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

[CP1708]

I will forever, and ever, and ever, remember Nick giving Gary Payton ALL that work in the 95 first round.

Straight up told Gary to hold his ****

 

[grandtheftbike]

cancun >

 

[pmatic]

Why Mike D'Antoni failed in L.A.

Mike D'Antoni stepped down as Lakers head coach, reportedly over the team's refusal to pick up the 2015-16 option on his contract. Without the extra year, D'Antoni was essentially a lame duck coach for the upcoming season.

His brand of basketball was supposed to usher in a modern-era of Showtime, but other than brief pockets of harmony strewn across two seasons, the Los Angeles Lakers never seemed to grasp the full potential of the offensive system. What went wrong?

Too many injuries

Any conversation about the Lakers' struggles over the last two seasons will largely center around the injuries that swept through the roster during that time. D'Antoni never enjoyed the full complement of his stars in his first season, and the second season was the type of injury-riddled campaign that would have humbled any coaching staff. Consider:

• Kobe Bryant's torn Achilles at the end of 2012-13 season all but ensured his inavailability for the 2013-14 season.

• As ESPN's Ramona Shelburne reported, one of the reasons D'Antoni took the job was the opportunity to coach Steve Nash again. Unfortunately, due to a variety of ailments Nash was available for less than 40 percent of games played over the last two seasons.

• Dwight Howard's short tenure was marred by his slow recovery from back surgery, greatly reducing his power and explosion, which prevented him from being the type of finisher around the basket and defensive anchor we've seen this season in Houston.

• Pau Gasol was a regular on the inactive list with a litany of conditions, including a concussion, torn plantar fascia, tendinitis and vertigo.

Without the availability of the best players for any continuous stretch, it was impossible for the lineups to develop any type of rhythm or chemistry on the floor.

Lack of buy-in

With his starters injured, there was a lack of buy-in into D'Antoni's system. By not having Nash on the floor to facilitate and create that chemistry, D'Antoni was forced to turn to Bryant as a primary ball-handler and creator, which isn't his natural focus or strength, while also sapping Bryant's energy on the defensive end. What should have been a free-flowing offense with a ball that didn't stick became an exercise in watching Bryant dominate the ball.

This, in turn, made the Lakers' bigs grumpy about lack of post touches and involvement in the offense, which withered their confidence in the heavy pick-and-roll system. All-Star campaigns turned in by former D'Antoni charges such as David Lee and Amaré Stoudemire simply didn't convince Lakers bigs pick-and-rolls were better than post-ups. That said, the offense still ranked in the top 10 in offensive rating in 2012-13, but the chemistry and harmony were not there. Conversely, the 2013-14 team had the buy-in but just didn't have the talent to execute.

Immaturity

Ultimately, immaturity among multiple parties doomed the Lakers.

Certainly immaturity from the team's two biggest stars hampered progress. Whether it was Howard's immaturity about his future with the organization or Bryant's immaturity about perhaps beginning the transition to another star (Howard), neither star handled things well.

Perhaps a head coach equipped to handle players' egos would have juggled this dilemma better. However, D'Antoni's has had a track record of avoiding for interpersonal conflict. He clashed with his stars but never - or rarely -- talked to them in order to resolve it. He clashed with Carmelo Anthony in New York, Pau Gasol in Los Angeles and Shawn Marion (playcalling) in Phoenix. In Howard and Bryant's case, D'Antoni didn't manage their relationship well and it cost them. It is something that has dogged D'Antoni his entire coaching career.

If there was hope for buy-in, even amidst all the injuries, it was stomped out by D'Antoni's inability to set aside personality quirks to get on the same page. In a perfect world, Howard rolled hard on every pick and roll, Bryant relinquished some of his grip on control, and D'Antoni would have thrown his bigs a few more post-ups to keep them satisfied and motivated, and the Lakers would have been better off.

Read the writing on the wall

D'Antoni was not let go; he resigned. D'Antoni's resignation follows a pattern of him removing himself from the situation before it gets bad enough for him to be replaced. It happened in Phoenix, New York and now, Los Angeles.

