2014-15 Lakers Season Thread (21-61) KAT

[essential1]

Abbott: "I feel great about the story. No one has pointed out a specific thing that's incorrect."

Wait, what?

 

[pmatic]

Haha hahaha where is that quote from?

 

[essential1]

Haha hahaha where is that quote from?

I think Le Batard's Radio Show.

John Ledesma was tweeting a bunch of Abbott quotes this morning

 

[laker4lifeman]

I only take anonymous sources seriously-Abbot

 

[pmatic]

@Lakers With Price dinged up, Byron says that @JLin7 will start at the point Tuesday night against Houston.

 

[bravelude]

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on...have-had-no-problems-playing-with-kobe-bryant

CARMELO on KB.

Not even surprised that Carmelo gave the most diplomatic response of things.  It makes sense, but perhaps, it gives closure to those that do not understand.  A weak story comes out, and the whole media and whole sports world attempts to start drama. LOL.  Like I said, it ain't LA, if there ain't drama.  Guys are smart enough to say the 'right' things, and that's when they force the hand at the media.  The whole, "anonymous source' label is laughable.

Kobe calling Melo and pestering him to come over to play?  I would highly doubt it, but I would not doubt that a conversation took place among them as individuals.  It makes sense though. Bu you won't have it on record or youtube about Kobe colluding with others.  Kobe's ego is too evident and as suggested, it's a double edge sword.

Media is whack sometimes.  Let's go Kobe.  Wanna enjoy you before the NBA shifts.  Funny thing, no one has really talked about the 'next' torch bearer.  Well, LBJ being there, but still.....  

 

[pmatic]

Melo and Kobe are relatively close by all accounts. I'm sure there was a conversation between the two at some point during free agency about joining the Lakers.

 

[bravelude]

What's funny is that LA seemingly knew before hand that NASH wasn't gonna make it.  He wasn't in one of their team-pics, and the story about him getting hurt carrying bags seemed weak?  I don't really believe it, but it seemed ridiculous to me.  It seems like LA knew!  Either way, I will miss NASH as a player.  Him playing in purple and gold would've been great.  But still, much respects to that guy.  Guy was a leader on the Suns when they faced Kobe, and the possibilities of him coming earlier and being healthy will remain a subject on NT.

HOF PG, and one of a kind.  Ain't no body handle the rock like him!

Negative journalism ain't new, but there's no need to buy into it!!!!!!!

I am excited for Lin.  I want him to redeem himself for LA, but mostly against an organization that mistreated him!!!!

 

[bravelude]

Melo and Kobe are relatively close by all accounts. I'm sure there was a conversation between the two at some point during free agency about joining the Lakers.

I agree.  I see nothing bad or wrong.  I still feel bad that JEANIE PLAYED into the hands of the BS, but at the same time, I must support her for having the 'balls' and calling others out. Where's her weak ARSH brother?  She could've been more diplomatic though and not played into the hands of these stories though.  Suddenly, the Kobe as MJ WIZ came out.  I suspect corporate politics was involved.  Still, where is JIM?  

 

[pmatic]

SS&R:

Final Lakers' preseason stats and observations

Preseason is over for the Los Angeles Lakers, who ended exhibition play with a 3-5 record. Two of those losses were gut punches caused by late-game collapses and missed free-throws, but in the end the wins and losses don't count anyway. What matters is how the team, and players, performed.

Here's the Lakers' preseason stats:

And some parting thoughts on preseason before the regular season begins:


•Kobe Bryant's field goal percentage was low, and his shot attempts were high, but it definitely felt like the team missing players and learning how to play together on offense was at the heart of it. There were many instances of passing the ball to Kobe and watching/waiting. Overall, his preseason and return were promising signs for the regular season.

•Hello, Ed Davis. He shot an incredible 73 percent from the field through exhibition play along with two blocks in 20.3 minutes per game. He was very effective for the Lakers and it remains astonishing that he signed with Los Angeles on a veteran's minimum contract. Davis looks like a very valuable player and is clearly the best rim protector on the roster.

•Wayne Ellington, three-point specialist, didn't go so well. It's strange that a career 38 percent three-point shooter would plummet down to 20 percent. The most reasonable explanation is the Lakers' offense just didn't generate the kind of open looks a spot-up shooter needs to be effective. That's a silver lining for Ellington and a problem for the Lakers to figure out.

•Jordan Hill is a monster on the boards. News flash, I know. Still, he pulled down 8.2 boards in 23.6 minutes per game. That's 12.5 rebounds Per-36. Still, he was out-shined by Davis defensively and offensively. That's always seemed to be the case for Hill: Phenomenal rebounder and hustle player, questionable skills otherwise.

