The Lakers have been pretty busy through the first 4 days of free agency. The signings of Timofey Mozgov and Luol Deng have added quality veterans who, even if not on the same timeline of the team’s young core, can still play quality basketball and will help move this team forward. Retaining Jordan Clarkson and Tarik Black have brought back two parts of that young core and guys who have proven (Clarkson, more than Black) they can be rotation players in this league.
Adding to these moves the drafting of Brandon Ingram and Ivica Zubac in June and the Lakers have reshaped their roster in needed ways. For a team which only won 17 games last year this should be expected, but it is still good to see. The team has filled needs and been decisive in doing so.
Their work, however, is not done. Counting all the above players, both free agents and draftees, the Lakers have a roster of 12 players (though, it should be noted, Zubac has not signed a deal yet). The roster minimum is 13 and the team can carry up to 15 players. So, there are still additions which can/need to be made. With that, let’s take a closer look at what the Lakers should still be targeting.
*A back up point guard. The Lakers extended a qualifying offer to Marcelo Huertas, making him a restricted free agent in the process. Should the Lakers simply bring back Huertas they will have filled this hole adequately enough. They can also look at a player with more NBA experience, but at this point it remains to be seen what a player like that might cost or whether that guy would be interested coming into a situation where he’d be clearly slotted behind D’Angelo Russell and/or Clarkson and Lou Williams. Huertas knows what that role entails and would be a nice fit.
*Another SG/SF type. The Lakers have a fair amount of combo guards. They also have Brandon Ingram, Luol Deng, and Antony Brown. Currently Nick Young is on the roster, but I don’t expect him to remain there through the start of the season. So, while the Lakers can always play somewhat small in the back court with any combination of Russell, Clarkson, and Williams, go bigger with Ingram, or simply play Brown, having another player who could step in and play real minutes wouldn’t be such a bad thing. A high priced option for this role is Allen Crabbe. More moderately/low priced options are Brandon Rush, Alonzo Gee, Rasual Butler, or Dorell Wright. Crabbe is likely to be too expensive and is a restricted free agent. Among the potentially lower priced options, Brandon Rush has system familiarity and is a very good shooter.
*Another Big Man. Mozgov is going to get the bulk of the minutes at C. Whatever he doesn’t get, Black will likely claim. The team could also go small by playing Nance or Randle for spot minutes at the 5. While I think Zubac could end up being a great 2nd round pick, I imagine he will split time between the D-League and the Lakers. So, why would the Lakers want another big man? Because you can never have to many of them and when looking at the depth chart, it is clear one injury puts the team in a precarious situation due to a lack of just basic depth. While signing a young player for this spot sounds appealing, with Zubac and Black, the Lakers might be better off signing a low cost veteran who would be okay with a minimal role while; a player who will practice hard, be a supportive teammate, and play mop up minutes if needed. One name which fits here is Robert Sacre — though I know some fans wouldn’t be too fond of that move.
—
Overall, then, there is really not much left for the Lakers to do. A splashy signing like Crabbe is always possible, but at this point I would think it’s unlikely. If anything, the Lakers may be more content to try and spend up to the salary floor and then retain some cap space for next summer when they might be far enough along to be granted a free agent meeting with a certain point guard.
TravisR says
I think the backup center needs to be someone that can shoot 3s because that would be make up for Larry Nance’s inability to stretch the floor. Meyers Leonard would be ideal in my mind because he’s also young enough to take over for Mozgov in a few years if Zubac isn’t the answer. If the Blazers match Leonard, Donatas Motiejunas and Mareese Speights wouldn’t be bad backup plans.
Russell, Huertas
Clarkson, Williams, J. Brown
Ingram, Deng, A. Brown
Randle, Nance
Mozgov, Leonard, Black, Zubac
Clay Bertrand says
Save the money and roll it over to next summer. Crabbe is not worth it for us IMO. I’d really like to see Jabari Brown catch on……But I don’t see much room on our roster at this time.
