After finding out on game day that they’d be without Kobe Bryant, the Lakers promptly went out and dismantled the Orlando Magic on Friday night. Of course, the Magic aren’t a much better, if at all, team than the Lakers but the team put on a strong performance down their centerpiece player and a further diminished wing rotation with Wes Johnson also sitting out.
Tonight, it’s not yet clear if Kobe will be back in the lineup — he’s listed as questionable — though Wes will reportedly return after missing several games with a bad hip. Wes’ return will help with depth and will likely bring some normalcy back to Byron Scott’s rotations as he will likely return to his normal spot in the starting lineup.
In saying that, though, I’d be lying if I said that I believe that is all for the best. The Lakers are not good enough to make the playoffs and hunting wins on a nightly basis may not even be the best strategy considering the draft pick implications. And while that doesn’t change the fact that the team is clearly trying to win games, they’ve not been very good at that, besting only the Wolves in the Western Conference and sitting a tidy 13 games under .500 with a 12-25 record.
At this point, then, why not try to find more minutes for the less established players on the roster and see if they are pieces who can improve this year while also getting a better look at them as potential long term fits. On the wing, this means finding additional minutes for Jordan Clarkson and Ryan Kelly while down low it means finding some additional minutes for Tarik Black. Byron took a nice step towards that on Friday when Kelly played a team high 35 minutes and Black displaced Sacre in the lineup in the 3rd quarter and ate into Davis and Hill’s minutes in the 4th. If he could do the same for Clarkson (maybe sitting Price or even giving him some of Ellington’s minutes), it would not be the worst thing in the world. After all, what does the team have to lose? More games? They’re doing that already with the strategy they currently have in place.
As for tonight’s game, the Blazers are again on the docket for the second time in four games. The last time these teams played Kobe sat out, the Lakers were on the 2nd night of a back to back, but played them surprisingly tough up in Portland. In that game the Blazers missed a lot of shots they normally make and the Lakers did a good job of sharing the ball offensively, keeping the game close in the process. The Blazers, however, showed their class late, with Damian Lilliard dominating the fourth quarter and pulling out a win.
Tonight, honestly, I expect to see much of the same. Portland is the better team and that is true whether Kobe plays or not. If the Lakers want to remain competitive, they’ll need much of the same things that worked for them in the last game to be there again, but to be completely honest I do not expect the Blazers to shoot as poorly nor for the Lakers to be able to generate the really good looks they did the last time they faced off. All I am hoping for, then, is what I mentioned above — for the younger players to get a bit more burn and for them to show some strides and ability in those extra minutes.
Where you can watch: 6:30pm start time on TWC Sportsnet. Also listen on ESPN Radio 710AM Los Angeles.
Simonoid says
For Warren.
The Lakers don’t have a chance.
There, now we should win this.
Slappy says
From the last thread:
“Every time Jeannie does an interview and rationalizes the Kobe extension by saying it demonstrates how the Laker organization treats their stars I immediately think of the storyline around Pau. Yes, he was well paid while he was here but he was also jerked around a lot. To the point he left money on the table to get away.
Jeannie, I think you need to come up with another spin on the Kobe contract”
Stuart, the far larger point is that the reasoning has a dark side, meaning, if you’re some stud free agent and you know they’re going to sign Kobe to this type of extension, then why sign on? Kobe’s value on the court doesn’t come close to matching his contract, so if you’re some stud free agent trying to win you go somewhere that doesn’t have the inefficiency that is Kobe’s contract. And it repeats, since if you’re a Durant, and you use your age 28 and 29 seasons on Kobe’s two year extension, then it isn’t too long until you take his place. So you end up with perhaps a 3-4 year window to win a title. And who wants that?
Rob Westbrook says
Totally agree with Darius’s post today. Great writeup. Let the young guys run. Developing them is more important than wins at this point. That said, I miss Kobe; he’s fun to watch when he’s playing efficiently. Hopefully he plays tonight and plays well.
devean george forever says
From Arash Markazi: “Before the season Kobe & Byron talked about minutes per game. Kobe was around 32, Byron played him more. Regrets it now.Says Kobe was right.”
So when Byron Scott says he is always looking out for Kobe, now we can all say thanks a lot!
Simonoid says
So Kobe is again out for tonight. Worrisome?
Ko says
You mean Kobe Nash. Playing one game a week now and scores 4 shoots 16%. And Jeannie thinks he will play 2 or 3 more years. 33 million in non-players and they want people to watch? So this was Jimmy’s plan? I think the Boston, Philly, Magic plans might be a slight bit better welcome to the Black, Kelly, Clarkson days.
