Twitter rumors through multiple sources are that Pelinka has Jeannie's ear and that the Lakers aren't even searching for a new President to replace Magic. :crazy:
Back when the AD talks were going I had a feeling Monty Williams would be a candidate because of the AD connection. He should be on the staff at the very least. Very good coach. Was on the Team USA staff as well. Well respected
Today's rumor. Yesterday's said Bob Myers. The fact = Luke's bum ass is gone. Certainly didn't expect that after Magic walked. It's a gotdamn holiday as far as I'm concerned
At the end of the day, Paul George let Magic down. Tried to bully his way out of Indy and to LAL and Indy refused..then he decides to take the money and stay with Russ of all people instead of join LAL with LeBron and actually compete for a title at home. The pussy knew he wasn't going to be able to handle the pressure and ran. He's a country kid anyway. Fuck'em. I know they better beat Portland in the 1st round. But LAL still remains in a far better position to succeed in comparison to where they were under Jim and Mitch. So the idea that Jim and Mitch are somewhere laughing is as about as bad as West supposedly laughing about a Zubac trade. Outright ignorance. But Magic's gone now, so he's done taking the hits. He didn't have all the power that most thought he had, so he can't take all the blame either. We already know they failed this season because of a gang of injuries, anyway, but upgrading at HC was a must. Vets don't respect Luke and his magic carpet ride through NBA history. Let him go coach a young team with no expectations
Yes and nobody respects pelinka. He should get the axe next. Time to wash away this mediocre stench hovering over this franchise. Time to bring in some folks to build an actual team. We have a top 5 player, a good young core(or trade assets) a lottery pick, and money to spend. Unfortunately it looks like were keeping him. Hopefully, I am wrong, but I dont think he has a clue. Even potentially with Kobe in his ear.
Except respect barely matters in the front office these days. Stars are calling their own shots all over. Durant is going to the Knicks..not because of respect for that FO. Paul went to the Rockets..not because of respect for that FO. Players know good and damn well that you can't really trust front offices, shit isn't little league. They see guys getting traded at the drop of a hat. Popovich has landed exactly 1 star in free agency and that one guy has wanted to be traded multiple times already. Players are more interested in who they get to play with and how much money they're bringing in. LeBron didn't meet West or Popovich last offseason, so respect went nowhere. I don't like Pelinka's backstabbing, but he's far from the only exec that's untrustworthy in the sport. If you're a high ranking exec, you either have the pieces to make a deal or you don't. But a head coach must be respected, and somebody brought LAL to this point where they're in a far better place than they were under Jim and Mitch. So if it comes down to and Pelinka does stay, so be it. At least Luke's trash ass is gone. His freeloading days with the Lakers as a player and coach are over.
" Just listen..he's done. " Man..off topic..Lamelo Ball is now legitimately 6'9". Kid is basically towering over Lonzo. Smh Crazy.
Yet to see anybody of note co-sign Bucher's comments that Kawhi is Jeanie's #1 FA target. And Bucher is very much a clown in the industry, but the claim itself isn't outlandish because of course Jeanie doesn't want to see Kawhi land with the Clips. And if it's actually true, LAL should look into trading for Kawhi instead. Have Kawhi opt into his final year @ $21M, which would save LAL $10M in cap space and allow them the flexibility to add 2 to 3 quality pieces alongside him. Basically, the Chris Paul/Clippers/Rockets deal. Kawhi kicks the can down the road on free agency, LAL acquires his Bird rights and he's able to sign on for more after 2020. He's already passed on the supermax in San Antonio, so I doubt he's thirsty to sign a big deal this offseason. He's a different guy in that way. He's definitely my preference among the FA options, and LAL does need to land one of these guys that the league basically colluded to keep away from them to make a statement. A guy like Danny Green could be an option to come along as a role guy since he's close with both Kawhi and LeBron, started his career with LeBron in Cleveland. I'd send Kuz to Toronto, 1 for 1 swap for Kawhi..they accept or they get nothing in return. Same thing the Clips faced with Paul. Kawhi can move right into the cap space through trade. Before that, though, make a serious run @ AD. LAL can make the salaries work on AD's behalf since Zo and Ingram are making so much money. Just send whatever's necessary..Hart and Moe too if need be, maybe the draft pick as well. New Pels' VP David Griffin is big on Ingram, likes him a ton. Make those 2 trades happen and nab both Kawhi and AD. Start the group with Kawhi, AD, LeBron, Danny Green and Caruso. Go ahead and bring Muscala back on the cheap to maybe start at center and take some of those center minutes away from AD since he prefers to play forward.
LAL meeting with Monty Williams and Ty Lue next week. HC search is focused on these 2. Almost forgot that Monty was the VP of bball operations in San Antonio from 2016 to '18, so not only did he coach AD in New Orleans, but he's familiar with Kawhi as well..could be a pretty good bridge to AD/Kawhi this summer
So Luke was gonna get fired either way as per the LeBron team. I bet Jeannie wanted Magic to do it and Magic was fine with doing it but he wanted Pelinka as well. Jeannie can't touch Pelinka because he is Kobe's personal assistant. Magic was gonna bring in Lue and Monty so nothing has changed with Magic taking the fall. Pelinka had to fire Walton so now Phil and Bill know that Kobe fired their son.
All in all, both are clear upgrades over Luke, so there's really no wrong answer. For all the trash talk about Ty Lue, having been the HC of 4 NBA Finalists brings a wealth of experience. Of course, he was on Rivers' staff in Boston as well when they were going to the Finals with KG/Pierce/Ray/Rondo. He's seen a lot of team success 1st hand..as a player too, unlike Monty. Lue is essentially an up to date version of Rivers, can tell a Kawhi why he doesn't want to waste time with the older model and the Clippers. A lot of people don't know that Ty Lue is just coming off a role as an advisor with the Clippers. Rivers brought him in back in December, so Lue knows what's going on over there. He was right there when Blake skipped out on shaking slimy Ballmer's hand before the Pistons/Clips game.
Kyle Lowry 0-7 from the field...0-2 at the line while DJ Augustin puts up 25 and even Michael Carter-Williams puts up 10. Few things in sports as embarrassing as playoff Kyle Lowry.