Too Many Options Not Enough Time? Lakers lose Season Opener to T'Wolves

Byron Scott went on record recently to say that he was still contemplating whether D'Angelo Russell would be starting (this past) Wednesday night vs the Minnesota T'Wolves.  Since then, we know that Mr. Russell did start:

4 Pts, 2 Ast, 3 Boards, 3 TOs in 25 Minutes

That kind of stat line doesn't necessarily make ANYONE happy and, no doubt, Russell would like to have that one back for personal reasons.  Perhaps the emphasis and focus should be MORE on the reasons WHY he should want this one back from a team perspective.

I am and have been "reserved" on Russell since draft night when the Lakers went bit-o-surprise with the pull of the Rabbit, not the Hare, out of the proverbial hat.

I both wonder and worry about this kid and I don't mean ANY disrespect.  D'Angelo is a man, no doubt, but he is young and inexperienced.  

Es lo Que es.  

And, by that I mean, there is no amount of experience you can muster that will prepare you for being the highest draft selection for this esteemed franchise since James Worthy went #1 back in 1982.

Let me phrase that in a different way:

D'Angelo Russell is the highest draft pick the Lakers have selected in 27 years.  

He has the attitude, demeanor and I believe is quoted as saying he thought he should have gone #1 overall (context.)  I get it.  The competitor within believes you ARE the best.  However, all players, including the GREAT Kobe Bryant take time to develop and Gelo is still wearing training wheels on a vehicle that has a lot of fast-moving and interchangeable parts.  If he is able to reel it back, walk humbly, let the game come to him and focus more on the desperately needed play-making attributes of HIS and He will be just fine.  If he comes off the bench: fine.  If he starts: fine.  It doesn't REALLY matter except from the simple stance of allowing the player to be in the best position for success as ANY top business professional would want for their respective team.  He needs reps and he NEEDS to be on the floor.  What he DOESN'T need is to concern himself with being anything than what he is: a 19 year old kid out of Ohio State that can ball.  And, oh yeah, ahem, STAY AWAY FROM TWITTER.  In fact, D'Angelo, just stay away from social media in general.  I realize this might be a huge challenge for a millennial.   

S/Os #Kanye2020: 

"We're Millennials BRO!"

The Lakers have won NINE Titles over that span of 27 years since J Dub went #1.  That is ONE NBA RING every THREE YEARS.  That reminds me, does Charles Barkley have an NBA Championship?   RING? 

"SCOREBOARD!"

Lakers: #16RINGS  Charles Barkley: NIL

Moving On...

In fairness to D'Angelo regarding his game 1 "stat line":

" Five players had more than Russell’s 36 touches, including reserve power forward Ryan Kelly (39), who played five fewer minutes than the rookie." _Lakers.com

I don't want to ever have to read information like this again for two reasons:

1) Ryan Kelly should never have more touches than Russell

2) Ryan Kelly should never have touches... Period

Too Harsh?

Kelly was 1 player in the second-to-last preseason game that was in the melee versus the Portland Trailblazers that led to an eventual win.  Most might remember that Ryan Kelly had this game-winning moment for the purple and gold.

My view of @RyanKelly34 game-winning dunk last night. Was a dream come true to watch the @Lakers at @STAPLESCenter pic.twitter.com/hiSXd9OTMx

— Robbie Priddle (@RobbiePriddle) October 20, 2015

Ryan Kelly might have actually saved his job (for the moment) with that play.  It was a great moment, however, for Kelly AND his teammates as he flew down the lane with the grace of a gazelle (everything is relative) before jamming home the game winning dunk.

However, prior to that wonderful moment of redemption which was desperately needed for self preservation, Mr. Kelly had been a part of watching the Blazers drop in a quick 5 points to tie the game.

Chris Kaman had grabbed a rebound off a miss and Ryan Kelly simply turned and faced the goal like a ten year old rec ball player that hasn't grasped the concept of blocking out. Kaman cruised to the basket, with not even a sniff from Kelly who was guarding him, swooped up the miss and dropped in a deuce.

