Lakers are .500: A re-cap of the 3-3 start, Jim Buss might be right and the Phoenix Suns Tonight

     Well this "that season" for the Lakers.  This is the so called year that Jim Buss was referring to when he said that if the Lakers were not in contention in three or four years that he would step down.  This chatter started to change a bit last year during the Lakers all-time worst season.

D'Angelo Russell (1), one of the rewards of the Lakers past dismal seasons showing he does have "Ice in his veins."

Speaking of (worst seasons and such..)

     It is interesting to see, hear and read all the so-called pundits, experts and analysts that rank players and teams in the preseason.  I believe the consensus was that the Lakers would finish last in the Western Conference this season. Uhhhhh.... what?  Where were YOU LAST SEASON?!

Many, if not all of us, believed the Lakers would "better" their record last season from the 21 wins of 2014-15 right?  Well, the Lakers had another one of those "top 3 protected" picks that they did not have a chance at unless they were amongst the last rungs of the NBA ladder.


 The Lakers were BETTER than their 21 win AND their 17 win records indicate in my opinion.  
But, in the words of a long-time Lakers Season Ticket Holder I sat next to last season vs Memphis at Staples (1 of the few games Kobe "sat out"),

"We Want the Pick.."

The Lakers GOT THEIR PICK in Brandon Ingram (14) shown here firing one off in Lakers Summer

     Soooo, say or think what you want but A) there were at least 13 games of horrible coaching with respect to line-up moves and situations and B) T....t...t...t...Taaaaank syndrome seemed to set in every now and again so that the race to the bottom remained in tact.  One of the bottom dwellers last season is the team the Lakers face tonight (6:30 pm PST), the Phoenix Suns.

The Lakers "edged" Phoenix and the Celtics out for number 2 and went with Ingram.  The Suns took Dragan Bender, a 7'1 ish shooting guard at number 4.  You heard me.  

The reason why Bender "handles the ball so well" is because he has played a lot of point guard.  And, dude likes to shoot from the perimeter.  Not to say he has no inside game to speak of but he looks to be most suited and comfortable at guard and this is where the Suns played him during the summer where we saw him guarding wing players like Jaylen Brown.

Dragan Bender (35) "guards" Jaylen Brown (9), 2016 picks 4 and 3 respectively.  At 7'1" Bender is a perimeter player.

      The Suns are "guard heavy" and one of those guards is perhaps the best shooter of the 2015 draft, Devin Booker.  Booker is averaging 19.8 thus far.  Eric Bledsoe, who the Suns acquired* in an off-season trade in 2013, is at 17.2 and Brandon Knight is averaging 13.2 points and leads the team with 5 assists.  Knight was acquired in another three team deal* in the 2015 off-season.

Devin Booker (1) might be the best shooter of the 2015 draft, taken 13th.  Let's see what D'Angelo and the Lakers D says

     These guards are all good and they are all fast.  Their second-round draft pick, Tyler Ulis (Kentucky), AND their top pick (Bender) are not really seeing the floor thus far.  The Lakers had their chance at Ulis but went with Zubac instead at number 32.  And, what a pick. 



The caveat for Zubac this season will be

Ivica Zubac: Second Round Gold again for Lakers

opportunity as the Lakers have a pretty full deck.  Look to possibly see Zubac pull "Clarkson-Like" double- duty with the DFenders and Lakers this season.  That being said, once Ivica has the right opportunity, ie "PT" Playing Time we may see that the Lakers scored the best big in the last draft.  He is a skilled big and a ball-hawk defender that in time will tally the blocks for the purple and gold.


Lakers 3-3 Roller-Coaster Re-Cap:

After game one (a Lakers Victory):  The Lakers will go 82-0!

After going 1 and 3 (prior to the Atlanta Game) "If they don't win tonight, I don't know WHEN they will get another "double u."

After beating Atlanta and GSW to go 3-3:

The Lakers will win the championship in 2017!

Well, if that last remark is true or if the Lakers are in contention this season that would make Jim Buss correct and safe in his position of management.  Bitter-Sweet?

