Feature article on LA Lakers Turmoil

[celticsclay]

Since we are getting to the nonsense rumor stage of every player wanting to go to LA (the only one I could actually see is Butler and Davis if he was traded).

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/26821790/lakers-20-failed-reboot-nba-crown-jewel

In November, NBA commissioner Adam Silver and Maverick Carter, LeBron's longtime business partner, met for lunch. James' agent, Rich Paul, was seated at a nearby table, and at one point, approached Silver to complain about Walton, multiple sources familiar with the interaction told ESPN. Paul said he didn't believe Walton was the right coach for the Lakers. Silver shrugged off the remark and asked whom Paul thought would be the right coach. Paul suggested Tyronn Lue.

Paul was also letting it be known through back-channel conversations, including those with reporters, that he wasn't on board with Walton. Paul criticized how Walton allotted minutes to players and his inconsistent lineups, which were partly the result of injuries and suspensions. Members of the Lakers' coaching staff became aware of those conversations and wondered whether Johnson's heated meeting with Walton was influenced by Paul.

That an NBA head coach would face criticism from an agent or associates of star players is not rare, nor was it new for a head coach to face pressure with James on the roster. It's also not unusual for teams in any professional sport -- and certainly the NBA -- to make accommodations for superstars. For example, three people close to James are listed in the Lakers' staff directory as employees: Robert Brown, whose title is personal security officer; Randy Mims, whose title is executive administrator, player program & logistics; and Mike Mancias, whose title is athletic trainer & athletic performance liaison. All three were also on the team payroll with James in Cleveland.

Still, under Pelinka and Johnson, the Lakers began allowing more access -- to the team and around the facility -- to players' agents than prior leadership, Lakers front-office staffers, coaching staff members, agents and other sources close to the team said. One Lakers front-office executive applauded the change, saying the Lakers had been behind the times and weren't giving agents the basic level of access that other teams were granting.

Yet when Paul, who represented Lakers guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope prior to the team signing James, was seen at the facility during the 2017-18 season, his presence created an uneasy feeling among some coaching staffers and others close to Walton who knew the Lakers were also pursuing Paul's biggest client, James.

Coaching staff and others close to the team told ESPN there would continue to be an increased presence by Paul and Klutch Sports in ways that seemed strange to them. For instance, three Lakers sources familiar with team travel details independently told ESPN that Paul rode on the Lakers' charter plane on multiple occasions this season, an act that front-office executives, other NBA general managers and other agents around the league said is highly unusual -- if not unheard of.

[RMO]

It's so funny reading some of the comments from Laker fans on this.  They're convinced ESPN hates them and is making stuff up to push an agenda.

If ESPN has ever had an agenda it's to keep that team relevant no matter how bad they are.

[Monkhouse]

It's so funny reading some of the comments from Laker fans on this.  They're convinced ESPN hates them and is making stuff up to push an agenda.

If ESPN has ever had an agenda it's to keep that team relevant no matter how bad they are.

Which is funny, because ESPN used to love to !@#$-ride the HECK out of them.

Used to frustrate me as a Celtics fan, how much they would adore Kobe & LeBron...

[PhoSita]

As disappointing as the Celtics have been, I feel a little bit rejuvenated every time some new Lakers turmoil news comes out.

[GreenFaith1819]

The basketball purist in me would LOVE both LA and BOS to be revelant - just like the 80s and briefly with the KG-PP-Ray era....BUT



For now I'm dancing with joy at seeing LA struggle.

[bdm860]

Haven't actually read the article, but from what clay just quoted, this jumps out to me:

In November, NBA commissioner Adam Silver and Maverick Carter, LeBron's longtime business partner, met for lunch.

Is this normal?  That point of that piece of the article seems to be to bash Rich Paul (which I'm okay with  ), with no attention to Carter/Silver, but that doesn't seem right either.  Maybe all the conspiracy theorists, the "NBA is rigged" people are on to something.  At the minimum, it's not a good look.  Is there any other star player whose entourage members go on lunch dates with the commissioner?

Rich Paul, was seated at a nearby table, and at one point, approached Silver to complain about Walton, multiple sources familiar with the interaction told ESPN. Paul said he didn't believe Walton was the right coach for the Lakers. Silver shrugged off the remark and asked whom Paul thought would be the right coach. Paul suggested Tyronn Lue.

