Recap of Los Angeles DFENDER's DEBUT for Ivica Zubac

Too Much Venom from the Rio Grande Vipers as Ivica Zubac debuts in El Segundo while Laker teammates show up for support. (From THE DFENDER blog)

Ivica fouled out and was on ice with 4:55 left in the game

    Ivica Zubac donned jersey number 33 for his DFender Debut Thursday night in front of the home crowd.  "33" no doubt inspired by whom he patterns his "hook shot" after, tha Cap'n, Kareem Abdul-Jabaar.  Much like his Laker debut, November 2nd against the Atlanta Hawks, Zoob hit his first two shots which were the first four points for the team.

We have your BAC, Zoob. Pick No 32 Wore Jersey 33

    Everything was going according to plan and Zubac did not disappoint in front of a crowd which included Lakers Head Coach Luke Walton, teammates D'Angelo Russel and Larry Nance Jr. and General Manager Mitch Kupchak who sat courstide.  The game looked like it was in cruise control at the 7:30 Time Out (1st Qtr) mark as Gold led 16-6.

    The Vipers started a slow comeback, Zubac leaves the game with two fouls at the 5:47 mark and the Vipers led at the end of the Quarter, 31-30.  The DFenders were close a couple of times and even hovered around a 3 or four point lead but the Vipers had too much firepower. 

 PAC-12 standout Gary Payton Jr went undrafted

 The Viper Room:

Isaiah Taylor (Texas U) 31 pts and Kyle Wiltjer (Gonzaga) 26 pts, combined for 57 points, 21-43 FG, 6-17 3pt. 

Gary Payton Jr., who also went undrafted, was ALL over the court wreaking havoc and added 12 pts and 13 boards. 10 more than the DFenders starting Center (Zubac).  Speaking of Rebounds?  The League-Leader, Chinanu Onuaku, grabbed 22 which will also add to his 15.7 Rebounds Per Game tally.  Hello D-Fense? What? Oh, no one home?  Yep, with the foul trouble of Zubac and a DNP for 7 foot 3 David Foster the Vipers seemed to have their way and "bull over" the home team after a flat first six minutes of the game.

Remember me El Segundo? I'm Joshua Smith former Bruin

 Speaking of Bull-ies..Remember Joshua, don't call me Josh, Smith?  Former McDonald's High School "All-American?"  Former Bruin?  Former Hoya? Yes, the 6-10, overweight, out-of-shape, lethargic "Joshua Smith."  The Vipers have him listed at "300 pounds"  but much like getting an "8" aka "snowman" in golf I believe that number is a bit "light."  Smith "bulled" Zubac over a handful of times, antagonizing and taunting the "draft pick."  He toyed with Zubac and even coaxed him to an offensive foul that led Zubac straight to the bench.

So, Zoob, while you are in "the D," use it for what it is intended.  To "Develop."  And you are going to need to develop a "thicker skin."  Your skill and game are far superior to many of the opposing Centers.  But, many of these guys went undrafted and will have a chip on the shoulder.  In the case of Joshua Smith they might have too many "chocolate chips" in their bellies.  The combination, "Draft Pick," will make for a Target on your back and these guys will look for EVERY opportunity to dunk on you, push you around and taunt you. We saw this in Lakers Summer.

In other words, work on your toughness.  Not to say you aren't "tough."  But this game in the U.S. is FAR different than in Europe.  When you are in New York, head over to Rucker Park.  In Los Angeles head over to Venice or Compton.  You have the skill, the turn-arounds, and the bank-shots.  So, learn the "smack" game.  How not to get smacked around and how to run it (verbal smack) on the court...

No matter what, ...

WE, FANS, GOT YOUR BACK ZOOB

Speaking of backs, Josh Magette, Vander Blue, Justin Harper and Roscoe Smith are all back for the DFenders this season.  Number 9 had another double-double (16 pts, 13 assists) in the loss vs. the Vipers Thursday Night.  He seems to be able to run the floor and find people no matter who is on his squad.  Having been an invitee this past summer for the Nets, the DFenders have several "cusp" players including all of the aformentioned and new addition Travis Wear.

Laker FAM

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

Byron Scott: The Worst Coach in Lakers History

WITH THE LOSS TO THE CHICAGO BULLS ON JANUARY 28, 2016, BYRON SCOTT IS NOW THE WORST COACH IN LAKERS HISTORY

Some have said that firing Byron Scott or "mutually agreeing on parting ways" with Byron Scott during the current season does not make sense.  An overwhelming majority including ESPN and Time Warner (Lakers) Broadcaster John Ireland, say this:

"well, what difference does it make, they aren't going to the playoffs anyhow."

