He also laid out specific scenarios for how he'd COME to the Lakers. You're leaving that out. The door isn't closed by any means whatsoever. In fact he didn't say anything we didn't already know: we need two max guys to be competitive and we need this year's team to win more games. Sure he laid out a way to stay, but he didn't commit. Hell Westbrook hasn't even committed.
people asked what he could have said, i provided it. would have raised no eyebrows, would have left open the possibility that he's bound for la, no matter what. he basically flatly refuted that notion. and yes, that should concern laker fans, specifically those that have been operating on the assumption that george is highly likely to come here.
You're free to read the comments how you see fit. I disagree, but personally for me, PG isn't the end-all be-all of our franchise's future. I like our combination of young talent & cap flexibility. That's the next best spot to be in aside from championship contention. I'm also more bullish on Magic's & Rob's ability to lure elite FA's here than Mitch & Jim's. Time will tell if this strategy for the future bears fruit.
I'm not disagreeing it would have been nice if he'd been more pro-Laker, but he's in a no-win situation right now. If he fully commits to the Thunder he risks the window in LA closing to him or risks future connections if he completely blows of OKC after saying he'd stay. I do find it funny that we're supposed to believe Durant is the one who is convincing George to stay long-term. Really? The guy who just left? I'm not sold on that narrative in the slightest. I do agree that it's not a done deal he comes here and that the Lakers have more work to do, but I also believe he's more interested than the national media is now trying to write it off. All I've seen all day are "he's not actually that interested in LA" takes from every angle and I just didn't read that interview the same way. Sure I'm biased, but I'm not sure anyone can read that article and think George doesn't have an eye on what's happening here.
Basically we are in the same place we were yesterday. George wants to come to LA, but we need to show him we have some nice pieces here, and he's not against staying in OKC if they end up being WCF good. That doesn't sound like anything we didn't already know.
I like our chances, even with pg13 on the thunder they aren't deep enough nor good enough to beat warriors, Spurs, rockets and possibly even the clippers
We're all going to tend to hear what we want from his comments. This is what I heard: Of course I want to play close to my Hidden Hills home for my childhood team following my idol Kobe. But, if Magic and Rob drop the ball, I could do worse than being treated like a superstar here in OKC. Balls in your court Magic man.
OKC has to get to the WCF or Finals to make George consider staying. Cool the Thunder have a 0.5% chance of resigning him hahahah
Beat me to it. About to say, yes if they reach WCF, he'll consider staying. Doesn't mean he will. Sent from my E6533 using Tapatalk
Prolly about the same time that he became a multi-millioniare. If you've been to Palmdale and been to Hidden Hills, the move is self explanatory.
Yeah, just knew he played in Indiana and didn't know he kept a home in greater L.A. area as well. Totally get Palmdale to Hidden Hills reasoning.