Brass talked of "character" as baselines for drafting players and building a team...in light of Lawson's transgressions now this?
If Lawson wants to come here via the RE, I'm all for it. I'm not turning down a guy that he basically put up 17/8 the last 3 seasons in a season where we need to win to get FA next offseason.
Ok. 1. The DUI happened in LA. Doesn't that lend some street cred to the idea that he is coming to LA? He was already here. Idiot driving drunk on the 101 freeway. Everyone knows that is a CHP trap at 2:00 a.m. 2. UBER now can't operate in CA. Separate thread I'm sure. Just kidding but made me laugh. 3. Character guys? We have Hibbert on our team. He is the biggest knucklehead this side of Bynum. I think this means we are not getting a starting lineup with Boogie, Hibbert and Lawson - that would simply be an amazing meltdown and perfect way to send Kobe out. 4. From a basketball standpoint. Being a drunk or having poor judgment does not eliminate your ability to play for Lakers. Nick Van Excel ("1.2.3. Cancun!), er poor judgment guys come to mind. Hearing the story on the local news (Lawson) combined with Jordan Hill mouthing off within days of leaving made me want to google these guys. Of course, Hill's google only comes up with two things: (a) He does not drink all that much anymore. I'm not calling him an alcoholic but his story does confirm that Jordan Hill has 'poor judgment' and (b) Hill's Bentley crashes into apartment complex on Loudlabs. While Hill was not driving and the drunk friend who did that apparently was charged after fleeing into Hill's pad upstairs - that is prima facie - poor judgment - why is hill owning a Bentley, and even more curious - why is it in the hands of a drunk guy. Back to the point, Lakers would grab Lawson in a heartbeat if it made basketball sense regardless of the DUI - hell perhaps that was Lawson celebrating after learning he was heading for LA (like Ron Harper leaving Cleveland). 5. How could this happen? Lakers either trade Young and junk for him as part of a three way which nets them Boogie and Collison or just wait the Nuggets out like others have expected. Seems to me that HOU has some assets to move as well so a 3 way (trade) is not out of the question.
What has Hibbert done that's like getting 4 DUIs in 6 years or like hoisting Playboy bunnies during rehab? I'm not sure Hibbert qualifies as a "low character" player.
His twitter account over the years makes a pretty good case for someone who is not all that bright. That combined with the power struggle when Bynum came to Indy plus his attitude last year for Indy (who could not wait to get rid of him). I suppose I would not call Hibbert "low character" - But the point I was making is that being a knucklehead or a low character guy, or a drunk does not disqualify you from getting a shot to reclaim your career. See, Isaiah Rider.
He's had his moments. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/02/roy-hibbert-press-conference-curse-gay-slur_n_3373455.html That being said, I don't think he has issues that are even close to what Lawson and Upshaw need to deal with.
I think we're just talking about two different things. My definition of knucklehead is a guy who is a low character person. Rude, arrogant, dumb, makes willing mistakes. Hibbert (and for the record most of these pro athletes) seems like what I'd call a bonehead: a relatively good guy who says/does things without thinking sometimes. The "no homo" thing certainly isn't PC, but it was ingrained in the youth culture for a while there. Cursing at reporters honestly doesn't bother me too much. Cursing in general from athletes doesn't bother me too much. Smart? No of course not, but seems more like general immaturity or hotheadedness than repeated DUI offenses. Am I making any sense there? Doesn't quite feel like it... I just think Lawson and Upshaw and that white kid who played for Seattle have some serious issues. They have addiction problems or are just plain dumb. Lawson strikes me more of a JR Smith type: kind of dangerously stupid at times. Hibbert strikes me as a decent guy with a temper and maybe not 100% learned on social issues and things like that.
You're right. Especially if Russ wants to get better at driving drunk. Sometimes one has to learn from the master.
Can't remember his name now... He was a forward with red hair that's all I remember. Fell into drug use and was found squatting in someone's house or something.
Are we talking Swaggy or Williams.... Oh... Lawson. Other than recent headlines I'm not sure the substance of those 3 is a whole lot different. Lawson would give us time to bring Russell along slowly. That may be worth the risk alone. The pressure on Russell will be massive if he is starting on the Lakers as the centerpiece of the post Kobe rebuild.
By how I read your definition Ruben Patternson = knucklehead and Kobe Bryant = like Roy Hibbert only smarter. I think we are going way too far here to defend Hibbert. I am amused by how many are so worried about Lawson. He is not Roy Tarpley. I like lawson as a player and while he could screw up our young kids - who is to say we know what we have on our team now - did we know LO was going to be who he turned out to be (and some fall victim to circumstance). The point is we the fans never really know who the players are until scandal hits. (Ruben Patterson, Javaris Crittendon started out as Lakers) I see Lawson as a great value right now like lakers did when taking a long look at Gilbert Arenas (which was panned by many) and if nothing else a good part of a trade package that could net us Boogie with a partner involved in the mix. I would love to have boogie and randle with our kids and so back to the point - while it might be a case of throwing the word LAKERS out there in the article to draw hits - we know the lakers were actively working to acquire lawson during last season (the price was too high). I agree with you that apples to apples Lawson has problem written all over him more than Hibbert but i am a fan of winning basketball games and not concerned with off court antics -else I would not be a Kobe fan (allegedly cheated on his wife and still an all time great)
I would never compare Hibbert to Kobe and I'm not doing much to defend him. If saying he's not a troubled addict is defending him, then I guess maybe I am. I tore him up as much as anyone a couple years ago when he melted down in the playoffs. If you want to say he's a trouble maker like Lawson I think you're wrong. He's just a typical NBA player these days. Lawson collects DUIs. I think there's a solid distinction.
