I wonder if we have it wrong. We're thinking these guys want to team up in Los Angeles to form a superteam, what if instead they're all wanting for Kobe's vacant throne and have little interest in sharing the spotlight? LeBron wants Kobe's spot. Kawhi wants Kobe's spot. George wants Kobe's spot.
George knows he wont ever be the savior if LeBron signs at the same time he does. He wouldn't mind playing on the same team as LeBron if it were framed that he himself, already established in LA, recruited LeBron to join his team, which would have required we traded for him last season. So with reports of LeBron's imminent signing, he's losing interest, because his original motivation for signing here will be lost and unattainable, especially as he's relegated to LeBron's uncredited/blamed teammate. The one that gets none of the credit and all of the blame.
Kawhi sees that LeBron signing here is imminent, and as he's confident in his abilities to outplay LeBron and generally be a top 3 player in the NBA, he doesn't share the same concerns as George. Whether he's traded here or signs here as a free agent next season, he's confident he can take the throne. He's that good. But he'd rather get here before anyone else.
LeBron knows he can seat right into Kobe's throne regardless of what anyone else does. He's not worried about what other players are doing, he's just getting all of his affairs in order before the move.
This isn't the Avengers assembling, this is a Game of Thrones.
With Paul George, I don't think he's seeking Kobe's throne. If anything, I think Kobe's throne is an impediment to PG-13 arriving.
If there was no Lebron, I don't think PG would want the pressure of being the leader on the Lakers. Lebron's desire to fill that vacant spot absolves PG-13 of all the pressure while still allowing PG to enjoy all the bounties of playing on the Lakers.
Kawhii to me is independent of either of the two. I think Kawhii wants to come to the Lakers either with Lebron/PG-13 or with both of them there. He seems more that he wants a return to southern california and an escape from SA. _________________ Author of James Harden and the Strip Club
"The key to good decision making is not knowledge. It is understanding. We are swimming in the former. We are desperately lacking in the latter." - Malcom Gladwell
And I don't buy the family angle that PG would sign with the Lakers because his family would prefer it. They would also want him to be happy. And that could mean OKC. _________________ Nobody in the NBA can touch the Laker brand, which, like the uniform color, is pure gold.
You don't go on a free agent tour out of due dilligence. If PG is decided to stay in OKC, there'd be more clear signs by now.
Of course he may end up not liking any of suitors and stay in OKC, but it's clearly not the case right now. _________________ www.lakersbrasil.com
Fan site made by me and others, dedicated to posting Laker news and articles in portuguese.
I don't buy this idea that these players still don't know where they're going. IMO they've known where they are going for months now.
I agree. One of my friends is close with Devin Booker and he said hes known for a while now that on July 1st, hes signing a max extension with the Suns. Doubt these players that have a choice of whether to sign a contract or not really wait until last second. _________________ He's my GOAT
And I don't buy the family angle that PG would sign with the Lakers because his family would prefer it. They would also want him to be happy. And that could mean OKC.
How can you even know how much weight that has?
What if his GF wants to live in LA badly? Or that his family wants him here and PG is very tight with them?
I just don't see how OKC checks off any boxes that the Lakers can't surpass or match. _________________ From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals
Joined: 14 Apr 2001 Posts: 144461 Location: The Gold Coast
Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2018 10:53 am Post subject:
lakers4life78 wrote:
PHILosophize wrote:
frankly I wouldn't even blame LBJ at that point
if he's the only max guy to sign with us, we aren't going anywhere in the playoffs; he might as well stay in CLE in the least at that point
You're aware that by all reports much of his decision is based on family and business ventures in so cal? Sure he has the family and stability in Cle, but not the business opportunities plus he has nothing else to prove there. He wants pure basketball opportunity he goes to Houston, Philly or Boston.
As I've outlined above, that Laker team is still damn good without George. Certainly better than Cle.
He got a prime time TV show on NBC from Cleveland, that was one hell of a business opportunity he took advantage of. Again, while in Cleveland, not LA. _________________ RIP mom. 11-21-1933 to 6-14-2023.
And I don't buy the family angle that PG would sign with the Lakers because his family would prefer it. They would also want him to be happy. And that could mean OKC.
How can you even know how much weight that has?
What if his GF wants to live in LA badly? Or that his family wants him here and PG is very tight with them?
I just don't see how OKC checks off any boxes that the Lakers can't surpass or match.
To me, it's a clear two way race between LA & OKC.