•There really wasn't much to look at for the training camp invitees. Roscoe Smith, Keith Appling, Jabari Brown and Jeremy Tyler weren't much else besides bodies. Smith, however, showed he has a pretty good motor and managed to pluck 3.1 rebounds in 14.9 minutes per game. If forced to pick one player out of that group to assign to the D-fenders, I'd pick Smith.

•Wesley Johnson had some (many) problems handling the ball (2.1 turnovers per game, not listed above) but he shot 46.2 percent from beyond the arc. That's not a sustainable mark, but if he continued honing his three-point shooting skills over the summer (shot a career-best 36 percent last season), he's a legitimate role player and great complementary player in the starting lineup.

•Julius Randle's play was very up-and-down, which should be expected from a 19-year-old rookie. He finished his preseason strong, though, and certainly looks well-worth being drafted seventh-overall. Just to throw a nugget out there, Marcus Smart shot 31 percent from the field and 25 percent from beyond the arc through preseason. Randle averaged 8.8 points and 5.8 rebounds in 20.9 minutes per game, and 15.1 points and 10 rebounds (rounding up 9.99) Per-36 minutes for the rookie. Everything projects out that Randle will be a double-double machine early in his career, and his game against the Portland Trail Blazers was a glimpse of how good he can be.

•Jeremy Lin was clearly the best point guard for the Lakers through preseason, but there's other factors still in play for Byron Scott and his lineups. 40 percent shooting from three-point range, very good pick-and-roll play, and a few chances to showcase his quick first step when he's driving to the rim were all positive signs from Lin regardless of role. Also, shooting 50 percent overall as a point guard? Well done. Lin will be thrust into the starting lineup sooner than later, but with Nick Young and Xavier Henry out, he's an important piece in managing the bench players. It also comes down to Ronnie Price's status, which hasn't been updated besides having a "sore right knee."
Overall it felt many of the Lakers' problems were schematic miscues on offense and defense, or struggles due to lack of depth. That's to be expected with a group of players that have never played together, and rookies who are still trying to adjust to playing in the NBA. There were some promising signs throughout the roster individually, though, and some chemistry is already growing, like the pick-and-roll fest between Jeremy Lin and Ed Davis.

The regular season gets underway on Oct. 28, and the preseason is going to get washed away and forgotten almost immediately. Still, it's worth reflecting on what we saw, especially from an individual player standpoint. What stood out to you?

http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2014/10/26/7072781/la-lakers-preseason-stats-2014-2015

FB&G:

Los Angeles Lakers 2014-15 Season Preview

The 2014-15 Lakers are something of a mystery to me. Not because I do not know what they are or what they are trying to do, but because when you strip them down to their individual pieces it is somewhat difficult to see a coherent plan. This is a team trying to walk a very narrow line. A line that is nearly impossible to navigate in today’s NBA; a line that offers such confined parameters to define success that most organizations would not even venture down this path.

On the one hand, there is a clear thought process being disseminated by the front office and newly installed head coach Byron Scott. This team is competing for something. If not a championship, then for a playoff berth. For relevancy. The message and logic is fairly easy to see and simple when stripped down: take Kobe Bryant, pair him with Steve Nash (though that has already not worked out) and Carlos Boozer, flank them with veterans like Jeremy Lin, Nick Young, Jordan Hill, Ronnie Price and Wes Johnson and give them a head coach like Byron Scott. This group will focus on defense and use an opportunistic but mostly methodical offensive approach and try to grind out wins.

On the other hand, however, this team has another vision entirely. A disastrous season last year led to lottery pick Julius Randle being snatched up. Jordan Clarkson was nabbed in the 2nd round to offer another promising talent who has the potential to be a nice contributor in time. Last year’s rookie Ryan Kelly was brought back after showing flashes of a well rounded offensive game and skill level not often present in a player his height. Free agency brought in Ed Davis — a former lottery pick in his own right who has always been a strong per-minute stat stuffer but has suffered for minutes on teams with more talent in front of him. This group of players are ones who need minutes and long leashes to develop through their mistakes.

Objectively speaking, these two groups of players really do not belong together. They are a hodge-podge of disparate talent with skills that do not entirely mesh nor fit together. In an ideal world, this team would travel in one of the aforementioned directions and sell out towards an achievable goal within that framework. If they wanted a veteran team, they could have built fully around Kobe, used their draft pick as leverage to try and acquire a more proven player, and pawned off any of their other younger assets to add more serviceable veteran pieces. If they wanted to skew younger, they could have let their own veteran free agents walk, chased some of the restricted and unrestricted free agents who have not yet reached their prime, and used those players to flank Kobe until his contract comes of the books.