So, I like the Lakers in tonight's matchup and not because they have played well all season, nor because they have beaten the A-T-L and GS dubs in the last two, but because their roster is a better roster than the Suns.

This is home turf and Luke Walton has his young team focused and poised on D-Fending Staples.  

Tonight will be a great test of the defense and maturity of the Lakers.

But, who is going to guard Randle?

 And as far as Jim Buss is concerned?  

At some point is there credit where credit is due?

Ingram (14), Nance Jr. (7) and Russell (1) all seem to be shining bright and so does Lakers Brass

Ivica Zubac took Center Stage as Brandon Ingram, Lakers debut in the Desert: Lakers Summer Game 1

Chants of, 

"Zooooob  ...Zoooob ...." filled the arena very soon after tip-off Friday Night at Thomas & Mack.

Although Zubac looked a bit awkward at tip-off, Zoob shined on both sides of the ball; Lakers have struck gold in Round Two AGAIN

Dude, I mean Zoob, looked good in warm-ups hitting turn-around shots from either side of the backboard.  He may have missed one shot.

THAT is how it goes for him in the game.  Zoobie, and yes, there were chants of,

"ZOO-BIE...  ZOOoooBie...ZOOBIE.." loudly in unison at UNLV as Lakers Fans dominate the space like Ivica Zubac did in the paint Friday Night.  

These chants were much like last year when Larry Nance Jr. fly-swatted an attempt at the rim by Philadelphia top pick (2015: 3 overall) Jahlil Okafor, and we heard a resounding, "LA-RRY.. LAR-EE LARRY  LARRY." (it was awesome).  We heard the "LARRY chant again, especially when HE hammered one of Hield's shots going towards the basket.

Lakers D was swarmin and they were Blocking Buddy so he as not gettin Buckets.  Nance-Jr. Slams one off the glass

His teammates have been calling him Zublocka.

Did you know that his favorite Star Wars character is Zewbacca?

His favorite driving service?

Zuber.

And when asked if he was excited to be a Laker, Ivica said,

"Zu-betcha."

I would be doing a diservice to cheesy Vegas Lounge Play of all kinds if I did not throw that fondue all over the wall.  Zublock Nation is underway and there is NOTHING you can do about it.  Zoob is good.  Damn good.

The Pelicans could do nothing against the interior defense of the Lakers Friday Night and we could do Nothing about this.  

 "Zoobie" Fly_Swatted TOO.  The Lakers app and NBA.com have him listed with 3 blocks.  He blocked Buddy Hield at least THAT and ending with five or six.  The number of Zublocks is not important.  (I will pay better attention today and I hope the NBA statisticians do as well).

All Eyes were on Zubac (40) as he stole the show Friday Night in Vegas. Zoob was blocking shots and dropping turn-arounds with ease.  Freethrows too.  Looks like a defensive anchor.

In addition of shutting down about everything New Orleans Top Pick (Hield) threw at the rim he altered so many more shots that his presence was glaringly noticeable when Ivica (Eee-Veetz-A) left the floor in the first half.  The energy and mood of the crowd changed and so did the defensive intensity.

D'Angelo looked pretty good.  Especially in the first half.  Not Kris Dunn good but good.  Kris Dunn was phenomenal good.  If you were to redraft right now he is the number one.  Zubac (Zoo-Botz) might be two.  Yes, of the Lakers Draft Picks not only did Zubac steal the Lake Show but he had the better overall performance. 

D'Angelo looked pretty good, especially in the first half when he had 15 points.  

Is it strange that Jim Buss has association with being number 2?  Shit, in Russian, is der'mo.  That JB might be hollering "der'mo mutha fu..." Ghaaadzooks, there is Jimmy Buss on the jumbo in the middle of the arena.  

