2014-15 Official Lakers Season Thread, Vol: We Love Each Other

How Many Wins This Season?

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  • 50-60

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  • Total voters
    0
  • Poll closed .
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Lakers got a steal in Clarky. I promise you. Start as a super-sub combo guard, potential sixth man. Transition to a decade starter at either guard position.

Jump on the Mudiay Express.
Hard to find anyone that will jump Mudiay and Okafor in the top-2 for '15.
 
Okefor + Randle would sound awfully appealing to Russell Westbrook in a couple of years 8o

Can't wait to see Randle after a full year in a NBA weight room.
Hope the Lakers start encouraging him to shoot and develop that outside game early.

I expect a bunch of double-doubles and a lot of putbacks on Kobe's misses :lol
 
0-fer, for Okafor?
0-fer, for Okafor?
Keep the wins low, for Winslow?

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If he hire Byron Scott or Kurt Rambis we're almost guaranteed a top 5 pick next year.

MDA's system probably won us an extra 5 games this year.
 
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- With the highest pick in franchise history since selecting James Worthy No. 1 in 1982, the Los Angeles Lakers drafted another power forward in Kentucky's Julius Randle with the No. 7 selection on Thursday.

The 6-foot-9, 250-pound big man averaged 15.0 points on 50 percent shooting and 10.4 rebounds in his freshman season, leading the Wildcats all the way to the NCAA championship game.

"It's the organization that I wanted to go to," Randle said while on a conference call from New York with reporters covering the draft at the Lakers' practice facility. "I couldn't be a in a better situation for me, and I'm just really excited to get things started there."

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There is speculation that Randle could need surgery on his right foot to correct a pin that was placed incorrectly in his foot when he broke it in high school. Randle, however, told reporters after his workout in Los Angeles that he recently saw a foot specialist who cleared him to play without any further surgical procedure.

"I'm healthy. I have no problem with my foot," Randle said. "Whether (the Lakers) want to do something (to correct his foot) or not, we'll see. But I'll have that conversation with them when I get there."

Those injury concerns, however, may have cost Randle a higher spot in the draft.

"I think I should've went higher for sure, but, you know, the teams that passed on me will regret it," Randle told ESPN's Jay Williams.

The Lakers sounded comfortable with Randle's bill of health. Randle broke the fifth metatarsal, located on the outside of his foot. It is considered a common basketball injury.

"Obviously, it's a well-known fact that he had surgery about 18 months ago and he's been cleared," Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said. "We will monitor it going forward. With any injury, there's always the possibility that it can be reinjured and certainly it's something that we considered in the selection process, but we just felt that his talent was such that even if he did have to miss a period of time -- with that kind of injury it could be six months, if necessary -- it would not impact his career and at his age, even if he does reinjure it, there's no reason why he can't play 12-14 more years at a very, very high level."

Randle was confident that if surgery is required, it would sideline him for less than the six-month timeline that Kupchak alluded to.

"I know if I do do a surgery or anything, I'll be ready way before the start of the season, by training camp," Randle said. "But we'll discuss what's best for me and what the risk is."

Randle, 19, was one of five one-and-done college players selected with the top 10 picks in the draft.

The Lakers were also enamored by another freshman in Indiana's Noah Vonleh and Louisiana-Lafayette's Elfrid Payton, who were both still on the board when L.A. drafted, but ultimately went with Randle, who impressed the Lakers' front office during his solo workout leading up to the draft.

In particular, Randle turned heads with his tenacity in a game of one-on-one against Lakers assistant coach Mark Madsen, followed by two-on-two against members of the Lakers' support staff.

"Once he realized what was going on, his competitive juices really started to flow and it was very impressive what kicked in," Kupchak said.

"I just really felt good playing there," Randle added. "It was a tough workout, but I think I really had a good showing there, which is why they were really comfortable with taking me."

Randle said the Lakers had him ranked higher on their draft board than No. 7, but they told his representatives at the beginning of the night that Randle would be a "perfect fit" if he was still available when it was their turn to pick.

"He's got big-time skills," Kupchak continued. "He can put the ball on the floor. He can drive. He can get to the rim. I think he's been criticized with his jump shot a little bit, but we feel with repetition, that's not going to be a problem at all."


Randle shot just 3-for-18 from 3-point range in 40 games at Kentucky. He said that would change at the next level.

"I'll be able to play all over the floor," Randle said. "As far as only shooting 18 3s, some of that was what I sacrificed in college. But I shot the ball really well in the Laker workout and they were really impressed with that. So, I think I'll be able to play all over the floor."