I wonder if Nikola Jovanovic, Zach Auguste or even Moustapha Fall could be younger higher upside back up 5 guys than Sacre. For me, Sacre is a good dude but from a Talent perspective, he is crammed up against his ceiling and has been for a few years now. I think we’ve seen what he brings and it seems to be quite neutral in terms of impact. I feel like we could do better at that spot.
Maybe one of these other guys can fill that back up 5 role???
Clay Bertrand says
TravisR
I think Leonard is a $8-10 Mil a year player easy in this market. These are rates the Blazers are perfectly comfortable matching for a young 7 footer with 3 pt range. Especially when they still NEED a Center.
IOW, I don’t think he’s a realistic option for the Lakers at this point. I’d be surprised to see them sign a Restricted FA at all really.
J C hoops says
I like Crabbe but with Deng and Ingram both soakin gup mintuea at the 3 I think they won’t pursue an expenmsive mname for that positon.
Discussions of this nature should include salary cap minimums and restrictions.
How much money does the team have left to spend, to hit the salary floor of 85m?
Additionally, I’m prob in the minoiorty, but I question if Swaggy will actually be ousted.
We need shooters and he may fit into Luke’s plans.
I also expect he and DAR to put their differences aside and play ball.
I think we still have 10-12 mil to spend to hit the 85m floor?
anyone?
Vasheed says
I would like a guy who could play both pf and center. Brandon Bass would seem ideal but is a player who needs minutes. I don’t object to Sacre as a 4th string center but I would prefer someone who is more flexible.
Clay Bertrand says
J C hoops
I’ve been wondering where we are in relation to the floor myself.
I’ve also been hoping Mitch can Fleece Vlade out of Kostas Koufos from Sac for Swaggy …………
I’d hate to have dead money being paid out to someone who isn’t even on the team. It may have to be done though if no deals/SUCKERS are out there.
The Kings need to trade a big and they are the same team that signed Rondo. I’m thinking Swaggy and Matt Barnes can raise all the hell they want up in SAC TOWN!!
samla says
what about Galloway of knicks as backup point — is he an upgrade and would he be as cheap as huertas — I really hope swaggy is gone
also I do think we need to make sure we have cap room to make a run at that point guard fellow you are alluding to whoever that might be LOL –
ED 10 says
I would prefer a combo PG-SG with good defense,something lacking on the current roster
matt24 says
I like the stretch 4 concept here, and i like how both montiejunes and leonard look on paper, but is it the right thing to do, and portland and Houston hade a terrible free agency so i doubt it’s happening
Travis Y says
From a fans’ perspective, we tend to focus on offense, while forgetting that we were ranked 30th in the league in defensive team efficiency.
https://www.teamrankings.com/nba/stat/defensive-efficiency
Much of that is team defense, but it obviously comes down to personnel.
I’d much rather go for a D-league point guard who is cut from the Aaron Brooks cloth.
We have a lot of offensive players, but are sorely in need of hard nosed, tough, pesky players.
When your toughest guy last year was a 36 y/o MWP, you have a problem.
Alexander_ says
TravisR I think you could be describing Kelley at the min
Drew Gordon says
Clay Bertrand Why not take a chance and offer a contract to Christian Wood? He’s raw as can be but has serious upside if he could be developed.
Busboys4me says
Brandon Bass is our answer at back-up Center and PF. People kept asking why Tarik Black fell out of the rotation. It was because of the consistent play of Bass. The guy was a stud for us and is limited minutes. He deserves to be with us again we should honor his efforts with at least a two-year $13 million contract.
While I did not care for Huertas, he is a fourth-string player and he will have to do. I would like someone like Ronnie Price who would push DRuss in practice and improve his defense. Even Andre Miller could teach him some of that slow, old man game.
Busboys4me says
I would love Brandon Rush but GSW realizes his numbers were actually better than Barnes’ when he filled in for him. He is a quality guy who fought back after being injured. He has a pure shot and would be a welcomed replacement for NickY.
