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Post by Blunashun on Jan 12, 2022 6:07:35 GMT
Matt Barnes has a talk show now. Dwyane Wade was on last night. The subject of how the game has changed came up. I got the distinct impression Wade was trying to avoid the pussification of the NBA.
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Post by Blunashun on Jan 16, 2022 18:03:43 GMT
James Worthy Gets Brutally Honest About Lakers After Latest Defeat: "They Have To Do Some Soul Searching."
Nico Martinez - Yesterday 9:56 PM
This season, the Los Angeles Lakers have been a model of inconsistency. In between some inspiring performances, the Purple and Gold frequently let everyone down with lackluster efforts.
Sadly, Saturday night's match against Denver falls into the latter category.
In what ended up being a 37-point defeat, the Lakers looked lost from the very beginning, and fans couldn't help but express major disappointment all throughout the night.
Once it was all over, basketball legend James Worthy shared some of his thoughts about the state of the club.
"I saw a team that has not been able to gather any momentum. In the Denver game tonight I just didn't see a team that showed up. For Denver to be able to do what they did, shoot the high percentages from both the field and three-pointers. I look at a guy like Jeff Green, who averages like 10 points a game, he had 26. Everyone got what they wanted.
For me, they gotta decide what they wanna do as far as playing with effort is concerned. These were effort plays. Denver's good, Jokic is good, but I just didn't see a team that showed up to play a tough game a hard game, in the effort department. They have to do some soul searching with this type of game."
The effort has been a big concern for the Lakers all season long. With abysmal showings, especially on the defensive end, one has to wonder what these players are feeling at this point.
Now, at 21-22 in the West and plenty of steep competition to worry about, it has become clear that turning the season around will be an uphill climb and there are many issues they will have to address on the way.
In the meantime, LeBron James and Russell Westbrook have to spark new life into the club or risk digging themselves down an even deeper hole.
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Post by Blunashun on Jan 16, 2022 18:11:52 GMT
Magic Johnson rips Lakers after ugly loss for 'lack of effort and no sense of urgency,' says fans deserve more
Johnson resigned as president of the Lakers in 2019
By Sam Quinn
36 mins ago
1 min read
Magic Johnson, the former president of the Los Angeles Lakers, resigned from his post in 2019. Magic Johnson, the Laker legend and diehard fan of the team, is still very actively invested in their season. That season hasn't gone according to plan. Through 43 games, the preseason Western Conference favorites are 21-22. On Saturday, they hit yet another low point with a 133-96 loss to the Denver Nuggets. Johnson made it clear that he wasn't pleased after the defeat.
"After being blown out by the Nuggets 133-96, we as Lakers fans can accept being outplayed but we deserve more than a lack of effort and no sense of urgency," Johnson tweeted after the game. "Owner Jeanie Buss, you deserve better."
The Lakers, themselves, didn't take the bait.
"Magic's entitled to his opinion," Russell Westbrook told reporters after the game. "And he's not here every day. He's not around us every day. He's not aware of what's going on internally with us and trying to figure things out. But I have no response to that. ... Like I said, everyone in this world is entitled to their opinion and that's that."
As aggressive as Johnson's criticism was, it was hardly inaccurate. More than half of the season is in the books and the Lakers still haven't developed a cohesive identity. They are still frequently out-hustled on defense by teams with much more modest ambitions. Westbrook still hasn't figure out how to coexist with a ball-dominant star teammate, and many of the minimum-salary signings the team made this offseason have been disappointments. It almost isn't even fair to say that the team owner deserves better than this when the front office's hesitance to pay Alex Caruso is part of what got the Lakers into this mess. This season has been a failure from ownership down to the roster. If anything, it's the fans that deserve better than this.
Johnson could have been the one trying to fix it. He was the team president who lured LeBron James in 2018, but he willingly surrendered the job and criticized his replacement, Rob Pelinka, on his way out the door. Not even Johnson is blameless here, as his failures running the team helped push the Lakers down this path. Buss may have deserved better, but Johnson didn't give it to her. This season, no Laker has.
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Post by Blunashun on Jan 16, 2022 18:20:45 GMT
So Westbrook may be on the trading block. He's always been a ball hog. That's not meant to marginalize or denigrate a Hall of Fame career. Kobe was a ball hog. Jordan was a ball hog. But if Westbrook & James have difficulties figuring out who's running the offense & how, would Davis returning really help that much? Westbrook's numbers are down across the board. James is averaging close to four points a game more. The Lakers wouldn't trade James. They very well may trade Russell. The things he said were both cryptic & telling.
