After a hard fought — and closer than expected — game against the Thunder on Friday, the Lakers are back in action tonight against the Jazz at Staples. The team will be shorthanded, however, with multiple key players out of the lineup:
Status change for Kobe Bryant, who is now out due to a right Achilles strain. Brandon Bass (eye) and D'Angelo Russell (ankle) are also out.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) January 10, 2016
Kobe is a late scratch, but Bass was already doubtful and Russell was ruled out after he was unable to finish the game after trying to play against OKC with the roughed up ankle from the sprain he suffered against the Kings.
With three of the Lakers 9 rotation players out, it will be interesting to see how Byron compensates. (Note, it is unclear if Tarik Black or Ryan Kelly are even in Los Angeles as I read a report that they were supposed to play for the D-Fenders in Santa Cruz today as part of the D-League Showcase). Odds are Anthony Brown and Nick Young will see a load of minutes and that Marcelo Huertas will also see time as a backup PG.
If Black is not available, it will be interesting to see if Sacre is used or if Nance sees some minutes at C. The Jazz are a big team — Gobert is back from injury and two 7 footers in Tibor Pleiss and Jeff Withey backing him up, so I’d expect Sacre to get burn. But trying to speed up the game with a Nance/Randle pairing might do some good, especially since the Jazz play at the slowest pace in the league. Odds are if the Lakers are content to play at Utah’s tempo, they will get hammered down low.
The main key for this game, though, will be how the Lakers deal with the Jazz’s perimeter players. Or, at least, how they deal with Gordon Hayward. The SF is one of the better players in the league and gives the Lakers fits every time they see him. Anthony Brown has good size, but will likely be tested by Hayward’s craftiness — especially when navigating screens, both off the ball and in the P&R.
Lastly, the Lakers will need to manage their defensive backboards. If Favors plays (he is questionable), he and Gobert go hard to the offensive glass and both are successful at it. Nance, Hibbert, and later, Randle will all need to work hard on the glass to box out with the perimeter players helping down in the paint to secure rebounds. The Lakers’ guards are good on the glass, but they’ll need to give even more effort tonight.
Where you can watch: 6:30pm start time on TWC Sportsnet. Also listen on ESPN Radio 710AM Los Angeles.
KO says
So Mensa Scott forgot Kobe told him in 4th quarter his Achilles hurt but still put him back in. Yet he still has a job.
And 3 guys out but Kelly and Black still sent to D League so as not to upset those 800 fans watching that game.
And people think this team is trying to win?
Funny!
KevTheBold says
Thanks Darius,
Let’s hope Randle has a comeback game against Trey Lyles tonight.
Anonymous says
Ko
I don’t mind KELLY being out.
It gives us more Sacre!
Actually bummed cuz the two players I love watching – Kobe and DAR – are both out, so I’m down to seeing Hibbert and his high-fly act.
Fern says
This game has been brutal so far, if the Jazz didn’t start as bad as the Lakers we would be behind by 20 already…
Mid-Wilshire says
It’s the end of the 1st quarter (mercifully). At this rate, Utah will win the game 60-56.
KevTheBold says
Clarkson is our rock !
And Metta is back !
rr says
Huertas/Young/Metta/Randle/Sacre is not a legit NBA lineup.
rr says
Nance and Randle on the floor together.
Tim says
The experiment of playing Nance Jr and Randle at the same time has begun.
rr says
Nance trying to guard Hayward in space.
Robert says
rr: You need to think like a Byron basher. He put that line up on the floor, so therefore it is his fault. A new coach would reshuffle those players and all would be well.
KevTheBold says
Ok now Lou needs to stop. One good game and he thinks his streaky shooting days are over.
Mid-Wilshire says
At half time, A. Brown is 0-3, Nance 0-5, Hibbert 1-4, and Lou W. 1-5. That’s 4 starters who are shooting a total of 2-17.
Wow.
KO says
By far least talent in the NBA. Mean while Knicks 1 game under .500.
Sure glad Jimmy Boy drove off those Phil and West clowns.
Mid-Wilshire says
This would have been the perfect game to give Tarik Black some burn. The D League is unimportant.
The Lakers are seriously short-handed. Black should be playing.
J C says
Robert
Here’s a Kobe alert for you-
Without Kobe (and Russell), the Lakers are….
