AlaskaHawks wrote:
Well. This year is really Ben Simmons or bust.
And the Lakers will have tons of money to go after FA's this offseason. It could be a pretty different roster aside from Randle, Russell, Clarkson.
Celtics-Lakers 2019 Finals???
Doubtful.
The Clovers wont make it.
We have a lot of ammo in the next two drafts.....plus the booming cap (and room to spare now). I think we'll be doing just fine. Unlike the Lakers....we aren't starting from LITERALLY the bottom.
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are dumber than that.
Buckets wrote:But really Abe brings up a good point. It seems like Kobe's interests are to have as much fun this year on his last hurrah and jacking up 15-20 shots a game. But the Lakers are full of young players who could use the year as instrumental to their development. As a Lakers fan, I'm not sure I'd want Kobe to be using this year as a "zero fucks given year, and I'm going to make sure I eat" while sacrificing the growth of Randle, Russell, etc...
Well, we need to be really really bad to keep that lotto pick. So, in a way, it's good to be worse.
It's a fine line. You want to lose. Tank... I get that. You increase your odds of getting lucky with ping pong balls.
But that new draft pick isn't doing it alone. And he better be one helluva strong-minded dude to overcome what can become a very toxic "loser" vibe that breeds even more selfishness. Guys like Russell, Randle and even Clarkson are still trying to figure out how to be successful in the NBA. Do you really want to stunt that development to placate Kobe Bryant... or to pray for a ping pong ball?
[Note: I think Kobe cuts down on this stuff. He has to... it's just not sustainable. It's nearing embarrassment.]
We have a lot of ammo in the next two drafts.....plus the booming cap (and room to spare now). I think we'll be doing just fine. Unlike the Lakers....we aren't starting from LITERALLY the bottom.
I'd love to see that matchup. But I don't see it happening. Especially with Durant moving to the EC, and LeBron/Rose retiring.
"The idea is not to block every shot. The idea is to make your opponent believe you might block every shot."
Bill Russell
"I'm just 'bout that action, boss"
L.O.B. = Love our Brothers.
Buckets wrote:But really Abe brings up a good point. It seems like Kobe's interests are to have as much fun this year on his last hurrah and jacking up 15-20 shots a game. But the Lakers are full of young players who could use the year as instrumental to their development. As a Lakers fan, I'm not sure I'd want Kobe to be using this year as a "zero fucks given year, and I'm going to make sure I eat" while sacrificing the growth of Randle, Russell, etc...
Well, we need to be really really bad to keep that lotto pick. So, in a way, it's good to be worse.
It's a fine line. You want to lose. Tank... I get that. You increase your odds of getting lucky with ping pong balls.
But that new draft pick isn't doing it alone. And he better be one helluva strong-minded dude to overcome what can become a very toxic "loser" vibe that breeds even more selfishness. Guys like Russell, Randle and even Clarkson are still trying to figure out how to be successful in the NBA. Do you really want to stunt that development to placate Kobe Bryant... or to pray for a ping pong ball?
[Note: I think Kobe cuts down on this stuff. He has to... it's just not sustainable. It's nearing embarrassment.]
I'm not a fan of Kobe's play this year by any means. I agree it's stunting the growth of the young guys.
But they really do need the #1 pick. So if Kobe's play is the result of that, I guess I'll take it.
"The idea is not to block every shot. The idea is to make your opponent believe you might block every shot."
Bill Russell
"I'm just 'bout that action, boss"
L.O.B. = Love our Brothers.
We have a lot of ammo in the next two drafts.....plus the booming cap (and room to spare now). I think we'll be doing just fine. Unlike the Lakers....we aren't starting from LITERALLY the bottom.
I'd love to see that matchup. But I don't see it happening. Especially with Durant moving to the EC, and LeBron/Rose retiring.
AlaskaHawks wrote:
Well, we need to be really really bad to keep that lotto pick. So, in a way, it's good to be worse.
It's a fine line. You want to lose. Tank... I get that. You increase your odds of getting lucky with ping pong balls.
But that new draft pick isn't doing it alone. And he better be one helluva strong-minded dude to overcome what can become a very toxic "loser" vibe that breeds even more selfishness. Guys like Russell, Randle and even Clarkson are still trying to figure out how to be successful in the NBA. Do you really want to stunt that development to placate Kobe Bryant... or to pray for a ping pong ball?
[Note: I think Kobe cuts down on this stuff. He has to... it's just not sustainable. It's nearing embarrassment.]
I'm not a fan of Kobe's play this year by any means. I agree it's stunting the growth of the young guys.
But they really do need the #1 pick. So if Kobe's play is the result of that, I guess I'll take it.
And if it's not?
1. You don't get the #1 pick.
2. And the #2 pick you had last season had a disenchanted season learning how to play selfish basketball.
gaskill15 wrote:I think we've already reached the embarrassment stage Abe.
