i'm more on the side of jj being a mixture of nervous and loyal to the guys who have been putting in the hours/work all year. the gabe thing was the same. he just couldn't find a way to justify sitting a dude that he thought was giving his all and putting the team first, etc. i get that, but it just feels like other teams find ways to get minutes for their prospects without blowing up chances at winning or alienating all the vets. but maybe the answer is simply having fewer options.
Yes, and I added to the post last page saying I agree that Adou “should” still get some run and experience THIS year. Wholeheartedly.
They’re absolutely pretending, because that’s what you do when you’re the Lakers, you say championship or bust to the media and fans even if you know it isn’t happening this season. If they aren’t, and they really believe this roster can win it all, then they shouldn’t be in their jobs because that’s delusional and poor talent/roster evaluation. I’m not hating on them here, again, this is just what the Lakers do, say the goal is championship even when it’s not gonna happen. Only in rare rebuilding years did they ever even hint at otherwise. I just wish in years that we had no real shot at it, that we wouldn’t straddle this middle ground for a first or second round exit, over playing and developing youth for the future, which probably doesn’t hurt that same first or second round exit anyway. But we don’t do that here, rather than develop something for going forward we hurt ourselves in the long run and continue to use a revolving door of vet min guys, rentals, reclamation projects, etc.. If we ever hope to change the culture around here, to start to be better at finding homegrown young talent for cheap on the margins, at some point we have to change that. I never expect us to be OKC or SA in that regard and have a roster full of it, but I’d like us to try it with 2 or 3 young players at least.
Well the fact he gave Gabe such a sucking long leash just doesn't help JJs case here. Particularly since the Lakers have gotten their a** hands to them by physical guards and wings over and over again. It's frustrating as there is a need that hasn't been filled and you have this athletic freak who fits the bill. Even if Vando Jake Rui were more consistent on offense they just kind of get torched with the bully ball types
