Absolutely great observations to share GT. Thanks. Now, I have a question for the board. If we do not add anymore significant pieces, or make any major trades, I envision this group growing closer and closer throughout the year.
I'm projecting the point of my question to after the upcoming season, and I realize that it's summer league, but, if Russell continues his progression at this rate, we're looking at a born leader with skill. His stature will inevitably rise significantly if he continues to play as he has.
Question: how does a possible signing of the guy in OK affect his game going forth?
One problem I'm happy to have.
Westbrook steals Jordan's role. We have Russell tandem at the guards.
DLo will stiil run the show making life easier for Westbrook to score.
I meant to mention that I'd love to have that problem. Can you imagine Russell (D) feeding Russell (WB) while he's on the move full steam toward the hoop?
There's two particular players I like to see gather a head of steam going toward the rim: Westbrook, and our very own Nance Jr.
Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2016 4:33 pm Post subject: Re: The bond amongst these guys is special
GoldenThroat wrote:
As many of you know, I was in Vegas for each of the 3 Summer League games, and just got back to LA this morning. Rather than post the entirety of my thoughts on every little thing, I wanted to focus on the dynamics within the team, which were nothing short of tremendous. Here are some interactions that I found to be meaningful.
-After Jerami Grant dunked on Zubac, both Russell & Nance made it a point to not let him get discouraged on the next dead ball. And it wasn't in an "it's okay, don't worry about it" kind of way, it was in a "focus, we need you" kind of way.
-Russell was less playful pre-game than he was last year. The Lakers usually came out in the 1st/2nd quarter of the game before to watch some of it. Last year, he would laugh & joke with teammates. This year he'd stand by himself, or having a serious conversation w/whomever engaged him. (not fans though, he ignores the fans) I don't think I saw him smile once in a pre-game conversation. He did yawn a lot though. lol
-Ingram is a really low key dude. I wouldn't say he's shy necessarily, he just goes about his business and isn't especially gregarious. Him and Anthony Brown would usually sit next to each other when they'd watch the game before, but I didn't notice a whole lot of conversation.
-Mermuys is already extraordinarily popular amongst the players. It's pretty great. I saw several instances where he was walking from Point A to Point B, kinda minding his own business, and Russell, Nance, or someone else would seek him out and they'd have a lively/friendly conversation. So I take it back...the only time I saw Russell joking/smiling was in interactions with Mermuys.
-The communication was great, both amongst the young guys and between the young guys and the coaching staff. There was a lot of spirited conversations between players, trying to work one issue out or another, and everyone paid close attention to the coaches. Russell was instructing guys where to be on both ends of the court, and everyone talked really well on defense. I was especially impressed with Brown's communication on that end. Even on the bench in the GS game, the starters were engaged with the guys who hadn't gotten any run, and enjoying their successes.
-As I'm sure you guys saw, Clarkson, Randle, & Black all came out at various times over the last few days to show support. All in all I really didn't see anything that was concerning to me. It was a really, really healthy environment and you can tell that they care a lot about each other. Different vibe than any other team that I saw in Vegas.
Westbrook will be murder in this lineup and he should realize it.
He's got a capable ball handler/passer who is also an excellent long range shooter in DLo who will also not back down from taking and making the "pressure shots".
Westbrook will also have the chance to become who he really is, a shooting guard.
Glad you wrote that GT! Sounds like Russell definitely is taking more of a leadership role this year. The communication does look better, I can see it even on TV. It is great! very different than Blockbuster
Joined: 26 Oct 2005 Posts: 2080 Location: Jack's Crib
Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2016 4:55 pm Post subject:
DLO, needs to get his teammates involved a lot more if he wants to be considered a leader!!! _________________ My Laker squad.
Mr. Clutch, Nixon, Eddie, Nick, Magic, Kareem,
Silk, Cooper, AC, Worthy, Horry, Shaq, Kobe.
HC: Riley
all im gonna say is everything is looking real good when were winning games and our young guys are having good games. All people see is positives haha.
Hope everyone is optimistic as this once or if (bleep) starts hitting the fan. _________________ Pain is temporary, at the end of pain is success...
all im gonna say is everything is looking real good when were winning games and our young guys are having good games. All people see is positives haha.
Hope everyone is optimistic as this once or if (bleep) starts hitting the fan.
Even if we lose, things are really shaping up to be positive for us in our Conference.
KD destroyed OKC, Duncan retiring, Grizz got more injury prone, Dubs losing their bench, Howard going East, Mavs didn't get Whiteside and the Clippers are still the Clips.
Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 8488 Location: The (real) short corner
Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2016 12:21 am Post subject:
GT, last summer league you mentioned that Madsen was doing a very poor Rick Carlisle impersonation calling plays every time down the floor. What was the dynamic like this year?
I see Russell calling a lot of plays- is he getting input from the sidelines? How often do they just go without a play call?
Joined: 07 Jun 2002 Posts: 9674 Location: San Diego
Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2016 1:09 am Post subject:
GoldenThroat wrote:
Larry Nance is a future politician. When all of the other guys were doing their own thing, usually on their phones and/or listening to music, Nance was working the room, talking to reporters.
I was watching a Nance interview with my wife and I told her that he would be a coach someday! _________________ Never argue with stupid people! They will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience!! - Twain
Joined: 07 Jun 2002 Posts: 9674 Location: San Diego
Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2016 1:11 am Post subject:
Surfitall wrote:
I wouldn't give the yawning a second thought. Marathon runners often yawn before a big race. There are all sorts of theories on why athletes do this (increases oxygen to the brain, increases focus, Etc.), but it's not uncommon at all.
redistributes the bong smoke! _________________ Never argue with stupid people! They will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience!! - Twain
Insights like this that re-affirm what I've already seen developing of the youth/team culture within our team are what makes it so mind boggling to me that people think the management are just going to uproot the whole thing by trading it away for either a 1 year Westbrook or a Jimmy Butler or something. Everything I can see the FO has done is to build around and encourage this whole culture we have going now the team is entering a new post-Kobe era.
Like these guys are fairly obviously tight on/off the court. I think the most telling sign for me they're going to let this all remain intact was that photo that came out after Ingram got drafted where they had literally every young player on the squad at the dinner. They do that, they hire young coaches that are supposed to be "Players Coaches" in Walton and Mermuys.
With that in mind how can you imagine Mitch just up and giving away half for the players for a vet? What a record scratch moment that'd be; "Hey guys, go play and grow in the league together and maybe lead this organization into the next era of...wait what? Jimmy Butler?! Pack your (bleep)' bags Julius and Jordan..."
Insights like this that re-affirm what I've already seen developing of the youth/team culture within our team are what makes it so mind boggling to me that people think the management are just going to uproot the whole thing by trading it away for either a 1 year Westbrook or a Jimmy Butler or something. Everything I can see the FO has done is to build around and encourage this whole culture we have going now the team is entering a new post-Kobe era.
Like these guys are fairly obviously tight on/off the court. I think the most telling sign for me they're going to let this all remain intact was that photo that came out after Ingram got drafted where they had literally every young player on the squad at the dinner. They do that, they hire young coaches that are supposed to be "Players Coaches" in Walton and Mermuys.
With that in mind how can you imagine Mitch just up and giving away half for the players for a vet? What a record scratch moment that'd be; "Hey guys, go play and grow in the league together and maybe lead this organization into the next era of...wait what? Jimmy Butler?! Pack your (bleep)' bags Julius and Jordan..."
It's 15's dream scenario. Trade half the team so he can see Westbrook's "blow by speed" on ESPN while the Lakers stay mediocre for the next 4-5 years.
Great to hear that DLO is growing up, becoming more mature. The incident with Nick Young might have been a blessing in disguise, in that it was a lesson that he needed to learn quickly from.
Thanks for the insights, GT. I wish you could travel with the team. It'd be so much more insightful than the tiresome hot takes from TMZ...I mean ESPN. Well, no, same thing.
In terms of Dlo's demeanor, it really reminds me of high school. I had an incompetent History teacher who was the football coach's son. History was actually one of my favorite subjects. I'd ask him different questions, which was usually met with a type of 'leave me alone, kid" attitude, likely because he didn't have answers. Then I began to act out in class and give him attitude. I had a new History teacher the following semester and went back to being a curious and engaged student.
Not too long after, I realized that I was being immature to the previous History teacher. The life lesson was that although I didn't like my incompetent History teacher, it was still necessary to act respectfully and not be a distraction to my classmates. I hope Dlo recognizes this lesson, as well. _________________ LeBron, AD, & _________. Stay tuned.
"...there was a time when the Israelites were wandering in the desert and all of a sudden, bread came down from heaven,” Pelinka said. “That’s kind of what today feels like for us to have KCP join.”
I can see Dlo and Ingram being a great balance personality-wise. They both want to be great and can be potential leaders, but express it differently. I always thought that Kobe and Duncan could have been that kind of pairing personality-wise. _________________ LeBron, AD, & _________. Stay tuned.
"...there was a time when the Israelites were wandering in the desert and all of a sudden, bread came down from heaven,” Pelinka said. “That’s kind of what today feels like for us to have KCP join.”
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