Imagine Lebron James and Kobe Bryant...

[LBF]

On the same team.

http://www.thescore.com/home/article...-target-lebron

According to HoopsWorld’s Alex Kennedy, the Los Angeles Lakers are planning to pursue two time NBA Finals MVP Lebron James when he becomes a free agent after the 2013-14 season.
After failing to re-sign Dwight Howard, who will now become the center piece of the Houston Rockets, it looks like Lakers’ owner Jim Buss has his eyes on the world’s best player working in tandem with Kobe Bryant and bringing another NBA title to Los Angeles.

If this were to happen..Nashy boy will get a title or two.

[lilmamba_]

i dont want to live on this planet no more....

[enlightenment]

Ergo, you become a champion if you can become respectable, attracting great free agents to attract the mega-free agents. Yet people still feel that drafting your star is the answer... if you cant surround that star with great free agents, or have that star attract a mega-free agent, you are doomed!

Lakers -> Dwight, Nash, Lebron?
Celtics -> Ray Allen, KG
Miami -> Lebron, Bosh
Houston -> Harden, Dwight
GSW -> Iggy (though they attracted him through a team built mostly through the draft!)

We need to build a name for the franchise, and that means taking on a few good spurts in the Playoffs and attracting strong talent in the process.

[ezz_bee]

I don't see how post-injury Kobe is THAT much of an upgrade over D-Wade.

[ReubenJRD]

I don't see how post-injury Kobe is THAT much of an upgrade over D-Wade.

You're kidding right? Compare the two of their numbers, Kobe at his current age is a major upgrade over Dwyane at his current age. For Christ's sake, Kobe was tasked with guarding point guards all season. Wade couldn't even guard Ginobili for the majority of the NBA Finals, even if Ginobili was playing beyond shit! (keep in mind Ginobili is also old)

[LBF]

I don't see how post-injury Kobe is THAT much of an upgrade over D-Wade.

He seems to have more "fire" than D. Wade

[ezz_bee]

You're kidding right? Compare the two of their numbers, Kobe at his current age is a major upgrade over Dwyane at his current age. For Christ's sake, Kobe was tasked with guarding point guards all season. Wade couldn't even guard Ginobili for the majority of the NBA Finals, even if Ginobili was playing beyond shit! (keep in mind Ginobili is also old)

He seems to have more "fire" than D. Wade

If Kobe didn't have a major injury, than yes I would agree that he's a major upgrade over wade, but an injury like that at his age is going to SERIOUSLY hamper him. Yes he's a very smart ball player so will still be useful (for probably 2 seasons post injury). Wade had nagging injury throughout the playoffs... I don't particularly like one player over the other, but from my perspective, i think it's a toss up as to who is the better basketball player in the 2014-2015 season. It's entirely possible that 1 or both will be retired. Kobe has had an AMAZING career, but he's 35, he's played 17 seasons and he's got just under 55,000 minutes on his odometer... that's a lot. I'm not trying to take anything away from him, and if he didn't have that achilles injury than yes, kobe and wade NO comparison, but in light of the injury, and also factoring in his minutes played, and that he was contemplating retiring in 2-3 seasons, I not convinced he can come back and perform at the level he was previously at (especially at his age)

So yes, Wade vs. Kobe in 2015 isn't particularly a scary thought, the wheels are probably coming off both their wagons.

[Apollo]

Kobe is at the end of the road, he doesn't have much more time left on top of his game. By then who knows if he can still play at a high level. This plan is for their next era in my opinion. Also, I hope they fail. I'm tired of seeing the Lakers on top, seeing things keep falling in their lap. They've had their time and I hope they fall to the wayside so that other teams can have their moment.

[Blacklash2k4]

Ergo, you become a champion if you can become respectable, attracting great free agents to attract the mega-free agents. Yet people still feel that drafting your star is the answer... if you cant surround that star with great free agents, or have that star attract a mega-free agent, you are doomed!

Lakers -> Dwight, Nash, Lebron?
Celtics -> Ray Allen, KG
Miami -> Lebron, Bosh
Houston -> Harden, Dwight
GSW -> Iggy (though they attracted him through a team built mostly through the draft!)

