Re: Rodman/Fakers

[CeltsSteve@aol.com]

In a message dated 99-02-04 08:04:52 EST, j.hironaka@unesco.org writes:

<< Here is an AP story on the LA Flakers interest in signing Dennis Rodman
 at 1 million.  Sounds like a typical Jerry West coup. >>

Actually, I believe Jerry Buss is the one pushing for the Lakers to sign
Rodman. 

By the way, will the myth of Jerry West's "genius" ever die under it's own
weight? If ever a guy has lived off his past reputation, JW is that guy. The
Lakers haven't won a title in going on 11 years and we all ever hear about is
how the Lakers never slumped like the Pistons and Celtics did.

That may be true in the case of the Pistons but in the case of the C's, JW
didn't have to deal with the premature deaths of two franchise or cornerstone
players, either. Bird (like Magic) was also forced into retirement before his
time so they basically cancel each other out on that count.

Bottom line: if the Lakers can't win it this year (and I think they are still
a couple bullets short), there won't be much difference between the two
franchises in terms of their ability to compete for the title come this time
next year. In fact, the C's might be in a more favorable position given the
cap constraints that the Lakers are saddled with and their (Lakers) inability
to go into the free agent marketplace because of  JW's "genius".