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  • Profile picture of LakerTom

    LakerTom wrote a new post

    • 2 months ago

    https://x.com/LADEig/status/1838750996886876487

    JJ plans to start fivesome that went 23-10 last season
    Posts
    September 24, 2024
    5

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    • Profile picture of LakerTom
      LakerTom
      2 months ago

      Smart move by a coach who believes in analytics. Don’t remember what it’s like to have a coach who makes smart and right decisions instead of playing hunches and favorites.

      Glad to see Redick not trying to be too smart and instead starting with something that worked, which makes perfect sense and is smart. Total opposite of what Ham did last season although injuries had their part.

    • Profile picture of Buba
      Buba
      2 months ago

      I am 💯 % sure that would be the right thing to do.
      Starting the same lineup that went 23-10 last season would be a smart move by JJ Redick for several reasons:

      1. Proven Chemistry: This lineup, featuring D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis, has already demonstrated strong on-court chemistry. They know each other’s strengths and tendencies, which is crucial for seamless play and quick decision-making.

      2. Offensive Efficiency: During the 33-game stretch, this group was one of the NBA’s better offensive teams, excelling in efficiency. Redick’s plan to increase their 3-point volume and utilize LeBron off the ball can further enhance their scoring potential.

      3. Stability and Confidence: Sticking with a successful lineup provides stability and boosts player confidence. It sends a clear message that the team believes in their abilities and is committed to building on last season’s success.

      4. Strategic Adjustments: If Redick focuses on improving shot profiles, emphasizing offensive rebounding, and leveraging analytics, it will address last season’s weaknesses while maintaining the core strengths of this lineup.
      By keeping this lineup intact, Redick would be setting the Lakers up for a strong start and a cohesive, dynamic season. That’s just my opinion.

    • Profile picture of LakerTom
      LakerTom
      2 months ago

  • Profile picture of Buba

    Buba wrote a new post

    • 2 months ago
    I am back!!
    Posts
    September 23, 2024
    2

    Hey everyone, it’s been a while since I last checked in on the blog. I wanted to share with you all why I’ve been absent for the past month and a half. Unfortunately, my mother-in-law passed away on August 12th, 2024, and just six days later, my own mother passed away on August 18th. It’s been an incredibly challenging time for my wife, as her mom was her best friend. On a more positive note, my mother lived to the impressive age of 104 and would have turned 105 this November, so instead of mourning her passing, I chose to celebrate her remarkable life. Following my mother-in-law’s funeral, I traveled to my home country of The Gambia to take care of family matters. I’ve just returned, and I reached out to Tom to let everyone know what I’ve been dealing with. I hope he was able to relay the message. Despite the slow summer, I’m grateful to be back and not to have missed much in the Lakers’ world during this offseason. I’m looking forward to starting this new chapter with my wife and immersing myself once again in following our team. It’s good to be back!

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    • Profile picture of LakerTom
      LakerTom
      2 months ago

      What a pair of AMAZING WOMEN in your life, Buba. 104-105!
      Wow. We too celebrate their long and wonderful life. You and your wife may be blessed with great genes, Buba. Welcome back.

      • Profile picture of Buba
        Buba
        2 months ago

        Thanks, Tom. I truly appreciate the comments. I just can’t wait for the season to start. But it is right around the corner.

  • Profile picture of LakerTom

    LakerTom wrote a new post

    • 2 months ago
    How Five-out offense could transform Lakers into offensive juggernaut
    Posts
    September 20, 2024
    3

    Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick is something an enigma heading into his first year at the helm. A recent clip offers a promising sign.

    Regardless of how people feel about the hiring of JJ Redick, few dispute his knowledge of the game. Redick played a long and productive NBA career, transitioned to an analyst role that saw him evolve as an educator, and will now join the Los Angeles Lakers with the expectation of translating his success.

    One of the primary reasons many are keeping an open mind despite his lack of experience is the simple fact that Redick has intriguing ideas about how to transform the Lakers’ stagnant offense.

    Los Angeles finished the 2023-24 season ranked No. 15 in the NBA in offensive rating. There were peaks during which the Lakers looked the part of an elite team on that end of the floor, but the general tone of the season was inconsistency across the board.

    In an appearance on Hasan Minahj Doesn’t Know, Redick explained what a five-out offense is meant to be—and hinted at how that might apply to the Lakers.

    “I think it’s a little more nuanced than just saying it’s five-out. And every team is different. In the NBA, you want to maximize spacing. That’s what it comes down to. So for the Denver Nuggets, they want to score in the paint. So when they go five-out, it’s to get to the paint.

    Redick continued:

    “I think when people say, ‘Oh, everybody’s just spaced five-out!’ And people think it’s this guy going to his bag every single time and jacking a three. That’s not what it is. Five-out is just a way to maximize spacing so that whatever your particular team likes to do and wants to do, and can do well, you can run different actions out of five-out.”

    The Lakers may or may not play five-out on offense, but Redick’s recent comments about the team suggest it could be a big part of what the team does.