Kelly then grabs the ball out of bounds, somewhat lethargically, and in-bounds the ball to a D'Angelo that was pushed to the edge by Portland's jock-riding D as the final ticks on the clock shined bright over the

                 "94 by 50 hunk of wood." _chick

Kelly NEVER looked Russell off and he NEVER saw anything but Russell.  That just left Portland to force the opposition's point guard to one of the worst spots you can be: the sideline.  D'Angelo bobbles, Portland retrieves, Kelly stands in the middle ... and a three comes raining down to tie the game.  This was fundamentally bad basketball all around and, quite frankly, probably got pushed to the wayside as a result of the Ryan Kelly version of " Jumpman23 "flying from the free throw line.  The ONLY differences are that it wasn't Michael Jordan and that it was from two feet out.  Other than those TWO differences they were the same DUNKS.

This is AIR "Jor-DAN," NOT to be CON-FU-SED with Air "Kelly"

Should Kelly or any other LAKER play poor fundamental basketball at all, especially on a consistent basis then, yes, I stand firm on the aforementioned stance:

" 2) Ryan Kelly should never have touches... Period" 

This could be anyone on the team at any given time for this reason: The Lakers need EVERY mathematical edge, or advantage, they can conjure up to put themselves in the best possible position to win.  Let's be REAL.  Get past our noses and realize how difficult the West is and continues to be.  This is old hat. If I am building the future NOW with such expectations on a squad that starts THREE very young players I have no time AND ZERO TOLERANCE for "experimenting" OR being so stubborn to avoid certain situations OR player combos whether it relate to philosophy or lineage.  BS is blessed with young talent this season.  No Doubt, when the D-League gets started here in a minute ( D-League Draft this Saturday) both Anthony Brown and Nance II should be back-and-forth between Varsity and JV like JC did for half of last NBA season.  They will join training camp invitee Robert Upshaw.  The D-Fenders are looking at rolling out lineups looking like:

Manny "Michigan Mamba" Harris

Vander Blue (by YOU)

Anthony Brown

Larry 2

Big UpShaw

SEE them while you can.  Some were fortunate to see Xavier, JC, Manny, Bari, and Vander last season for a bit.  THIS is Exciting but also frightening.  Just in time for Halloween I suppose.  Arguably and especially considering certain situations or subs that both Anthony Brown AND Nance II have shown enough to say that they ARE better then those handful of Lakers "ahead of them" on the bench.  Concurrent with a "Hind-Sight's Glance" what would having Jabari Brown on the roster in lieu of Kelly.  Their Guard options are thin overall and if J. Brown is on Roster is it he, Nance II, OR A. Brown that gets minutes in

Game 1 v T'Wolves ??

Personally, I would have sent either one (A. Brown / Nance II) and/OR Both starting with the third quarter (provided they have health).   The Lakers CAN force the behavior or action by increasing/ decreasing size/ length/ skill/ etc by the various combinations and B'rid players they have.  Does it REALLY matter that we are calling Kobe Bryant a Forward or a Guard?  A "2" OR a "3?"  JC? D'Angelo? LOU? Swaggy? Marcelo? OK, so now take any 4 of those and add Randle at the 5.  

THIS MUST HAPPEN! (is that too direct?)

But THAT did NOT happen.  What happened instead was Ryan Kelly picked up 20+ minutes, a bulk of which were in the 4th quarter.  When did the Lakers begin handing their lead OVER? Hold on... oh yeah, it says right here:

" Approximately 2:39 left in the third quarter when Ryan Kelly was inserted" _ SiriDOESGoogle (so it ain't thaat precise like my spellin)

Kelly closed the quarter out.  REPEAT.  Ryan "not 1 of the best 5 players in a Laker uniform" Kelly closed out a tight game that the Lakers end up losing by ONE.

This one is on COACH 

(listen to Byron Scott's post-game interview here)

Es lo que es

mas y meno

Incidentally: #Randle4ROY

is he eligible?

Did you know? Vander Blue had an offer of approximately $1M to play for the Lakers 2015-16?  Next thing you see Blue wearing RED for the BULLS in #NBASUMMER. HUH?
Blue will be back for the D-Fenders (oooops)

Also:

Looking to correct Google after typing "top Ten NBA Players to NEVER WIN NBA Championship" and seeing THIS

                                                  

#BarkleyIsAClown


I do know, since he is ON THIS list, Charles Barkley is at least 1 of NBA's TOP 50 players to NEVER win an NBA Title. Does HE deserve "Top 10 Consideration?" 

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