Believe me, I strongly criticized Magic and jeannie for the rambii, but I'm not buying all that crap that the media is feeding the masses. This KL situation, it's not on magic or the Lakers FO. I sound like a broken record but....once again, who turns down playing with AD and LeBron....Unless you never wanted to join in the first place!
half the league would be ok playing with Lebron, and half of the league wouldn't. (I wouldn't play with him, I'd want to play against him) He wasn't in the half that would if he had other decent options. The Clippers created that option, so case closed. If healthy, they will probably have their best season in their hallowed team history. And if we stay healthy, I don't believe it will be enough. However, this is where we need to see a team come together quickly with so many new parts. The Clips have the benefit of a little more continuity, and a championship coach. I don't think Luke was the right guy/right time for our coaching job, but the jury is out on what we've put together. We just frankensteined a roster and a coaching staff, so we'll see what happens.
The one part I'm having a hard time with is the Lakers were PG and Kawhis favorite teams growing up. Both requested trades here and when it didnt work out stabbed us in the back figuratively speaking. Driving me crazy trying to understand
They didn't really want to play with Lebron. If he isn't here, they are. I really do think it's that simple. The rest of the stuff or excuses is just noise because everyone wants to be politically correct. It would be unpopular to come out and say you don't want to play with him.
Think a lot of folks forget no one wanted to play with Kobe either making it next to impossible to attract FA stars. Guess sorta similar
Ceez, It's easy. PG is a b**ch and kawhi wanted the limelight to himself. He wanted a second star only to give him load management. PG got butthurt bc we didnt offer the farm for him to Indy. Thank god we didn't bc that fool would have backstabbed us when things don't go well just like he did to his buddy Russ. Now they both are b***ches.
Easily the players I hate most in nba have one thing in common, Paul.... PG, PP and CP3....oh the irony.
Again, I don’t feel like most of what is discussed is wrong or untrue. We’re losing our minds trying to get in the head of one of the all time weirdos in the NBA. I do believe that at some point Kawhi considered the Lakers, and considered our lack of staff concerning. Other teams including the Clippers have more staff employed in their front offices compared to ours. Kawhi or not, I objectively believe the Lakers have to improve their front office going forward. Whatever these millionaire freakishly good basketball players discuss on their iMessages I’ll never know. But once the wheels were turning and it became clear the Clippers were the choice for him, he told us to hold off the trade strategically - advantage primarily for Kawhi’s camp, and in the end, advantage for Clippers And I agree with @Cookie that most of these guys don’t know anything. We got played, they got played. Kawhi’s camp does not work in good faith. Match made in heaven for Clips.
From what I learned Monday (being intentionally vague here), the impression I was left with is that the Lakers over estimated their odds of landing Kawhi going back to last summer. From the moment that trade to Toronto went down, his desired goal was to get to the Clippers, and the Lakers did not seriously enter his thought process until the Anthony Davis trade was announced. I will just leave it at that.
From what you're saying then wouldn't have made any difference one way or another if the Lakers had believed what he said leaving SA or not about wanting only to come to the Lakers. Eff him and eff PG.
Actually, your “try to keep up” crack is insulting to anyone it’s aimed at. You don’t know me, but I’m one of the less sensitive people here. But even if I was I don’t need you to tell me to not be so sensitive. It’s just not reading the room to come to a new forum and start directing long term posters like you’re showing them what’s up. As far as flexing Admin muscle; really? How exactly did I do that. Did I lower any boom on you? Did I threaten you in any way? You, and every member are free to disagree with me without any concern. We even have site staff members that openly disagree on Lakers related issues. We don’t squelch debate here. But we do encourage respect in our disagreements.
OK Jeanie let me help you. I'm going to tell you how with one strategic hire that you can 100% close and lock up ..... you will GUARANTEED get the eyes and goodwill of the NBA focussed again on what a great organization the Lakers are going forward. And it can't be nepotism or any hint of that. Do it Jeanie and you can thank me later. Feel good story of the year. Outside the box perfect. Promote Ryan West to President Basketball Operations Los Angeles Lakers. Who anywhere wouldn't root for Ryan West? Everyone knows Jerry and respects Ryan. 100% certain he has by now the smarts and experience and personality to handle the job great and with class again. Easy peasy. You're welcome.