More interesting and more intense. Gonna lose either way so let’s dump Hill, Young and Lin and get younger like the others.
Chearn says
Well, I guess many of you got what you wished. No Kobe! This way you can tank in peace. I hope the team goes out and wins games regardless of who’s playing.
BTW, I’m happy for Pau’s success in Chicago.
Let’s go Lakers!
Robert says
Wow – I really did not like the sound of Byron’s response to the “shutting it down” question.
J C says
Kobe is either injured or Byron is making up for overworking him earlier this season.
We all know it’s not Kobe-like to sit out.
To honor FBG’s guideline, I won’t speculate on the details, but I read that the team could conceivably be considering moving him. That seems unlikely, but it would explain his recent DNPs.
Or, they need to free up minutes for other players they intend to showcase for movement.
karen says
O this is bad, bring on the bench
tankyou says
@Ko, in addition to 33 mill you mentioned we have Randle’s leg break so 3 more million unable to play tonight. That’s why I say we never really saw what this squad could do, they likely wouldn’t have been great–but certainly better with a healthy Kobe, Nash, and Randle. How many teams in the league could seriously be competitive with 37million in cap space absent in a game? Not too many. So anytime this team even comes close to winning, especially against really good teams–we should be impressed. At this point playing tough and hanging in games is a decent accomplishment vs. teams like the grizzlies etc.
Ko says
JC
?
Huh
What
Unless they are working a deal with China there is zero chance he is traded.
Robert says
Last year when everyone was debating “shutting Kobe down” for the year, I said that the problem that I had with the logic was that it could be applied for the rest of his career. That is why I am concerned with Byron’s statements. What is to evaluate in terms of shutting someone down. Do the games matter? No. Will the player more fully recover if rested? Yes. Is there anything specific to be gained by the player pushing themselves and playing? No. Those were the answers last year. Those are the answers now. And those will be the answers next year. Once this conversation comes up, it never ends well, because the answers are already baked into the questions.
Ko says
Tank be difference in young guys going down and signing 2 on the down side of their career coming off big time injuries.
One is bad luck, the other bad management.
Ko says
young now shooting 20% last 4 games. And getting worse.
Ko says
Get Nick out of there fast.
Simonoid says
What the heck are the players wearing on their legs?
Seems like everyone on the team is wearing these shin guards or something.
Craig W. says
Slappy,
Have you ever considered what Jeannie said wasn’t spin, but her opinion of the situation? Presuming everyone is lying to you, just because they don’t share your opinion is just silly.
That doesn’t mean I think everything the front office says is ‘gospel’, but it does mean they don’t have to be lying all the time.
Sometimes life is complex and situations have multiple reasons for occurring.
J C says
Tanku
That’s a very good point.
A pickup like Tarik Black shows me the FO is still trying and is a nice reflection on management’s efforts.
Black is already proving his solid contribution the other night was no fluke.
How can you not like this guy?
Ko
Just something I read online.
Ko says
Like I said get Nick out. Another 1 for 9 gsme. Hollywood beats another one.
Ko says
Over
Hale says
Candy from babies
rubenowski says
I know this is unrelated but…I went to the Clippers game today. I know, I know…but hey who can turn down a free ticket? I really wanted to see Hassan Whiteside play. I read about him somewhere and was curious. I was not disappointed. He didnt even start and he had a double double in the first minutes of the 3rd quarter (he started the second half). He finished the game with 22 and 16 or something like that. He really reminded me of a healthy Andrew Bynum. He looked like an old school center. He has a nice jump hook, with both his left and his right. He’s not undersized. He was just really going after it. He completely outplayed Deandre Jordan. It was a really cool thing to see. Reminded me of the pre-Gasol years, when we were seeing Andrew grow before he got hurt. Here’s hoping he lands in a Laker uniform one day soon.
Ko says
At least we have memories.
West
Kareem
Magic
Nash
Kobe
J C says
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a player elevate his game more in the 4th quarter than Damian Lillard. He just has another gear.
Chris J says
Lillard is f-ing ridiculous. If starting a team today, he’s in my top three players from which I would choose — Davis and Curry being the others on my list.
Rob Westbrook says
Lillard over Durant, LBJ, Chris Paul? Gotta take Durant 1st or 2nd behind Davis..
Calvin Chang says
Kobe himself is probably thinking like Magic Johnson now.