Did someone say, "Jumbo, in the middle, of THE ARENA!?"  Yes, Jumbo, I mean Jimbo was there.  He was seated, center-court, across from the Lakers Bench.  And when his visage hit the BIG SCREEN inside the T & M arena, there was NO Mistaking the extremely loud "BOOOOOOS!" that came as quick as Lady Luck can swipe a doller from you in Vegas.  They were LOUD.  One gentleman yelled out, 

"WE WANT JEA-NIE..." (again)

Ouch.

They Showed Jim Buss again, on the big screen, and the BOOOS again ensued.  He looked up and sarcastically waived his arms in cheer.  Snarky.

That was the move.  What else can a person do?  I, like many, have an opinion about Jim Buss.  And, right about now that opinion is not of the highest regard.  (Please step aside JB)

That being said, The Lakers might well be on their way to a finals matchup here in Vegas.  At the very least they have one of the best and brightest young squads out here in the Desert.  Where sandy-sirens call upon ye to lay your money down.  Or money down for a lay? Today? Parlez-vous and roll-the-die and maybe you do.  Die, that is.  No risk, no reward.

The Lakers had very little risk on drafting Ivica Zubac with their second-round draft pick (no.32) and the fans are already seeing that Mr. Zubac is another second-round gold.  The Lakers inked him to a three-year deal BEFORE NBA Summer League began in LA EAST (It is during the NBA Summer League).  

If Jim Buss is to take the blame and ire of damn near everybody in Laker Land then who is to receive the accolades for being a part of drafting all of this incredible talent that is once again shining brighter than the intense desert sun mid-July in Vegas.

Lakers Brandon Ingram (14) had a nice game, but it was Zubac that was front-and-Center as the Lakers starting Big (Lakers Summer) dominated the paint vs the Pels

Some Jibber-Jabber and one man's opinion on some Lakers Ninos:

Zubac is skilled.  He is a turn-around shot from both sides of the floor (short 17/ FT area and baseline as well), excellent shooter's touch (he dropped a turn around baseline for a swoosh from 13 feet that was denied to a foul off the ball).  Honestly?  I don't like necessarily making the player analogies like "we" have heard of Ingram, for example, being compared to Kevin Durant.  

Kevin Durant was dominant at Texas.  Brandon Ingram (Duke), no offense, was not .  He had some nice moments.  He also had some bad moments.  Kennard and Grayson lead that Duke Team in more ways than Ingram did many times.  Ingram has skill, but his ball-handling needs major improvement.  By that, I mean that sometimes he will do things like throw an ill-advised or lazy pass.  He did that in game one.  What he also did was make moves to the basket that end up in-defensible due to his length and skill around the rim.  Ingram also had some really nice moments defensively, especially when he and Botz were on the floor together.  That is how they started: D'Angelo, Anthony Brown (had a solid game; looks like he has worked on upper body strength/ shoulders), Ingram, Nance Jr. and Zubac.  Crazy.  This squad was covering ground, applying pressure all over the floor, double-covering at the rim and on the perimeter, and making life difficult for pick 6 to "get his."  Buddy did find some buckets but made some poor decisions by forcing things at the rim.  

Zubac destroyed his attempts.  Literally destroyed one of the best guard's in the nation's drive-to-the-basket moves on several occasions.  His prowess allowed for guys like Ingram and Nance to help swat on D and they did to.  These guys ALL got fat on D.  That would be my biggest take-away from game one.  

As MUCH as watching Ivica Zubac meet and exceed expectations with flying coloring I would say that the LAkers Defense is looking damn impressive.  They are sending two guys at you all over the floor.  They have the youth, speed, athleticism, versatility and depth at position and they cover some serious ground.

In fairness, this Lakers Summer Squad is top notch.  I want to temper a bit until their are some challenges.  Whether that be facing another top tier squad or facing some shooting woes on the floor; I want to see them tested a bit more and see how they respond.

Immediate reaction:

Epic

These guys are swarming, like eagles, in the desert and on both sides of the ball y'all

as Lakers Summers kicks off

Jordan Clarkson all smiles after a fresh new deal.  Lou Williams may have also been in the house along with Tracey Murray, Mitch (of course) and Head Coach Luke Walton.  We also heard plenty of "Luuuuuuke" yelled out when he was on the JumboTron.  Assistant Coach Brian Shaw also looked on as



Everyone is pretty happy this way LA, today, as the Lakers Youth Movement dominates New Orleans.  These eagles soar above the Pelicans to a nice balanced, team win in Game One.

