The Lakers Reality Show

nighthob · Mar 8, 2019

TripleOT said:
Maybe they could have found some vets who could shoot. In hindsight, they would probably have been better off with G league players than head cases like Beasley and Stephenson.

I get that this was going to be a transition year, but any GM who willingly puts Beasley, Stevenson, and Rondo on the same team is looking for problems. They shouldn't have been an option, even if they had reps as stable team oriented players, just for the lack of three point shooting.

Sure, it would have been great if Paul George had signed with LA, but Maglinka blew that one by refusing to trade for him when he was theirs for the taking. Trevor Ariza took a huge one year deal with Phoenix. What other all-star shooters were out there for the taking? I sincerely doubt that James was begging the Lakers to sign a player that he's had personal problems with over the years (Stephenson) or the well known bonehead That's So JaVale McGee.

This might come as a shock to you, but Maglinka is a legitimately bad GM as shown by their pre-LeBron track record. There's nothing in there recent moves that's any break from the mediocrity.

nighthob · Mar 8, 2019

cheech13 said:
We've gone over this before. They made zero effort to target guys that fit around Lebron. It wasn't as if free agency was protracted and they did their best with what was left after everything shook out. Lebron signed on day one and they immediately pivoted to Javale, Rondo, KCP and Stephenson. With the exception of Rondo and maybe Javale those are bad players and they were bad fits. Many pointed that out then and are still hammering it today. They needed shooters, wings that could defend, rim-runner/protectors, etc. We know the formula of how to build a Lebron-focused team and Magic and Pelinka willfully ignored that template because they believed they could build the better mousetrap. Go back to the quotes in the summer; they thought tough guys and ballhandlers that could take the focuse off Lebron were the key to unlocking a latter career renaissance.

Oh I completely agree with this. I was remarking on TOT's contention that it was all LBJ's fault for demanding that LA sign "his guys". Even though those guys were already on the roster (KCP). Maglinka has been a disaster, and the Paul George fiasco is the feather in their cap.

DJnVa · Mar 8, 2019

Barkley invited Lebron to TNT's "Inside the NBA" since he's gonna have a lot of free time once the regular season ends.

Jimbodandy · Mar 8, 2019

DrewDawg said:
I was interested in the numbers here.

There's currently only 2 active 40+ year olds in the NBA--Dirk and Vince. There have been only 28 to ever play past 40.

By last game:

1940s: 1
1950s: 0
1960s: 0
1970s: 1* (Bob Cousy played 7 games that year after sitting out 6 years)
1980s: 1 (Kareem)
1990s: 7 (all from 1996 on)
2000s: 7
2010s: 11

It's interesting that of the 28 guys that played passed the age of 40, 18 of them didn't make it to 41.

I thought there were more. Did Terry retire during the season? Crawford isn't yet 40 but close.

Good numbers, thanks.

Edit: just looked up Terry. Somehow missed the retirement tour.

Cesar Crespo · Mar 8, 2019

DrewDawg said:
Barkley invited Lebron to TNT's "Inside the NBA" since he's gonna have a lot of free time once the regular season ends.

I don't see him fitting in well with that bunch but what do I know. People liked Arod.

cheech13 · Mar 8, 2019

nighthob said:
Oh I completely agree with this. I was remarking on TOT's contention that it was all LBJ's fault for demanding that LA sign "his guys". Even though those guys were already on the roster (KCP). Maglinka has been a disaster, and the Paul George fiasco is the feather in their cap.

Still waiting for the definitive article to be written regarding what went wrong with Paul George and the Lakers. It's probably that no one involved wants to go on the record, but there is a story there. Whether it was Silver giving them the side-eye, or PG's agent pissing on Magic because of the Russell trade, it's definitely juicy and way better than this farce they pushed out that PG just magically fell in love with OKC.

nighthob · Mar 8, 2019

I agree with that too. I wondered how much of it was George being POed that Maglinka refused to trade for him and how much of it was how they treated him during their (illegal) recruiting of him while he was still in Indiana.

HowBoutDemSox · Mar 9, 2019

The final twenty minutes or so of Zach Lowe's podcast with Kevin Arnovitz this week is a must-listen for any Laker haters (or I guess LeBron haters too). I feel like I need a cigarette after that. "The Lakers have failed without LeBron, they've failed with LeBron, they failed at drafting, they've failed at trades, they've failed at free agency, they have failed with a revenue stream other teams can only dream of. They traded Russell and he became an All Star, they let Randle go for Rondo's salary and he's putting up numbers, they didn't sign Lopez and spent roughly the same money on Beasley, Paul George is playing for another team, they have no idea how to build a team, they have every advantage every other team would want and they've failed, they're like the kid born on third and think they've hit a triple and they've still screwed it up. Other teams have had plenty of adversity and still make the playoffs in the West - Kawhi missed almost all of last season and the Spurs still made the playoffs. I didn't think you could have a conference of eight teams better than one with LeBron and they still did it."