Ko says
Kobe got clowned by the Clips. Even Barnes made him look 70. News of his worst game ever, 4 points, was put out around the world. He hasen’t played since. Yet the Bust family wants to hide the truth to save ratings and ticket sales. Tough to make Swag the new media darling when the guy is shooting 20% last 4 and 26% last 8.
TV and radio numbers are tanking and season ticket holders are selling their seats for half of face value. The Kobe, Nash show is exposed as a pipe dream and the Lakers FO is proven to be clueless and without a viable plan.
Luckily Jim Buss doesn’t own this site or the Internet and smart fans have seen the reality for awhile. These 2 years are the worst in Laker history yet the team makes the most ever.
Kind of like the stock market at all time highs while a record 56 million are on welfare. Lakers have become the Clippers and visa versa.
Truth is not a pretty thing sometimes.
rr says
Flea ? @flea333
Sumfin up with Kobe they ain’t telling us
—
Renato Afonso says
The Lakers are making an effort but they’re simply unwatchable right now… That’s all I can say because right now I’m not watching a full game…
BigCitySid says
Jovan Buha of ESPN: Scott hinted that though he hasn’t given it any conscious attention yet, Bryant could potentially sit out the rest of the season after the All-Star break.
“I haven’t thought about that yet,” Scott said. “I keep thinking about game-to-game right now. I haven’t gotten to that point. Maybe after the All-Star break, maybe we will start talking about something like that, if necessary.”
The topic of whether this version of Bryant helps or hurts is polarizing and has no clear-cut answer. But as long as he’s in and out of the lineup, the Lakers’ inconsistencies in role and production will continue.
Until there is clarity one way or another, everything is in limbo.
tankyou says
I want to see Kobe play, if its in the role he has played the last few games. I don’t think he disrupts the flow of the team/game when he takes a modest number of shots and looks to pass unless he has a nice look. Even if he can only play x1 week, that’s better than nothing!
IF we “shut down kobe” without him being actually injured than I will very upset. These are the final miles for Kobe, I hated seeing him play exhausted and jack up low percentage shots–but I did enjoy the occasional game where he was quite dominant on offense. I would assume most fans would rather see an occasional Kobe then no Kobe. If we continue to have 37million worth of cap space sitting/injured that doesn’t help anyone either. Ultimately this is entertainment, I watch to be entertained and can take joy in the small stuff sometimes, not just the wins.
At this point I have no idea what is going on with our rotations/minute allotments by Scott. Its starting to look like the entire season is just going to be one big experiment. Lin/Boozer can score/rebound like crazy one game, and get less than 20mins the next game–even when their counterparts are getting destroyed on defense as well. May as well start shipping people out, these guys must feel like Yo-yo’s with no clear understanding of how many minutes they will get even when they play well. I like Tarik Black and Kelly, but again they are roleplayers, hopefully great bench guys, or guys to fill in when the starters are injured–they aren’t starter material. Even Tarik Black, which is young enough to still be an unknown is being overrated at this point–I think we will see the reality right quick–he’s a high energy rebounder. Black seems to be much like Ed Davis to me, except perhaps a lesser defender but a better rebounder.
hop says
Nobody knows what Scott is doing but B. Scott. Everybody knew that the pace Kobe was on would not last, but Scott still over played him anyway. It hurted the team and it hurt Kobe. Get Scott out of there. When Kobe sits out he should starting Lin and Boozer but somehow he can’t see that. B. Scott doesn’t have a clue.
KenOak says
You guys crack me up. There are a handful of people on this board that, quite literally, hate watching Kobe play. They hate the player, hate the game, hate his shoes, and hate his smile. Hate. Hate. Hate. When he’s playing the narrative is that he’s shooting too much and taking shots away from the young players. He’s stunting the growth of the team! Now he’s out and these same exact posters are clamoring for him to play. It’s f’ing hilarious. Oh I want to see Kobe play **if he plays how I want him to play** lmao.
Anyway…I’m thinking Kobe is probably hurt and that’s why he isn’t playing. Kobe shut it down for the season voluntarily? Nah. Something isn’t right.
BTW- Ko.. this post had 34 comments before I submit this. You have 9 of them. Could you just restrict your vitriol to 1 or 2 posts if you’re going to say the same thing over and over again? You’re quite literally saying the same stuff from thread to thread.
@Darius. Thanks for persevering through this season man.
cactusdave says
I believe most of this is about getting Kobe to the point where he realizes that to continue as the principal actor in this goat rodeo only diminishes him and what he’s done with his career.