LAKERS

TEAM

Everyone seemed dialed in and on-point

The UGLY: PART THREE of the Lakers WIN over NETS 3_1_16

If it wasn't for a turned ankle earlier this season, 

"Roy Hibbert is the ONLY LAKER to start and play in every game," would be something STILL ringing in our ears during every Laker broadcast.



Wasn't Roy Hibbert sort-of plan "D?"  E?  EFF?

Mitch Kupchak got straight Effed by Larry, unless the plan was to SUCK all along

Kevin Love had already signed a contract with the CAVS, Greg Monroe went to the Bucks, LA to LA?  Well, we ALL know what happened there.  SO the Lakers looked to capture a player, off the scrap heap, with an expiring contract that might have added benefits resulting from the fact that Hibbert IS in a Contract Year after his agent, David Falk, landed him a multi-year deal (4 yr, 60M) in 2012.

Larry Bird wanted to dump him and he found a taker in a Laker, Mitch Kupchak.  The cost?  A second round pick.  So, it was amusing to think that after the Lakers gave up their 2019 2nd rounder that writers and fans of all kinds actually BELIEVED that ROY might be traded to a Playoff Team this year?  AND..for what?

If he is not playing anywhere near his best year or two in Indiana and the Lakers gave up a pick for ROY; what would any playoff team even want with Hibbert, let alone give up anything beyond a burger and fries.

This trade back-fired.

OR...

Did it?

Many fans and no doubt certain key pieces of the Lakers Brass have been eyeing and aiming for firmly resting in the bottom three for increased odds at landing pick 1, 2 OR 3 in the upcoming draft.  They would not have a chance at the pick at all if they win too many games.

How could a better roster in 2015-16 with the addition of 2014-15 6th man Lou Williams, journeyman Brandon Bass, a healthy Julius Randle and Kobe Bryant, second year guard Jordan Clarkson and top pick D'Angelo Russell be worse than last year's record-worst 21-61?

ANSWER: ROY HIBBERT



The play of the TEAM with HIBBERT on the floor swings to the negative and here is why:









The Lakers somehow managed to WIN in spite of the BAD (Byron Scott) AND the UGLY (Roy Hibbert).  It took a career high 39 points from D'Angelo Russell and Brook Lopez fouling out to escape with a dub.

Didn't Hibbert have 14 points?  YES.  Yes he did.  IN the prior 10 games he was averaging THREE POINTS on 40% shooting.  Every dog has his day and a broken watch is "right" twice a day.

This does NOT mean Roy Hibbert should play, let alone START.

If what Byron Scott is telling US is TRUE, which is that they are "trying to win games," and that he is all about playing the young guys...

WHY?  WHY is it that Roy Hibbert (who will be LUCKY to have an NBA contract next year) STARTS and PLAYS in EVERY Laker game?

FROM the standpoint of "Entertainment" Watching a Zamboni go up and down the ice is not only MORE Entertaining, it MOVES faster as well..



BY playing this ONE player THIS gives the Lakers the BEST ODDS at LOSING every game.

Watch the games, the video footage and go check the stats yourself.

This has never been about "starting Tarik" over Roy, this is about NOT playing ROY.  

Yet..

the Lakers keep ROLLING with ROY ...

The depth of the Tank starts at the top (JIM BUSS) and is sinking all the way down to depths never seen in LA LA Land

Karma, they say, is a REAL BITCH, Mitch_ the basketball gods

-chauncey

Fyron SCOTT: Los Angeles Lakers Coach Byron Scott needs to go

Are the Los Angeles Lakers Preparing to Fail?  What is the current status and culture IN and OUT of the Locker Room and BEYOND?

     My "fanship" of the Los Angeles Lakers began about the same time that Dr. Jerry Buss happened to take majority interest in the Los Angeles Lakers.  I consider that Luck.