This sounds like futility.

Sadly, this seems to be the mantra of the front office in El Segundo as well.

Fans, bloggers, journalists, and broadcasters have all questioned what in thee hell is going on in LA.  It is EASY to look down at (now) 9-39, 

[with the loss to Chicago Bulls on Thursday, January 28, 2016, Byron Scott is tied with George Mikan at .231 career coaching percentage with the Los Angeles Lakers]

and see and say, "the Lakers suck!"

Do they?

In spite of record and performance, at times, there are still games like the recent 2 point loss to the MAVS that make MANY believe they ARE top 8 or even top 6 worthy in a Western Conference that is NOT showing as strong as it did last season.  

There are two games vs Minnesota a last second loss to Orlando and several others that easily add 5-7 wins and more.  How about that loss to Philadelphia?  The worst team (currently) in the NBA now stands at 7-40, a game and a half AHEAD of the Lakers in the ping pong ball race that gives the "winner" the greatest odds at landing the number one pick.

Suns (protected top 3)

PICK WOULD DEFER TO 2017 BECAUSE LAKERS PICK IS CURRENTLY IN TOP 3

Traded • Steve Nash to Lakers for • 2013 first round pick (least favorable of Cavaliers, Heat, Kings (top 13 protected), Lakers (top 14 protected) picks) (#30-Nemanja Nedovic) • 2013 second round pick (protected top 40 in 2013, unprotected in 2014) (#57-Alex Oriakhi) • 2014 second round pick (#36-Johnny O'Bryant) • first round pick (protected top 5 in 2015, top 3 in 2016-17, unprotected in 2018) (?-?) • $3M cash on 2012-07-11

_ pro sports transactions . com 

[Incidentally, the Lakers MUST finish at the bottom of the NBA pile in order to possibly secure a top 3 pick which was part of the trade to get Steve NASH]

The concept of team tank or tanking has now been brought up for the past two seasons with regularity.

But most of us agree:

It is either:

A) Byron Scott is not the right Coach for the job and is not properly conveying and communicating with his young talent.  His tactics are creating more disdain as opposed to unity.

B) The team has a bunch of guys that lack the necessary intelligence, so they are incapable of listening, comprehending and applying what the Coaches tell them to do

C) The Lakers are Tanking to ensure their Top Three protected pick.

One thing is certain there is a very clear breakdown in communication between the head coach/ coaches and most of the players and the tension and animosity appear to be growing.

We are 48 games into the season and the players and Coach Scott are STILL singing the same tune,

"we just have to figure things out."

And, Coach Scott has said NUMEROUS TIMES that his guys aren't listening.

So, forget about opinion.  Forget about "he said, she said" garbage.

The Fact that the troops aren't listening Mitch is the ONLY reason one needs to terminate the employment here.

A change is necessary to change the given culture AND psychology around campus, because ol number 4 ain't doin it.

Maybe Byron needs to listen to what D'Angelo has to say ... 

Tarik Black ?

Nick Young ?

Randle?

[waiting for the "golden handshake" that sends Byron Scott to the same islands tour that Mike D'Antoni went on_

 bring in Kobe Bryant to have control over basketball operations as Executive Mamba In Charge]

You know you really have something special when the players start holding themselves accountable – Scott Skiles

— Coach Quotes (@CoachMotto) January 29, 2016

DEAR MITCH KUPCHAK: Roy (Hibbert) Meets Bench

The Los Angeles Lakers are all about winning.

Their current coach, Byron Scott, has even TOLD us and his players this IS the case.  

This kind of bold ness (when you consider the current state of affairs in LA) can MAKE you or BREAK you.  

With NINE WINS through the first half of games, and going into a third consecutive season of hovering around 20 wins it is easy to see they ARE NOT (currently winning (sorry Charlie Sheen)).

now, or at season's end: the one on our left should replace the one on our right

If the ever-growing elephant in the room is Roy Hibbert and I am "all about winning" I have a serious sit-down with Hibbert's agent, David Falk, and tell him to Falk Off.

Recently rumors have swirled about suggesting the Lakers are looking for a playoff team that could use Hibbert's services. (ahem)

Dear Lakers,

      The top THREE teams in the NBA: Spurs, GSW, CAVS (yes, in THAT order) called and they told me they do not need a slow, lethargic, slumbering center that can barely slide step into proper defensive position and put and/or KEEP his hands straight up.

