Lakers acquire Gasol from the Grizzlies

[Bronco LB 59]

http://cbs.sportsline.com/nba/story/10613060

Pau Gasol goes to the Los Angeles Lakers along with the Memphis Grizzlies 2010 2nd round pick. The Grizzlies get Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, the rights to Marc Gasol, Aaron McKie and the Lakers' 2008 and 2010 draft picks.

[24champ]

WHOOOHOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


CHAMPIONSHIP!

[24champ]

Pau Gasol was just traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.

My initial thought? The Lakers are going to win a championship.

My second thought? The Lakers are going to win a championship.

Why can't I break away from that thought? They probably won't win a championship, but it's an argument I'm having a tough time talking myself out of right now.

Gasol can play. He can really, really play. He'll be perfect in the apex of Los Angeles' Triangle Offense, hitting cutters with passes and making it easier on himself to score in the low or high post as opposing defenses try desperately to keep up with all the off-ball movement.

Gasol can't defend much, but in a long-armed lineup with Andrew Bynum, Lamar Odom, Kobe Bryant, and Derek Fisher; this won't matter.

We don't know how the Lakers will adjust their lineup, Odom might come off the bench to dominate the ball a bit (and, really, that's what we want from him) while Phil Jackson keeps the oft-injured Luke Walton in the starting lineup.

Losing Kwame Brown (sent to Memphis with Javaris Crittenton, a 2008 first round pick, and a 2010 first round pick) hurts the Lakers defensively, but watching Kwame's 30 minutes a game be sopped up by Gasol's 38 will be quite nice for Laker fans. The defense will slide. The offense, already potent, will go way, way up.

So what do you think? Where does this put the Lakers amongst the Western elite? How does Phil Jackson run the rotation once Bynum comes back? And does Memphis need cap relief this badly?

UPDATE: Rumors are floating that the Lakers have sent Marc Gasol's draft rights to the Grizzlies as part of the deal. Marc Gasol is Pau's little brother, and although Marc spent his high school years in Memphis ... doesn't that seem a little cruel?

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/nba...?urn=nba,64793

[Inkana7]

It doesn't matter. The Cavs will get Jason Kidd. Championship.

[Arkansas Bronco]

I got word this morning about this. Its all about expiring contracts. We just sent Gasol off to save money. Looks like they want to start fresh again and try to sign someone this off season and draft. Im not to thrilled on the trade but am happy to get Gasol out. Dude is weak, he may do alright in a 2nd hand role but he sure isnt the #1. Looks like we just took the keys from him and tossed em to Gay.

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by 24champbailey

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/nba...?urn=nba,64793

My first thought was... CHAMPIONSHIP Second thought... who was the donk fan that I talked to about this last month?

[24champ]

Originally Posted by Maximus

My first thought was... CHAMPIONSHIP Second thought... who was the donk fan that I talked to about this last month?

I brought it up Maxie. Remember? Clearly Kupchuk thinks I know my ****.

[Connecticut Bronco Fan]

Has there every been a situation in sports where one brother was traded for another? that seems pretty weird.

[Jens1893]

Why the **** was this moved?

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by 24champbailey

I brought it up Maxie. Remember? Clearly Kupchuk thinks I know my ****.

:

I have been drooling over Gasol and Elton Brand for years now

[24champ]

Originally Posted by Maximus

I have been drooling over Gasol and Elton Brand for years now

I read somewhere that someone thinks this is a conspiracy by the NBA to drum up the Lakers vs Celtics rivalry and making sure they meet in the Finals.

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by 24champbailey

I read somewhere that someone thinks this is a conspiracy by the NBA to drum up the Lakers vs Celtics rivalry and making sure they meet in the Finals.

Totally laughable... If there is one thing that the Lakers have been consistent with it is getting the correct Big Man... It's no conspiracy. Jerry West was a genious when it came to trades. I'm finally starting to get comfortable with Kupchack... The Trevor Ariza move was under Rated. That was a huge move for us too!

[ohiobronco2]

Getting Gasol is going to be big for the Lakers. They did however give up a 2008 first and this is could be a pretty talented class depending on how many underclassmen declare. Seems like the Grizzles are constantly rebuilding.

[Jason in LA]

The Lakers are now contenders. The West is still too deep to say who will be in the Western Conference finals, but the Lakers are now in the discussion. They'll make the second round easy. We'll have to wait and see what they do from there.

The Lakers could keep this unit together for a number of years. That's scary.