"3-2-1...Kareem with the sky hook at the buzzer" was a regular part of my basketball shooting rituals as a kid.

I witnessed the beginning and end of now Coach Byron Scott's NBA Playing Career.  His High School ball was played not too far from mine.

He was second, after Michael Jordan, in shooting guards for me.  

This is not to say that I thought he was the second-best shooting guard next to that MJ.  This is to say that it was Michael because it WAS all about Jordan and because I was a Lakers fan I did NOT look any further than Morningside High School's own Byron Scott.

I developed the same technical shooting form and same type of play.  Byron Scott was a tough, hard-nosed and fundamentally correct player that played with some of the Greatest Collection of Talent the Lakers and the NBA have EVER seen.

So, for THOSE reasons and many others, it has been very difficult to watch this team... this franchise be run lower and lower on the rungs of NBA success.  Especially when they are used to the Championship RINGS of success.

Players, Teams, Franchises have ALL leap-frogged past the Lakers not JUST in the "win" column but in NBA Prestige and Stature.  

Speaking of Wins:

Precedent has been set within the organization.  The Cleveland CAVS, on January 22, 2016, decided to move in a different direction when they fired David Blatt who was at the helm of the East's Very Best Team and Record.

"What I see is that we need to build a collective spirit, a strength of spirit, a collective will," Griffin said. "Elite teams always have that, and you see it everywhere. To be truly elite, we have to buy into a set of values and principles that we believe in. That becomes our identity."
_David Griffin, Cleveland Cavaliers General Manager  (your move, Mitch...)

Hiring and Firing should NOT necessarily be based solely on WINS and Losses.  The franchise (Lakers) AND fans KNEW things would be rough given the injuries, moves (trades) gone wrong and now moving forward with draft picks.

But.. Is the current culture of the Lakers too far mired in misery to the point of players gathering in some sort of bond that creates mutiny?

I don't really know.

Is Byron motivating his players beyond the seemingly hard-nosed approach of benching guys like Nick Young so his effort might increase?

Byron's tactics in some of those isolated incidents will probably prove successful.  The decision to bring both  Russell and Randle off-the-bench made big news when that happened; but this has forced both of these players to PLAY better ball as a result.  However, these players, along with players like Tarik Black, Metta World Peace and Nick Young seem to be unhappy and something tells ME it is not JUST about the Losing.

When a Coach has to explain to the Media why he is NOT playing a player like Tarik Black that should say something, right?

His explanation was that he told Tarik that he wanted him to be more like Dennis Rodman and Ben Wallace and the reporters who sit in the locker room ACTUALLY Believe this garbage. 

( I already wrote and presented the statistical information on Tarik Black_ click HERE )

The stats show what Tarik does but ALL you really need to do is WATCH him play:

        This might sound silly but one thing that struck me as being curious is that ALL of the SPURS were wearing Shoes of their TEAM colors: SILVER/ BLACK / White

The Lakers had several players (seen in clip) that were wearing colors of the SPURS as well.  One thing is certain: Not ONE SPUR was wearing a gold or a purple and gold shoe and there is 

NO WAY Gregg Popovich would ever allow that to happen.  

Where is the discipline?  Where is the unity? 

 Where is the TEAM?

This gentleman (video) tells the story of Kareem, Wooden and how Coach John Wooden would have his team tie their shoes together.  You can  forward that clip to the 2:05 minute mark but I found that video useful to illustrate a few things.  

"John Wooden, the Coach of the Century (ESPN), first day of practice started with socks and SHOES."

This would make an impact on EVERY Bruin that played with him including Bill Walton, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Marques Johnson.

So, I don't care about their "RECORD" necessarily, I care how the TEAM is responding.  I care about their function and unity given the very best possible position to BE SUCCESSFUL.

And I CARE that this TEAM not coming out wearing all the same colors as their opponent and I care that more than ONE LAKER wore shoe colors of their opponent on game night.

SO...Back to the drawing board Lakers and..

