Lakers OFF-SEASON IS A WRAP

[licensed to ball]

I don't think he was giving analysis.
Give the guy a break he was probably just making a statement out of excitement

 

[kal-el-8]

I don't think he was giving analysis.
Give the guy a break he was probably just making a statement out of excitement

Which is what magic does 99% of the time

 

[sb]

healthy malone would of swayed the finals to the lakers favor idc idc idc

 

[rck3sactown]

I don't think he was giving analysis.
Give the guy a break he was probably just making a statement out of excitement

Which is what magic does 99% of the time

True

 

[licensed to ball]

I don't think he was giving analysis.
Give the guy a break he was probably just making a statement out of excitement

Which is what magic does 99% of the time

 

[mj 23]

Thank you for your analysis Magic Johnson

 

[had pants]

Which is what magic does 99% of the time

"Whichever team scores the most points will win the game!"

 

[Johnny_Cakes]

I can't bring myself to read/see anything about that 2003-2004 team. That roller-coaster of a season ended terribly.

 

[CP1708]

I thought FOR SURE we were doin 4 outta 5. :x

I knew the Pistons were good, but I expected Sheed to implode, Ben get overwhelmed and Kobe/Payton do enough to negate Billups and Rip.

We lost 4-1, but outside the OT, it was really 5-0. They murked us every game.

 

[essential1]

... is his offensive skills enough to justify him as number 2?

Yes.

 

[kookcle]

been watching okafors defensive weaknesses on youtube, ugh im really questioning if he is a good fit for us... is his offensive skills enough to justify him as number 2?

Pretty much getting 2011-2014 Pau Gasol

Just need to surround him with good perimeter defense.

 

[youngwolf]

View media item 1550366So Which one are we picking later in the draft?

I really enjoyed watching Dez play this year.

 

[lovehateself]

... is his offensive skills enough to justify him as number 2?

Yes.

Kevin love status ?

 

[mr j 858]

From former Laker beat writer Dave Mcmenamin:

Basically, the Lakers aren't locked into K-AT or Okafor no matter what at this point, per source. Intrigued by Mudiay/Russell.

Source:






View media item 1552024

 

[mj 23]

False.


FO just telling the media that, everyone knows they're taking a big no questions asked.

 

[essential1]

Again lip service. They are not going to pigeonhole themselves into a player publicity.

Would limit any unexpected circumstances (trade proposals, injuries,etc)

Mitch has also said that the best two players are bigs and they have the number 2 pick. (Very Magic-Eddie quote by Mitch)

 

[essential1]

Andrew Goudelock on how Kobe helped him become a better player

Andrew “Mini Mamba” Goudelock Dominating Overseas
By David Pick


There isn’t a basketball fan on the planet who doesn’t want to see Kobe Bryant in action. Just the thought of his possible retirement upsets many fans.

Injuries have forced the “Black Mamba” to miss significant time over the last two seasons. So, until he returns, Andrew Goudelock – also known as the “Mini Mamba” – is the lone Mamba dominating.

Goudelock, who played for the Los Angeles Lakers from 2011 to 2013, has been playing excellent basketball overseas, although he admits it’s tough not being in the NBA.

“It’s frustrating being overseas and seeing a bunch of D-League players getting called up all season,” Goudelock told Basketball Insiders during a sit-down interview in Istanbul, Turkey, where he’s become a scoring sensation. “It stings because I feel like I deserve to be in the NBA, but some things are out of our control. Hopefully one day I’ll get another chance.”

Selected by the Lakers in the second round of the 2011 NBA Draft, Goudelock appeared in 48 game for Los Angeles, averaging 5.6 points per game.

Though he has relocated to Europe, Goudelock still has strong memories of his time with the Lakers, specifically of Bryant cursing him out on-and-off the floor and demanding excellence.

“One of the weirdest things I experienced when playing with Kobe was how he cursed me the hell out in practice and games when I didn’t bring it,” Goudelock said. “Kobe would look straight at me and be like, ‘What the hell are you doing? I can tell you’re not f***ing serious. I could see it in your eyes. I know the difference.’ And that wasn’t his worst.”