    Five-out offense could transform Lakers into offensive juggernaut

    Los Angeles was its own worst enemy on offense in 2024-25, seemingly deprioritizing areas of strength. It ranked No. 8 in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage, yet made the conscious decision to shoot at such a low volume that it finished at No. 28 in three-point field goal attempts.

    A five-out offense wouldn’t necessarily entail that the Lakers shoot more threes, but Redick has made it clear that he wants his team to attempt outside shots with a brighter green light.

    With an increased emphasis on three-point shooting, spacing will already improve—and Anthony Davis will be at the heart of what happens from there. Redick has informed Davis that he will be the hub of the offense, which makes the five-out approach even more likely.

    Davis isn’t necessarily known for his three-point shooting, but he buried 33.3 percent of his 2.7 attempts per game between 2017-18 and 2019-20, and has the skill to work the perimeter.

    As Redick describes it, the five-out offense would not only emphasize three-point shooting, but the Lakers’ ability to run any action they choose. He used the Denver Nuggets as an example, citing how their goal is to generate points in the paint.

    The fact that Redick has already diagnosed how Denver manages to do so bodes well for Los Angeles’ defense against its rival, as well as its own offense with Davis as a focal point.

    Los Angeles has a surplus of playmakers and shot creators between Davis, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James, Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell, and Gabe Vincent. It’s also added shooters such as Dalton Knecht and the all-but-new Max Christie, who re-signed after previously struggling to secure sufficient playing time.

    Redick’s offense will be more nuanced than prioritizing a single outcome, of course, but this thorough breakdown of a five-out approach offers an intriguing insight into how the Lakers can dominate with Davis at the heart of what they do.

    Any team with Davis and LeBron James already has that potential. It’s up to the coach to unlock it—and Redick is saying the right things to imply he can do so.

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    • Profile picture of LakerTom
      LakerTom
      2 months ago

      Great podcast with Hassan Minhaj. Totally worth watching for Lakers fans. Really impressive discussion of basketball by JJ Redick. Really lets you get a good idea of how JJ Redick thinks.

      Minhaj is pretty funny guy but this podcast clearly showcases JJ’s basketball intelligence. Covered lots of great topics. Not your usual subjects. Man, can’t wait to see how Lakers look under JJ.

      • Profile picture of Jamie Sweet
        Jamie Sweet
        2 months ago

        Nobody is questioning J.J.’s well-established podcasting abilities. It’s his ability to make in-game decisions and adjustments. That being said this was one of the better explanations of what generally gets an over-simplified turn in modern media. Even if we run strictly 5-out sets (we won’t) this teams’s bread and butter will come from scoring in the paint. It’s 2 best scoring plays in the half court are LBJ getting downhill and AD with the ball on the move 10’ and in. After that there’s a pretty big drop to Reaves and Rui in the paint, at the midrange and out to the 3.

        Lastly, Volume without intent or forethought is just that: louder and more of it, generally messy and inefficient. I’ll be fine with 30-35 smart 3 pointers, but if the solution is, as Reddick himself alludes to as being silly, just jacking up 3’s…we will lose more than we can afford to. There is a short list of players who live with the 3 point green light on this team: DLO, Rui, LBJ, and Reaves. Of that group I expect only DLo and LBj to shoot close to 8 3 pointers/game. Maybe Rui, depending on how much he plays. Rui is shaping up to be my big wild card this season. He has the singular ability to put the defense in a bind from multiple positions. Other than LBJ, of course.

        In short, I’m slightly dubious this one philosophical approach to scoring the basketball will “transform” the Lakers beyond what the roster is capable of achieving. Like Vogel and Ham before him (all of whom said roughly the same things in interviews at various points) Reddick has a roster with inherent flaws built in. The real question folks should be asking us if Reddick can overcome those flaws better than his predecessors? Cause I’ll bet if one took 5 minutes of their time they could go back and find Ham talking about how 5 Out will “unlock this or that” or Vogel saying they want to see more good looks from three and both saying AD should/could shoot more of them. That is old news, now, with the real question being can the current coach overcome the deficiencies of the front office? That’s the only question that matters now.

        • Profile picture of LakerTom
          LakerTom
          2 months ago

          This debate is all about is analytics and the Lakers finishing 8th in 3P% but 29th in 3PAs and 3PMs.

          JJ wants the Lakers to take 35-40 threes per game instead of their 29th worst 31 3PAs per game. Analytics clearly says LAL needs to take and make more threes in the modern era, especially when they are a top-10 team in 3P%.

          We’re not going to see wild increases in threes attempted and made but an offense and play calls designed to create wide open threes for the better shooters on the team. We may also see shooting be a big factor in any trades we make before the deadline.

          Make no mistake. Lakers will be top 10 in 3PAs and 3PMs by the end of this season imo.

  • Profile picture of LakerTom

    LakerTom wrote a new post

    • 2 months, 1 week ago

    https://x.com/LakerTom/status/1836898585041846692

    After two disappointing endings during the NBA Playoffs at the hands of Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets, the Los Angeles Lakers elected to make a head coaching change that took the basketball community by storm. The firing of Darvin Ham came as no surprise as there was a clear disconnect between him the fans, players, and front-office. When is was announced that NBA veteran turned ESPN analyst JJ Reddick would be taking up the mantle as Lakers’ head coach, fans and media alike took to social media to react to such a polarizing decision.