Busboys4me says
Excellent piece on Brandon Rush
http://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/as-if-warriors-need-another-weapon-brandon-rush-has-revived-his-career/
BigCitySid10552 says
– At pg how about Norris Cole? UFA, 27 yrs old, 2x champ, career back-up
fern16 says
C’mon man. Sacre again? He ran his course with the Lakers. Now we have Mozgov, Tarik and Zubac. There are a lot of centers that can be had at a low price that are better than this cheerleader
fern16 says
I really doubt Divac is that stupid. At this point Nick Young is damaged goods. I don’t think teams want to deal with his inmaturity and stupidity.
Shaunis007 says
TravisR Speights is it but i’m not sure if he is staying in GS … has size to guard bigger 5s, knows the GS offense, stretch 4/5 – great shooter … still young at 28
fern16 says
I wouldn’t hold my breath about that certain pg. People don’t seem to realize that elite players want to play in finals bound teams nowadays. Is like when MJ couldn’t beat the Bad Boys Pistons he would joined them instead of fighting and fighting until he beat them. Or Magic joining the Celtics after the 1984 series. RW is going to look to join a team with elite talent and take the easier path. Just like KD did. The NBA is becoming a bigger joke every passing day. And my contempt for these so called “superstars” is growing everyday to the point of being turn off by the product.
_Craig W says
fern16
Regardless your feelings about the players, it is the CBA that dictates all this – and the owners were the ones who basically shoved this through, i.e. the players were in a much weaker position in the bargaining.
The owners got the players to take a smaller piece of the economic pie – remember this when you criticize the players for their large salaries. They also gave the ‘home team’ more power to give more money, while extending the time the players would be forced to stay in one place.
The result is that premium players only get one real chance to leave a club – after 7-9 years. With this said, premium players are willing to forgo some cash to get to a situation they like. Certainly – after 7-9 years with the same club – they will pick a place that looks to be a real winner. 20-20 analysis after the fact is not as difficult as anticipation and this is what the current CBA has wrought.
We want to tie players to our club, then limit the money they can make (by limiting the owner’s ability to be stupid), and we give the players only one out. Max limitations on salary insure that the top player on any club is likely to be paid that amount and others on that same club will be more limited (see GS). This is a toxic stew for both fans and players, with only the owners collecting the really big money. What was that about ‘risk of investment’ again? What risk?
Shaunis007 says
Ingram – Zubac press conference intro
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92y65gn6GOU
Zubac just looks huge compared to Ingram
bluehill says
_Craig W fern16
http://www.economist.com/blogs/gametheory/2016/07/basketball-s-labour-market?fsrc=scn/tw/te/bl/ed/basketballslabourmarketifyoucantbeatemjoinem
Another critical view of the impact of the CBA, particular the cap on player salaries.
“… The real lesson from Mr Durant’s decision is the same as the http://www.economist.com/blogs/gametheory/2012/06/player-movement-basketball:
that the NBA’s CBA is a train wreck. At the very least, the maximum
contract needs to go—it reduces the entire art of team-building into a
sycophantic exercise of courting superstars who cannot be paid what they
are worth. More broadly, the salary cap creates perverse incentives in
the trade market, making mediocre players whose contracts are set to
expire the league’s most coveted assets, because they free up cap space
for a club to make a run at a marquee free agent during the off-season.
All of these distortions could be scrapped and competitive balance
maintained if the NBA were to adopt a proper revenue-sharing system,
which ensures that every team has roughly comparable financial
resources. Unless you’re a die-hard Golden State fan, there isn’t much
to cheer about Mr Durant’s joining them. But there is one potential
silver lining: if the Warriors become so dominant that they make a
mockery of the league, it might spur Adam Silver, the NBA’s impressively
open-minded commissioner, to prioritise much-needed economic reform.”
fern16 says
It’s not all about the CBA and contracts and all that. It has to do with the recent attitudes of these so called “superstars” and taking the easier path. Even if the CBA was perfect this is the attitude of these guys. I mean you are going to leave a championship contender, one that was one move away from getting over the hump to join the team that beat you? This is not a CBA thing this is a modern nba athlete team.
