Official Whine, Moan, Complain Thread 19/20-CLOSED "WE CHAMPS!"

I feel like this Laker team has the most young talent, both in quantity and quality.

They also probably have the least amount of heart out of the young teams.

 

Seriously, last night's loss was just painful and reminded me of the blowout loss to Dallas. It was pathetic. One step forward another step back. We're better than last year, but we're obviously still prone to these games where we don't show up at all and that has to get fixed. I'm with Luke - I get it that there will be losses where we probably should have won like against Sacto, but to not compete at all is unacceptable.

 

...either that or this crew is mentally weak and can't get over tough, close losses. If anything, they should have been angry and go at it the next game with a vengeance.

 

The reason why I would not trade Zubac is that you need a big - and this kid is likely the best we'll be able to get, especially for the money. He definitely has potential.
Ingram I am not convinced about yet, which is why I said "possibly". If the offer is right, I'd most likely let Ingram go.

The rest of the team, I'd trade yesterday.

 

It's becoming more and more obvious we have the wrong guys. They are talented, but they seem to have some deep character flaws (from a basketball perspective, not a life perspective obviously). No one should be untouchable in my book except maybe Ingram because I think he does have a good attitude, but as a 19 year old kid, it's hard for him to step up and lead this team. There are other players I love on the team like Zubac and Nance, but at this point, if we need to unload one of them to make a team happy, we should.

I can't say I'm even mad at management because the thing holding this team back is heart, not talent. They scouted the talent properly, but there is only so much you can do to try and gauge heart. Regardless, heads need to start rolling. I think one of Randle or Russel needs to be gone at the trade deadline. Obviously you don't give them away or make a trade for the sake of making one, but it's been assumed that those two guys were to lead us into the next great dynasty. Trade one of them for near equal value so you can rattle the cages of these children.

 

I don't trade Ingram unless it's for something really good, because I still believe his biggest issue is strength. Once he adds that to his basketball IQ and already competent defense he could be great. Of anyone on our team I think he needs the most time and patience. I also don't trade Zubac unless it's we get back a very talented big in that trade or another, because he looks like he could be a Marc Gasol, and I wouldn't want to trade away another one him unless we are getting another Pau.

 

Agreed. Those two are my only "must saves". Right after them is Nance Jr., but I'd include him if it meant getting back an actually great player. Every single other person on this roster could disappear tomorrow and I wouldn't bat an eye.

I do agree with @Savory Griddles though that Russell and Randle at least seem like they're not going to be able to coexist. If Russell is more talented, he's a hell of a lot more immature. If Randle is more mature, he's a hell of a lot dumber on the floor (and I'm not convinced he's that much more mature). The two of them definitely breed negativity on the floor though. D'Angelo doesn't mind screwing up and he does it a lot which I've seen openly upset Randle at times. I've also seen Randle ignore everyone and go off like Russell Westbrook into 3 defenders and turn the ball over a bunch which Russell doesn't bat an eye at. I'm not sure which attitude is worse: throwing a tantrum or enabling. Personally I hate both which is why I would be completely fine trading them.

 

The only reason I don't include Nance is because of injury concern. If he were a healthy player I would not trade him. But because of the injuries, if some team wanted him in a package to get a big deal done, I do it.

The other reason I'm hesitant to trade Ingram is because like Nance, the stuff he does besides scoring is valuable to me. You need players like him that are smart on defense and know how to use their length to hang in the air to block shots. It's valuable to have a guy that can guard pretty much any position, and is quick enough/can move his feet well enough and use his length to stay in front of guards on the perimeter. He's also decent already at being a playmaker, making the right pass, there is a lot to like there other than his shooting which has been poor no question.

 

I agree about Nance. I'd put him on my "keep list", but he will get injured again and again. He might bring some value in trade though, which is why I'd be open to trading him.

 

Maybe my silver lining is showing through. Yes, last night was a disgusting performance. It MAY indicate these young players have no heart. But, I'm chalking all this up to growing pains with an emphasis on pains. The players are growing and the coach is growing. I still remember how the team played at the start of the season. We were all hopeful. I don't know what changed since then, but the same team that is struggling now showed great promise then. I don't want to trade any of the young guys. Lou, Nick, Deng and Moz = yes, of course if possible.

But I want to keep Randle, Russell,Ingram, Nance, Zubac and Clarkson as my core. Then somehow add 1-2 solid, skilled vets to take the lead and show them how it's really done the way Deng and Lou were supposed to do. Maybe we need a more vocal leadership influence because both of those guys are on the quiet side.

Get me Westbrook and AD with this young core and I'll take my chances over the next 3-4 years.

 

You talking about Einstein?