    Despite this being his first time in a head coaching position at any level, the Lakers’ front office is confident in their decision to take a chance on Redick. In an interview with the Dan Woike of The Los Angeles Times, general manager Rob Pelinka commented on their decision to go a different route and plunge on Redick in the offseason.

    “It was just really important to us as we made this hire to find a head coach that could sit across the table from some of the smartest and best players in the world,” Pelinka said. “This is the stage for those players to be able to relate to, coach, hold them accountable, lead them, inspire them. And we felt like JJ was very unique in holding all those qualities to do that.”

    A season ago the Lakers’ were very dependent offensively on the creation that LeBron James could provide for them. This led to a number of games where the 39-year-old superstar had to play an extended number of minutes which was expected to be under heavy monitoring as the Lakers headed into the postseason. James averaged 35.5 minutes per game during the 2023-24 NBA season, which felt like a necessity as the team’s plus-minus would plummet when he wasn’t on the floor.

    With the start of the 2024-25 season around the corner it will be hard to imagine Redick having the same gameplan as Ham when it comes to James’ minutes per game. For fantasy owners this should be a great season to consider adding some of the Lakers’ role players to their rosters. There is no doubt that Redick will find a way to create consistent offense while James’ is off the floor. Expect players like D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, and Max Christie to be given extended roles this season as this team attempts to optimize the next two years they have with James under contract.

    Redick Could Make Big Change to LeBron’s Game This Season
    Posts
    September 19, 2024
    2

    After two disappointing endings during the NBA Playoffs at the hands of Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets, the Los Angeles Lakers elected to make a head coaching change that took the basketball community by storm. The firing of Darvin Ham came as no surprise as there was a clear disconnect between him the fans, players, and front-office. When is was announced that NBA veteran turned ESPN analyst JJ Reddick would be taking up the mantle as Lakers’ head coach, fans and media alike took to social media to react to such a polarizing decision.

    Despite this being his first time in a head coaching position at any level, the Lakers’ front office is confident in their decision to take a chance on Redick. In an interview with the Dan Woike of The Los Angeles Times, general manager Rob Pelinka commented on their decision to go a different route and plunge on Redick in the offseason.

    “It was just really important to us as we made this hire to find a head coach that could sit across the table from some of the smartest and best players in the world,” Pelinka said. “This is the stage for those players to be able to relate to, coach, hold them accountable, lead them, inspire them. And we felt like JJ was very unique in holding all those qualities to do that.”

    A season ago the Lakers’ were very dependent offensively on the creation that LeBron James could provide for them. This led to a number of games where the 39-year-old superstar had to play an extended number of minutes which was expected to be under heavy monitoring as the Lakers headed into the postseason. James averaged 35.5 minutes per game during the 2023-24 NBA season, which felt like a necessity as the team’s plus-minus would plummet when he wasn’t on the floor.

    With the start of the 2024-25 season around the corner it will be hard to imagine Redick having the same gameplan as Ham when it comes to James’ minutes per game. For fantasy owners this should be a great season to consider adding some of the Lakers’ role players to their rosters. There is no doubt that Redick will find a way to create consistent offense while James’ is off the floor. Expect players like D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, and Max Christie to be given extended roles this season as this team attempts to optimize the next two years they have with James under contract.

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    • Profile picture of LakerTom
      LakerTom
      2 months, 1 week ago

      it’s a challenging tightrope to walk to find a way for LeBron to play fewer minutes, more off the ball, but still be an impactful star during the regular season. JJ started this discussion with LeBron during their podcasts. Redick and James had some difference of opinion in that discussion. Be interesting to see if JJ can construct an offball role that LeBron will be willing to accept. More to come.

      A big part of James’ new off ball game is going to have to be as the team’s #1 volume 3-point shooter. Takes a lot less energy for LeBron to fire away from deep to make two 3-pointers than throw his body into the paint to make three 2-pointers. I expect LeBron to take 8-10 threes per game going forward. Lakers will run plays to get James open threes like teams did for JJ and the Warriors do for Steph.

    • Profile picture of Jamie Sweet
      Jamie Sweet
      2 months ago

      lol, LeBron might make changes to his game. J.J. will do exactly what every other guy who has coached LeBron does: get outta the dude’s way and let him ball. If James averages 10 3 pt FGA/game it’ll be because he wants to play that way.

  • Profile picture of LakerTom

    LakerTom wrote a new post

    • 2 months, 1 week ago

    https://x.com/LakerTom/status/1836893977485684810

    Christian Koloko is a fun “project big” that can provide rim protection, solid screens, and an active vertical threat. Koloko’s combination of size, length, agility, athleticism, and, perhaps, untapped potential offensively and defensively will ensure that he will show a flash of his potential here and there whenever he sees the floor.