So.. moving on to "tier 2" of the playoff teams: Clippers, OKC, Chicago, Atlanta, Miami, Memphis...Indiana?  ....

[insert the Ben Stein character in Ferris Bueller's Day Off]

Hibbert? .....   Hibbert?  ....  Anyone?... 

NO

If I have to explain why none of those teams would consider a Roy Hibbert on their roster please stop reading this.  And, yes, I REALLY DO MEAN THAT.

Indiana (Larry Bird) walked away laughing at YOU and stole a second round pick along with "cash considerations" which amounted to cheeseburgers at Larry Legend's favorite burger joint in Indiana._

  BUBS CHEESEBURGERS AND ICE CREAM _home of the Big Ugly 

Mitch, you been French-Licked (or male-bitched!) son and no one is going to want to play with you unless:

1) There is a multi-player deal involving POS (piece of shit) for POS

Take Boston, for example, who have made it abundantly clear that David Lee is unwanted and open-for-trade....

YEP.  This kind of announcement is going to fetch you the exact same interest that Roy the BIG DeCOY Hibbert has... NONE.

Both these players come with a FIFTEEN + Million Dollar salary.

If someone wants their POS gone badly enough they may trade for someone else's POS.  Then you have to make the trade about landing a player you want now and see in your future plans.

This would be different, Mitch Kupchak, than trading Steve Blake to GSW for Kent Bazemore and Marshon Brooks to then let both Baze and Brooks WALK AWAY.  

This is different because 

1) Steve Blake is NOT a POS and 
2) You did not retain either of them for your mid-season pathetic salary dump transaction.

Mitch:  Add a player UNDER contract that you automatically retain.  QUIT trading for players that will be FAs in the immediate summer.  Fetch a player that CAN be used and retained.  BUT, you must be willing to forgo talent like: Tarik Black, Anthony Brown, et al 

(especially if YOU ARE NOT GOING TO PLAY TB. I bet MANY teams would LOVE to have him).

"In my opinion" ("it is my opinion because I am saying, "in my opinion" before I say it" 

_Charles Barkley #zeroRINGS, TNT

_ Talking about HIS opinion of HIS OPINION...(Kenny Smith and Shaquille O'Neal do everything NOT to face palm on camera and act as if NOTHING is happening).

In my opinion, 


The Lakers will be lucky to fetch anything greater than In-N-OUT double-doubles, with cheese, AND fries.  No fries, no deal.  Gift Cards welcome.  These Gift Cards are 1 per each person in management, good for 85 double-doubles each (No. 17 (Roy Hibbert's Jersey number) x 5 (players on a floor))

OR

STOP

Stop Starting ROY.  Is he a part of your future plans?  If he is then your scouting department, which has been plucking ripe fruit for decades has quickly diminished.

I would like to trade him also; to try to get that draft-pick back, but you dun effed up.  

LET IT GO

QUIT rolling ROY out there like a DECOY.   More PT is ONLY going to diminish any value and expose MORE of the deficiencies he has.  A self-proclaimed "defensive player" AND protector of the rim who does the following:

1) Lacks involvement around the rim, ie "aggression"
2) Makes himself smaller, not bigger, by shrugging backwards and downwards rather than standing upright with hands up
3) Poor Hand Positioning: 

In general whether at rim or at perimeter, this "TALLEST Player on the floor" diminishes a strength in length and size and gives it right back to the opponent by not stretching arms out to sides in a face up, perimeter defensive stance or under the rim with arms NOT up high.  This detracts from potential pass deflection by opponent and altered shots around the rim.  

In Summary: strength becomes a weakness

4) Lacks foot movement:  If the tallest player on the floor does NOT keep his hands up AND lacks lateral speed and quickness this becomes a glaring issue for ANY TEAM.  

With COACHING this player needs` to be disciplined in hand positioning and side-to-side speed to optimize player's abilities and strengths

Robert Sacre contains THESE fundamentals.  I would encourage the Coach to utilize Sacre and others like MWP , Bass, and Nance to scrimmage with focus on defensive positioning: slide and side steps, verticality, and lateral movement in general.

5) Offense:  This is another area where Roy gets the name, "Decoy."  This is all he is on offense.  A large guy that sets screens and takes up space.  Thus, some fans believe he is being used as a DECOY on offense because he serves NO PURPOSE. 

