Christian Armendariz

Stressed but Blessed

[Emo cholo @ChristopherRuiz]

Lakers fans are being just a tad bit ridiculous. Remember when Lebron missed all that time to start the season and Luka and Reaves were hanging 70 a night on everyone while winning 70% of their games? Yeah, that's the baseline we are starting with.

[Joe Arrigo @JoeArrigo_]

Rob Pelinka is the perfect example of being damned if you do and damned if you don’t.

Yesterday, @Lakers fans were saying he was asleep at the wheel, that he wasn’t aggressive enough, and that the front office had no plan. Less than 24 hours later, the #Lakers reportedly land Walker Kessler, Collin Sexton, Quentin Grimes, and Sandro Mamukelashvili in a flurry of moves that completely reshape the roster around Luka Dončić.

Was the price for Walker Kessler steep? Absolutely. But here’s the reality: when you identify a 24-year-old rim protector who runs the floor, rebounds, blocks shots, and fits perfectly next to Luka, you don’t get him at a discount. Utah had all the leverage, and Pelinka knew that if Kessler was his guy, it was going to cost premium assets. That’s the price of solving your biggest roster need.

The bigger picture matters. This wasn’t about winning the transaction. It was about building a roster that actually fits. Kessler gives Luka the vertical lob threat and defensive anchor he’s at his best with. Sexton brings downhill scoring and toughness. Grimes adds two-way versatility on the wing. Mamukelashvili gives the Lakers another skilled frontcourt player with size and shooting.

Fans wanted urgency. Pelinka showed urgency.

You can debate the cost, but you can’t debate the intent. The Lakers identified their weaknesses and attacked them immediately. That’s what a President of Basketball Operations is supposed to do. Now it’s on the players and coaching staff to make it work.

#LakeShow

[NBA Courtside @NBA__Courtside]

Paul Pierce GOES OFF on Nikola Jokic 😳

“We’re not going to sugar coat this one. Because if this was LeBron at the peak of his powers losing like this because this is what we say. We say today that Joker is the best player in the game. Right? He might not win MVP, but he’s the best player. We’ve said this for the last three or four years, right? Let this had have been LeBron at the peak of his powers. What we would have been saying? What we would have been saying about him. LIKE HE’S IN HIS PRIME. If you’re the best player in the league, you’re not supposed to lose in the first round.”

(Via @NFGShow)

[stressed @onlystresstoday]

DO NOT COME BACK TO ME when whoever made you fold on me folds on you.

[FRED @its_dafom]

Stay away from people who ignore you until they need you .

[LakersMuse @LALMuse]

Jamal Murray couldn’t even make wide open shots in the 3-PT contest

How does he turn up against us every time 😭 https://t.co/tAAkx4hIFM

[t @itvrr_]

and when someone chooses to lose you rather than change, you got your answer

[i am @hotter]

people be mad at themselves thru you

[sunny @inve1ns]

having a cringe ex is forever humbling

[Lakers Lead @LakersLead]

S TIER STARTING 5

[NBA @NBA]

FIRST-EVER IN-SEASON TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS 🏆

The Los Angeles Lakers lift the #NBACup 🙌

[NBA @NBA]

The @Lakers ADVANCE to the first-ever NBA In-Season Tournament Championship!

[🎗NBA•Fan🎗 @Klutch_23]

Lakers are 7-2 since Austin Reaves moved to the bench.

In these past nine game, Austin Reaves is averaging:

15 PPG
6 REB
6 AST
51% - 42 3P% - 86 FT%.

#LakeShow

[LakeShowYo @LakeShowYo]

about last night…

[Los Angeles Lakers @Lakers]

GAME DAY

[GoldenKnight @GoldenKnightGFX]

Last weekend without Lakers basketball. We really back next weekend fam 💜💛🔥

[Brandon Walker @BFW]

Once a year, I will post the greatest cold open in TV history.