    As mentioned earlier, he’s a “project” at this point, but if the Lakers are in a pinch, Koloko should be able to give them 5-10 solid minutes of paint protection.

    What are his strengths and weaknesses at this stage of his career?

    At this point of his career, Koloko’s NBA-ready skill set is his rim protection. You can’t teach height, but he’s got great coordination to alter, if not block, shots around the rim.

    Aside from that, the main reason a team would be — and should be — interested in Koloko is his potential. Pre-illness, he looked like he could develop into a decent modern-day big. That said, he’s not a non-shooter at this point in his career, but on a Lakers roster with lofty expectations, we might as well treat him as one this season.

    Koloko had already turned 22 years old when the Raptors drafted him, and despite being one of the older rookies, his game looked very raw during his stint with the Raptors.

    It’s unfair to ask him to be “raw but effective” like how Derek Lively II did in his rookie year, as aside from his “Swat-ability,” he doesn’t present the same “will player” type as Lively II.

    I’m not sure if it’s about the processing speed, effort, or lack of fundamentals, but he’s often beaten in 50/50 plays; that’s why his rebounding rate, especially OREB, is subpar.

    Offensively, Koloko’s no more than a vertical threat, and based on what I mentioned above, I’m not counting on him to pick up a lot of garbage points for my team.

    He wasn’t good at finishing around the basket if it didn’t end up with a dunk, and his passing leaves a lot to be desired. However, he would occasionally show flashes of good offensive moves and passing, but not often enough for them to happen and be considered as a threat.

    Were you surprised he was cut? I know he had the health issue, but Masai Ujiri also had a lot of praise for him when he was cut. Did Raptors fans want to keep him around?
    The Raptors fanbase tends to overvalue our players way more than their actual value should be, so the overall sentiment was disappointment when he was released.

    The Raptors FO’s inability to find a decent big cost them the “compete window” of their “Run it back core,” so it’s safe to say that they saw Koloko as part of this team’s future, and to Koloko’s credit, he’s shown flashes that got the fanbase optimistic.

    So yeah, just like everybody else, it’s a surprise to see him get cut, but once the news of his blood clot came out, it felt reasonable at the time.

    What should Lakers fans expect from Christian Koloko?
    Posts
    September 19, 2024
    1

    Christian Koloko is a fun “project big” that can provide rim protection, solid screens, and an active vertical threat. Koloko’s combination of size, length, agility, athleticism, and, perhaps, untapped potential offensively and defensively will ensure that he will show a flash of his potential here and there whenever he sees the floor.

    As mentioned earlier, he’s a “project” at this point, but if the Lakers are in a pinch, Koloko should be able to give them 5-10 solid minutes of paint protection.

    What are his strengths and weaknesses at this stage of his career?

    At this point of his career, Koloko’s NBA-ready skill set is his rim protection. You can’t teach height, but he’s got great coordination to alter, if not block, shots around the rim.

    Aside from that, the main reason a team would be — and should be — interested in Koloko is his potential. Pre-illness, he looked like he could develop into a decent modern-day big. That said, he’s not a non-shooter at this point in his career, but on a Lakers roster with lofty expectations, we might as well treat him as one this season.

    Koloko had already turned 22 years old when the Raptors drafted him, and despite being one of the older rookies, his game looked very raw during his stint with the Raptors.

    It’s unfair to ask him to be “raw but effective” like how Derek Lively II did in his rookie year, as aside from his “Swat-ability,” he doesn’t present the same “will player” type as Lively II.

    I’m not sure if it’s about the processing speed, effort, or lack of fundamentals, but he’s often beaten in 50/50 plays; that’s why his rebounding rate, especially OREB, is subpar.

    Offensively, Koloko’s no more than a vertical threat, and based on what I mentioned above, I’m not counting on him to pick up a lot of garbage points for my team.

    He wasn’t good at finishing around the basket if it didn’t end up with a dunk, and his passing leaves a lot to be desired. However, he would occasionally show flashes of good offensive moves and passing, but not often enough for them to happen and be considered as a threat.

    Were you surprised he was cut? I know he had the health issue, but Masai Ujiri also had a lot of praise for him when he was cut. Did Raptors fans want to keep him around?
    The Raptors fanbase tends to overvalue our players way more than their actual value should be, so the overall sentiment was disappointment when he was released.

    The Raptors FO’s inability to find a decent big cost them the “compete window” of their “Run it back core,” so it’s safe to say that they saw Koloko as part of this team’s future, and to Koloko’s credit, he’s shown flashes that got the fanbase optimistic.

    So yeah, just like everybody else, it’s a surprise to see him get cut, but once the news of his blood clot came out, it felt reasonable at the time.

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    • Profile picture of Jamie Sweet
      Jamie Sweet
      2 months ago

      Solid pick up in a 2 way deal. I expect he’ll be behind Hayes on the depth chart unless injuries dictate otherwise.

  • Profile picture of LakerTom

    LakerTom wrote a new post

    • 2 months, 1 week ago

    https://x.com/LakerTom/status/1836798800054157442

    One major storyline to follow for the Los Angeles Lakers this season will be Bronny and LeBron James making history as the first father-son duo to share the court together in the NBA.