"Magic's entitled to his opinion," Russell Westbrook told reporters after the game. "And he's not here every day. He's not around us every day. He's not aware of what's going on internally with us and trying to figure things out. But I have no response to that. ... Like I said, everyone in this world is entitled to their opinion and that's that."
That is an unhappy player.
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Post by Blunashun on Feb 13, 2022 4:25:04 GMT
I really hate the way basketball is played anymore.
The Lakers just lost to the Warriors. Steph Curry (maybe the greatest pure shooter of all time) ran out the 24 second clock with a three point lead in the closing seconds of the game. At the last instant, he took an off balance three pointer from ten feet behind the arch. I've already acknowledged his qualifications. But what ever happened to running plays & strategy? 24 seconds & a three point lead. A two pointer would have put the game out of reach.
So the Lakers get the ball back after Curry misses & LeBron takes an off balance three pointer with 2.4 seconds to go. James did the right thing. It was the only chance the Lakers had. You know Curry fouled him? Yeah. Three free throw attempts. James missed the first one, made the second, & then you know he's going to miss the last on purpose for a chance at another field goal attempt. He lobbed an Eephus pitch, of course missed, & no Laker could tap the ball out to another Laker.
These are two sure fire Hall of Famers. Both had their heads buried deep in their own asses. Can you imagine Shaq's reaction if Kobe did what Curry did?
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Post by Blunashun on Feb 14, 2022 20:52:11 GMT
ESPN: Los Angeles Lakers should trade Anthony Davis
Ernesto Cova - 4h ago
So many things have gone wrong for the Los Angeles Lakers this season. They haven't been a good defensive team and have left a lot to be desired from an effort standpoint. Moreover, they've struggled with injuries throughout the whole year.
Once again, Anthony Davis has missed a big chunk of the campaign with multiple ailments. Just like it's been throughout his entire career, durability continues to be an issue and a big concern.
That's why ESPN's Stephen A. Smith believes that if they want to make the most of LeBron James' remaining contract years, they should try and move on from Davis and trade him in the offseason.
Stephen A. Smith Says The Lakers Should Trade Anthony Davis
"I didn't want to say this, because I have mad love and respect for Anthony Davis," Smith started. "I still think this brother is a star, he's averaging 23 and 9 and shooting better than 50% from the field. But just 16% from three-point range, 11-65 this year. just atrocious three-point shooting."
"Ladies and gentlemen, we gonna talk about the Lakers beyond this season. They have to trade Anthony Davis," Smith continued. "You don't keep Anthony Davis, here's why: his value is his value as a player, but durability is a question mark at age 28. As you get older, those durability questions are going to be even more prevalent."
"So when you think about how his stock is going to be as high as it's ever going to be, isn't that right now?" Smith asked. "And if you're looking at LeBron James and the fact that you need additional pieces, Anthony Davis is the guy that you can get a lot for."
Davis was supposed to take over and be the Lakers' franchise player once LeBron's deal expired. But he's failed to stay on the court more often than not and, even if it seems far-fetched, moving on from him may not be the craziest idea Smith has ever had.
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Post by Blunashun on Feb 14, 2022 20:57:07 GMT
I don't particularly care for Smith. He's a loudmouth. But he nailed this one. Davis is a pussy. One thing I can't tolerate is a pussy. I'll always have Dad's words ringing in my ear - "Walk it off, boy." I literally walked off a broken ankle & brain hemorrhage. Davis is paid a lot of money to provide leadership. He leads by example.
The Lakers got a championship out of him. Move on.
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Post by Blunashun on Feb 16, 2022 18:33:36 GMT
Lakers' LeBron James wants to hold joint parade with Dodgers and Rams to celebrate championships
James wants to make the "City of Champions" a reality in Los Angeles
By Chris Bengel
Feb 14, 2022 at 4:35 pm ET
1 min read
The Los Angeles Rams are on top of the football world after winning Super Bowl LVI with a 23-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. In the process, the Rams became the third Los Angeles-based team in the past three years to win a championship.
With that in mind, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James wants all three Los Angeles teams to be able to have a joint parade and celebrate their titles from the past few seasons. In addition, James wants the festivities to end with a concert.
The Lakers won an NBA title in 2020, but did so within the NBA bubble at Walt Disney World. In addition, the Lakers never got a chance to celebrate properly as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, the Dodgers also won the World Series in 2020 and brought a championship to Los Angeles.
James' idea is certainly an intriguing one because the Dodgers and Lakers didn't get to celebrate their titles with a championship parade like most teams get the chance to. However, the Rams also should get their moment in the sun and be the center of attention in Los Angeles.
If a joint parade did happen, it may not feel quite the same since both the Dodgers and Lakers have very different rosters than they did when they won their respective championships. Still, it would be one fun party for Los Angeles sports fans and James would likely be one of the focal points of such a celebration.