Instead this front office tried to take a little from both sides and is likely to suffer from it. They are neither old nor young, neither experienced nor naive to the rigors of an NBA season. Finding success in this approach will be difficult considering the talent at their disposal and the coach leading the way. This isn’t about optimism or pessimism, these are the realities of the situation.


—

In a season like this, though, there is always the hope of salvation even if it will not come in the form of check marks in the victory column and a deep playoff run. Enter the two players at the opposite ends of the Lakers’ careers, Kobe Bryant and Julius Randle.

Kobe’s return to the court will be met with equal parts celebration and skepticism. After playing in only six games last season after tearing his achilles tendon the year before, the doubt that Kobe can be even a good NBA player is real. He will be asked to carry a heavy load this year and in doing so many expect him to fail. The argument is a simple one: a high usage Kobe on a low talent team will mean fewer opportunities to maximize what strengths he does have left. The injuries will change his game and, in turn, will lessen his effectiveness when he has no one else to shift the burden to.

I’d be lying if I didn’t believe some of this myself. Many point to how Kobe played before his ruptured achilles as evidence of just how good he was and how underestimating him is a mistake. Forget for a moment the injuries, though, and simply look back to that roster and understand that there is no Pau Gasol or Dwight Howard (even a limited one) or Steve Nash (ditto) to occupy defenders and balance the floor. Even if Kobe were to come back as Kobe, he’d still be surrounded by less talent than at any point in the last 10 years of his career. Defenses will swarm him and make him prove he is still able to perform at a high level. And if he can’t do it, the vultures will stop circling above and descend upon him.

In saying that, however, he is still Kobe Bryant. During the preseason he has flashed some of his trademark shot making to go along with savvy and a fantastic level of skill. If nothing else, Kobe will provide us with moments to lean on to support us in what will be a difficult season. Which is more than I can say about last year.

And then there is Randle. While he will begin the season as a reserve, he has already shown a more well rounded game than given credit for when he came out of Kentucky. His handle, court vision, and passing ability are all well beyond what I’d thought he possessed. When those traits are joined with the combination of quickness and power I did know about, my curiosity is piqued and I am all-in on Randle as a prospect. Time will tell if the other facets of his game evolve enough for these other skills to be optimized, but to have him on this team with a chance to learn, grow and show he can be an every day contributor is a reason to tune in every night.

Yes, there will be frustration. And I wonder if Scott will buy into Randle in a meaningful enough way to let the young man make the needed mistakes on the floor that are required to fully develop. You would think his talent stands out enough to lessen these concerns, but Scott has already used the preseason as a way to talk down his prized rookie. For me, though, Boozer may play in front of him and Hill/Davis may steal some of his minutes over the course of the long season, but Randle has enough to offer that he alone will salvage some nights from the unwatchable. He just needs enough time on the floor (something that, even with my concerns about a crowded front court, I think he will get).

—

There are other stories too, for sure. From Ed Davis to Nick Young to Jeremy Lin there are no shortage of guys who I will watch intently and with a keen eye on whether they can be part of the solution in coming seasons. On the flip side, there’s the question of whether Boozer’s sharp decline will plateau or continue, whether Byron Scott will really continue to troll the analytics movement with his approach to offense, and if Wes Johnson will show any growth in a game that has always been too reliant on athleticism and not enough on an understanding of how to play NBA level basketball successfully.

Make no mistake, though, none of this will make for a particularly good basketball team. Intriguing? Sure. Watchable? On most nights. A squad worth rooting for? Definitely. But the frustration will flow over on many evenings and, much like last season, I have a feeling the last part of the year will be more about figuring out the lottery odds and how good of a chance the team has at keeping their top five protected draft pick as any other storyline. In other words, get ready for a long season.

http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2014/10/25/los-angeles-lakers-2014-15-season-preview/

 

[pmatic]

Sources: No progress in extension talks between Kawhi Leonard, Spurs

As Kawhi Leonard holds firm on his desire for a maximum contract, extension talks with the San Antonio Spurs have failed to gather traction despite a looming Friday deadline, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

Leonard, the 2014 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player, would become a restricted free agent in July without an extension agreement by midnight Oct. 31 – the deadline for eligible extensions for the NBA's draft class of 2011.

Spurs president and general manager R.C. Buford and agent Brian Elfus have had several discussions in recent weeks, but no progress has been made, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

Leonard, 23, is considered one of the NBA's rising young stars, and multiple league executives told Yahoo Sports he'll command a max offer sheet on the market next summer. The Spurs would assuredly match a sheet and retain Leonard, but there remains the risk of Leonard signing a similar offer sheet to Dallas Mavericks forward Chandler Parsons.

Parsons signed a three-year, $46 million offer sheet that included a player option on the third year. This way, Leonard could become an unrestricted free agent and potentially leave the Spurs in 2017.