It’s commendable that the Lakers want to do right by him. But this is an embarrassment to a proud franchise that needs their marquee player for the past two decades, to man up, call it a career, let the FO and the coaching staff and the fans off the hook by recognizing that he’s through, and let’s all get on with life with the Lakers in 2016 and beyond.
BigCitySid says
-@ Hop, Scott is a straight company man. FO has signed off on whichever way this goes.
-Realistically speaking, it’s beginning to look like Kobe has accomplished all of his goals for this season. 1) he’s returned at a high level from two serious injuries, 2) he helped the Lakers get the mega contract from TWC, 3) he passed MJ on the all time scoring list, 4) and he’s being voted in as a starter for the all-star game next month.
-Realistically, what else can he accomplish of note this season? Help the Lakers keep their top 5 protected draft pick? If so,what’s the best way to do that?
Ko says
Ken
You are right. I am becoming a guy who talks to himself. Shoukd not be this important as I have no vested interest in this business. Things change and I am living in the past. Not like I get paid.
Self imposed hiatus here.
Thanks Darius. Great site with smart fans.
George says
Man, the Lakers are a mess.
Jim Buss is like George from Seinfeld, a ne’er-do-well who is clearly in over his head in his role with the team. Every decision, he has made has blown up in his face. How could he have thought that this Kobe — 36 years old and coming off of two major injuries could carry a team with less talent that teams Kobe in his prime could not help make the playoffs?
Aside from the personnel decisions/lack of decisions its his choice of coaches that is most glaring. MB was a Buffoon, MD was equally misplaced as he was the one primarily responsible for alientating DHoward and Pau. Now he brings in BScott who has so over used Kobe (in the early going) that he is collecting more DNPs than the Lakers are wins.
He should take a page from the episode where George does the opposite of what he would normally do. Maybe this is the only way that Jim can get this right.
Calvin Chang says
@Tankyou – Tarik Black’s game is similar to Ed Davis. However, his body is much wider which allows him to occupy more space and get better position. Both of them are great at what they do. Tarik Black’s ceiling = Ben Wallace. As for Kobe – it’s highly possible that since the playoffs are definitely out of reach, he might be thinking that there’s no point to risk getting injured. Maybe that’s why he’s sitting out many games. He wants to see what the youngsters can do. Triple-double Point Kobe is a big plus for this team. He’s still one of the best closers in the league.
Vasheed says
A quick glance at the top four teams gives a glimmer into how to build a successful roster. The only guy making 20+ million is Dwight Howard. For the most part teams spend 5 to 15 million per starter with perhaps a rookie contract thrown in the line-up. Then key role-players get about 3-5 million and then the roster is fleshed out with minimum contract guys or rookies.
I’m not pointing a finger strictly at Bryant’s contract. There are few guys on this roster who are paid in a way that corresponds to their actual production.
And here lies the biggest stumbling block for a rebuild in the next year. I doubt the Lakers will look to distribute their dollars wisely and fill out the whole roster. They are looking for the next standard bearer to succeed Kobe.
Stuart says
George: Love the reference to Seinfeld. I do like your idea about Jim doing the opposite of everything he would normally do. If only it were that easy.
Like most here, I’m not privy to the inner workings of the Lakers. Dr. Buss was a genius and relied upon a small circle of key advisors. This circle included (at different times) Bill Sharman, Jerry West and Pat Riley — each a genius in their own right. While its noble that Jim is attempting to run the Lakers as his dad did by playing his cards close to the vest and relying on a similar small circle of advisors (Mitch) — I think its unreasonable to expect the same results.
I recall in a previous interview with Jeannie, she was asked about whether she had pressed Jim to make room for Phil in the FO. Jim’s response was that there was no room for anyone else, that he and Mitch had it covered. Now, I suspect Jim said that primarily because he did not want Phil on the inside. However, it may be that Jim truly believes that he is capable of running the Lakers, virtually single handedly.
I would love to know how Mitch fits into this. I am hoping that he has offered sound advice and that Jim has overruled him. It would strike me as out of character, from what I have read about Mitch, that he would have endorsed many of the decisions which have left the Lakers in their current state.
I wish Jeannie would put her foot down and insist that Jim add another smart mind to the mix. It doesn’t have to be someone with more gravitas than Jim (like Phil). Maybe its just a young stud from a competitive FO that could be groomed into our next GM (Mitch is 60 yrs old after all). The Lakers could definitely benefit from some fresh perspective.
