Here is a recap from LG: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Recap: -- Last Play of the Game: Was surprised Kobe didn't touch the ball, but he doesn't get involved with coaching or gameplan. Has confidence in the staff to do the right thing. -- Trading Deadline: Doesn't expect to make any moves. Can't comment on specific players. Knowledge of the tri is complicated, but it wouldn't preclude them from making a deal; it is something to consider though. -- Team's Recent Play: Team is obviously struggling, not playing like they were earlier in the season. Injuries have been the obvious culprit. Hoping to have Kwame back earlier than the current projection. But injuries are a problem all teams deal with - need to still find a way to win games. -- Phil Jackson: Was very animated last night, more than usual. He really wanted to win that game. Organization would like to sign him to extension in the offseason (at least 2 more years). Phil really enjoys being back with the org. and is enjoying coaching this team. -- Kurt Rambis: Concerned that he may take the Santa Clara job. Is planning on talking to Kurt soon to discuss further. They value Kurt and understand what his career goals are (re coaching), but it is difficult to put a timetable on when Phil will be done coaching. -- Team's Goals: The goal is always to win a championship. A month ago he felt that the team was in the second tier of the West behind Dallas and Phoenix, perhaps grouped with the Spurs. However, since then, we have regressed. He think that the team is well-positioned for the future (4-7 years). He understands that Kobe wants to win now, but they need to also focus beyond a 1 or 2 year horizon. Anything can happen in the playoffs - need to avoid injuries, have some luck and be playing your best basketball. -- Bynum: Organization and coaching staff have high hopes for his success. Trying to exhibit patience while teaching him how to maintain consistency. He has all the tools you want in a big man. -- Lamar: Thought he had jumped to the next level with his play earlier in the year. With the injury, he hasn't been able to get back to that level of play yet. Hopeful that he will get back there after the break. The maturation of a player takes some time. Sometimes a player never reaches that level and is deemed an underachiever/disappointment for not reaching his full potential - Mitch doesn't feel that they have reached that point with Lamar yet. </div> I could've sworn he said the exact same things last year when the deadline was lurking around! Same ol crap, just a new year. We've had three years with Odom...when does he finally realize that Odom is better off in an offense that makes him the feature player and that the Lakers are better off without him. I like the talks of signing Phil to at least a two year extension, that'd be great. I don't like the fact that we could lose Rambis... I find it really interested that Kobe wants to win now (which is very understandable) and Mitch is more focused towards the future...hopefully he won't be around for much longer but...could this cause a rift a couple of years down the road? If the Lakers aren't contenders, could Kobe want out? Really? We're struggling...thanks for the oh so wonderful insight, you're a brilliant man!
Yeah I listened to this on the way to work this morning. Really boring information from Kupchak who over states the obvious with long winded sentences.
Isn't Mitch always boring? I'm so frustrated with this team right now, if you haven't been able to tell by my rants about Odom. Kobe has poured his heart and soul into this organization...why aren't we trying to acquire the pieces to put the team over the hump. It's been three years since Shaq has left town and we haven't been able to play consistent basketball outside of Kobe Bryant. Smush Parker is our starting PG...Lamar Odom can only dribble left...Andrew Bynum is our starting C (which right now is understandable, because Kwame's hurt). There are plenty of pieces out there that can help this team...even if it's in the smallest way. You've got to be kidding me if you expect me to believe we couldn't pull off a better offer for Ely than the Spurs did. He could've really helped our team out, taking minutes off of Bynum and adding some athleticism in the front court. If this team doesn't do something, Phil isn't going to want to stay with this team...or so I presume. He wants to win, he's always been a winner...right now, this team is mediocore.
TJ Simers rode Mitch pretty good in the interview. He said this is something you've never done. You just don't know how to pull off a mid-season trade. Lakers haven't made one since 1999, do you need a manual on how to get it done or something? (paraphrasing)
Man, this is why we should have acquired C-Web. He could have helped us right now that we are strugling in the paint defensively. Mitch probably doesn't know that the NBA allows for trades in the middle of the season. Hopefully someone can get him a memo.
<div class="quote_poster">Pablo23 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Man, this is why we should have acquired C-Web. He could have helped us right now that we are strugling in the paint defensively. Mitch probably doesn't know that the NBA allows for trades in the middle of the season. Hopefully someone can get him a memo.</div> You have to keep in mind the Lakers had Luke Walton healthy at the time, and they also expected Kwame to be back. Unfortunately, Luke got injured right after Odom returned and Kwame had a setback with his rehab. The Lakers were in the mindset everyone would be healthy and available, so there wouldn't have been much PT for Webber. At the end of the day the decision was Webber's to make, and there's no doubt in my mind he wanted to return home to play for Detroit. Asking any team to give you guaranteed minutes and a starting job is unheard of, but it gave Webber an excuse not to sign with the Lakers.