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Post by Blunashun on Feb 16, 2022 18:34:12 GMT
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Post by Blunashun on Mar 2, 2022 13:53:53 GMT
Lakers Owner Jeanie Buss Reportedly ‘Stood Up’ To LeBron
Alek Arend - Yesterday 9:29 AM
LeBron James is a businessman. Every move of his is calculated. Everyone knows this. That’s why his comments during All-Star Weekend raised so many eyebrows.
The Lakers are a disaster worth unfolding, but it’s complicated. The bottom line is LeBron wants control. He was given that control when the Lakers orchestrated a trade for Russell Westbrook last summer. But then that control was taken away when the Lakers refused to trade Westbrook for Klutch Sports client John Wall ahead of the deadline. LeBron reportedly wanted the trade to happen, but Rob Pelinka and Lakers’ higher-ups refused.
That led to what transpired during All-Star Weekend. LeBron, a man of theatrics, made several eyebrow-raising comments about his future. He honestly acted like he was already a free agent exploring his options. And yet, LeBron isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. He’s on contract through next season. The antics aren’t sitting well with the Lakers’ front office.
Per Bill Simmons, Lakers owner Jeanie Buss reportedly “stood up” to LeBron in a recent sit-down meeting after All-Star weekend.
“Jeanie Buss is a tough lady, man. … She’s been in the league since the early eighties and I think at some point she stood up to those guys and was like, ‘No, stop. You don’t get to undermine all this. Stop,” Simmons explained, as transcribed by Clutch Points.
“You’re here. You’re under contract next year. What are we doing?’ and I think they had a powwow, that’s what I heard. But I think she stood up for at least something. For them to unwind last week and pretend they weren’t chaos agents was really strange.”
The Lakers have given LeBron James as much power as a high-up executive would have. But that power was clearly relenquished when LeBron made a few horrible roster decisions ahead of the 2021-22 season. Buss wasn’t going to let it slide any longer.
So what happens next out in Lakers land? They’re headed in the wrong direction and might miss the playoffs altogether if they can’t get things figured out. To be frank, it might be a lost cause at this point.
Jeanie Buss has a mess to clean up this coming offseason. And it starts with her relationship with LeBron James and the power struggle between the organization and Klutch Sports.
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Post by Blunashun on Mar 2, 2022 14:04:33 GMT
At least they won a title.
I've never been so ambivalent about a Lakers team. In the 1980's, I knew every players' moves on that great team. During the Shaq / Kobe years, I knew about the most obscure players. I always pick out some bench player I like. This team inspires a yawn. I don't like the way the game is played anymore. I would alternately get mad & cheer both Kobe & Shaq. I admired Kobe's toughness & dedication to staying in shape. His game was ever evolving. He was also an awful ball hog. Shaq I was mostly mad at because for as much as he accomplished, his game stagnated. He never developed a signature shot. He got fat.
On the current edition I liked Caruso. They let him go. Davis is a pussy. I've never seen anyone with such a low threshold of pain. LeBron seems to always be hurt. Maybe that's another of the game's more recent trends. "Load management." It's where you sit out with fictitious injuries to save yourself for the postseason. I hoped Kuzma would turn into more than he ever did as a Laker. He's doing much better with Washington.
I hope Jeanie rakes LeBron over the coals if he decides to make this into a power struggle.
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Post by Blunashun on Mar 2, 2022 18:54:53 GMT
NBA Rumors: Anthony Davis could leave the Lakers for an Eastern Conference team
Ernesto Cova - Yesterday 11:59 AM
The Los Angeles Lakers had not one but two chances to have a better roster. They passed on Buddy Hield and traded for Russell Westbrook instead; and failed to sign DeMar DeRozan as a free agent.
Those moves have backfired badly for Rob Pelinka and Frank Vogel. The team has failed to live up to the task and they're not even a lock to make the play-in tournament by the end of the season.
That's why some insiders believe that it's time the Lakers consider parting ways with one of their most valuable assets in Anthony Davis. And the one team he'd be glad to be traded to is non-other than the Chicago Bulls.
"Chicago is the one place I can see AD saying, ‘OK, if you are going to trade me, send me home.’ He has always wanted to play for the Bulls. That is not a big secret. He wants to do something for his city. If you are Chicago, I do not see how you don’t make an offer, at least feel it out.
But you would have to send DeMar DeRozan back. Plus I’d say either Pat Williams or Coby White. and if it is White, then a draft pick, too. I think that is something that would at least have a chance because the Lakers can say, ‘Well he wanted to go home,’ then let his injuries be Chicago’s problem. I like DeRozan and LeBron together, you get Coby White and you flip the pick for a vet? It is not a bad deal for the Lakers, either."
