Preview & Chat: Lakers vs. Pelicans
April 8, 2016 by Darius Soriano
I'll be 100% honest: I have little to say about this game. The Pelicans' injury situation is so dire, here is their projected starting lineup: Toney Douglas, James Ennis, Dante Cunningham, Omer Asik, Alexis Ajinca. Say whatever you want about the Lakers and them producing the worst season in franchise history, at least they're fielding a roster of names you can recognize.
With that, I thought this might be the best preview available when considering all the variables.
@forumbluegold "The Pelicans are an aquatic bird. A Lake is a body of water. Does that make pelicans 'Lakers?' No, they prefer the ocean"
— Contrarian Barbarian (@basquiatball) April 8, 2016
What does this mean, exactly? Who cares. Roll with it, my friends.
This game means little beyond the Kobe farewell. Just ask the players. When D'Angelo Russell was asked about goals for this final stretch, he mentioned two things: 1). continue to compete 2). get the ball to Kobe.
I'm all for the improvement of the young players and seeing them make progress which, in turn, can be carried into the off-season as a foundation for coming back as improved players next season. The future of the organization will be heavily influenced by this. It truly matters.
But, let's be honest, the Lakers have played 78 games and have won 16 of them. Kobe Bryant has 4 games left in his career and I want to use these last few games to see one of my favorite ever players celebrated. I know he's not the player he was. I know he's likely to shoot a poor percentage and take some shots he shouldn't. I honestly do not care about this in the slightest.
Maybe a month or two ago I did. When there was still a chance to adjust the course of the season — not from a win/loss perspective, but from the goals of what we wanted to be accomplished one. That did not happen. This coach (and, for all we know, the front office who has backed him to this point) wanted Kobe featured and he was. I'm not going to back away from that now when there's less than a handful of games left in the year. There's little point in that.
So, yeah, get Kobe the ball. Let him try to fire up the burners and see if he can start to cook. There's only a few more chances to see this former Iron Chef sharpen his knives and see if he can deliver another enjoyable meal. I am here for that. I can understand if you are not. We don't have to agree on everything.
Lastly, I'd be remiss if I did not include one of my favorite moments of Kobe against this team. I'm going to cheat somewhat by going back to when the Pelicans were still named the Hornets. The Lakers were facing them in the playoffs in 2011 in the 1st round. The Lakers were, famously, trying to get to their 4th straight Finals and win their 3rd straight championship. That pursuit fell short the next round against the Mavericks.
That Hornets series was more competitive than many thought it would be. Kobe was dealing with a chronic knee issue, Pau was not playing anywhere close to the level of ball he had in prior seasons (some attribute that to some off-court, personal troubles), and the team was showing the wear and tear of deep playoff runs. Kobe, as he was known to try, was attempting to will his team to victory. And with that came two of the more memorable — at least for me — dunks of his career.
One of the reasons I remember these dunks is because Kobe actually suffered a really bad left ankle sprain in the previous game. At the time of these dunks, as great as they were, I always remember thinking how he never jumped off his left leg — the first dunk was off two feet and the second was off his right leg. Whether it was coincidence or not, it didn't really matter. It was another example to me of Kobe doing what he could, making adjustments if necessary, despite any physical ailments.
Of all the things about Kobe's career, that is one aspect of his mentality that stands out the most. He was always going to try and get on the floor and compete. Turned ankle, broken finger, torn ligament in his wrist. Whatever. He was going to try and give it a run. He was special in that way.
There's only 4 more games, you guys. Enjoy them as best you can.
Where you can watch: 5:00pm start time on TWC Sportsnet. Also listen
R says
Kobe's mental toughness is really something beyond exceptional. Can't say I've ever seen anything like it.
It's one thing that can't be measured by stats, advanced or otherwise.
KevTheBold says
R, Tough is right.
Can you imagine if he were to coach?
I'm glad he recognizes that he's not cut out for it.
Still, I wonder what seeds he's planted in our kids?
Tough is right.
Im wondering if signing whiteside and drafting simmons would equal tradable assets for boogie cousins
I missed out on the lakers vs clippers bickering on the previous posting.
At the end of next season chris paul, blake griffen, and jj reddick will all be free agents.
Don't want to be a total hater so i wish them luck
Does anyone know if the 2nd worst is locked up yet?