San Antonio could sign Leonard to a five-year, $90 million-plus extension now, if the Spurs were willing to make him their designated player. San Antonio could also negotiate a four-year deal at the maximum contract level – or below – before the Friday deadline. As a restricted free agent next summer, the Spurs could also sign Leonard to a five-year extension at or below the maximum contract level.

Leonard has missed the preseason with an eye infection and is unlikely to be in the lineup on Tuesday for the Spurs opening night game against Dallas.

Leonard averaged 12.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, two assists and 1.7 steals a game in 29 minutes in the 2013-14 season. He averaged 14.3 points in the playoffs on the Spurs' way to the NBA title and a Finals MVP performance.

Leonard was the second-youngest NBA Finals MVP in history, only behind Magic Johnson.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/source...-between-kawhi-leonard--spurs-050509203.html#

 

[CP1708]

No way the Spurs screw that up. I'd love for them to, but we all know they'll figure it out........

 

[pmatic]

Probably.

Should make it uncomfortable for them and offer him a Parsons-like contract.

 

[mr j 858]

Kawhi to me isn't worth a max contract. I seriously would see him turning out like Richard Jefferson after he got a huge contract.

I'd rather give Klay Thompson a max contract over him.

 

[sb]

Kawhi to me isn't worth a max contract. I seriously would see him turning out like Richard Jefferson after he got a huge contract.

I'd rather give Klay Thompson a max contract over him.

lulz.

 

[kal-el-8]

Kawhi to me isn't worth a max contract. I seriously would see him turning out like Richard Jefferson after he got a huge contract.

I'd rather give Klay Thompson a max contract over him.

dis gun b gud.

 

[mr j 858]

I've followed Kawhi's career since he played ball here at SDSU and dude is not a player you would build your franchise with.

He's a role player who shines in the right offensive systems. SDSU he played in Steve Fisher's system. Now with Spurs he has Greg Poppvich.

 

[kal-el-8]

I've followed Kawhi's career since he played ball here at SDSU and dude is not a player you would build your franchise with.

He's a role player who shines in the right offensive systems. SDSU he played in Steve Fisher's system. Now with Spurs he has Greg Poppvich.

I agree but I'm waiting for responses. 

 

[CP1708]

I've followed Kawhi's career since he played ball here at SDSU and dude is not a player you would build your franchise with.

He's a role player who shines in the right offensive systems. SDSU he played in Steve Fisher's system. Now with Spurs he has Greg Poppvich.

Offense is the only part of the game? Only offensive players are worth max deals?

 

[do work son]

Kawhi is an elite defense wing player, who probably hasn't even scratched his potential yet

 

[kal-el-8]

 

I've followed Kawhi's career since he played ball here at SDSU and dude is not a player you would build your franchise with.

He's a role player who shines in the right offensive systems. SDSU he played in Steve Fisher's system. Now with Spurs he has Greg Poppvich.

Offense is the only part of the game? Only offensive players are worth max deals?

I mean, he should have a sound offensive game no? Dwight is horrible offensively, I don't think he deserves the full max. 

Same with Harden, he can't eem guard a mailbox.

While we're on the subject.

Would yall rather have Harden or Klay?

 

[do work son]

 

I've followed Kawhi's career since he played ball here at SDSU and dude is not a player you would build your franchise with.


He's a role player who shines in the right offensive systems. SDSU he played in Steve Fisher's system. Now with Spurs he has Greg Poppvich.

Offense is the only part of the game? Only offensive players are worth max deals?

I mean, he should have a sound offensive game no? Dwight is horrible offensively, I don't think he deserves the full max. 

Same with Harden, he can't eem guard a mailbox.



While we're on the subject.

Would yall rather have Harden or Klay?

Y'all have a blessed day

 

[kal-el-8]

 

 

 

I've followed Kawhi's career since he played ball here at SDSU and dude is not a player you would build your franchise with.


He's a role player who shines in the right offensive systems. SDSU he played in Steve Fisher's system. Now with Spurs he has Greg Poppvich.

Offense is the only part of the game? Only offensive players are worth max deals?

I mean, he should have a sound offensive game no? Dwight is horrible offensively, I don't think he deserves the full max. 

Same with Harden, he can't eem guard a mailbox.



While we're on the subject.

Would yall rather have Harden or Klay?

Y'all have a blessed day

I think now Harden is probably better. But I think Klay explodes this year.

Plus he's a two way player.

Also should be noted, I don't like Harden at all. He's fat. So I'm biased.

 

[Lovetohate3000]

Kawhi is a way better defender then rj was.... Dude is not a number one option but dude made lj and wade look stupid in the finals.... I'd rather have him over klay . Neither are number ones.

 

[pmatic]

So much wrong.