fern16 says
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2650244-reggie-miller-kevin-durant-traded-a-sacred-legacy-for-cheap-jewelry
matt24 says
Good list by darius, i guess deng could be considered as a stretch 4, i iust realized that
Norman Wong says
This podcast by Adrian Wojnarowski and Jeff Van Gundy is really insightful:
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/the-vertical-pod-with-woj–jeff-van-gundy-kevin-durant-free-agency-144155644.html
Especially the portion on The impact of the inflated contracts signed this summer at 31:24 and The importance of teams showing restraint in free agency at 36:49.
teamwhit says
Darius,
I hope everything is OK in your neighborhood. Thank you for your excellent work on this site, which I believe is the most informative Lakers site.
Even though the 13th and 14th players on a roster may not make much difference to the win total, I do like the idea of Jabari Brown as a backup guard and I am intrigued by someone like Nick Minnerath as a backup wing.
AnonLakerFan says
Beware what you wish for as far as criticizing the league’s salary cap rules. The idea of a salary cap arose out of the fear in the 70s/80s that smaller teams owned by “millionares” would be outspent by big market teams with access to big dollar TV and merchandising deals. Those concerns are irrelevant today as most teams are owned by Multi Billionaires or hedge funds with billions in assets. If the salary cap goes away, teams can spend away on guys like Durant to make sure they stay put or to entice them to leave. Problem is that the Lakers do not have the financial cash flow to competein a world like that. So for our collective benefit, I hope the salary cap stays.
Having said that, changes to the cap need to be made. One easy change would be for each team to be able to designate up to 2 players as a “franchise player,” and then having those contracts not count as part of the salary cap. In short, a smaller cap that excludes up to two franchise players.
Under such scenario, OKC could offer Durant ridiculous cash to stay behind (like $40 m a year), whereas a team like the Warriors would presumably could not as they would have used the “franchise” tag already on Curry and Thompson. Under such scenario, players like Durant would have a much harder financial decision to make if they chose to walk away from a “franchise” contract, thus making it a very difficult financial decision for any superstar player to leave a team for another that is already stacked and that has already used up its franchise tags. On the other hand, teams like the Lakers, Celtics and Philly could also offer Durant ridiculous money since they presumably would have at least one “franchise player” tag to use on Durant. The end result is likely more elite players staying put OR moving to teams that need help rebuilding, versus jumping ship to “super teams.” Thus, everyone wins here.
Mid Wilshire says
Darius,
I hope all is well. It certainly sounds like a scary incident. Apparently (hopefully) all is well.
BTW, below is a very spirited and insightful podcast by the Kamenetzky brothers. Their view of the future and current state of the Lakers is surprisingly upbeat. Good stuff:
http://landolakers.com/2016/07/06/free-agency-durant-mozgov-deng-oh/
Alexander_ says
Excellent blog, as always. With a roster good enough to go into the season now, the Lakers can give the camp invitees a good look for 1-2 spots at the end of the bench. Jabari and Auguste would be my dark horses there. I remain intrigued by the prospect of Ingram playing some 2, which would further reduce the need to add a guard at above min, and would preserve cap room for next year, or for opportunities to pick up cheap talent now under contract. Presumably, they can experiment with this starting in Vegas.
A lineup of Mozgov-Randle-Deng-Ingram-DAR would be longer and/or stronger in *every* position against *any* team, decent defensively, with three competent shooters, and a ridiculous rebounding edge. Basketball is about mismatches, and we’d have multiple on the floor at once. I am marveling at Ingram’s length and stroke, with a ~5″ height and another 8″ reach advantage, most 2’s will not be able to guard his shot. Tickling BI’s armpits maybe the defender’s only recourse :p…Zubac, Clarkson at the 1, Nance also enhance the long-and-strong crafting of this team.
There is a semblance her to the new GSW’s: Zaza-Green-KD-Splash bros. The bad news is, we are the JV.
Maybe Mitch and Luke *have* a plan.
