Walter had an engine we were familiar with when it came to managing a sports franchise. An engine that had proven success and components of that were getting implemented with the Lakers.
These new owners clearly have the financial means but it’ll be telling when we get to understand their ethos.
Even if they are purely looking at the Lakers as a business for profit the biggest question for me right now is do they actually care to put the best basketball product out there which requires stepping back and investing in the right minds and resources to do this.
What you don’t want is 1) an owner that is just using the brand at status quo to bring in dollars through purely hiked ticket prices, sponsorships, etc 2) becomes to involved in the day to day with no real basketball knowledge (ie. Vivek and Ishbia).
We shall wait and see…
With the Kuminga talks stalling, and the Lakers in need of a starting level forward I wanted to bring up a “controversial” topic.
Vando has clear limitations on the offensive end (we know this) but have we truly optimized his strengths?
He was buried behind Bron and Rui (rightfully so) in terms of natural position but instead of constantly chasing deals that are not there or expending draft capital is there really zero path to getting some utility out of him.
He might be the only “dog” left on the roster after Smart’s departure. I get he doesn’t fit the JJ “archetype” but this is where I would challenge him. You’re never going to have a perfect roster but what separates good from great is doubling down on what you do have in terms of skillset. Vando can rebound, play defense on the perimeter, provide disruption, and has been an excellent teammate. A little bit of confidence can go a LONG way for a player.
Everyone is asking, so what is ATL going to do with Kuminga?
To my knowledge, they don’t have to do anything. They already declined his team option and made him an unrestricted free agent.
They just acquired his replacement in Dort by letting go of Risacher. Why do they now need to conduct an unfavorable sign and trade?
If anything they need to actually shed players now with 17 on the roster… versus acquire more players via a sign and trade (not to say they won’t).
But if I’m Kuminga seeing all this I’m looking at my agent going “you sure you have a plan big dog?”He might get backed into something far less than he expected just because of the market dynamics.
Carr going to have that “Year 2 Max Christie” type SL debut in Vegas.
We knew Max was ready for a role after that performance. The Lakers need a pg on the squad to make his life a bit easier and give him better looks.
Laker fam! Going LIVE in 20 min to give our reactions on the Lakers free agency moves. Lots to talk about!
Slide thru w. your comments, takes, questions. Tap in 👇
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🏀 OKC 122 - SAS 113 — Game 2 | 1-1
OKC didn’t “solve” Wemby tonight.
They just made life miserable for everyone trying to get him the ball.
That was the game. 🧵👇
3️⃣ THE HIDDEN THING
The Knicks didn’t need 48 minutes of control.
They needed 8 minutes of belief.
That’s the dangerous part.
For most of the game, Cleveland had the answers.
But once New York cracked the emotional door open…
the Cavs never closed it.
🏀 SAS 122 - OKC 115 — Game 1 | 1-0
OKC didn’t lose because they lacked pressure.
They lost because San Antonio survived the pressure long enough for the game to become Wemby’s world.
That’s the dime. Full Recap👇🧵
🏀 CLE 125 - DET 94 — Game 7 | CAVS ADVANCE 🔥
Detroit spent this series trying to turn every game into emotional warfare.
Game 7 was the first time Cleveland completely refused to participate.
That’s the real dime. Full recap 👇🧵
CLE 117 - DET 113 — Game 5 | (3-2) 😳
Detroit didn’t lose because Cleveland was better for 48 minutes.
They lost because the Cavs finally found a way to steal control AFTER the game looked gone.
That’s the dime. Full Recap👇🧵
CLE 112 - DET 103 — Game 4 | 2-2 🔥
Detroit didn’t lose because they stopped fighting.
They lost because Cleveland finally found the one thing that can erase Pistons pressure:
an avalanche.
That’s the dime. Full recap👇🧵
🏀 MIN 114 - SAS 109 — Game 4 | 2-2
The obvious story is Wemby got ejected.
The real story?
San Antonio didn’t collapse without him.
Minnesota had to survive a DIFFERENT kind of Spurs pressure.
Full Game Dime Recap 👇🧵
@worldofao Ummm. Wow… when you break it down like this. I would assume the margin would be closer but I’m not sure how the Lakers fill in the gap without an overhaul.