With FANS like FLEA who needs enemies ?

DO WE NEED TO THANK "FLEA?"

Dear @Lakers if you want me to go represent for the lottery I will. I assure 1st or 2nd pick.

— Flea (@flea333) April 19, 2015

I think LA did just fine with sending their Head Coach, Mr. Byron Scott, which was followed up by drafting D'Angelo Russell.

Celebrity, like it or not, has a certain influence over individuals; in marketing and in the media.  Especially in such a quick-hitting world where we now reside.

Twitter might be the fastest moving media mayhem and Laker Nation controls it, seemingly, on ANY given game-night.

With over 4.41 Million Twitter Followers, the Los Angeles Lakers have the most of ANY sports franchise.

This can be good.  And, this can be bad..REALLY, REALLY BAD.  

Dear Jim buss. Please fire yourself. You are doing serious damage to the @Lakers franchise. The fans have had enough.

— Flea (@flea333) November 17, 2014

Many people, no doubt, share the same feeling and sentiments about a lot of different things.  Flea expressed himself, and many people agreed.

There are even former Laker Greats that have been "demonstrative" on Twitter.




WE have all seen or heard Magic Johnson rip into Jim Buss.

The drama..the saga


                      they continue in the City of Angels

In the meantime, maybe we should choose our words more wisely and be mindful of how certain things can influence people.




NOTES and THOUGHTS on the Lakers:

Russell and Randle are going to have down moments.  They will fail.  BUT, they will also have many moments of success and flashes of brilliance. Temper Expectations.

I look forward to seeing how THIS Kobe Bryant relates to THIS team.  

Does Kobe relish in the role of the wise-one?  A chance to influence this young and talented group with his will and philosophy ? Pass the Torch

As much excitement as Nance Jr. brings, he and Anthony Brown don't find places to stay with the big squad unless there are moves, injuries or BScott wants to have "that" specialist on the bench.  Both NEED development and the Lakers have a great system in place.  They use it as it is intended.  Look for heavy ACTION from these two in "the D."

Robert Upshaw, unless the Lakers' Needs press, should also find himself squared up on the D-Fenders at some point.

Bari and JC will be fun to watch and really impact the team if both given the opportunity. (and they SHOULD have that chance)

Newcomers: Bass, Sweet Lou  ? They are coming here for a reason.  Solid veterans that can hopefully catch a mustard-filled pass from Gelo

Going Out? The Lakers have stockpiled a bunch of dudes that do the same thing.  They definitely have MORE to choose from this season, in terms of "valuable assets," but will this mean the end of the road in LAL for a player like Swaggy P... I think so..

The majority of the minutes in the Summer League went to five primary guys: Randle, Russell, Bari, Clarkson and Black.  They will all have spots and will be counted on.  By itself, this is a NICE little squad.  I would NOT want to face these guys in practice...whatchoo gat buttercup?"



Speaking of Buttercups...

Roy Hibbert is a Laker.  Well " @hoya2aPacer will have to change his twitter handle. Awkward?

Hibbert is welcome to LA who have had some of the worst defensive numbers in the NBA the past two seasons including giving up buckets in tight = BIG ZERO in the middle.  Hibbert changes that.  The Lakers have another Hibbert-type defender and player in Upshaw.  Let's hope he develops and does NOT relate to the Hibbert Head Issues..

Verdict is STILL out on both these guys but the low-risk here has BIGtime reward and the Lakers, literally, have nothing to lose.

Sucks to be Ty Lawson..or DOES it?

..and the Lakers.  The Lakers were among several NBA team looking to hire dude who just got his second Dewey in the past 6 months.

Thank you, Houston, for stepping up to make sure the Lakers didn't get ALL of the guys looking for second and ... "fifth" chances.

Ty Lawson saw THIS ad for Houston and narrowed his Focus.  Los Angeles NEVER had a chance!

especially for alcohol levels...

CHEERS

eScaping the GOAT s : Kobe Bryant is NOT the top DOG in Los Angeles

"Kobe" NOT #1 Dog in L.A.

Greatest Of All-Time?

Perhaps.