Horrible.
A 30-point half. Wow.
After a few competitive games we’ve come back to earth with a thud.
The pendulum swings – with a vengeance.
KevTheBold says
Nance is gun shy tonight.
KevTheBold says
I take that back, Nance 1 of 7.
Time to bring Randle back @ 2/4
Robert says
J C/Ko: Ignore the Pelton article, ignore the line up on the floor, and ignore our record. The FO has it all under control. And don’t forget – it is all Byron’s fault : )
KevTheBold says
Cheer up fellas, it’s an ugly game for both teams, no blowout, we got to see Randle/Nance together, and adds zip against a draft pick.
KO says
Brown shooting 21% from field.
Hibbert, Brown Marcelo and Metta are the 4 worst offense players I can remember.
Sure Black and Kelly must be worse?
Mid-Wilshire says
Painful.
Fern says
Um, you guys realize that there was no Kobe, DAR or Bass available tonight right? There is a big chunk of the offense right there, Tarik should have played that’s inexcusable. What he did to Byron? Good Lord!!! Shorthanded as we are right now a win even against the Jazz would had been really surprising, at least we didn’t got blown out…
rr says
Mid,
Remember what KB said: “There’s so much beauty in the pain of this thing,”
Chris J says
“Sure glad Jimmy Boy drove off those Phil and West clowns.”
We all get it — you hate Jim Buss. And that’s a reasonable position. But to blame him for Jerry West’s exodus from Laker Land back in 2000 is just absurd.
West couldn’t coexist in Phil Jackson’s realm, so he bolted and has since worked with two other Western rivals. His absence has nothing to do with Jim Buss.
Fern says
@Chris, i read that nonsense too, i guess Jim Buss is the source of everything bad that had happened to the Lakers the last 60 years we get it, at this stage i ignore it and move on…
KO says
Sorry Chris but that is what you read not the truth. I had drinks. With Jerry one week before he announced his leaving at resturant in La Jolla.
Much more then Phil. A prior promise of ownership and control which was reneged later was primary reason. Jerry loved the Lakers and someday may join his son if Jimmy ever leaves.
Media only reports what they are told if they want to retain access.
Tks
rr says
off-topic, but DS put it up on Twitter:
RIP David Bowie.
lesha says
it´s sometimes sad to see how pessimistic the comments are regarding some of the players, byron or the front office. after a good game all is well, and during bad games some of you (obviously not everyone) pretend like the lakers are the worst team on earth at the moment.
have some perspective, please. there is a reason why byron has been coaching for ages, the lakers are not he only team to give him a job. of course he will make mistakes (who doesn´t) but judging by the development of our young core this season (please just think how they looked in summer league) he and his staff are doing a terrific job. not many coaches could handle kobe and such a young core without losing their shit. i think his calm demeanor is helping a lot actually.
randle will need more time, but the effort and athletic ability are there – all will be good.
enjoy the process of putting a team together from scratch this summer while at the same time having a nice young core and a chance at a high draft pick. what else do you want after so many years of winning?
KevTheBold says
Lesha, though I may not agree with everything you believe, the optimism is much appreciated !
I personally find it amusing how some tend to trash a person’s whole career based on a few with games, with the so called “eyeball” test.
Anyway good to see some sunshine, we could use it here, as no matter what eventually occurs, pessimism does a body bad!
Lesha says
thanks for the kind words kev. I read this blog a lot and almost never post, but it got too sad reading one pessimistic comment after another :).
Going to fly to LA from Vienna in March to (hopefully) see a couple games with Kobe playing. Started watching the Nba during his rookie year and never stopped. I could take the Lakers losing 10 more years and not give up on the team for all the joy they’ve given me over the last 20 years.
KevTheBold says
Lesha, it’s nothing to mention. But I thank you !
I’m with you all the way on the Laker ride. It’s been mostly through the clouds, thus some dips through the valleys are not unexpected, nor all lacking in exciting or interesting moments. To see kids grow up before your eyes like we enjoyed from Kobe, are times to treasure.
I for one would welcome your posts, us optimists are a minority on this board, even though Darius seems to fall into our camp.
Fern says
LOL, sometimes i read some hilarious stuff here… LMAO
KevTheBold says
KO, I didn’t realize you had access to the Logo,.. tell him that Jerry would wanted him to bring his kids along despite their flaws.
