Absolutely - it really just took a little while for it to all sink in for me. But yeah, he absolutely did hint at this being what's going on and it's clear now. It's not so stealthy, but because Byron is a bad coach anyway it looks like pure incompetence, which it very well could be. Regardless, the obvious thing is that it's endorsed by the FO. So this is what we are doing now. Going to be a long brutal season. I think Byron and the FO are giving Kobe enough rope to hang himself so to speak, which is kind of sad, too. The giveaway or tell was last night when Byron said he'd like to see Kobe take fewer threes. That means he is not as blind as he's been acting. But he won't do anything about it, so there it is . . .
If the FO truly is condoning, or even encouraging this, then I take back whatever nice stuff I said about Jim Buss. His father wouldn't stand for this, and he is the boss here when it comes to basketball, not Mitch or anyone else. If he's ok with tanking and saying "screw it" about our young players' development, and becoming as disgraceful as the 76ers, then I'm not ok with him.
He's on the clock Weezy. Although again, he seems to be giving himself more years every time it's mentioned. I've despised him for a long time. He didn't get along with Jerry West and made it known he was angling for his job. I think that's the reason Jerry is no longer here much more than any beef between him and Phil Jackson. Then of course Jim went after Phil Jackson both behind the scenes and publicly on radio, not to mention the final stab in the back when he hired D' Antoni and had Mitch tell him after the fact when his lawyer was on a flight out here. Let's just go over the coaching hires this guy has made: the debacle of Rudy T, Mike Brown, D' Antoni then Byron. Yikes! That's a hell of a record. On the one hand, I'd love nothing more for him to actualize his promise to make us a contender in the next couple years but I find it hard to believe him. We'll see, I guess.
Jim Buss is toast. Although I think Jeanie has also a role in getting us into this, Buss has become the face of every bad decision we have made over the last few years. Confidence in him couldn't be lower. He needs a grand slam to stick around like signing Durant or at least Barnes, keeping the pick, and nailing our coaching hire.
Honestly guys I can't really blame the FO they have drafted well and will create a massive amount of cap space next summer. I blame the coaching staff. We have a lot of talent but we're not using that talent correctly
I agree. We did draft well, but the coaching staff is the FO's hire. The coaching has been horrid, but the FO aren't making them play the players in their correct positions, aren't getting Byron to reign in Kobe, aren't insisting yet that we know of that DAR plays thirty plus minutes a game. So I can only come to the conclusion that they are OK with this nonsense. They probably realize that Kobe isn't going to change his way of playing even though he's ineffective and that the silver lining to Byron's horrible coaching is that they are putting themselves in a position to possibly keep their draft pick. I think any changes will come in the offseason and I hope it starts with the coach and I do hope that Kobe retires then as well. We need a fresh start.
The ship has already sunk. We need to send a search and rescue party out for Russell, Randle, Clarkson, Black and Nance...let everyone else drown.
Great, we have stooped to the level of the 70centers..... and they might get rewarded for all the crap we have to put up with this season.... I need a drink.
I don't know what to think about what they might be thinking. I think Byron is just like you say ..... a historically bad coach with the decisions he makes. But is the FO going to let him continue to blame the players completely and especially the youth and young guys all damn season long after every game? That's plain disgusting and abusive. Even Doc Rivers shoulders blame for their crappy play.
Our second rounder is likely to be like a first rounder - in the 30s. Can't see us holding onto that first rounder. Lakers second rounder in mocks: Luwawu's name is in there again. Danuel House, too. I don't know House.
I 'm not keen on self destruction. If we lose the pick so be it. We'll have our 2017 one. There is always a silver lining.
honestly, at this rate we should be looking at 2017 prospects. the lakers won't keep this year's pick, and that will be part of why they're picking in the top 5 in 2017.
Honestly I hope we get a top 3 pick. Not so we have another great young prospect, but so that we can offer up the pick to another team in a sign and trade for a big time player. Normally I wouldn't be for this at all, but we have ZERO chance of persuading a big name to come here, we have to make them come here via sign and trade. Kevin Durant - OKC lose him for nothing or possible #1 overall hmmm Harrison Barnes - Possibly with Jerry West lurking to make the next great pick Andre Drummond - Unlikely DeMarcus Cousins - Yes I went here and I would give a top pick for him