 

Now this doesn't look good either, but I'm much less bothered by an agent (who represents several players) talking to the commissioner than an entourage member.  And maybe this was more of a causal basketball fan talk between Paul and Silver, but for somebody in Silver's position, again not a good look to even engage in that kind of conversation.  Anything out of Silver's mouth here other than "I can't comment on that" or "I have no involvement in team decisions" or something along those lines seems wrong to me, kind of like tampering rules and when Ainge is openly asked about Davis he just says "I can't comment on that."  Silver might as well be talking about who he think will cover the point spread.

The Carter lunch and the Paul conversation just seem like amateur hour for Silver.  Kind of surprised by all that. Silver of all people should be extremely image conscious.

For instance, three Lakers sources familiar with team travel details independently told ESPN that Paul rode on the Lakers' charter plane on multiple occasions this season, an act that front-office executives, other NBA general managers and other agents around the league said is highly unusual -- if not unheard of.

I actually thought this was normal.  I've definitely heard of teams cracking down on the number of entourage members traveling with the team before, always figured agents were part of that.  I didn't think it was at all unusual for agents to travel with the player/team on occasion.


And just another reminder on how the CBA rules aren't enforced:

For example, three people close to James are listed in the Lakers' staff directory as employees: Robert Brown, whose title is personal security officer; Randy Mims, whose title is executive administrator, player program & logistics; and Mike Mancias, whose title is athletic trainer & athletic performance liaison. All three were also on the team payroll with James in Cleveland.

[Walker Wiggle]

Holy cow. I just read this. Not a good look for LAL.

Amazing that people can talk with a straight face about Irving wanting to go there, without at least referencing how toxic that organization has become. I'm not saying it's impossible, it's just... that would be quite a decision.

[RazzelnoDazzel]

Haven't actually read the article, but from what clay just quoted, this jumps out to me:

In November, NBA commissioner Adam Silver and Maverick Carter, LeBron's longtime business partner, met for lunch.

Is this normal?  That point of that piece of the article seems to be to bash Rich Paul (which I'm okay with  ), with no attention to Carter/Silver, but that doesn't seem right either.  Maybe all the conspiracy theorists, the "NBA is rigged" people are on to something.  At the minimum, it's not a good look.  Is there any other star player whose entourage members go on lunch dates with the commissioner?

Rich Paul, was seated at a nearby table, and at one point, approached Silver to complain about Walton, multiple sources familiar with the interaction told ESPN. Paul said he didn't believe Walton was the right coach for the Lakers. Silver shrugged off the remark and asked whom Paul thought would be the right coach. Paul suggested Tyronn Lue.

 

Now this doesn't look good either, but I'm much less bothered by an agent (who represents several players) talking to the commissioner than an entourage member.  And maybe this was more of a causal basketball fan talk between Paul and Silver, but for somebody in Silver's position, again not a good look to even engage in that kind of conversation.  Anything out of Silver's mouth here other than "I can't comment on that" or "I have no involvement in team decisions" or something along those lines seems wrong to me, kind of like tampering rules and when Ainge is openly asked about Davis he just says "I can't comment on that."  Silver might as well be talking about who he think will cover the point spread.

The Carter lunch and the Paul conversation just seem like amateur hour for Silver.  Kind of surprised by all that. Silver of all people should be extremely image conscious.

For instance, three Lakers sources familiar with team travel details independently told ESPN that Paul rode on the Lakers' charter plane on multiple occasions this season, an act that front-office executives, other NBA general managers and other agents around the league said is highly unusual -- if not unheard of.

I actually thought this was normal.  I've definitely heard of teams cracking down on the number of entourage members traveling with the team before, always figured agents were part of that.  I didn't think it was at all unusual for agents to travel with the player/team on occasion.


And just another reminder on how the CBA rules aren't enforced:

For example, three people close to James are listed in the Lakers' staff directory as employees: Robert Brown, whose title is personal security officer; Randy Mims, whose title is executive administrator, player program & logistics; and Mike Mancias, whose title is athletic trainer & athletic performance liaison. All three were also on the team payroll with James in Cleveland.