I never thought I’d say these words, but I sure hope we snag Walton, and he brings some of those insights full circle.
Snarky George says
KO, my understanding was that West left while Dr Buss was in charge. I had heard it was a combination of:
a) Phil and Jeanie’s early relationship giving PJ the upper hand in the organization and Phil lauding it over West. The Lakers were winning and Phil was the golden boy. (This was before Dr Buss/Jim soured on Phil because they felt he was using Jeanie to get control of the team)
b) the promise of ownership and increased salary was pulled.
Now, Jim certainly had the chance to bring West back before JW got too involved with the Warriors. I think Jim felt that he had this under control and that his multiple elite free agent strategy was destined for success. Why bring back JW,who would get all the credit, when Jim could do it himself?
I don’t begrudge Jim for not giving basketball control to Phil. PJ is all about PJ. I do think Jim should have brought back JW because the Lakers have needed his gravitas and insight.
Anonymous says
Walton would be #1 on my list as well. However, with Kerr’s health likely to be an on-going issue I don’t see how the Warriors let him go. I think GS would be forced to pay him boatloads to be the #1 assistant for a couple of years until Kerr proves he can stay on the sideline or not. If Kerr can’t coach due to his back I think they would want Walton.
KO says
George
Yes and no. Jerry was grooming his son to take over which West was not expecting. The fights vetween West and Phil was a factor but the promise of control and % of ownership was main factor.
Meeting in SD was with very wealthy group who were putting togeather attempt to bring NBA back to SD and make Jerry President and a owner. Deal fell through.
I was there because for 22 years I ran an entertainent managenent company and one of my music clients was involved. That was my only access to Jerry West.
Fern we all are Laker fans. Some of us have different backgrounds, careers, education, contacts and llve in different cities from Compton to Beverly Hills to Europe etc.
What makes this forum great is we are allowed to weigh in on an equal basis in spite of our history or contacts.. Point is don’t judge others backgrounds based on a few words on a blog.
Anonymous says
From Mark Stein’s NBA Weekly Power Rankings. The Lakers are 29th out of 30 teams.
___
We saw some good evidence last week that D’Angelo Russell is finding ways to develop even though this season, as Mitch Kupchak explained with refreshing candor, is all about Kobe, Kobe, Kobe. We also saw Lou Williams’ first 40-point game, offering some distraction from the fact L.A. is the only team in the bottom five of both offensive and defensive efficiency.
Anonymous says
KO- great insight. Problem is, you are pointing fingers at the wrong Buss kid. Who is the one who is in a relationship with Phil? Who would prioritize a return of Phil in any capacity over the Logo? Who would have a meltdown if the Logo returned since it would mean Phil would never get a shot at the Laker FO?
Nepotism is at fault here. But its Dr Buss fault for leaving the keys to the kingdom with his kids. All of them are culpable here. Your hatred for all things Jim related – and no one else – is what makes your comments seem irrelevant and biased.
Anonymous says
I, for one, welcome this loss. Lets lock the 2nd worst record. That’s what matters. BScott is a terrible, terrible coach. But this is exactly what we need now.
J C says
Haven’t made a secret of it – Jerry West was my childhood idol and his career arc thorough his days of management only enhanced my admiration for the man.
KO, thanks for sharing those fascinating tidbits, some of us drink it up.
Everyone seems to accept that Jerry’s insights and hoops wisdom are second to none.
I always thought it was PJ that somehow ran him out of town. I assumed West didn’t approve of PJ’s relationship w Jeannie and I figured PJ didn’t want West getting in the way of his master plan.
I loved PJ’s hoops acumen but I know he’s got a big ego. I did think he may have been a bit of an opportunist with regards to Jeannie. I’ve been paying attention and I haven’t heard anything about he and Jeannie getting married, even though they became engaged prior to Dr. Buss’ passing.
A Horse With No Name says
KO’s comments that he “had drinks” etc. are so very silly. They are no better than another poster saying he knew LeBron’s real estate agent and had the inside on LeBron’s impending decision to join the Lakers. (Yeah.) FWIW, I’ve heard a lot of stuff from well connected people but it really is in the realm of conjecture masquerading as fact. This site is better than that.