The pursuit of Carmelo, this past summer, has made me very concerned about the future. It seems that Jim is focused on the home run FA signing. He envisions signing an elite player with name recognition and the career stats to match. My fear is that Jim will pursue players nearing their 30’s who because of the mileage on their bodies can’t possibly deliver full value over the max contract they will demand.
Maybe another smart mind at the table can team with Mitch and just say, ‘No”.
nimble says
goodbye warrior,haters can finally rest in peace.
Robert says
George: “Man, the Lakers are a mess. … Jim Buss is like George from Seinfeld” You are focusing on the core of the issue. That is depressing : )
BCS: As I said at the top of the thread, the logic being used could have been used at anytime for the past couple of years. Why not just shut the whole team down? We could forfeit the games and get the first pick. What do we have to gain by playing?
cactusdave: “let the FO and the coaching staff and the fans off the hook ” No – we will be “on the hook” until the end of 16 no matter what. “Goat rodeo” Nice – that is a good description.
KenOak: I have been saying that something is up and I have not gotten anyone’s attention. If Kobe shuts it down, we will see what rock bottom looks like. PS: You left off Kobe’s haircut. It was another reason everyone hated him in the beginning : )
Robert says
Stuart: “put her foot down” So bringing in a 3rd GM (we already have 2) would be putting her foot down? Why do we need Jim? If Jeanie is “The Boss” can’t she do what she wants? Oh wait – maybe she is not “The Boss”
Calvin Chang says
@Robert: You’re right – Jeanie is not the boss. It’s a family business, and it looks like Jim said “I’ll run the bball ops, while you run the day-to-day office (non-basketball related) operations like PR, sponsorship, ads. Let’s try this for X years and see what happens.” Although Jim has not done a good job so far, we’ll have to trust that he’ll step down in 2017 if the Lakers are still a bad team.
rr says
Robert,
Presumably Jeanie wants her brother to succeed, and probably has not made up her mind yet that he is incapable of doing so. You of course have already made that call, and others are getting there. But I presume that she wants to see how FA plays out in 2015 and 2016 and how the 2016-17 team looks before making a change.
Like I said, if the team is still really bad in 2016-17, then I think Jim will be moved to a smaller role. The tricky thing will be what happens if the team is just OK.
Stuart says
Robert: Jim seems fixated on managing the Lakers as his father did. My point is that even Dr. Buss was not afraid to have really smart counselors sitting at the table with him. Perhaps Jim would benefit from bringing in some fresh perspective. I think we can all agree that the Lakers are at a critical junture. If Jim makes the wrong decisions in the near term the team could be paying for them long after his self imposed three year window has closed.
Regarding Jeannie and who’s the boss. Its just my opinion, but she seems tied to her dad’s wishes that Jim run the basketball side of things. Out of respect for her father she is not going to push Jim aside. However, you notice that in virtually every interview she brings up Jim’s three year window to turn things around or step down. She wants everyone to know that its not her timetable but Jim’s.
Robert says
Stuart: Jerry Buss never meddled in the Laker operations the way Jim does. Jerry made the big decisions, and let guys like Jerry West, Pat Riley, Mitch, and Phil Jackson run the team. Jim is a co-GM. In fact he is the GM. This is not acceptable because he is not qualified. If Jeanie is “The Boss” she should set the timetable, not Jim.
rr: Wanting you brother to succeed is nepotism enough. Having your brother set timetables, and having to negotiate with your brother is nepotism way too much.
Jerke says
@ robert – I don’t think its necessarily nepotism – it’s a family business and there is so much stuff behind the scenes despite her statements that I’m not entirely sure if Jeannie actually has the real power to fire her brother nor would she want to engage in any sort of power struggle with him regarding the basketball side of operations when she has no expertise in that side either. I mean, we’ve been told that it was sorta Dr Buss’s wishes etc.. for Jeannie/Jim to handle their respective sides of the Lakers etc… but thats very different from each of the Busses having a respective stake in the Lakers as a business – Jeannie might be the boss on the flow chart technically, but if push came to shove who would really win if things got cantankerous and devolved to a legal/financial controlling interest levels? Does anyone have any info on what the actual inheritance/legal directives were from Dr. Busses will? For all we know Dr. Buss could’ve bequeathed basketball operations entirely to Jim Buss for the remainder of his life lol.
