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Mitch Kupchak gives update on the state of the Lakers, D'Angelo Russell, Kobe Bryant and more

Discussion in 'Lakers Discussion' started by ElginTheGreat, Dec 14, 2015.

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ElginTheGreat - Lakers MVP -

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Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak held a live discussion on the current state of the franchise, hitting every major point of a disappointing season. Lakers sideline reporter Mike Trudell moderated the Lakers Voices chat, taking questions from social media as Kupchak went over a wide range of topics, including Kobe Bryant, the new core, Byron Scott's performance and more. His biggest focus was on D'Angelo Russell and a group of young prospects he is "very encouraged" by.

Mitch reiterated that the development of Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson and Russell remains an area they want to continue focusing on, but that there's also importance in balancing Kobe Bryant's final season. "Knowing that you're not going to get into the playoffs, and knowing that Kobe's not going to be here a year from now, it makes you want to focus, as a manager, on the young players," Kupchak said when asked about how the two very different sides of the season are coming together. "But the reality is Kobe, although he's not going to be here next year, he will be with us for the rest of the year. This is his twentieth season, and he's just had a ridiculous career."

"We're trying to focus on the young group, but Kobe deserves a large degree of respect for what he's accomplished."

Kupchak pointed out the last three games for the Lakers as signs of the team heading in the direction they're hoping for as they transition. He cited the overtime loss in Minnesota, when Bryant made the case to coach Scott to let the young core finish the game, as a major stepping stone through the first stretch of the season. Still, he also made sure to point out the disappointment with the current record, hoping to have more wins with their re-worked roster.

"When you win some games there's a more positive environment and atmosphere. It just makes it a little bit more tolerable for young players to develop. You don't want to get to a position where you're losing every game, and it's tough," Kupchak said of the losing record. "At that point, yeah I want to develop, but you want to win games."

Russell's progress, Randle's impressive return and Clarkson's shifting role were three sticking points from Kupchak through the first quarter of the season, though.

Mitch spoke of Russell as a long-term prospect with a very high ceiling, as he always has, but also expressed optimism in the growth they've already seen from him. He noted that D'Angelo was out of rhythm and shape during Summer League, but used it as a "wake-up call" to work on his conditioning before training camp. Now, he's a "different player" that Kupchak called a future triple-double threat and player who can operate how the Lakers' offense is playing.

"As a ball-handling guard you can dictate the pace of the game, and that's something we think he can do... His gift is being able to deliver the ball and see the floor. I think he will also score. I think he will rebound at a high-level for a guard," Mitch said of what his outlook for the No. 2 pick is.

With Randle his departing thought was how impressive it is that it's only been roughly 14 months since he broke his leg, and he's already making an impact in his true rookie season. His rebounding and effort are two keys that Kupchak pointed out, though he also knows there's work to be done from both Randle and the basketball operations team. "We've gotta' figure out where he's going to be most effective offensively."

Adjustments are what define Clarkson's sophomore season to Kupchak. His shift from handling the ball through the second half of last season, to learning how to play in a rotation featuring D'Angelo, Kobe and Lou Williams. The signs have been positive as he learns to play off-ball more, particularly as he shoots 41.1 percent from three-point range.

Positive things are happening from the entire trio, but Kupchak didn't dismiss the issue of starting the year with 21 losses in 24 games. "It's not acceptable to lose but that's what we are right now. We're a young developing team that's going to lose some games," he said. "You don't want that to affect the overall picture, which is working to continue improving the team, and then individually getting players to develop."

Mitch expressed the need to wait to see how the season plays out before placing blame on anyone, with Byron Scott's accountability one of the pieces they'll look at "at a later date." There's open dialog between Kupchak and Scott, who went so far as to say they work as a "team," though he doesn't dictate rotations or roles to Byron. He commended Byron and the staff for maintaining a competitive environment with "spirited practices"

"To date, as I mentioned, players continue to play hard and that's the most important thing."

The overall tone was of cautious optimism in the very early stages of a long process. There's been a few sparks of good to go with the bad ugly, but there's still a lot of basketball left to be played. Here are a few more quotes from Kupchak, transcribed via the Lakers.com stream of his chat.

On if the Lakers have any trade plans currently:

"There are no plans. We haven't earmarked a player and said we have to trade this player. The phone calls begin about now, December 15th in our business is a meaningful day. It's a day when contracts that were signed this summer, those players can be traded.

There's a little bit more activity. Part of our job is to make calls and just get a feel, or get the pulse of the league. Whether or not it leads to a trade, who knows, but we don't have plans to trade a player."

On their use of a beefed-up analytics department:

"I think that's really a question for our coaches, because they're the ones that meet with Clay Moser, who works in our analytics department, and he's a link between our analysts and our coaching staff. Clay has a lot of experience as a coach, and the reports that are gathered every evening, that are generated, and are reviewed in the morning by our analytics department. That information is passed on to our coaches from Clay Moser.

It's varied amounts of information. It could be shot charts, it could be metrics, it could be which combinations of players play better. Their defensive metrics, and offensive metrics. It's a lot of information. Overwhelming, and you have to be careful as a department that the person who gives that information to the coaches is consistent. The information is succinct and not overwhelming to a coach."