No one wants to pass it to him for these reasons:

a) Drops and misses passes regularly
b) A black hole in the post (mostly)
c) Man has NO post-game
d) No back to the basket threat_ To "get nerdy" on this I would have looked at Roy Hibbert's shooting percentage within 5 feet after eliminating put-backs and dunks.  It has to be dreadful.
e) DOES have a face up shot.  His 15 foot across the FT (Free Throw) Line extended, "short-17" is decent.  He AND Bass do a nice job out front.  Again, with Coaching AND in the RIGHT position OR system Roy Hibbert has value here but is getting underutilized in an area that is a strength for THIS PLAYER.

So, Mitch, if I see this (and I am just a fan) then what in THEE (not theeee Ohio State University alma mater to one D'Angelo Russell),

what in THEE HELL do YOU THINK NBA SCOUTS SEE?

the big ugly from Indiana_ a favorite burger from "Bub's"

Falk YOU, David Falk.. 


roy meets bench

Los Angeles Lakers Roy Hibbert: a double-double waiting to happen ?

I was at a gas station in Glendora, listening to the radio when Mitch Kupchak came on the air waves to discuss the newest acquisition by the Los Angeles Lakers, Roy Hibbert.  I was a bit speechless but much like watching a train wreck I could not "turn away" so I listened to what the Lakers GM had to say.


"Getting a rim protector (Roy Hibbert) and a force in the paint is something we  have not had. I think he'll be challenged to have a really good year going into a free agent year. I think he feels that the last year or year and a half in Indiana didn't go as well as he'd like. And he wants to get back at playing at a very, very high level and make the all-star team."

I wanted to believe this but had my doubts.  Didn't Roy Hibbert struggle and have problems with the team (Management) in Indiana? (I asked myself)

"Isn't Roy Hibbert a slow-moving and stiff Big Man who is primarily know for defense and doesn't DO a whole lot else?" (self)

Wait a minute... DEFENSE.  Riiiiiiight...

SOMETHING the Lakers have sorely been lacking, especially in the paint and around the rim..

Roy, after all does pride himself on being a defensive-minded protector of the basket.

OK, well, maybe this CAN help the Lakers after ALL. (the fanatic says to himself)

Roy Hibbert, at the time of this trade, had one-year left on his deal.  He was willing to forgo approx $2.2M in salary kicker to leave Indiana.

The Lakers traded a "future draft pick and cash" for the rights to Hibbert.  That future pick ends up being a second round draft pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.  If you are a Lakers fan then you already know the kind of GOLD they have discovered over the year in round two; the most recent of which is starting guard Jordan Clarkson.  We shall see about Anthony Brown who is finally seeing some PT of late..

Incidentally, that second round pick that was traded to Indiana?  THAT PICK was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, about two weeks later, for 

 Rakeem Christmas 

"Now, it's still possible that Indiana could send Christmas to play for its D-League affiliate, the Fort Wayne (Ind.) Mad Ants....But Even if Christmas is in the D-League, he'll be earning NBA money.  The Pacers reportedly signed him to a 4-year, $4.5 million deal with the first two years guaranteed." 

{source: Mike Waters_syracuse.com 7/24/15}

And THAT is precisely where Mr. Christmas has been, in the D-League, averaging 15.6 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.2 blocks.  

Speaking of BLOCKS.

Roy Hibbert complained profusely, back in 2013, when he DID NOT win the DPOY (Defensive Player of the YEAR).  In fact, he came in tenth.  Paul George, a teammate of Hibbert at the time, was voted ahead of him.  Roy also did NOT make ANY ALL-DEFENSIVE teams that year.  He averaged 11.9 Points, 8.3 Rebounds and 2.6 Blocks.  This (12-13)was one of his best years and certainly the one with the most blocks per contest.  Indiana, as a team, also led in points allowed per possession.

Hassan Whiteside who currently leads the NBA with 3.8, Anthony Davis is second at 2.5 and Hibbert is eleventh with 1.6.

Not really sure if the Lakers are reaping any true defensive benefit by having Roy in the game.  







 In the video clip you will see that he is not anywhere NEAR the rim he claims to want to protect. At 7-2 he has a tendency to make himself smaller by NOT standing erect and using his arms up high, whether he is defending out front OR down low. He often times LOWERS his arms in almost Tyrannosaurus Rex fashion:

cue the t-rex dance pic.twitter.com/lqjE0Kmnow

— nick pants (@nick_pants) January 12, 2016

You have perhaps heard that a player IS a "double-double waiting to happen."  The Los Angeles Lakers have a few of those guys:

Larry Nance, although only has THREE, is really on the cusp of getting to that level with regularity.  And by regularity I mean not only achieving the results but by also getting increased playing time for his efforts.

