re: 2022-23 Lakers Thread

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Memphis

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has become REALLY unlikeable as a team

From ESPN article:

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But James, who voiced similar concerns after the Lakers' loss in Sacramento earlier this week when being blunt about the team's roster construction, offered the glass-half-empty outlook to L.A.'s current predicament to counterbalance Ham's silver lining.

"I think I look at it that way," James said, when asked whether the Lakers' proven resiliency gives him belief in their ability to right the ship. "I look at it the other way, too, like, how many times are you going to try to dig yourselves out until it's too much dirt on you?"

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Article by Lakers beat writer Jovan Buha in The Athletic: LINK

Lakers are wasting LeBron James’ greatness and loss on Christmas is another reminder

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The Christmas slate is also one of the biggest narrative drivers of the year. And those who tuned in to the Lakers during their 124-115 blowout loss to the Mavericks in Dallas on Sunday witnessed a tragic reminder of the manner in which James’ Hall of Fame career appears to be ending in Los Angeles.

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James scored 38 points (on 13-for-23 shooting) against Dallas, one shy of his season-high set against the Spurs on Nov. 26, adding six rebounds and five assists in his record-breaking 17th Christmas Day game. When he checked out at the 2:32 mark of the fourth quarter, the Lakers were plus-2 in the 34 minutes he played and minus-18 in the 12 minutes he sat.

Individual plus-minus isn’t always reflective of the story of a game, but in this case, it was.

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James, who has occasionally voiced concerns with the roster throughout the season, has become increasingly critical in recent postgames sessions since Davis’ injury.

“Reality is, without AD, we lose a lot of length, which we don’t have already,” James said. “So we have to make up in ways that, without AD, is very difficult, very challenging. So, I think at one point we had a lineup of I think (Austin Reaves) was the tallest guy on the court. So, you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure it out.”

James has been direct about the team’s lack of shooting and size. There’s been subtle jabs at the team’s collective talent as well. The subtext to his messaging, of course, is that the Lakers’ roster could benefit from a much-need upgrade from the front office via a trade (or two). And it’s difficult to disagree with James’ judgment or his application of pressure.

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LOL, the roster is completed stocked full of Klutch clients. It's hilarious to pretend that all of these players were signed purely because Rob Pelinka thought that they were the best.

Buha eventually gets there in the article:

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There are many slices of the blame pie to be shared. Among them, James obviously bears some blame for part of the roster construction considering his notable input — like supporting the Westbrook trade — he’s had over the past few seasons.

It’s just tough to watch one of the game’s greatest players, with so much greatness still left in the tank, go out with a whimper instead of a bang.

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No, it's not, Jovan Buha. It's awesome and hilarious.

The difference between the Mavs and the Lakers is that the Mavs have a true superstar who is a winner.

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And he is only partially to blame? Like wtf? Sounds like he single handidly sabotaged himself and he’s pointing fingers at everyone else.

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I don’t understand why so many writers are so scared to state the obvious. James built this roster, nobody else. It’s a roster built on trades and FA signings. Reaves is the only draft choice in the rotation that would play for any other nba team. That’s one of 12. The rest are on leboner

Klutch soon to be Crutch.

Old man will break down in the next two weeks. His Laker legacy will be bubble bullshite.

We're a LeBum injury away from last place Lakers.

We know Lebron won’t play both of these B2B games, wonder which one they decide to hold him out of?

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A lot of journalism in the league is about access and no one wants to hobble themselves by calling LeBron on his bullshite.

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at least the fans can see the truth

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S Stephen G. · 23h 47m ago A truly embarrassing article. LeBron made his bed. Now he has to sleep in it. Except he blames everyone but himself for what a lousy bed he made. He’s still an excellent player on offense. But his D is entirely another matter. And his whining, self-promotion, throwing everyone else under the bus and the rest of his act is really getting tiresome. As is so much of the media slurping up to him. Oh, but Ham says that LeBron allows himself to be coached. How generous of LeBron. A brilliant two-way player in his day. One of the all-time best. But l I’ll be glad to see him retire, hopefully before his planned marketing gimmick of playing with Bronny comes to fruition.

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