OT: Lakers To Add Payton AND Malone?

[bulldog]

Although I don't expect four such egos to be able to inhabit one locker room for long, it appears the Lakers are indeed trying to land not only Karl Malone but also Gary Payton to go with the Kobe/Shaq duo for 2003-2004.

There is enough uncertainty surrounding Phil Jackson and Kobe Bryant after 2004 to think the Lakers may be gearing up for a final run before having to retool.

The last time even THREE such well-recognized stars played together on a title team, Jordan/Pippen/Rodman on the Bulls, it proved to be a master balancing act.

Certainly Malone and Payton can be considered more accomplished and acclaimed players (and egos) than Dennis Rodman was back in 1996 when he went to Chicago.

My guess is the Lakers will be able to sign one of the two. The $4.9 million exception is probably good enough to get Karl Malone in from the cold in Utah. And power forward was the biggest hole on the team in 2002-2003.

Gary Payton is a more mercurial player. He says he wants to win a championship and I believe him. I just don't believe he is going to take a 60% pay cut to do it with the Lakers.

Which means LA may still be looking for a backcourt player to take over for Derek Fisher in the starting lineup.

But if Payton means what he says and the team is able to sign him and he plays for the Lakers as he has for the Sonics/Bucks, it is a move tha twill once again change the balance of power in the Western Conference.

Even more so if Shaq has really decided to get in shape after a lost 2002-2003 season.

[dchogs]

no doubt. these moves, as long as phil can keep everyone under control, will put the lakers back at the top of the mountain.

[OrangeSkin]

Come on; Kobe can't share the ball with Shaq, and now he's going to share it with Shaq, Malone, AND Payton? I don't see it.

[Gamebreaker]

I think Payton doesn't care about the money right now, Malone and he don't have much left in them for basketball and they both haven't tasted a championship yet.

But don't be surprised if Payton goes to San Antonio instead.

[Buford]

ahhh....Danny Snyder 2000 formula.

[dchogs]

personally, if i were the gm, i'd go for payton and pj brown. pj can't score to save his life and wouldn't need the ball, but he can defend well. with the lakers drafting two forwards, right now, PG is their biggest weakness in my mind.

[Golgo-13]

Originally posted by Bufford
ahhh....Danny Snyder 2000 formula.

Exactly what I was thinking. That team sure does look good on paper, but I smell self-destruction. Now Kobe has off the court problems, Shaq is out of shape and uninterested and they want to bring in mega-egos Payton and Malone on top of it all? It looks like disaster to me. As soon as ANYTHING went wrong, big or small there would be big time finger pointing going on in the locker room.

[Showtime]

I don't think Payton will mind too much if he doesn't get his shots, but I'm pretty sure Malone will start whining if he doesn't get the ball. I really hope Payton & Malone don't sign with the Lakers....not sure why, but I really hate them :cuss:

[WallyG3]

Originally posted by OrangeSkin
Come on; Kobe can't share the ball with Shaq, and now he's going to share it with Shaq, Malone, AND Payton? I don't see it.

I think Kobe will share the ball if he knows the recipient of a pass will score. He can't always get it to Shaq (which is only good if he's under the basket anyway), and it is much more likely that they will score if Kobe keeps it than if he passes it away. Remember how Horry and Fisher shot in the playoffs?

If a reliable shooter is open, Kobe will pass. He only hogs the ball when nobody else is getting it done.

As far as the Lakers signing both - it'd be pretty cool, but just doesn't seem financially possible.

[Trevor]

Originally posted by WallyG3


I think Kobe will share the ball if he knows the recipient of a pass will score. He can't always get it to Shaq (which is only good if he's under the basket anyway), and it is much more likely that they will score if Kobe keeps it than if he passes it away. Remember how Horry and Fisher shot in the playoffs?

If a reliable shooter is open, Kobe will pass. He only hogs the ball when nobody else is getting it done.

As far as the Lakers signing both - it'd be pretty cool, but just doesn't seem financially possible.

It's possible as long as Payton wants to win more than he wants money. Buss has stated that he is willing to pay the luxury tax so it all comes down to Payton.

I don't see how any team could beat the Lakers if they add Payton and Malone(Obviously depending on Kobe's situation). I think the question will be if they can surpass the Bulls 72(I think) win season.

[Golgo-13]

Originally posted by Trevor


It's possible as long as Payton wants to win more than he wants money. Buss has stated that he is willing to pay the luxury tax so it all comes down to Payton.

I don't see how any team could beat the Lakers if they add Payton and Malone(Obviously depending on Kobe's situation). I think the question will be if they can surpass the Bulls 72(I think) win season.

I would bet 100 bucks they don't. That team will implode like the 'skins in 2000 and the New York Rangers every year. That is just too many HUUUUUGE egos for even Phil Jackson to balance. Not to mention that Jackson's health is not good and Shaq just flat out doesn't care anymore. Whenever teams start trying to play fantasy ball things pretty much always go awry.