Alexander_ says
AnonLakerFan I believe the Lakers may be obsenely profitable after their last media deal while being under the cap. They could compete financially.
Vasheed says
fern16
We’re talking about a 4th string center. As Darius pointed out someone in this position would ideally be content to ride the pine, be a good locker room guy, and be serviceable if called upon. Describes Sacre to a tee. I won’t debate about finding someone better but, someone who wouldn’t grumble about possibly never playing is the point.
Lakers Future says
AnonLakerFan
But look at the money Durant is leaving on the table. He could have hung on for one more year in OKC and then signed a ridiculous five year contract with cap going up again next summer. Even with that as an option he still left.
I think the bigger element here is star players now make as much or more money through endorsements than they do from their NBA teams. So money is not as big a selling point with transcendent stars. Look at LeBron. He hasn’t had a “max” contract in years. Players like him and Durant are content to make a little less in order to be competitive every year.
fern16 says
If there was no cap the Lakers could oudbid everyone…
Still R says
Darius, glad to hear you came through unscathed.
Loving the new look of the blog and looking forward to having more fun here.
The content of recent comments have been really excellent and enjoyable to read. Sometimes even quite humorous.
There’s been comments here and elsewhere denigrating the so called rise of so called super teams since LBJ jumped to Miami. LBJ didn’t help himself by the idiotic way he promoted his move but that’s another topic entirely, already discussed and dissected ad naseum.
And now there’s a fair amount of over heated discussion – again, here and elsewhere – about the rise of the Warriors super team.
Well, to hear some discuss it, you would think this turn of events is unprecedented. That there was never a similar super team in the late 80s, which counted on its roster three (3!) past #1 picks who were also soon enough to be Hall of Famers AND awarded the honor of inclusion on the list of 50 best players in NBA history. Then, the front office of that wonderful team went and added Klay Thompson’s old man, a past #1 pick himself.
I do understand that stellar Lakers team was built differently than the way teams come together now – new CBA and all that – but my point is – the Miami Superfriends team and the Oakland Marvel Avengers team have a very similar over all talent level to the KAJ-Magic-Worthy-Thompson Lakers supersquad. So, its nothing to get too terribly excited about, IMO.
KevTheBold says
fern16
Agree fern,.. too much is being made of the money side, when that’s not the crux of the issue.
It’s about cheap and easy rings.
They also know that the money they give up in the beginning, comes back to them when they are sporting that sparkling new ring, and the endorsements come a calling.
_ Robert _ says
Yes – while I like to complain about much, super team formation is a little difficult for a Laker fan to complain about without sounding a little hypocritical.
In addition to the Late 80’s example by Still R below, let’s not forget the early 80’s signing of Bob McAdoo to add to the already championship line up of HOF players (3 on our wall). McAdoo should be on the wall by the way.
Further, let’s not forget the all time example of Peyton and Malone in 2003.
So super teams are OK when you have a management team that can put them together.
By the way – not much talk on here about all the ex-Lakers who are prominent in FA this year. DH, Gasol, Bazemore, etc to think we had most of these guys and an uninjured Kobe at one point : )
I will not be in the slightest bit – be changing my views on things just because Pau (a guy who plays the right way) joined a team that “plays the right way”. I hate the Spurs. Go ahead and let LBJ have another or Durant have his first – just do not want Spurs or Celtics.
new rr says
Nene to Houston for 1/2.9.
Brandon Rush to Minnesota for 1/3.5.
Lakers Future says
Still R
You are very right about “super” teams. Our Lakers won the title in 1982 with Magic and Kareem. And thanks to a trade had the top pick in the draft the same year. If that happened today GM’s across the league would be losing their minds!
Kareemez says
Glad you and your family is safe, Darius.
Joe Kerr says
_ Robert _ Agreed. I do not like the Spurs at all. Even with the super team Warriors, I still hate Spurs and Celtics over them.