Robert’s obsession with Jim Buss as the locus point for all things amiss in Laker Land, at one time was mildly entertaining but is now in the realm of the pathological.
KO says
Horse is it possible that some people have lives outside this blog? You gave no idea what I do or did gor a living. 22 years years In ent. Biz had some perks. Relax.
Anonymous says
Mikhail Prokhorov on the Net’s strategy going forward. I can’t wait for our owner to say the same things about the Lakers FO changes.
__
“I can share with you what my strategy is,” Prokhorov said. “I think that I want us to have a much firmer blueprint [of] what kind of players we are looking for and why. There needs to be a strategic balance, developed with a new coach and with new GM. So I think we need to have a sense of identity and style of play. Are we building a team around franchise player, or are we balancing with younger athletes without superstar system, or are we about 3-point shooting or defense or speed?
Mid-Wilshire says
Horse,
KO having drinks with a notable here and there is actually entirely plausible. You see, he owns a high-end wine and spirits distribution company in Newport Beach that is well-known and highly regarded. His wine shop often receives visits from celebrities (and their agents). And he’s run “Guess How Many Wins the Lakers Are Going To Have This Year” contests on FB&G with the winner getting a nice bottle of wine from his shop.
I’ve been meaning to check out your shop myself, Ken, but I live in LA and I usually don’t visit Orange County because I have my reputation to worry about.
(I expect a reaction for that last, uncalled-for, snarky comment.)
KO says
Mid
Its OK we in Newport Beach have a new ID and passport rule before allowing LA residents into town.
It would be funny if Horse With No Name is actually ex- horse trainer Jim Buss?
Ok I will keep my stories to myself. Wine for all!
tankyou says
Mr. Rings, PJ did a good job in choosing Porzingis. He has a way to go, but he is looking better and better already. He definitely looks like he could be a Dirk type player, but he seems more athletic than Dirk. I think they got a winner there in that young guy, no iffy about him.
New York may very well turn the corner quicker, since I would bet they will be a bigger draw for experienced talent at least for the next few years.
In terms of Byron Scott, I stated many times that I had spent 3 years watching him before he ever came here. So I was utterly disgusted by the choice. But I’m also in the camp of just waiting out the year, then moving on, no point doing a mid-season change. What’s funny is Clarkson/Randle/DAR all look like guys that would likely do better in a MDA sort of offense. Next year will be telling, if nothing changes and they hold onto Byron for another year, Lakers will become a team I need to start watching rarely. This year is the least I’ve ever watched the Lakers that I can remember. Randle and DAR aren’t blowing my mind, they are definitely projects. And I think Clarkson is a decent player, but highly over-rated in terms of how good he is at this point. The best thing about Clarkson is he looks like a guy that can continue to get better on offense at least.
Please trade Lou Williams and Swaggy and get some guys who play some defense and might actually be around on our upswing.
KevTheBold says
Tankyou, with these types of posts, which clearly demonstrate the kind of loyalty you possess for our team, the only question I have, is why wait to jump on the NY bandwagon? The Lakers are clearly not going to rise to your demands this year.
I for one wouldn’t hold the jump against you, and this board would be a brighter place to visit.
matt says
Bring back pau gasol
J C says
As a former winner and reigning champion of Ko’s “how many wins” contest, I can testify that his wine is delicious.
It also tends to inebriate which may or may not be quite helpful when viewing this year’s team.
tankyou says
So are you just turning into a troll now KevTheBold? Because you are basically just trash talking me on the internet now. Perhaps learn reading comprehension, rather than reading things into what I type. Or just skip over whatever I type when you see my tag, how about that?
Thinking Porzingis is going to be a great player, by no means makes me want to be a knicks fan, that isn’t ever happening. Nor does being frustrated with our team for a few years make me overly negative, I’m pretty sure this is the consensus of everyone.
So you question my loyalty to the Lakers now? Why would I bother watching them still, not just this year, but last year as well? They are the first team I ever loved since I was a kid. Posts like that are just cheap shots and show your character at least in this type of forum. Maybe go to a different forum that just let’s posters berate each other in a personal manner, rather than debate opinions.
KevTheBold says
Oh, my reading comprehension is stellar. I think it more logical for you to read what you write, before you post it.
While your’e at it, look up the definition of “Loyalty”.
