On the bright side...

[Shaqdaddy11]

While I hate the idea of tanking and it kills me to see this team lose, the only ray of hope is that every loss is one step closer to a decent draft pick.

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

I don't think a team with 16 championships has to work too hard looking for the bright side of things. That's more championships than most of the NBA teams combined. Just putting 16 rings on the banner was a tough task, I can't even imagine winning 16 rings LOL

 

[Silas]

The bright side is that this season will eventually end.

 

[LALakersboy24.7]

The bright side is that this season will eventually end.

True but will Dumbtoni & Gasol still be here next season ?? If so expect us to have another down season in 2014-2015

 

[Black Adam]

True but will Dumbtoni & Gasol still be here next season ?? If so expect us to have another down season in 2014-2015

Guess we'll see how it breaks, but either way i'm a Lakers fan for life.it is what it is, fellas...

 

[trojanfan12]

True but will Dumbtoni & Gasol still be here next season ?? If so expect us to have another down season in 2014-2015

2 things here:

1.) Doubtful that Pau is still here. There are reports that the Lakers and Cavs are discussing a trade that would send Pau to Cleveland for Andrew Bynum. Bynum would then be released by the Lakers prior to the January 12th(?) deadline when he would be due $12million. This move would relieve the Lakers of approx. $20million in salary and avoid the luxury tax for this season. It also frees up cap space for the upcoming off-season.

2.) D'Antoni is not the problem (Don't believe me? Ask the Logo.). The Lakers problem is a roster with a couple of players (Pau specifically) that aren't a good fit for his system, injuries and a general lack of talent. When the Lakers have been healthy (particularly at point guard), the offense has looked good when being run the way it's designed. The Lakers have been forced to use 16 different starting lineups in only 31 games this season. Kind of hard to develop consistency on either end of the floor with that many lineup changes.

We Lakers fans are going to have to be patient for the next couple of seasons as this roster is changed through free agency, the draft and likely a trade or 2.

 

[LALakersboy24.7]

2.) D'Antoni is not the problem (Don't believe me? Ask the Logo.). The Lakers problem is a roster with a couple of players (Pau specifically) that aren't a good fit for his system, injuries and a general lack of talent. When the Lakers have been healthy (particularly at point guard), the offense has looked good when being run the way it's designed. The Lakers have been forced to use 16 different starting lineups in only 31 games this season. Kind of hard to develop consistency on either end of the floor with that many lineup changes.

The problem here is Dumbtoni does not preach any defense, you can still have a better roster, but it wont matter if his still the one coaching & we all know in the playoffs you need defense, now i'm not saying we have to be a super great defenseive team, but his not cutting it for me. Dumbtoni has not had a great season since the Suns, We all know he sucked in New York also

This guy will not help us become a title contending team, no way & let's not forget his last comment a few days ago did it for me “If Laker fans are discouraged, find another team to root for " - Dumbtoni


FUCK YOU DUMBTONI & I DONT NEED YOUR APOLOGY NEITHER

 

[Retroram52]

I'll take that trade TJF12 if we don't then fall in love with Bynum and fall for his scam by signing him to a reduced contract and have him destroy the locker room with his cancer. I don't think it would happen, but I have seen stranger things occur.

The Lakers know exactly the condition of Bynum's knees and as I have posted often, his knees are so bad that walking is difficult and he'll be a candidate for full knee replacement surgery in about five years-way earlier than that is common. So, I really don't expect the Lakers to re-sign him and release in a couple of weeks if the trade goes down.

 

[trojanfan12]

The problem here is Dumbtoni does not preach any defense, you can still have a better roster, but it wont matter if his still the one coaching & we all know in the playoffs you need defense, now i'm not saying we have to be a super great defenseive team, but his not cutting it for me. Dumbtoni has not had a great season since the Suns, We all know he sucked in New York also

This guy will not help us become a title contending team, no way & let's not forget his last comment a few days ago did it for me “If Laker fans are discouraged, find another team to root for " - Dumbtoni


FUCK YOU DUMBTONI & I DONT NEED YOUR APOLOGY NEITHER

D'Antoni did just fine in New York until 'Melo came back and retuned to his ball stopping ways. You can't be a ball stopper in D'Antoni's offense. If you remember, that was the concern about Kobe coming back. The difference between Kobe and 'Melo is that Kobe was/is smart enough to understand the principles of D'Antoni's offense.