Only a mild paraphrase.

Lazy vs Crazy · Mar 9, 2019

Ingram out for the season, Ball likely out for the season, Lebron on a minutes restriction. Tank city.

benhogan · Mar 9, 2019

HowBoutDemSox said:
The final twenty minutes or so of Zach Lowe's podcast with Kevin Arnovitz this week is a must-listen for any Laker haters (or I guess LeBron haters too). I feel like I need a cigarette after that. "The Lakers have failed without LeBron, they've failed with LeBron, they failed at drafting, they've failed at trades, they've failed at free agency, they have failed with a revenue stream other teams can only dream of. They traded Russell and he became an All Star, they let Randle go for Rondo's salary and he's putting up numbers, they didn't sign Lopez and spent roughly the same money on Beasley, Paul George is playing for another team, they have no idea how to build a team, they have every advantage every other team would want and they've failed, they're like the kid born on third and think they've hit a triple and they've still screwed it up. Other teams have had plenty of adversity and still make the playoffs in the West - Kawhi missed almost all of last season and the Spurs still made the playoffs. I didn't think you could have a conference of eight teams better than one with LeBron and they still did it."

Only a mild paraphrase.

ha. that was 20 minutes of Celtic porn

JCizzle · Mar 9, 2019

HowBoutDemSox said:
The final twenty minutes or so of Zach Lowe's podcast with Kevin Arnovitz this week is a must-listen for any Laker haters (or I guess LeBron haters too). I feel like I need a cigarette after that. "The Lakers have failed without LeBron, they've failed with LeBron, they failed at drafting, they've failed at trades, they've failed at free agency, they have failed with a revenue stream other teams can only dream of. They traded Russell and he became an All Star, they let Randle go for Rondo's salary and he's putting up numbers, they didn't sign Lopez and spent roughly the same money on Beasley, Paul George is playing for another team, they have no idea how to build a team, they have every advantage every other team would want and they've failed, they're like the kid born on third and think they've hit a triple and they've still screwed it up. Other teams have had plenty of adversity and still make the playoffs in the West - Kawhi missed almost all of last season and the Spurs still made the playoffs. I didn't think you could have a conference of eight teams better than one with LeBron and they still did it."

Only a mild paraphrase.

Oh my. Finding this ASAP

sezwho · Mar 9, 2019

HowBoutDemSox said:
The final twenty minutes or so of Zach Lowe's podcast with Kevin Arnovitz this week is a must-listen for any Laker haters (or I guess LeBron haters too). I feel like I need a cigarette after it."
Only a mild paraphrase.

Thanks for the tip, subscribe but hadn’t listened

Bad Penny · Mar 9, 2019

Lazy vs Crazy said:
Ingram out for the season, Ball likely out for the season, Lebron on a minutes restriction. Tank city.

It is very early in the process, but this is eerily reminiscent of Chris Bosh.

https://www.acc.org/latest-in-cardiology/articles/2016/10/19/15/13/athletes-and-anticoagulation

schillzilla · Mar 9, 2019

I’ve seen a study linking blood clots to testosterone enhancement treatments. With a constant talk about needing to add strength, wonder if he started training differently. He had been on a nice little run the last few weeks.

I still have visions of Rashard Lewis and his ascension, followed by a cliff after his suspension. Just something that crossed my mind when hearing the news. Just seems atypical for a 21(?) year old man in good health to be dealing with blood clots. But I am not a doctor.

Wild speculation aside, I hope he is ok.

McBride11 · Mar 9, 2019

schillzilla said:
I’ve seen a study linking blood clots to testosterone enhancement treatments. With a constant talk about needing to add strength, wonder if he started training differently. He had been on a nice little run the last few weeks.

I still have visions of Rashard Lewis and his ascension, followed by a cliff after his suspension. Just something that crossed my mind when hearing the news. Just seems atypical for a 21(?) year old man in good health to be dealing with blood clots. But I am not a doctor.

Wild speculation aside, I hope he is ok.