The Kobe I wanna remember, under no circumstances would've been seen laughing and smiling after clanking a desperation 3 pointer that he gets fouled on while down 11 with under 2 minutes. I get it, we're not playing to win and Kobe's just entertaining a Philadelphia crowd that wound up chanting his name when the clock hits zeros. But it's a tough pill to swallow watching this shit, after conditioning ourselves for 2 decades the competitive spirit he's built his legacy on.
Nevermind the lack of interest his teammates have in this circus, Kobe himself, this is just an ugly way to go out if continued. Fuck a lottery draft pick, we got more than enough to build on right now, plus the prize pieces we can add the next 2 years.
It's a fine line. You want to lose. Tank... I get that. You increase your odds of getting lucky with ping pong balls.
But that new draft pick isn't doing it alone. And he better be one helluva strong-minded dude to overcome what can become a very toxic "loser" vibe that breeds even more selfishness. Guys like Russell, Randle and even Clarkson are still trying to figure out how to be successful in the NBA. Do you really want to stunt that development to placate Kobe Bryant... or to pray for a ping pong ball?
[Note: I think Kobe cuts down on this stuff. He has to... it's just not sustainable. It's nearing embarrassment.]
I'm not a fan of Kobe's play this year by any means. I agree it's stunting the growth of the young guys.
But they really do need the #1 pick. So if Kobe's play is the result of that, I guess I'll take it.
And if it's not?
1. You don't get the #1 pick.
2. And the #2 pick you had last season had a disenchanted season learning how to play selfish basketball.
Well the options are what?
Kobe takes a back seat, the team plays alright but still loses 65 games? They're really bad, even without Kobe, if you haven't noticed.
They get the 4th best record and have 0 chance at the #1 pick, and Philly gets 2 lotto picks. I'd much rather have a chance at the #1 pick than a 0% chance by winning a few meaningless games.
It's not like if Kobe allows development it will lead the team to the playoffs.
"The idea is not to block every shot. The idea is to make your opponent believe you might block every shot."
Bill Russell
"I'm just 'bout that action, boss"
L.O.B. = Love our Brothers.
gaskill15 wrote:I think we've already reached the embarrassment stage Abe.
The Kobe I wanna remember, under no circumstances would've been seen laughing and smiling after clanking a desperation 3 pointer that he gets fouled on while down 11 with under 2 minutes. I get it, we're not playing to win and Kobe's just entertaining a Philadelphia crowd that wound up chanting his name when the clock hits zeros. But it's a tough pill to swallow watching this shit, after conditioning ourselves for 2 decades the competitive spirit he's built his legacy on.
Nevermind the lack of interest his teammates have in this circus, Kobe himself, this is just an ugly way to go out if continued. Fuck a lottery draft pick, we got more than enough to build on right now, plus the prize pieces we can add the next 2 years.
It's posts like this from true Lakers fans that keep my Kobe trolling going. Thanks House!
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are dumber than that.
AlaskaHawks wrote:
I'm not a fan of Kobe's play this year by any means. I agree it's stunting the growth of the young guys.
But they really do need the #1 pick. So if Kobe's play is the result of that, I guess I'll take it.
And if it's not?
1. You don't get the #1 pick.
2. And the #2 pick you had last season had a disenchanted season learning how to play selfish basketball.
Well the options are what?
Kobe takes a back seat, the team plays alright but still loses 65 games? They're really bad, even without Kobe, if you haven't noticed.
They get the 4th best record and have 0 chance at the #1 pick, and Philly gets 2 lotto picks. I'd much rather have a chance at the #1 pick than a 0% chance by winning a few meaningless games.
It's not like if Kobe allows development it will lead the team to the playoffs.
That's sorta the point. The Lakers will still be lousy. In fact, they very well could still be bottom 3 lousy. There are other ways to "tank" than purposely lose games while teaching every young player on that team very bad habits.
By the way, how far have the Lakers fallen that they have to resort to this to rebuild? They shouldn't need to. That's still should be a marquee destination...
1. You don't get the #1 pick.
2. And the #2 pick you had last season had a disenchanted season learning how to play selfish basketball.
Well the options are what?
Kobe takes a back seat, the team plays alright but still loses 65 games? They're really bad, even without Kobe, if you haven't noticed.
They get the 4th best record and have 0 chance at the #1 pick, and Philly gets 2 lotto picks. I'd much rather have a chance at the #1 pick than a 0% chance by winning a few meaningless games.
It's not like if Kobe allows development it will lead the team to the playoffs.
That's sorta the point. The Lakers will still be lousy. In fact, they very well could still be bottom 3 lousy. There are other ways to "tank" than purposely lose games while teaching every young player on that team very bad habits.
By the way, how far have the Lakers fallen that they have to resort to this to rebuild? They shouldn't need to. That's still should be a marquee destination...