That type of attitude from Randle has impressed the Lakers.

"The bottom line is that he plays and competes at a very, very high level," Kupchak said. "He loves contact."

Kupchak also joked that L.A.'s superstar, Kobe Bryant, would give Randle the rookie treatment.

"Although I don't expect Kobe to talk to him until January, I think he'll like him," Kupchak said with a smile.

On the contrary, Bryant welcomed his newest teammate on Twitter with open arms.


Randle said he also received a congratulatory text from Bryant, who is currently vacationing in Greece.

"I grew up a huge fan of Kobe," said Randle. "He was always my idol, my favorite player growing up, and now I have a chance to pick his brain and learn a lot from him."

Kupchak echoed the same appreciation that Bryant did.

"We're very pleased to have Julius," Kupchak said. "He had a great workout with us, a great interview. We've watched him play as close as anybody this year, and we think he has a chance to be a heck of a professional player and we're excited to have him in Los Angeles and in uniform."

Randle said he would be available to play in the summer league, but Kupchak said that would only occur if L.A. was able to sign Randle to his rookie contract before the Lakers' summer-league schedule begins July 11 in Las Vegas.

Chill on the 3's kid.

LA liked him over Vonleh, but also liked Vonleh. :(
 
Someone called
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A few quick points:

-SenorRobot, it's not hard. Just don't enter until something newsworthy happens. It's actually been quite a peaceful 4 weeks. But now that the draft happened I can come in and chime in about the pick, instead of whining about the same things everyday.

-I see nothing's changed. People still can't let go of the past. Tanking is STILL being argued
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Dudes posts are being called dumb... Hahaha, same ol same ol. I don't know how some of you can handle this same formula day after day. But enjoy
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Draft thoughts:

-I really wanted Exum to fall after Orlando passed. Then I really wanted Marcus Smart (screw boston
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). Then I wanted Randle and we took him. So I was pleased. Unlike some others I wanted no parts of Vonleh, but that's just me. Not saying he doesn't have amazing potential. He does, like people have said he has a "higher ceiling." I just PERSONALLY don't think he'll get close to that ceiling. Don't stab me, it's just my opinion
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-sure Randle's lack of wingspan and defense isn't great, but defense can be worked on. I saw him playing some tough defense in the tourney in spurts. He just needs to develop dat LTB discipline.
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-loved his attitude. I think Kobe's going to love working with Randle and teaching him good footwork. Randle wants to make those first 6 teams pay and I can tell he's motivated. I am excited.
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-who the hell is Jordan clarkson? I saw P tweet he's a tall PG who can't shoot. I guess it might be a good thing to have a pg not looking to shoot, but is he good at everything else? Court vision? Defense? Is he quick? Have no idea who dude is
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but at least we got someone else to work with.


That's it for now. If I get some interesting responses I'll stick around and chat, if not I'll see you guys when we hire a coach.

Oh and... #NoGuarantees like you said all year long Ska.

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#ltbdiscipline 
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Why do people honestly think that we are somehow going to have a worse season than last year when we are getting back a healthy Kobe Bryant & A lottery pick who should be NBA ready.
Gasol gone. Nick Young gone. Nash gone? Finished 14th in the west last year. I'd say with Kobe and the new rookie, minus those other dudes, we're looking at an absolute best case scenario being an 8-10th? Anyways, it's not tanking, it's just not blowing money to still suck. It's not beating what's left of Kobe into the ground for nothing. Eff signing anyone else until we're looking at being a real contender.
 
One time for 2 Texas boys becoming Lakers. :hat :hat


Can't be mad, would of loved to have Smart, but we got the best player that was there at #7. He's a Laker fan, Kobe is his idol, is genuinely happy to be a Laker, and he's pissed that teams passed on him.


I dig it.
 
Once again this team has no chance to be a top 5 Bad team let that go. Nobody in the Lakers org wants to continually lose and end up in the lottery for the next two years... Leave that for teams like the bucks, 76'ers, Kings, Suns AKA teams who are in the lottery yearly because they keep thinking their gonna get their "superstar" this year (Although Cousins is a Superstar in the Making, who's surely gonna leave)

I was against spending big money on players who aren't bonafide superstars but I would much rather Spend Money on a Bledsoe or Stephenson type who i know is already proven in the league then waste two years losing uncontrollably to potentially pick up one of the many bust that linger in the Lottery.

