Egomaniac Kobe, Obtuse GM Mitch Chase Aldridge from LA.

So the free agency festival began today. Teams and fans with high hope to lure a star or two to win a title or buttress their team to another level.

And as quickly as it began, it seemed to come to an end, particularly for the Los Angeles Lakers. Love, Butler, Lopez and host of others, all whom the Lakers had designs on signed back with their teams for long deals.

But there was one player out there whom the Lakers coveted who reciprocated that feeling: Lamarcus Aldridge, the 29 year old all star from Portland. His camp had made it no secret that Aldridge’s first choice was the LA Lakers. All the Lakers had to do was present a good sales pitch to seal the deal and bring a true star which for many Lakers fans would bring much needed excitement.

It looked great, all systems go. We were even his first port of call for the interview, because he wanted it that way.

So here he came to get the good news. Then Lakers reality hit him smack in the face with a combination right and left with bricks swung right to his nose. And whose hands were on those bricks that smashed everything to pieces? None other than our broke down delusional superstar and our intrepid GM who is living twenty years in the past.

So here is Aldridge, an all star, serious as hell, waiting to talk hoops with his new team. How will we play? What will be the expectations for him? What about the other players, the offense, the defense? You know, basketball stuff. And here comes Mitch with the first punch. Bam! He starts talking about outside stuff. You know, how great it is in LA. What exactly did he say? Who knows? But it wasn’t hoops. It was about LA. Maybe he talked about the beach. And Hollywood. How Aldridge could attend a movie premier with Ryan Reynolds. Maybe meet Jennifer Lawrence shopping on Rodeo Drive. Check out the Walk of Fame. Watch Lou Addler produce a record.

Lamarcus, not surprisingly wasn’t impressed. But we still had that other guy to carry out banner. To make the deal. Our intrepid superstar of the long ago past, Kobe Bryant. So Kobe steps up to the plate, everything on the line and smash! He belts Aldridge with the second brick in the face. Kobe opens his mouth, and out of all the millions of things he could have said to make Alrdridge comfortable, to make him think LA was the place to play, he says, “I envision you as my Pau Gasol”!!! Yes, Aldridge had to sit there, a 29 year old all star in his prime and listen to a has been 37 year old ex-superstar who has not been able to finish his last three years give up yet another Kobespeak version of, “You will play second in the pecking order to me.”

You know that old line, as in, Pau will be second in the pecking order and Drew will be pecking third, lol.

As you can imagine, that kind of took the air out of the old Lakers balloon. So Aldridge said, “Thanks guys, I’ll keep you in mind,” as he took his bloodied nose and left Comedy Central. And the very next day he crossed the Lakers off the list.

The reports today say, he and Kobe didn’t really mesh. Now isn't that shocking? Impossible to believe almost. How many times have we heard that sentence with the word Kobe in it? But it’s not a surprise, since the only thing Kobe has every meshed with is his own massive ego.

37 years old, physically battered, on a crap team desperately, desperately in need of help, and all King Kobe can do, all he can worry about is letting Aldridge know he will be second fiddle. Be his new Pau. That's what's on the great man's mind. Talk about pathetic. I mean how pathetic can it really get? This pathetic, radio jocks were laughing about him today, all day. That's how far he has come. This guy has not learned a single thing in his whole career. He can't even realize what kind of help Lamarcus could have brought him. How much pressure he could have taken off Kobe's shoulders and breaking body. He is so screwed up he doesn't even know he's just history now and nothing more than that.

And so for the Lakers, the big free agent festival ends as it began. With nothing.

And here is the stark truth to all this. Before the Lakers are ever going to be anything serious in this league again, certain things will have to happen. Number one is that Kobe Bryant has to take himself and his delusions out the door as soon as possible. That means next year. As indispensable as he was to our team’s championships long years ago, he is now just as indispensable to our destruction. If Kobe offers Mitch to come back next year, even at a dollar a year, hell, even if Kobe offers to pay the Lakers, shut the door, no slam it, hard, call security and have them escort Kobe and his ego out the Staples Center offices with extreme prejudice.

Now we turn to Mitch, the GM whose decisions and thinking seem as glazed and vacant as the look you see constantly on his face. He is a man of the past. He still is stuck in that old mindset that the lights and sights of LA are our chief selling point. That really ended long ago. Shaq was the last player who really was enticed by that lure. Today players want to know about hoops. Plans about hoops. How you plan to win, how you plan to build a team, how you plan to use them. They are very serious about their craft and want to be taken seriously.