As for defense, that is why Rambis was hired. Just like in football, a head coach can be offense first as long as he has a good defensive coordinator. Defense is about 2 things: effort and communication. I see effort, but not communication. The communication is stunted because of the multiple lineup changes. The Lakers defense has actually looked pretty decent at times when they've been healthy.

No offense to you or my other fellow Lakers fans, but the problem that most of you have with D'Antoni is that he isn't Phil. Hate to break it to you, but:

1.) Nobody is Phil except Phil and Phil is done coaching. Personally, I have my doubts about whether or not Phil would have actually returned last year if the Lakers had offered him and doubt he would have had any more success than D'Antoni.

2.) I'm not convinced that the triangle would work in today's NBA anyway.

Let this all play out (it's not like we have a choice), see what roster changes happen over the next couple of seasons and see what we have.

Personally, I won't be ready to hit the panic button for at least 3 more seasons.

 

[trojanfan12]

I'll take that trade TJF12 if we don't then fall in love with Bynum and fall for his scam by signing him to a reduced contract and have him destroy the locker room with his cancer. I don't think it would happen, but I have seen stranger things occur.

The Lakers know exactly the condition of Bynum's knees and as I have posted often, his knees are so bad that walking is difficult and he'll be a candidate for full knee replacement surgery in about five years-way earlier than that is common. So, I really don't expect the Lakers to re-sign him and release in a couple of weeks if the trade goes down.

This is how it appears it will do down (assuming the trade happens). Bynum and other assets (player and/or draft picks) for Gasol. Shortly after the trade is announced and completed, the Lakers release Bynum (just has to be done prior to the deadline on the $12million) and Bynum is then free to sign with any other team (reportedly the Heat and Clippers are interested).

The only way Bynum ever sets foot in Staples is to put on a Clippers uniform or as a player on an opposing team.

 

[LALakersboy24.7]

As for defense, that is why Rambis was hired. Just like in football, a head coach can be offense first as long as he has a good defensive coordinator. Defense is about 2 things: effort and communication. I see effort, but not communication. The communication is stunted because of the multiple lineup changes. The Lakers defense has actually looked pretty decent at times when they've been healthy.

I know he was brought here for defense & I was happy when the Lakers hired him back, but how much is his voice getting through in games or in practice, with Dumbtoni also being a guy who power trips ?

No offense to you or my other fellow Lakers fans, but the problem that most of you have with D'Antoni is that he isn't Phil. Hate to break it to you, but:

1.) Nobody is Phil except Phil and Phil is done coaching. Personally, I have my doubts about whether or not Phil would have actually returned last year if the Lakers had offered him and doubt he would have had any more success than D'Antoni.

2.) I'm not convinced that the triangle would work in today's NBA anyway.

Nobody is Phil & I believe we know this, but it was a dumb move to hire Dumbtoni over Phil, IMO opinion it's too late for Phil becauase this is a young team that will not pick up the triangle easily it takes alot of time.

I thought Kurt Rambis would make a good head coach for this team, especially now in the rebuilding process.

 

[trojanfan12]

I know he was brought here for defense & I was happy when the Lakers hired him back, but how much is his voice getting through in games or in practice, with Dumbtoni also being a guy who power trips ?



Nobody is Phil & I believe we know this, but it was a dumb move to hire Dumbtoni over Phil, IMO opinion it's too late for Phil becauase this is a young team that will not pick up the triangle easily it takes alot of time.

I thought Kurt Rambis would make a good head coach for this team, especially now in the rebuilding process.

When has D'Antoni power tripped? I believe Rambis is/was being heard, however, with the constant lineup changes, it's difficult to develop continuity and communication. The effort on defense is there for the most part, but the execution (rotations, communication, etc.) isn't. The execution gets worked out through time on the floor which they haven't had.

Imo, the 2 best head coaches available at the time that D'Antoni was hired were basically D'Antoni and Phil. Had the Lakers hired Phil, he would have coached for 2, maybe 3 seasons and then they'd be looking at hiring yet another coach. Constant coaching changes aren't the best way to attract top FA's.

