Rob Pelinka Discussion: He's Scrambling

- Trudell asks how does being an agent help/not help: Rob says 20 years gives you an insight what's important with players and agents. He says we have deliver on expectations and become the leader in delivering those expectations. He wants players to chase the Lakers as a place where players are treated better than everyone else. Pelinka says he's going to take the good he's seen in 29 other teams and incorporate them here and then expand upon them. Magic says the mindset of GMs of teams and relationships with GMs are a big reason Pelinka got the job.
- Medina asks what's your timetable for picking up talent: Pelinka wouldn't give a timeline, but they're committed to excellence every single day. He says plans are being implemented right now.
- Someone asked about Lakers intrinsic value in the past and how they can try to get back to that despite new limitations: Pelinka says the Lakers still have an intrinsic advantage: it's the Lakers and the Lakers are irreplaceable. Nobody will treat players the way the Lakers will because of their history AND what they'll bring back towards that feeling. Pelinka says they'll use their advantages in the cap to be creative and to find ways. Magic says Rob has looked 5 years in advance with great detail on who can be brought in and how much they can make with their own teams and how much they can pay. Magic says they'll go back to NY and to review even more about the CBA.

 

- On where his steepest learning curve is: Pelinka says the franchise consists of 200-250 employees and it's their job to make sure the franchise is working in the right direction (sort of doesn't answer the question). He says the biggest hill to climb is to get every single person to be headed in the same direction. Keeps calling it Lakers 2.0. Pelinka says they'll demand a standard of excellence and if people are not up to par, they'll move on from them. Magic says they've both built successful companies so they know what they want and what they don't want. Magic says they're evaluating everyone in the organization, not just the players. Magic says hopefully we have the best people in house, but if not we'll go get them.
- On why he took the job: feed is breaking out but he is suddenly talking about Syrian refugees wearing Kobe jerseys. Rob says the Laker brand is unique and can give hope and joy to the world. Rob calls this an amazing opportunity to reach so far across the world.
- On the kids being a championship foundation: Rob says he doesn't know, but says Luke is a championship coach. Rob says they'll put in a championship accountability system that every player on the team is striving for greatness and working hard and a person of integrity. He wants players who are responsive to that will and that pressure to be great. Magic says the kids have to get more consistent and if they can get more consistent bringing it... Magic says last night was a joy to watch and they were playing Laker basketball. He says we need that all the time.

 

- On his experience being an agent with forming teams that fit together: Rob says players are looking to make their own choices in FA. Rob says every single agent in the NBA knows that the Lakers are the best platform for their players. He wants to tap into all that is Los Angeles to amplify player opportunities in this market. He wants to reach out to titans of industry to help the players here succeed. Rob is convinced agents will come calling.
- Lakers struggling defense, how do you fix the Laker defense: (the guys are not exactly happy about this question...) Magic says they'll take the last 17-18 games to evaluate the players and he says they understand that things have to improve. Will consult with Luke after the season. Will look at the draft results. Will look at the money for FAs. No plan as of today for defensive changes, but those things will come. Says players and coaches are working on it. Rob says the coach and GM and President all have to be in lock step (hints that the problems with Jim sort of affected the needs of the team right now).

 

- Hispanic fan base is important and has been disappointed by the franchise how will you work to improve? "Tell them this 6'9" African American is just as upset as you guys are." He says he's been yelling at the tv and getting upset about it as much as anybody else. Jokes about how he's struggled with how the Lakers have been and he says they're going to win back the fans eventually once everyone sees that we're going to play the game the right way and earn it. Magic says they're going to work day and night to bring a positive product to the team.

And that's a wrap.