On how he's gauging success in a season full of losses:

"You look for the players that they're going to continue to play hard. If their practices are still spirited. If they're coming early, they're staying late and they're working with our coaches. Not only to improve the team, but also individually.

It's important when you're going through tough times and you've got a long way to go that the coaches and the staff create an environment where players still want to come to and they want to work hard. And they just don't want to leave early and feel as if 'I gotta get outta here.'"

On whether developing the core is the most important aspect of the season going forward:

"There's no doubt we're a team in transition. We will continue to pursue free agents that are veterans, and we have several veterans that will be free agents that we have to evaluate and make a decision on this summer. In addition to that, we obviously have a core of young players that we are trying to develop and build around, It's important for us as a team to not only monitor and watch the young guys, but guys likeRoy Hibbert, who's going to be a free agent."
Click to expand...

ElginTheGreat, Dec 14, 2015

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Savory Griddles Moderator Staff Member

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Joke of a State of the Union. Mitch is giving us a load of crap to protect his fool of a boss and imbecile of a coach. Action CAN be taken. Instead they give us silly cliches.

Savory Griddles, Dec 14, 2015

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lakersyunowin - Lakers 6th Man -

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Don't have to time to read all that. Lemme guess, the tank keeps rolling on?

lakersyunowin, Dec 14, 2015

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LaVarBallsDad - Lakers Legend -

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Thanks for posting, Elgin. Appreciate it, man.

LaVarBallsDad, Dec 14, 2015

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I whipped this up special for this

Last edited: Dec 14, 2015

Weezy, Dec 14, 2015

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Mitch said this on Sept 24th 2015....

"You know something?" [Kupchak] said when asked if he truly believed they could push for a playoff spot. "I don't know why we don't believe that. I think there are five or six teams in the West, without naming them, that are locks for the playoffs. We're not one of them, so that would leave one or two teams that may be able to get in.

"And like I said, if Kobe is healthy, and (newly-added veteran center) Roy (Hibbert) - if our veterans are healthy, and are productive. That's Roy, Kobe, (free agent additions) Lou Williams, (Brandon) Bass ... (Lakers forward) Ryan Kelly, believe it or not, is a third-year player now. (Guard) Jordan (Clarkson) is a second-year guy. So if the veteran guys could figure it out - and of course a lot would fall on (head coach) Byron (Scott) to help them figure it out - why wouldn't we be looking at a (playoff) spot? ... We wouldn't be the only team that's ever dealt with injuries. I'm not wishing injuries on any other team, but stuff happens. So we have to go into the season feeling that if we play our best basketball, and stay healthy, then why couldn't we be a playoff team?"
Click to expand...

Mitch says this on Dec 15th 2015....

Positive things are happening from the entire trio, but Kupchak didn't dismiss the issue of starting the year with 21 losses in 24 games. "It's not acceptable to lose but that's what we are right now. We're a young developing team that's going to lose some games," he said. "You don't want that to affect the overall picture, which is working to continue improving the team, and then individually getting players to develop
Click to expand...

Actions speak louder than words Mitch. If we aren't a playoff team anymore, TELL BYRON TO PLAY THE YOUNG GUYS THEN. There is a huge frickin' disconnect between the owners, Mitch, coaching and players. Players have no idea what their roles are, playing out of position. Coach has no leash and makes stupid decision after stupid decision. GM acknowledges the tank but won't tell the coach that's decreasing minutes of young guys that we are. Owners are retweeting pictures of puppies in Laker gear on Twitter or not even making their presence known.

If we go my Mitch's word then..... GET ON THE SAME EFFING PAGE.

Play the young guys (DAR, JC, Randle, Black), let Kobe get his shine in the process playing 25-30 a night, figure out which vets you want to stay next season and ship the rest out. Tell Byron this is the plan, your job is to develop and get the F out after the season, any deviation will lead to termination. And most importantly STAY IN YOUR LANE. If you want to tank, tank, if you want to push for the playoffs push for the playoffs. We have 3 wins, we are in the right lane while everyone is passing us by, but we keep moving over only to get run over in the process. If we are tanking lets see the young guys develop and Kobe ride into the sunset, it's really not that hard.

Doc Brown, Dec 14, 2015

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^^ Great post, Doc. Yeah, this crap just gets me more irritated. I'd guess from the sound of it that the FO wants to tank. Otherwise you'd make Byron accountable for his atrocious misuse of the roster. If they want to win, Mitch needs to tell him how to play them since Byron can't figure it out. And he needs to tell him to play the kids regardless. This 20 minutes a game thing is the stupidest thing I've ever seen. If this is the state of the union - it's not good at all. Not what I was hoping to hear. Maybe they know something we don't.

lakerjones, Dec 14, 2015

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Skipped through, he spews out company line BS every year slightly adjusted for what state the team is in. Honestly Mitch as well as other GMs shouldn't talk at all.

One statement though:

"It's not acceptable to lose"

Preaching to the choir Mitch.