T treatments when abused and not monitored properly can lead to blood clots. But those levels are usually easy to detect (if the NBA tests for them?)

Alternatively he could have 1 of several genetic variants that predispose people to developing clots. The arm is an unusual spot, as they usually occur where blood pools more commonly (legs, hence people traveling on airplanes for example) and when they develop in unusual places then the chances of genetic issues climbs (tho still relatively rare).

reggiecleveland · Mar 10, 2019

benhogan said:
ha. that was 20 minutes of Celtic porn

What do you guys make of the main thesis, that Lebron's runs to the finals are diminished since once he went to the west he could not even make the playoffs.

Kliq · Mar 10, 2019

reggiecleveland said:
What do you guys make of the main thesis, that Lebron's runs to the finals are diminished since once he went to the west he could not even make the playoffs.

I think it’s already acknowledged by most rational people that LeBron’s consecutive trips to the finals are both very impressive and also aided by a lack of true quality opponents.

HowBoutDemSox · Mar 10, 2019

reggiecleveland said:
What do you guys make of the main thesis, that Lebron's runs to the finals are diminished since once he went to the west he could not even make the playoffs.

The Lakers sit at 30-36. They've gone 21-23 against the west and 9-13 against the east. Hard to think that the conference really matters too much.

DavidTai · Mar 11, 2019

He will diminish, and go into the West, and remain Galadriel.

Kliq · Mar 11, 2019

HowBoutDemSox said:
The final twenty minutes or so of Zach Lowe's podcast with Kevin Arnovitz this week is a must-listen for any Laker haters (or I guess LeBron haters too). I feel like I need a cigarette after that. "The Lakers have failed without LeBron, they've failed with LeBron, they failed at drafting, they've failed at trades, they've failed at free agency, they have failed with a revenue stream other teams can only dream of. They traded Russell and he became an All Star, they let Randle go for Rondo's salary and he's putting up numbers, they didn't sign Lopez and spent roughly the same money on Beasley, Paul George is playing for another team, they have no idea how to build a team, they have every advantage every other team would want and they've failed, they're like the kid born on third and think they've hit a triple and they've still screwed it up. Other teams have had plenty of adversity and still make the playoffs in the West - Kawhi missed almost all of last season and the Spurs still made the playoffs. I didn't think you could have a conference of eight teams better than one with LeBron and they still did it."

Only a mild paraphrase.

This is outstanding. Arnovitz just DESTROYING Jeanie Buss for saying the media is their biggest problem when the Lakers haven't done anything despite all of their resources was incredible.

johnmd20 · Mar 11, 2019

DavidTai said:
He will diminish, and go into the West, and remain Galadriel.

This is excellent.

cheech13 · Mar 11, 2019

HowBoutDemSox said:
The final twenty minutes or so of Zach Lowe's podcast with Kevin Arnovitz this week is a must-listen for any Laker haters (or I guess LeBron haters too). I feel like I need a cigarette after that. "The Lakers have failed without LeBron, they've failed with LeBron, they failed at drafting, they've failed at trades, they've failed at free agency, they have failed with a revenue stream other teams can only dream of. They traded Russell and he became an All Star, they let Randle go for Rondo's salary and he's putting up numbers, they didn't sign Lopez and spent roughly the same money on Beasley, Paul George is playing for another team, they have no idea how to build a team, they have every advantage every other team would want and they've failed, they're like the kid born on third and think they've hit a triple and they've still screwed it up. Other teams have had plenty of adversity and still make the playoffs in the West - Kawhi missed almost all of last season and the Spurs still made the playoffs. I didn't think you could have a conference of eight teams better than one with LeBron and they still did it."

Only a mild paraphrase.

The most amazing thing about this is that Lowe and Arnovitz are usually very measured and rational in their responses and rarely go too far in bashing a front office or coaching staff for things not working out to plan. Lowe in particular has spent a lot of time talking about teams like the Pelicans and Wizards and commenting that teams that look bad in the aggregate may have made a lot of defensible moves along the way. Ironically enough most of this very podcast was spent discussing Arnovitz's article on the Suns dysfunction and yet both seemed reluctant to go too far in really bashing the team or their moves.

Speaking of the Lakers the hit pieces are starting to come. Watching this go up in flames is going to be great.

InstaFace · Mar 11, 2019

DavidTai said:
He will diminish, and go into the West, and remain Galadriel.

Best thing I've read all day.

HomeRunBaker · Mar 13, 2019

Kliq said:
This is outstanding. Arnovitz just DESTROYING Jeanie Buss for saying the media is their biggest problem when the Lakers haven't done anything despite all of their resources was incredible.