“Every time Kobe did that, I mean I couldn’t [respond]… I was so surprised I was like, ‘You’re right.’ He’s the ultimate workaholic and knows how to get his teammates in game mode.”

Bryant was so aggressive and demanding because he wanted Goudelock to reach his full potential. Bryant was drawn to the young guard because he recognized a similar Mamba-esque demeanor in Goudelock.

“Kobe gave me the ‘Mini Mamba’ nickname and would encourage me to perform with confidence, almost to the point where I was cocky about my game,” Goudelock said. “He could tell I had a passion for the game, it was almost an unspoken understanding. Sometimes players didn’t take certain shots during a game and Kobe would turn to me like, ‘Only you and I would have taken that shot.'”

He also have plenty of fond memories of Bryant off the court.

“Kobe took the Lakers during preseason to the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas and bought the whole top floor for the team,” Goudelock recalled. “He met us there with his helicopter and was spending all kinds of money on us and let us ball out for the night.”

While the Lakers have struggled these last couple of seasons and Bryant has dealt with various injuries, Goudelock has been breaking records and collecting Most Valuable Player trophies abroad.

The 26-year-old shooting guard was crowned MVP of the VTB United League last season, averaging 20.1 points and 2.8 assists per contest. Goudelock was also named to the All-EuroCup First Team.

Last summer, Goudelock penned a guaranteed two-year agreement worth $3.8 million with Turkish powerhouse Fenerbahce Ulker. He joined a roster loaded with former and future NBA talent in Jan Vesely, Semih Erden, Nemanja Bjelica and Bogdan Bogdanovic.

On November 13, 2014, “Mini Mamba” put his name in the Euroleague record book when he shot lights out in a 34-point performance. He hit 10-of-13 three-pointers in the contest, setting an all-time Euroleague record for the most made threes in a single game.

“Once I get the ball, I feel like no one can stop me,” he said. “I’ve seen every possible defense thrown at me this season.”

Though he’s back on the NBA radar, Goudelock has mastered the art of dominating overseas, cementing himself as one of the elite hired assassins. Goudelock has an NBA opt-out clause until July 25, but he isn’t holding his breath over another call-up.

“Teams tell everybody that they’re interested in them, that they like them. But when they get you, they’ll throw you to the D-League or something with the non-guaranteed contracts, or the partial-contracts, or want you to play summer league,” Goudelock said. “I’m not doing that stuff.

“Teams in the NBA jerk guys around so much to that point where you just take a step back and be like, ‘If you want me, come and get me. If you don’t want me, that’s fine. I’ll be elsewhere doing my thing.'”

Goudelock played several seasons in the D-League, having successful stints with the Los Angeles D-Fenders, Sioux Falls Skyforce and Rio Grande Valley Vipers. In 2013, he averaged 21.1 points, 5.2 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.3 steals and was named the D-League MVP. But he grew frustrated when he still didn’t get called up, and got tired of competing for NBA teams’ final roster spots.

“Most of the time, teams just want extra bodies,” Goudelock said. “They already have 90 percent of the roster, so basically we’re talking about two spots to fill – and that’s not a road you really want to be going down because every month they can cut you at any time and pick up somebody else.

“I witnessed the business side of the NBA from up close. My teammates were getting called up, but I won the MVP and won the championship. I was like, ‘Huh? What the hell is going on?’ I can’t even begin to get it because it’ll just give me a headache. I didn’t give up on the NBA, but I gave up trying to figure out what NBA people were thinking.”

Goudelock isn’t losing sleep over not being in the NBA. He was in the race for MVP overseas, and ended up being voted onto the All-Euroleague Second Team before posting a team-high 25 points per game on 21-of-32 shooting from the field at the Final Four against Euro champs Real Madrid and CSKA Moscow.

