**LA LAKERS THREAD** Sitting on 17! 2023-2024 offseason begins

[tupac003]

I see what you're on now, tupac003 . You're one of the ones that need Lebron to be the villain for the season.

I mean...I have been critical of Jeanie, Rob and Lebron.

They should all take accountability but Bron is the one running his mouth.

 

[grittyman]

I mean...I have been critical of Jeanie, Rob and Lebron.

They should all take accountability but Bron is the one running his mouth.

Not taking a shot at you bro but like what do you mean they should all take accountability?

It sounds like you’ve looking for an apology or public acknowledgment for some of the front office moves.

 

[pmatic]

Jeanie and Rob are the ones ducking the public. They trotted out James Worthy for Mikan's jersey retirement.

Jeanie did promo for her wrestling company and got a hint of the wrath of Laker fans.

 

[pmatic]

 

[tupac003]

Not taking a shot at you bro but like what do you mean they should all take accountability?

It sounds like you’ve looking for an apology or public acknowledgment for some of the front office moves.

I mean, I know they will not take accountability for their failed moves.

I'm just sick of the narrative that we are "wasting" LeBron's last years when all parties have a role in why the team is where it is.

 

[cedric ceballos]

I mean, I know they will not take accountability for their failed moves.

I'm just sick of the narrative that we are "wasting" LeBron's last years when all parties have a role in why the team is where it is.

The wasting Lebrons last years narrative is comical when Lebron has had input on some of these moves and encouraged them. It can’t be a “players league” where superstars expect input on personnel moves only when it pans out.

Like you said, all parties involved have a role in the current dumpster fire. As for Lebron. With all the behind the scenes moves and politicking in the NBA. If he was certain there was a contending team out there willing to give him a max deal and give him the full klutch autonomy he’s used to, he doesn’t sign that extension. This dude has had no problems leaving contending teams for greener pastures. He would’ve dropped the Lakers like a bad habit if there was a team out there willing to give him what he’s used to getting in terms of money and autonomy if he hit the open market this upcoming offseason.

For the Lakers though. I don’t blame them for not mortgaging their future any more than they already have if they aren’t certain the moves (which will have long term ramifications draft capital wise) will make them a legit contender for the next few seasons.

 

[MVP]

For someone who's always used his contract status as leverage for front office moves, I really don't understand why Bron gave up the only chip he had.

As for this ruining the reputation of the Lakers with 'how he's being treated'. That's a bunch of malarkey. Yes, he's playing at an unbelievable level given his age this season, but he's also stained more injuries during his tenure these last 4.5 seasons than he did in the previous 15 combined. It is what it is. If the front office acquiesces to these empty passive aggressive shots and now makes a stupid move; that'll be what dooms anything in the future.

 

[cedric ceballos]

The whole “how he’s being treated” line is hilarious. Same with the ruining the reputation of the Lakers to where top superstars won’t want to play there talking point. Chris Paul signed a max deal with the Clippers when Donald Sterling owned the team. The Sterling owned Clippers were one of the few teams Lebron met with during his 2010 free agency. This was before Sterling got caught up with those phone calls. But his poor reputation was well known within the NBA well before then. Trust me, the Lakers aren’t going to alienate future free agents because they didn’t mortgage their future trading draft picks away for the rest of the decade to kiss Lebrons ***.

As long as they build a decent team and have young talent or even so much as something to build off of, they’ll be an attractive landing spot for top talent between the market and the off the court opportunities which tend to come with being the top guy in the Lakers. Granted the current regime hasn’t shown much capability of being able to do that. But how Lebrons final years play out isn’t going to have any impact on them being able to land top talent. The capabilities or lack of capabilities of the front office will though.

 

[MVP]

 

[grittyman]

I mean, I know they will not take accountability for their failed moves.

I'm just sick of the narrative that we are "wasting" LeBron's last years when all parties have a role in why the team is where it is.

I hear you man.

I do see those same narratives but I think that it’s mostly Twitter, fan boy and sports writer talk… and I don’t really care what any of those guys have to say about the Lakers. This season isn’t even halfway over and how many BS narratives have they been pumping out? There’s been like 4-5 at least about Russ alone…going to be an angry malcontent going into training camp, won’t get along with Pat Bev, him and LBJ didn’t speak at Summer league, etc etc etc…all BS

So I guess any team that has a star but can’t provide a good supporting cast around them is wasting that player’s time…got it. Well if so then that should apply to Luka, Joker, maybe Joel and Giannis, etc.

It’s just ridiculous man.

 

[MVP]

I hear you man.

I do see those same narratives but I think that it’s mostly Twitter, fan boy and sports writer talk… and I don’t really care what any of those guys have to say about the Lakers. This season isn’t even halfway over and how many BS narratives have they been pumping out? There’s been like 4-5 at least about Russ alone…going to be an angry malcontent going into training camp, won’t get along with Pat Bev, him and LBJ didn’t speak at Summer league, etc etc etc…all BS

So I guess any team that has a star but can’t provide a good supporting cast around them is wasting that player’s time…got it. Well if so then that should apply to Luka, Joker, maybe Joel and Giannis, etc.