Odom isn't really good as a #2. With Bynum having a break out year, the Lakers were a lot better with Odom as their #3. Now he's their #4. They are pretty deep.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Originally Posted by Jason in LA

The Lakers are now contenders. The West is still too deep to say who will be in the Western Conference finals, but the Lakers are now in the discussion. They'll make the second round easy. We'll have to wait and see what they do from there.

The Lakers could keep this unit together for a number of years. That's scary.

Odom isn't really good as a #2. With Bynum having a break out year, the Lakers were a lot better with Odom as their #3. Now he's their #4. They are pretty deep.

Mitch, I take back all the bad things I said about you during the off-season.

[Los Broncos]

Good pickup for the Lake, but no way they get past the Spurs.

I know they are getting older but they still know how to win.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Originally Posted by Lynchmob72

Good pickup for the Lake, but no way they get past the Spurs.

I know they are getting older but they still know how to win.

If Drew is back and 100%, then I like our chances (although you're right - it would be no cakewalk.)

[broncocalijohn]

Mitch Kupchak earned his paycheck. We got rid of Kwame Brown and pick a stud. He is one of top guys on a piece of crap team and we save him. Wait until we get Bynum back. Damn! Screw the picks for now, we are playing for 2008 championships. Nice move Mitch. FINALLY!

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Originally Posted by broncocalijohn

Mitch Kupchak earned his paycheck. We got rid of Kwame Brown and pick a stud. He is one of top guys on a piece of crap team and we save him. Wait until we get Bynum back. Damn! Screw the picks for now, we are playing for 2008 championships. Nice move Mitch. FINALLY!

Finally, a post I can support!

I'm optimistic. As Lynchmob72 put it, the Spurs know how to win, and getting past them is not going to be easy, but Kobe and D-Fish didn't just find their three rings at the bottom of a box of Captain Crunch either, if you know what I mean.

[worm]

Great move in getting rid of Kwame!

Oh getting Gasol isn't bad either.

[24champ]

Originally Posted by L.A. BRONCOS FAN

Finally, a post I can support!

I'm optimistic. As Lynchmob72 put it, the Spurs know how to win, and getting past them is not going to be easy, but Kobe and D-Fish didn't just find their three rings at the bottom of a box of Captain Crunch either, if you know what I mean.

So that means me and LABF have TWO things in Common....

1. Broncos
2. Lakers



Everything else we go at each others throats on.

[broncocalijohn]

LABF doesnt like illegal aliens too. He is one of the few liberals that actually can see that they take jobs from Americans. So, now it is 3 things I agree on with LABF and 3 things with 24 Champ Bailey. Sooner or later 24CB, you will know that the correct order is Broncos, Angels, Ducks, Lakers, USC and being conservative. Partial list correct is only partially sane. Get with it. Gasol is a perfect fit right now on this road trip. I cant believe they took Brown. The picks they will get will be low draft because Lakers just found a way to get over the hump.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Lakers 105 Nets 90

Gasol's debut as a Laker, and he finishes with 24 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists. (Not to mention we win handily on the road with only 6 points from Kobe.)

Things are lookin' up for the Lakers Nation, guys.

When Drew comes back we are going to be a force to be reckoned with: With Pao at power forward and Drew at center, we will have the Duncan/Robinson twin towers effect going on in a big way.

I like our chances against any team in the west.

[Los Broncos]

Originally Posted by L.A. BRONCOS FAN

Lakers 105 Nets 90

Gasol's debut as a Laker, and he finishes with 24 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists. (Not to mention we win handily on the road with only 6 points from Kobe.)

Things are lookin' up for the Lakers Nation, guys.

When Drew comes back we are going to be a force to be reckoned with: With Pao at power forward and Drew at center, we will have the Duncan/Robinson twin towers effect going on in a big way.

I like our chances against any team in the west.

He looked pretty good, still not completely familiar with the triangle, but he'll get there.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Originally Posted by Lynchmob72

He looked pretty good, still not completely familiar with the triangle, but he'll get there.

It was his first game as a Laker, he had only one practice with the team, he was in early foul trouble, and he STILL put up a BIG double double.

He was having a so-so game in the first half and he just absolutely had a monster game in the second half.

So I guess it took him two quarters to learn the offense!

Just imagine what he's going to be like when he gets more comfortable with the triangle and gets to know his new team mates.

And just imagine when Bynum comes back - Amare, Duncan and other elite big men won't know who to guard.