So, All-Star Saturday night — one of my favorite nights — wasn’t that great. The three point contest never saw a guy get insanely hot and the dunk contest was filled with too many props — human or otherwise — for my liking.
I’ve always thought the key to a really good dunk contest is really simple: get some insanely athletic guys doing really clean, highlight level dunks on their first try. That’s what Jordan/Nique did, it’s what Vince Carter did, and it’s what LaVine and Gordon did last year. This year had some of that with Robinson and Jones showing off their amazing athleticism, but I think it also speaks to their relative obscurity as players that even this wasn’t enough. Oh well. Maybe next year.
Regarding tonight’s showcase game, I’m always excited about seeing the best players in the world share the floor though I must admit some of my enthusiasm is muted. This has nothing to do with the players who are there, but more the fact that this is the first year in basically 20 seasons where we haven’t gotten one of the Kobe, KG, Duncan, or Dirk foursome. This changing over of eras is good for the league, but not for my nostalgia.
Missing Kobe is especially meaningful for Lakers fans since this leaves the organization without a representative — even if only in name due to injury — in the big game completely since before Shaq came. Sure, it was nice to see Nick Young shoot in the three point contest and nice enough to have Russell and Ingram play in the Rising Stars game, but to not have any stake in this game stings a bit.
None of this will stop me from watching, though. I am a basketball fan first and foremost. The Lakers — namely Chick Hearn and Magic Johnson — facilitated my love of the game and inspired my rooting interests, but there’s a reason I’m a League Pass subscriber and not just a Lakers’ watcher. The game, this league, means something to me. And if there’s not a Laker playing, I’ll just watch these other guys.
So, yeah, I want to see the drama (whether real or not) between Westbrook and Durant. I want to see the four Warriors and Russ lineup. I want to see LeBron. I want to see a lineup with Marc Gasol and DeAndre Jordan. I want to see a lineup with Wall, Lowry, and Thomas. And then, in the last 5 minutes I want a close game and see who the coaches of each conference play down the stretch and the best players in the world compete hard to try and win. Because in those moments, everyone’s instincts default to normal and that’s when I love this game most.
Enjoy the game, folks. We’ll be back at it with trade rumors and Lakers’ analysis tomorrow.
new rr says
Some Lou Williams to the Wizards rumors.
mattal says
If it is the Wizards — I hope the Lakers get Oubre in the return package. He’s the Perfect SG to play with Russell plus he’s really long and would be devastating on the wings with Ingram.
new rr says
mattal
The guy at the Wiz SB nation affiliate has three possible deals he is suggesting. I won’t link or or post here due to site rules but the site is called bulletsforever.com.
Top story right now at that site.
fern16 says
For a pick or picks im all for it.
fern16 says
They should eliminate the dunk contest. It’s play out. I think every dunk that can be done is been done. All there is left are stupid props.
_ Robert _ says
We do not want any long term, unwanted, boat anchor, garbage contracts coming back in any trades.
Get the best picks possible without those.
Nicholson is not wanted unless he is a celebrity fan in the front row.
new rr says
Lot of Cousins to NOLA rumors out there now.
MT87 says
new rr It sounds like a done deal. The Kings basically got Buddy Hield and a top-3 protected pick for Cousins which just seems nuts. Rumor has it that the Lakers were in the running but pulled out when Sac demanded Ingram. If true I’m really curious to find out if Magic was involved in the negotiations.
A Horse With No Name says
Woj reporting Cousins traded to Pelicans for Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway and 1st and 2nd round picks in this year’s draft. Sacto fleeced yet again….
A Horse With No Name says
Not including Ingram is the right call. Lakes probably offered Randle and Clarkson–maybe a second. Happy to pass on Cousins for the obvious reasons but he is a true superstar talent. We shall see how it plays out in Nola. Both Davis and Cousins are high usage guys, both are also unselfish. Not sure it can work but it’s a no brainer for Nola.
A Horse With No Name says
Darius: Just noticed your tweet: great minds and all that…
HaleHailHell says
Fortunately for the Kings that someone will take their millions every year but every year it’s going to be a clown show. It seems the bad franchises perfect their inanity into finely honed perpetuated dysfunction. Cousins didn’t get slapped but to get lied to by your employer every opportunity can only come with the relief of escape. Unfortunately I don’t know Davis’s game well enough to know how he and Boogie can work together but Gentry is on the clock hard now.
Repetition of similar decision making is where the Lakers show their warts. If Chris Paul trade… If Steve Nash… If… not the problem. It’s the free agent trap aka the Kapono now manifested as Mosgovian and Dengian contracts. It’s bringing in Magic to immediately run his mouth and further stir up discord and enmity. Can’t you ***hats do your job under the cone of silence? You are not the show. Even as flamboyant as the Dr was you didn’t see him with a mouth full of foot every opportunity the camera or mic was on him like some attention seeking toddler.
This Kings’ thing reminds me that being bad is bad enough.
drrayeye says
Liked the withdrawal of the Lakers from Boogie. They still may have a chance to get him as a free agent. Keeping my fingers crossed for a Williams/Wizards trade that gets us a first round draft pick. If we also get Oubre, it would be a home run.
fern16 says
Well, the Kings wanted Ingram, no sirree Bob.
Vasheed says
A Horse With No Name
Clarkson and Randle probably would be a fair starting point but, I would be reluctant to take on Cousins contract and keep Mozgov.
fern16 says
When you have the Kings commentator tweeting “that a shadow has lifted over our organization” you can tell they are tired of Boggie and his bs. Not the kind of player to bring in to the Lakers. I dare to say that he and AD won’t work. Too much clog in the paint…