OKC can offer one more year slightly higher raises, but I think that's a moot point because he would opt out of the final year of the deal anyways.
My concern is that I think his relationship with Westbrook & his fear of burning the bridge with 2 different franchises might come into play. He'd get a fair share of backlash.
That said, I hope this is where Magic Johnson & Rob Pelinka come in. If Magic can sell PG-13 that his best opportunity to win a championship and enhance his brand is in LA playing for him than I hope the emotional pull of that pitch will be so strong it overcomes the fear. _________________ Author of James Harden and the Strip Club
"The key to good decision making is not knowledge. It is understanding. We are swimming in the former. We are desperately lacking in the latter." - Malcom Gladwell
My concern is that I think his relationship with Westbrook & his fear of burning the bridge with 2 different franchises might come into play. He'd get a fair share of backlash.
But who knows? We can't say that his familial relationship/living in LA is more important than a 6 month friendship he struck with WB.
I doubt he's worried about burning bridges b/c he purposefully wanted out of Indy, and he was traded to OKC where he spent less than a full calendar year there. He hasn't set roots down there. _________________ From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals
My concern is that I think his relationship with Westbrook & his fear of burning the bridge with 2 different franchises might come into play. He'd get a fair share of backlash.
But who knows? We can't say that his familial relationship/living in LA is more important than a 6 month friendship he struck with WB.
I doubt he's worried about burning bridges b/c he purposefully wanted out of Indy, and he was traded to OKC where he spent less than a full calendar year there. He hasn't set roots down there.
I hope so. But with reports coming out that he's liked OKC and that he does see it as a place where he could stay. I'm wary that it's all a smokescreen. I really do think he's highly considering staying in OKC.
However, this is why we brought in Magic right? A closer a la a Pat Riley to assuage PG-13 into embracing his LA roots/destiny. I don't think PG-13 realizes how happy he could be on the Lakers. _________________ Author of James Harden and the Strip Club
"The key to good decision making is not knowledge. It is understanding. We are swimming in the former. We are desperately lacking in the latter." - Malcom Gladwell
Joined: 14 Apr 2001 Posts: 144461 Location: The Gold Coast
Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2018 11:16 am Post subject:
ahaider wrote:
yinoma2001 wrote:
32 wrote:
And I don't buy the family angle that PG would sign with the Lakers because his family would prefer it. They would also want him to be happy. And that could mean OKC.
How can you even know how much weight that has?
What if his GF wants to live in LA badly? Or that his family wants him here and PG is very tight with them?
I just don't see how OKC checks off any boxes that the Lakers can't surpass or match.
To me, it's a clear two way race between LA & OKC.
OKC can offer one more year slightly higher raises, but I think that's a moot point because he would opt out of the final year of the deal anyways.
My concern is that I think his relationship with Westbrook & his fear of burning the bridge with 2 different franchises might come into play. He'd get a fair share of backlash.
That said, I hope this is where Magic Johnson & Rob Pelinka come in. If Magic can sell PG-13 that his best opportunity to win a championship and enhance his brand is in LA playing for him than I hope the emotional pull of that pitch will be so strong it overcomes the fear.
Not a critique against anyone but it is funny when $1.2 mil is referred to as slightly higher. _________________ RIP mom. 11-21-1933 to 6-14-2023.
I don't buy this idea that these players still don't know where they're going. IMO they've known where they are going for months now.
"On the Next episode of as the league turns"
Oh, PG is so torn between going home and his friendship with Westbrook. Does his bond with Westbrook mean more to him that the pull of playing at home, and what his family wants?
Is Lebron gonna go to Hollywood and try to form a "super team" with the Lakers, under Magic Johnson's leadership, Join one of his best friends in Houston or stay home in Cleveland. Which one will he choose?
Is Kawhi gonna be able to force his way to La? Will the Spurs do business with LA? Does Kawhi want to actually play with Lebron? If he comes, does that eliminate PG?
Man, the media has turned this into a soap opera and we all have bought in. Changing the narrative every day with a new twist and we eat it up. If you really believe that these players are undecided about what they are gonna do, you are a gullible person. These are people, real life people . These are real life decisions that these men are making and if you don't believe that these discussions with their families have been taken place all year and that they are just waiting for July to be so called recruited like a college kid......... think like an adult.
Joined: 15 Sep 2012 Posts: 29282 Location: La La Land
Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2018 11:30 am Post subject:
venturalakersfan wrote:
Not a critique against anyone but it is funny when $1.2 mil is referred to as slightly higher.
Crazy that is less than 4% of PG13's annual salary.