Julius Randle is currently tied with LeBron James and Lamarcus Aldridge with 13 on the year.


Tarik Black?  Dude needs PT.


Roy Hibbert on the other hand?

He might be a double-double of another kind.  Remember that "cash" portion in the trade that brought him here?  Well, rumor has it, Larry Legend's favorite burger joint is Bub's Burgers and Ice Cream.  So, in order to sweeten the pot, the Lakers threw in a year's worth of Bub's BIG UGLY burgers.  Rumor also has it that the "Big Ugly" is inspired by Big Roy.  We could never confirm nor deny any of these so-called rumors which are said to be as viable as when ESPN says, "sources say..."

would you trade Roy Hibbert for THIS?

     With Hibbert racking up 6.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.6 blocks at the tune of 15.6 Million Dollars this season it is safe to assume that the Lakers may have to spend considerable cash to unload him which may include a lifetime supply of "double-doubles."  Some people might suggest that if Big Ugly, errr, Roy could capture a double-double with fries then the Lakers should take the deal.  And THAT, my friends would be an absolute upgrade for that sack of potatoes.

The ONLY one smiling in THIS is Larry Bird

Eff You, LARRY!

In other news...

Roy Hibbert contemplates the new twitter handle:

 Roy Meets Bench

The Los Angeles Lakers: In the TANK

I have fond memories of Chick Hearn putting Lakers games "in the refrigerator." 



It seems like those years and times for the purple and gold are eons away.  They (the Lakers), now, seem firmly rooted in TEAM TANK

Many jokes have been made and many different memes of either Mike D'Antoni, Byron Scott, Mitch or Jim (Buss) driving an actual tank over the past several seasons.

I am not so sure the Lakers are losing "deliberately" or not but they have definitely lacked effort AND have failed badly (see huge OKC losses).

Here are the Western Conference Standings currently:

This makes me want to vomit.  Not because "my team" is last in the Western Conference and en route to yet another record setting type of season in the worst way, but because I believed this:

"I don't see why we don't contend for a playoff spot," Kupchak said, "but our young players have to grow beyond their years, and we have to stay healthy."

_Mitch Kupchak July 2015

I don't see WHY either Mitch.

Personally, I see an easy five games that SHOULD be in the win column which puts the Lakers currently in the hunt for the 8 seed:

Game One v Minnesota: The Lakers had control for three quarters and then watched the T'Wolves comeback and win during the fourth

They were in Games 3 and 4 Versus the Mavs and Nuggets and then got a dub vs the Nets.

They had the game against the Knicks but lost by 4

Remember game 8 against the Magic?  Yeh, I want to forget THAT one too.  A buzzer beater by Nikola Vucevic sealed the Lakers fate that day..

You can go through the schedule yourself and see that since THEN they have been IN, and have had chances to win games.  But, they have not, including another 1-point loss to the Wolves and close games recently versus the Kings and OKC.

THEY ARE BETTER THAN WHAT THEIR RECORD INDICATES

So...What gives?

The Lakers get Lucky with a win against the Pelicans on January 12, 2016 but did so WITHOUT Pels star forward Anothony Davis.  Davis played the NEXT night and had 24 points and 10 rebounds in a WIN against Sacramento  (109-97).

Hmmmmm.... 

BUT... when I see the Lakers FIRMLY planted at the bottom of the Western Conference and FIRMLY believe they are better than that; I have to then conclude that they ARE tanking with purpose.

This NBA game has QUICKLY passed Roy Hibbert by and Roy has NO BUSINESS starting and playing 25 mins per contest on a TEAM that can go SMALL(er) with the likes of NANCE, BASS, and even Metta or Tarik Black.  YET, "WE" continue to see Roy Hibbert run out there on a daily basis.

It sucks.

It sucks to feel like the Lakers resolved themselves to the fact that they WOULD NOT be vying for spot 8 or even higher in this year's Western Conference and are steadfastly working their record the opposite direction in hope to land themselves some Simmons.

Good LUCK with THAT!

FIRE (in the hole) Mitches

This game is in "the tank,"  The pin is pulled, the grenade is warming and the lid is closed.

BOOM