Like everything about this Lakers just sounds like pure trash. For the owners, Front office, Coaches, Players, Players agent.... like how in the hell can you have a mess EVERYWHERE?? It really don’t make no sense.

[johnnygreen]

I didn’t click on the article, but only read the OP. I was blown away that Adam Silver would sit down with those two guys and at one point discuss the Lakers coaching position. How is there not a separate article on Silver and his practices? Is this normal for him? I can see having dinner with multiple agents and talking about what concerns them in general terms. However, when your only meeting one agent, they’re only concerned about themselves and their clients.

Also, reading stuff like this about the Lakers, makes me feel better about the reporting on where Kyrie is interested in playing next season. Didn't someone recently report it's between the Lakers and Nets? Kyrie is seriously thinking about following LeBron in the dumpster fire in LA? Kyrie asked to be traded from Cleveland after what LeBron did to that franchise over his career, and somehow managed to do more damage in just one year in LA.

[SHAQATTACK]

Cavs did everthing ...  coaches, players , GMs.  all the contracts he wished, etc....

but.....

offer they never offered  LeTurd part ownership ....he left butt hurt and sulking

on a Mission ......one I personally believe is to  infiltrate and worm his way into the Lakers family business along with his posse .  To ultimately influence the Buss family to sell out to a group of Lebron chosen investors. 

Lebron keeps a low profile , but he is controling everything for an ultimate Lakers takeover .

Buss family watch your backs

my advice ....Trade Him ASAP

[celticinorlando]

I've never seen anyone get as far as he has without having any legit credibility as Rich Paul has. Nothing more than James' buddy. Fake it until you make it I guess.


Paul is just toxic.

[Rosco917]

I look forward to the Laker family including Magic, Kobe, and the Buss family kicking this interloper/carpetbagger called Lebron James out on his tail. The guy is a sneak and a liar interested in one thing...his own legacy.

Guaranteed someday he will become a politician, it's the perfect station for his ego. 

[bdm860]

Holy cow. I just read this. Not a good look for LAL.

Amazing that people can talk with a straight face about Irving wanting to go there, without at least referencing how toxic that organization has become. I'm not saying it's impossible, it's just... that would be quite a decision.

I think of it like the super hot girl whose crazy and constantly cheats.  Every guy knows he shouldn't get involved with her, all the red flags are there, but she's hot.  Always seems to be a line of guys willing to date her though.  (Or you can flip it to the good looking, bad boy, who already has several baby mamas yet has a line of women willing to be the next...)

It's not just LAL, but also the Knicks and Clippers (under Sterling) too.  The Knicks have been the worst run organization for 20 years, and yet the big names are always considering signing there or are open to being traded there.  And I always kind of laugh when the Sterling news broke and the Clippers players acted shocked and were talking about boycotting games.  It was the worst kept secret in the NBA that Sterling was a terrible owner and probably a racist.  Kind of like R. Kelly or Harvey Weinstein, this stuff has been well known for years, so don't act surprised when it comes out now, you knew Sterling was trash before you ever ended up with LAC.  Yes you Chris Paul and you Doc, don't act like you didn't know.

I think part of the pysche of being a dominant alpha dog NBA player is to think your talent is so good that those red flags don't matter.  The front office is a mess, the staffers lives are so miserable they're quitting, this doesn't affect how you perform on the court.  Just sign me, I'll do my job, and all those other issues don't matter and will work themselves out, that's how good I am, I can succeed anywhere, no matter what. (Actually I know a lot of normal people who this mentality applies to too).

Players will always consider LA and NY no matter how terrible those teams are run.  I'm no longer surprised.

[Pvictor11]

I don't think players are considering the Lakers as before. The only one in recente memory was Lebron and it was mostly because of things extra basketball. Lamarcus refused, Kawhi and Durant Both said they won't go there. I think the appeal is not the same anymore. I think they will be left with Kemba and a trade for Beal involving Lonzo + picks + fillers

[celticsclay]

I don't think players are considering the Lakers as before. The only one in recente memory was Lebron and it was mostly because of things extra basketball. Lamarcus refused, Kawhi and Durant Both said they won't go there. I think the appeal is not the same anymore. I think they will be left with Kemba and a trade for Beal involving Lonzo + picks + fillers

It does sound like Butler is considering there, but he may be interested for non-basketball reasons also.