Here is an interesting sidebar. After Lamarcus left LA for good, his next meeting was at Houston. He was blown away by their presentation. You know why? Because their front office talked hoops, and they backed up their theories and ideas with metrics. And this why that is so fascinating: Not that long ago, I wrote a post expressing concern about the Lakers’ and Mitch’s disdain for metrics. I worried that the Lakers were falling behind the curve with technology. You see, sports and technology go hand in hand. And if you fall behind in one, you will fall behind in the other. So while Mitch was selling the City of Lights and senile Jack Nicholson, Houston was selling data, facts, proofs, hoops. And you know what other team will sell Aldridge with hoops and metrics? San Antonio. They eat up metrics there. And you know who he will end up signing with now, instead of his erstwhile favorite team the Lakers? It will be the serious teams, the metrics teams, Houston or San Antonio. It won’t be the team whose GM talked about outside interests.

Years ago you pitied the league because we had Kobe. Seems like a hundred years ago now. Because now you have to pity the Lakers because we have this empty shell wrapped around an uncontrollable ego. Pity us because nothing good will happen with Kobe here. Pity us because no great player will ever come here and go through the misery of Kobe Bryant. Pity Russell and Randle and Clarkson and any other Laker, because they will never come close to being what they can be as long as Kobe is here. And pity the fans because we will lose out on all those things.

Until Kobe is gone, we are gone. And that is the immutable truth of the Los Angeles Lakers.

But even scarier is the thought that until Mitch is gone, the same may hold true. Players come and go over the quick years of their athletic lives. But GM’s can stay into old age. And when you look at the decisions Mitch Kupchak has come down with for the last five years, this trail of tears he has led the Lakers on, it scares the sh*t out of me.

And now add on the latest chapter in the Mitch Kupchak routine. It only took one meeting, but that was all Aldridge had to see of Mitch Kupchak, the GM of our Los Angeles Lakers to know he wanted far away from this clown car. And if Mitch doesn’t wake up, and stop thinking you get players here by putting up billboards of them all over LA (Dwight Howard), or talking about Santa Monica Boulevard instead of hoops, we will go nowhere. And if that ends up the case, who will pull the trigger on him and when?

http://www.rantsports.com/nba/2015/07/01/los-angeles-lakers-rumors-kobe-bryant-ruined-chance-to-sign-lamarcus-aldridge/

http://larrybrownsports.com/basketball/lamarcus-aldridge-kobe-bryant-lakers-meeting/265989

As well-said and as well-summed up as usual, SP.

Peeking in (I couldn't resist): Well put SPQR. I think that trio is the spiritual father of that twelve foot three putt where that guy (which is all I can remember of his name) blew the U.S. Open.

There is only one line that describes the Mitch/Kobe/Jimbo triumvirate: "THIS IS A MADHOUSE!" (Original Planet of the Apes.)

All reports from credible sources are that it would be stupid to blame Kobe for telling LMA that they would work well together. The Lakers, LMA, and LA writers have said it had nothing to do with Kobe. More so than with Howard, who himself has admitted multiple times that he didn't sign with the Lakers because of MDA, not Kobe.

Seriously, I push that we ban the guy that made this post. I read a rule about 80% of your posts can't be trolling... I say that 100% of SPQR's post are clearly trolling and Laker/Kobe hating. Why do we put up with this? Lol

Come on Dave, enough is enough.

My sentiments exactly....in agreement with SPQR that is.... I've been sharing this on other threads and LTBer's are not being too realistic right now. Let's assume Swaggy gets traded, that means the Lakers are Kobe and a bunch of kids...and you have Jeannie saying that this his 20th season is going to be a celebration of Kobe. The team has been utterly forgotten....and as usual, outgoing players such as Lin and Boozer are not given the time of day....not even a parting gift like a pair of socks with a Lakers logo after they poured their heart and soul into the team last season. The idolatry has got to stop..... Did you hear that AD just got paid $145 million? It's just a game folks. The roman empire is falling again if we are not very careful right here and right now. The Lakers are but a microcosm. Too many people want a hero I suppose but at what cost? Could Kobe have been Kobe and not carried the 'me first' attitude? Probably not, but the trend in the NBA and the USA in general is community, teamwork and cooperation. Close the door on all of the selfish BS. The wealth of the world is crashing down around us because the paradigm of centralization is no longer relevant. It's not OK that 400 people are worth trillions of dollars and half of this world survives on $2/day. This is an NBA forum and my comment is off topic right? Undesirable subject matter is always off topic. That is the problem. That's why I keep it real no matter come what may. That's why I respect and promote Andrew Bynum. Political correctness is....

