Will Howard and Paul Help the Lakers?
So there has been rumor after rumor of the Los Angeles basketball team trying to acquiring Dwight Howard and Chris Paul. This is my opinion.
Don’t do it. Since Pau’s arrival to Los Angeles, the Lakers have been to the Finals three times and winning them two of the three! Arguably, the Lakers could have won if Andrew Bynum and Trevor Ariza were both healthy in ‘08 to beat the Celtics, in which they lost that year. I can understand that last season was a mishap and everyone points the finger at Pau Gasol and are quick to shoot the gun to trade him.
Let’s not forget, Pau Gasol is one of the best skilled-big men in the world! I know it sounds tempting to acquiring two superstars in place of a flop like Gasol, considering last season’s performance. However, if the Lakers take in Dwight Howard and Chris Paul, then the Lakers will have to definitely give away Gasol, Bynum, and Odom in a three team trade.
Pros, Lakers can two superstar caliber players to fight alongside Kobe Bryant. Cons, they only have one year left on their contract (I believe, correct me if I’m wrong). Furthermore, and most importantly, they lose the big men skill set that have made the Lakers the most dominant, three years running. In terms of low post skills, Gasol and Bynum > Dwight Howard. Howard is just really athletic, but isn’t that reliable in terms of skills. Chris Paul does no justice, either, since Mike Brown’s coaching styles, as he says, will somewhat implement the triangle. He even said that, like the triangle, his offense will also not put that much emphasis at the point guard position. In conclusion, Lakers lose big men advantage, especially the versatility of Lamar Odom, let alone what Pau and Andrew provide as starters.
Kobe Bryant is in his last contract. If the Lakers and Kobe Bryant want one or two more titles, they better not make this trade happen because you shouldn’t change the pieces. The roster is perfectly fine. Their skills are still top of the league, only the motivation wasn’t there last season. Changing the rosters will be too much, since they’re getting a new coach anyway, and Brown’s offense won’t work with no skilled power forward or centers.
What they should do, is get ride of Matt Barnes (I always though he sucked, regardless of how “tough” he is) and Steve Blake. Blake’s a good player. However, the Lakers don’t need two point guards who play the same style as Fisher. What they should do is bring back Vujacic. He’s like Kobe’s lil bro and was the glue to the team. Bring back Morrison. Adam Morrison is way too under-rated, due to his injury. And, since they have no more money probably, I don’t know, invest in developing Goudelock and Ebanks.
Lakers roster changed too much since defeating the Celtics. Although the players who left aren’t the core, they’re still important aspects to a team’s previous success.
Anyways, thoughts?
