Feature article on LA Lakers Turmoil

[Pvictor11]

I think Butler will sign with the Knicks. The warriors will win without Durant. The media will trash him and he will leave for the knicks. We will trade for Davis and Kyrie stays.

[wiley]

If I were a Jimmy Butler or Kyrie Irving level free agent (strong personality with enough talent to back it up), I would say to the Lakers that if you want me then Pelinka has to go.  Hire a respectable GM and then I'll come.

But maybe Kobe is still a big backer of Pelinka...so who knows...

[bdm860]

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

What I would disagree with here is that Aldridge and Durant were free agents when the Lakers were at their absolute worst.  The summer or '15 when Aldridge was a free agent they had won 21 games (worst in LAL history, 2nd worst in Lakers history), the next year when Durant was a free agent they won 17 games (new worst in Lakers history), and those guys were looking to win now.  Even that hottest of women will have trouble picking up guys when they're strung out on meth and haven't showered in a week.  Once they clean themselves up a little, the guys start lining up again. 

Now the appeal might not be as strong as everyone once thought, but the appeal is definitely still there.

Anthony Davis said he wanted to go to the Lakers this year.
Kawhi was reported to want to go to the Lakers before LeBron went there.  And I don't think either Durant or Kawhi have come out and said they won't go there since.
Paul George said he only want to play with the Lakers before OKC traded for him.
Ben Simmons was hoping the Lakers would win the lottery and draft him.
Carmelo Anthony was seriously considering signing with the Lakers in '14.
Chris Paul said he wanted to go to Lakers (when he was with NO).

[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

What I would disagree with here is that Aldridge and Durant were free agents when the Lakers were at their absolute worst.  The summer or '15 when Aldridge was a free agent they had won 21 games (worst in LAL history, 2nd worst in Lakers history), the next year when Durant was a free agent they won 17 games (new worst in Lakers history), and those guys were looking to win now.  Even that hottest of women will have trouble picking up guys when they're strung out on meth and haven't showered in a week.  Once they clean themselves up a little, the guys start lining up again. 

Now the appeal might not be as strong as everyone once thought, but the appeal is definitely still there.

Anthony Davis said he wanted to go to the Lakers this year.
Kawhi was reported to want to go to the Lakers before LeBron went there.  And I don't think either Durant or Kawhi have come out and said they won't go there since.
Paul George said he only want to play with the Lakers before OKC traded for him.
Ben Simmons was hoping the Lakers would win the lottery and draft him.
Carmelo Anthony was seriously considering signing with the Lakers in '14.
Chris Paul said he wanted to go to Lakers (when he was with NO).

They are coming off a 35 win season where their best player is about to turn 35 and they have a new coach that was their third choice and a front office being dragged through the mud. Isn't this like the definition of the point of being struck out on meth and not showering as an organization?

[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

What I would disagree with here is that Aldridge and Durant were free agents when the Lakers were at their absolute worst.  The summer or '15 when Aldridge was a free agent they had won 21 games (worst in LAL history, 2nd worst in Lakers history), the next year when Durant was a free agent they won 17 games (new worst in Lakers history), and those guys were looking to win now.  Even that hottest of women will have trouble picking up guys when they're strung out on meth and haven't showered in a week.  Once they clean themselves up a little, the guys start lining up again. 

Now the appeal might not be as strong as everyone once thought, but the appeal is definitely still there.

Anthony Davis said he wanted to go to the Lakers this year.
Kawhi was reported to want to go to the Lakers before LeBron went there.  And I don't think either Durant or Kawhi have come out and said they won't go there since.
Paul George said he only want to play with the Lakers before OKC traded for him.
Ben Simmons was hoping the Lakers would win the lottery and draft him.
Carmelo Anthony was seriously considering signing with the Lakers in '14.
Chris Paul said he wanted to go to Lakers (when he was with NO).

They are coming off a 35 win season where their best player is about to turn 35 and they have a new coach that was their third choice and a front office being dragged through the mud. Isn't this like the definition of the point of being struck out on meth and not showering as an organization?

Agree. That's exactly why I Said what I Said. I don't see this enourmous improvement of the organization as a whole. Any player that signs with the lakers know that they are a minor Lebron injury away from the playoffs. The West is tough and it's gonna be even harder next season

[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

What I would disagree with here is that Aldridge and Durant were free agents when the Lakers were at their absolute worst.  The summer or '15 when Aldridge was a free agent they had won 21 games (worst in LAL history, 2nd worst in Lakers history), the next year when Durant was a free agent they won 17 games (new worst in Lakers history), and those guys were looking to win now.  Even that hottest of women will have trouble picking up guys when they're strung out on meth and haven't showered in a week.  Once they clean themselves up a little, the guys start lining up again. 

