I agree with Bynum getting the max contract assuming he recovers fully from the knee injury.
As much as people are saying that Odom is expendable, he need him now more than ever considering he really found his role into this system when Gasol came in.
If Mitch can keep the core intact, Kobe, Gasol, Odom, Bynum plus our already deep bench, we are in for another dynasty. The Lakers will be making so much money from ticket sales, major sponsors and merchandise sales that I don't think it will matter if they're over the luxury tax.
If you look at the last dynasties ... San Antonio & Detroit
While the players get all the praise on the court I think their front offices don't get the same credit for literally keeping a championship/contending team together, heck while they didn't win a title, Coangello at Phoenix kept their roster and contenders for years as well.
When Jerry West left, he left the Lakers with a dynasty that was self built and needed to be maintained. Build around Kobe & Shaq. Guess who was at Kobe's MVP press conference ... Jerry West. THIS is the chance to cement a front office that has been overshadowed by "the logo" for years. If you want to be ELITE, last time I checked the ownership in Dr Buss has proven time and time again he's willing to make the sacrifice. As a fan, I thank him. BUT its Mitch's job to keep it together ... it took years to FINALLY have what I consider a championship contender for not only this year but for years to come.
It absolutely starts with Bynum because he's the focal point for the next few years, I do think Lamar now has played himself into a key focal point on this team, where would the Lakers be without his hustle and rebounds? Gasol speaks for himself and like it or not, we probably are going to lose some of the bench in the future. BUT think about this, the Lakers will have a foursome for years ... a "four horsemen" of the NBA if you will ... that I agree with Vlad can be marketed and negate the luxury tax in the future.
I don't want a great opportunity to pass us by as Laker fans, I want to be the most dominate franchise in not only the NBA but in all of sports .... we are on the cusp of that right now, it doesn't start with the players as we like to believe, it starts with the front office and to be truthful was and still is probably the Lakers weakest link for the last few years. We have the coach, we have the players, we have the owner ....
No Vitamike! My sincerest apologies. Luke is 1 millions times better the overall athlete than Kwame B. I am just saying that his shot selection is not ALWAYS the best. He is a great asset to the team.
I completely agree, I think there might have been a misuderstanding, I actually agree that we should lock him up if I'm following ya, I was just saying the Lakers could go the other route but even if they did Bynum would still command a max contract out in the market.
Also I just wanted to add to rhd's rant, no worries man, rant all you want, you speak the truth, much like how Kobe is now stepping out of the shadow of Shaq, Mitch is stepping out of Jerry West's shadow, the guy doesnt get enough praise for what he has done, he has put his stamp on this team making it his team, he knew something none of us did, he couldnt do no wrong this year and he has now set us up to be contenders for a very long time, I criticized him as much as anyone else did but he was right all along and I am happily eating crow, LONG LOVE KUPCHAK!
This one is really a no brainer to me you have no choice you need to sign him to a max deal. You can not risk losing him in the future. Reward the kid for that great season up until the injury. He is worth the slight risk involved!!!
