Each week, we’ll ask our stable of scribes to weigh in on the three most important NBA topics of the day — and then give you a chance to step on the scale, too, in the comments below.
Play Lakers GM: What do you do in the wake of another West semifinal defeat?
Steve Aschburner: I start by abolishing World Peace. Sounds nihilistic, I know. But given the rebuild/retool ahead, they don’t need Metta’s shenanigans. Then I trade Pau Gasol, maybe to Minnesota for Derrick Williams in a package. I rebuild around Andrew Bynum because Jimmy Buss will fire me if I don’t. And I ride out Kobe’s angst or swing a deal for him that makes him happy. If that’s possible in every sense.
Fran Blinebury: I get on the phone to Orlando and find out if there’s any way to re-start the conversation for Dwight Howard. Does it take Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol together? Done. Gasol is fading into the twilight of his career and for all there is to like about Bynum on the nights he plays, that happens too infrequently. Howard has his own flaws, but combining with Kobe Bryant puts him back into the championship picture immediately, restores his damaged reputation and transitions the Lakers for the post-Kobe Era. I also do not sign Ramon Sessions to a long-term contract at significant cost. Not nearly enough bang for the buck.
Fran Blinebury: Thunder in five. They’re younger, better deeper. Best case is Kobe will explode in one home game to get a win. Another end-of-the-road sweep for the Lakers isn’t out of the question after gagging up Game 2 so ignominiously.