If does feel like a hit job when “failed in FA” is included.......when the summer isn’t even here yet. Lol

LeBron has by all accounts had a very successful first year in LA.....3 TV shows, then he signed AD and now Draymond.

cheech13 · Mar 13, 2019

HomeRunBaker said:
If does feel like a hit job when “failed in FA” is included.......when the summer isn’t even here yet. Lol

LeBron has by all accounts had a very successful first year in LA.....3 TV shows, then he signed AD and now Draymond.

This was in reference to their free agent pursuits in the past decade. Outside of Lebron they've failed time and time again, perhaps no more spectacularly than last summer. It is a very just criticism.

HowBoutDemSox · Mar 17, 2019

Ingram has surgery for his blood clot issue, with his agent saying this was a one-off rather than a systemic problem:

Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram underwent thoracic outlet decompression surgery on his right arm Saturday, and sources told ESPN he is expected to make a full recovery in three to four months.

Ingram was shut down last week after a medical examination of his sore right shoulder revealed deep venous thrombosis -- a condition caused by a blood clot. That clot was removed and Saturday's procedure assured better blood flow in Ingram's upper body.

"It's a night-and-day difference between a hematological issue, or a blood issue however you want to put it, and a structural issue," Schwartz told ESPN. "This was not related to his blood producing something that would cause blood clots. This was purely structural."

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/26281414/ingram-surgery-ready-2019-20

cheech13 · Mar 21, 2019

This is the Los Angeles Lakers 2018-2019 “One Shining Moment”

I’m dead.

Kliq · Mar 21, 2019

cheech13 said:
This is the Los Angeles Lakers 2018-2019 “One Shining Moment”

I’m dead.

Every single second of that is glorious; I forgot how fucking funny Westbrook mocking Lance was.

Spelunker · Mar 21, 2019

I am in love.

TripleOT · Mar 21, 2019

That video was the highlight of the season

lovegtm · Mar 21, 2019

For some reason the best part for me was the Lonzo jumpers.

scottyno · Mar 21, 2019

At least they'll always have those back to back summer league finals appearances

ElUno20 · Mar 21, 2019

That video needs an HBO documentary.

Jesus christ that was so damn funny. My fave has to be the lance Stephenson possession vs the jazz

HowBoutDemSox · Mar 23, 2019

It’s official: they’re eliminated from playoff contention:

After the Los Angeles Lakers missed the playoffs only five times in the first 65 years of the franchise's existence, Friday's 111-106 loss to the Brooklyn Nets officially eliminated them from postseason contention for the sixth straight year.

At 31-41, L.A. is now a game worse than it was a season ago with 10 games left to play. That team, of course, did not have LeBron James.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/26337925/lakers-officially-miss-playoffs-6th-year-row

Also, Lonzo and LaVar claiming a family friend who owns 16.3% of their Big Baller Brand company has embezzled (or at least can’t account for) $1.5 million:

Los Angeles Lakers guard Lonzo Ball has severed ties with a co-founder of Big Baller Brand over concerns that the longtime family friend has a criminal past and also has not adequately accounted for the whereabouts of roughly $1.5 million from Ball's personal and business accounts.

Ball told ESPN that he believes that Alan Foster, a friend of Lonzo's father for almost a decade who owns 16.3 percent of Big Baller Brand, had "used his access to my business and personal finances to enrich himself. As a result, I have decided to sever all ties with Alan, effective immediately."

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/26323950/los-angeles-lakers-guard-lonzo-ball-severs-ties-big-baller-brand-co-owner-allegations-15-million-unaccounted-espn

Marciano490 · Mar 23, 2019

BBB made over $1 million, or is that his personal money?

djbayko · Mar 23, 2019

HowBoutDemSox said:
It’s official: they’re eliminated from playoff contention:

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/26337925/lakers-officially-miss-playoffs-6th-year-row

Also, Lonzo and LaVar claiming a family friend who owns 16.3% of their Big Baller Brand company has embezzled (or at least can’t account for) $1.5 million:

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/26323950/los-angeles-lakers-guard-lonzo-ball-severs-ties-big-baller-brand-co-owner-allegations-15-million-unaccounted-espn

Seems like celebs hiring family friends is never a good idea. Hell, there are plenty of stories about dads and brothers embezzling funds.

HowBoutDemSox · Mar 23, 2019

Marciano490 said:
BBB made over $1 million, or is that his personal money?

