2014-15 Official Lakers Season Thread, Vol: We Love Each Other

[pmatic]

Pau Gasol says farewell to Lakers, maybe for good

Pau Gasol felt nostalgic in what he admitted might have been his last day with the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday. He's also excited about his impending free agency and is open to a reunion with former Lakers coach Phil Jackson, who now runs the New York Knicks' front office.

"I'm happy for him and the position that he got," Gasol said. "I'm always going to be a big fan and a friend. I would listen."

Gasol completed his seventh season with the Lakers averaging 17.4 points and 9.7 rebounds in 60 games. He won two titles with the Lakers under Jackson, but the latter part of his tenure in L.A. has been clouded by constant trade speculation, including a near-deal to the Houston Rockets. He also didn't fit with coach Mike D'Antoni's offense and had two straight disappointing seasons.

Despite the struggle in recent years, Gasol seemed very much at peace during his postseason media briefing on Thursday. The main reason is because he can help decide his own future as a free agent this offseason.

"This year is a little different," Gasol said. "Every time I said [he felt sentimental] is because I didn't know if I was going to be traded. That has been kind of a theme for the last three years. But this year that possibility is out of the question. Now it's because I will be in charge of my future, my destiny and I have to listen to the different possibilities that I will have on the table."

Gasol said he would "listen closely" to the possibility of returning to the Lakers. The biggest reason he'd consider returning is to continue playing with Kobe Bryant.

Gasol, however, also said he had "misunderstandings" with D'Antoni the past two years and was uncertain if the status of the coach would affect his decision. D'Antoni has one more year and a team option remaining on his Lakers contract, but his future with the organization is in question. The Lakers might also want to part ways with Gasol to save money for better free agent classes in 2015 and 2016.

"The last few years I've kept on my mind that this could be my last day here," Gasol said. " 'Let me try to enjoy it. Let me try to make the best out of it.' That has kind of been my mindset the last couple of years. This could be my last day, maybe."

Jackson coached Gasol with the Lakers from 2007-10. Since being hired as the Knicks' president, Jackson has signed former Lakers forward Lamar Odom to a contract and met with former Lakers forward Metta World Peace. The Knicks would be interested in Gasol in free agency, a source said.

Gasol, 33, made $19.3 million in the final year of his contract and isn't expected to get anything close to the type of salary again. Joining the Knicks would likely come with a massive pay cut since the most they can offer – without a sign-and-trade deal – is the taxpayer's midlevel exception, expected to be worth about $3.2 million.

With the Knicks expected to play Jackson's triangle offense and more of a half-court, such a style of play could be attractive to Gasol. Gasol, however, also said he wanted to play on a championship-caliber team and the Knicks didn't make the playoffs this season with Carmelo Anthony.

"I want to enjoy the moment and not be too stressed about it, even though at some point I'm going to have to make a decision," said Gasol, who is improving from his recent bout with vertigo. "It will be exciting. I look at this as an opportunity. For the first, and maybe only time, I will be a free agent where I can choose. It's exciting. It's nothing that I've experienced in the NBA."

Gasol offered his polite goodbyes to the media and Lakers fans as he had in recent years at the end of the season. Thursday's, however, might have been a true farewell.

"I'm very grateful to be a part of this franchise and the city," Gasol said. "I will always be part of this franchise and this city no matter what. If I don't come back, that's how I feel about it. I'm thankful for everything I experienced in this city, the fans, the media, everyone."

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/pau-gasol-says-farewell-to-lakers--maybe-for-good-020522532.html

 

[pmatic]

A Laker heavy interview with Woj:

 

[grandtheftbike]

Bye Pau

 

[licensed to ball]

Bye gtb

 

[sb]

 

[kingjaffejo]

Pau we are forever grateful with you we immediately went to the Finals
3 straight trips to the Finals. 2 Chips back to back. Your number will be retired. Legacy cemented

But it's time for your *** to scram. At this time we don't want you and you don't want us. Trust me. Deuces.

 

[kal-el-8]

[h3]Danté Exum Signs Endorsement Deal With Adidas[/h3]
Apr 17, 2014 7:12 PM EDT

Danté Exum has signed an endorsement deal with Adidas.

“I’m really excited to join the Adidas family,” Exum said in a news release. “I’ve had the opportunity to play in Adidas Nations in the past and I’ve always liked their shoes and gear. I look forward to what’s to come for me and Adidas.”

Exum is a graduate of the prestigious Australian Institute of Sport.

