 20 on 18 so dont even try to go there.

    jefferson shoots 50% from the field and is the focus of the other team washington has butler helping out jamison.
    but im the fool here how am i arguing whos better when clearly this isnt even a debate.
    i would love to see u as a gm choosing jamison over big al.

  67. the cynic says:

    @lakeshow

    Artest is too slow at his point for Bron and Melo, but i agree on Pierce. I’d feel a lot better if the lakers had just brought back Ariza.

  68. js says:

    I’m going to love it when the season starts and people remember and realize how Monte Ellis plays…….Everyone that comments on the MOPED issue is only talking and commenting on that issue and the fact that they have not seen him play in so long. Dime writers to, y’all just simply forgot big time, but you will be reminded, wow that is crazy.

  69. LakeShow84 says:

    So what are you saying?? Everyone thinks Kobe is clutch but they trippin cuz you and 81games.com have a % showing he aint lol?? So then why is Kobe NOTORIOUSLY known as a closer?? for no apparent reason right?? lol rriiiigggghhhhtttt..

    And Jefferson is a tad under .500 my friend with, ONCE AGAIN, a negative TO/AST ratio.. and he is KNOWN as a horrible defender.. come on.. quit defendin doo..

    Your defending someone who aint accomplished JACKSHIT.. not even an Allstar game.. not even a playoff victory.. nothing..

    Kinda like when i defended Bynum so blindly :)

  70. LakeShow84 says:

    @ Cynic

    I feel that Ariza thing man.. I liked Ariza since he yammed on Grant Hill on Christmas.. Kid shows flashes.. and considering Artest is a nutcase, trust me, id rather have Ariza as well.. But Ariza wasnt too effective on big body scorers and Artest will be so ill take that thought.. plus Artest can even play minutes on PF’s where Ariza was purely perimeter..

    And Artest is much more of low post powerhouse so it has its pluses and minuses..

    Losing Ariza CONSISTENT 3pt shooting hurts too.. Kid was on a tear in the playoffs..

  71. Ian says:

    jamison has accomplished what??? do you know what the word overrated means???
    im done for today its been fun. add me when u get home.

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