Aloha,
There isn’t much to say about last night. The game was over after the first quarter. While LeBron recovered he and Russ were as much to blame for that ugly blow out 1st as anyone else on the team. And of course Frank was slow to react as usual by not bringing in Dwight when we were being destroyed inside.
All season it has been injuries as an excuse. And of course it’s true, still watching the Suns with key players out dismantle us made it clear that even if we would have hadn’t had the injuries we never were going to be a true contender this season. Sure we would have a better record, we more then likely would have been a top 6 seed, but we just would not stack up with the elite teams in the league.
This franchise has been mismanaged since Kobe’s last years. We gathered a lot of assets during our losing stretch. And while we landed AD, we pissed the rest away and it still haunts us. Then of course we totally dismantled a championship team in two years. While you always want to look to improve a championship team, you don’t completely tear it down. AD said we would have beat the Suns last year if he wasn’t hurt and I agree. But we had a much better team last year. This years version has a collection of aging minimum contract vets, that rarely get in the game. When you are playing a two way guy like Gabriel and a G leaguers signing like Stanley over Trevor or Bazemore it’s telling. Austin was undrafted but plays while Wayne sits. This team never was constructed to win. Even if Russ had played constantly well this year, we didn’t have enough.
So this summer will be huge for the franchise. If management gets it wrong we could be losing for a very long time. When you look at the west it’s going to be a daunting task for this team to complete next year. The Suns and the Warriors have pieces in place to win big next year. The Griz are ahead of schedule but have the cap space to add quality veteran role players and the pieces for a big trade if they choose to do so. Denver’s injury bug rivaled ours and they will be very good when healthy. And speaking of health the Clippers could be as good as anyone. Of course they are dealing with the Clippers curse. The basketball gods were not happy with them coming to LA and rain injuries down on them every time they field a contender.
Even if we pull off one of Tom’s wildest trades, I can’t see it making us a champion. Any moves we make will need to be for players we can build with. I really don’t want us bringing in anymore aging vets for a last desperate stab at a championship. Want to trade our 2 first rounders? Fine go get Grant. Don’t use them to dump Russ. I know it’s always written that you can’t waste Lebrons remaining years but if a trade isn’t going to help win a ring, add a piece or two and see what you can add the following year. We could easily be a bad team in 2017 and 2019. I would hate to spend those picks on guys like Wall and Gordon who isn’t going to move the needle enough to help us win. Guys like Brogdon and Buddy would give us a better foundation to add to but probably not a ring. Management completely forgot what what it takes to build a winner and blew it up for Russ. We can’t afford to make that kind of mistake again.
Aloha, Michael,
Nights like last night are hard to handle for Lakers fans. Looked like a superstar and team that have given up on being able to win any games at this point. Just when you think this team has hit a new season low, they prove to you that they haven’t hit rock bottom yet. Just a terrible embarrassment for the Lakers.
As the ultimate optimist, I had this game down as the last chance turning point for the season. Could the Lakers come together and beat the best team in the west. I had high hopes when we started out but then Russ took two ill-timed jumpers, which when bricked ignited fast breaks for the Suns and the rout was on.
You’re right that it’s not just injuries that have led to this dismal situation. I’m not even sure that it’s the roster below LeBron and AD that have been the problem. Frankly, there are more keepers on this roster besides LeBron and AD in Monk, Reaves, and Melo. The problem after those five, the talent fall-off is severe, and Monk and Reaves aren’t ready yet to be starters on a legit championship team.
It’s hard to defend the Lakers management, even back during Kobe’s last run. Getting LeBron and AD were huge as was the bubble championship. After that, however, the Lakers have shown a complete disdain for several key measures of a championship team. Namely, chemistry, continuity, and the power of size. I worry that we have not learned anything from the last two years.
We broke up rather than tweaked the championship team, understanding that we had an easy route and outlier shooting from a rested and healthy LeBron and AD. We went for more offense but Dennis was not the answer. Last offseason, we loaded up on vets who could shoot but not defend. Frankly, take away Klutch gifting us LeBron and AD and what has Rob done. Signing Monk was great but we were his only bidder. The Buss boys found Austin.
The problem to me is the different stakeholders on the Lakers. Jeanie and his inner circle of Kurt and Linda and Magic. Rich Paul and LeBron and Klutch. Then Frank and the coaches. And finally, Rob and his team in the front office. Rob must take charge and get everybody back on the same page or we will have a disastrous summer that could set us back for years. That’s really our only hope of surviving this summer. It’s all on Rob to get LeBron to sign an extension, get Jeanie to OK taking back multiple year salary to get better starters, and to pay whatever luxury taxes we need to build a championship team.
NICE reference Michael!
Great post, Michael.