    LeBron is heading into his 22nd season while Bronny begins his first after being drafted by the Lakers in the second round. This is a dream that LeBron has been talking about for a while now and even though the draft pick of Bronny was met with a lot of criticism, that dream will come to fruition at some point this season.

    When exactly they will share the court together remains to be seen, however. Considering Bronny needs to develop his game after barely playing in his lone season at USC, the expectation is for him to spend a majority of his rookie season in the G League.

    While Bronny won’t be part of the Lakers’ rotation though, there’s no doubt that JJ Redick will get him in some games to get his feet wet and share the floor with his dad. In fact, ESPN’s Zach Lowe reported on the Bill Simmons Podcast that Bronny will get on the floor with LeBron on Opening Night to get it out of the way:

    “He’s 100% playing in the opening game so they can have a moment together,” Lowe said. “That’s going to happen, so they pass to each other or whatever it ends up being.”

    It makes sense that Redick and the Lakers would want Bronny and LeBron to share the floor together early so it doesn’t become a lingering storyline and distraction throughout the season.

    The Lakers are set to host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Opening Night on Oct. 22. Given that is a tough opponent though, Bronny probably won’t find himself in the game unless it is a blowout one way or the other.

    Regardless, it does seem that Redick will get Bronny in a game in the first blowout opportunity he gets, which will be an incredible moment for the James family and all Lakers fans.

    Bronny & LeBron James ‘100%’ Play Together In Season Opener
    Posts
    September 19, 2024
    1

    One major storyline to follow for the Los Angeles Lakers this season will be Bronny and LeBron James making history as the first father-son duo to share the court together in the NBA.

    LeBron is heading into his 22nd season while Bronny begins his first after being drafted by the Lakers in the second round. This is a dream that LeBron has been talking about for a while now and even though the draft pick of Bronny was met with a lot of criticism, that dream will come to fruition at some point this season.

    When exactly they will share the court together remains to be seen, however. Considering Bronny needs to develop his game after barely playing in his lone season at USC, the expectation is for him to spend a majority of his rookie season in the G League.

    While Bronny won’t be part of the Lakers’ rotation though, there’s no doubt that JJ Redick will get him in some games to get his feet wet and share the floor with his dad. In fact, ESPN’s Zach Lowe reported on the Bill Simmons Podcast that Bronny will get on the floor with LeBron on Opening Night to get it out of the way:

    “He’s 100% playing in the opening game so they can have a moment together,” Lowe said. “That’s going to happen, so they pass to each other or whatever it ends up being.”

    It makes sense that Redick and the Lakers would want Bronny and LeBron to share the floor together early so it doesn’t become a lingering storyline and distraction throughout the season.

    The Lakers are set to host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Opening Night on Oct. 22. Given that is a tough opponent though, Bronny probably won’t find himself in the game unless it is a blowout one way or the other.

    Regardless, it does seem that Redick will get Bronny in a game in the first blowout opportunity he gets, which will be an incredible moment for the James family and all Lakers fans.

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    LakerTom wrote a new post

    • 2 months, 1 week ago

    https://x.com/LakerTom/status/1836795686425186752

    Christian Koloko was supposed to be the next ”diamond in the rough” find for this Toronto Raptors front office. Still, an unexpected illness derailed his Raptors tenure, leading to the team’s tough decision to move on from the young centre.

    With the news of Koloko’s return, the Raptors’ fanbase was understandably upset. The young Cameroonian big was supposed to be part of this team’s future, showing flashes that he could potentially develop into a decent modern-day big man. It may not sound like a big deal, but the Raptors’ “Run it back” core’s “compete window” couldn’t stay open long enough due to the inability of the front office to find a decent starting centre.

    Looking back at Koloko’s rookie season, it was mostly up-and-down, as he’s alternated flashes of potential and things that could make a Raptor fan mumble, “Two years away…” Still, he showed enough flashes to make the fanbase salivate at what he can be, and he looked like he could be significantly better than any centre that the front office brought since losing Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka.

    Then, the unfortunate happened. The news of Koloko being out indefinitely broke before training camp even started. The Raptors were supposed to reinvent themselves under an energetic new coach, Darko Rajakovic, and the fanbase expected Koloko to get the backup C minutes. This step was supposed to be a crucial part of his development, and just like that, the plan was shelved indefinitely.

    A multi-team midseason trade that the Raptors pulled off put the front office in a pickle where they had to waive someone, and that someone was Koloko.

    We shouldn’t be upset at Christian Koloko and his agent for choosing the Lakers. I’m pretty sure the Klutch agent made the best decision for his client. Right? Despite several teams showing interest, they felt that the Lakers’ Two-Way contract offer was the best situation for Koloko. The LA Clippers and the San Antonio Spurs have Two-Way contract spots available, while the Raptors and the Lakers don’t. In his situation, getting a standard contract is a long shot, but if someone offered him a spot, his agent would be crazy not to take it. We don’t know if the Raptors, Clippers, or Spurs offered Koloko at least a Two-Way contract, so it’s good for him to take the Lakers’ offer if that’s the only offer on the table.

