Waldini's 2008-09 NBA Preview

I just realized that we didn't do our annual NBA preview. So without further ado, the short and sweet version

ROY - Somebody not on the Lakers (Sun Jue would go here if he actually played)

SIXTH MAN - Lamar Odom

MOST IMPROVED - Andrew Bynum

COACH OF THE YEAR - Phil Jackson

MVP - Kobe Bryant

EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR - Mitch Kupchak

NBA CHAMPS - Lakers in a sweep over some East jabroni team

Questions? :-)

[Ed. - Nope that pretty much sums it up for me.] Read more!

What's That Ish You Smoking? - Bynum Edition

Waldini:

I'm a Laker fan and I find this disturbing.

Bynum can get a contract extension this summer from the Lakers. When his agent was told that Bynum suggested he would be willing to take less than the maximum of five years, $80 million, David Lee said they would be seeking the maximum.

Gangsta D:

Not gonna happen. Probably should fire his agent before he gets laughed out of Staples. He'll get max money if he avgs 20/10, the Lakers win 70 games, and sweep the Finals. Otherwise, he should be happy with $10 mil/yr. Kobe didn't even get max money after 2000 season.

Waldini:

As of now, he's not a max player. I'm from that old school, I believe you pay for performance, not on potential. AB improved greatly, but max money?? For averaging 13 and 10? And missing half the season? His agent must either be the same one for Ben Gordon, Luol Deng, and Emeka Okafor or he's talking with those guys. Makes no sense.

I can only think of 5 players in the league today that deserve max money.

Gangsta D:

Bynum's not on that list? lol

Waldini:

" Dude stop getting high before you send these emails. " [inside joke]

Sorry I couldn't resist sending that. I read it earlier and just laughed. Read more!

NBA Trade Value, Andrew Bynum, And Residual Bitterness

Waldini:

Untradeable?

One more thing: In my humble opinion, 2007 LeBron and 2007 Howard are more untradeable than anyone in the seven-year history of this "Trade Value" column, even surpassing (gulp) 2001 Shaq and 2003 Duncan. Yup, I think we're in pretty good shape with the National Basketball Association right now.

Gangsta D:

The thing with the NBA is, you just can't get equal value for stars and superstars. Who can you get back for Kobe or LeBron? One or two decent players and roster filler. You can only trade superstar for superstar.

Waldini:

Problem is that rarely happens. I am struggling to remember a true superstar for superstar trade in the past 20 yrs.

On a side note, you catch his commentary on Flash's probably state of mind :-)

Does anyone have a better cause for demanding a trade than Wade? He's playing hurt on a lottery team with an abrasive coach, a washed-up superstar, multiple head cases and exactly two teammates who care about defense; the potential savior of the season is a white point guard who looks like he just fell out of an Abercrombie catalog; they have no cap space until 2010; and he's playing every home game in a half-filled arena. Which star should be more depressed than Wade right now?

Gangsta D:

Yeah. It's funny how the Lakers appear to have pieces in place to be good, if not this year, then next year and beyond. While the Heat got old and bad real quick. Maybe Kupchak isn't the disastrous fuckhead we all thought he was. I'm more than willing to eat crow on that one, if it comes to fruition.

Da Realist:

That title still bugs you, huh? It doesn't matter how good the Lakers are or how bad the Heat are. Your boys will have to win one just to offset the damage of seeing Shaq win another after he left. You need one just to tie.

How long is Tim Duncan's brand new extension? Good luck.

Gangsta D:

Actually, seeing the Heat in the lottery will even it up for me. The Florida Marlins bought two titles in six years. It happens. Bynum will be a 20-10 guy next year. If he can dominate in the next 4-5 years, coinciding with the end of Kobe's prime, the Lakers will definitely challenge. If he can't, then they won't.

Waldini:

2 yrs ago, the majority were on the Shaq was done wrong train. Now they've hopped on the Shaq is lazy and done train. Flash will be out of Miami when his contract is up Ditto on those Bynum comments.

Da Realist:

"Andrew effin' Bynum? are you kidding me???" -- Kobe Bryant.

Gangsta D:

Who said Kobe was a good GM? Lol

The kid's averaging a double-double this year and is starting to play with a mean streak. Laugh all you want, but as long as he keeps working hard, he's gonna be a beast.

Waldini:

You are going to keep reminding us every time forever eh :-)? It's all good, we deserve it for constantly bringing up Pouty Pippen's migraine meltdown and refusing to enter a game.....

Da Realist:

Who knows how good (or not) Bynum will be. jordan was wrong about bill cartwright when he was traded for charles oakley.

I just like giving y'all shit.

Gangsta D:

Uh oh! You done done it now! Don't EVER bring up the migraine! lol

Read more!