How about those second rounders they collected. It's like an episode of Hoarders only with the unnecessarily high amount of sure to be mediocre players from the second round.
Puffy, you're in this thread? You're not joining the dark side, yet? Well, I guess you posting here is progress; what I want is simple. Top 5 pick Byron fired, and Hoiberg, Calipari, or Ollie as my next head coach. LOL. I know, I know. I have better luck with getting the pick, than Byron being fired and the only reason he looks so bad is because he's tanking and that's why he's making all these silly moves, etc...
unpossibl's not impossible...... he's a tank hero. Unlike Byron who again was grumping about the team last night. Their picks weren't "physical" enough. Tell that to Kyle Korver. HA!
I bash Byron all the time but our screening does suck; Hill's the worst. Watch DJ screen from the Clippers, and the difference it makes in their offense, and I don't even like Byron, but he's right on the money with what he said...
I visit most threads but Therealdeal asked a valid question that I thought I could answer. So heck naw ya'll won't get me on the Tank Wagon. I just won't throw eggs at it as it passes by lol. You know my issue with the Byron hate is this and this only: A couple months ago I posted that I don't think this team (talent wise) is as bad as we play. In fact, I figured if guys played right we would battle for a playoff spot even without Kobe. I was told emphatically by dang near everyone that A) our team is hot garbage, B) We can't win with D-league scrubs and C) trade everyone except like 3 players. So if the team was that horrible from the beginning then how would a better coach do with them? I mean up until the recent behind the scenes battle with the FO everyone here wanted Tom in Chicago. Now we find out he runs players into the ground worse than D'antoni. No one wants him now even though he is allegedly on his way out of Chi-town. In any case, if the team sucks monkey-testies then we aren't going to win enough games anyway. If folks complained that Byron isn't getting the best out of the players I would agree. I would literally hit Hill across the head with a stick like Rowdy Piper for every 20ft jumper he took. I would powerbomb Nick off the staples center roof every game he doesn't attack the rim in a game and settles for those off-balance 3's that cost us so much. I would Sub-Zero Mortal Kombat "FINISH HIM" Lin everytime (well once I guess) he stops attacking and instead plays hot potato with the ball. Those 3 have cost us more than any other player on this team. Byron has done some dumb-ish I agree especially early in the year. He should of been pimped slapped by Andre The Giant for taking out the hot-hand, playing with no guards, refusing to play the youngster JC and running Kobe for one into the ground. My thing is there is lots of blame to go around. Just be consistent on who we are blaming so those of us following can keep track. I don't wanna get lost from my Lakers brothers/sisters lol
So with his lack of coaching "Pedigree" should Triple H have put him in his place? Maybe the Brahma Bull could have helped him with the tank by getting us to Rock Bottom.
RandleROFY Will take your word. Did not see game am out of town till Wed. Had not noticed earlier with my laser focus on the tank. How's that for BS excuse?
I don't think we have anything to fear today. The Warriors are ranked #1 in pace, #1 in offense... but they are only ranked #1 in defense and #1 in point differential. So, yeah... we're safe.
And we get stuck with Mr. I will play my veterans over the rookies because I am some old school hard a** that has something to prove.
Things just got more interesting. Minny is holding Rubio, Pek, and KG out tonight for a winnable game against Brooklyn and Denver is doing the same with Gallo, Lawson, and Faried against the Grizz. While it's unlikely Denver would beat Memphis anyway, and the Wolves players do have nagging injuries, it still smells a lot like trying to secure a loss. What do you guys think? Is outright benching your teams best players a smart strategy to secure a pick OR is it tanking things too far? Would you be ok with the Lakers benching their best players (whoever they may be)?
At this point, I'd say yes. If the rules allow this and other teams are abusing them, you almost have to in order to compete (or not compete...its so confusing).
I honestly don't think the league/people would let us get away with sitting guys for no real reason. Phily does it they get laughs and "oh that Phily, they sure don't hide it". Minny does it, nobody notices. I mean really, who cares about the Wolves, I forget that team even exists all the time. Lakers start openly tanking by sitting "tired" players and I think it's likely or at least possible we get called out for it. Don't think there's any action the league would take or something like that, but you never know with those ping pong balls, could get a bad bounce. Yes I've been reduced to conspiracy theories.
I wouldn't outright tank. I'd go to the FO and I'd ask them who are the players that you plan on bringing back next season. If it were me.... Clarkson / Ellington / (Young) / Davis / Black w/ Kelly rotating in at 4 would be getting the majority of the minutes together. Build as much chemistry from that bench unit as possible, so next year with a little luck we have a new starting 5 working to gel and bench that can come in and hold it down in the mean time. Lin / Boozer / Johnson would be getting zero time at this point. They are basically using this team as a stepping stone for a new deal, you had 40+ games to audition, enjoy the vacation. I'd play Hill (Trade value purposes) and a bunch of D-League/young players to fill out the rest of the minutes. This season is such a waste if we aren't doing anything to build into next season.
doc is right. it's shameful to purposefully lose, like philly and minny (and now I think Orlando) are doing. but if you have a plan to commit the last 15 games of the season to the guys that a) you really want back or b) will definitely be back, win or lose, that's defensible. thus, benching Clarkson (or anyone, really) for lin makes little sense to me--unless the lakers have decided they want lin long term (doubt it).
