Just a reminder that the Los Angeles Lakers are the defending champs

[tlance]

lol

Not saying it's what you're doing. But it seems it's already started.

When Pelinka was hired...people laughed, said the Lakers made a mistake, no one would work with him because of his days as an agent, he didn't know anything about being a GM, Magic slammed him on his way out the door and basically blamed him for why he was leaving, etc., etc.

Now it's, well you have Lebron and AD and it's LA, so it's not like he had a tough sell.

The man put together a roster last year that people said couldn't win a title because the role players and bench were weak. They won a title anyway.

Now, despite not having much cap space or assets, he managed to improve the roster and not only increase their chances of a repeat, but probably makes them solid favorites.

Maybe we can just say he's done a very good job and leave it at that?

He has done a very good job.

But let’s not anoint him an elite GM is all I am saying. The playing field isn’t exactly level.

 

[tlance]

yeah, between the 2 i'd certainly have Whiteside. who knows, maybe a shot at a ring might entice him...

I think what you need is more of a Pau type that can give minutes in the regular season but doesn’t expect to play in the playoffs.

Even with Gasol, the Lakers best lineup still probably has AD plus either Keef, Harrell or even LBJ at the 4. You know, the big small lineup.

Don’t think you want Whiteside to be a bench 5 when that guy is going to get quite a few DNPs.

 

[Black Adam]

He has done a very good job.

But let’s not anoint him an elite GM is all I am saying. The playing field isn’t exactly level.

well, let's be honest, coach. when was the playing field ever "level"? this last season was as wide open as i've seen it in a while...

 

[tlance]

well, let's be honest, coach. when was the playing field ever "level"? this last season was as wide open as i've seen it in a while...

You are correct. It isn’t. Never had been.

 

[trojanfan12]

He has done a very good job.

But let’s not anoint him an elite GM is all I am saying. The playing field isn’t exactly level.

So, if you're the Lakers GM, you can't be considered elite because the "playing fields not level"?

Interesting. Do we say the same thing about Riley in Miami?

Ftr, no one is anointing him as an elite GM. But I think we can also give him credit for the job he's done without qualifiers intended to diminish it.

 

[trojanfan12]

I think what you need is more of a Pau type that can give minutes in the regular season but doesn’t expect to play in the playoffs.

Even with Gasol, the Lakers best lineup still probably has AD plus either Keef, Harrell or even LBJ at the 4. You know, the big small lineup.

Don’t think you want Whiteside to be a bench 5 when that guy is going to get quite a few DNPs.

I don't know that he'd necessarily have to have a bunch of DNP's. But there would definitely be games where he would play far fewer minutes than others. He'd have to understand that going in and accept the role like Javale and Dwight did.

As i said earlier, even if he's on their radar, I seriously doubt the Lakers can get him with what they have left anyway. Pretty sure someone will offer him more.

 

[Retroram52]

The rumor mill has the Lakers reviving Demarcus Cousins as the back-up to Marc Gasol. Cousins is getting some interest from other teams so that may force the Lakers to re-sign Cousins just to keep him away from other teams and satisfy their need for a number three.

Marc would love to have his brother on the same roster as their careers come to a close. Pau would be doable capwise and he has made inclinations that he'd like to return to the Lakers one more time. What the Lakers do in the third center situations remains variable at this point. WE shall all see here fairly quickly.

 

[Shanemansj13]

The rumor mill has the Lakers reviving Demarcus Cousins as the back-up to Gasol. Cousins is getting some interest from other teams so that may force the Lakers to re-sign Cousins just to keep away from other teams and satisfy their need for a number three.

Marc would love to have his brother on the same roster as their careers come to a close. Pau would be doable capwise and he has made inclinations that he'd like to return to the Lakers one more time. What the Lakers do in the third center situations remains variable at this point. WE shall all see here fairly quickly.

Cousins is a Rocket

 

[Retroram52]

Yep, too late. Cousins moves on to the Rockets as of today.

 

[trojanfan12]

Yep, too late. Cousins moves on to the Rockets as of today.

On the bright side, it's looking like the Rockets can't find trade partners for Harden or Westbrook.

Good chance the season starts with Harden, Westbrook and Boogie on the team...

which should be fun.

 

[Rex Racer]

1200 × 1125

 

[Black Adam]

1200 × 1125

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

well the franchise is still run my jeanie buss and rob pelinka which just might be the worst owner/gm combo in north american sports (outside of the Wizards and Mets), so there is hope. lol

This quote aged well...

 

[Black Adam]

This quote aged well...

If WiggityWack was ever paid for being wrong he might be in fortune 500...

 

[Mebert]

They would have won 3 in 1 year if they had Tristan Thompson

 

[tlance]

So, if you're the Lakers GM, you can't be considered elite because the "playing fields not level"?

Interesting. Do we say the same thing about Riley in Miami?

Ftr, no one is anointing him as an elite GM. But I think we can also give him credit for the job he's done without qualifiers intended to diminish it.

You are reading way too much into my comment.

Truth is you won’t really know his ability as a GM until LeBron is gone.

It is like trying to evaluate Steve Kerr as a head coach based on his W/L record with the KD Warriors.

He has done a great job to be sure. But he is also shooting fish in a barrel right now because everyone wants to be there with LeBron and AD.

And Riley has built multiple contenders with different casts. So no.

 

[trojanfan12]

You are reading way too much into my comment.

Truth is you won’t really know his ability as a GM until LeBron is gone.

It is like trying to evaluate Steve Kerr as a head coach based on his W/L record with the KD Warriors.

He has done a great job to be sure. But he is also shooting fish in a barrel right now because everyone wants to be there with LeBron and AD.

And Riley has built multiple contenders with different casts. So no.

I agree an have said the same about him as far as when we'll know for sure. I just don't think we need caveats.

As for Riley, he's done what he's done in L.A., N.Y. and Miami. It's not like was building things in Cleveland or Charlotte.

 

[trojanfan12]

If WiggityWack was ever paid for being wrong he might be in fortune 500...

He's got being wrong down to a science.

 

[tlance]

I agree an have said the same about him as far as when we'll know for sure. I just don't think we need caveats.

As for Riley, he's done what he's done in L.A., N.Y. and Miami. It's not like was building things in Cleveland or Charlotte.

I agree.

And if Pelinka can build a non-LeBron championship contender, I will be first in line to give him his respect.

Right now I view him as like Scott Brooks coaching the first couple years with the Thunder. He might be a really good GM. But we really haven’t seen enough to know yet.

I think it is fair to make a big market GM do it multiple times before we can say they are top tier.

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

You are reading way too much into my comment.

Truth is you won’t really know his ability as a GM until LeBron is gone.

It is like trying to evaluate Steve Kerr as a head coach based on his W/L record with the KD Warriors.

He has done a great job to be sure. But he is also shooting fish in a barrel right now because everyone wants to be there with LeBron and AD.

And Riley has built multiple contenders with different casts. So no.

This probably has to do more with Magic that it does Pelinka, but the Lakers convinced Lebron to join the Lakers without a second star player.

Yes, "Hollywood" played a big role in him coming to LA but I very much doubt he joins the Lakers if the front office was as incompetent as a lot of people were saying just a were 18 months ago.