As for this forum, the most frequent, and I’m sure, Welcome, are Laker ‘fans’, not the fair weather crows, who whine, moan and threaten to ‘rarely watch’ a team which has won more true nba championships than any other, just because they go through some tough times.
Listen, we all feel the frustration, and many use the forum to vent, yet your constant tearing down our core, especially our #2 pick, who stands between us and continued failure, while praising another pick, and another team, makes a logical path for you, and for us, so don’t act shocked when you get called on it, especially in the most intelligent Laker forum I have ever enjoyed.
Thus in short, I’m not going anywhere, nor will I ignore insults to our team.
Keith says
Ben Simmons game on Saturday against the Florida Gators:
– The good: 28 points, 17 rebs and 4 assists (7-15 from the floor and 14-16 from the line)
– The bad: 8 turnovers and the Tigers lost the game 68 – 62
LSU is not a great team so its hard to criticize Simmons for the Tigers not having a better record than 9-6. Simmons lacks range on his jumper so he doesn’t project as a true SF. So the question is does he play PF, where Randle, Nance, Bass, Black and Kelly all play?
If the Lakers end up keeping their pick and have a chance to select Simmons does that require the Lakers to make other trades to get a SF with true range? Or does Simmons play making ability keep him at the Three and the Lakers need to acquire a Four who can stretch the floor?
Ingram is a Three and Bender likely grows into a Five. Each of them play positions of need. Does that make them more attractive? Or is Simmons a talent the Lakers couldn’t pass up?
We should be so lucky to have to make such decisions.
tankyou says
I’ve been a Lakers fan for 35 years. I’m allowed to have a different opinion than DAR than you! This is supposed to be a discussion forum. Some of us aren’t big fans of the pick, debate that. Don’t try and call me a fair weather fan or some other garbage. You basically said the forum would be better if I wasn’t posting here. That’s a personal attack as far as I’m concerned.
I’m allowed to like Randle more than DAR, but I acknowledge I don’t know how it will pan out. I hope BOTH end up being great though, because I certainly want us to be a winning team again within a couple years–hopefully.
Why don’t you go back and read Forum rule #5 because I think you broke that one, and #4 as well. Since you were clearly not discussing what I wrote at all. You can disagree with it. But you just went after me and now you infer that I’m not as “loyal” as you why b/c you like DAR more than me? This is the whole reason some older folks like myself have avoided blogs in general. Instead of arguing about differences of opinions, you just shoot the messenger. And yes if next year is as bad as this year, I will definitely watch the team less often, and doubt I’m the only one that feels that way. But the team hasn’t been great the entire 35years I watched them, but I suppose we should just constantly praise and support the team in a discussion forum. Then there is no real discussion then is there, just whatever the FO does or the Coach does, or whatever player we get–we just think its gravy then?
I’m not sure how your posts aren’t really a breach of forum rules Kev. But I think they should be, sorry I wasted my time responding to you.
Robert says
Wow – this thread has gotten “interesting”. Must be a bunch of fans rooting for a frustrating team.
Ko: For the record I believe the drinks story and I always enjoy your stories. When you originally said La Jolla I was thinking Vegas but I see you mean SD.
Horse: How are you dragging me into this? Perhaps you should stick to the other site where you post. You know the one – where it is cool to say #firebyron.
Kev: Realism should not be confused with lack of loyalty. tankyou has been posting for a while and is rooting for losing team, so loyalty is probably not an issue.
A Horse With No Name says
KO: I appreciate that you have a life outside this blog. (It was unclear given your volume of posts.) I’m well aware of your business, having read and posted here for awhile. But see, I could say that I know people with connections to the Lakers (which I do) and that I move in circles that I get “insider” information (which I do) because of my business interests and here’s what I heard: “fill in the story.” What does this do for the conversation? Not much, honestly. At it’s best, the internet allows for a level playing field of conversation between people from all walks of life. There are plenty of sites where this insider stuff is the currency of the realm, but thankfully, this site isn’t one of them–for the most part.
KevTheBold says
Tank, don’t confuse me with some youngster here, I have been a fan much longer than you, which is demonstrated how I handle rebuild years with perspective.
With regards to our picks, they are a done deal, have been for a while, so in essence your buyer’s remorse, for which you paid nada, is simply trolling.
