Minnesota Sports Forum

TheSP wrote:

CoolBreeze44 wrote:

Camden wrote:Good deal for both sides.

How do you figure? Johnson only gets the league minimum, is that a good deal for him? The Lakers get a guy who can't move the meter, is that a good deal for them?

Johnson was this --><-- close to being out of the NBA so yes its a good deal for him. I suspect Kobe told them to sign Mr.Smiles, from the Lakers perspective is an inexpensive flyer on the hope that a year with Kobe can bring out his talent.

Maybe I'm just crabby today, but this clearly isn't a "good" deal for either side. It might be Wes's only option, and it might be a low risk maneuver for the Lakers, but my definition of a good deal must be different from yours and Cam's.

CoolBreeze44 wrote:

monsterpile wrote:Johnson getting a deal to play in the NBA is good and its for a team like the Lakers who need help at SF. Seems like a good fit. Wes helps the Lakers at least being able to plays some decent defense and maybe he hits some jumpers at a decent clip. for the minimum seems like no-brainer even though he isn't that good.

Exactly Monster, he isn't that good so how can it be a good deal for the Lakers? And he was a former top 5 pick, so how can playing for the league minimum be a good deal for him at this stage of his career?

Its hilarious we are even having this sorta heated (maybe more like slightly lukewarm actually) heated conversation about Wes Johnson and the Lakers. LOL =

What I mean is at this stage of his career if he wants to play in the NBA getting any contract from an NBA team is a good deal. He probably doesn't suck that, bad, but there are so many guys out there that are near the same talent level its great to have a job and for the Lakers who have no clear SF right now. Hell you can't get a better opportunity. I might actually pick Wes over Nick Young if you don't care about scoring. Thats cause Nick Young is a meaningless chucker, but the Lakers are pretty desperate trying to get young guys with some talent for cheap. With Wes on board they still only have 11 roster spots covered (if the keep Ryan Kelly for Duke that means 12). They need more guys to sign for vet min 1 year contracts to fill out the roster. They have only Steve Nash and Sacre signed for next year according to Hoops hype. Thats interesting.

Cool, Johnson is a bottom of the roster player even for this Lakers team. Their banking on Kobe bringing out the best in him. Teams don't expect much at all from the 15th player on the roster and thats the kind of move this is.

My definition of "Good deal" changes in relation to the teams expected position in the standings.

For a team like the Wolves who are expect to make the playoffs for the first time in forever this would be a lousy deal. The 15th spot on the roster could have value, even if only in a few games, for a few minutes.

For a team like the Lakers who aren't going to do squat this year other than position themselves for next years draft and free agent classes this isn't a bad deal. Given the lack of expectations for the team signing Mr.Smiles and seeing if it pays dividends could be a good deal, could be a meaningless deal, but in no way on a one year, vet minimum contract can it be a bad deal.

It was perfect for Johnson. You keep saying "He was just a top five pick, how is this ideal for him?" Well it isn't what he wanted, but the Lakers were the last team willing to give him a chance. He would be getting NO money, or a lot less over-seas. Perfect deal from his stand-point. He gets one year from a crappy team to attempt to improve his value. From a Lakers stand point this is also a great deal. Kobe worked with Johnson, and said he had star potential. Now I doubt Johnson can put it together to be a star, but if Kobe can help him bring out his best, the Lakers landed themselves a mighty fine player. You basically amuse Kobe by giving him a project, and if he succeeds then you score.

Jakapoo wrote:It was perfect for Johnson. You keep saying "He was just a top five pick, how is this ideal for him?" Well it isn't what he wanted, but the Lakers were the last team willing to give him a chance. He would be getting NO money, or a lot less over-seas. Perfect deal from his stand-point. He gets one year from a crappy team to attempt to improve his value. From a Lakers stand point this is also a great deal. Kobe worked with Johnson, and said he had star potential. Now I doubt Johnson can put it together to be a star, but if Kobe can help him bring out his best, the Lakers landed themselves a mighty fine player. You basically amuse Kobe by giving him a project, and if he succeeds then you score.

Oh brother. Take your head out of the sand.

CoolBreeze44 wrote:

Jakapoo wrote:It was perfect for Johnson. You keep saying "He was just a top five pick, how is this ideal for him?" Well it isn't what he wanted, but the Lakers were the last team willing to give him a chance. He would be getting NO money, or a lot less over-seas. Perfect deal from his stand-point. He gets one year from a crappy team to attempt to improve his value. From a Lakers stand point this is also a great deal. Kobe worked with Johnson, and said he had star potential. Now I doubt Johnson can put it together to be a star, but if Kobe can help him bring out his best, the Lakers landed themselves a mighty fine player. You basically amuse Kobe by giving him a project, and if he succeeds then you score.

Oh brother. Take your head out of the sand.

Damn, get pissy when I call you out. Explain to me how the Lakers and Wes got bad deals. Wes could be a decent bench piece if this works out, and Johnson had nowhere else to go. Simple as that. If Wes doesn't work out, then Kobe got someone he wanted for the Veteran's Minimum, Not a big deal.

Jakapoo wrote:

CoolBreeze44 wrote:

Jakapoo wrote:It was perfect for Johnson. You keep saying "He was just a top five pick, how is this ideal for him?" Well it isn't what he wanted, but the Lakers were the last team willing to give him a chance. He would be getting NO money, or a lot less over-seas. Perfect deal from his stand-point. He gets one year from a crappy team to attempt to improve his value. From a Lakers stand point this is also a great deal. Kobe worked with Johnson, and said he had star potential. Now I doubt Johnson can put it together to be a star, but if Kobe can help him bring out his best, the Lakers landed themselves a mighty fine player. You basically amuse Kobe by giving him a project, and if he succeeds then you score.