Goudelock’s transition from the NBA to overseas has been smooth. Coaches praise his willingness to put in extra work and his intense commitment to his team’s success. He can drop 30 or 40 points a night, but tries to do what is best for the team before all else.

“The game overseas is much more fundamental with a lot more pick-and-rolls,” he said. “The scouting is at a whole ‘nother dimension. Basketball in the NBA is more of a one-on-one game, and everyone uses their individual talent being super-tall or super-athletic – [they’re] almost freaks of nature. But in Europe, players use tactics and high basketball IQ. It’s all about the team.”

Even though Goudelock is no longer in the NBA or taking orders from Bryant, he’s thriving overseas and experiencing plenty of success.

http://www.basketballinsiders.com/andrew-mini-mamba-goudelock-dominating-overseas/

 

[ValarMorghulis]

Chris (Philadelphia)

Latest news surrounding the Lakers and what they will do with the #2 pick?
Chad Ford (1:11 PM)

Same situation. They're digging ... If Towns is there at 2. That's a lock. If it's Okafor, I think it's up in the air between Okafor, Russell and Mudiay. All three in the mix. But not strong feeling right now which guy it would be. I also hear they are digging on Porzingis, though I doubt they have the guts to take him that high.

Brad (MN)

Are teams afraid to take Russell ahead of Towns/Okafor just due to size? I think Russell is the best player but seems like bigs always have value even if they bust (see Mozgov and Kanter trades). Also best comp for Russell? Harden? Curry lite?
Chad Ford (1:25 PM)

Big typically rise on draft night. However, given the way the top teams in the NBA are playing right now, it's actually an argument for a player like Russell. He fits the James Harden, Steph Curry mold as a player (I'm not saying he's as good as either guy, just plays that style of basketball). However, perhaps the NBA is moving that direction because there's just a dearth of dominant bigs. Towns or Okafor could change that and give teams mismatches. The league goes in cycles and teams adapt to the available talent. But I still think there's a place for a dominant low post player. They just have to be really good. Towns and Okafor are both really good.



GO GET IT D'LO!

 

[kal-el-8]

We all said after the draft lottery, you'll see and hear numerous reports about how the lakers would consider this or do that or like this player. 

It's just to keep interest, period. The Lakers will take the second big. 

 

[lovehateself]

only way i see them taking someone like russell / mudiay is if they trade down a pick or 2 to either receive more picks or a proven vet on a cap friendly contract

 

[darthska]

[quote name="MJ 23"][quote name="MR J 858"]

From former Laker beat writer Dave Mcmenamin:

Basically, the Lakers aren't locked into K-AT or Okafor no matter what at this point, per source. Intrigued by Mudiay/Russell.

Source:






View media item 1552024[/quote]False.


FO just telling the media that, everyone knows they're taking a big no questions asked.[/quote]I'm saying, though, I also saw BScott say on FB yesterday that they're absolutely NOT locked into a big. :\

 

[CP1708]

It's what I've said from jump.

Towns is the automatic pick if he's there. If he goes #1, to me, it's Russell or Okafor. If you think you can get DeAndre as a FA, then you take Russell and use 27/34 on a SF


Russell
Kobe
27/34
Randle
Jordan

Clarkson
Ellington
Young
Black
Davis

Kelly
12th man extra wing


If you don't think you can get DeAndre, then you take Okafor, and better load up like hell on perimeter defense, like sign Jimmy Butler, Kawhi, and prime Ron Artest all at once. With prime Battier off the bench, and prime Bruce Bowen backin him up. Cuz, Randle/Okafor.......well,

 

[kvsm23vs24]

Honestly not that super hyped over either Towns or Jahlil

 

[trynafeelmink]

Pretty much getting 2011-2014 Pau Gasol

Just need to surround him with good perimeter defense.

That's disrepectful to Pau

1) Pau is no Dream but his length on defense really helped stop people at the basket
2) he's one of the better shooters as a big man
3) Pau has always put up 10-12 rebs a game he's a terrific rebounder.

 

[kvsm23vs24]

To be fair he did say 11-14 Pau and not prime Pau