A Horse With No Name says
Darius, never a guy who likes drama, certainly had his share last night. Check out the pics from the Chronicle:
http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Massive-6-alarm-fire-destroys-construction-site-8343065.php#photo-10493085
FredP says
Hey Darius, it is good to hear that you can get back into your house. I hope there are no long term consequences.
KevTheBold says
Joe Kerr _ Robert _
I disagree, Nothing like this has ever occurred to this extent.
This artificially alters the contention landscape to where trophies will slide into golden state for years to come.
It makes it almost a futile act for any other team to pour sweat into the season, even if Wade joins the Cavs.
This is a sad time for the NBA, and for those who place any degree of honor in a hard earned championship.
AnonLakerFan says
Alexander_ AnonLakerFan The Buss family net worth is around $600 million, or about $100 per Buss kid. By comparison, Steve Ballmer’s net worth is $23.5 BILLION. Thats a networth 391x times larger than the whole net wroth of the Buss family. Without a cap, this team would not be able to compete against billionaire owners.
KevTheBold says
Lakers Future Still R
That was nothing like this,.. fresh apples and rotten oranges.
AnonLakerFan says
Lakers Future AnonLakerFan “Money is not a selling point” because we have an artificial cap on what anyone player may earn. No NBA team can pay a guy anything above 35% of the $70 m a year cap. In that world, sure, “Money is not a selling point”because the difference between what the Warriors can offer Durant on a 2 year deal and what OKC can offer him over the same period is “0”. The only advantage OKC has over the Warriors is the length of the deal. And, even then, in Durant’s case that difference is negligible as he can make more money in the long run next year if he opts out due to the salary cap jump. In short, there is no financial loss to him by leaving OKC.
Under my “franchise player” rule, OKC and other teams without two designated “franchise players” could offer Durant anything at all. They could offer him a Ronaldo like salary of $60 a year or, if desperate enough, $80m a year. That means he could be walking away anywhere from $40 to $60 million per year, guaranteed over the same 2 year period. THAT’S HUGE. Add that to the fact the “franchise players”contracts do not count against the cap, and OKC still has a shot to contend without impacting their cap. I don’t see Durant or anyone else walking away from $40 to $60 million a year paycheck difference. I also see a scenario where a team desperate to climb back to the top with a recently retired superstar, such as the Lakers, makes him a $100 million year offer over the same two seasons. Would Durant walk away from that kind of money on principle? I doubt it. He likely takes the 2 year deal and then weighs his options again next year.
A Horse With No Name says
new rr
Rush deal: At that price it’s a no brainer signing. Lakers either believe they have the 2/3s covered with Ingram and Anthony Brown, or is there another signing/trade in the offing? They might be waiting to see what happens with Crabbe and whether or not that puts Harkless into play . . . . It’s hard to imagine that Luke’s input about signing Rush wasn’t solicited either. Still a bit of a head scratcher; as Rush knows the system and would provide a high value commodity on the cheap. I’m going to see it as a vote of confidence for Brown and to a much lesser extent, Ingram, as they will need enough minutes for both players to develop.
_Craig W says
AnonLakerFan
I do like your salary cap idea. any salary cap should be tied to the average player on any team, not the stars. If I were the players I would even agree to a salary cap substantially below the 50% revenue limit – only if the top 2 players were exempted. That way the owners could still be stupid, but be saved on the remainder of their team. Also, mid-level players would probably be getting more dollars and minimum salaries should rise. Of course rookie contracts would be the ‘cat’s meow’ – but I would want the players to be at least two years out of high school so that there wouldn’t be so much risk and the college game would be enhanced. Players not going to college could enroll in the D-League or overseas for two years before being drafted. If there was an exception clause for up to 5 (arbitrary) high school players a year that could be negotiated.
Still R says
KevTheBold Lakers Future Still R
It’s different than it was for sure; one way it’s different is the players have more freedom to shape rosters than in 1980s examples given – is that so bad?
Talent tends to be attracted to talent and people like to have control over their destiny (or at least feel that they do). That seems perfectly understandable to me. I prefer that it be the Lakers doing the super team building but that’s not in the cards for now, obviously.