It’s just ridiculous man.

I don't see those stars using the media to deliver messages to management though. Bron is notorious for his passive aggressiveness he did it at CLE on multiple occasions "we top heavy as **** right now" and has tried to in LA. It just doesn't hold the same weight given his age and rest of the circumstances of the team.

 

[cedric ceballos]

I don't see those stars using the media to deliver messages to management though. Bron is notorious for his passive aggressiveness he did it at CLE on multiple occasions "we top heavy as **** right now" and has tried to in LA. It just doesn't hold the same weight given his age and rest of the circumstances of the team.

Agreed. And if those players started to do similar stuff. They would also deservedly catch heat for it.

Pat Riley didn’t kiss his *** when he was in his prime, I’m sure Riley not bending over backward played a part in him leaving in 2014. But Pat Riley had the credentials and track record to warrant it. The Heat haven’t won a title since he left. But they’ve also been a solid team that’s had its share of success.

He was able to pull those stunts with Cleveland because he was in his prime. That was a dumpster fire organization, and they have a very unlikable owner. The cavs were mostly trash prior to Lebron and have been trash post Lebron prior to the last 2 seasons.

The Lakers and Heat have been successful prior to Lebron and have the credentials to where the passive aggressive stuff won’t hold the same weight with those organizations.

 

[pmatic]

Regular season exit interview:

 

[grittyman]

I don't see those stars using the media to deliver messages to management though. Bron is notorious for his passive aggressiveness he did it at CLE on multiple occasions "we top heavy as **** right now" and has tried to in LA. It just doesn't hold the same weight given his age and rest of the circumstances of the team.

I’m just talking about these media narratives and how they’re full of crap. Either the teams are wasting these players times or they’re trying to trade them. Xmas day games lead off with a story about Harden potentially wanting back in Houston…more BS.

Passive aggressive behavior in the media is a different conversation I think. But it means nothing if you have no leverage.

 

[king j]

The Lakers and Heat have been successful prior to Lebron and have the credentials to where the passive aggressive stuff won’t hold the same weight with those organizations.

One of these is not like the other when comparing Front offices

 

[MVP]

Regular season exit interview:

When he hopefully requests a trade in the summer, I'm sure they'll happily grant it. Bron won a title here and is about to break the all time scoring record in a Laker uniform, don't know what else legacy wise there is left to achieve for him.

 

[DLF]

People writing 500 page essays about the lakers and lebron


Who cares about these losers.

 

[grittyman]

When he hopefully requests a trade in the summer, I'm sure they'll happily grant it. Bron won a title here and is about to break the all time scoring record in a Laker uniform, don't know what else legacy wise there is left to achieve for him.

Playing with Bronny.

But who knows if the kid will even make it.

What if he does get drafted but it’s on a sorry team like OKC they sure as hell ain’t playing for no championships but would be funny if these recent Lebron comments resurfaced then.

 

[pmatic]

 

[king j]

So Lakers fanbase,basically saying F LeBron,we’d rather suck for the foreseeable future than make a trade and compete now?

 

[grittyman]

There are what, 3 players on the team with expiring contracts. If they don’t move them for something at the deadline I hope AD and Lebron both request trades at the end of the season.

 

[tupac003]

So Lakers fanbase,basically saying F LeBron,we’d rather suck for the foreseeable future than make a trade and compete now?

Define compete.....

Because there is no deal that is gonna make us a championship team.

 

[cedric ceballos]

One of these is not like the other when comparing Front offices

Obviously the Heat have the better front office now. But the Lakers still have the championship credential and culture and that holds weight as long as the team is respectable (not the case now).

But the Lakers will have no trouble attracting top talent once they are again. Rob Pelinka won’t be there forever. The minute they get some type of competent organizational structure, they’ll be just fine.

 

[cedric ceballos]

Define compete.....

Because there is no deal that is gonna make us a championship team.

It’s better to suck in the present and next season or so as opposed to mortgaging the future to maybe make the second round if all the stars align only to going right back to sucking again with minimal assets/flexibility.

 

[atlsfinest]

The Lebron thing is really weird

Like he’s clearly a top 10 player

Yet no teams will offer an attractive trade package for him this summer

Yet no teams sent him a signal that they will offer him the max this summer, so he extended with the lakers after multiple seasons of poor roster management around him

Must be a mix of his age and mileage, and teams not wanting to deal with the Lebron/Klutch controlling a franchise. When he was younger, every team wanted him no matter what

You hit the nail on the head. I love LeBron but he comes with a lot of baggage. In order to sign LeBron, you have to be willing to immediately go into "win now" mode, trading away your young players and draft picks for veterans that help their team in a title now. Also, like you mentioned you're probably going to have to be willing to sign a handful of Klutch clients to keep LeBron happy. 5-10n years ago every team in the league would be willing to acquiesque to LeBron's demands but not now.