I'm not exactly a Lakers fan, but this was an interesting view on how the current Lakers team was built to be a contender for years by tracing the moves made after the Shaq trade.

 

Most fans and critics called the trade a colossal failure for three years after it was made. O'Neal and Dwyane Wade led the Heat to the NBA championship in 2006 while Bryant failed to lead the Lakers out of the first round. But imagine what the Lakers would be today if they had tried to keep that 2004 team intact for as long as possible instead of making the incredibly unpopular decision to move forward. Karl Malone, Gary Payton, Stanislav Medvedenko, Bryon Russell, Horace Grant and Rick Fox have been out of the league for years. O'Neal is on his way out.

 

 

Meanwhile, the Lakers have locked up Bryant, Gasol, Odom, Bynum and Ron Artest for at least the next three years.

 

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/columns/story?id=5205205

Wasn't a great move at the time, but the Lakers have a great GM that did his job really well.

Best move-no. Right move-yes.

To date: Kobe and Shaq have 4 titles each. 3 together, and 1 each apart.

 

Given the way it looks right now, Kobe has a chance to potentially add some more to his trophy case. While it was not the best short termed move, ... who knows if the Lakers could have won another title or 2, .... in the long term, it worked out well for all involved.

To date: Kobe and Shaq have 4 titles each. 3 together, and 1 each apart.

 

Given the way it looks right now, Kobe has a chance to potentially add some more to his trophy case. While it was not the best short termed move, ... who knows if the Lakers could have won another title or 2, .... in the long term, it worked out well for all involved.

 

Team chemistry would have never allowed for another title IMO.

It was obviously the best move then and it looks even better now.

It was obviously the best move then and it looks even better now.

 

:thumb:

 

It was the only decision. Shaq wasn't going to play with Kobe, and in 2004, there was no decision to be made. You keep Kobe.

The best move (and one of the greatest swindles of all time) was getting Gasol. Without Gasol, as great as Kobe is, never would Bryant win another title.

Great move...however, I'd say getting him in the first place was their best move in regards to Shaq.

It wasn't a swindle, IMO it was a gift. Look no further than who the GM of the team they got him from. He GAVE them Gasol. I mean outright gave him to them.

I believe these two could have won just one more title together. However, these guys obviously couldn't stand each other and things worked out for the best. Shaq went on to win another title as did Kobe. So was it the best thing that ever happened to them? I'd give it a yes based on team chemistry. You don't want your two best players to basically hate each other.

Disagree TOTALLY!!!

 

The move that made the Lakers was Mr. Laker himself, Jerry West, donating Gasol, basically free of charge, to the Lakers.

The best move (and one of the greatest swindles of all time) was getting Gasol. Without Gasol, as great as Kobe is, never would Bryant win another title.

 

It wasn't a swindle, IMO it was a gift. Look no further than who the GM of the team they got him from. He GAVE them Gasol. I mean outright gave him to them.

 

I agree. Honestly, this move should have been investigating. It stunk to high heaven.

It was a salary dump for the Grizz, they didn't get any good players out of it right away but they got expiring contracts which is what the NBA is all about a lot of time. But it was a steal. The Grizz also got little brother Gasol who is turning into a fine NBA player.

It was a salary dump for the Grizz, they didn't get any good players out of it right away but they got expiring contracts which is what the NBA is all about a lot of time. But it was a steal. The Grizz also got little brother Gasol who is turning into a fine NBA player.

 

Marc Gasol is solid. They also got the Lakers 2008 and 2010 first round picks. I won't argue that the Lakers go the better end of the deal, but Memphis got a solid player in the younger Gasol and the future will tell us how the draft picks turn out.