As for personal attacks, I was, and am discussing exactly what you wrote, and am discussing the team, not your personal life.
Robert, Pessimism, does not Realism make.
Was it reality when posters like him declared DAR a bust?
As for him rooting,.. is that what you call it?
Don’t allow the familiarity of time posting in a forum, to be confused with the term of Loyalty.
Loyal fans don’t constantly berate their team when they are down in writing, then threaten to abandon them.
Fern says
YEP, hilariouuusss…
lil pau says
I am far more interested in discussing the development of our offensive schemes (which seem substantially improved of late) than I am in a pointless debate over the nature of fandom. If this is going to be the new normal around here, perhaps it makes sense to trifurcate FB&G into three subcategories– (1) analysis of the most recent game/breaking news, (2) individual player analysis, and (3) something akin to ‘the state of the lakers’. at least this would relegate debates about the competence of the FO to one third of the forum, a third I might choose to view with less regularity than the other two, just as others might choose to spend the majority of their time engaged in that specific discussion.
Anonymous says
Rule #1: Avoid on board discussions with extreme FO supporters. Nothing good can come from it. Nothing.
Anonymous says
If you are referring to Kev, he’s no fo supporter and not a hater either.
Mid-Wilshire says
Can’t we all be friends?
KO says
Horse you are right. I made a dumb post that had nothing to do with nothing. Will never happen again. Realized it too late.
Old stuff with no purpose. My apology as I respect and enjoy your posts.
Pimmmmm. Thats me slapping my own mouth.
Reading some posts we all look like a country about to overthrow the government caused by too much losing.
Not easy being a fan these days.
Mid-Wilshire says
Last night (January 10th) Tarik Black had 11 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals, and 4 blocks in 33 minutes of a D League game before fouling out. Here’s a few of his highlights:
http://dleague.nba.com/games/20160110/ladgrd/
KO says
That was D League Showcase game. Hence Kelly/ Black not with Lakers.
Think that is future trade baiting?
matt says
Bring back pau gasol, at power forward this time
tankyou says
That’s garbage Kev. IF anytime people here vent their frustration they are called out as being not a “Loyal” fan then people would constantly be berated. Saying the place would be “brighter without my posts” is just a slightly nicer way of saying leave. Then you double down on more non-basketball stuff. What are you the team loyalty police? This is the type of crap that you see on other blog posts where posters call out other posters constantly for non-basketball stuff.
IF you want to argue basketball than that’s pertinent. Telling me to leave, or saying I’m not a loyal fan is a personal attack of sorts. This is a blog posting, its still just baiting. I don’t have “buyers remorse” because I didn’t buy anthing, that’s right. As a fan I’m allowed to be frustrated with the players we pick up. Kev you just keep going authoritarian in your comments. And making meaningless comments saying I didn’t pay anything for DAR so I can’t critique the pick?? I call out Lou Williams far more, since I view that as a worse decision with how our team is built and given we have two key players that are guards that need lots of floor team–and our defense stinks.
Also I never threatened to “abandon the team” Kev, there is the lack of reading comprehension again, and you making up things. Out of frustration considering watching the team less, isn’t giving up on them. For some of us it’s just reprioritizing our time during a period of frustration, I watched every single game last season and they stunk then too. But you claim to talking about the team just to go back and try and make it personal once again. I’ve posted here for a long time and I discuss things with others and disagree, but I don’t start calling them disloyal or trying to tell them that the blog would be better if they didn’t post anymore. Apparently you just don’t get it, and if you really are older than me then I suppose I expect better, not more trolling.
lesha says
tankyou, if you would meet a fan that said “I really love team x, but i rarely watch them now because they´ve been sucking for years now and the fo is incompetent…” – what would you think? Come on now, be honest… sounds pretty bad. Just says that your interest and opinion on the team is depending on results and success I´d say.