Quite frankly, I think Jeannie is very happy to let Jim set timetables on his own and make those public because it then takes the hard decision making out of her hands – when 3 years are up, she can have that conversation w her bro and if the Lakers aren’t on the upswing w a long term plan then its real easy for her to say “ya know about that promise you made… yeah I might need to take you up on that”. It’s likely a bit of a good gesture on Jim’s part as well to take the pressure off her.
T. Rogers says
Robert,
Your last post was gospel. That was the greatest attribute of Dr. Buss (among many great attributes). He knew when to get out of the way and let the guys he hired go to work. I’ve never understood why Jim needed to be co-GM with Mitch. As obnoxious and overbearing as Cuban is even he doesn’t go that far.
R says
Well, Jerry Buss was one of the best owners in U.S. Professional sports, let alone the NBA. A very tough act to follow. I’m inclined to cut Jimmy a little bit of slack for that reason alone. But wait, there’s more: the new CBA is well, …. New! There’s a wee bit of a learning curve here.
Stuart says
Robert: Believe it or not we are on the same page. I am not a fan of the current structure of Lakers Management.
Ordinarily, succession issues don’t create as much drama as we see playing out before our eyes. That is because owners usually delegate basketball decisions to basketball people. For some reason, Dr. Buss saw the Lakers as a way to gainfully employ all of his children.
I think I have already passed through the stage of grief you are going through regarding the mess that is our Lakers. There is no worldly reason that Jim Buss should have so much power unless his dad owned the team. Well, guess what — his dad did own the team.
What I’m trying the say is that while it is true Jim is not qualified to be VP of Basketball Operations, he holds that position. And according to Jim and Jeannie (and I assume with the blessing of the Lakers Board of Governors — where you’ll find more Buss siblings) Jim will be there for at least three more years.
My thought process is this, if we are stuck with Jim for at least three more years let’s make him bring in smart people. At least Jim won’t be making decisions in a vacuum. Left to his own devices I am very concerned about what he will do. A couple of ill placed max deals could impact the team negatively for years into the future.
Bottom line: If Jim is not going anywhere let’s at least make sure he doesn’t blow the place up while he is here.
Chearn says
10jan2015- On January 2, in the game against Memphis I watched Kobe speak to the trainer several times in which two of those times the trainer and Kobe went to the locker room during the competition. During timeouts, Kobe stretched his back that suggests to me that something is off kilter in that regards.
I posted a similar post on January 3.
Kobe is not missing games by his preference. A body in motion stays in motion.
Trip says
Not to throw gasoline on the fire that is Jim Buss and the Lakers, but I often times look at what the Celtics are doing and wish we had the guts to go down that path. If you recall, 3 years ago Danny Ainge had three future Hall of Famer’s on his team: Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett. He could have kept them together trying to capture lightening in a bottle for one last Championship run. Instead Ainge knew his team wasn’t good enough to win so he developed a plan to acquire enough assets to give himself the flexibility to make the team better going forward.
Here is a list of the assets Ainge and the Celtics have acquired:
2015
Own the Clipper’s 1st round pick
Own the Sixers 2nd round pick
Own the Wizard’s 2nd round pick
2016 (Could be 6 of the top 35 picks)
Celtics 1st round pick
Net’s 1st round pick (lottery protected)
Maverick’s 1st round pick (lottery protected)
Cav’s 1st round pick (lottery protected)
Sixers 2nd round pick
Heat’s 2nd round pick
Grizzlie’s/Maverick’s 2nd rounder (which ever is better)
T-Wolves 2nd rounder (assuming that the Wolves finish with a poor record)
2017
Celtics/Nets 1st round (Celtics have the right to swap picks if they choose)
Cavalier’s 2nd round pick
2018
Celtics 1st round pick
Nets 1st round pick (unprotected)
Celtics 2nd round pick
2019
Celtics 1st Round
Grizzlies 1st round
So, yes, I would say that Danny Ainge has a lot of flexibility. Oh and I forgot to mention that even though the Celtics are over the cap this year they project to go under it next year and way under the year following that. Also, did I mention that the Celtics have a young core to build on already.
Aaron says
I am not worried about the FO until they sign Kevin Love to a max deal.
T Rogers says
Aaron,
That would be a travesty!
