Insider Request: Lakers, Knicks, Sixers

[HOoopCityJones]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/story...kers-76ers-nba

Anyone?

I wanna read how EPSN will shit on my Lakers this time.

Much appreciated, if not , its cool.

[Hey Yo]

3. The Lakers fall to No. 29 in the rankings. What can they do to improve? Do they have an edge in terms of their market as a free-agent destination?

Penn: Because of the CBA rules and the max salary restrictions, glamour NBA free agents get roughly the same money wherever they go, so it is now more about the fit, complementary talent and the chance to win. The fact that the Lakers crapped out this year on the free-agent market proves that a great market just isn't enough in today's NBA to lure the big free agents.

Ford: The Lakers have the best market in the NBA. They have a great city, great weather, prestige. Everything a free agent looks for. However, the problem is two-fold. First, management has been awful the past few years. They've made poor choice after poor choice (though we might be talking about them differently had the NBA approved the Chris Paul trade to the Lakers). The Lakers are so bereft of assets right now that it's tough to lure elite free agents.

Then, there's Kobe Bryant. While players like Tim Duncan and Dirk Nowitzki were taking massive pay cuts so they could play on teams with a real shot at winning the title, Kobe pushed for the biggest deal in the NBA -- essentially eating up any real space the Lakers had to bring in a couple of great players. Combine that with the fact that while other elite players want to play with LeBron James and Kevin Durant, there doesn't seem to be any real appetite to play with Kobe at this stage in his career. The Lakers were loyal to Kobe. Kobe was loyal to Kobe. Now they are as poorly positioned as any team in the league moving forward.

So yes, the market is great, but if there's no real chance of winning soon and you have to play with a guy you really don't want to play with (especially if he might not even be healthy), it explains why the Lakers are getting frozen out right now. The ship will eventually be straightened. But it could be a long few years.

Karl: They're in survival mode right now. They're trying to figure out Kobe and what he will be. And are there any players on this roster who they would keep going forward? They must continue to rebuild and could use free agency next year as an avenue to get better, but only to a limited extent. Sure, this is a team that has a championship tradition, but it's very far away from that right now. That tradition wasn't enough to lure any free agents this offseason. So for a while, this is it for the Lakers. Perhaps some good things will come out of these tough times, but I don't think they'll make the playoffs this season or the next few.

Elhassan: The Lakers did this to themselves by allowing sentiments to dictate policy rather than making the right basketball decisions; the commitment to Bryant made it clear how they feel about his role moving forward, and the result was predictable: Nobody wants to come play second fiddle to Bryant's farewell tour, and the size of his extension made it difficult -- if not impossible -- to invest in multiple high-level talents. When it comes to free-agent decision-making, generally the three most important factors are the following: 1) How much can you pay me? 2) Do we have a chance to win? 3) How will I be used?

Still, Los Angeles is a desirable location because of the weather, the proximity to television, film and advertising opportunities, and the legacy of the franchise. It's just these aren't the main determinants.

Pelton: Recent decisions by marquee free agents, including Dwight Howard's departure, suggest the opportunity to win is at least as important as market, if not the dominant factor. If the Lakers are competitive, the combination of a world-class city and great winter weather sets them above other possible contenders. Without winning, however, those attributes are largely moot.

[HOoopCityJones]

Thanks!!!

[Dizzle-2k7]

29!!!! LMAO TOTAL DISRESPECT

Kobe carried that squad to the 8th seed 2 years ago.. theres no reason to assume , that as long hes healthy, theyll be the 29th worst team in the nba.. NOREASONATALL

horrible ESPN horrible!!!

[JT123]

Ford: Then, there's Kobe Bryant. While players like Tim Duncan and Dirk Nowitzki were taking massive pay cuts so they could play on teams with a real shot at winning the title, Kobe pushed for the biggest deal in the NBA -- essentially eating up any real space the Lakers had to bring in a couple of great players. Combine that with the fact that while other elite players want to play with LeBron James and Kevin Durant, there doesn't seem to be any real appetite to play with Kobe at this stage in his career. The Lakers were loyal to Kobe. Kobe was loyal to Kobe. Now they are as poorly positioned as any team in the league moving forward.

[JohnFreeman]

damn ^

[Bandito]

Kobe likes to play with a chip on his shoulder so everything will be fine.

[Bosnian Sajo]

29? Gtfoh

[chocolatethunder]

29!!!! LMAO TOTAL DISRESPECT

Kobe carried that squad to the 8th seed 2 years ago.. theres no reason to assume , that as long hes healthy, theyll be the 29th worst team in the nba.. NOREASONATALL

horrible ESPN horrible!!!

While i do think that Kobe's a very hard worker and all that shit, coming back from an achilles injury and a knee injury at his age is tough. Don't expect to see the Kobe of old not just because of injuries but because of age too. It's just not realistic. All players age and when you add injuries into the mix, especially an achilles injury, the drop off can be pretty substantial.

[Dizzle-2k7]

While i do think that Kobe's a very hard worker and all that shit, coming back from an achilles injury and a knee injury at his age is tough. Don't expect to see the Kobe of old not just because of injuries but because of age too. It's just not realistic. All players age and when you add injuries into the mix, especially an achilles injury, the drop off can be pretty substantial.

i agree .. but 29??? no way. they might be around the 16-24 mark LOL but no way are they that low