LAKERHOLICS BLOG

The guys from the Lakers Fast Break return for some NBA Observation as they share thoughts on the recent big-money extensions for Miami coach Erik Spoelstra and the Clipper’s Kawhi Leonard. Does this mean the Lakers will be opening up their wallet a little more as well? Plus after Toronto Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic’s huge rant after the Lakers game because of the fourth-quarter free throw disparity, we ponder if Darvin Ham will ever show that kind of energy if he remains as the guys on the sidelines for LA. We’re back talking some big $$$, and wondering if the Lakers are ready to go on a spending spree? Find out our thoughts on the latest Lakers Fast Break podcast!

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MongoSlade
2 months ago

One thing JayJay has been consistent at is making sure we beat bad teams (which PHX is w/these injuries). Only reason why our record is as good as it is. Teams on our level or above?…not so much.
- LakerTom
  2 months ago
  
  I have liked JJ from the start but the Lakers are not an easy job. I think JJ will lose his job if he can’t get the starting Big Three to win their minutes or LeBron to come off the bench. Can’t just keep rolling out a starting Big Three for 16 minutes or a third of the game with a negative net rating close to 10 points per game.
  
  This team has lost faith right now as everything looks like this is a gap year and everybody but Luka and Austin could be gone. Redick needs to make a big move to get everybody re-engaged so we can win some games and hold onto our #6 seed for the playoffs.
  
  We have winning lineups led by Luka and Austin and winning lineups led by LeBron without Luka and Austin. Redick needs to let the data drive his decisions and talk to LeBron about coming off the bench. I think the Lakers could surprise everybody in the playoffs but JJ needs to have the courage to make the move. Doing nothing will only insure he’s not going to be the Lakers coach of the future. I’m almost to the point of hoping we lose so JJ is forced to move LeBron to the bench. Not there yet but getting close.
  - MongoSlade
    2 months ago
    
    I think JayJay’s safe for the same reason I think Pelinka is safe….upper management knew this was a wasted year. Luka had to know as well when he signed the extension. And the rest of the players on expiring deals knew it too (they’re gone). Hard to win (let alone contend) under those circumstances.
    
    Mark Walter is playing the long game… whether he’s successful remains to be seen. Can’t buy yourself outta player/salary mistakes in the NBA like you can in MLB….

MongoSlade
2 months ago

A lot of folks said this when the trade was made over a year ago…Luka & LeBron are too similar. Our coaching staff had an entire off-season to figure out how to make it work but apparently they did nothing. Just roll the ball out there and hope it works itself out.
- LakerTom
  2 months ago
  
  Normally, having a 26-year old superstar in his prime join with a 41-year old superstar near retirement would be an easy fit. The problem is that LeBron is not a normal 41-year old.
  
  To me, the real villain has been Pelinka, who has not let three transaction periods go by without making a major move to add players that complement Luka. That makes me wonder whether Mark Walter will really be the savior for the Lakers since he’s willing to let Pelinka remain in charge despite his inability to make moves.
  
  The only way JJ is going to solve the Big Three puzzle is by breaking it up. The numbers say start with Luka, Austin, and Jax and back that up with LeBron, Smart, and Ayton. If JJ continues to waste time trying to get the starting Big Three to win their minutes, he will end up getting fired this summer.
  
  Right now, the Lakers need to move LeBron to the bench. I’m hopeful that that conversation has already started. We have 25 games left before playoffs, with 18 against teams with winning records. We’ll struggle to play .500 the rest of the way.
  - MongoSlade
    2 months ago
    
    It’s not about age; it’s about fit. Your best 3 players don’t thrive playing off the ball and don’t play defense either. When we traded our only 2-way players for Luka, this imbalance had to be anticipated.
    
    I’m no fan of Pelinka but he’s not doing anything that he hasn’t been instructed to do by his bosses. There were no substantial moves to be made with our lack of resources… probably why nobody’s job is truly on the line….yet. This summer is the line in the sand which is why the only dept to get overhauled was scouting. Now after that, all bets are off.
    - LakerTom
      2 months ago
      
      It’s also about the lack of role players who would fit with the Big Three. If we had Peyton Watson as our starting small forward and Walker Kessler as our starting center, then a Luka and Austin backcourt and 41-year old LeBron at power forward would surely work a lot better.

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