LKK says
Unfortunately, I think a large part of the problem is that the Lakers’ FO is grossly underestimating their fan base. I think they believe that Lakers fans won’t sit still for a complete rebuild. Hence the “all the eggs in one basket” approach concerning free agents. Their reasoning is flawed, IMO. I think the Lakers have a very sophisticated, albeit somewhat spoiled, fanbase. We realize the team can’t win every year, as much as we would like them to. I can live with starting from scratch, but when I see the team get absolutely nothing for Gasol, Howard and Kaman, three bigs with All Star resumes, it boggles the mind. An over-reliance on Kobe Bryant has long been a flaw of this organization. Superstars are great, but they need a good team around them to be fully successful. Our Lakers’ FO have to learn to team build incrementally as so many on this site have suggested. The all or nothing philosophy has left them with nothing except a glorious past.
J C says
Kobe practiced today, so hopefully he will play tomorrow night!
That would be nice, because I’ll be there to watch him duel against his arch-nemesis Dwayne Wade. (broken nose, all-star game a few years ago)
Yes I bag on KB a lot but he’s still the best show in town.
We only complain when we care!
(Like Ko)
Anonymous says
rr: Wanting you brother to succeed is nepotism enough. Having your brother set timetables, and having to negotiate with your brother is nepotism way too much.
—
Well, yes, but this is how Jerry Buss wanted it, which, I am sure you recall, was one of the big lines of defense at SSR. The other way to defend Jim is, still, The Veto.
But the bottom line remains the same: Jim’s big decisions have not been working. If they work, no one cares about nepotism. If they don’t, it doesn’t matter how smart he may actually be or how many little decisions work. Several months ago, I noted that his next three big decisions would be/are:
Kobe’s deal
New coach
draft pick
Deciding to keep cap space open for FA in 2015 and 2016
Not many people seem to be happy with Scott, and Randle is out for the year and just had another surgery on his foot. Also, as noted the FO offered a max deal to Carmelo Anthony, who is almost 31, is probably going to have surgery and shut down for the year.
Victor says
Trip: Wow, I had no idea that the Celtics had so many selections over the next few years. In a hard cap league having access to young controllable talent is gold. As much as I dislike Boston they have given themselves a ton of assets to reshape their roster: picks, cap space and a GM that isn’t afraid to make trades.
I know that many will say that there is no guarantee that the picks will amount to anything. Or, they’ll say that the Celtics run the risk of having too young a team. While it is true – not all the picks will pan out. I don’t think the Celtics are limited to just having a young team – like say the Sixers. Ainge has cap space and assets to make trades to acquire key veterans.
I really like what Ainge has done. This is in stark contrast to what Jim and Mitch have done.
– The Lakers have no plan. The ‘We’ll lose but not too much” approach has put one of the few assets (top 5 pick) in jeopardy.
– The Celtics allowed their veterans to leave (Allen) or traded them (Pierce and Garnett). The Lakers resigned Kobe to a contract that essentially assured the madness we are experiencing now.
– The Celtics have aggressively turned every player asset into picks and future flexibility. The Lakers have let DHoward, Pau, Meeks and Kaman walk for nothing. We continue to retain assets that would garner a return (Hill, Young and Lin) because I guess it’s better to lose while being entertaining.
– Celtics fans are hopeful of the future – 18 picks over the next 4 years!. Laker fans rejoice because at least we are guaranteed to have Houston’s 1st round pick this year.
The Celtics pick a young smart aggressive coach — who has a successful track record- – to build around. The Lakers pick a retread with a marginal record.
I know people will say that look at the standings – Boston only has two more wins than the Lakers. But ask yourself Lakers fans who has a better chance to turn the corner before 2020: the Celtics or the Lakers? As much of a Lakers fan as I am – I honestly think Boston will get there first.
The Lakers have only two things going for them, they have their pick this year and cap space. Our FO seems bound and determined to give our pick away and use our cap space on the next 30+ year old fading elite FA. I am not optimistic about our future – not when it’s in Jim’s hands.
tankyou says
Swaggy Nick Young has been a big disappointment this year thus far. Besides a handful of games where he shot amazing, he is pretty much a one trick pony. So Nick Young currently is only averaging 2.4 rebounds a game at SF which is less than Jeremy Lin! 1.0 Assist per game, still crap, and now down to 37% shooting–and he’s our 2nd leading shot taker/scorer. Clearly we can’t have a streak shooter be our go to guy, and when he’s missing (like lately) he is basically worthless to have on the court. If he’s shooting poorly he’s just hurting us big time. But I guess he’s a warm body that can play, and we tend to be short on those.