LT Mitchell says
I would love to see Kobe score 50 points just one. more. time… for old times sake. Is that too much to ask? If all the stars align and all of his injuries subside for just a couple hours, it would be a beautiful exclamation point to an incredible career.
On the other hand, watching Kobe fight through his final season, using every last drop he has left in the tank just to get on the court is probably a better example of what Kobe's career has been about. However it ends, I'll be savoring every minute he's on the court.
Clay Bertrand says
I'm just glad the "basketball reasons" have made this Pelican team the Titans of the NBA that Dan Gilbert and David Stern wanted them to be able to be. I mean, it sucks that Davis is hurt, but with ALL THOSE OTHER VALUABLE ASSETS they got from that WAY MORE FAIR Clipper deal, these guys are set for AWHILE!!!!!! Errr…………
Wait, you mean, Dan Gilbert didn't even CARE about the interests of the then Hornets when he wrote his letter on his Quicken Loans letterhead to David Stern whining??? Hm. Weird.
Valid Grudges NEVER DIE!!!!!
Go Kobe!!!! Take no prisoners!!!! Empty the magazine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kev, according to rr I believe, the 2nd worst is LOCKED UP. Its all about the BALLZ now……
Thanks Clay,.. it's finally ok to root for some wins.
rr says
PHX and BKN have 21 wins and the Lakers have 62 losses.
Looks like kobe is gonna beat the pelicans all by himself
"Has there have been more of a green light in nba history than kobe has now" says john Ireland
lil pau says
Say what you want about the state of Lakers' management, but at least we're not being run by surrealists:
http://espn.go.com/pdf/2016/0406/nba_hinkie_redact.pdf
Russell is doing great thus far,..let's hope he's gotten past his fiasco and is back on track.
Ryan craig says
Feel free to win a game lakers, we have the second worst record on lock…
KO says
Last in NBA in offense
Worst defense Laker history
Tie worse loss in history
Worst record in history
Its truly been a record breaking year gor Mitch, Jimmy and Bryon.
Congrats?
Baylor Fan says
That letter by Hinkie is just sad. If he really believed in his system, he would not have stepped down. The fact is, he set the 76ers up with multiple 1st round picks in a weak draft. They do figure to get one of the top two picks but who cares about the rest? With Hinkie out of the way, Philadelphia figures to actually start winning games again and stop fielding teams designed to lose. Hinkie set analytics back about 10 years with his approach to team management.
Not to mention 54 games out of first.
Hale says
I'm not going to read 13 pages of ego stroke. My English lit requirement is way in the past. Hinkie has come off like David Kahn, pompous and full of excuses. His method could have worked but it didn't so he pulls a wanker move and writes that toilet paper. It was equally whack (but should have been expected) for it to get out to the public. It's like hearing those whiny@$$ Suns bringing up IF Artest missed the shot, they're certain they would have gone to the finals. Take your L and move on. That's also why I'm sick of the veto excuse. Yes it's valid but it all the whining in the world isn't going to absorb these nearly unwatchable seasons. Going to complain about the ripple effects of the big bang next? You can't time machine Kobe's achilles back. Take the L and hope the Lakers aren't approaching more historic lows next year.
bleedpurplegold says
Hinkoe was a disgrace for the game…he drafted 4 bgs in a row in noel, embiid, okafor and saric…what purpose does that serve other than losing?!?
Also, he made tanking an accepted strategy for gms in the nba….you didnt see that many teams throwing seasons before they even began….we all shouöd be happy he is gone
Btt: great game by russell, nice to see him bounce back…but seeing kobe miss a wide open layup in the first made me sad a little bit…it is really time for him to go, so like DS wrote we all should just enjoy those last moments we have with him…after all, our future is already set with Randle, Clarkson and Dlo plus maybe a top3 pick this year and cap space for 2 max guys (hopefully so)…really looking forward to next season, as our main youngsters have shown huge promise this season. You cant expect them to play consistently yet…
Until then: Go Kobe!
Lakers' Lounge podcast interview with Mark Medina is pretty good at contextualizing several things about Kobe, the FO and D'Angelo Russell. One paraphrase is that Chris Paul came into the season knowing the entire playbook whereas Russell came with 20%.
Gunslinger says
Sad Sad job of coaching this game by Scott. Lakers are in a solid position at the 3-4 minute mark in the 2nd quarter. Also we are locked into our lottery position, so it would be nice to get a win. We are facing a New Orleans team decimated by injuries, we have the talent advantage in available players.