How does one go about replacing a GOAT? Is there a plan for that in the ol' playbook?

The Lakers have been down this path before which doesn't mean they have the "Xs" and "0s" down on this at all.  Not a lot of franchises can say that.  We are talking about the end of yet another Hall-Of_Fame player's career while wearing the Purple and Gold, whom many consider the Greatest to have ever played.  Sure, CAVS fans (now) might say it's LeBron.  Celtics?  Larry  Spurs? Timmy  and, oh yeah there's Magic and Michael.. Kareem.  The actual G.O.A.T is quite a list, but Kobe Bryant's name will forever be registered upon it.

There are many out there that believe Kobe CAN play past this season.

This may very well be the case, but what is IN-Arguable is that "this player" has played a combined 41 in the past two seasons.  He will be 37 during this season, the final year of a two-year deal where he is slated to make $25 MILLION.

Sure.  Kobe HAS been the MAN.  He HAS provided US with some of LA Laker and Los Angeles Sports' History's most magical moments but did you know that the name "KOBE" is NOT the Top Dog name in and around LA?  I was surprised too.

This team, this franchise, this FAMILY must plan and prepare for their next steps After Kobe, AK.  Either way, Kobe Bryant, whether many Laker Fans wish to admit or not is NOT the same player.  This is NOT a knock.  Just based on the fact that he has suffered back-to-back significant injuries he is not.  KOBE tends to say the right things when it comes to what is glaring reality.  He did this last year regarding his "health" and "age" on NBA Media Day (2014) saying that he needs to just "go with nature" and "not fight it."

The Future looks bright GOLD with this young CORPS

Well Kobe, now is your chance.  YOU now have a player in D'Angelo Russell that you can pass the Laker Torch to.  Hell, you actually have an entire team and corps of youth around you.  These Baby Lakers are skilled.  How will you lead?


You may NOT get another chance at a ring.  You may not get another chance at another season.  Who knows.  We ALL know about your greatness.  Your accolades.  Your achievements.  How will YOU be remembered going forward?

More of a labrador retriever (top canine breed named Kobe) and less of a MAMBA? Perhaps " 24 " needs to multiply by 3 again and enter into this final "LEG" of his experience with a new identity.  Or, add ONE?  25.  As in $25 MILLION.  Was IT worth it?  All the chatter around Social Media and beyond relating to Kobe's current two-year deal at $48 MILLION.  It HAS to challenging dealing with a GOAT.  I mean a GOAT  is...  

Kobe and Jim Buss may have something in common after all..

...well, a GOAT CAN be MANY things.  

And Jimmy Buss may end up a scapegoat when ALL is said and done.  Just recently, in light of what some might call Free Agency Failures, many fans, celebs and local broadcasters have been calling for the head of either Mitch Kupchak or Jim Buss.

In fairness to Jim Buss, he has had to step into one of the most challenging positions of ALL-Time.  He had to replace a REAL G.O.A.T, Dr Jerry Buss:

The Greatest Sports Franchise Owner of All-Time.  Period.

Now, head on over to Southie in Baaston, Mass. and start your survey with some wrinkly old red-faced Irishman who is approximately 65 years old and see what he says.  We can sit here ALL DAY and have interesting debate over who the greatest basketball player of all time.  Team Owners?  The list begins and ends with Buss.

Dr. Buss the Actual G-O-A-T

So, how do you think it is to be the son of the greatest sports team owner of ALL-Time?

With ALL due RESPECT:

Kareem Abdul Jabbar's Son is NO Kareem.

Michaels' Son?

Magic?

Shaq?  (we'll see...)

Buss has taken a beating in the media and from fans.  Many disliked him from the beginning of his tenure.  Maybe he relishes this role that he is in.  Determined to make his own path and his own way in light of all of the harsh criticisms that he has had to endure.  The Lakers have not hit the EJECT BUTTON yet and Jim Buss has come out on several occasions to say he will step down if need be.  He said this in 2014.  He said he would step down from his position if the Lakers are not in Contention in 3-4 years.  

Do you realize how BALLSY that is?  I mean, even if you are the biggest Jim Buss Hater of ALL-time you must admit that takes some balls.