Honestly despite Boozer’s obvious shortcomings defensively, he is playing offense at a high level. So I would give him more burn–especially when they play teams with offensively weak PF’s. Still don’t understand even within this compromised roster why Ronnie Price (31) and Young (29) are now two of our go to guys. At least with Swaggy he is under contract for awhile and Ellington/Clarkson are a bit too small to play SF. Personally despite how funny Swaggy is, I would try and package him in a trade if possible, and give Clarkson/Lin more minutes for development or more mins to help boost Lin’s trade value.
BigCitySid says
-@ Trip, nice write up about the Celtics. One has to figure Boston will turn those picks into at least 2 or 3 core players between the drafting &/or trading of some of those picks.
-@ LLK, pertaining to the Laker fanbase. In my humble opinion, I don’t believe the Lakers or Knicks for that matter, give a lot of thought to their hardcore basketball fans in situations like this. They appear to focus more on the casual fan and their disposable income. Teams NYC & L.A. have lots of competition for the entertainment dollar. Lakers and Knicks know their hardcore fans aren’t going anywhere, but if they don’t have established big names on the roster, casual fan, tourist, and “big event people” do something else…like Clipper games in L.A. & Broadway shows in NY (can’t say Nets games). Part of the package of being a fan in one of the entertainment capitols of the world.
George says
Trip: One of my dreams in life is that the Lakers will overtake the Celtics as having the most championships. So, whenever the Celtics do something right or are poised to get an advantage over the Lakers I get a little miffed. It would irritate me to no end if Boston turned the corner before the Lakers.
The disparity of draft picks between Boston and LA over the next 4 years is drastic. If I counted correctly the Celtics have 18 (1st and 2nd) selections and the Lakers will have 4 (two #1’s, Houston and ours, and two 2nd rounders). Ainge has been obsessed these past few years about trading players for picks. The Lakers on the other hand have focused on cap space and have just let folks walk (Dwight, Pau, Kaman, Meeks and Farmar). I kind of wish we had more to show for those guys — you’d think there would be a way to get picks or young talent along with creating cap space.
About the only thing the Lakers can hang their hat on is the fact that we are historically more attractive to FAs whereas Boston has not. Let’s hope that Jim and Mitch ‘choose wisely’ about who to spend cap space on. The Lakers really have very few assets to turn this ship around other than cap space.
Robert says
Trip/BCS: At the end of the last decade, the Spurs, the Celtics, and the Lakers all had the same reality of an aging core. They were faced with the decision of breaking it all up, or getting the band together for a couple more gigs. The Spurs successfully kept the band together. The Celtics broke it all up and are reaping the bounty as per Trip’s e-mail. The Lakers took a third option. Not exactly sure what it was – but I know the results.
Stuart: I am with you. Your post is of course reasonable, but I think we are beyond that. Do corporations do that? When a CEO fails, do they bring in a co-CEO? Let alone 2? No – they get rid of the guy who failed and bring in new personnel. We need to do that. If Jeanie can’t see that, then she needs to be replaced as well. “let’s at least make sure he doesn’t blow the place up while he is here.” Well – I think we are a little late for that.
rr: “this is how Jerry Buss wanted it” As you know, Jack Kent Cooke sold the Lakers to Jerry Buss. JKC ended up being one of the greatest owners in football history and JB was the greatest owner in all of sports. When they died, they left complicated wills containing trusts which dictated what happened to their respective teams. However in both cases, their oldest son was the keeper of the family’s prize possession. The results of this faith put in that son are astoundingly similar. Washington has not been to the Super Bowl in 23 years.
T Rogers: Yes – How spoiled we were. Jerry Buss, Jerry West, Riles, and Phil. The greatest minds in the game, and you are correct Jerry Buss recognized it and let everyone flourish. If Jim had been in Jerry’s shoes, 20 years ago, he might have called Jerry West and said: “Are you sure you want to trade Vlade for Jelly Bean’s son?”
Baylor Fan says
For the NBA, 30 is rapidly becoming the new 40. The elite players log more minutes than ever per year and more modern rehab techniques cannot keep up with the wear and tear on their bodies. None of the players the Lakers have targeted in free agency have been able to play all 82 games since signing with new teams. The Lakers need a new model for how to rebuild the franchise. Putting all the eggs into the aging superstar basket does not appear to be the way to go.
jason Mccarthy says
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https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lal-basketball-alarm/id932727622?ls=1&mt=8
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.footballalarm.losangeleslakersfree
. Shows you the time left for the next Lakers game.
. Rings an alarm before the game begins.
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Thanks, bye! ?