Even crazier to think of. NBA owners and other billionaires around the country would consider suicide if they only made PG13 salary next year (30 mill).
At least those poor .1%ers got a big tax break recently. _________________ "Every hurt is a lesson, and every lesson makes you better”
My concern is that I think his relationship with Westbrook & his fear of burning the bridge with 2 different franchises might come into play. He'd get a fair share of backlash.
But who knows? We can't say that his familial relationship/living in LA is more important than a 6 month friendship he struck with WB.
I doubt he's worried about burning bridges b/c he purposefully wanted out of Indy, and he was traded to OKC where he spent less than a full calendar year there. He hasn't set roots down there.
I hope so. But with reports coming out that he's liked OKC and that he does see it as a place where he could stay. I'm wary that it's all a smokescreen. I really do think he's highly considering staying in OKC.
However, this is why we brought in Magic right? A closer a la a Pat Riley to assuage PG-13 into embracing his LA roots/destiny. I don't think PG-13 realizes how happy he could be on the Lakers.
I actually think it's a smokescreen to prevent tampering charges against the Lakers. Have heard from enough sources to believe that PG13/Lakers are close to a done deal. _________________ From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals
My concern is that I think his relationship with Westbrook & his fear of burning the bridge with 2 different franchises might come into play. He'd get a fair share of backlash.
But who knows? We can't say that his familial relationship/living in LA is more important than a 6 month friendship he struck with WB.
I doubt he's worried about burning bridges b/c he purposefully wanted out of Indy, and he was traded to OKC where he spent less than a full calendar year there. He hasn't set roots down there.
I hope so. But with reports coming out that he's liked OKC and that he does see it as a place where he could stay. I'm wary that it's all a smokescreen. I really do think he's highly considering staying in OKC.
However, this is why we brought in Magic right? A closer a la a Pat Riley to assuage PG-13 into embracing his LA roots/destiny. I don't think PG-13 realizes how happy he could be on the Lakers.
I actually think it's a smokescreen to prevent tampering charges against the Lakers. Have heard from enough sources to believe that PG13/Lakers are close to a done deal.
Yah I agree. Good post. Chris Broussard dropped insider info regarding him this morning.
He's saving face by being sentimental and complimentary to OKC and Westbrook. This is all paving the way for the, "It's not you - It's me" convo that's bound to occur after he signs with the Lakeshow.
Of all the rumors surrounding this offseason, I would be most surprised if PG13 doesn't sign with us.
Paul George would not get much "backlash" from Thunder fans. And if he did, so what?
This is what worries a bit. He had no issues leaving the Pacers, but he is making a struggle with OKC when he wouldn't even face that any backlash to leave.
Joined: 25 Dec 2002 Posts: 1740 Location: Dana Point, CA
Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2018 1:48 pm Post subject:
Inverse wrote:
george w kush wrote:
I don't buy this idea that these players still don't know where they're going. IMO they've known where they are going for months now.
I agree. One of my friends is close with Devin Booker and he said hes known for a while now that on July 1st, hes signing a max extension with the Suns. Doubt these players that have a choice of whether to sign a contract or not really wait until last second.
THIS!!!!^^^^^^^^^^^^^Lebron knew over a year earlier he was going to Miami. He knew over a year earlier he was going back to Cleveland. The players are well aware of who has cap space and who doesn't. They aren't making some career/life altering decision about where to work and live in a matter of a week.
Paul George would not get much "backlash" from Thunder fans. And if he did, so what?
This is what worries a bit. He had no issues leaving the Pacers, but he is making a struggle with OKC when he wouldn't even face that any backlash to leave.
You do realize that a week or two b/f being traded from the Pacers to OKC, he was at a softball game in Indy proclaiming how he'd like to bring a championship to the Pacers.
He's a people pleaser.
But when it comes to July 1, I believe he will finally come home to the Lakers. _________________ From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals
Interesting take! Who better to please than his family. He is the perfect fit for this team. I do not want to sound redundant, but his lack of ego and his ability without dominating the ball are exactly what this team needs. That being said, I hope the FO does not wait on him (or anyone else for that matter).
Paul George would not get much "backlash" from Thunder fans. And if he did, so what?
This is what worries a bit. He had no issues leaving the Pacers, but he is making a struggle with OKC when he wouldn't even face that any backlash to leave.
That's because he didn't leave Indiana or is considering moving on from OKC for fear of what fans will think. He did so for basketball and lifestyle reasons.
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think like an adult.
