Looks like we (maybe) learned another NBA GMing 101 lesson! Rob simply made the best choice available, didn’t get it muddled with illusions of drafting the next Wes Unseld at 17. They picked the best player available. Easy, right?
Based on last summer’s draft, evidently not. With questions as to what Jalen Hood-Schifino is even good at and Max Lewis struggle to shoot at a rec league level there were no guarantees we wouldn’t all be left scratching our heads when the dust settled.
Rob didn’t draft Bronny in the first round, something that didn’t seem plausible but was certainly possible. It would have been borderline criminal if he had. He just didn’t impact winning in a meaningful way. It could be argued not being drafted at all and playing overseas somewhere would benefit him more than trying to carve out a role in the NBA while still learning the game.
He didn’t pick a center that would just as likely (if not more likely) be a project that doesn’t align with LeBron’s timeline in any meaningful way. Just didn’t make sense to me with the number of available, serviceable centers on the free agency market, Hayes possibly picking up his option, Wood having already picked up his option, but mainly because we have AD at the 5. Plus we have a project center on a two-way deal in Castleton and some of our best line ups will probably have LeBron at the 5 in small ball situations as the “stretch 5”.
He picked Dalton Knecht, who on some boards I saw was as high as a top 5 pick but generally fell into the 7-12 range. To have him fall into our laps…like Whitmore and Jaquez did last season…seemed almost too good to be true. The only left was Rob not blowing it. Thankfully he did not.
It’s bittersweet for me because the bar for Rob doing his job is set to toddler low. We get excited when he does the obvious thing right. That’s unfortunate because there are better minds out there available right now. Maybe they don’t want to come work at The Lakers Family Circus, and honestly that gets more and more understandable as the years go by, but it would be nice to see someone who does the job well at the helm.
Basically I’m tired of watching guys learn on the job around here. When your relationships matter so much more than your experience, that’s problematic. When the head of the organization values loyalty more than savvy or honesty, that’s a biiig problem (see America, United States of). So, while I’m happy we picked the most NBA-ready talent out there who looks like he can contribute right away, I’m also annoyed that it doesn’t seem to be the norm. That we need to constantly learn these simple lessons the hard way.
I’m watching the 2nd round right now and can’t even keep track because trades are coming in rapid fire. Whole buncha centers coming off the board. None of this has involved us..so far. Rob will come out & say I can’t buy a house if ain’t for sale. But houses are selling like a MFer right now. And now Philly just got Bona. Rob ain’t that dude and JayJay The Basketball Messiah ain’t gonna change that. Damn Shame.
JJ hasn’t had the chance to fail, yet.
D.Ham got the team to the Conference Finals his rookie year….then got fired a year later. That’s gotta be the least The Basketball Messiah can achieve….right?
The team went to the Western Conference Finals IN SPITE of the previous coach.
So….by that logic….JayJay The Basketball Messiah should have no problem then.
Jamie…I’m thinking about what Jalen Hood Schifino is good at. I’ll bet he has a very good patience level and will lay the blame for the lack of his development and actual game play on the previous coach (I forgot his name already, I only recall something about a guy being far overpaid and constantly checking his NADS as his hands were excessively in his pockets. I am not saying JHS is “all that”…I’m just hoping that he was partly victim of “wrong place/wrong time” and he was drafted with known back issue history….He’s only 21 years old now, he has size…like the previous year’s draftee that seems to be developing (Max Christie). I understand that Phil Handy has been highly respected and praised as “player development coach”…but I feel something went wrong when the last coach (Ham) was around. I just did a quick search and I could not find out when JHS’ back was injured, maybe his back had been bothering him for a while, (injury report in early December 2023 showed he was missing games due to back spasms….In December 2022, he was missing college games due to back issues….He’s young, he interviews with a positive attitude….his first year was a wash. Look at Michael Porter’s recovery. Yes, Porter plays more straight up, and he doesn’t dive on the floor like Rodman always did, but Porter does have value. I’m just hoping that last season will be forgotten players will all be evaluated for their abilities to adapt to the new coaching staff. I will add my consistent suggestion….Lakers should lose Jared Vanderbilt. He is overpaid, and apparently injury prone…IMHO, his offense is negative, his defense is overrated….
On a side note…NBA and ESPN gotta do a better job on this 2nd day presentation of the 2nd Round. It looks low budget and that green room is downright depressing. NFL would never. Do better guys.
I didn’t bother to watch, but NBA and ESPN should dress it up and present better for overall enthusiasm for the league. It means an awful lot to every player drafted (and of course someone will focus on a player or two who is disappointed in when drafted or not being drafted at all)….If the league hasn’t been able to repair the obvious degradation of the All Star Game and events….how long do you think it’ll be before 2nd round draft day is made notable (and I am not saying “sensationalized”)….. https://youtu.be/s__rX_WL100?si=-MA9xm4qPF-2rSb5
I think Redick will keep the team more focused and together as a unit…a TEAM. Of course, filling out the coaching staff with strong no BS upfront assistants…coaches with previous head coach experience in the NBA (I’d like to see 1-2 former head coaches on staff)…..coaches that will be firm, but will hear and process appropriately everything that players bring up to them. Assistant coach picks Rondo for one…I am not sold on Jared Dudley.