I remember the days when I used to defend kobe tooth and nail, and one day I woke up and saw what everyone else were seeing.

It's a true shame that a player who has been around for so long that wants to win as bad as him just quite doesn't understand team dynamics. Shoot too much or pass too much

When I hear that kobe is gone for good is when the lakers phoenix will raise again

Pass too much?? Wow!

He is referring to the times when Kobe bends to the criticism of shooting too much and tries to show the world he is a great assist person. He then turns and over passes, which is just as devastating to team chemistry as over shooting. In Kobe's mind, it's always about Kobe.

So he shoots too much then he passes too much? Do you not hear yourselves?

Explain yourself fully, JCali. Yes, I hear myself. And what I'm saying is a reflection of what I'm seeing. Explain to me why over shooting and over passing are mutually exclusive when it comes to Kobe. The thing I like about some people on this board versus others is that they don't simply throw out these one liners, but take the time to explain themselves.

The only person I have ever heard challenge Kobe was Bynum. He called out Kobe and Fisher and said that 'The team' has trust issues, clearly referring to their buddy ball BS. I remember exactly where I was when I heard this because it was a 'finally' moment for me. Maybe that's the real reason Drew was traded?

Kobe is no less great for being called to task right now. His career is not diminished by gracefully accepting that he's not the number one guy anymore. He called Russell but he did not call Brown and Nance to welcome them to the team. That's a perfect example of Kobe Bryant's attitude.

No disrespect is intended when an honest critique is delivered including SPQR's rant. It is what it is...... Honesty is not trolling....

Kobe's on the court value is limited now and as I stated three years ago, he ought to focus on 10 assist / game to round off an incredible career with yet another incredible accomplishment that aligns with a less injury prone assault. He ought to shift to the three and focus on his exceptional mid range game to avoid contact. If he thinks that he ought to be the center of attention next season and run the two with the likes of Clarkson, Russell and Randle, well, he will determine his own fate with another injury because he will not be able to keep up with these youthful greyhounds. If he decides to hold the dang ball and force a half court approach and take all of the last second shots, then maybe the Lakers ought to expect to tank again.

If this is true then what troubles me is how Lakers management seems to have misread Aldridge and what his priorities are. Maybe this kind of spiel may have worked with other FAs but apparently it doesn't work with Aldridge, and this is something Lakers management should have known by doing their due diligence on the guy. Sad.

I apologize for thinking that all posters would understand from my limited sentences. My point is, I am sick and tired of the stupid Kibe hate that comes from al directions! The guy is **** wether he's the best player in the world, which he was for a good 10 years, or if he's the 2nd best player in the league winning championships. He shoots too much? Bull. He's the best player in the world ( was). Then the same critics say he passes too much? How is that even possible?? The guy literally can't win at any point of his career. It's truly sad. Players like LBJ are not on his level and they will be considered, secondly on to the hate that Kobe has always received. Sadly, you see it right here on this website, on this post! This poster isn't telling the truth as another said, he's simply trolling, as he does every single post! Kobe can get 37 & 5 and he shoots too much. But if he gets 29 & 10 he passes too much? What a joke. I'm sorry. I hate some of this crap.

Continuing my thoughts from above. One of the problems with this board is that people like SPQR, MAGICLAKEZ and others like them respect themselves and you the reader enough to fully develop their thoughts in words and clear rationale -- though you may disagree. But, for that, they get flamed as "know it alls." On the other hand, you don't seem to have a problem with those who seemingly mumble one liners and incoherent thoughts. Really, you wouldn't have much of a board without the expressive people who can carry a topic.

I'm certainly not saying you have to agree with them. Argument and debate make for drama. But flaming them because they have an ability to express themselves show how ignorant you are because you have the same opportunity to do likewise and you can't. So you jealously condemn those who can.

Sounds like the FO gave the same presentation they gave to Shaq back in 1996.....lol!!!!! Shaq was into the Hollywood life so that worked on him.

Only thing I saw was "Reports state." Let me hear it from the horses mouth. Cause reports been telling us we were gonna get every FA out there.

I would put most of the blame on the front office for not landing a big free agent. They are the ones who decide how the presentation is crafted. They are the ones that invite Kobe to the presentation. They are the ones who offer Kobe a 2 yr 50 mill contract without him even asking for it. They are the ones who have decided to spend 11 hours on a airplane to fly across the country to meet with Greg Monroe on the most important day in free agency while everyone is getting signed.