Oh brother. Take your head out of the sand.

Damn, get pissy when I call you out. Explain to me how the Lakers and Wes got bad deals. Wes could be a decent bench piece if this works out, and Johnson had nowhere else to go. Simple as that. If Wes doesn't work out, then Kobe got someone he wanted for the Veteran's Minimum, Not a big deal.

I didn't say they were bad deals, I said they weren't good deals for either side. And I already explained why above. You called Wes's deal a perfect deal for him. That's plain ignorant to say for a guy who has started most of his career in the NBA.

CoolBreeze44 wrote:

Jakapoo wrote:

CoolBreeze44 wrote:

Jakapoo wrote:It was perfect for Johnson. You keep saying "He was just a top five pick, how is this ideal for him?" Well it isn't what he wanted, but the Lakers were the last team willing to give him a chance. He would be getting NO money, or a lot less over-seas. Perfect deal from his stand-point. He gets one year from a crappy team to attempt to improve his value. From a Lakers stand point this is also a great deal. Kobe worked with Johnson, and said he had star potential. Now I doubt Johnson can put it together to be a star, but if Kobe can help him bring out his best, the Lakers landed themselves a mighty fine player. You basically amuse Kobe by giving him a project, and if he succeeds then you score.

Oh brother. Take your head out of the sand.

Damn, get pissy when I call you out. Explain to me how the Lakers and Wes got bad deals. Wes could be a decent bench piece if this works out, and Johnson had nowhere else to go. Simple as that. If Wes doesn't work out, then Kobe got someone he wanted for the Veteran's Minimum, Not a big deal.

I didn't say they were bad deals, I said they weren't good deals for either side. And I already explained why above. You called Wes's deal a perfect deal for him. That's plain ignorant to say for a guy who has started most of his career in the NBA.

Where the hell would he get more? At this point this "quarrel" is completely pointless, but where else would he get more? Here he gets the same amount as he would get somewhere (IF ANYWHERE) else, but he gets the joy of playing in LA.

Jakapoo wrote:

CoolBreeze44 wrote:

Jakapoo wrote:

CoolBreeze44 wrote:

Jakapoo wrote:It was perfect for Johnson. You keep saying "He was just a top five pick, how is this ideal for him?" Well it isn't what he wanted, but the Lakers were the last team willing to give him a chance. He would be getting NO money, or a lot less over-seas. Perfect deal from his stand-point. He gets one year from a crappy team to attempt to improve his value. From a Lakers stand point this is also a great deal. Kobe worked with Johnson, and said he had star potential. Now I doubt Johnson can put it together to be a star, but if Kobe can help him bring out his best, the Lakers landed themselves a mighty fine player. You basically amuse Kobe by giving him a project, and if he succeeds then you score.

Oh brother. Take your head out of the sand.

Damn, get pissy when I call you out. Explain to me how the Lakers and Wes got bad deals. Wes could be a decent bench piece if this works out, and Johnson had nowhere else to go. Simple as that. If Wes doesn't work out, then Kobe got someone he wanted for the Veteran's Minimum, Not a big deal.

I didn't say they were bad deals, I said they weren't good deals for either side. And I already explained why above. You called Wes's deal a perfect deal for him. That's plain ignorant to say for a guy who has started most of his career in the NBA.

Where the hell would he get more? At this point this "quarrel" is completely pointless, but where else would he get more? Here he gets the same amount as he would get somewhere (IF ANYWHERE) else, but he gets the joy of playing in LA.

...and at least a decent chance at a starting SF spot. Its at least a good deal for Wes maybe even a great one. I can buy it not really being a good deal for the Lakers. Its truly more of a meh deal for their side. Fair enough? See everybody wins. In the words of Michael Scott its a win win win. LOL

Jakapoo wrote:

CoolBreeze44 wrote:

Jakapoo wrote:

CoolBreeze44 wrote:

Jakapoo wrote:It was perfect for Johnson. You keep saying "He was just a top five pick, how is this ideal for him?" Well it isn't what he wanted, but the Lakers were the last team willing to give him a chance. He would be getting NO money, or a lot less over-seas. Perfect deal from his stand-point. He gets one year from a crappy team to attempt to improve his value. From a Lakers stand point this is also a great deal. Kobe worked with Johnson, and said he had star potential. Now I doubt Johnson can put it together to be a star, but if Kobe can help him bring out his best, the Lakers landed themselves a mighty fine player. You basically amuse Kobe by giving him a project, and if he succeeds then you score.

Oh brother. Take your head out of the sand.

Damn, get pissy when I call you out. Explain to me how the Lakers and Wes got bad deals. Wes could be a decent bench piece if this works out, and Johnson had nowhere else to go. Simple as that. If Wes doesn't work out, then Kobe got someone he wanted for the Veteran's Minimum, Not a big deal.

I didn't say they were bad deals, I said they weren't good deals for either side. And I already explained why above. You called Wes's deal a perfect deal for him. That's plain ignorant to say for a guy who has started most of his career in the NBA.

Where the hell would he get more? At this point this "quarrel" is completely pointless, but where else would he get more? Here he gets the same amount as he would get somewhere (IF ANYWHERE) else, but he gets the joy of playing in LA.

You're basically making my point for me. "Where would he get more?" That's exactly what I'm saying, This deal was the last resort for Wes. I don't live in a world where the last resort makes up a perfect scenario for me. How can this be a perfect scenario for a guy like Wes? It isn't, it's his only option at this point.