Well, it's not right now. That's for sure.
Next year, most of that roster will be gone, along with the coach.
Luke Walton, Ben Simmons, and 2 big name FA's will make next year a Marquee destination once again.
"The idea is not to block every shot. The idea is to make your opponent believe you might block every shot."
Bill Russell
"I'm just 'bout that action, boss"
L.O.B. = Love our Brothers.
To me, it's more worth it to ensure a top-3 pick and tank in a hilariously awful fashion than risk losing it by playing better, still awful basketball.
There are only three players on the roster whose futures are of any significance and it's hugely debatable as to whether this season will actually compromise them, or to what extent.
Kobe takes a back seat, the team plays alright but still loses 65 games? They're really bad, even without Kobe, if you haven't noticed.
They get the 4th best record and have 0 chance at the #1 pick, and Philly gets 2 lotto picks. I'd much rather have a chance at the #1 pick than a 0% chance by winning a few meaningless games.
It's not like if Kobe allows development it will lead the team to the playoffs.
That's sorta the point. The Lakers will still be lousy. In fact, they very well could still be bottom 3 lousy. There are other ways to "tank" than purposely lose games while teaching every young player on that team very bad habits.
By the way, how far have the Lakers fallen that they have to resort to this to rebuild? They shouldn't need to. That's still should be a marquee destination...
Well, it's not right now. That's for sure.
Next year, most of that roster will be gone, along with the coach.
Luke Walton, Ben Simmons, and 2 big name FA's will make next year a Marquee destination once again.
I have no doubt that the Lakers will rebuild faster than most franchises. They simply have too many inherent advantages. But the antics thus far this season are embarrassing for such a storied franchise. Heck, for any franchise.
I hope Randle and Russell have good heads on their shoulders... because the stigma of losing and selfishness can stick for a long time.
That's sorta the point. The Lakers will still be lousy. In fact, they very well could still be bottom 3 lousy. There are other ways to "tank" than purposely lose games while teaching every young player on that team very bad habits.
By the way, how far have the Lakers fallen that they have to resort to this to rebuild? They shouldn't need to. That's still should be a marquee destination...
Well, it's not right now. That's for sure.
Next year, most of that roster will be gone, along with the coach.
Luke Walton, Ben Simmons, and 2 big name FA's will make next year a Marquee destination once again.
I have no doubt that the Lakers will rebuild faster than most franchises. They simply have too many inherent advantages. But the antics thus far this season are embarrassing for such a storied franchise. Heck, for any franchise.
I hope Randle and Russell have good heads on their shoulders... because the stigma of losing and selfishness can stick for a long time.
Okafor is already taking it out on the general public.
Maybe the Lakers can keep their guys more in check than that.
"The idea is not to block every shot. The idea is to make your opponent believe you might block every shot."
Bill Russell
"I'm just 'bout that action, boss"
L.O.B. = Love our Brothers.
AlaskaHawks wrote:
Well, it's not right now. That's for sure.
Next year, most of that roster will be gone, along with the coach.
Luke Walton, Ben Simmons, and 2 big name FA's will make next year a Marquee destination once again.
I have no doubt that the Lakers will rebuild faster than most franchises. They simply have too many inherent advantages. But the antics thus far this season are embarrassing for such a storied franchise. Heck, for any franchise.
I hope Randle and Russell have good heads on their shoulders... because the stigma of losing and selfishness can stick for a long time.
Okafor is already taking it out on the general public.
Maybe the Lakers can keep their guys more in check than that.
I hope so. Having decent role models on the team can help with that. NBA rookies aren't just learning how to play on the court... they learn how to live as super rich guys off of it.
That's sorta the point. The Lakers will still be lousy. In fact, they very well could still be bottom 3 lousy. There are other ways to "tank" than purposely lose games while teaching every young player on that team very bad habits.
By the way, how far have the Lakers fallen that they have to resort to this to rebuild? They shouldn't need to. That's still should be a marquee destination...
Well, it's not right now. That's for sure.
Next year, most of that roster will be gone, along with the coach.
Luke Walton, Ben Simmons, and 2 big name FA's will make next year a Marquee destination once again.
I have no doubt that the Lakers will rebuild faster than most franchises. They simply have too many inherent advantages. But the antics thus far this season are embarrassing for such a storied franchise. Heck, for any franchise.
I hope Randle and Russell have good heads on their shoulders... because the stigma of losing and selfishness can stick for a long time.
Exactly. I remember hearing that the Raptors traded up and coming Marcus Camby for washed up Charles Oakley back when they had Carter and TMac specifically to curb any losing mentality. The Raptors GM wanted a veteran in there to keep the young guns straight and to make sure that the locker room was held in order. Seems like the TWolves are following this plan too with Kevin Garnett.
