The Sad Tale of the Signing of Timothy Mozgov

Open Letter to Jim Buss and the Lakers Organization:

It's been reached, or should I say breached:  my wit’s end ...... and stages of disbelief and insanity have set in.

Timothy freaking Mozgov??? For $64 million?? 

The Sad Reality that is The Lakers Free Agency Quests

The thoughts are racing in and out of my head. My fingers are burning up the keyboard, but my PC can't keep pace. I can’t say enough about this horrid transaction, maybe one of the worst in Lakers history, but I’m going to spout off a bit so hang on for the ride.

Timothy, barely averaged 1.5 points per game in the playoffs, Mozgov? The guy had a down year, is purposely sat down for most of the playoffs, and the Lakers reward him with a four year $64 million, contract? 14 more million than Clarkson’s new contract? Are you kidding me?? Maybe for a one year $4 million contract, but not anything near what the amount they gave this hamburger.

Timothy freaking Mozgov, the Russian Roy Hibbert: slow, plodding, big, and more than likely ineffective in Luke Walton’s running offense. You’ve got to be kidding?

Is he going to lay back and play defense while the rest of the team is running and gunning? We could have kept Hibbert for that, and for a hell of a lot less too! Or we could have just re-signed Tarik Black and Robert Sacre for about an eighth of Mozgov’s contact. $64 million? Is this a justifiable reason for fans shelling out the big bucks to attend a game? Is he a show stopper? Is he Los Angeles/Hollywood or “Showtime?”

Is this who the Lakers envision carrying on the legacy of their hallowed big men ? George Mikan must be rolling in his grave. 

Kareem, Shaq and George Mikan

For those who aren't familiar with him, and I'm sure many of you aren't, Mozgov is an about to be 30 year old, somewhat effective defense player, setter of dirty screens, loping, lurching player who looks like he could audition for the part of the Monster in a re-make of Young Frankenstein. 

What has happened to the Lakers?

This whole “we’ve given up before we even started” concept has got to go. We have become an organization (yes I said we, because we as fans have invested so much emotionally, mentally, and monetarily on this team) that has gone from world-class elitism, to bottom-feeding defeatism. 

Quality free agents continue to avoid the Lakers like the plague. The team has lost its credibility, and  Jim Buss has failed to fill his father's shoes.

"Jim...let your sister run the team, or sell it off."

We accept defeat as the norm. We have become the Clippers of old (and the current Flippers squad for that matter; had to get that jab in there). 

We’ve become the laughing stock of the NBA, hell of the entire basketball world. We’ve become fodder for basketball analysts. From the over-reactive Steven A Smith, to the comedic Charles Barkley. Once again I’ll have to hear Sir Charles’s pre-season comment about how the Lakers stink.

 

Timothy Mozgov?

Give me the GM job for a day, and I’ll guarantee you I’ll offer 64 million to several other players that will run circles around Mozgov, and the fans will be entertained at the very least.

Timothy freaking Mozgov. Congratulations on the biggest gift of your life. Why oh why, Buss family and Mitch Kupchak would you do something so foolish?

It has been suggested to me that perhaps we signed him so he could be traded, along with one of our young guns, to some team which has a legit center…one with a heartbeat, and has solid stats from something as, say, actually receiving playing time. 

Lakers Wishlist Centers: DeMarcus Cousins and Al Horford

I don’t see it, but I will cling to that hope as I live with the stupidity which has become Lakers basketball. Did we really just spend a large chunk of our free agent spending allowance on a guy whom Lebron James didn’t even want on the court with him in the Finals?

"Tim...you're killing me. Go sit down until we get that trophy."

I will never “leave” and jump off the bandwagon as a Lakers fan, but if anybody else wants to jump ship, now might be the time. I may not even hold it against you. This administration’s failure to move the organization back into the upper echelon of NBA teams is utterly criminal

You have failed Jim Buss. You have failed Mitch Kupchak. Although I don’t fully blame you because you probably aren't given much wriggle room with lil Jimmy running the family business.