    Koloko’s signing resembles NFL teams signing players into the practice squad; he’ll need to show the Lakers that he’s closer to his pre-illness form and better. He can’t come back looking like the raw 22-year-old rookie at age 24. Still, it’s great to see that he could be back on the floor soon, and we’ll be rooting for his development to get back on track.

    HOW the Toronto Raptors lost Christian Koloko
    Posts
    September 19, 2024
    1

    Christian Koloko was supposed to be the next ”diamond in the rough” find for this Toronto Raptors front office. Still, an unexpected illness derailed his Raptors tenure, leading to the team’s tough decision to move on from the young centre.

    With the news of Koloko’s return, the Raptors’ fanbase was understandably upset. The young Cameroonian big was supposed to be part of this team’s future, showing flashes that he could potentially develop into a decent modern-day big man. It may not sound like a big deal, but the Raptors’ “Run it back” core’s “compete window” couldn’t stay open long enough due to the inability of the front office to find a decent starting centre.

    Looking back at Koloko’s rookie season, it was mostly up-and-down, as he’s alternated flashes of potential and things that could make a Raptor fan mumble, “Two years away…” Still, he showed enough flashes to make the fanbase salivate at what he can be, and he looked like he could be significantly better than any centre that the front office brought since losing Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka.

    Then, the unfortunate happened. The news of Koloko being out indefinitely broke before training camp even started. The Raptors were supposed to reinvent themselves under an energetic new coach, Darko Rajakovic, and the fanbase expected Koloko to get the backup C minutes. This step was supposed to be a crucial part of his development, and just like that, the plan was shelved indefinitely.

    A multi-team midseason trade that the Raptors pulled off put the front office in a pickle where they had to waive someone, and that someone was Koloko.

    We shouldn’t be upset at Christian Koloko and his agent for choosing the Lakers. I’m pretty sure the Klutch agent made the best decision for his client. Right? Despite several teams showing interest, they felt that the Lakers’ Two-Way contract offer was the best situation for Koloko. The LA Clippers and the San Antonio Spurs have Two-Way contract spots available, while the Raptors and the Lakers don’t. In his situation, getting a standard contract is a long shot, but if someone offered him a spot, his agent would be crazy not to take it. We don’t know if the Raptors, Clippers, or Spurs offered Koloko at least a Two-Way contract, so it’s good for him to take the Lakers’ offer if that’s the only offer on the table.

    Koloko’s signing resembles NFL teams signing players into the practice squad; he’ll need to show the Lakers that he’s closer to his pre-illness form and better. He can’t come back looking like the raw 22-year-old rookie at age 24. Still, it’s great to see that he could be back on the floor soon, and we’ll be rooting for his development to get back on track.

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    • Profile picture of LakerTom
      LakerTom
      2 months, 1 week ago

      Whether Christian Koloko can show enough to earn the backup center and bench rim protector slot we desperately need will likely depend on his being healthy enough to play at a high level. Here’s hoping he’s ready to take advantage of the opportunity.

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    https://x.com/wojespn/status/1836414909829034140

    Ultimate Woj Bomb: Woj Retires!
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    https://x.com/LakerTom/status/1836400663397618017

    D'Angelo Russell poses for family portrait with GF and kids
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    September 18, 2024
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    https://x.com/LakerTom/status/1836124836042805695

    Pelinka and Redick press conference Sept. 25 & Media Day Sept. 30
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    September 17, 2024
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    • 2 months, 1 week ago

    https://x.com/LakerTom/status/1836041230679224370

    Redick is a believer in the five-out offense and he explained what it means, via Hasan Minhaj Doesn’t Know:

    “I think it’s a little more nuanced than just saying it’s five out and every team is different,” Redick said. “Again, in the NBA you want to maximize spacing. That’s what it comes down to. So for the Denver Nuggets, they want to score in the paint so when they go five out it’s to get to the paint. And what they rely on is…let’s say the ball goes here, now Jokic has it here. We’re just gonna cut, this could be a pin down, this could be a rip screen, that’s Aaron Gordon going to the basket. I think when people say, ‘Oh, everybody’s just spaced five out,’ and people think it’s like this guy going to his bag every single time and jacking a three. That’s not what it is. Five-out is just a way to maximize spacing so that whatever your particular team likes to do and wants to do and can do well you can run different actions out of five-out.”

    There is a misconception that five-out offense exclusively means shooting threes, but as Redick points out it’s much more than that. The modern NBA is predicated on using spacing to generate shots either at the rim or beyond the arc, and it sounds like Los Angeles will be adopting those principles.

    Redick is already talking to his players about embodying these concepts as he said he wants someone like Rui Hachimura shooting more 3-pointers. Hearing Redick talk about the offense is encouraging, but it remains to be seen how it actually translates on the floor.

