Lakers Thread

[NovU]

The guy is all about legacy and such, there's no way in this world he doesn't veto a trade. The Lakers wouldn't do it either. He's all about his legacy, he just wouldn't accept it.

When I said about the same thing that LBJ is jeopardizing his legacy for leaving CLE, my comment was pretty badly shat on in this very forum.

I don't know if Kobe's jeopardizing his legacy though if traded. Fans would support it as the LAK looks to rebuild and Kobe isn't needed and Kobe could play meaningful last couple years maybe like Jordan. Or he could do what Vince Carter is doing for his team, hopely bit better. Capable Kobe is becoming a broken down Kobe mentally and eventually physically. He needs his motivation back and play couple more seasons. Just my personal opinion more like wish.

[Kevin]

I agree with the Bass and Williams signings. We should at least trade them before the deadline. Also, why is Scott benching Russell? Ok, I get it that we're tanking and all but isn't this the right timing to let him have his experience and at the same time develop his skills on the court?

NovU, you're secretly wishing for Kobe to play more seasons because you'll miss him. NovU is a Kobe fan. confirmed.

[mp3]

Honestly thought the Lakers would pull out the upset vs the Warriors..
I was wrong.

Pretty sure I saw the Laker bench clowning around while there team was down by 30, that's not good at all.

[Andrew]

At this point, I think Kobe's days of playing meaningful basketball are over. I wouldn't be wholly surprised if he ends up shooting under 30% on the season. Right now, he's averaging more field goal attempts than points per game.

The difference between Kobe's current performance and MJ's run with the Wizards is that while MJ was older, he wasn't coming off a major injury, and he didn't have quite as many miles on the odometer. If Kobe had some more help, it would likely be a little better. If he were on a contender, he'd have that help. But he seems pretty determined to end his career as a Laker, and on top of that, like I said, no contender is going to give up the players it would take to match his salary, for what he's doing right now. In 2012? For sure. Now? I highly doubt it.

[Jackal]

When I said about the same thing that LBJ is jeopardizing his legacy for leaving CLE, my comment was pretty badly shat on in this very forum.

If Lebron hadn't left Cleveland in the way he did and actually played there his entire career, people would take that argument seriously.

Kobe is retiring a Laker the same way Duncan is retiring a Spur & Dirk is retiring a Maverick.

As for the game:

I think that says it all.

[[Q]]

I agree with the Bass and Williams signings. We should at least trade them before the deadline. Also, why is Scott benching Russell? Ok, I get it that we're tanking and all but isn't this the right timing to let him have his experience and at the same time develop his skills on the court?

Williams wasn't the greatest signing to begin with. He duplicated at a position that they are deep in (esp with the Huertas signing) and basically is a better shorter version of Nick Young and is not living up to his performance last year as the 6th man of the year. I wouldn't mind seeing them dump him and Young on a contender looking for a punch off the bench

[NovU]

Man, Kobe and Mudiay are in league of their own right now. It's as if they're playing to be the worst high usage player ever. You guys gotta be kinda thankful the Lakers didn't draft Mudiay, lol.

Surprised rebuilding Lakers allows Kobe to take shots at the rate Kobe was in prime.

[Jackal]

I wasn't high on Mudiay as it is, my draft board was KAT-Okafor-Russell. I really hope Russell turns out to be a star.

Kobe is part of the rebuild. Lose as many as you can before you hang em up.

[NovU]

Russell drew comparison to James Harden back then, what's your verdict so far about his game?

[Andrew]

Seems that Kobe's just announced this season will indeed be his last. It remains to be seen whether he can make it a better farewell tour than it's been already, but he's making the right call. No shame in calling it a day after this long, after all he's accomplished.

[Bruce]

Surprised rebuilding Lakers allows Kobe to take shots at the rate Kobe was in prime.

at the end of the day, however poorly Kobe plays, Kobe sells tickets chucking up shots.

Kobe is part of the rebuild. Lose as many as you can before you hang em up.

it certainly looks that way. If the Lakers can land the top 3 pick in the next draft, so far there are about 3 good players that are in the top 5 of mock draft boards. If the Lakers can land Ben Simmons or snag a big SF upgrade through free agency that would be perfect. That would mean replacing Kobe who is playing the 3 spot right now with a brand new high usage and natural SF.

In the last Pacers vs Lakes game, Kobe made a clutch 3 to make the game 104-103, with the Pacers still leading by one. The media has been eating it up like Kobe made a game 7 winner.

