Terrible night for the tank. We win, Philly loses, Orlando loses, Minny loses, NY loses . . . Ugh. But I do feel bad for Byron losing his mom.
Hate to say I told you so about Phily, I really, really do. They're pro tankers, we were never losing this game, we just on their level of awfulness when push comes to shove. Also, yes, condolences to Byron on the loss of his mother, that's gotta be one of the hardest things most people have to go through.
None the less, its a fan's armchair GM logic that says try to lose. Professionals don't try to lose anything. The franchises that do are laughing stocks and never win jack. Fans might not like it, but it's the truth. Everyone's just setting themselves up to be upset if you don't accept this truth first and foremost.
If it's successful this season, distasteful or not, it will mean that we will not be back in this position again for probably many years. 14 games left. If they wind up losing the pick due to some meaningless wins at the end now when it was within our grasp, then we are right back here for more years. Yes that would be truly upsetting if the F.O. is collectively that dumb. It's almost OVER. Don't drop the ball playing cute with it prior to going into the end zone. Just my opinion. Byron sounds like he's going to be starting Lin for the rest of the games soon. So 30 minutes a freaking night given to a player who is busting his nuts for his next contract not with us.
It is entirely possible that while we don't like Lin, the Lakers are planning on giving him a contract. I'm with Barns.
@therealdeal I hope Mitch is smart enough to see past this fools gold. Never trust a contract player, especially when they have a history proving this is an anomaly. I'll be thoroughly disappointed if we're the ones tricked into picking up the tab on Lin. He's going to get overpaid and it shouldn't be by us.
Honestly, we could do worse than Lin as a back-up PG. I don't think he's done enough to earn himself a legit pay day. We could probably keep him for $4 - $5 million, and depending on how things play out with the other PG free agents, that might be worth it. I think it's clear by now that the front office is not going to send the message to intentionally tank. While it is frustrating, honestly I have to respect the philosophy. May the basketball gods bless us with good karma.
Damn. Not only Lin won us the game, he might fool Mitch and co. in to re-signing him. Our next season supposed to be beautiful, don't ruin it for me Byron!!!
just need Orlando to win one or two more. lakers were never going to catch philly anyway. looking at the schedule, the lakers have 5 more wins, max, imo. Orlando has 4 more wins right now.
Condolences to Byron; I'm sure he's going through a very hard time. I also loved the player Byron, but I can't stand the coach. I think he's the worst coach in the league. That said, he has to win games. Players go out there and try to win games. It is what it is...I'm still holding out hope we get the 3rd spot. We have Philly one more time. As I've made mention twice before the Philly and Minny games, our best shot is to split games with both of those teams. If we get the pick or don't, I'm a Lakers fan; I'll go through the good and bad times...
It's entirely possible. He should also be starting 'soon' as Byron stated...we'll probably see a lot of Clarkson/Lin next year in the backcourt
The Lakers HAD caught Philly in the win column going into that game. Losing that game would have given us the lead. I am not mad at Lin. I'd do the same thing if I were him. Byron needs to yank him or put in other players that will allow the Sixers to triple team Lin.
Given this last 10 games business, I'm thinking Lin said he'd be open to returning at a discount. If he wants to come here and be our lead guard off the bench or something for 4/16 million... I guess that's alright. I don't know. I'd prefer to go in another direction too. I'm not really interested in Lin returning next season. Clarkson has a higher ceiling, is younger, and is way cheaper. Still I think that's the only thing that makes sense right?
Lin is a nice player if you look at him as a guard off the bench. 4/16 would not be outrageous for him at all. I mean, is Lin better than Swaggy? I would say so. And most on this board view the Swaggy signing as a good, team-friendly deal.
Well that's a great deal for us, that's why I used those numbers... I think the FO would probably have to give him closer to the 4/20+ deal that Nick got to keep him. I don't want to give him that deal at all and I certainly would prefer to have another PG come in like Dragic. Heck I prefer Rondo to Lin and I know that might not be a popular opinion.
I think Lin is definitely worth 4/16 or 5/20. Rondo is not 2x the player Lin is, thus not worth 10/40, most likely his value on this market.
Not popular with me, that's for sure. But Lin at 5 million is better than Rondo at 8. Lin is 25 and still has his prime in front of him. Rondo is in decline. 5 per season for a backup guard who can play either spot and get you 15 pts off the bench is a good bargain. He can fill in adequately as a starter.
I don't want Lin at all...for any amount. His passive-aggressive pouting, while only capable of playing at a high level when the pressure is miles away has rubbed extremely thin with me. GTFO of LA! Honestly, no hyperbole...he's one of my most hated Laker players ever.