We are just going to have to be patient. It's gonna be a slow gradual rebuild.

Everybody knows he shoots to much. Anybody that doesn't think so is delusional. When people say kobe passes to much is because kobe goes in the mode where he hears everybody saying he shoots to much. So he just pass to be passing. Like he did vs phoenix in playoffs. Don't get me wrong kobe is my favorite player but he rubs people the wrong way. Now why would he say to LA that it would be like me and pau. What he should have said is it will be like me and Shaq. He should have said I'm getting older and been injured and can't carry lakers anymore. I'll play off of you. We will play inside out. That Is all he had to say and I Bet LA would still be thinking about coming. Its not all his fault but he is a big part. Ii havesaid this the last couple years, until Kobe leaves no biig free agents are coming and deal with him. Lakers are better off chasing younger players like T. Harris, Monroe, Crowder etcetera. That way they can grow with our core. It was always a long shot to get vets that old that want to chase titles with the roster we have.

Now I understand where you are coming from. I have a bases from which I can debate with you. I won't; but at least I get it now.

Just from your statement that players like LBJ are not on his level shows me your living in the past. But I do agree about kobe can't do anything right, when he shoots 28 time in a win, where he had to take shots in order to win game, he shot to much. But he hands out 10 assists and they lose, than why didn't he take more shots. I also don't blame him for Aldridge, the biggest than I took out of rumors coming out of meeting was how out of touch management is with this era of basketball.

I still don't know why any of you actually thought we could lure a 30 yr old all-star FA to this squad?

What happened to all of you that use to be like "wtf Mitch we need to get younger!"

What happened to all of you that were like "wtf Mitch so many PFs whose going to play center."

Just because we got a meeting with him made you all want him and then think that we actually had a real shot.

@SPQR the only thing you forgot to bring up in your post is the soon to be (then) 36 year old Kobe with torn achilles accepting $48.5mil/2 year contract, highest in the NBA, occupying over 40% of entire team's cap space and Lakers' FO dumb enough to give it to him. That's a big part of the reason why Lakers havent been able to sign good players past 2 years and that's why Aldridge knew if Lakers sign him they won't have cap space for anyone else, which no doubt influenced his decision, regardless of the rumors of Lakers' presentation and Kobe's own pitch. Tim Dancun, Dirk Nowitzki, Manu Ginobil all took huge pay cuts because they wanted to contend, but Kobe chose to take 25mil/year contract and said Lakers still have enough money to build a contender and bring in superstars, when asked during interview... I mean, I know he didn't go to college, but he can't possibly be that dumb to really think that. You don't have to have college grad math skills to figure out with his contract Lakers cannot build a team. He chose money over contention for titles - simple as that.

Hi Randy, good post and you're eloquent as always. I agree with much of what you've said but in fairness to Kobe- until we know for sure what was said (or was not said) during that meeting- it's a bit unfair to blame it all on Kobe or Mitch. What we hear are all rumors- he said, she said, reliable sources, from a person who was in the room, etc. How do we know if the rumors are credible? Let's say the reliable source is indeed in the room- how can we tell if he took what Kobe or Mitch said to LMA out of context? For all we know Kobe could have said - Hey, LMA, you know how Pau and I were like brothers and I'd like the same thing for us -and the "reliable source thought Kobe was telling LMA another thing. I just wish it's mandatory that meetings like this are taped/recorded to be publicly revealed at a later time after free agency. Then and only then, IMHO, could we really place the blame on someone's shoulder. Also- as I've said in another thread- I'm still excited to see how our youngsters pans out. Regardless of whether or not we land a big FA or not. Peace!

PS: Mitch has nothing to much to offer or dicuss regarding basketball related matters to LMA since we're still in rebuilding mode so I guess presenting outside benefits instead is an acceptable gambit.

Looking back you would have thought that management would have said, ok will give you your money, but 2nd year has player option. At least that would have put pressure on Kobe to opt out and free up cap space.

Kobe may have played a part in turning him away, but I really believe it was a very small part, and not the primary reason. The reality of the situation is that they don't have much to offer these free agents in terms of basketball. We have an old Kobe who is at the end of his career, and 2 promising rookies in Julius Randle and D'Angelo Russell. For a guy like Aldridge who is 30 years old, he wants to win right away. You can't create a basketball pitch comparable to that of Houston or San Antonio because both of those teams have so much more talent than the lakers do. SA rolls out there with the reigning DPOY Leonard, Duncan, Ginobili, Parker. Houston has the runner up to MVP in Harden, as well as Howard(who despite the hate from laker fans is still a good serviceable center). It was never a match to begin with. Aldridge was wowed by San Antonio and Houston's presentations on the basketball side, but that is something the lakers just can't do at this point in time. They don't have the talent.