Now the appeal might not be as strong as everyone once thought, but the appeal is definitely still there.

Anthony Davis said he wanted to go to the Lakers this year.
Kawhi was reported to want to go to the Lakers before LeBron went there.  And I don't think either Durant or Kawhi have come out and said they won't go there since.
Paul George said he only want to play with the Lakers before OKC traded for him.
Ben Simmons was hoping the Lakers would win the lottery and draft him.
Carmelo Anthony was seriously considering signing with the Lakers in '14.
Chris Paul said he wanted to go to Lakers (when he was with NO).

They are coming off a 35 win season where their best player is about to turn 35 and they have a new coach that was their third choice and a front office being dragged through the mud. Isn't this like the definition of the point of being struck out on meth and not showering as an organization?

Agree. That's exactly why I Said what I Said. I don't see this enourmous improvement of the organization as a whole. Any player that signs with the lakers know that they are a minor Lebron injury away from the playoffs. The West is tough and it's gonna be even harder next season

I couldn't tell if you were saying they were at the worst now, or if they were worse when they won 21 or 19 games. Are you saying you don't think they will get any free agents?

[bdm860]

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

What I would disagree with here is that Aldridge and Durant were free agents when the Lakers were at their absolute worst.  The summer or '15 when Aldridge was a free agent they had won 21 games (worst in LAL history, 2nd worst in Lakers history), the next year when Durant was a free agent they won 17 games (new worst in Lakers history), and those guys were looking to win now.  Even that hottest of women will have trouble picking up guys when they're strung out on meth and haven't showered in a week.  Once they clean themselves up a little, the guys start lining up again. 

Now the appeal might not be as strong as everyone once thought, but the appeal is definitely still there.

Anthony Davis said he wanted to go to the Lakers this year.
Kawhi was reported to want to go to the Lakers before LeBron went there.  And I don't think either Durant or Kawhi have come out and said they won't go there since.
Paul George said he only want to play with the Lakers before OKC traded for him.
Ben Simmons was hoping the Lakers would win the lottery and draft him.
Carmelo Anthony was seriously considering signing with the Lakers in '14.
Chris Paul said he wanted to go to Lakers (when he was with NO).

They are coming off a 35 win season where their best player is about to turn 35 and they have a new coach that was their third choice and a front office being dragged through the mud. Isn't this like the definition of the point of being struck out on meth and not showering as an organization?

Nah, this is the pick them up out of the trash can, give them a shower and makeover, and let's get back out there phase.  They went from a 10 down to a 2 (because some guys are just that thirsty), and now in the right light they look like a 6-7.  And now you just try to convince any sucker you can that they'll be back to an LA 10 soon, so better sign up now.

Team was .51 with LeBron all year and .59 before LeBron went down after xmas and alienated all the young guys by trying to trade them.  Finally get a good coach in Vogul.  Wait, don't look over there, look over here, don't focus on all that crap we're hiding in the closet and swept under the rug.  Listen to what I'm telling you.  LA. Lakers.  Hollywood.  Showtime.  Models as far as the eye can see.  Nice weather.  Glitz and Glamour.

Sure there's tons of room for skepticism (LeBron's old, etc.), but there's tons of room for positive spin.

[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

What I would disagree with here is that Aldridge and Durant were free agents when the Lakers were at their absolute worst.  The summer or '15 when Aldridge was a free agent they had won 21 games (worst in LAL history, 2nd worst in Lakers history), the next year when Durant was a free agent they won 17 games (new worst in Lakers history), and those guys were looking to win now.  Even that hottest of women will have trouble picking up guys when they're strung out on meth and haven't showered in a week.  Once they clean themselves up a little, the guys start lining up again. 

Now the appeal might not be as strong as everyone once thought, but the appeal is definitely still there.

Anthony Davis said he wanted to go to the Lakers this year.
Kawhi was reported to want to go to the Lakers before LeBron went there.  And I don't think either Durant or Kawhi have come out and said they won't go there since.
Paul George said he only want to play with the Lakers before OKC traded for him.
Ben Simmons was hoping the Lakers would win the lottery and draft him.
Carmelo Anthony was seriously considering signing with the Lakers in '14.
Chris Paul said he wanted to go to Lakers (when he was with NO).

