Russell Westbrick Discussion: Clipper Gonna Clip

I read that differently, if they were planning on getting rid of Russ, they wouldn’t be calling him to update him on roster moves.

 

Yes indeed. If they didn't care, he wouldn't get a call, and they were making sure he wasn't blindsided by the signing. They are doing what they can to make this situation work. Russ will have to cooperate of course, and we'll have to see how that goes. People can change.

 

I was watching is exit interview and as crazy as it sounds, I think we have no chance but to play his game. This team will be worse with him as a corner shooter playing off-ball than being centered around him. He is a lost cause to try to make him do things he never did. He thinks he's entitled based on his history.
I wasn't of this opinion but I now believe in this. It's crazy to not play the LeBron way because of a guy like Russ but it's the only way we get the best outcome out of this team.
If we have Russ playing his game, being the main ball handler, albeit the turnovers and bad decision making, it may be the best way to have him giving effort on defense. If you give him what he wants on offense, it will be easier to call him out on defense.
LeBron and AD are also way more talented to play well in any system. LeBron off ball can very well be a huge threat too.

Again, it's a crazy thought that go against my usual way of thinking, but based on the context we are now, I'm leaning towards being our best shot of being locked-in in the playoffs. Then anything can happen there.

For the future of the franchise, our goal should be to be competitive and be in the playoffs so we can continue to be a place superstars want to come soon. If we are top 6 it's an ok season. If we win one round it's a good season.
And hell, maybe playing that way will renew Russ' value and allow to make a splashy move down the line.

 

The problem is he's no longer a good player playing things "his way". The loss of athleticism for him just has caused his whole game to collapse. Defenses have so many options with him: drop coverage, putting a big wing on him, just switch everything, etc.

From the other team's perspective, you are happy every time he shoots a jumper, you're not that concerned if he gets to the rim as he tends to brick bunnies now, and the only thing you have to do is keep the other guys covered to prevent the dump offs

 

He has NO choice.

 

not sure why theres still notion that he's gona be around, we have 3 other "pg" on roster already, none are truly elite at anything expect mystery man Nunn and dont give me Beverly is elite at D crap

 

How can you not blame Klutch?
He had Hield trade lined up

 

This is so absurd.

 

How can you blame him for Caruso? It was Jeannie who didn't want to open the pocket. If you don't understand Lakers and NBA's' mechanics, pay attention. It's part of his job to follow Klutch because he's fired if he doesn't. LeBron is too powerful in any organization, the guy is the closest to the GOAT we have ever been. With a different owner, we could push for that, but with Jeannie, no GM stands a chance.
And he leveraged on those mistakes he was forced to do and put a foot down against trading Russ in the deadline and now giving away picks. Plus, I think Ham is his choice. All great decision-making while throwing a bone with the mini-MLE. I think we are on a good track as soon as we move from Russ fiasco. But not at any cost

Hield is not a great trade. But it made sense based on our roster. With LeBron he would be amazing, let's face it. And we most likely keep Caruso and THT probably balls out. And don't sign all those veterans. But it is what it is. Higher forces came into play. We would still miss the playoffs, but the center of attention is on the LeBron/AD injuries and there's less backlash on the team whose 5 would be something like Caruso-THT-Hield-Melo-Howard. Yikes

 

depends. did the other team get lebron and AD out of absolutely nothing? or are we still saying rob gets no credit for that, but all blame for everything else?

i'd say i have very little idea as to whether rob is a good gm or not because the lakers don't really have a gm. they have "braintrust". the quotes are doing heavy lifting here.

 

braintrust worse or better than Rob having absolute power n doesn't have to answer to the braintrusts?

 

i'd rather have accountability and power rest in the hands of a primary decision maker in matters like this. rob should answer to a PBO or directly to the owner. not to klutch, kurt, tim harris, etc.

at least if rob had made the hield deal, i'd be more comfortable with all the blame landing on his feet, as it was clearly his plan and part of his job. russ clearly was not rob's plan. he went along, but if he didn't, he was going to be fired eventually for it. we all know that, including him.

 

The Nunn vs Caruso decision is the real kick in the nuts.
This team really seems to expect Reaves to really take a jump. If you make the same moves this off-season (including the dumbfounding Walker Signing), this team would be significantly better with Caruso. You actually would have a playoff caliber rotation in the backcourt between Reaves, Caruso, Beverly, Brick/Schroeder. You could actually even play Reaves and Caruso together and have a good combo of defense/offense

f***ing Lebron had a nice self-inflicted gunshot wound to his legacy with advocating for the WB trade but Rob and Jeanie don't seem to mind lighting some kerosene next to fireworks as well.

And Kuz is easily the best asset in the WB trade: 6'9 wing who is playable in the playoffs is worth more than WB/KCP/Nunn/Beverly/Schroeder combined right now

 

*looks around at everyone who was demanding we trade kuz for anything at all*

i got attacked from all sides for suggesting that everyone's haste to move kuz was silly.

 

I wanted to trade Kuz but not for WB.
.
I'm down to move anybody if we move them in the right deal. Russ just wasn't it.

But we're here now and we can't compound it by making it worse and trading future first round picks to get out of his contract.

And because of that, this year is likely lost unless something comes along during the season...

 

As opposed to them not caring and not giving a heads up on this firing ....

 

yes, so unfair