This thread needs an intervention. I read here a lot. I can honestly say that Tank's posts never come across as angry and personal attacks. Kev, let's be honest you sometime cross that line -- you certainly have here. says
Agree to dis
Fulofunk says
I was just telling someone yesterday that the Lakers are my soap opera, my novela, and I should have included FB&G when I said it. Highly entertaining posts today. I have to admit, this blog is the first, and sometimes only site I visit every morning and today DID NOT disappoint. I greatly appreciate the insights, frustrations, predictions, and the ground rules DS has set forth. Yes, the rules get bent every now and again which cause some tempers to flair and postings to sizzle, but I am very greatful for the Laker “fix” I get here, where the dialogue is intelligent and classy and clean for the most part. KO, tankyou, MW, Kev,Robert,TempleOJW,and others, and especially DS…..keep it ALL comin. Laker Faithful have a very fortunate home in FB&G.
Todd says
This board is for all fans. Everyone has a right (within the Darius’ rules) to make posts.
The Lakers are awful for the third year in a row. The kids may or may not be what we need them to be – only time will tell. We’re on our third straight coach who doesn’t fit. The GM just said this year is a homage to Kobe, which is great on one hand but means its a lost year in terms of making real progress. We owe two of our next three picks to other teams. We have little talent with which to make meaningful trades. The prospects of a game changing elite free agent signing here is slim until the summer of 2017 or later. The Jim Buss FO is on the clock operated by his sister — which is the tip of the iceberg in terms of how dysfunctional team management is. So, yeah, there’s real trouble in Laker land.
Being motivated to speak out about any and all of those topics doesn’t make anyone less of a fan. In my mind the definition of a fan isn’t limited to pumping sunshine.
matt says
I’ve watched every game this year and my wife hates it, didn’t watch much last year, cuz randle went down, lin and boozer stunk immediately, only watched a little as clarkson emerged, this year i watch to see russell, and other prospects, and kobe can be fun, but the last game completely terrible. Was hoping randle would come through but he looks bad.
Stats says
Back to ball… Tarik had the lowest +/- in the last d league game by far. On the other hand, Kelly has been lighting it up in D league and looked good in limited garbage time with the big boys. would like to see them both get some minutes but hard to see when & where
matt says
Yeah coach scott was asked about switching up the rotations again, he says he thinks his current rotation works well, or the 1st unit looks good, my thought is “what is he talking about” against Sacramento they got blown out in the first quarter, extremely blown out, why would he think they look good, cuz lou williams had a once in a lifetime 4th quarter. Oh well, i guess hibbert is invisible to this coach, or maybe just no other option exists. Also im not a fan of playing kobe with 2 other guards, especially the ones we have.
BUT I’M NOT THE COACH, I’M JUST A FAN.
Darius Soriano says
Really guys? I was trying to stay out of this. Keep the discussion on the team. If the meat of your comment is about fandom or another person’s comment, odds are you probably just need to chill and take a walk or something.
david h says
Hey Darius “Moses” Soriano: this is what happens when you leave Edward G. Robinson left to stir the crowd into a frenzy…..
If the goal of the organization is to win another championship, I’m hooked for the remainder of my life.
Go lakers.
A Horse With No Name says
KO: Thank you for your response. I appreciate your maturity. My wine game is tight, so if I am in Newport Beach I’ll be sure to stop in.
rr says
Fandom: Directing other people as to how to root for their team and judging them based on how they root for their team are generally bad ideas. Also, anyone posting here regularly, given how truly awful this team is, is probably a serious Lakers fan.
Optimism/pessimism: Since Kobe went down and Howard walked, there has been a group of people, a few of which are either quieter or gone now, who have been telling us, often somewhat confrontationally, that the team is going to be better than people think, that the FO is smarter than we think, that the pundits are wrong, etc.—and the Lakers have been bad the entire time and just keep getting worse. So, people should be optimistic if they want to, but optimism doesn’t change the facts that Todd notes in his post. I also notice that some of the optimists are big Byron-bashers. The reason for that is obvious: Byron is the easiest thing to change. I don’t think Byron is a very good coach, but it may be that the FO needs to be changed and that the young guys just aren’t that good. There is evidence to support the latter two opinions. Time will tell.
Team: Nothing new–play the young guys, try to trade BB and LW, let Nance/Randle and Clarkson/Russell share some minutes.
KevTheBold says
Darius, Just not seeking to beat a dead horse, just some clarification here:
I know you have a difficult job trying to balance this forum, and long time posters would naturally have a priority it seems as they tend to gang up against anyone with which they they have had disagreements.