This was Kobe at the meeting when LaMarcus was asking him questions.

Awesome post Randy! Pure gem as usual! The dangerous cult following I used to allude to in the past has now assumed very dangerous proportions. There is so much denial and delusion on the part of these philes, that they are now offering the bs alibi/rationale that the Lakers were never aldridge's top priority. What a 360 turnaround. Same philes who were at the altar hoping to court the new laker savior are now so sour/scorned at being left hanging (yet again) at the altar, that they are now offering cheap third rate cover-up's, excuses and indulging in bashing forum members just to appease and protect the reputation of their master. Secondly they are envious of the abilities of those who know how to fearlessly construct and articulate their thoughts/opinions.. wherein they are embarrassed or insecure at their own inabilities. They invariably use aggression as a form of protection to hide their secret insecurities/ inadequacies. Aldridge's first choice was the lakers, he offered them the opportunity to take the first crack. We just had to go for the kill and make a great impression off the gates. This was a done deal. Not that I really wanted Aldridge in the first place since he is in his 30's, but I felt that would have helped lure other FA's to change their (poor Kobe-centric ) perception about Los Angeles. From that stand point I understood, was not opposed and eventually reconciled to that development. This was like a cake walk. Other vying teams were not even extended a chance to present their case or given a meeting. Kobe's agenda is clear: no other star would be allowed to share the spotlight till he is around. This is the same guy who in....

I remember a time, quite a few years ago now, when I mentioned to this same OP in an "off camera" private moment if you will, that I have a dream of Kobe's best, or at least most endearing years being the closing years of his career when he has finally grasped the nature of team synergy as opposed to the pure individual effort at which he excels by anyone's standards. The OP promptly told me that was just a personal pipe dream that would absolutely never be realized on any basketball court. I didn't much like that notion then and I still don't. But I haven't seen anything, and certainly have not read anything that encourages me that I was ever right in my expectations.

I'm the sort who never gives up, and never stops hoping for the best. That can be a positive trait as well as a negative one. But I can't help but wonder if my hopes were always completely unfounded, and consequently the OP is extremely deep into the process of being proven correct.

I'm not happy about it all in the slightest. In fact it's a long, slow, dull personal pain. It could easily have been so much better for the Lakers. Kobe should be at a point in his career when he is almost universally admired and praised for his incredible skills and accomplishments. But instead he's still this polarizing figure even amongst absolute diehard Lakers fans. It doesn't seem right, but it looks to be inevitable. He's said many times over that he couldn't care less what anyone thinks, but I can't even imagine that to be true longterm.

JJCali, I think you misinterpreted what is meant here. Perhaps I misinterpreted what is meant here? What I take from it I agree with which is that the overshooting is part and parcel to having the ball in his hands too much. Holding the ball. Hogging the ball. Teammates start to defer to the Kobe-centric offense and are less inclined to run an offensive set because quite honestly they cannot read Kobe's mind. The only thing to do therefore is to box out and prepare oneself for a rebound. From that state of mind, when Kobe decides to pass, his teammates are not in the flow or ready for the pass at all and the pass becomes excessive.

It's basketball 101 that a pass moves faster than a dribble and as such can more easily create an open shot. I would not say he passes too much but that he passes inconsistently which requires that his teammates react to his choices rather than running a team offense. Kobe is a great passer, when he decides to.

Dude, I'm not talking about 2017 when it comes to LBJ. Obviously he is on his level now. And ahead of him. I was talking about in general, or all time.

In hind sight the likelihood of getting a star in his prime to come to a team for less money with an aging Kibe who still believes himself plus sidekick can have a shot at the championship and a bunch of rookies was always going to be a long shot. I bought into it but last offseason should have been a wake up call. The Lakers front office keep resisting the inevitable slow and steady rebuild. Aiming too high and then missing out on all of the attainable young talented players. Pushing the bright lights of LA instead of having a clear and concise plan for the team. I hope the FO is getting it now while they can still grab some talent.

Now with the money they have they can overpay to acquire some young talent. Max offer to Harris. Overpay for McDaniels and grab Koufus. Then run a fun exciting young team that is not playing for their next contract like last year. And for Pete Sake don't give Kobe another contract. It's team he either bows out gracefully or finds another team. I love what Kove has done for the team but the team is bigger than one player.