I agree that Rambis could be a good head coach and we may yet see that happen, but not until D'Antoni has been given a fair chance to get a decent roster and see what he can do with it. In the meantime, Rambis learns a little more. Remember, his coaching tenure in Minnesota wasn't exactly a rousing success.

As I said, I won't be ready to hit the panic button for at least 2 or 3 more seasons.

 

[OutlawImmortal]

I still believe they fired Mike Brown way too earlier and had they waited they could have at least enticed Phil easier with less of the schedule to travel. At the same time, how long would Phil have lasted with those knees anyway? Life after Phil has to start at some point, it might as well be now.

 

[Retroram52]

Perhaps TJF12, the Lakers made the biggest blunder before they hired Mike Brown by not promoting Brian Shaw, who, at the time, had everyone's blessing except Short Buss or whomever made the decision to hire Brown. Again, we will never know the outcome of that speculated move and most of the "ifs" would be complete speculation at this juncture.

Until they fire Don'tknowi, we are stuck with the guy. I am interested however in the personnel moves they make and if Cleveland gives us some picks that we don't now have, I trust Mitch and the revamped Scouting Department to come up with better talent.

Case in point is the present roster and specifically I like how Ryan Kelly is coming along. He looked completely lost the first couple of games but with injuries and his playing time increasing, I like what I am seeing. He plays the 4 and 5 pretty well, he plays solid defense with effort, and his outside shooting is pretty good for a rookie. He needs to add some muscle and I think he'll be an excellent player down the road.

I also like what I am seeing with Marshall on the point. The kid is starting to get comfortable and although he has an unorthodox shot, his confidence and accuracy from long-range are growing. He does a pretty good job of running Don'tknowi's offense. He has to work on his footwork and defense and that pretty much sums 3/4 of the roster as well.

 

[LALakersboy24.7]

When has D'Antoni power tripped?

Well we know his a Dick period! remember last season Earl Clark was his whooping dog ? & has time & time treaded some of his players like shit, it's no secret.

Imo, the 2 best head coaches available at the time that D'Antoni was hired were basically D'Antoni and Phil. Had the Lakers hired Phil, he would have coached for 2, maybe 3 seasons and then they'd be looking at hiring yet another coach. Constant coaching changes aren't the best way to attract top FA's.

There was better coaches then Dumbtoni IMO Like Sloan, Shaw, Byron Scott, Van Gundy & others, but becauase of Jim Buss is such a GENIUS he tought a 39 year old Nash would be a better fit with Dumbtoni's system, just because he has something against Phil fucking his sister

Even Phil Jackson laughed at the hire of Dumbtoni

I agree that Rambis could be a good head coach and we may yet see that happen, but not until D'Antoni has been given a fair chance to get a decent roster and see what he can do with it. In the meantime, Rambis learns a little more. Remember, his coaching tenure in Minnesota wasn't exactly a rousing success.

Well nothing in Minnesota is a success, Kurt Rambis was let go pretty much for no reason. That franchise is just garbage!

In the end I believe 85% of Laker fans want Dumbtoni gone, Let's face it his not a coah that will help win us a title.

 

[HammerDown]

The problem is that "a decent draft pick" won't help this team next season. For me, the silver lining would be to tell Kobe to go home and take 9 months off on a warm beach somewhere. And it would be in getting the money situation all worked out. The Bynum trade can help expedite that process.

Fire that jackass coach and let Rambis take over. He can't help but improve things.

 

[LALakersboy24.7]

The problem is that "a decent draft pick" won't help this team next season. For me, the silver lining would be to tell Kobe to go home and take 9 months off on a warm beach somewhere. And it would be in getting the money situation all worked out. The Bynum trade can help expedite that process.

Fire that jackass coach and let Rambis take over. He can't help but improve things.

Exactly, well said

 

[trojanfan12]

Perhaps TJF12, the Lakers made the biggest blunder before they hired Mike Brown by not promoting Brian Shaw, who, at the time, had everyone's blessing except Short Buss or whomever made the decision to hire Brown. Again, we will never know the outcome of that speculated move and most of the "ifs" would be complete speculation at this juncture.

