[Rams Dominate]

That game against the Nets was Russell putting the league on notice, he came out & hit 5, 3 pointers & the Lakers were off & running...When one of these kids are interviewed to a man they all just love Walton, they don't talk about individual plays its all about "team" to a man...Brandon Ingram is gonna be a monster on defense, he has a 7' 3" inch wingspan & he wants to be a "shut down" defensive player, I forget who he was playing the other night but the guy couldn't even get off a shot...Any of you watch that Warriors/Lakers game? The Lakers beat'em by 20 points! & Curry was on the bench in the 4th qtr. thinking about "why can't I do these guys in, don't they know who I am?" Someone on one of the Back Stage Lakers show said, " we may be watching Showtime Lakers part II"
I'm excited about this team...

[snackdaddy]

They got beat by a veteran team last night. But they were without Russell. I hope that knee doesn't become a problem for him. I didn't know Gasol went to the Spurs. I have to wonder what he could bring to the table if the Lakers got him back. But its probably better as they try and develop the youngsters to gain chemistry.

I expect they'll have their ups and downs throughout the year. They have a tough Bulls team tomorrow. They're still growing as a team. A victory over the Bulls would show they're capable of bouncing back after losses. Either way I still think this team will be better than most thought.

I don't know if they'll be a playoff team, but they're definitely headed in the right direction. Walton has these guys believing. Thats half the battle right there. Now they just have to develop the chemistry and learn what it takes to win consistently.

[Hacksaw]

A little something from out favorite former center.

Dwight Howard confronted Lakers fan who called him a “b****”

Laker fans are not completely past the disastrous season of 2012-13 — Dwight Howard came to town Sunday night at Staples and every time he touched the ball he was booed.

After the game, Howard was asked about that and said he didn’t hear it, that he “closed his ears.” Which is what my daughter tried to tell me when she was four, and it didn’t work then. It’s certainly not working for Howard, as evidence we have a video from TMZ (it’s sensational and NSFW so, of course, it’s from TMZ).


A Laker fan called Howard a female dog, to be literal, and Howard turned and challenged the guy to a fight. Which wasn’t smart, but I don’t blame him. Howard takes an unusually large amount of abuse from fans, particularly in LA, so if he wants to snap back on occasion when a fan crosses the line — and I see that as crossing the line — then it is what it is. So long as things don’t get physical.

The best move here was by the team security guard who pretty much shoved Howard back toward the locker room.

Howard and the Hawks have lost five of six after a fast start, and despite Howard scoring 19 points and adding nine rebound plus a couple of blocks, he and his teammates fell to a Lakers team getting great play from its bench (and Lou Williams in the fourth). He was frustrated, and he responded as such. The league should just let it go.

As should Lakers fans. Howard was part of the problem with the Lakers that season, he wanted to be part of what most thought would be a serious contender so badly he came back months too early from back surgery, and when he did he wasn’t effective. But scapegoating Howard for that season is a mistake, there were so, so many other problems. The biggest was Jim Buss firing Mike Brown five games into the season then eventually hiring Mike D’Antoni to coach a roster that nowhere near fit his style (I know Jerry Buss signed off from his deathbed, but this was Jim’s play). There was Steve Nash missing 32 games as his body started to break down. Pau Gasol only played in 49 and was misused by D’Antoni. Metta World Peace and Kobe Bryant were getting heavy rotation minutes despite their bodies and games starting to show some age. We could go on, but you get the idea. Howard was simply part of a perfect storm of things going wrong, not the cause.

Laker fans, you have a fun, potentially special young team to watch. Time to look forward, not back.

http://nba.nbcsports.com/2016/11/28/dwi ... d-him-a-b/

[snackdaddy]

Howard is a bitch. He pussied out because Kobe was to mean to him. Kobe demanded greatness and he's not that kind of player. He doesn't have the mental makeup to lead a team. He has to be what Robin is to Batman. Any team trying to make him the alpha dog will be sorely disappointed.

[snackdaddy]

I gotta admit, Walton so far is getting the most out of this young team. They lost Young early in the first quarter. Russell's out. Their starting backcourt will be out for a few weeks now. Yet, they still find a way to beat a good Bulls team on the road. They coulda packed it in but they grinded and pulled out the win.

Walton has these guys buying into whatever he's selling. I don't know where they'll be by season's end, but I like what I see with this young team so far. If nothing else, they're easy to get behind and root for.

[Hacksaw]

Then the 8 game losing streak began. Looks like they are rounding back up after smashing Philly. (but who doesn't?)

[Hacksaw]

I really like this kid Nance. He's got some hops. Check out the video if you want to see a sick dunk from a few nights ago.
His dad was great for the Suns back in the day too. You can see the family resemblance.

BUMMER though. Tonight, out indefinitely with a knee.

Still, Luke has an exciting young team coming together,, when they're all healthy.

[snackdaddy]

Injuries derailed a promising start for a young team. One thing they didn't have was depth. I think the future is still bright for this team. Not sure they woulda been a playoff team anyway even when healthy. I just wanna see improvement as they learn together.

[Hacksaw]

Yeah, injuries happen to every team. Look at our game last night. Broke an 11 game losing streak to the Clippings,, but they seldom win when CP3 and Griffen are out with injury.

BTW, I'm still po'd about the CP3 fiasco and at David "better hope I never run across you in a dark alley" Stern.

[snackdaddy]

Well, the excitement didn't last as long as I hoped. They're pretty much a lottery team but unless they start losing even more they won't have that pick. Its top 3 protected again and the 3rd worst team is 4 games behind the Lakers. Lakers might be bad but they're not bad enough to finish bottom 3.

I think they have a core to work with. Russell, Ingram and Randle can be solid players in this league. Clarkson and Nance are nice role players. Now its just a matter of these guys learning how to win.

It should all start with defense. At the moment they're not very good there. They want to outscore opponents but they're not good enough at it right now. If they want to start winning they have to play defense. That's the quickest way to get to respectable.

That pick would be nice but its not likely so this season should be all about development. Teach these kids what it takes to be a winner. Let them learn from their mistakes.

When the time comes, use whatever money is available for free agents that can fill roles. Whether it be defense, rebounding, or shooting or whatever. They shouldn't need to attract a superstar if these kids can be what they think they can be.