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!

Lakers Year-End Review: Will the New Year Bring New Hope?

Ahhhh the New Year is rapidly approaching, and with it, hope springs eternal that our favorite team in purple and gold can change their losing ways.

 
I try to be ever-the-optimist when it comes to the Lakers, but I must admit even I’m having a hard time being positive with my blog these days; hence the lack of posts these past few months.

Still, there are some things that give me hope, and I would like to think that is true for you fans as well. So in this, my year-end wrap and review of the first third (or something close to that) of the season, I will discuss why I have some hope for the future. Conversely I will play Devil’s advocate and describe why there is some room for despair.

 
Read on…

HOPE!

*The young guys are slowly getting it. I find the notion that Kobe is impeding the progress of the young fellas as silly. Analysts and upset misguided fans, who use to hang their hat on every thrilling Kobe Bryant moment, are now angry that he’s “taking away” from their development. 

Somebody please give me rational argument on for this point of view. We all knew we the team wasn't raising a banner at the end of the season. These young guys are lucky they are receiving the playing time they get. In some coach's systems, rookies and younger players get hardly any floor time.

And do you not see Kobe imparting his knowledge to the kiddies while on the floor? Please! 

Bryon Scott may or may not be the best coach to develop new talent, but I for one like the fact that he’s making the younger guys earn their playing time. He wants them to be better, and that’s just fine with me. 

In a quest for a championship, your players have to continue to improve their game, and remain hungry.

 
The kids will be just fine folks. 



DESPAIR!

*I’m with everyone else on this one: I hate to see a losing season, especially one as bad as this.  The only team with a worse record than us, the 76ers, actually got their first win against us after losing their first 18 games.

Jalhil Okafor scoring over an Earthbound Roy Hibbert

The only positive thing about being the 2^nd worst team in the league is…………..well maybe there isn’t any. Oh wait! We get to have one of the first three picks in next year’s weak college draft. Of course if we pick up a Kevin Durant or a Russell Westbrook in the summer, that would make me feel a little better.

Future Laker Kevin Durant?

 
This can’t be easy for the Lakers faithful to have their team as a bottom-feeder for the third year in a row. I know it’s not for me. As in the past, I’m just riding the wave until we ascend back into the Championshipstratoshpere. However my eyebrows are raised Jim and Jeanie Buss, and I’m looking at you for solutions. You're track record speaks for itself.

HOPE!

*I am enjoying Kobe’s last season. It’s a nostalgic thing, but I’ve always enjoyed seeing a great veteran player in any sport going out with all the accolades he or she deserves. Some see a slightly broken down Kobe shooting a sub-par 40% from the floor, and his play below the rim, as a travesty. But he hasn't quite yet reached the level of a 1973 Willie Mays, or a 1977 Joe Namath.

Willie Mays in the 1973 World Series

Kobe doesn’t need another championship, or an additional scoring title to validate his storied career. If he were 50, and was hobbling down the court with a cane, I could see some validity to the argument some present that he should retire now. 

But he’s Kobe, and as throngs of crowds at visiting arenas have shown, many want to see him one last time. He still can play with effective hoops on both ends of the court, so let him have his final curtain calls. There’s absolutely nothing he can do on the court that could damage his long career, or the Lakers franchise, so sit back and enjoy the ride.

DESPAIR!

*Analysts have been on point with their criticism of the team’s lack of direction. I won’t fully place the team’s lousy record on the players, or the coaching staff. Where most blame can be laid is the team’s management and executive staff. The organization as a whole is like a speeding train heading for a cliff. Just when we think it can’t get any worse, it does. 

Free Agent Reality

There’s enough blame to go around for everyone, but I think the powers that be better prepare for a mass exodus of fans if the Lakers have another bad season next year. Since the 1980’s, the Lakers have won small clusters of Championships every 7 to 10 years. It’s been nearly six since our last one, and we, the spoiled fans of the Lakers Nation, are getting hungry!

Upset Lakers Fans

HOPE!

*Continuing on with my point earlier, the young guys are starting to come around. 

Some fans were upset with the team picked  after they picked D’Angelo Russell as the 2^nd pick of the draft. These same fans were all over his case when he put up low numbers in the summer league, and the first few games of the season. 

Coach Scott counseling the young Russell

Smart fans however realized that the kid is 19, and despite his skills and potential, he’s not Magic Johnson (no one ever will be). He might not even end up as a point guard. Recently he’s really started to flash his stuff on the offensive end. He’ll eventually get it on the defensive end. No player ever comes into the league and fully understands the nature of NBA defense, so he’ll be fine. I’m looking forward to seeing Russell develop as the years go by.

Jordan Clarkson is showing progress in his 2^nd season, so much so that he may not even be a Laker next year. He’ll no doubt earn some serious offers from other teams during the off-season free agency period. If the money is really good, the Lakers may not match the offers. It'll be see ya later Clarkson.

 
Larry Nance is receiving more court time, and it’s paying off. He’s banging with the best, dunking in the clouds, and that horrible jump shop is starting to fall. You can see his confidence grow with each passing game. And with each dunk, he’s looking more and more like his father who had a lot of quality “air” time.

Julius Randle may be the most exciting youngster to watch at the moment. I see a lot of potential in him, and he’s the team most consistent rebounder. I’d really like to see him work on his game during the off season with a skilled post player like James Worthy or Hakeem Olajuwon. I do have one special request: please, oh please, learn to finish at the rim with your right hand!

 

So as we close out the year 2015, my resolutions for the New Year include:

*To stop throwing things at the cat and the TV during Lakers games

*Post more to my blog despite the team piling up L’s in the losses column

*To curb my alcohol consumption after watching Lakers telecasts

*Work on not using the phrase “TRADE THE BUM!” while attending games in person.

And finally…

*To hold out against the evil temptation of selling my last game of the year (April 6^th…Kobe’s 2^nd to the last game of his career) for some great monetary offer because.............that just ain’t right.

Until next time, be safe on New Year’s Eve people, and try to not to get plastered: you’ll have a Lakers game to watch on New Year’s Day!