Great post.

Hate to say it, it is looking more and more like the Lakers FO and Kobe are living in the past. Jim Buss, Mitch Kupchek, and Kobe Bryant are Free Agent Repellant! All that FA Money and what do you have a D-League team.!

That's exactly how I take it. Kobe said we could work together as well as Pau & I... Lol what a dick.

Got you, just two great all time players. Like how I snuck that "two great" in there! Lol

Yep. Not on the same level, but yes.

Right now the Lakers are in a no win situation with some of the fans. They can do no right.

I don't agree with the plan going after Aldridge, never really saw the fit roster wise first and then why would a guy like him who has made some money and has established himself as a legit top tier NBA player go to a young team for less money with a high state tax on what is likely his last chance at a big contract and when its going to take time to really win and win big?

We all have guys we think fit best and don't fit...I have been in the Tobias Harris, Monroe bandwagon because of age and position fit not just for now but growing with this young laker team over the next few years.

I have a really hard time thinking Kobe went in to the meeting and flat alpha dogged it...and told LMA that he was going to be 2nd fiddle, do any of us really believe deep down that Kobe doesn't want to win and think that adding a player like LMA couldn't help that happen? My guess would be he sold the 2 man duo of him and Pau and how it worked for 3 finals appearances and 2 NBA Championships. Kobe is a lot of things but stupid is not one of them.

All that said I really have no idea what went on in the meeting or was said...non of us do. It's just kinda sad at this point that when anything goes wrong we all assume to worst of Kobe and the Lakers leadership. To me they are way behind in things to offer right now.

The reality is why would a FA superstar vet like Aldridge come to LAL right now? Money? Nope.... Chance for a title? Nope, not for a few years (maybe). So really all the Lakers had to sell him on was the Laker brand and living in LA and the other opportunities that LA offers star players. Do we really believe that the Lakers talked zero basketball in the meeting?

RustyRay I'm with you, never thought Aldridge was a good fit on this team at this time. Agree about Harris, hope we land him. I really wanted Cousins, young enough to grow with team. But I know price was to high. Just hoping for Harris and rim protector at this point.

Well put and I very much agree.

Great post, all around. I find this thread to be a joke. Don't know why we're even posting in it. Even the most hardcore Kobe haters like SOQR have to realize that's a stupid notion that Kobe went in like that.

As I posted on another thread, LA will get better, it just won't be on our terms.....When that is, I don't know.

HUH? dude, stop with the overanalyzing and pontificating and doing it poorly.. roll eyes.

1. Kobe doesn't have any reason to have that prominent of a role in negotiations of this caliber, that's mismanagement.

2. The front office clearly didn't do their homework, that's embarrassing.

The Lakers should have brought the showtime lakers team when meeting Aldridge so they would give a picture that they want to go back to the showtime era.

Enough banking on the past. Every free agent already knows about the storied history of the Lakers. We need to start looking into the future. That's what needs to be done.

Who is LaMarcus Aldridge:

• Soon to be 30 years old - not that many years left to stay on top of the game

• Marvel/great NBA player -- can make an immediate impact to any team

• No Ring - any Marvel player is dreaming to have that trophy - not one ...as many...

If I were him, I wanted to be in the position that I could win now (1-2 years). Money is very important -- but I would still get max pays. City life style? Hmmmm No-one blocks me to be anywhere I wanted during non-NBA games. I could be anywhere when I retire which will still be very young. So the best team provides me to win now & money -- that would be my preferred destination. Is Lakers that team? Is Spurs that team? Is Suns that team? Well -- I would choose Spurs! Again, if it were me.

As a Lakers fan, I surely want LMA to join us.

What surprises me about the whole endorsements and non-basketball related pitch is that Aldridge never seems to be that kind of guy. He never struck me as a look at me kind of guy. He seems to be one that shies away from publicity and fame. I mean yes, he wants to be recognized on the hardwood, but he just doesn't seem like the guy that craves the spotlight (ala Swaggy P). That's why I'm not sure why the Lakers thought it might work on him. He just seems like a perfect fit for SA and their culture.

One thing bout that though is that deandre fits the Lakers and the big lights. LA is quiet and just goes to work. Deandre I think wants a bigger stage than the clips to show off those dunks and blocks.

I agree with this completely including the potential named player acquisitions. McDaniels is very talented and a great defender.