Scott manages to put Kelly, Sacre, and Huertas on the floor at the same time. With 3 minutes to go in the half I said " we will turn this lead into a 5 point halftime deficit. I was wrong: it was worse.
I have been a loyal Laker fan, watching 80 games a year for a LONG time. I will not watch a Scott coached team next year. Time for a change
Maybe the Lakers weren't tanking this year — maybe they are truly awful. They lost to a DLeague team last night.
Patrick Lanigan says
Spot on. The talk of tanking serves to shelter Byron from full responsibility for this crap show. The Lakers didn't just produce the worst year in their history due to some strategic move to tank; they suck because their head coach has no ability to teach young players, and their roster is devoid of difference makers.
Gary says
Jeff Katz sat in for Ireland on the Mason/Ireland show. Says that Jim, Mitch and Byron are all due back. Says Jeanie won't make a move until after next year (Jim's promise).
Neither Katz or Mason agree. Feel that Jim/Mitch lack vision and gravitas needed to hire a good coach (think Stevens) and to recruit tier one FAs.
Vasheed says
Despite the loss I enjoy seeing Russell put up a game like this. A good sign of things to come. Surprisingly the Lakers still won the season series against the Pelicans 2-1.
Ditto Vash, 32 points 9/16 shooting.
That kid is going to be something special !
A Horse With No Name says
Byron is gone. Hue and cry would be too loud from stakeholders (sponsors, season ticket holders etc.) Recall Mitch's refusal to give Byron a vote of confidence recently. Katz knows nothing.
Fern says
From the other thread by mistake here is my very through Lakers analysis from last night behold:
I was piss drunk by halftime thats my game recollection, i need liquid courage to watch/ forget
I will be very surprised if they keep Scott, but the Lakers have done a lot of things the last few years that I have thought were strange/questionable, so we'll see.
Katz and Mason also brought up the fact that Jim/Mitch provide cover for her. That it's in her best interest to let them absorb the losses and wait until the team is further along before she has to make decisions that put her in the public eye.
Mid-Wilshire says
If the Lakers keep Byron, the din would be deafening.
Fans would be screaming bloody murder all over the globe (literally). To hold onto Byron for another year would be the greatest outrage of all. And the fans could very well end up voting with their pocket books.
You never want to alienate your customer base. Never. As a business woman, surely Jeannie should know that. Would Lakers fans continue to pay outrageous prices to see Byron Scott coach one more season? Eventually, they'll draw the line somewhere.
Holding on to Byron, then, would not only be a questionable basketball decision. It could have serious business implications as well. The Lakers have got to think this through very carefully. After doing that, they should fire Byron and move on.
It certainly would be here at FBG, and would be even louder at another well-known Lakers site. Whether the entire fanbase, much less sponsors and shareholders, would revolt over it is another question. The internet as is well-known has an echo-chamber element to it; people tend to group themselves with like-minded people and reinforce each other's opinions.
I see zero upside to keeping Scott personally, but the FO may see it differently. My guess is that they will let him go because Jim won't want the timeline tied to Scott anymore.
Todd says
Personally, I believe out of respect for her dad, Jeanie will give Jim/Mitch one more year. Despite the issues surrounding a lame duck FO hiring a new coach I think management has to remove BS. It would be PR nightmare not to. I'd like to think they would hire a coach that would satisfy any new future GM — Luke Walton for instance. We shall see.
While I applaud the fandom of a number of posters who feel the Lakers have a solid foundation in place and are on the cusp of greatness or are on track per a grand FO Plan — I do not share your certainty. I agree the team is on the cusp of something — I'm just not sure what direction it breaks.
Todd, I must have missed the posts about a grand f.o. plan reaching its zenith.
As for me, I do see a base we can build upon, which is much more than we have had for a good long while.
As for 'certainty' only a fool is certain about sports.
One can however be optimistic, without guarantees.
I do share your hope for a new modern coach, and would welcome Walton as well.
Always good to see Todd chime in. And, case in point to what I said above, I agree. I will be surprised if Scott stays and very surprised if Jim and Mitch go.
But, as I have said, I do not think that Walton will be here. I don't see Kerr coaching a long time, and I don't see Walton leaving the GS juggernaut with Curry/Green/Thompson all in their mid-20s to take over a team in as bad a shape as the Lakers are in with uncertainty and issues in the FO.