Unlike a small market the team The Lakers have the advantage of the second biggest Market, A beautiful city, A historically great Franchise & Legend, & Cap room coming very soon, under no circumstance should anyone in the org think it's good to continue to tank.
 
What do you mean there's no chance they'll suck? They're just as bad as last year if Swaggy and Gasol and Nash are ghost.
 
Gasol gone. Nick Young gone. Nash gone? Finished 14th in the west last year. I'd say with Kobe and the new rookie, minus those other dudes, we're looking at an absolute best case scenario being an 8-10th? Anyways, it's not tanking, it's just not blowing money to still suck. It's not beating what's left of Kobe into the ground for nothing. Eff signing anyone else until we're looking at being a real contender.

You just compared Pau Gasol (Who was rarely healthy & the Corpse of Steve Nash) to a Healthy Kobe & Julius Randle. Your not going to sit here and tell one of the most competitive people on the planet that your plan is to be bottom of the barrel for two years and expect him to comply. Nor are you going to continue to do nothing and suck at a time when the L.A clippers are at the height of their popularity and becoming contenders.

I've been in this thread for months now fighting against Blowing all are cap on intermediate players, but under no circumstance should L.A not try and do anything and rely on a draft that as of right now looks pretty weak outside of the top 5. Management cannot afford to do this. IDK why fans never seem to take into consideration all the different factors that go into running an organization like the Lakers.

They are ABSOLUTELY gonna make a run towards either another All star Player or a young player who could become an All Star... That mixed with Kobe & Randle isn't under no circumstance going to be a top 5 bad team.
 
Lost in all this, like the grab of Jordan Clarkson. 6-5 guard, can play either spot, gets to the rim. I like the sound of that.

Will look in depth at him in a lil bit.

Kelly, Clarkson off the bench. :hat
 
As of right now, I can only see the Sixers and Jazz being worse than the Lakers. Maybe throw in the Magic and Knicks (depending on Melo). They'll be right there.
 
Magic and Jazz "might" come up a little too. Hopefully at least. Tons of young talent on those rosters that could jump.
 
Lost in all this, like the grab of Jordan Clarkson. 6-5 guard, can play either spot, gets to the rim. I like the sound of that.

Will look in depth at him in a lil bit.

Kelly, Clarkson off the bench. :hat


Mitch bought a pick! Mitch bought a pick!

Lets clap for that and going out and getting his guy. :hat
 
It's not that hard to see LA sign nobody this year to keep their financial flexibility in the future.

If u sit Randle out for an extended period time with his foot, LA is undoubtedly a bottom 5 team.
 
It's not that hard to see LA sign nobody this year to keep their financial flexibility in the future.

If u sit Randle out for an extended period time with his foot, LA is undoubtedly a bottom 5 team.
Exactly. I don't know why people want to blow money and run Kobe into the ground to be a 10th seed. Very short sighted.
 
You just compared Pau Gasol (Who was rarely healthy & the Corpse of Steve Nash) to a Healthy Kobe & Julius Randle. Your not going to sit here and tell one of the most competitive people on the planet that your plan is to be bottom of the barrel for two years and expect him to comply.
Accept reality. It's 2014, not 2004. Kobe's teams have sucked before... and now he's old as hell, with 2-3 years left. Team is junk. If we don't get two big names, we just gotta be patient for another year. 
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Actually, tanking hasn't been discussed in quite a while in here. Saver for whatever reason is really upset about the Randle pick, and is lashing out at us as Pro tankers. I'm not gonna let him go off on us, when the actual team didn't do what we suggested last August. :lol


All in all, Randle wasn't my first or second choice, but he's a dog, and will blend and learn from Kobe's final years, so that's good. Hopefully, he plays every game like it's the NCAA tourney, in which he was outstanding. Look forward to watchin him learn and grow.


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I'm not upset but rather disappointed because I don't think this kid is a building block for the future which is what the whole tanking premise was based on.

Y'all can act like you didn't read Ps write up on bully boy but we all did and it wasnt pretty :{, and u just said yourself he wasnt your first or second choice so lets stop pretending like we should be so happy for somebody most of us really didnt want.

:lol @ the team not doing what we suggested , they never do bro that's why we're the fans...besides Lakers don't tank :lol not in the DNA

Basically you sold a bad idea all year long and now it's being exposed, you're the Team Tank President and you don't even want the guy but instead of admitting it wasnt a good idea you blame the team for not listening to the fans :lol that's hilarious.
 
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