Aloha,
Last night was another example of how poorly this roster was assembled. It is a cautionary tale that illustrates how foolish it is to think you can get by with a lot 30 something minimum contracts vets with their best days way behind them. While most of the old guys sat and watched, the young guys scrapped and played with the energy it takes to win.
When Frank pulled Russ at the 8:30 mark in the 4th. We were up 4. Then we went on a run. DJ, who by the way I think was a good signing left a couple of minutes later and it was 4 young guys and LeBron closing out the game. Fortunately Russ never got back in.
Stanley, was signed from the G league Austin was undrafted, nobody but the Lakers offered Monk a contract, THT was a 2nd round pick and Gabriel who gave us some good minutes is a two way. By the way, I like Gabriel. They should consider giving him a contract this summer. He gives us size and switch ability we have been lacking.
This speaks to how great Jessie Buss and our scouting department is, and how poor of a job Rob has done filling out the roster.
Going forward we should win or lose with the Kids. They all make mistakes but they play the way you are supposed to play, hard. And I am seeing them developing synergy with LeBron. It gives me hope that perhaps we can have rotational young pieces in place for next year, so we don’t have to sign as many minimum probably old vets next year.
Great post, Michael. I’m with you on the value of Malik, Austin, Talen, and Stanley. The only probem is they should be the next men up and not the guys closing out games with LeBron.
Giving the kids big minutes and roles for the rest of the regular season is the Lakers’ best chance of improving the team heading into the playoffs. LeBron and AD will have to be healthy and playing great. If they do and the kids can raise their games to another level over the next month, the Lakers may give their fans something to cheer about before the season is done. It’s still possible we can make the conference or NBA Finals.
If the Lakers can find two or three new starters next season by trading Russ and his expiring contract and picks and pieces, then imagine a bench with Monk, Reaves, and Johnson (Assuming THT and Nunn have to be traded for their $10M and $5M contracts).
That’s the pathway to the Lakers returning to being a legitimate contender. Three new starters is what the Lakers need to be a legitimate championship contender next season.
Hi, Michael. Thanks for pointing out the obvious, which is to prepare our young players for the long haul by playing them more. The days of experimenting with the old veterans is over. Tom also echoed the same sentiment earlier today, and that is also my opinion. I think even the coaching staff are finding themselves on board with that. The young players bringing that kind of energy is absolutely what is going to help this team improve. Your take on Gabriel was on point and I think they should give him more minutes. We are still going to need an additional center and Moses Brown has always been my choice.
Too often we get manhandled in the paint. The other day, against the Spurs, Poetl made me feel like I was witnessing the second coming of Wilt Chamberlain. We lack length and height around the rim and that’s why I would like to see Gabriel get more time and let him mix it up with the guys until AD comes back. Yeah, you definitely made good points.