    JJ Redick Explains Benefits Of Five-Out Offense
    Posts
    September 17, 2024
    1

    Redick is a believer in the five-out offense and he explained what it means, via Hasan Minhaj Doesn’t Know:

    “I think it’s a little more nuanced than just saying it’s five out and every team is different,” Redick said. “Again, in the NBA you want to maximize spacing. That’s what it comes down to. So for the Denver Nuggets, they want to score in the paint so when they go five out it’s to get to the paint. And what they rely on is…let’s say the ball goes here, now Jokic has it here. We’re just gonna cut, this could be a pin down, this could be a rip screen, that’s Aaron Gordon going to the basket. I think when people say, ‘Oh, everybody’s just spaced five out,’ and people think it’s like this guy going to his bag every single time and jacking a three. That’s not what it is. Five-out is just a way to maximize spacing so that whatever your particular team likes to do and wants to do and can do well you can run different actions out of five-out.”

    There is a misconception that five-out offense exclusively means shooting threes, but as Redick points out it’s much more than that. The modern NBA is predicated on using spacing to generate shots either at the rim or beyond the arc, and it sounds like Los Angeles will be adopting those principles.

    Redick is already talking to his players about embodying these concepts as he said he wants someone like Rui Hachimura shooting more 3-pointers. Hearing Redick talk about the offense is encouraging, but it remains to be seen how it actually translates on the floor.

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      2 months, 1 week ago

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    • 2 months, 1 week ago

    https://x.com/LakerTom/status/1835795232446984638

    The Los Angeles Lakers entered the 2024 NBA offseason with a glaring need to change the culture. Los Angeles was coming off one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history, as a healthy starting five and two All-NBA superstars couldn’t prevent a first-round exit that included blown halftime leads during each of the four devastating losses.

    The decision to hire JJ Redick was met with inevitable skepticism given the fact that this is his first coaching job above the amateur level, but a recent revelation offers insight into the culture he’s introducing.

    Reports surfaced early in the search for a new head coach that the Lakers wanted a grinder to lead the locker room. There seemed to be lines to read between, but the productive evaluation simply stated that Los Angeles wanted someone who would work hard and hold others accountable.

    In a recent appearance on Spectrum SportsNet’s Lakeshow podcast, Redick explained the primary motive behind the construction of his coaching staff: A grinder mentality.

    “It’s been fascinating because you’re fitting puzzle pieces together about skill sets and personalities. I couldn’t be happier with the staff that we’ve built here. We have a blend of youth, experience. Obviously Nate [McMillan] and Scotty [Brooks], but also Bob Beyer, who has been front of the bench for almost two decades in the NBA. The biggest thing for me was I wanted to make sure I had a bunch of sickos on my staff and I think I’ve accomplished that. They’re grinders.”

    With a staff of coaches who are obsessed with basketball, Redick is ready to establish the culture in Los Angeles that Rob Pelinka has been looking for.

    JJ Redick built a Lakers coaching staff of sickos and grinders
    Redick played 15 seasons in the NBA, showing a clear focus on steadily improving and adapting along the way. He was a basketball anomaly in that regard, setting a career-high in scoring during his 13th season—at 34 years of age, on a 51-win team.

    It was a clear display of his obsession with the sport that drove him to tweak and improve his craft until Father Time won the battle it never loses.

    Redick then showed that same commitment to the sport when he became one of the most revered analysts in the industry. He hosted multiple podcasts and maintained a versatile role with ABC and ESPN, co-hosting early-morning talk shows and providing in-game analysis as a commentator.

    During each of those ventures, Redick displayed an attention to detail and a willingness to go above and beyond with his research that inevitably appealed to the Lakers.

    It appears as though that approach will remain consistent as he ventures into the coaching realm. He’s surrounded himself with individuals who come from every walk of life, no matter their age, experience, or gender.

    The consistent thread that bonds the Lakers’ coaching staff appears to be a willingness to put in constant work toward the goal of making the team as strong as it can be.

    For the skeptics, this is a mere talking point that won’t actually prove useful until Los Angeles produces the results expected of them. For fans who have seen the word accountability thrown around by countless Lakers this offseason, however, it appears to be a welcome change of pace.

    It’s a results-driven industry, but Redick has put together a staff that will leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of proper preparation and the wins that being thorough can achieve.

    Redick reports full circle with coaching staff explanation
    Posts
    September 16, 2024
    0

    The Los Angeles Lakers entered the 2024 NBA offseason with a glaring need to change the culture. Los Angeles was coming off one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history, as a healthy starting five and two All-NBA superstars couldn’t prevent a first-round exit that included blown halftime leads during each of the four devastating losses.

    The decision to hire JJ Redick was met with inevitable skepticism given the fact that this is his first coaching job above the amateur level, but a recent revelation offers insight into the culture he’s introducing.

    Reports surfaced early in the search for a new head coach that the Lakers wanted a grinder to lead the locker room. There seemed to be lines to read between, but the productive evaluation simply stated that Los Angeles wanted someone who would work hard and hold others accountable.

    In a recent appearance on Spectrum SportsNet’s Lakeshow podcast, Redick explained the primary motive behind the construction of his coaching staff: A grinder mentality.

