Just because it's his misfortune to play on the Nuggets doesn't mean he's not a good player. Look at his #'s. Solid young player. If he bolts to the Lakers as a FA, will he suddenly become worthy of your respect? He's no Shaq, but he is a legit NBA starter.

Punky - If he went to the Lakers, he would not be a starter, just as I said.

It isn't Michael Jordan's fault he went to a poor team like the Bulls.
It isn't Alan Iverson's fault he went to a poor team like the 76ers.

LaFrentz plays ok, but he is not a legitimate starter on a contending team, nor will he be.

Horace Grant is the Lakers current starter at PF(http://games.espn.go.com/cgi/fba/req...PlayerID=00131). I'd say LaFrentz is every bit as good as he is. He's a capable starter, as is reflected by his #'s. Ron Harper was an average player for the Clippers and an average player for the Bulls. Did playing on a championship team suddenly turn him into a good player? No, he was an average player surrounded by extraordinary talent. That doesn't change his individual skills one bit. If Raef had been lucky enough to start on those Bulls teams(pretty sure he could fill Luc Longley's shoes), would you then say he was a good player? There are good players on bad teams. Raef is one of them.

Why didn't Raef shoot the 3 more for the Jayhawks? Is Roy reeruned? Raef has great NBA 3 pt. range but can't hit the same college 3 that 14 year old, 100 lb. girls hit with ease? Once again, this reflects upon Roy's weird system that seemingly punishes talent. Paul is a much better player now than he was in college. Scot Pollard suddenly has skills. What's the deal?

That was all the talk about Raef when he was recruited. A guy that size who can hit the 3-pointer. Then he comes here and doesn't take it. Except for that last, desperate shot in the Arizona game, of course. Bad memories.

REGARDING THIS NBA-CALIBER TALENT ISSUE, JUST TAKE A LOOK AT THE 1988 SEASON WHEN DANNY MANNING LED THEM ALL THE WAY TO THE CHAMPION-SHIP. NOW, WHAT EXACTLY HAS HE DONE IN THE NBA? COULD IT HAVE BEEN THAT COACH BROWN HAD A PRETTY GOOD SYSTEM IN PLACE THAT ALLOWED LITTLE BETTER THAN AVERAGE PLAYERS & ONE PRETTY GOOD PLAYER TO FLOURISH?????