Mitch Kupchak: In badly need of a laxative

Mr. Buss….you need to officially step down, or sell the team. The world has moved on, the NBA has moved on, and your brain has apparently moved on. You have tainted the purple and gold, and quite frankly, we’re now, to the rest of the league, the way the Washington Generals are to the Globetrotters.

I hope this is merely a sign and trade deal. I hope that I awake in an alternative universe. I hope that when I open my eyes, the Lakers will have signed a few solid free agents, and this Timothy Mozgov signing was just a nightmare. I hope……........................................

So, in closing, paraphrasing the great Chevy Chase in one of the more famous scenes from the National Lampoon Christmas Vacation movie:

"And I want to look Jim Buss, and/or whomever else signed Mozgov, straight in the eye and tell him what a cheap, lying, no good, rotten, far flushing, snake licking, dirt eating, inbreed, overstuffed, ignorant, blood sucking, dog kissing, brainless, hopeless, heartless, fat assed, bug eyed, stiff legged, spotty lipped, worm headed, sack of monkey shit he is!!! Halleluah!! Holy shit!! Where's the Tylenol??" 

  

Till next time…and hopefully with a more positive tone….

Sincerely, 

Upset Lakers Fans Everywhere

 

State of the young Lakers and Mid-Season Report Cards

Welcome back! I thought I’d check in with my loyal fanatics to say hello, and to talk about the lastest going-ons in the kingdom of Lakersville.

 

First off, how about those young guys? Where are the naysayers now? I think they are focusing their naysaying on Coach Scott, the Lakers owners, and of course the crappy season.

The harsh critiques of our three young and emerging stars have quieted down to a faint murmur.

 

Despite the Lakers horrible record, and the sometimes Keystone Cop-play on the court, 

our young guys are developing just fine. Time heals all wounds…it also breaches gaps. Time is the best ally for these young men in purple and gold, and it appears they are starting to use their court time wisely.

The harshest criticism was heaped on D’ Angelo Russell, but lo and behold! His comfort level, his on-court performances, and his confidence are all on the rise! He just had two great offensive back to back games, and his he’s starting to get in on defense. He’s slowly silenced the critics that said the Lakers blew it with by obtaining him with the 2^nd pick in last year’s draft.

Quick review of the first five picks of that draft:

1) Karl-Anthony Towns – Living up to the hype; likely NBA rookie of the year.

2) D’Angelo Russell – Showing signs of becoming a very good player; point guard? Shooting guard? Small forward? Only time will tell.

3) Jahlil Okafor – As long as he can stay out of trouble with the law, he’s okay. Need to be more consistent and work harder.

4) Kristaps Porzingis – Surprise of the draft! Solid, but starting to run into a bit of a wall.

5) Mario Hezonja – who?????????????????????????? 

There you have it. Russell stacks up quite well against these guys, and the rest of the players in the draft. I said it before that the kid needs some time to develop, and he’s just starting to find his way. 


And here’s another bit of criticism that we can put to rest: Kobe is hampering the young guys’ development.

The Lakers youth trio of Russell, Jordan Clarkson, and Julius Randle (quartet if you count Larry Nance Jr.) are really coming into themselves these past few months. Clarkson is showing versatility on offense, and Randle is proving to be a beast underneath and on the boards.

 

 

Kobe, for the most part, has been mentoring and teaching the new kids on the block. With the spotlight on Kobe, these guys have been flourishing in the background. That’s what happens when you have talent: it eventually peers out from behind the curtains and comes out to shine on the big stage.

 

So although father time is robbing us of the great Kobe Bryant, his legacy is helping mold the Lakers stars of the future.

Now that I’ve put a few of those myths out to pasture, let’s look at how the other Lakers are doing in my annual “after-All-Star” report card:

Kobe Bryant:  Grade A-

Sure he's still shooting too many three’s, but it’s swan song. We aren’t jockeying for a playoff spot, so don’t get your jocks in an uproar. Let Vino enjoy his last vintage. I was there a few weeks back when he torched the Timberwolves for a season high 38 points. I think he may have a few more of those types of games left in him.

