What do u guys think of this possibility?

I'm not relly worried about it...whatever happens...it's gonna at least be a 4-5 year regrouping phase.

BG909 may be right.

But, speaking as a longtime Laker fan, as long as there isn't a 12-year drought a la 1988-2000, I can live with it.

That being said, I am puzzled and underwhelmed. Objectively, Mike Brown is not a bad hire. But it's problematic for LA for any number of reasons:

The last 15 years of Lakers history boils down to this: if Kobe ain't happy, nobody's happy. Kobe wasn't consulted and that can really cause problems. Ask Mitch Kupchak. So if you're going to keep him, and he's come this far (and for some is considered the GLOAT), you've gotta keep him in the loop.

They also seemed to go in a different direction for the sake of going in a different direction. Apparently, the brain trust wanted a complete divorce from the Jackson era. In the process, they refused to seriously consider Brian Shaw, a 3-time champ as a Laker player and staffer on the last 2 title teams. Shaw was a guy who had Kobe's respect (see above).

This could go well. The personnel moves will be key. But if it doesn't, the summer of 2012 could be the summer of 2007, part deux.

IDK about this...

wait'll jackson coaches the knicks

Graycap23 said:

What do u guys think of this possibility?

1. Brian Shaw can NOT be happy with the way the Lakers front office is disrespecting him by not giving him the head coaching job. They could at least gave this man a one year trial.

2. Kobe can NOT be too thrilled than his second opinions don't mean jackshit to tean owner Jerry Buss neither.

BlackAdder7 said:

wait'll jackson coaches the knicks

That will never happen. You think Phil wants to deal with Brain-Dead Dolan and the Knicks unofficial GM, Isiah Thomas?

You all are forgetting one thing, Kobe is NOT the owner of the team. Jerry Buss is, so he doesn't have to consult or clear anything with Kobe or any other player of the Lakers. When you think about it, the fact that the players were all behind Shaw, might have hurt his chances. I think this "new blood", will do the Lakers, good. Let's wait and see.

But if the star player doesn't buy into the coach's system, there'll be trouble. Remember what happened with Paul Westhead?

uPtoWnNY said:

But if the star player doesn't buy into the coach's system, there'll be trouble. Remember what happened with Paul Westhead?

If Kobe wants another ring, he will have to. Also, remember to Buss, Kobe is just another player on his roster...So, his wants really don't mean much to Buss. Maybe, this coaching change, will bring about that leader, that Kobe claims he is....

uPtoWnNY said:

But if the star player doesn't buy into the coach's system, there'll be trouble. Remember what happened with Paul Westhead?

Kobe is 34.............It's time 4 the Lakers 2 look 2 the future.

I hope he wins it all next year, and sweeps the Heat in the Finals to do it.

shorttrini said:

You all are forgetting one thing, Kobe is NOT the owner of the team. Jerry Buss is, so he doesn't have to consult or clear anything with Kobe or any other player of the Lakers. When you think about it, the fact that the players were all behind Shaw, might have hurt his chances. I think this "new blood", will do the Lakers, good. Let's wait and see.

Remember, the franchise has set a precedent.

For 15 years, it's made moves with Kobe's best interests in mind. Eddie Jones. Shaq. Phil. Phil Part Deux. And Kobe isn't the first Lakers superstar the franchise has catered to. And the Lakers isn't the only franchise that has a history of consulting its superstars. So, ownership has already, to a certain extent, long ago set expectations that Kobe will be consulted.

There is, however, a changing of the guard in basketball operations. And a new approach, apparently. That's the Lakers' right, sure. But the team will have to deal with problems that (MAY) come with change.

I think Shaw's ties to Phil Jackson were a more important factor than his ties to the players. I get the sense that some only tolerated the Triangle (and by extension, Phil) as a means to an end. The new regime wasn't in the loop under Phil, and now they want to sweep Phil out. As someone said on LA radio yesterday, with Shaw, Phil, to a certain extent, would have "remained in the room."

All that being said, Mike Brown can't guard a PG, penetrate a defense, or guard the perimeter. At least some personnel changes are necessary, or it won't matter who's coaching.

namepeace said:

shorttrini said:

You all are forgetting one thing, Kobe is NOT the owner of the team. Jerry Buss is, so he doesn't have to consult or clear anything with Kobe or any other player of the Lakers. When you think about it, the fact that the players were all behind Shaw, might have hurt his chances. I think this "new blood", will do the Lakers, good. Let's wait and see.

Remember, the franchise has set a precedent.

For 15 years, it's made moves with Kobe's best interests in mind. Eddie Jones. Shaq. Phil. Phil Part Deux. And Kobe isn't the first Lakers superstar the franchise has catered to. And the Lakers isn't the only franchise that has a history of consulting its superstars. So, ownership has already, to a certain extent, long ago set expectations that Kobe will be consulted.

There is, however, a changing of the guard in basketball operations. And a new approach, apparently. That's the Lakers' right, sure. But the team will have to deal with problems that (MAY) come with change.

I think Shaw's ties to Phil Jackson were a more important factor than his ties to the players. I get the sense that some only tolerated the Triangle (and by extension, Phil) as a means to an end. The new regime wasn't in the loop under Phil, and now they want to sweep Phil out. As someone said on LA radio yesterday, with Shaw, Phil, to a certain extent, would have "remained in the room."

All that being said, Mike Brown can't guard a PG, penetrate a defense, or guard the perimeter. At least some personnel changes are necessary, or it won't matter who's coaching.

And I think, it's because of those expectations and their results, that Buss has made this move.

shorttrini said:

And I think, it's because of those expectations and their results, that Buss has made this move.

Fair enough, every superstar gets to their twilight, and teams have to plan for the future. If LA is as bullheaded about trading Bynum to acquire a superstar talent as is rumored, then I doubt the wisdom of their planning. But that's another story.

Whatever the wisdom of the move, LA is married to Kobe for 3 more years and 83 million more dollars. He's got a no-trade clause. He wants at least one more title and is used to having things his way. For better or worse, LA's road to a title begins with Kobe and they may have some work to do.

I fear this move will play out more like the 90's (Dunleavy and Del Harris) than the 80's (Riley) or 00's (Phil Jackson). But we shall see.

Ridiculous hire.