+Los Angeles Lakers  (shouldn't Kobe have the shoe deal with his OWN TEAM?)

Start with the SHOES!




Then lose the manbuns, the head in hands and the lethargic play.


other notes from John Wooden ...


"Failing to prepare is preparing to FAIL." 
_John Wooden

Jordan Clarkson commented on how the Lakers can learn about ball movement by watching the Spurs.  Yes, JC... You can ALSO learn about TEAM, UNITY, Camaraderie, DISCIPLINE and Communication.

#LAtoLA : Wondering WHY there is NOT more LA on the current Lakers Roster

#LAtoLA ?

the fans, former players, and celebrities certainly thought this was the case ..

the hashtag was created and no sooner than seeing Adam Levine beg and plea, LA was out and not a peep even from a Flea.

Aldridge opted to play with a "different" HOF player and team primed NOW for another RING

LOVE was not in the air either for LA.

love you more https://t.co/dDE9BvTZbK

— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) July 20, 2015

This left people wondering.. questioning.. challenging the front office for the Lakers.

Soon, we had to be reminded that Jim Buss would step down in three years if the Lakers were not back into contention.

Why?

Why is it our business whether owner and executive of basketball operations, Jim Buss, steps down or not?  It really ISN'T.  Yet, we, fans have made it so.

The reality is simply that players like Love and Aldridge are good enough where EVERYONE wants them and their own team can offer the most amount of money to retain them.  Cleveland gave the Champs a helluva good run in the finals and that was without Kyrie and Love.  The CAVS stand the best chance of any team in the NBA of returning to the Finals.  Aldridge?  He said earlier in the season that he wanted to retire as the best Portland Trailblazer ever.

"I want to be the best Blazer- ever." _ Lamarcus Aldridge 

(THAT's what "HE" said)

WE know that won't happen now.   He COULD now end up the third, fourth or maybe seventh best SPUR ever but he will probably have a ring or two.  Portland WAS right on the cusp of breaking through to the Finals but they were hit with some misfortune along the way.  And, they have one of the best owners in sports today, Mr. Paul Allen.

Players like these are not likely to play for a team that is in desperate need for that next player to inherit the "throne," so-to-speak, from Kobe Bryant.  Does anyone want THAT?  Does a player like that want to hear Kobe Mouth?

And, does a player of that caliber want to come to a franchise that is re-building from pain, misfortune and bad mistakes.

The Lakers current fortune lay with Young talent found in the draft and the "D."

Time will tell how this young collection will pan out.  

As long as there is a draft there will always be busts, and diamonds in the rough that go un-drafted or are buried deep into the second.

The Lakers have had a knack for finding those diamonds.  The most recent being last year's second round pick, Jordan Clarkson.

Personally, I was ecstatic when that news was released on Draft Day.  The only pick the Lakers had was the number 7 and they drafted Julius Randle.  The franchise needed more so they send over 1.8M to the Wizards for the rights to Jordan Clarkson.  They were so high on him they were willing to spend MORE than his first two year's worth of salary just to land him.

Clarkson played well his junior year of school at Missouri.  He, along with now backcourt mate, Jabari Brown and Earnest Ross combined for about 60 points per game.

I was impressed by Clarkson, and Missouri, when they faced off in December (12/7/2013) against UCLA.  UCLA was led by Kyle Anderson, Jordan Adams, Norman Powell and Zach LaVine all of whom have now been drafted into the NBA.  The lowest selection for the Bruins?  Norman Powell who went number "46" to Toronto this year (2015).  Didn't Clarkson go 46 in 2014? 



He (Powell) is having a stellar Summer (Vegas) averaging 18.3 ppg , 4.3 rpg, 1.0 apg, 1.5 steals, and, uh, 1.5 blocks per game

He was available for the Lakers at 34.  A four year player out of UCLA, Powell led his team in scoring on a team that divvied the ball between Bryce Alford, Kevon Looney, himself and the rest of the squad.  Dude always kept himself in shape and became known as a tough minded defensive player.  BScott 2.0 ?  I can't believe they passed on him.