In this case however consider that all I did was point out to tankyou his own statement: “But I’m also in the camp of just waiting out the year, then moving on,”
To which, even though it’s there in clear as crystal clear type, he denied, and twisted away, then turned the conversation back on me with:
“So are you just turning into a troll now KevTheBold? Perhaps learn reading comprehension, ” “That’s garbage Kev. ” ..
Those are Personal, Darius.
Correct me if I am mistaken however, yet if a NY fan came in here and blasted our number 2 pick while praising their pick, would that not be a troll?
The lottery came and went months ago, and we all know the circumstances of our team composition and situation is completely different from NY. Last but would not our our pick’s stats push that conversation under the trolls bridge as well?
KevTheBold says
@rr, We all know your pov like the back of our hands.
You hate the FO, and will want all complaint funneled towards them.
I admit, it’s tempting to go that route, and you can post all kinds of semi-logical reasons why this should be the case.
However in my mind, it lacks compartmentalization which is imo essential for every problem we face in life.
Some mistakes yes, all mistakes no, who made what decision and what were the circumstances at the time which lead to that decision?
Is the coach making mistakes, yes, so why not address those versus the fo?
As for Optimism/Pessimism, your time frames are too limited, back up or take a birds eye view, and you will see the years in blocks of failure and success, and know that it makes for shortsightedness, to believe that the dark seasons are the norm, or are any more valid than the optimistic view that the clouds will pass.
Further, and only we Laker fans can say this: The optimists have been proven right the vast majority of the time.
Darius Soriano says
Kev,
To be fair, he mentioned he liked Porzingis (I do to) and added that he thinks Randle and Russell are “projects” which reasonable people can disagree with. You countered with asking him when he was going to jump on the NY bandwagon. Which, if we’re being honest, is probably something to be taken offense to. And *that* started the entire back and forth. So, what do you want me to do? I’m happy to delete all your guys comments and go from there.
Back when I first took over this site, plenty of people would talk about all kinds of other teams and players. Some in very flattering terms. Does that mean they don’t like the Lakers or are going to switch allegiances? As I wrote above, if any person decides that the nature of their comment is going to be almost entirely about what another person said and it’s *not* going to be about basketball, what is the point, really? To shame a guy into leaving?
I moderate this board. I read every comment. Some stuff is on the verge of going against the guidelines, but I’ll let that stuff fly since most times the community polices itself. However, when people go back and forth for 4, 5, or 6 comments simply going at each other and it has nothing to do with the Lakers, I’m going to say something. I read the exchange between you guys and it was silly. I’d suggest it stop before I make it stop.
Cheers to everyone and enjoy tonight’s game.
KevTheBold says
Darius, for clarification: The NY bangwagon was in response to “But I’m also in the camp of just waiting out the year, then moving on,”
If you want to delete the thread, by my all means I have no objection.
Darius Soriano says
Kev,
I know a lot of fans who are wanting to “wait out the year”. The end of this season should provide clarity on a direction for the team. We can find out some things during the season — specifically, how the young players are progressing — but, the off-season is when Kobe retires and they make a decision on the coach and we see if the Lakers keep their pick. That gives us more information on the team. Now, I don’t know what was meant by Tanks comment, but I didn’t take it as that of a bandwagon fan. You did, of course. But that’s on you, not because something inflammatory was said by the person you replied to. Just my two cents.
Darius Soriano says
Also, this is pretty much the last I’m going to say on this. Personally, like I said, I think the entire thing is silly. The Lakers are a bad team who have some reasons for fans to watch. But, if you’ve read recent reports, viewership is down on TWC Sportsnet for Lakers games be a pretty big margin. That’s because the team is bad and fans don’t like to watch a bad team. I can say I don’t like to watch a bad team. I still do, but I’m not going to kill someone over saying they don’t want to or don’t now with the same consistency they used to. Time is a pretty valuable resource for most people.
KevTheBold says
Darius, taken in context with the other comments, it was clear to me, but it’s over and I do thank you for your thoughtful replies.
matt says
Are yall arguing about rhe ny knicks, seriously, wow, the got porzingis, so now we gotta take a back seat, cuz their rookie is playing better than ours, , they locked in robin lopez and cauldron, darn we really whiffed on those guys, I’m so jealous of the ny knicks, gimme a break
Melo or kobe
5 rings ?
Marlee says
Hahaaahh. I’m not too bright today. Great post!