Didn't watch it and I have no desire to. I don't want to ever give "First Take" a chance to negatively effect my day regardless of their guest host. The fact that their guest host happens to be a guy that's widely critical of the Lakers (yet feigns support) basically tells me all I need to know about what's going to be said.
That's Baby B...hahahaha. Oh, that's great. Well, I do respect their friendship, if this was any other coach and the Lakers were having the kind of season we are having presently, he'd be all over them with criticism. Whatever, though; just Magic being Magic..
Pincus hits on most of the points discussed and worthwhile quotes in his article: http://www.latimes.com/sports/laker...riticizes-lakers-jim-buss-20150210-story.html
Listen... when its all said and done Jim Buss might not be the right guy for the job and to some people he isn't the guy for the job right now. But with all the said, why does Magic have to go on national tv/do a press tour stabbing Jim in the back again. We already know Magic's thoughts about the man, why does he have to continue to do this. Magic, I love you as the player and all you have overcome, but dang dude you sometimes don't know when to just keep quite.
Finally something to talk about in this god-forsaken era of Lakers basketball! Preach all day Magic, cause at least its got Lakers fans talking again about something...anything... We're in a sad state of affairs right now. We really don't have an identity. We're neither here nor there. We ain't competing today and there's really no promise that we're competing tomorrow. But even more depressing is that there is really nothing to look forward to if recent history has any say in the matter. We struck out with the draft last season actually dropping in our positioning and losing out on the kid for the season. (In the back of everybody's minds, I'm sure, is that Randle has a history of injury in his lower limbs and of course we're all hoping for the best, but anytime this guy comes up gimpy, there's concern and IMHO that type of player really can't be a cornerstone to build around). We struck out in free agency with at least one slot of max money available and even the likes of Melo turning it down. And we can't even strike out on trades, cause we got nothing of worth to trade. Magic has missed the mark many a times, but his commentary right now is necessary. At least for myself, it got me interested in talking Lakers for the time being. Franchises have down years, but you can at least look to upper management and find peace that they will right this ship in an expedited manner. Laker fans no longer have the luxury cause Dr. Buss is no longer there. So with Kobe coming into his twilight and with Randle and possibly another top 5 pick, the Lakers are certainly not relevant now and management has not proven to us that we can be relevant in the near future. Magic...please keep putting pressure up there, so that we can do something....anything....to be relevant again. Cause right now, the Lakers aren't remotely interesting and worth the discussion. I sincerely applaud you guys for at least attempting to pass interesting commentary during this god-forsaken period of Lakers basketball.
I usually cringe when Magic talks. Not today. Agree with everything he said. He's so right about little jimmy trying to do it all himself to prove everyone wrong. I agreed with him going for Howard. I thought we overspent on Nash (that one is gonna haunt us for like, ever and ever). But his efforts can't be criticized. he swung and missed. It happens. At least he's swinging. Now he just needs to hire the right people so the misses aren't so frequent.
But how many times does he have to say this. We get it already.... I thought what Reggie said tonight during the Nuggets-Lakers game was on point, Magic better be careful how often to goes to the well with this "Jim's team management sucks" because Free agents to be this off-season aren't going to want to come if they keep hearing this. Jeanie is right, Magic and Jim need to grow a pair and settle this matter behind closed doors instead of lobbing grenades with the help of the media.
so is it official policy to assume Jeanie and everyone else are lying when they say Jim is not actually trying to do it on his own? where's that beating a dead horse emote from CL...
Truth hurts... It will take some time for the franchise to field a competitive squad with talent. The draft looks to be only the way. In the early to mid 1990's the organization went through such a dry spell. This time however it is without Dr. Buss and Jerry West. The glaring gaffes that Jim Buss that rankles the fan base has his been coaching hires. Kupchak did go for the best options but unfortunately did not work one due to injury/age and the other being a mental midget.
One of the beat writers has said that Mitch is as empowered of a GM as can be found in basketball. I don't think Jim Buss is trying to prove anything really other than that he can do his job effectively which I think we can all relate to and understand. I think he HAS forced things in the past, but I don't see that anymore. I wouldn't be surprised if it was his idea to force the Paul trade at the wrong moment, but other than that what has he done that's been so awful that it's HIS fault and not EVERYONE'S? It's so easy to beat up on Jim Buss when our focus at this point should also turn toward Jeanie AND Mitch. If Jeanie was a stronger personality maybe she'd have more of her father's charm and that's something we need at her position. If Mitch had known the new CBA better maybe he wouldn't have been treating our 1sts like confetti and threw half of them away for Nash. Jim isn't perfect, but the whole team hasn't been perfect so far.
I'm still wondering what Jim Buss has done to warrant such criticism. How has he taken control away from Mitch? Is there any actual deals he has done or vetoed without Mitch's input, blessing? Magic makes a blanket statement with no facts or even rumors to substantiate it. An earlier post stated Jim swung for the fences with Kobe's career winding down for that last shot at a Finals appearance, at that time they were recognized as great moves, of course now not so much. Mitch was involved in every detail.What's wrong with that? So now with the new CBA directly focusing the Lakers in the cross hairs it has taken some time to set up the rebuild. Jim and Mitch have a plan, have direction. With a top 3 pick a near slam dunk, and Houston's #1 as well, the 2nd rounder traded to Orlando in the Howard deal coming back as well because it's protected, (should be in the low 30's) and possibly the Clips 2nd round pick if it falls right, plus all that cap space they are now set up. These last two seasons have been brutal, worst ever in Laker history, and I'm just riding it out waiting to see how it all plays out. I'll blame Jim Buss if in two years he has not got his team back in the playoffs, but not now.