Alcindor, Dec 14, 2015

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Please God, let someone make a ridiculous offer to the Buss family they can't refuse

Last edited: Dec 15, 2015

Kenzo, Dec 15, 2015

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ElginTheGreat - Lakers MVP -

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ElginTheGreat, Dec 15, 2015

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All he had to say was "we're tanking for a top 3 pick. See you next year."

John3:16, Dec 15, 2015

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There's two positives that come out of this:

1. I genuinely believe him when he says that he didn't expect to be here at this stage (meaning only 3 wins). I think he fully meant for this team to be at least competitive through the first month or two of the season since this is our "easy" schedule. I firmly believe he's disappointed and frustrated just like we are.

2. I don't know if he does a "State of the Union" ever December does he? I mean the timing of this interview is clearly in conjunction with the loud anger shown by Laker fans around the world. We're unacceptably bad and soon heads must roll. The FO at least is aware of the embarrassment they're responsible for. The tiniest of silver linings I know. I think he and the Lakers are making it clear now that Byron is gone this summer if things don't turn around right now. Mitch said something to the effect of," losing at some point needs to stop or changes will be made" right? Bye Byron! Lately on the radio Ireland (while still defending Byron) will say something like "just wait until the summer and fire him then!" which is what I believe now 100% the Lakers are planning for.

therealdeal, Dec 15, 2015

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Getting tired of hearing this talk because right now that's all it is. I wanna see some damn action. I wanna see this atrocity of a basketball coach fired. If Jim isn't gonna step down then he needs to get the hell out of the way and let Mitch go to work. We've seen enough. If it's not acceptable then do something about it.

Lakers2015, Dec 15, 2015

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This "State of the Union" did nothing. Just more BS about BS.

Action speaks louder than words here, I hope the FO knows that. We heard from Mitch but what is Jim doing? What is Jeanie doing? They have to realize the Laker brand is being dragged through the mud.

If Randle and Russell play 20 mins tonight, we riot?

alam1108, Dec 15, 2015

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John3:16 said: ↑

All he had to say was "we're tanking for a top 3 pick. See you next year."
Click to expand...

Exactly. At least that would have been intellectually honest. Part of this is Laker Fans' fault. Not people on this board mind you. But the stupid fans who know nothing about the team and throw a couple flags on their car in May. The people who still think Kobe is a top 5 player in this league. There are so f---ing many of these sheep, Mitch can spew this vomit and they'll happily lap it up. Mitch also knows that a lot of Laker fans will cease to be Laker fans once Kobe retires. So he needs them to feel validated for this season to keep ratings on TW up until the team isn't a steaming pile of s*** and can get the ratings on it's own.

And Doc...

PERFECT post. I have lost a ton of respect for Mitch this season. Do I think he's a decent GM? Absolutely. But when you become a puppet, you are only as good as your puppeteer. Mitch, Jim, Byron and entire staff...they all need to be gone NOW. Not during the offseason. NOW.

Savory Griddles, Dec 15, 2015

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Savory Griddles said: ↑

Exactly. At least that would have been intellectually honest. Part of this is Laker Fans' fault. Not people on this board mind you. But the stupid fans who know nothing about the team and throw a couple flags on their car in May. The people who still think Kobe is a top 5 player in this league. There are so f---ing many of these sheep, Mitch can spew this vomit and they'll happily lap it up. Mitch also knows that a lot of Laker fans will cease to be Laker fans once Kobe retires. So he needs them to feel validated for this season to keep ratings on TW up until the team isn't a steaming pile of s*** and can get the ratings on it's own.

And Doc...

PERFECT post. I have lost a ton of respect for Mitch this season. Do I think he's a decent GM? Absolutely. But when you become a puppet, you are only as good as your puppeteer. Mitch, Jim, Byron and entire staff...they all need to be gone NOW. Not during the offseason. NOW.
Click to expand...

Those people probably aren't even Laker fans just Kobe fans who will be gone next season. I was at the game on Friday and I felt like I was the only one yelling and screaming at Scott for his idiotic rotations. Those people think there is no life after Kobe. It's sad, but come next season I doubt those same people will even be at the games. I agree about the front office. It's time to clean house. It's clear that losing and being a laughing stock has become acceptable and when that happens changes have to be made.

Lakers2015, Dec 15, 2015

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Fire Mitch

KareemtheGreat33, Dec 15, 2015

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Real -- I'm not sure if he does these every year in Dec. I thought it was All Star weekend, but I could be wrong. Dr Buss used to do them annually too, but no way anyone wants to hear from Jimmy Boy, so I assume Mitch took over that role.

John3:16, Dec 15, 2015

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Yeah I thought it was later in the season. The point though is if he moved up the timeline for something like this, that means we're making enough noise that the FO is taking notice. That's at least a good sign that the fanbase negativity is getting to them and making them make moves.

therealdeal, Dec 15, 2015

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we watch the games, Mitch...you dont need to tell us what we already know...you put a young product out there...its in the middle of a retirement tour and its being spearheaded by an archaic coach

save yourself the time and just come out with 'we're garbage, please dig down and find more patience'

pound4pound, Dec 15, 2015

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