In the latest Laker Film Room Podcast, Pete and I talk with Tania Ganguli of the LA Times.
Tania talked to us about the LeBron James to the Lakers rumblings around the league and whether she thinks this is just smoke or if it’s a real possibility. Then she gave us insight into the Lakers belief in Brandon Ingram as a foundational player, gave us more background and context to the D’Angelo Russell trade, and then talked at length about her fantastic feature on Jeanie Buss and the Buss Family dynamic.
Later in the pod Tania also talked to us about her history as a sports journalist, some of the differences between working an NFL vs. an NBA beat, and other notes of the trade (which I found particularly interesting and great). I want to thank Tania for being so generous with her time and for coming on the show. It was a good conversation that we hope you’ll enjoy.
Click through to listen to the episode.
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compdude says
Hey everyone,
Here’s the link to the LA Times story referred to in the podcast:
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-nba-schedule-20170213-story.html
Serik says
To summarize: D’Angelo Russell has talent, but doesn’t really care much about basketball. Andrew Bynum 2.0. I don’t think we should regret trading this guy while he still has value.
MT87 says
I’m not sure I understand the comparison. Bynum won a ring without really caring about bball and is out of the NBA because his knees were terrible. Russell is 21, doesn’t have terrible knees, and I don’t see any reason at all to believe that he was traded at the peak of his value the way Bynum was. Whatever you think of Russell and the trade I think that much is pretty objective.
Listening to the pod it sounds like Russell was traded because the FO didn’t want him playing pg for them and they never really considered Ball and Russell together. They were determined to trade him no matter what without waiting and they did. The Nets deal was the one they took but it seems obvious with hindsight that as soon as Magic and Pelinka took over Russell’s days were numbered.
R says
Serik, very impressive; you must be a mind reader to understand the motives of DAR and Andrew Bynum so well. Very impressive!
Almost as impresssive as Bynum dealing with multiple injuries and being a key part of the Lakers team that triumphed over Boston, all the while not really caring about basketball.
FredP says
Thanks for the podcast with Tania, she gave more nuance to the Russell debacle and insight into the Buss brood. I hope that the Lakers FO will be more objective with the other young players and do a better job of helping to develop their skills.
A Horse With No Name says
Ok, just listened to it. Good job, all. I held out hope that you guys would ask Tania about Pelinka specifically, as he is in my mind, the much bigger hire than Magic in terms of the make up of the roster. He’s an interesting guy, choosing as did, to leave the pinnacle of the sports agency world, for the uncertain purple waters of the lakers. I’d like to read a good story about Pelinka by Tania, rather than listen to Pelinka tell stories. Behind that cheery, kind and caring persona, is a shrewd cat who understands the business of the league.
KevTheBold says
Informative and entertaining podcast !
Tania is a precious source, and her voice is so gorgeous, that I could listen to her all day, no matter what she said !
I was interested to especially hear her views on Ingram, as I too found myself wondering why he was the untouchable one, as I personally didn’t see it.
Now I understand and am willing to trust in the front office view.