One of the guys on the ESPN website were talking about Pau's deminished trade value. Funny that Lakers fans are the only ones who disagree...... He's not worthless but he has a bad contract with 3 years left, no one is going to touch that without getting Bynum or without getting out of a worse contract IMO. Doesn't make him a bad player but he has little trade value IMO because the Lakers will be on the wrong side of any deal he goes in, unless its with Bynum for Howard. JMO

 

I'm not trying to argue that he can bring equal value...no player that is 30+ years old is likely to. And, it also depends on who wants him. A young team that is building for the future is not going to value Gasol as much as a team that thinks it can win now and needs a big to accomplish that.

 

If I were LA, I'd package Gasol and Bynum for Howard without hesitation. It sets LA up with a young, dominant big man to build around for the future, and would make them an attractive destination for any free agents down the road. But, I wouldn't trade Pau for less value just to get rid of him. The guy has been a stud for the Lakers and one bad playoff stretch doesn't change that. He's still a top 5 big man in the league. If you can't get something good in return, you'd be stupid to deal him.

 

To be honest, unless the Lakers can package Gasol with someone else to get Dwight Howard (or a star of that caliber), I think they'd be better off keeping him. The other option is moving him to get some expiring contracts so they can make a splash in free agency in two year.

I think the Magic would be foolish to turn down an offer of Gasol and Bynum for Howard. But the Lakers would probably have to take Arenas. :eek:

 

The agent for Luke Walton deserves agent of the decade award for the contract he got him. Unbelievable.

Lebron owned the last two minutes of that game. I think the other guys are going to have to pay him rent for that. King James just basically dominated that game in the clutch. Took it over. I loved it, loved every second of it. The only bad thing is people act like this is the first time he's done something like this. No one remembers him scoring the Cavs final 32 points against Detroit in a key game that would get them to their only Finals appearance. No one remembers the crazy off balance shot from deep he hit against the Magic to win at the buzzer. No one talks about all the times he has virtually won games by himself in the clutch. But all most people do want to talk about is his late game struggles this season, or all the ones he had missed in the past. I hope tonight is the beginning for a lot of the Lebron in the clutch doubters to finally go away. There's been times in the past where Bron' has deferred to other players, but that doesn't mean he doesn't or hasn't wanted to live up to the moment. He has always been a team guy who would rather win then achieve personal accolade. Like him kicking to a wide open Eddie House earlier in the year for the win when House had a much better look than he did, and why House is even in the game at that point anyway. So hopefully it will silence some of the Lebron doesn't want the ball in his hands late in the game nay sayers too.

I react to what I see. LeBron has been bad in some big moments and taking final second shots. 1 or 2 makes does not negate everything, though it is a step in the right direction last night when he was HUGE. I have always questioned as to why he settles for outside shots when historically he is not great from the perimeter and no person can stop him getting to the hoop.

Glad the Celtics are gone. They have been the most overblown recent dynasty I can recall. People talk as if they won multiple titles together. Heat should cruise from here.

I react to what I see. LeBron has been bad in some big moments and taking final second shots. 1 or 2 makes does not negate everything, though it is a step in the right direction last night when he was HUGE. I have always questioned as to why he settles for outside shots when historically he is not great from the perimeter and no person can stop him getting to the hoop.

 

Agreed I would let him take those shots about 100 out of 100 times.

I love how no one is giving the Bulls a chance. Reminds me of the Magic/Cavs series a couple years back when no one (outside of yours truly) thought Orlando had any chance.

I love how no one is giving the Bulls a chance. Reminds me of the Magic/Cavs series a couple years back when no one (outside of yours truly) thought Orlando had any chance.

The Bulls are Derrick Rose or bust and I have become less impressed the more I watch them. I am rooting for the Bulls, but I just cannot see it happening.

The Bulls are Derrick Rose or bust and I have become less impressed the more I watch them. I am rooting for the Bulls, but I just cannot see it happening.

 

People said the same thing about Orlando. They play great team defense, and Noah will frustrate the crap out of the big girl Bosh Spice. Deng and Boozer will be the keys for Chicago. If they can get going and produce the Heat are in for a rude awakening. Oh, and that whole stopping DRose thing....Yeah, that's a lot easier said then done.

 

I'm assuming the Bulls waste Atlanta tonight in similar fashion as the Thunder did the Grizz last night. I'm going Chicago in 7. Also going with the Thunder in 6 over Dallas.

Oh so since the ESPN guys actually support your opinion on this argument, they actually have a good take on things. However when other people in the past have brought up ESPN guys or any media guys to support their arguments on other matters, you usually choose to ignore that...