Accountability?

Where is it in today's SPORTS?

Apparently, it's in Los Angeles and it's riding a Buss of another name: Jim Buss

Regardless of what you think.  Regardless of what the future holds, Jim and Mitch have stuck to their guns and not just blown budget to grab just anyone.  They have shrewd in their spending and wise with their (draft) selections.  No ONE person could have predicted how putrid the deals for DH12 and Nashty ended up being.  And, the fact that Aldridge even considered the Lakers should say a lot by itself.  The Lakers are not good.   

WHAT?

Ok, let me say it another way.  The Western Conference is brutally competitive.  This has taken YEARS to develop.  The NBA, as a whole, has gotten better and better and the WEST is now ridiculous to get through.  

Aldridge..Love.. they didn't want to wait and that is NO knock on Jim and Mitch.

es lo que es

"it IS what it IS"

Want to know what the Lakers DO HAVE? This talented group of Baby Lakers.  Kobe's expiring contract... Roy Hibbert's (?) , and increase on the SALARY CAP of nearly $22 Million Next Season and they have put themselves ahead of MANY teams by being able to capture nearly anyone they want.  Scratch that.  Nearly ANY BIG 3 they want.

They also have THIS:

#16RINGS

and, 

Laker Lore

Seventeen: The Elusive Ring of the Los Angeles Lakers

     My how things have changed for the esteemed Purple and Gold,

 the Los Angeles Lakers.

Fox wore 17 in hopes to capture THAT ring

Not that long ago, "we" fans were salivating over the pursuit of that "next" ring.

Number 17

Spoiled? No doubt.

For as long as I can remember, the Lakers have been on top of their division under the watch of the late, great Dr. Jerry Buss.  Sure, there was a mediocre season here and one there but the Legacy of Dr, Buss also left us accustomed to winning a championship every other year.  Or so it seemed, just ask Magic Johnson who was drafted by the Lakers in 1979 (the year Buss acquired the team):

"The Lakers won five championships-including two straight in the 1987 and 1988 seasons-and reached the NBA finals eight times during the 1980s,  Magic's first ten years as a pro and the leader of our team.  So our success was no coincidence.  I once told a friend that when Earvin Johnson Jr. was born, he was sprinkled with Magic Dust." _ Jerry West , Foreward "Magic's Touch."



From the beginning of Buss's tenure "we" were spoiled.  We were spoiled with players like Kareem, Wilkes, Cooper, Magic, Nixon, McAdoo and Worthy...

#1 pick overall gave "US" the Worthy Glide

...that helped birth the Showtime Era.  Others like Mychal Thompson, AC, Byron and Rambis helped along the way.  And then later with Kobe, Shaq, and Phil (1.0 AND 2.0) along with Fox, Horry and D-Fish "We" seemed to always have the talent to take on ALL comers and usually end up on top.

It became almost silly to watch as the Lakers won THREE Rings in a row from 2000-2002. Then The Logo, Mr. Clutch, Zeke from Cabin Creek left the Lakers after 40 years.

That was then.

Today's story is much different.  Today's story excludes both Jerrys (Buss AND West).  And, the ONLY name from Laker Lore is an aging and breaking down Kobe Bryant.  A fan said to me recently, "Next year is Kobe's last season," and I replied, "No, two years ago was Kobe's "last season."  For the generation that has been blessed to have born into and have been raised during "Kobe's Reign."  To ALL those that have named their animals "Kobe," "Bean" or "Mamba," rest assured that he IS one of the Greatest of All-Time.  It's just, well, he played 78 games in 2012-13 and a total of 41 between this season and last.

We ALL know THAT story.  And "this" might help get us to where we are now:

1) December 7, 2011:Commissioner Stern vetoes a trade that would have brought Chris Paul to the Lakers

2) August 10, 2012: The Lakers mortgage future picks (2 conditional) to acquire DH12 and HE Did NOT stay.

3) July 5, 2012: The Lakers pull a sign and trade for Steve Nash, which included Four Draft Picks (2 first-rounders and two second-rounders).  And he never REALLY arrived.

