Around the League: Week 11 1/5-1/11

[Shabazz]

Toronto isn't a large market. It may have diversity and culture, but it's not Chicago, LA or NY.

Huh? Toronto is actually a larger market than Chicago in terms of population.

[Superbone]

does houston taking in josh smith's contract hurt their chances when they pursue dragic in the off season?

They never had a chance.

[Shabazz]

I agree with INF. SDC says a lot of zany things, but he is right that if we could have gotten Pau for a reasonable price last year, it would have turned out to be a great acquisition.

Here's the thing - despite SDC talking as if he's a man in the know, there's no indication that the Lakers were ever willing to give up Gasol for what we consider a "reasonable price." I agree that if it was the Indiana pick or something like that, we should have made the move, but all indications are that the Lakers wanted their pick back, the Suns pick, the Minny pick (which looked a lot better at the time) or most likely, multiple picks or a pick and Len. I'm not sure I was comfortable giving up any of those prior to what was considered the best draft in years for potentially a 2 month rental that would have at best, bumped us to the 8th seed and a quick first round exit.

All this talk of "McDo dropped the ball" is nonsense. Nobody knows what was offered.

[Superbone]

There's also first-class jazz in Phoenix/Scottsdale.

Really? Would love to know more!

Last time I was in Phoenix I heard a fantastic sax player named Brice Winston at a great jazz club called The Nash in Phoenix off of East Roosevelt Street. Also, look for any gigs featuring flutist Joe Corral (formerly of the Phoenix Symphony). He's fantastic!

[SDC]

I agree with INF. SDC says a lot of zany things, but he is right that if we could have gotten Pau for a reasonable price last year, it would have turned out to be a great acquisition.

Here's the thing - despite SDC talking as if he's a man in the know, there's no indication that the Lakers were ever willing to give up Gasol for what we consider a "reasonable price." I agree that if it was the Indiana pick or something like that, we should have made the move, but all indications are that the Lakers wanted their pick back, the Suns pick, the Minny pick (which looked a lot better at the time) or most likely, multiple picks or a pick and Len. I'm not sure I was comfortable giving up any of those prior to what was considered the best draft in years for potentially a 2 month rental that would have at best, bumped us to the 8th seed and a quick first round exit.

All this talk of "McDo dropped the ball" is nonsense. Nobody knows what was offered.

from the reporters on the lakers camp, they reported that all it took really was one first round pick.

from the suns camp, two things:

-one, from multiple sources (gambo, coro), suns refused to even give up ONE late first round pick.

-two, what i didnt hear from gambo and coro or from mcdo (thru leaks): lakers asking for TWO or MORE first round picks for gasol. #byomission

so shut up shabuzz. the only people who were against this trade were those within the suns bubble (local media and fans). bill simmons et all were scratching their heads.

[virtual9mm]

Gotcha -- thanks!

[virtual9mm]

There's also first-class jazz in Phoenix/Scottsdale.

Really? Would love to know more!

Last time I was in Phoenix I heard a fantastic sax player named Brice Winston at a great jazz club called The Nash in Phoenix off of East Roosevelt Street. Also, look for any gigs featuring flutist Joe Corral (formerly of the Phoenix Symphony). He's fantastic!

Gotcha, thanks!

[carey]

Cirque du Soleil apparently thinks Phoenix is worthy of it.

Lmao.

[Shabazz]

I agree with INF. SDC says a lot of zany things, but he is right that if we could have gotten Pau for a reasonable price last year, it would have turned out to be a great acquisition.

Here's the thing - despite SDC talking as if he's a man in the know, there's no indication that the Lakers were ever willing to give up Gasol for what we consider a "reasonable price." I agree that if it was the Indiana pick or something like that, we should have made the move, but all indications are that the Lakers wanted their pick back, the Suns pick, the Minny pick (which looked a lot better at the time) or most likely, multiple picks or a pick and Len. I'm not sure I was comfortable giving up any of those prior to what was considered the best draft in years for potentially a 2 month rental that would have at best, bumped us to the 8th seed and a quick first round exit.

All this talk of "McDo dropped the ball" is nonsense. Nobody knows what was offered.

from the reporters on the lakers camp, they reported that all it took really was one first round pick.

from the suns camp, two things:

-one, from multiple sources (gambo, coro), suns refused to even give up ONE late first round pick.

