Lakers Died With Spurs On: Now Readers Supply Boots

Trading Nick Van Exel because of Del Harris, then firing Harris*

Trading Eddie Jones, an all-around player, for Glen Rice, a sporadic player*

Trading Elden Campbell, with no real replacement*

Kobe Bryant’s contract*

Kobe Bryant’s one-on-one play*

Kobe Bryant’s showboating*

Shaq’s lack of defense and inability to lead a team to a championship, despite all his requested changes*

Game 5 of the Laker-Spur series*

* Not necessary

MONICA RIVERA, Hawthorne

*

Tim Duncan: Winner.

Shaquille O’Neal: Loser.

Enough said.

KEN BUXTON, Redlands

*

All things considered, the Lakers didn’t do too bad this year. To win a championship next year all they will need is a new point guard, a new power forward, a new head coach, scoring off the bench, and at least 70% free-throw shooting from their center.

ADAM PLATTS, Northridge

*

About a year ago, The Times published a letter I wrote criticizing Shaquille O’Neal. Among other things, I noted that if the Lakers planned on building a team around him, they were in big trouble. I also questioned the sanity of anyone who would vote him among the top 50 players of all time. My opinions were roundly criticized in these pages and elsewhere.

Well, here we are a year later.

First, let me say that even I wouldn’t lay all the blame for this season at his size 22s. But after another predictable season, it’s obvious that if you’re counting on Mr. O’Neal to exhibit championship attributes (skill, character, leadership, class, and respect for the game, to name a few), you’ve picked the wrong guy.

My advice to Messrs. West and Buss: Trade him to another owner with more money than sense. And do it while you still can.

DAVID AMACK, San Clemente

*

The day after yet another Laker sweep and all is right with the world. The overcast lifts. Jack Nicholson and his dwindling band of true believers may not want to face their morning paper, but you better believe the rest of us can’t wait, because--sorry, Jack--your Lakers have become a national joke.

A few questions come to mind. Which player calls the Lakers “his team”? Who lobbied for acquiring the pathetic Rodman? Who lobbied for all the personnel changes? Why is there no defensive presence in the middle? Why keep bugging Shaq about practicing his foul shots? He can’t shoot! Deal with it, Jack, and pray he hits one of two. Why not deal Glen Rice? He has value, after all, and the Lakers need another whining shooter like Jerry West needs another wacko thug. Why fire the hapless Rambis? Save the money because “Shaq’s team” is uncoachable, anyway.

CHARLES CHICCOA, Reseda

*

I don’t want to see Shaquille O’Neal dancing, rapping or jumping out of a bottle in a movie this summer. I want to see that $120-million man practicing free throws.

JOHN MICHAELIS, Carson

*

I was appalled at the behavior of the spectators during the fourth game of the Laker-San Antonio series. It’s inexcusable to taunt the current roster of players over the decision of the Laker president to trade Eddie Jones midseason, by chanting Jones’ name during the game. He’s gone. Get over it.

As for the idiots who apparently came to the game specifically to “boo” Kobe when he was introduced, Jerry West said it best. Years from now when Kobe retires as a Laker, these so-called fans who exhibited such disgraceful behavior will suddenly be nowhere to be found.

As for Bill Plaschke’s contention that Kobe’s age is no excuse because he’s been in the league three years: Hey Bill, what were you doing at the age of 20?

The talent is there, but the team needs to learn to play as a unit. I trust West to find a solution. The Lakers have nothing to be ashamed of. It’s the “fans” and the press that do.

CAROLE WHITEHILL, Chatsworth

*

Mario Elie thought the Forum crowd booing Kobe Bryant was out of line. I disagree.

Kobe Bryant believes he is the second coming of Michael Jordan. He carries the same strolling gait, the identical circular gum-chewing technique, and unfortunately the same penchant for launching up shot after shot when his team falls behind. It’s time for Kobe to wake up from this obvious dream. Michael Jordan was never booed. Michael Jordan made clutch free throws and jump shots. Kobe, if you want to maintain this fantasy, why don’t you do what Michael Jordan did in the off-season early in his career; lock yourself in a gym and shoot free throws and jump shots until you can’t feel your arms. Quit being that one kid in the pickup game--the kid you pass it to only to never see the ball again. Play within yourself, and for goodness sake, play within the team. Michael Jordan didn’t have to, but he wasn’t wearing yellow No. 8 at the Forum on Sunday.

OLIVER LANG, Los Angeles

*

Questions the Lakers need to resolve before they can be champions:

1. Who determines player personnel, Jerry West or Dr. Buss?

2. Will Rice and Shaq stay for the long term? The Lakers had great threesomes before (West, Wilt, Baylor . . . Magic, Kareem, Worthy . . . Shaq, Kobe, Rice?)

3. How will Shaq improve his free-throw shooting?

4. Whoever is coach of this team, can he come up with an offensive scheme that will utilize the best talents of Shaq, Kobe, and Rice?

5. What changes to the bench will help improve their dismal stats against San Antonio?

6. Does a team need a “thug” forward to win a championship?

VIC WAKI, Rancho Santa Margarita

*

Will drastic changes help the Lakers in the future? I don’t think so. Only two things come to mind:

1. The Lakers played well only when their point guards played well. Can anyone in the organization see that what they need is a really good point guard?

2. All Lakers, not only Shaq, must improve their free throws.

ROY SHIAO, Los Angeles

*

No matter how ludicrous the “brain doctor” is with his brain typing con, I do feel that both the Dodgers and Lakers do require the services of a doctor. A cardiac transplant surgeon, nothing more and nothing less, will be able to find these worthless teams the heart they cannot find in themselves.

HOWARD NOACK, San Diego