 You knew it was coming. SHAQ leaves town in a huff, joins former LAKERS PAT RILEY and EDDIE JONES in Miami and emerges an even bigger, meaner monster than he was already. But he hasn’t even unpacked his carry-ons, and the Big Flip Flop is bragging about “walking naked on the beach” and being in the “best shape of his career”, and bringing a championship to Miami. A new rivalry is born.
Let’s just say KOBE had better get an acquittal next month, or the LAKERS are in deep trouble. They welcomed VLADE DIVAC back into the organization yesterday, and if KARL MALONE will stay, things are starting to look interesting. The LAKERS have certainly gotten younger, with LAMAR ODOM (24), CARON BUTLER (24) and draft pick SASHA VUJACIC (20) to go with KOBE (25), KAREEM RUSH (24), LUKE WALTON (24) and BRAIN COOK (24). SASHA VUJACIC has been impressive in summer league play, showing keen passing skills and a deft 3-point shot. ODOM had a breakout season last year playing guard for the HEAT. And CARON BUTLER is a young, capable forward the likes of which the LAKERS haven’t had since BYRON SCOTT. Not to mention the headache ODOM, VUJACIC and BRYANT will pose for opponents at 6’10”, 6’7” and 6’6” respectively at the guard positions. GARY PAYTON may push them up to the forward spots, but still, the possibilities are something special.
The front line, with the addition of VLADE may not be as potent as one with SHAQ in the middle, but DIVAC is as good a passer, a better free throw shooter and nearly as good on the boards as the supposed MDE(Most Dominant Ever). Add BRIAN GRANT and get MALONE back, and the LAKERS should find themselves controlling the boards most games. There aren’t any better rebounding teams on paper. Granted, we won’t have the low post threat we did last year, but if coach TOMJONAVICH can install a fast break built around any combination of ODOM, BRYANT, BUTLER, GEORGE, RUSH, PAYTON, WALTON VUJACIC and COOK, we should be looking at a very exciting and competitive team. SHOWTIME is coming back to LA!
The return of VLADE caps an ironic career, which started here in Los Angeles in 1987, and saw him play 6 years with the rival SACRAMENTO KINGS. "When I was 21, I had to fill Kareem's shoes, now it's Shaquille's. It's definitely tough but, like I said, it's a team sport and we all have to work together to meet our goals." VLADE was traded to CHARLOTTE 8 years ago in a deal that both got the LAKERS the rights to draft KOBE BRYANT and cleared salary cap room for SHAQ’S mammoth contract. VLADE will now play along side KOBE, and join forces to thwart The Millennium Goliath’s familiar prediction of bagging a championship.
What a season it should be!
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