 

When have I ever said ESPN guys don't have a good take on inside information in the NBA? Apples and oranges man, like many of your arguments :lol:.

 

I'm not trying to argue that he can bring equal value...no player that is 30+ years old is likely to. And, it also depends on who wants him. A young team that is building for the future is not going to value Gasol as much as a team that thinks it can win now and needs a big to accomplish that.

 

If I were LA, I'd package Gasol and Bynum for Howard without hesitation. It sets LA up with a young, dominant big man to build around for the future, and would make them an attractive destination for any free agents down the road. But, I wouldn't trade Pau for less value just to get rid of him. The guy has been a stud for the Lakers and one bad playoff stretch doesn't change that. He's still a top 5 big man in the league. If you can't get something good in return, you'd be stupid to deal him.

 

To be honest, unless the Lakers can package Gasol with someone else to get Dwight Howard (or a star of that caliber), I think they'd be better off keeping him. The other option is moving him to get some expiring contracts so they can make a splash in free agency in two year.

 

What you just said is what I've argued all along. He cannot bring back equal value, which makes him a worthless trade chip unless LA just wants to cut salary. It only makes sense for two teams to trade for Gasol IMO, Orlando who should do it in a heartbeat, and Chicago who LA isn't going to take Boozer for him. I think for a player of his stature he's as untradable as it gets from LA's standpoint.

 

I react to what I see. LeBron has been bad in some big moments and taking final second shots. 1 or 2 makes does not negate everything, though it is a step in the right direction last night when he was HUGE. I have always questioned as to why he settles for outside shots when historically he is not great from the perimeter and no person can stop him getting to the hoop.

 

When were these big moments he's been bad in except for Boston last year? You can't honestly say the Orlando series or the Boston series 4 years ago.

 

The Bulls are Derrick Rose or bust and I have become less impressed the more I watch them. I am rooting for the Bulls, but I just cannot see it happening.

 

I can't help but think they're the new Cavs everytime I watch them.

People said the same thing about Orlando. They play great team defense, and Noah will frustrate the crap out of the big girl Bosh Spice. Deng and Boozer will be the keys for Chicago. If they can get going and produce the Heat are in for a rude awakening. Oh, and that whole stopping DRose thing....Yeah, that's a lot easier said then done.

 

I'm assuming the Bulls waste Atlanta tonight in similar fashion as the Thunder did the Grizz last night. I'm going Chicago in 7. Also going with the Thunder in 6 over Dallas.

 

I'm taking the Heat in 5 against the Bulls. Boozer and Deng are notorious for disappearing in the playoffs, and Booz is pretty hurt right now. I think Keith Bogans is the worst starting 2 guard in the league. I do think Noah will do well on Bosh, and Rose will get his but I just don't think it will be enough.

 

I'll take Dallas to beat OKC. I had OKC in the West to start the playoffs but I just can't see them getting it done. Too young and too many questionmarks in the half court.

I can't help but think they're the new Cavs everytime I watch them.

 

:lol: Not even close. They're 1,000,000x better than the Cavs. Deng, Boozer, and even Noah are better than anyone on that Cavs team not named LeBron. Heck, even Taj Gibson is better than most of that Cavs team.

:lol: Not even close. They're 1,000,000x better than the Cavs. Deng, Boozer, and even Noah are better than anyone on that Cavs team not named LeBron. Heck, even Taj Gibson is better than most of that Cavs team.

 

But Rose is not LeBron. I really like DRose but he's not in LeBron's league...............

 

The Bulls have the same problems as Cleveland did, they have no one else that can score. For all of those guys being better they really haven't played like it yet in the playoffs.

And as the founding member of the Bulls are frauds movement, I'll gladly admit I was wrong if they beat the Heat.

I'm taking the Heat in 5 against the Bulls. Boozer and Deng are notorious for disappearing in the playoffs, and Booz is pretty hurt right now. I think Keith Bogans is the worst starting 2 guard in the league. I do think Noah will do well on Bosh, and Rose will get his but I just don't think it will be enough.

 

I'll take Dallas to beat OKC. I had OKC in the West to start the playoffs but I just can't see them getting it done. Too young and too many questionmarks in the half court.

 

Bogans plays 18 minutes a game. Sure he starts, but let's not act like he's an essential cog to their machine. I get they're somewhat limited offensively, but they play the best D in the league. That's going to be a big factor IMO.

I'd be shocked if the Bulls win more than 2 games in that series.