Sounds like a mix, they mention both Lonzo's personal and business accounts not adding up.

Caspir · Mar 23, 2019

djbayko said:
Seems like celebs hiring family friends is never a good idea. Hell, there are plenty of stories about dads and brothers embezzling funds.

Even worse. Twitter says they only met this guy after he was released from prison for financial crimes, and they didn't know he had a record. He's just some con man that targeted black families through churches and community events to rob blind. He is also allegedly the guy that convinced Lonzo to pass up a traditional shoe deal. Crazy story, but maybe Lonzo smartens up and realizes his dad isn't the visionary entrepreneur he claims to be.

djbayko · Mar 23, 2019

Besides this scam and the BBB vs. Nike/Reebok/Adidas/Puma decision, I wonder how much money Lonzo has sunk into bailing his dad and brothers out of stupid decisions and investing in terrible ideas. Bribing eastern European basketball teams, starting new minor leagues in the US, fixing the UCLA and China situations..... What else don’t we know about?

BigSoxFan · Mar 23, 2019

djbayko said:
Besides this scam and the BBB vs. Nike/Reebok/Adidas/Puma decision, I wonder how much money Lonzo has sunk into bailing his dad and brothers out of stupid decisions and investing in terrible ideas. Bribing eastern European basketball teams, starting new minor leagues in the US, fixing the UCLA and China situations..... What else don’t we know about?

He is absolutely going the Antoine route if he doesn’t take control of this situation, especially before his second contract.

TripleOT · Mar 23, 2019

The father has allegedly made "millions" off the Facebook show "Ball In The Family." Lonzo has something like $21 million guaranteed on his rookie deal, and another $11m assuming the Lakers (or another team if he's traded) pick up his fourth year option.

Assuming people stop stealing from him and using his money, he should be good. Even if he continues to be just a 10/5/5 guy, he still will have another $30m low end in career earning potential.

Hopefully, this $1.5m misappropriation is a relatively cheap lesson for Lonzo. He needs to get with someone like Shaq and get advice on how to put together a team to protect HIS interests.

Devizier · Mar 23, 2019

Lavar getting conned is basically the least surprising news ever, isn’t it?

DeJesus Built My Hotrod · Mar 23, 2019

The Tweet/video posted by cheech above is so fantastic. This may be better. Crying...

djbayko · Mar 23, 2019

Devizier said:
Lavar getting conned is basically the least surprising news ever, isn’t it?

Speaking of which. You know, Lonzo, we have to ask...

Lakers Asked Lonzo Ball If Big Baller Brand Sneakers Led to Ankle Injury

Lonzo Ball suffered a third ankle injury with the Lakers on Jan. 19, prompting the Lakers to search for the root cause of the UCLA product's injury woes. Los Angeles even went as far as to ask Ball whether his Big Baller Brand sneakers were to blame

DannyDarwinism · Mar 23, 2019

DeJesus Built My Hotrod said:
The Tweet/video posted by cheech above is so fantastic. This may be better. Crying...

Oh my word.

Marciano490 · Mar 24, 2019

djbayko said:
Speaking of which. You know, Lonzo, we have to ask...

Lakers Asked Lonzo Ball If Big Baller Brand Sneakers Led to Ankle Injury

Well, don’t make me click. What’d he say?

HowBoutDemSox · Mar 24, 2019

Marciano490 said:
Well, don’t make me click. What’d he say?

"I told 'em, 'I feel comfortable. If I wasn't comfortable, I wouldn't play in 'em. If I didn't play in [his signature BBB shoes], I'd play in Kobe [Bryant's signature Nike shoe]. I work out in [LeBron James' signature Nike shoe], but that's because they're heavier."

Kliq · Mar 24, 2019

I've read it in multiple places, but when LeBron passes Kobe on the all-time scoring list, he better make sure he does it on the road.

the moops · Mar 24, 2019

Kliq said:
I've read it in multiple places, but when LeBron passes Kobe on the all-time scoring list, he better make sure he does it on the road.

He isn't passing him until next year, and if LAL hits on a top FA and makes a trade, their season could look very different. And perhaps a warmer reception than were it to happen this year

The_Powa_of_Seiji_Ozawa · Mar 24, 2019

djbayko said:
Speaking of which. You know, Lonzo, we have to ask...

Lakers Asked Lonzo Ball If Big Baller Brand Sneakers Led to Ankle Injury

Marciano490 said:
Well, don’t make me click. What’d he say?

"It's gotta be the shoes"

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