4) February 18, 2013: Dr. Buss passes _ ownership changes hands to the Buss Family (Jeanie, Jim, Johnny, Janie, Joey and Jesse).

5) April 12, 2013: Kobe Bryant tears his achilles.

6) 2013-14 Season: 319 combined games missed which led the NBA, including the loss of Kobe Bryant from the start (Achilles Injury) and Kobe Bryant after breaking his knee (December 17, 2013)

7) July 18, 2014: Pau Gasol decides to take less money to play with a better team and he returns to All-Star form

8) June 26, 2014: The Lakers Draft Julius Randle with the number seven selection. This was the first time since 1982 that the Lakers had a top ten pick (#1 overall, James Worthy).

You Can't Handle Randle. JR came in with high hopes

9) 2014-2015: Another injury riddled season including Kobe Bryant (shoulder) and top draft pick Julius Randle (leg)


"We" are now left with a collection of guys that are still trying to find their way in the league, including recent NBA D-League "call-up" Jabari Brown and second round draft pick Jordan Clarkson who were teammates at Mizzou.  Peeler?  Peeler? Anyone?

The "Magic" seems to have left.  Could this be more of a result of losing both Jerry's? Could it be bad luck?  OR, perhaps it is a little of both.

Some, well, MANY fans, including Magic, blame Jim.  Jim Buss, the current executive of basketball operations of the Los Angeles Lakers, said last year in a family meeting,

"I was laying myself on the line by saying if this doesn't work in three or four years, if we're not back on top- and the definition of  top means contending for the Western Conference, contending for a championship- then I will step down because that means I have failed."  


One has to appreciate the accountability.  And, many would agree or perhaps argue that Jim should step away sooner than that.

In the meantime, Jerry West has taken his "Magic Dust" to the Dubs (Golden State Warriors) and we have seen role reversals of fortunes.  This image, from March 16, 2015, shows GSW with 52 wins which is tops in the Pacific Division and the Lakers stuck on "SEVENTEEN" which has them struggling on this "94 by 50 hunk of wood..." _Chickism, Chick Hearn

"Oh My" how Things Have Changed

Could any Owner, GM, or Coach endure what the Lakers have endured the last three years and been in contention?  Probably NOT.

However, if the Lakers continue to not be able to land key all-star talent in Free Agency, and other moves or decisions do NOT pan out then Jim Buss' statement of stepping down may come to fruition. And, Ring "Number 17" shall remain elusive.

But..

Should the Lakers land serious talent in the draft, sign some top Free Agents in the off-season and really come together as a team, they stand a chance at getting back into playoff contention next season.  Wait, didn't "We" say that last year?

Nothing will be sweeter than to see the Lakers back on top.  After ALL the drama, the misfortune, the conspiracies, and the injuries.

2017?

"It was a very good year..."

Let's hope THIS RINGs TRUE

Ciao D'Antoni

Saying Goodbye to the now "former" Lakers Coach will not be difficult for many many Laker Fans.  Yours Truly is one of those fans.

As I sit here at 11:26 pm [April 30, 2014] to start describing my thoughts and feeling on the NEWS that Mike D'Antoni resigned I can only begin with this,

   "Today Was a Good Day.."

STERLING DISPOSITION

A commentary by C BigUpps

April 27, 2014

"IGNORANT. BIGOT. RACIST" 

THE LAKERS COACH IS BS

WHEN THE LAKERS WERE LAST LOOKING TO CHANGE COACHES ,

        A.P. (AFTER PHIL), BRIAN SHAW (B.S) WAS A CANDIDATE.  A FORMER PLAYER, UNDER PHIL JACKSON, FOR FOUR SEASONS, AND AN ASSISTANT UNDER
PJ 2.0.

Don't take it personally, it might just be the initials

B.S ACTUALLY BEGAN AS A SCOUT FOR THE LAKERS IN 2003 AND WAS ASSISTANT COACH UP THROUGH THE END OF MR. JACKSON'S SECOND TERM AS THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS' HEAD COACH. ^source: NBA.COM

THEN MIKE BROWN WAS HIRED...

AND FIRED...