KevTheBold says
Still R KevTheBold Lakers Future
What I mean by different, is one was organic, the other contrived.
First we are talking about 4 stars, not 3.
2nd, Both Magic and Worthy were draft picks.
As for Kareem he was 32 at the time Magic arrived, not in his prime like Curry, Thompson and Green.
No, this is nothing like the Lakers, this is like Lebron to Miami but with an extra player making it a total of 4.
KevTheBold says
_ Robert _
Wrong on so many levels, especially this: “Further, let’s not forget the all time example of Peyton and Malone in 2003.”
Washed up players past the end of their careers do not compare to young players in their prime.
In Addition draft the picks of Magic and Worthy – that happened turn out well – who played with a 32 year old and older Kareem, have nothing to do with a top 5 player going to join 3 others all in their primes.
ToniTony says
I personally do not see a problem with the Warriors (I hated the move because it makes them almost unbeatable on paper, not for durant actually going there).
And people are acting like the Warriors bought all those players with the intention of signing durant.
All of the players considered superstars (to me curry is the only one qualifying for that designation), were drafted and developed by golden state. Iguadala was aquired a while ago and is a solid veteran. Klay, Curry, and Green were farmed in their system.
They did what every team that had a chance did, and that was pitch to durant.
It was up to durant to except or not but everyone is acting like the Warriors duped the system unfairly and snatched durant in the middle of the night.
Some people are even trashing Curry because of this… What???
All of that aside, I am excited for the lakers. I feel that our young guns, given a two year run, will develop really well, and then everything will be right in the world with everyone turning their hatred back on us for the super team we will inevitably create. Let’s not forget that we went almost the entire 90s dry as a bone in terms of success.
And Walton is a breath of fresh air. Let’s hope he brings the expected excitement
#Lakers4Life
ToniTony says
I do not believe that it’s the easier path. The amount of pressure he will face will be unlike anything he has faced in his life professionally. Every loss will be almost the end of the world, and they will lose a fair share of games. They are still beatable.
The NBA has never had parity and yet we have had superteams with at least two sure fire hall of farmers most of the time, and quite a few in their primes.
Green and Thompson are not hall bound at the moment.
Miami superteam lost. Lakers superteam, unfortunately lost too, Celtics lost.
Nothing is guaranteed.
The clippers the past couple of years have had everything to be a super squad so imagine if they finally get their act together. They could take out the Warriors. Spurs are always there, especially after a down year (by their standards).
I get the whole being upset because it was a superstar switching to a team that broke the all time regular season record, but that came at a cost to their fluidity and bench so it’s not like everything was held constant.
They lost the finals because bogut went down, and green threw a fit (understandable but I’ll-timed). Now bogut is gone, Festus is gone, barbosa is gone, Rush is gone, speights is almost gone. Can contributed to 73 wins.
Charles Barkley went to the Suns in the prime of his career. He did not join scrubs, it is just that it was undermined by the Bulls three peat. And I do not buy the whole, “they have the most talented team ever”.
The Bulls had the greatest player ever, the greatest number 2 ever, the greatest defensive player of his generation and top five ever, had the three point champion, had arguably the greatest coach ever, and the top sixth man in the league.
Warriors do not have that.
I was upset at the move but the more I think about it the more I realize that it is the evolution of the game (while the only thing held constant is disparity in talent).
I preferred the era of the big man (maybe because we had the most dominant).
😉
KevTheBold says
ToniTony
I’m not hating on GS, though to restructure your team after a 73 win season, and a finals loss to bring in another superstar is overkill to the maximum.
As for how many superstars, please look up their stats, especially Thompson, who I believe has more heart than Curry.
As to how GS players were obtained, I don’t see how that pertains to this conversation.
Now if Larry Bird, joined the showtime Lakers, or vice versa with Magic to the Celtics, you could correlate, but alas it never happened.
Regarding the Lakers, I do share your optimism and see great things in our future, as long as we keep on the right path, which is the long road.