We really don't know how good he can be because he's athletic, strong, coordinated, has big hands and isn't nicknamed Boom Boom for no reason. I've posted his Houston/Lakers season highlights from last year, his rookie season multiple times because they look so impressive. He worked his a** off this summer with all the other young guys. We should have already by now had much more of an idea, but maybe like realdeal says, they were hiding him? Just so damn sick of the cliches and lies and stupidity coming out of Byron's mouth. Wouldn't be no reason to be protecting him if the whole roster had been used effectively this season from the start and the team by now was gelling and all this would be clear. We have the money. Boom Booms don't grow on trees. They could have extended him probably before for not a whole lot as he's thrilled (or was thrilled) to be in L.A. after not getting drafted last year. F*** you Boron and f*** you FO for this horrible season. This was not a goddamned tank year, but now it is, with little chance of keeping our pick. Because Boron to save his sorry a** is going to start coming after wins with lineups and rotations that should have been used all along after the All Star break.
Yeah we've been saying it for 50 games now, but the mishandling of Tarik has been by far the most confusing aspect of this season. Even more than benching Russell/Randle and even more than the minutes for Kobe or the lack of a system on either end. Tarik Black rotting away after being just a few votes shy of the All-Rookie team is something I just cannot fathom. He's one of our better young players and the fact he wasn't playing should be evidence in itself of our attempted tanking.
Absolutely, real. The treatment of Black has truly been a mystery and added fuel to the question of whether Boron is completely incompetent or putting stupid lineups out there under orders from the FO in order to tank (or both). It's just been strange and very frustrating for us as fans, let alone how lame it must have seemed to Tarik.
Lame is one word for it. If I had evidence that the Lakers were purposely hiding me to keep my value down on the market, I'd demand a LOT of money this summer or a trade. That's bull****. Tarik should have been playing all season long and now he won't be able to get the same kind of money that Clarkson will get this summer even if Tarik deserved it.
I think it is a money game, to drive his asking price down. If so - I am ashamed to be a fan of this franchise that used to treat its players properly.
It's not a money game, IMO. Byron refused to play him because he's an imbecile. That's it. He'll continue to play him more often because Tarik gives him the best chance to win games. He probably realized that long ago, but he's too stubborn and wants to do it his way...
^word. we may never know the real reason black was nailed to the bench for most of the season, but I'm very skeptical that it was about keeping his value down. he's on a low money deal, and the lakers have some bird rights to him. no need to worry about being priced out, imo. normally, I'd offer some alternative theory after casting doubt on the initial one, but I'm truly flabbergasted. like everyone else, I don't think black is great or destined for stardom or even an nba starter, but he kicks the crap out of Kelly and sacre as options at any position. anyone can see this. have to believe there's some other, perhaps non-basketball related reason for his exile.
...with Black in the line-up, the squad has a very good chance of winning which will derail the tank.
I am only half kidding when I say Black porked Byron's girlfriend. There was either porking or this is a clandestine tank. I think Black has the potential to be a good to great big off the bench.
I know; that's the sort of thing I'm talking about. "you need to be more like ben Wallace...in that ben Wallace didn't bang my gf".
That block was awesome, it might have been an emotional turning point of the game. Hood makes that dunk, we go down 9 points on a demoralizing open, or even poster dunk. But Black blocks it, we get an alley oop dunk on the other end, only down 5, and there was still light. We got down 10 again after that, but that block was like the first sign of any real defense we'd seen all night, might have been inspiring.
If it wasn't for that dumb coach of ours, Black would be a 15-20min a game, all hustle, heart and effort player. F BS.
Is he free agent or restricted free agent now? If he hears or knows Boron the a-hole is coming back he'll want out. And willing to bet Bass does too. Back to square one and hard to match this year's low dollar, quality free agents that Mitch put together if Boron the a-hole comes back. Is the FO blind or f****** crazy ..... all of them. WORST NBA COACH EVER. Look it up in the record books.
That was a man's block, Tariq. Then, what happens? You got benched. You'll probably be gone next year, but thank you for your effort last night, your professionalism for the season, and I wish you the best, sir.