Until they fire Don'tknowi, we are stuck with the guy. I am interested however in the personnel moves they make and if Cleveland gives us some picks that we don't now have, I trust Mitch and the revamped Scouting Department to come up with better talent.

Case in point is the present roster and specifically I like how Ryan Kelly is coming along. He looked completely lost the first couple of games but with injuries and his playing time increasing, I like what I am seeing. He plays the 4 and 5 pretty well, he plays solid defense with effort, and his outside shooting is pretty good for a rookie. He needs to add some muscle and I think he'll be an excellent player down the road.

I also like what I am seeing with Marshall on the point. The kid is starting to get comfortable and although he has an unorthodox shot, his confidence and accuracy from long-range are growing. He does a pretty good job of running Don'tknowi's offense. He has to work on his footwork and defense and that pretty much sums 3/4 of the roster as well.

I agree with much of this. While I was firmly in the Brian Shaw camp, I understand why they chose not to hire him. Yes, there was a certain amount of it that had to do with Short Buss and Phil not getting along and the whole thing was poorly handled. But the idea was to move away from the triangle and bring back something resembling Showtime.

When the team was relatively healthy and the offense was clicking, we all made comments about how it reminded us a bit of Showtime.

As fans, I think we need to do 2 things.

1.) We need to be fair to D'Antoni. He was dumped into an impossible situation and asked to lead a team that had an injured superstar center who didn't want to be there and bitched the whole season, a power forward who doesn't fit his system, a small forward who may have fit into his system if he was about 7 years younger and Kobe. It was also the teams 3rd different offense in less than a season and a half. Despite all of that, he got them to the playoffs and looking dangerous before Kobe blew out his Achilles. This year, he has a completely different roster (but still has square peg Pau) that has looked better offensively, but can't stay healthy.

2.) Trust Mitch and the revamped scouting department you mentioned. With the current CBA, it is no longer as simple as the Lakers just handing over a pile of money to get who they want or making trades that are lopsided in their favor (see CP3). They now have to re-build instead of re-load. Re-building takes a little longer.

I believe that we are starting to see the beginnings of the plan that the Lakers and Kobe alluded to when he signed the contract extension. If the Lakers work it right, they could be back in the playoffs next season and possibly contending in Kobe's final season.

Also, trading Pau frees up more playing time for Kelly so we can see what he has.

 

[Retroram52]

I hear you TJF12. I think they are going to be forced to go back to rebuilding through the draft and that is why the Gasol trade makes sense because draft picks are involved. Now if we can just get somebody to take Nash and his contract.

 

[trojanfan12]

Well we know his a Dick period! remember last season Earl Clark was his whooping dog ? & has time & time treaded some of his players like shit, it's no secret.



There was better coaches then Dumbtoni IMO Like Sloan, Shaw, Byron Scott, Van Gundy & others, but becauase of Jim Buss is such a GENIUS he tought a 39 year old Nash would be a better fit with Dumbtoni's system, just because he has something against Phil fucking his sister

Even Phil Jackson laughed at the hire of Dumbtoni



Well nothing in Minnesota is a success, Kurt Rambis was let go pretty much for no reason. That franchise is just garbage!

In the end I believe 85% of Laker fans want Dumbtoni gone, Let's face it his not a coah that will help win us a title.

Every coach has their whooping boy. Clark was D'Antoni's and Pau was Phil's.

Sloan is about as old as Phil and wouldn't have coached much longer than Phil would have, Byron Scott has had both head coaching stints end badly and Shaw was/is unproven. Of course Phil laughed at hiring D'Antoni over him. Hell, D'Antoni laughed at getting hired over Phil. He said he was shocked. None of that means that he wasn't the best coach available.

As for Van Gundy, if you are referring to Stan, we had Dwight and Dwight got Stan fired. If you mean Jeff, if he was interested in leaving his analyst job, he would have already.

85% of Lakers fans want D'Antoni gone because he's not Phil. If Phil had never been in the picture, very few would be complaining about D'Antoni because they'd be comparing D'Antoni to Mike Brown, not Phil.