Exum participated in the Adidas Nations program in 2011 and 2012, leading Australia to a fourth place finish in 2012.

“Dante is a gifted player,” said Chris Grancio, Adidas head of global basketball sports marketing. “His hard work ethic and play have made him successful at every level of competition, but what makes him special is his great attitude and unselfish team approach to the game.”

It's all coming together.

 

[frshstunna]

If we sit still and carry much of this roster over with just a "healthy" Kobe and the rook, you'll get back on the Tank wagon with the rest of us.

If we get Lance/Bledsoe type pick ups, and the rook, we won't be terrible enough to tank so it won't matter.

Too much work to be Team Tank.

Mane try being a Magic fan right now...its bout to b 3 full seasons of sucking/tanking, the regular season is pointless...The draft is the only highlight of being a current Magic fan

 

[MambaMentality824]

Mane try being a Magic fan right now...its bout to b 3 full seasons of sucking/tanking, the regular season is pointless...The draft is the only highlight of being a current Magic fan

It's about to pay off for y'all though. Already got a very nice young core, add whoever you guys get this year and you guys will be well on the way.

 

[grandtheftbike]

Adidas

THIS IS NIKETALK

 

[essential1]

If we sit still and carry much of this roster over with just a "healthy" Kobe and the rook, you'll get back on the Tank wagon with the rest of us.

If we get Lance/Bledsoe type pick ups, and the rook, we won't be terrible enough to tank so it won't matter.

Too much work to be Team Tank.

Mane try being a Magic fan right now...its bout to b 3 full seasons of sucking/tanking, the regular season is pointless...The draft is the only highlight of being a current Magic fan

My brother is a Magic fan, so I get it.

 

[senorroboto2k5]

Watching the live stream of the exit interviews, waiting for Mitch...

Ramona Shelburne needs to get the hell away from the camera

 

[licensed to ball]

Why even bother watching exit interviews?

I don't get why any of you would still waste energy or time on anything related to this past season

I'm mentally checked out until the draft lottery. Time to move on.

 

[grandtheftbike]

why not? i watch exit interviews to see the players give their recap of the season and not read it out of context from some article later.

that's all im saying

what im trying to say is i watch exit interviews to see the players give their recap of the season and not read it out of context from some article later. that's it.

 

[licensed to ball]

You sure that's all you're saying?
Because to me you're saying that all you're saying is that what you're saying is you enjoy to watch people say goodbye.

Is that all you're saying?

 

[senorroboto2k5]

Why even bother watching exit interviews?

I don't get why any of you would still waste energy or time on anything related to this past season

I'm mentally checked out until the draft lottery. Time to move on.

Because guys like Mitch, Nash, Pau, D'Antoni have been with the Lakers for more than just this ****** season, maybe more in the future, so it's a little more than just a pointless goodbye

Could care less about a Marshon Brooks or Kaman interview but MDA and Mitch were worth a listen

 

[had pants]

Goodbye Charmin.

 

[grandtheftbike]

marshon midas whale pull an Antawn Jamison

 

[CP1708]

Lakers Nation ‏@LakersNation 34m
RT @SerenaWinters: Kupchak says Pau Gasol is "absolutely" a priority in free agency.

#PleaseFireMitch

Dave McMenamin ‏@mcten 19m
Kupchak says that last year at exit interviews Nash told him he could give him "18 & 8" this season.

That's interesting, given that Nash has only done that twice in his entire career, the last time being 8 ******* years ago.




I hate everybody.

 

[senorroboto2k5]

In context, Mitch was talking about how Nash said that last summer and how that didn't come close to panning out. So (seems obvious) they're not banking on Nash being there as their PG.

 

[grandtheftbike]

I hate everybody.

View media item 925053

 

[CP1708]

No, I understood that part, just the fact that Nash even said that pisses me off.

 

[sea manup]

to be fair, kobe probably tells mitch that hes going to average 40-10-10 at the end of every season

 

[senorroboto2k5]

As for Pau, Mitch said he was a priority and that there aren't many FAs this year better than him (bad logic)... but in a different part also said the team has financial flexibility and they don't have to spend it all at once.

Hopefully he was just saying that about Pau to keep the door open on negotiations.

 

[CP1708]

Hopefully he's just trying to be a nice guy and that's it.

If he re-signs Pau, I really, really, start to question Mitch as the GM going forward. I rather save the damn money than spend it on Pau.

Unless he's spending it on Pau to get into the top 5 of the draft next year.