They are coming off a 35 win season where their best player is about to turn 35 and they have a new coach that was their third choice and a front office being dragged through the mud. Isn't this like the definition of the point of being struck out on meth and not showering as an organization?

Agree. That's exactly why I Said what I Said. I don't see this enourmous improvement of the organization as a whole. Any player that signs with the lakers know that they are a minor Lebron injury away from the playoffs. The West is tough and it's gonna be even harder next season

I couldn't tell if you were saying they were at the worst now, or if they were worse when they won 21 or 19 games. Are you saying you don't think they will get any free agents?

I think they will get, Just not the top ones (Kawhi, Durant, kyrie). I think they get Kemba or Butler and trade youngsters for Beal

[mobilija]

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

What I would disagree with here is that Aldridge and Durant were free agents when the Lakers were at their absolute worst.  The summer or '15 when Aldridge was a free agent they had won 21 games (worst in LAL history, 2nd worst in Lakers history), the next year when Durant was a free agent they won 17 games (new worst in Lakers history), and those guys were looking to win now.  Even that hottest of women will have trouble picking up guys when they're strung out on meth and haven't showered in a week.  Once they clean themselves up a little, the guys start lining up again. 

Now the appeal might not be as strong as everyone once thought, but the appeal is definitely still there.

Anthony Davis said he wanted to go to the Lakers this year.
Kawhi was reported to want to go to the Lakers before LeBron went there.  And I don't think either Durant or Kawhi have come out and said they won't go there since.
Paul George said he only want to play with the Lakers before OKC traded for him.
Ben Simmons was hoping the Lakers would win the lottery and draft him.
Carmelo Anthony was seriously considering signing with the Lakers in '14.
Chris Paul said he wanted to go to Lakers (when he was with NO).

They are coming off a 35 win season where their best player is about to turn 35 and they have a new coach that was their third choice and a front office being dragged through the mud. Isn't this like the definition of the point of being struck out on meth and not showering as an organization?

Nah, this is the pick them up out of the trash can, give them a shower and makeover, and let's get back out there phase.  They went from a 10 down to a 2 (because some guys are just that thirsty), and now in the right light they look like a 6-7.  And now you just try to convince any sucker you can that they'll be back to an LA 10 soon, so better sign up now.

Team was .51 with LeBron all year and .59 before LeBron went down after xmas and alienated all the young guys by trying to trade them.  Finally get a good coach in Vogul.  Wait, don't look over there, look over here, don't focus on all that crap we're hiding in the closet and swept under the rug.  Listen to what I'm telling you.  LA. Lakers.  Hollywood.  Showtime.  Models as far as the eye can see.  Nice weather.  Glitz and Glamour.

Sure there's tons of room for skepticism (LeBron's old, etc.), but there's tons of room for positive spin.

Phuny! TP

[SHAQATTACK]

LA was not a stable situation to begin with the Buss kids and Magic..constant power struggle with fuzzy power hierarchy.

Stir in Lebron and his posse and now we have a Three Ring Circus

[Walker Wiggle]

I see a scenario where LAL strikes out completely in free agency, can’t land AD, and settles on trading for Chris Paul’s mega-contract. They’ll create buzz and Lebron will get a buddy, but the franchise will be on borrowed time.

[tazzmaniac]

I see a scenario where LAL strikes out completely in free agency, can’t land AD, and settles on trading for Chris Paul’s mega-contract. They’ll create buzz and Lebron will get a buddy, but the franchise will be on borrowed time.

Maybe but Houston is in a win now mode and LAL doesn't really have win now assets. 

[tazzmaniac]

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.

What non-basketball reasons? 

[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.

What non-basketball reasons?

https://streamable.com/fru9l

Was in space jam 2 commercial also, not sure if he is in it for sure. Seems to have an interest in getting into acting/commericals like Lebron.  There was discussions in chicago that he changed his personality once he developed a close friendship with Mark Wahlberg. Definitely a possibility the hollywood limelight has some appeal to him. 

[hwangjini_1]

LA was not a stable situation to begin with the Buss kids and Magic..constant power struggle with fuzzy power hierarchy.

Stir in Lebron and his posse and now we have a Three Ring Circus

three ring circus doesnt really describe that francise as of late. this is such savory lakerfreude.

jerry buss died in february 2013. in the six seasons since then, during which Jeanie Buss has principally been in charge of the organization, the lakers, with 329 losses, are tied with the new york knicks for the most in the NBA.

ha ha ha....tied with the KNICKS for most loses. i love this.