Russell drew comparison to James Harden back then, what's your verdict so far about his game?

I have always thought that MCW and Brandon Roy were better comparisons of the type of player Russel could potentially be. And up to this point, I think that is still spot on.

[Jackal]

Byron is bringing Randle and Russell off the bench tonight. Williams and Nance starting. Might be this way for next 10-15 games.

Somebody kill me.

Edit: just stab me. Kill me when we lose the pick to the 76'ers anyway.

[NovU]

I think Byron's doing this on purpose as instructed by management. Inconsistency everywhere in exception of planned rest and minutes for Kobe. Otherwise nothing is safe in LAL right now.

[Andrew]

Meanwhile, Kobe shot 50% on the night for his 21 points. Cue the "Hold off the retirement!" sentiments that I saw popping up elsewhere after he scored 31 against the Wizards.

Who knows what Scott's doing at this point. It's a throwaway season that's turned into a lacklustre farewell tour, but there doesn't seem to be much rhyme or reason to his experiments with the rotation, or a long term plan that they can start to transition into. I know he's a Laker legend and all, but I don't think he's the answer moving forward. If it's a former Laker they want in the role, perhaps Luke Walton will feel like looking for a permanent head coaching gig of his own next year.

[Jackal]

The Buss kids and Byron are making the organization in to a joke. Who in their right minds would want to come to LA with this level of dysfunction.

The Lakers are the new Clippers.

[Jackal]

Randle really needs to work on his game. He's a black hole on the offense. The head down, dribble drive leading to a wild shot/offensive foul is getting old.

He's putting up decent stats but can't say I'm a fan of his game right now. Liking Russell more and more as the season goes on.

[Kevin]

Teams are exploiting his move so much that he only shot 14% tonight. I'm a fan of Randle but shooting 33% as a big man in this league is just not going to cut it. Rebounding numbers are great...sometimes.

As for Russell, after the Minnesota game where he carried the Lakers in crunch time, he's been getting more minutes and he hasn't let coach down either. When he decides to cut down on the three point attempts, he should be good.

[Jackal]

God damn I'm glad we got the win over the Celtics.

Celtics fans being classy for a change at the end of the game. Jokes aside, that was nice.

[Stress Fracture]

Lou Williams exploded for 44 points in the 4th. Almost beat the Thunder.

Is it just me, or Randle is turning into a bad player?

[Jackal]

Lou Williams would be my pick to be dealt at the trade deadline (for a pick in the first round if possible). Bass has been playing better as of late as well. Hibbert has been garbage recently.

Randle is a black hole on offense right now. He's got that one bull move of his and it's terrible to watch. But he's still rebounding at a good rate in limited minutes and I've read they're going to re-work his shot this off season so hopefully that helps. He really, really needs to work on his right hand though. I'm not gonna say he's a bad player yet, it's basically his first year and he's young so let's wait a bit before writing him off.

Russell's got a fan in me. First time I bought a Laker jersey which doesn't have Johnson, O'Neal or Bryant on it. (First Christmas jersey too, but still.)

The Lakers need an athletic (defensive) big and a 3&D wing player. Basically what almost every other team needs in the league.

[air gordon]

And you've got a friend in me...

How do Lakers fans feel about minutes going to bass, williams, young instead of big minutes for Clarkson, Russell, Randle?

[Andrew]

Lou Williams exploded for 44 points in the 4th. Almost beat the Thunder.

44 in the game, 23 in the fourth. Regardless, quite a game from him, as you noted almost getting the win over the Thunder in the process. He probably should've taken the last shot rather than having Kobe iso on Durant.

[Jackal]

Just tank commander things. Russell had the rolled ankle thing and seems to be playing all right off the bench. He's just 19 so I don't mind him not being a starter. Around 28 minutes is fine.
Randle is a chore to watch on the floor right now. He reminds me of Clarkson in his first year. Always going full throttle. Chill young fella.

Young has been fairly decent this season. He's actually trying on defense. I'd be cool with them trading Williams for a pick and Bass to anyone that wants him.

[stereoxide]

What a perfect storyline it will be if the post-Kobe Lakers get the number 1 pick and draft Ben Simmons and start another dynasty for years to come.

[Kevin]

There are actually rumors that the Lakers are going to offer Derozan a max contract come offseason. Russel-Derozan-Simmons-Randle-Hibbert seems legit.