Sure, a roster reload might bring in the type of talent that could successfully execute, but that's a gamble D'Antoni wasn't willing to take without the security of another year on his deal. Bear in mind that a roster reload -- a foregone conclusion in the minds of many Lakers faithful -- is by no means a sure thing. The Lakers might swing and miss in free agency, or worse, attract young talent that clashes with Bryant.

Additionally, the availability of jobs across the league (with more talent and lower expectations) might have also enticed D'Antoni to resign. His agent, Warren LeGarie, is one of the big power brokers in the league, with a chessmaster-like ability to move his clients across the board into open (and not-so-open) positions.

Teams with intriguing young talents like Minnesota (Kevin Love), Utah (Derrick Favors), and Detroit (Andre Drummond) have vacancies, and the playoffs might shake open a few more spots like Oklahoma City, Houston, and Golden State, so D'Antoni's early availability puts him in play for those jobs.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/10867636/nba-why-did-mike-dantoni-fail-los-angeles

 

[senorroboto2k5]

cancun >

If they're trying to keep the pick next year NVE would be perfect

Season-long motto "1, 2, 3 CANCUN!"

 

[iamjusayn]

Lakers are done for a very long time. Too much going on. Fire coach after coach, smh now bring a new coach for what? Even with the same coach I'm sure you guys would have finished with a slightly better record next season simply because guys are coming back like Bryant but watch they make it about the new coach like "see that's why we fired MDA and hired *insert next puppet to bryant here*

I really don't get the moves you guys make.

 

[coldcity]

the hell yall think yall are asking permission to talk to thibs.........

 

[essential1]

For anyone who thinks the Lakers are not a destination... Our worst year in franchise history, and coaches are lining up to take the job.

 

[Johnny_Cakes]

**** Kobe, get a young coach to have for the long haul. Bench him if he doesn't want to listen to orders

 

[darthska]

For anyone who thinks the Lakers are not a destination... Our worst year in franchise history, and coaches are lining up to take the job.

If I got a bunch of fugly chicks at my disposal, I'm a player, then? Big game, cuz I got multiple chicks?

Everyone "lining up" is either a nobody, a has-been, or a 'never was'.

Color me unimpressed.

 

[licensed to ball]

**** Kobe, get a young coach to have for the long haul. Bench him if he doesn't want to listen to orders

It's astonishing that you hate the man so passionately ONLY because he publicly wanted out one time in his career... Because his team consisted of Smush Kwame and Brian cook...

Damn that really hurt you

 

[Johnny_Cakes]

One time? He publicly wanted out from the Lakers one time in his career?

 

[licensed to ball]

One time? He publicly wanted out from the Lakers one time in his career?

Um. Yes.
If there were any other times then obviously it wasn't as public because I have no recollection.

But regardless. He didn't leave... So... 8 years about It still be upset for what?...

 

[trynafeelmink]

I'm asking a serious question here?? who's a good coach besides Phil, Pop, Doc & Carlisle ... those are legitimately the only names i hear when good coaches are being discussed. Does a coach have to win a ring to be put into this group? because those 4 have literally won the last 15 championships(one Larry Brown year).

Are you telling me that every other coach in the league is a failure and bad coach or do you just expect the Lakers to pick up GOAT coaches everytime they get one?

 

[Johnny_Cakes]

One time? He publicly wanted out from the Lakers one time in his career?

Um. Yes.
If there were any other times then obviously it wasn't as public because I have no recollection.

But regardless. He didn't leave... So... 8 years about It still be upset for what?...

Soooo you don't remember the fuss he had before the 2007-08 season? Before that team found it's roll and got to the Finals? When he wanted Andrew ("ship his *** out") Bynum gone? Kobe was still complaining until Pau got traded to us.

 

[licensed to ball]

Laker fans expect goat hirings only.
Mike had already lost before he even began.

 

[licensed to ball]

One time? He publicly wanted out from the Lakers one time in his career?

Um. Yes.
If there were any other times then obviously it wasn't as public because I have no recollection.

But regardless. He didn't leave... So... 8 years about It still be upset for what?...

Soooo you don't remember the fuss he had before the 2007-07 season? Before that team found it's roll and got to the Finals?