-two, what i didnt hear from gambo and coro or from mcdo (thru leaks): lakers asking for TWO or MORE first round picks for gasol. #byomission

so shut up shabuzz. the only people who were against this trade were those within the suns bubble (local media and fans). bill simmons et all were scratching their heads.

I don't really understand your #2, but please provide sources (links, audio, anything) to support any of your points.

[carey]

Toronto isn't a large market. It may have diversity and culture, but it's not Chicago, LA or NY.

Huh? Toronto is actually a larger market than Chicago in terms of population.

And it's one of the most culturally diverse places in North America. But lets not ruin Inf's argument with that stuff.

[Shabazz]

Hmmm..

The Phoenix Suns wanted Gasol, but he didn't necessarily want them, declining to say through his representatives that he would stay with them beyond the next few months if he were traded. So Gasol becomes a free agent in July, where he won't get the $19.3 million he makes now but might still command decent money from the Lakers ... or someone else.

http://articles.latimes.com/2014/feb/20 ... rs20140220

[Shabazz]

HMMMMMMM:

How much the Suns would be willing to add beyond Okafor to a potential trade for Gasol, in terms of young talent or draft compensation, remains to be seen. But Suns officials have made no secret of the fact that the team's wholly unexpected 29-18 start -- despite playing without the injured Eric Bledsoe for the last 17 games -- has led to some revisions in their long-term planning.

In mid-December, general manager Ryan McDonough told NBA.com that the Suns are indeed open to trading one (or more) of their possible four first-round picks in the loaded 2014 NBA draft if it meant they could get an impact player immediately.

"We're obviously all looking for stars," McDonough said at the time, "and we feel like we can put together a package as good, if not better, than any other team in the league if and when a star becomes available."

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/10392 ... -pau-gasol

[SDC]

I don't really understand your #2, but please provide sources (links, audio, anything) to support any of your points.

i dont have it.

[SDC]

Hmmm..

The Phoenix Suns wanted Gasol, but he didn't necessarily want them, declining to say through his representatives that he would stay with them beyond the next few months if he were traded. So Gasol becomes a free agent in July, where he won't get the $19.3 million he makes now but might still command decent money from the Lakers ... or someone else.

http://articles.latimes.com/2014/feb/20 ... rs20140220

that article came after the trade deadline passed. and of course pau has to keep his options open if his experience with the suns wasnt good. even dragic wouldnt guarantee a return to the suns after he opts out next year (most likely he'll be gone after this season).

nice try, shabuzz.

[Aztec Sunsfan]

I would say "Nail it ShabAzz", links and ACTUAL information about the subject discussed. That's how I recall it, Laker's trying asking for ONE pick, but not the Minn pick.

But hey, don't let facts get in your way OCD

[SDC]

I would say "Nail it ShabAzz", links and ACTUAL information about the subject discussed. That's how I recall it, Laker's trying asking for ONE pick, but not the Minn pick.

i dont know about that. but i do know the suns thru their media said no first round picks for gasol.

[Shabazz]

I would say "Nail it ShabAzz", links and ACTUAL information about the subject discussed. That's how I recall it, Laker's trying asking for ONE pick, but not the Minn pick.

But hey, don't let facts get in your way OCD

i dont know about that. but i do know the suns thru their media said no first round picks for gasol.

So find it.

[SDC]

here's "insider" john gambodoro

[Shabazz]

here's "insider" john gambodoro

Look at the date. That's 2.5 weeks before the deadline when talks were first reported. Then they died down, then they picked up again before the deadline.

In fairness, I asked for a link and you provided one. Kudos.

[JCSunsfan]

Hmmm..

The Phoenix Suns wanted Gasol, but he didn't necessarily want them, declining to say through his representatives that he would stay with them beyond the next few months if he were traded. So Gasol becomes a free agent in July, where he won't get the $19.3 million he makes now but might still command decent money from the Lakers ... or someone else.

http://articles.latimes.com/2014/feb/20 ... rs20140220

that article came after the trade deadline passed. and of course pau has to keep his options open if his experience with the suns wasnt good. even dragic wouldnt guarantee a return to the suns after he opts out next year (most likely he'll be gone after this season).

nice try, shabuzz.

Just bullcrap! Find actual documentation and you say the guy was lying. There is no point in trying to have further reasonable discussion.