Jordan Clarkson: Grade B+

Someone (it had better be the Lakers!) is going to reward this kid with a big contract next year. His potential just keeps growing. He’s got a nice jumper that complements his ability to get to the hoop. His defense is picking up, and once he cleans up his turnovers, he’s going to be an All-Star. 

D’ Angelo Russell: Grade B 

  

The B is a combo of a C from the first part of the season, and a B+ from the last month or so. 

Julius Randle: Grade B 

I’d love to give him a higher grade, and of late he’s certainly deserving of one. He still needs to develop that right hand and the 10-15 foot jumper, and toughen up on defense. But he’s a beast, no doubt about that. 

Louis Williams: Grade B

You get what you pay for. Williams has dazzled us with some great shooting nights. And he’s the king of the three-point-play, but nothing else really stands out. 

Roy Hibbert: Grade C

He’s got Kwame Brown hands, and he runs like a man stuck in mud, but he appears to be giving it his all. He can still rebound and alter shots from time to time, and he’s money from the charity stripe (if and when he gets there). He’ll probably be in another uniform next season. 

Brandon Bass: A- 

We knew what we were getting with Bass, and he’s lived up to it. He works hard on defense, usually guarding someone much bigger than he is. He can rebound, occasionally shoot, and how about some of those blocks he’s had? A blue collar player or two is a must on any team.

Larry Nance Jr.: Grade B 

Effort-wise I’d give him an A, but he still needs more court time. I like his athleticism, but he needs to bulk up a bit, and take care of that troublesome knee. 

Anthony Brown: Grade C- 

The lone wolf of the Lakers young crew; he was touted as a defender and a three point threat. I’ve not seen him stand out in either category. Coach Scott has been giving him more time lately, so it’s now or never for this 2^nd rounder who will be a free agent.

Nick Young: Grade C 

Ugh…don’t get me started on Swaggy P. Let’s just say, though he can me mildly entertaining at times, he’s got to go. 

Marcelo Huertas: Grade C- 

It’s nice to see him finally breaking through, but he can’t defend or continually run the offense to save his life. Probably heading back overseas after the season.

Tarik Black: B- 

I’d like to say the reason he doesn’t get more playing time is because of the crowded Lakers front court, but hmm…that’s not it. He’s seeing more time lately, and he’s making the most of it. This “project” may be a bit undersized in the pivot, but he plays with heart, and gives you the most bang for the cheap buck. I wouldn’t mind seeing him back next year. 

Ryan Kelly: Grade F

He stinks. Period. I don’t see any reason to elaborate further on this guy. 

Robert Sacre: D 

Lurch doesn’t get much playing time these days, and it’s probably just as well: he’s headed for the D league next year. 

Metta World Peace: Grade: Incomplete

As a teacher and mentor, I heard he’s doing a decent job; as a player, not so much. He only plays about every 10th game, but his defense is still there to some degree. I’d like to see him play a few more games before retirement claims another victim.

Coach Scott: C+ 

I’ll defend the coach to a point. He’s Lakers royalty, and he hasn’t been working with a full deck this year (the players on the team, not his mental state!), but going forward I’m still not entirely sold that he’s the right coach for the team.

That being said, his latest offensive schemes, and the fact that he’s brought the young players on slowly may be factors in their recent improvement. Plus there is something to be said about being old school, and taking hard stances with players.

Still, would a big free agent like Kevin Durant be willing to play for a coach like Scott? There’s a lot to consider. 

This leads me to final grade:

Buss Family and Mitch Kupchak: D 

This would be an F if it were December, but standing pat at the trading deadline, and not dealing one of the young kids for a veteran were smart moves, or non-moves if you will.

When Kobe’s contract is cleared off the books, they’ll have some money to work with. How they spend it and their efforts in the free agent market will determine if the cries for “sell the team” will be justified. 

Some Final Thoughts:

I’m sorry I haven’t written more posts, but it’s so hard to do much of anything but criticize when your team is doing so poorly. I’ll pop in now and then to spout off. 

Thanks everyone! Keep on keeping on! Enjoy the last of Kobe as much as you can.

Keep an eye out for link to my newest blog (with my girlfriend Veronica). It will be a foodie and beer blog!