    “It’s been fascinating because you’re fitting puzzle pieces together about skill sets and personalities. I couldn’t be happier with the staff that we’ve built here. We have a blend of youth, experience. Obviously Nate [McMillan] and Scotty [Brooks], but also Bob Beyer, who has been front of the bench for almost two decades in the NBA. The biggest thing for me was I wanted to make sure I had a bunch of sickos on my staff and I think I’ve accomplished that. They’re grinders.”

    With a staff of coaches who are obsessed with basketball, Redick is ready to establish the culture in Los Angeles that Rob Pelinka has been looking for.

    JJ Redick built a Lakers coaching staff of sickos and grinders
    Redick played 15 seasons in the NBA, showing a clear focus on steadily improving and adapting along the way. He was a basketball anomaly in that regard, setting a career-high in scoring during his 13th season—at 34 years of age, on a 51-win team.

    It was a clear display of his obsession with the sport that drove him to tweak and improve his craft until Father Time won the battle it never loses.

    Redick then showed that same commitment to the sport when he became one of the most revered analysts in the industry. He hosted multiple podcasts and maintained a versatile role with ABC and ESPN, co-hosting early-morning talk shows and providing in-game analysis as a commentator.

    During each of those ventures, Redick displayed an attention to detail and a willingness to go above and beyond with his research that inevitably appealed to the Lakers.

    It appears as though that approach will remain consistent as he ventures into the coaching realm. He’s surrounded himself with individuals who come from every walk of life, no matter their age, experience, or gender.

    The consistent thread that bonds the Lakers’ coaching staff appears to be a willingness to put in constant work toward the goal of making the team as strong as it can be.

    For the skeptics, this is a mere talking point that won’t actually prove useful until Los Angeles produces the results expected of them. For fans who have seen the word accountability thrown around by countless Lakers this offseason, however, it appears to be a welcome change of pace.

    It’s a results-driven industry, but Redick has put together a staff that will leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of proper preparation and the wins that being thorough can achieve.

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    • 2 months, 1 week ago
    Vincent, Reddish & Hood-Schifino to be ready at start of camp
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    September 16, 2024
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      therealhtj
      2 months, 1 week ago

      All guys that should’ve been waived & stretched to make room for anyone who could actually contribute.

    • Profile picture of Jamie Sweet
      Jamie Sweet
      2 months, 1 week ago

      2 of those 3 need to be in “Proving It To the World” mode from camp all the way until the season ends. Cam playing to stay in the league and not end up like the cast of ex-NBA players heading overseas.

      JHS could likely be facing unrestricted free agency if the Lakers choose not to pick up his 2025-26 player option for $4 mil. If that option doesn’t get picked up by the team that drafted him, as cheap as it would be for a team always in search of talent…hard to see him making more anywhere else, overseas included.

      Vincent has a guaranteed $11.5 mil coming next season so all he has to deal with are trade rumors which will swirl around him regardless because he’s not named LeBron James or Anthony Davis. He just needs to stay on the court and play in the role he earns.

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    • 2 months, 1 week ago

    https://x.com/MikeAScotto/status/1835473139800670523

    Los Angeles Lakers are waiving two-way guard Blake Hinson
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    September 16, 2024
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    • Profile picture of Jamie Sweet
      Jamie Sweet
      2 months, 1 week ago

      Probably sticks in the Association. Liked the idea of his size and shooting but Koloko is far more proven and a legit need for this team.

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    • 2 months, 1 week ago

    https://x.com/LegionHoops/status/1835043152635609183
    https://x.com/LakersNation/status/1835044579520983064

    Lakers sign Christian Koloko to Two-Way Contract
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    September 14, 2024
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      LakerTom
      2 months, 1 week ago

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      LakerTom
      2 months, 1 week ago

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      LakerTom
      2 months, 1 week ago

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      LakerTom
      2 months, 1 week ago

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      LakerTom
      2 months, 1 week ago

    • Profile picture of Jamie Sweet
      Jamie Sweet
      2 months, 1 week ago

      I don’t know about “absolutely thrilled” but he has the potential to be a contributing player in the regular season. That’s more than I can say for Maxwell Lewis right now and he’s on a real NBA deal. We basically got the equivalent of a late 2nd round pick with NBA seasoning already. That’s cool, but not Earth shattering…

      • Profile picture of LakerTom
        LakerTom
        2 months, 1 week ago

        I think this could be a big move for Lakers as Koloko will finally give us a rim protector to block shots and anchor our defense when Anthony Davis rests. Having Christian to fill that valuable role will be a major factor in making the Lakers better defensively.

        Any time that Koloko gets to play with Anthony Davis will just be the frosting on the cake. I like that Christian seems to have a nice stroke from three so hopefully he can be a development project to eventually play major minutes with Anthony Davis.

        In many ways, I would prefer to see the Lakers develop a talented young guy like Christian to become the second big to pair with AD versus trading for a journeyman center. Koloko was probably one of the best second round draft picks two years ago and Lakers were lucky he got healthy at the exact right time, as Christian himself noted.

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