Was there any other time besides that? Because that's all I remember. That period of time with Him going on Stephen A's radio show and saying he's had enough and wants out since the Lakers weren't showing an urge to improve.

That's... One time.

 

[darthska]

Well, the time when he was seriously entertaining the Clippers and Bulls, right before Shaq left (if memory serves).

So there's 2.

 

[Johnny_Cakes]

At least twice dude. And it's more than him wanting to leave. It's his style of play, he's a ball hog and alienates teammates.

Also, he hung us out to dry while he was entertaining the Clipper's offer (like when he asked them if they would move their practices closer to OC where he lives). He's all about himself.

 

[licensed to ball]

Johnny I'm not trying to say it's okay to be a cry baby and ask out. (Although I think it's okay for stars to expect more from their management...which at the end of the day is why LeBron left Cleveland for Miami... Sorry darthska I know it annoys you when other players are brought into a discussion but it's a good recent example)

But... If the end result is management getting scared, going and getting help, and championships coming out of it... Didn't the cry baby act help us, as fans, as well as the franchise out? At the end of the day we won bro, did we not?

If he hadn't put that pressure on them... Who knows if Mitch would of cared enough to pursue anyone other than Luke Walton.

 

[darthska]

It's his style of play, he's a ball hog and alienates teammates.

Does he? I headn't even... hmph.

Will consider.

 

[Johnny_Cakes]

We developed a dynasty when Kobe was still finding his way in the league. I don't believe that Kobe's prodding made Mitch suddenly much more capable as a negotiator.

 

[grandtheftbike]

It's his style of play, he's a ball hog and alienates teammates.

Does he? I headn't even... hmph.

Will consider.

i read that and knew ska would post a response

jus saiyan

 

[darthska]

Johnny I'm not trying to say it's okay to be a cry baby and ask out. (Although I think it's okay for stars to expect more from their management...which at the end of the day is why LeBron left Cleveland for Miami... Sorry @DarthSka I know it annoys you when other players are brought into a discussion but it's a good recent example)

But... If the end result is management getting scared, going and getting help, and championships coming out of it... Didn't the cry baby act help us, as fans, as well as the franchise out? At the end of the day we won bro, did we not?

If he hadn't put that pressure on them... Who knows if Mitch would of cared enough to pursue anyone other than Luke Walton.

Just to clarify, every time I've mentioned that, I never said it was annoying. I've just pointed out that the example... becomes a whole separate conversation.

Like you guys are talking about Kobe. Cool. You mentioned the example of Lebron/CLE/MIA. Cool. Now if he were to reply about Lebron, and then you reply to his reply, and now a whole separate dialogue about Lebron is taking place when you were originally talking about Kobe. 

Yes, it's best not to use other examples, but we all do it. But when we do and someone else responds, just still stay on the original topic, is all. 

 

[licensed to ball]

Well, the time when he was seriously entertaining the Clippers and Bulls, right before Shaq left (if memory serves).

So there's 2.

That's not wanting out while you are part of a team. That's exploring free agency, which is what most super stars do.

Look at Melo now. He could go to meetings in LA, Chicago, and Miami...
Sign back with New York and fans would understand. No one would claim "Melo wants out" after that contracts signed... What kind of statement is that? Melo just resigned with you. So... How did he want out? He just explored his options and came back to where he wanted to be.

As did Kobe that one summer.

God I hate that by explaining this you guys might be rolling your eyes and saying that typical "Kobe fan defending Kobe" nonsense.

I've expressed my displeasure in his recent contract, it kills our hopes of winning now. I've displayed my displeasure of him being a baby in the past. I've displayed my displeasure of him sometimes costing us games. Never dishonest.

I'm just saying[emoji]8482[/emoji], he wanted out once. It was cry baby like. ***** like. Whatever. It was annoying. But the end result?...

Management got more help.
Kobe resigned and stayed.
Lakers won 2 more chips.

So it worked out. My main point. It worked out...

 

[BIG LEEMELONE]

Kobe was clearly trolling the clippers when he was a free agent

Hope d'antoni takes the minnesota gig. all but guarantees love to leave town when his contract's up