The young talent will develop under a capable coach which will happen next season. 24 will be gone [as much as his decline saddens me], freeing up money and the offense. We all have to swim through this muck and deal with it. I expected a better showing but very disappointed in the results.
You are much too kind... Loved Scott as a player but whatever happened to that coach who worked wonders in Jersey and Nawlins?
My optimism: at this rate the ticket prices will keep plummeting and at some point I'll go to another game, sit real close, and watch these youngsters develop.
I have no optimism at the moment when it comes to the Lakers. So here is a picture of some delicious looking sliders to cheer everyone up
After the silent springs of Clippers "rising up" every spring time of late while the Lakers are having to find their way with great new talent yet one horrid coach after another ...... it's a beautiful time and birds sing again. Watching them yet again do what they've always done. FAIL.
Shane Battier said on the Lowe podcast that the Lakers will be contending for a championship within 3 years. What is he seeing that we aren't? Now that's optimism.
We will reload. It's tough to see eight now. However, once Byron is gone, Kobe retires, and we nail the hire with the next coach, things will look up. Going into free agency with those things locked up, rookies on rookie scale contracts, and $65 million in cap space, we will be in great position. Just keep the faith, man.
I agree with him. This team is a decent coach from being a respectable ball club even with some of the glaring holes on this roster. With some additions this offseason, another lotto pick, Kobe retiring, the continued growth of the young guys I don't see it as out of the question that we'll be back in contention with three or four years.
My Optimus Prime takes? I dig Clarkson's constant attack mode, Hibbert's professionalism and consistency. Randle will continue to get better and I believe Russell will figure it out to play better once they take the yokel off him.
Quick bit of optimism. Russell Clarkson/Williams Young/A. Brown Randle/Nance Black That's 8 players under contract at only $23M. We could turn this team around so quickly with two big FAs. (I'll leave aside how unlikely FAs are to come here for the present; this is optimism.) We need a big and we could use a SF. BTW, I just read an article that said "even if" the Lakers lure Durant and Horford, they won't be a championship level team. What do you think? Russell/Vet Min Clarkson/Williams Durant/Young/A. Brown Randle/Nance Horford/Black
Seeing the struggles of Houston and the Clippers, that's a Top 4 team. I think I'd prefer to bring back Hibbert to getting Horford, but either would be nice. I simply don't think we're likely to get one of the max level free agents, let alone two.
I'd love to bring back Hibbert, honestly. I think my post went in a direction slightly differently from what I'd intended. Let me redo this. I think Russell is a quality PG in this league. I'd be happy to start him. I think JC is a quality SG in this league. I'd be happy to start him. I think we need a starter at SF, as Nick is offense off the bench; he's not a starter. Randle is a quality PF in this league. I'd be happy to start him. Hibbert is a defense anchor. I'd be happy to start him. We need a backup PG, preferably a veteran whom we trust. Williams is offense off the bench, too. He can work as long as we put him in a spot to succeed. We need a PG backup we trust to run the offense. Young as the backup 3 is good. Nance can be a high energy dude, like these shiny new tweeners who become defensive stoppers. He's not there yet, but I trust in his ability to develop. Black is a PF, and I'd like to get him there to stay, but for the present, he'd be our C. We have players who can be successful in the right roles. If we bring back Hibbert, we need: Veteran PG with handles and calm. Top flight SF who can shoot and defend. Backup big, preferably a Center.
Lou and Nick are superfluous. One of them needs to go; insert A. Brown into Young's sport and get rid of Young even though I think he's having a good season and making me eat crow. Sell high on him. Veteran PG? Shaun Livingston. Free agent, veteran, champion, can guard 3 positions, and capable offensively. Jarrett Jack is another guy I like in that role. Top flight SF? You're looking at Batum. We'll probably go after Durant while Batum goes to another team, but he's the guy you go after, IMO. Backup Center? I haven't seen the list in regards to who's available.
We have both Nick and Lou locked up, but I do agree that they do similar things. I'm not sure which one I'd rather run with. They're both frustrating as hell. Jack is probably too pricey to pick up in our current situation. Not sure though.