As to the core, we have covered that issue many times, and I agree with that as well, although I do think Russell will be a very good player.
mud says
i don't see how getting rid of Byron will improve the team next year.
it's true that he is far from the greatest coach in the league, but putting all the blame on the coach only serves to salve the need for a scapegoat.
Easier to fire a coach than fire a team. I'm just tired of Scott's after game remarks. I don't need much more convincing.
Robert says
Todd: Nice to see you post again. I have been trying my best to man the fort. I see you and I are still in sync.
mud: Agreed – However – the coach is the easiest to change – which is why people focus on it.
Katz: I would not take his comments to the bank if I were Byron (actually he gets to go to the bank either way), but I would also not write off the possibility. I think it is 50/50.
rr and Robert: Thank you both for the mention. Life has been a bit busy, so I read posts much more frequently than I write them.
I think we all agree that this is an important off season for the Lakers. Lots of story lines. — the coaching question, the FO/management issues, the draft and FA. It's not often a team has so many challenges/opportunities hitting at once. It certainly will be interesting to see how it all plays out.
just because it's easy, doesn't make it the best course of action.
fwiw, i love Scott's comments much better than the results on the floor. i'd almost keep him around just to comment…
I think its established fairly firmly that Jim and Mitch aren't going anywhere this year at least.
To me, it would be a backward move to keep Byron, although not entirely unforeseeable. But if Jim is giving himself this ONE more year, isn't he inclined to make a change just for the sake of keeping his own position? I would think so. The sad irony is that the lame duckish status for a would-be new coach, with what looks to be the imminent near future FO shake up, will DRASTICALLY reduce the pool of quality candidates that would want the Laker job. Its already a complicated sell.
I have always been a Mitch supporter amidst all the FO bluster, but if Mitch thinks that Byron needs to come back in the best interests of the organization, I think he too may still be stuck in the past.
The one thing mentioned regarding the Jeff Katz comments about Jeanie using Mitch and Jim as cover, there could be some real truth in this from the whole BS blowing about Phil being in play to return here in a year.
If the dysfunction is really that bad, Jeanie could well just spitefully let the current JIM BUSS regime play out to predictably dismal results FORCING her, to make a DRASTIC dramatic change that will no doubt please the sponsors and give a false euphoria to the fan base by bringing in her fiance and completely unproven front office professional, Phil Jackson.
I hope its not THAT bad but it could well be.
How many Team Presidents INSIST that the Head Coach run a certain Offensive System???!!!!! Count me as ANTI PHIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't want a TRIANGLE JUNTA here with all Phil's old assistants who can't get jobs in basketball coming to this big Zen Retirement home in El Segundo forcing the freaking TRIANGLE down everyone's throats!!!
But, as I have said, I do not think that Walton will be here. I don't see Kerr coaching a long time, I don't see Walton leaving the GS juggernaut . . . .
I don't see Kerr leaving GS any time soon–he stays as long as they are winning. He isn't old, his back/headache issues aren't a problem now. He loves his job and he's great at it. He's going to be there a long time. He could be the next Pop/Jackson guy. Luke is going to leave for a HC job soon–and yes, it may not be the Lakers–but I think it will be. He misses So-Cal badly, and he remains very well liked by the Laker org and Buss family. He's the one guy who could be a bridge of peace between Jeanie and Jim. . . .
Luke Walton could have a difficult decision to make if he's approached by the Lakers (after the Lakers fire Byron Scott on April 14th) or any other team looking for a new Head Coach.
Should Luke remain with Golden State, languishing in Steve Kerr's shadow, but enjoying the heady rush of a 70+ wins season and a chance for more of the same in coming years? Or should he grab an opportunity to become a Head Coach now rather than wait indefinitely for an opportunity (specifically to inherit Kerr's position) that may not come for — who knows? — another 3 or 5 or 7 or 10 years?
Also, the Lakers right now are a mess. But they're a mess with an intriguing young core. And, after this summer (especially if they manage to keep their draft pick), they could be even more intriguing. Compare the Lakers to teams like Houston or New Orleans or even the Knicks that are currently better than the Lakers but going nowhere fast.
Is the lure of Southern California (Walton was born in San Diego and played for the Lakers) enough to entice him to return "home"? Or are the Lakers too much of a risk for him to jump ship from an organization that wins in spectacular fashion even if he is currently relegated to a minor role?
Will the Lakers young core develop in 3 years into a legitimate playoff team? Or not? Will Luke only want to join a winner? Or will he want to be seen as an architect of a team that might become the next hot thing?