We need to build a name for the franchise, and that means taking on a few good spurts in the Playoffs and attracting strong talent in the process.

This is what people don't understand! Thank you!

[Craiger]

Ergo, you become a champion if you can become respectable, attracting great free agents to attract the mega-free agents. Yet people still feel that drafting your star is the answer... if you cant surround that star with great free agents, or have that star attract a mega-free agent, you are doomed!

Lakers -> Dwight, Nash, Lebron?
Celtics -> Ray Allen, KG
Miami -> Lebron, Bosh
Houston -> Harden, Dwight
GSW -> Iggy (though they attracted him through a team built mostly through the draft!)

We need to build a name for the franchise, and that means taking on a few good spurts in the Playoffs and attracting strong talent in the process.

Or you become an elite North American market that can attract those free agents, yet people still think trading or signing your star is the answer!


We do need to build a name for the franchise, but thats unlikely to come without the draft

[Craiger]

This is what people don't understand! Thank you!

Milwaukee made it to the eastern conference finals. The superstar free agent that attracted?

Minnesota was a perennial contender with KG. The superstar free agents that attracted?

Utah was Jordan's Bulls biggest competition. Free Agents that attracted? Then they became a contender under Deron Williams. Superstars that has attracted?

The superstars that have been available over the past 3 years - which said "I want to go to OKC? Spurs? Indiana? Memphis?"

The idea that winning = attracting superstar is bunk.

Having a winning team, and then attracting a quality FA (assuming you have the cash and cap space available) is realistic. But you have to get to that point, and you are going to have a tough time getting to that point without already having top notch talent.

Drafting, or being an elite market, is what gets you your superstar. But for some reason people don't want to believe this.

[Craiger]

On the same team.

http://www.thescore.com/home/article...-target-lebron



If this were to happen..Nashy boy will get a title or two.

Lebron could be a free agent after the 2013/14 seasons. His contract contains an eto (early termination option) after next season, and player option for the year after. Its definetely not impossible that he steps out of his contract, specifically to take an new long term deal - but it would come at a pay cut over the next 2 years.

But even if he does opt out, I also have to question just how interested Lebron would actually be to playing with Kobe. Kobe has hardly made himself an endearing option to other superstars.

[LBF]

Lebron could be a free agent after the 2013/14 seasons. His contract contains an eto (early termination option) after next season, and player option for the year after. Its definetely not impossible that he steps out of his contract, specifically to take an new long term deal - but it would come at a pay cut over the next 2 years.

But even if he does opt out, I also have to question just how interested Lebron would actually be to playing with Kobe. Kobe has hardly made himself an endearing option to other superstars.

Ok. Thanks tips, on that first paragraph.

And it's the Lakers..LA. I think he'll be interested. Lebron is not Dwight Howard.

That being said, the lakers are going to go after him. Whether he's interested is a nother topic.

[enlightenment]

Or you become an elite North American market that can attract those free agents, yet people still think trading or signing your star is the answer!


We do need to build a name for the franchise, but thats unlikely to come without the draft

We ARE an elite North American market! Thats whats so sad! We have the revenue, we have the market, we have the fans, and now we have the will to spend luxury tax money.

The issue is that drafting low also means becoming a joke to the NBA.

[enlightenment]

Milwaukee made it to the eastern conference finals. The superstar free agent that attracted?

Minnesota was a perennial contender with KG. The superstar free agents that attracted?

Utah was Jordan's Bulls biggest competition. Free Agents that attracted? Then they became a contender under Deron Williams. Superstars that has attracted?

The superstars that have been available over the past 3 years - which said "I want to go to OKC? Spurs? Indiana? Memphis?"

The idea that winning = attracting superstar is bunk.

Having a winning team, and then attracting a quality FA (assuming you have the cash and cap space available) is realistic. But you have to get to that point, and you are going to have a tough time getting to that point without already having top notch talent.

Drafting, or being an elite market, is what gets you your superstar. But for some reason people don't want to believe this.

Milwaukee: spent 10 years at the bottom of the league 'drafting'. Finally hired George Karl, traded for Tim Thomas and Sam Cassell, became GOOD, reached ECF, therefor ATTRACTED top free Agent Anthony Mason meant to 'take them over the hump'.