Looney, who was slated in most mock drafts all year somewhere between 9 and 20 was available at 27 for the Lakers they went instead with Nance.  Looney averaged 11.6 ppg and 9.2 boards landing himself on the Freshman ALL Pac-12 team

AND , well ...

NOT Okafor was drafted at number 2.

My draft picks for 2015: Okafor, Looney, Powell

2014:

LaVine / Clarkson

I loved Randle.  He was tearing it up for Kentucky and looked like a man amongst boys.  Randle was a guy that was discussed in the top 4 for most of the NCAA season and was making a case at #1 there as the Tournament began.  The other "top 3:" Wiggins, Parker and Embiid.  Embiid and Randle slipped a bit due to injury issues.  Embiid dropped from number 1 to number 3 and Randle fell into the hands of the Lakers.  Good player.  And, I was high on him.

But.. 

SpaceJam's Ceiling seemed to be HIGHER than most

The Lakers kept it "somewhat" safe choosing the 6-9 forward from Kentucky in spite of the fact that LaVine's stock was climbing higher and faster than anyone in the NBA Combine and his workouts for the Lakers were off the charts.  I thought they should have gone with the guard from UC- LA and wrote about it here.

LaVine went 13, just like young Kobe.  And, he (now) wears jersey number 8.  Just like young Kobe.  And when the T-Wolves faced off against the Lakers in Staples Center on November 28, 2014?

Career high 28 points for LaVine in 26 Minutes. 11-14 FGs, 2-2  3pt, 4-4 Ft, 1 board, 5 assists

This year, the Lakers DID go with the Guard when MOST probably would have gone with the 7-0 footer from Duke. D'Angelo Russell of Ohio State who averaged 19/5/5.  In the 2014 Draft Kyle Anderson went number 30.  He averaged 15/9/6.5 and he just captured MVP honors in the NBA Summer League in Vegas with a scoring average of 22 and has led his team to the Summer League Championship Game.

 My Roster looks different and ALL these guys were available:

LaVine, Clarkson, Okafor, Looney and Powell (my squad)

vs

Randle, Clarkson, Russell, Nance Jr, and Anthony Brown (Lakers)

Summer league stats:

Looney: 19.7 mpg, 9.3 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 41% FG, 1 apg, .5 spg, 1bpg

Nance Jr: 19.4 mpg, 5.0 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 33%, 0 apg, .4 spg, .4 bpg

Randle: 20.5 mpg, 11.5 ppg, 4 rpg, 39% FG, 1.3 apg, 1 spg, .8 bpg

Looney, although was not the leading scorer for the Bruins last season was the MAN on more than one occasion.  Alford and Powell were one of the best guard tandems in NCAA and the nation got to see a glimpse of THAT in the tourney.

Is that Anthony Brown too?

Looney has game.  You could see it from the start.  A complete player.  Very versatile.  In my opinion, when you "jump" the board for a player like Nance you are putting your "balls" out there.  Lakers Brass did.  

I think they should have showed these balls LAST season by drafting LaVine over Randle.

But, by taking Randle, Russell and Nance over players like LaVine, Okafor and Looney you are setting yourself apart.

Good, Bad, or indifferent, the Lakers Management have put "their" stamp on this youth movement.  The question is, is IT the right one?

It is always difficult to tell.  No one has a crystal ball.  The Lakers have been fortunate with other "diamonds in the rough" by capturing un-drafted rookie Jabari Brown and Tarik Black last season.  One could easily argue that the best players (again) in #LakersSummer are either late-round (Clarkson) or un-drafted players (Black/Brown).

They have another un-drafted gem, perhaps, in Robert Upshaw...

Landing Upshaw as un-drafted rookie on a non-guaranteed deal is a nice
 pick-up

Can't have it ALL (dridge), I guess.

But, as Lakers Fans we have become accustomed to it.  Having it ALL...

We've been spoiled over the years and want nothing more for this young core to succeed beyond expectations.  We, FANS, might just have to temper those expectations...

A Lot

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