Does he actually feel that he's ready to become a Head Coach now? Is he chomping at the proverbial bit? Or would he prefer to bide his time?
Only time will tell. But I would venture to say that, at this point, even Luke Walton doesn't know the answers to most of these questions.
Fantastic post Mid, one of the best in recent memory !
And 'Intriguing', is the prefect word to describe our core.
It's not a sure thing that Luke Walton is the HC answer for the Lakers. All we know for sure is he was flipped the keys to a Ferrari and didn't wreck it.
But he does have the Laker pedigree – not that it helped BS a lot.
And no, mud BS doesn't get "all the blame" for this catastrophe of a season. But I'd be interested in hearing a coherent argument that lays out a convincing case he added any value. His body language alone disqualifies him, IMO.
ESPn the mag is doing a Warriors issue on April 11. Here are excerpts from Shelburne's piece on Kerr:
"It'd be great to put a bow on this and say that Kerr got up on that stage, crushed it and went back to coaching without any more pain. But that's not how this goes.
There is no satisfactory explanation for why Kerr developed his headaches. A current theory is that the change in the volume of spinal fluid after the initial surgery knocked his body out of homeostasis and contributed to a condition known as new daily persistent headache syndrome. But it's just a theory. He has had a terrible migraine basically every day since July. Some days he'll feel better and go for a hike. Other days he'll be seeing spots and looking for a chair to grab or a wall to lean on so he doesn't fall over."
"Even this year, as he has endured the worst of it, ask Kerr what he has learned and he'll say how grateful he is. "To do this for a living, enjoy the camaraderie and the lifestyle and how that affects our families, we're some of the luckiest people on earth, we really are," he says one rainy afternoon in Sacramento in early January.
The day before, he'd felt so awful he had to cancel lunch with a friend and postpone this interview."
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/15148955/on-top-nba-world-steve-kerr-found-struggling-just-stand
So, it may be that Kerr is totally OK now, and I hope that he is. But looking around the net, I do not see any indicators of that.
It is old news and seems silly now, but a lot of people (not at FBG but in general) made a big deal about New Orleans hiring Alvin Gentry. I said at another site that people need to remember that not everyone who has worked for the Spurs and the Warriors is a genius. Ask Mike Brown.
I would have no problem with Walton getting the Lakers job and he might be another Kerr, and I think it is time to move on from Byron. But the NBA remains a talent league.
I agree with rr on the Steve Kerr situation. His health is a mystery and even winning every day can't make daily migraines stop. I don't see Kerr staying around as a Popovich type of figure at at all. He just doesn't seem the type. I know there were extenuating circumstances, but he was only GM of PHX for a very short time and it was HIS decision to leave that position. He doesn't seem to have a problem walking away if he feels he needs to.
Frankly, Steve Kerr was THIS CLOSE to being Derek Fisher in NY. How would we all look upon his amazing coaching job if he's coaching Sasha Vujacic versus Steph Curry??? And by the way, the Warriors were LOADED and totally on the come BEFORE Steve Kerr got there. Kerr is a Phil Jackson of sorts showing up on the scene when the job is 98% done and ushering in the success that was long percolating.
Don't get me wrong. The world needs "FINISHERS". I think Kerr is a sharp guy and may also be a good leader of men. But you don't coach 35 foot Jump Shot perfection. Kerr is there because stubborn Mark Jackson is a control freak who can't delegate or share authority for the betterment of the team.
Is Steve Kerr a WORLD CLASS coach because the Warriors are awesome? Maybe. But look at Luke Walton. Was Luke Walton a great coach for coaching the same great team Kerr is coaching??
I tend to think that as much as I like Luke Walton as a young coach, he is still just that. He hasn't coached very long and doesn't seem as dialed in on scheme and Xs and Os as he is on other also important elements of coaching. I just don't feel he is seasoned enough to take a team void of talent and meld them into a winner.
"But Pat Riley had no experience and he was just an announcer and look how that worked out."
Yes. That was almost 35 years ago. The league was different then. Guys still smoked at half time.
This first little bit of decision making after the season regarding Byron will be indicative of whether there is any plan in place or whether this power struggle is going to play all the way out and further drag the team down.
rr,
"But the NBA remains a talent league."
BIG AMEN TO THAT Bro!!!!!!! Kinda what I was drivin at in my post too.