This trade would give the Lakers enough assets to revamp their roster before LeBron James' contract expires. It would also give the Bulls the hometown hero they've been craving for since Derrick Rose.
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jrgreene6
Legend
Married . . . With Cats
Posts: 7,438
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Post by jrgreene6 on Mar 2, 2022 20:21:14 GMT
NBA Rumors: Anthony Davis could leave the Lakers for an Eastern Conference team Ernesto Cova - Yesterday 11:59 AM The Los Angeles Lakers had not one but two chances to have a better roster. They passed on Buddy Hield and traded for Russell Westbrook instead; and failed to sign DeMar DeRozan as a free agent. Those moves have backfired badly for Rob Pelinka and Frank Vogel. The team has failed to live up to the task and they're not even a lock to make the play-in tournament by the end of the season. That's why some insiders believe that it's time the Lakers consider parting ways with one of their most valuable assets in Anthony Davis. And the one team he'd be glad to be traded to is non-other than the Chicago Bulls. "Chicago is the one place I can see AD saying, ‘OK, if you are going to trade me, send me home.’ He has always wanted to play for the Bulls. That is not a big secret. He wants to do something for his city. If you are Chicago, I do not see how you don’t make an offer, at least feel it out. But you would have to send DeMar DeRozan back. Plus I’d say either Pat Williams or Coby White. and if it is White, then a draft pick, too. I think that is something that would at least have a chance because the Lakers can say, ‘Well he wanted to go home,’ then let his injuries be Chicago’s problem. I like DeRozan and LeBron together, you get Coby White and you flip the pick for a vet? It is not a bad deal for the Lakers, either." This trade would give the Lakers enough assets to revamp their roster before LeBron James' contract expires. It would also give the Bulls the hometown hero they've been craving for since Derrick Rose. I still think Barkley nicknaming him “Street Clothes” is classic. GO DODGERS!!! |
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Post by Blunashun on Mar 2, 2022 20:44:54 GMT
NBA Rumors: Anthony Davis could leave the Lakers for an Eastern Conference team Ernesto Cova - Yesterday 11:59 AM The Los Angeles Lakers had not one but two chances to have a better roster. They passed on Buddy Hield and traded for Russell Westbrook instead; and failed to sign DeMar DeRozan as a free agent. Those moves have backfired badly for Rob Pelinka and Frank Vogel. The team has failed to live up to the task and they're not even a lock to make the play-in tournament by the end of the season. That's why some insiders believe that it's time the Lakers consider parting ways with one of their most valuable assets in Anthony Davis. And the one team he'd be glad to be traded to is non-other than the Chicago Bulls. "Chicago is the one place I can see AD saying, ‘OK, if you are going to trade me, send me home.’ He has always wanted to play for the Bulls. That is not a big secret. He wants to do something for his city. If you are Chicago, I do not see how you don’t make an offer, at least feel it out. But you would have to send DeMar DeRozan back. Plus I’d say either Pat Williams or Coby White. and if it is White, then a draft pick, too. I think that is something that would at least have a chance because the Lakers can say, ‘Well he wanted to go home,’ then let his injuries be Chicago’s problem. I like DeRozan and LeBron together, you get Coby White and you flip the pick for a vet? It is not a bad deal for the Lakers, either." This trade would give the Lakers enough assets to revamp their roster before LeBron James' contract expires. It would also give the Bulls the hometown hero they've been craving for since Derrick Rose. I still think Barkley nicknaming him “Street Clothes” is classic. GO DODGERS!!! Yeah. That let us know we're not the only ones noticing. His performance in last year's playoffs was disgraceful. You would have figured he had been shot the way he was limping. |
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Post by Blunashun on Mar 6, 2022 19:27:39 GMT
Lakers' Austin Reaves: Submits well-rounded line
Rotowire 58 MINS AGO
Reaves finished with 10 points (3-7 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 1-1 FT), five rebounds, three steals, two assists and two blocks across 34 minutes in Saturday's 124-116 win over the Warriors.
Making his fifth straight start for the Lakers, the undrafted rookie turned in what might have been his most well-rounded fantasy line of the season. Reaves looks as though he'll continue to stick in a 20-plus-minute role while the Lakers turn to a slew of players to pick up the slack while Anthony Davis (foot) is out, but the 23-year-old's upside isn't particularly high. Over his prior four starts, Reaves posted modest averages of 4.8 points, 2.0 assists, 1.5 rebounds, 1.0 blocks, 0.5 three-pointers and 0.5 steals in 24.3 minutes.
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