I knew this would happen eventually but I think it's wrong to use him as the scapegoat. Lebron should've known all along what he was getting into. That roster is straight up trash.
I think Lebron was pretty much banking on another star (George or CP3) following him there. Then he thought he could get one in a trade (Davis). He ended up like Gael Garcia at the bus stop in Amores Perros. Inflated ego caught up with him.
Kevin Durant gets a lot of bad press for speaking his mind. Yet y'all give Lebron a pass everytime he pulls these b**** moves? If Luke is successfully fired they will blame him for the Lakers not making the playoffs (which they won't). He's being made a scapegoat. This is a hoe move
So good or "up-and-coming" coach with the Warriors to terrible coach/just another coach fired by LerBon. He's gone anyways so I might have just let him go at the all-star break and just promoted Shaw. What's to lose? 19 games left, I'd still strongly consider it.
remember when people were in such awe of luke walton when he was "coaching" GS during Kerr's absence and they wanted to act like he was the next great coach
It is never Lebron's fault it is everyone else's on the team but when they win it is all because of Lebron. All Magic has done since he has taken the job has made the roster older and crappier but somehow it is Luke's fault. Trying to trade half the team for AD without offering the good assets while in the middle of the playoff race of course some guys will quit. Another 2-3 years giving everything Lebron wants and Magic failing to build a legit roster, Magic will be out of a job.
They will push really hard to deal for Davis. If it doesn’t happen quickly they will have to move onto the Butler level type players. My guess is they try to get a name coach that LeBron is happy with. Good thing the Lakers passed on trading for Paul George and only made a half hearted effort for Kawhi Leonard... they have Hart and Ingram still to form a dynasty with.
Nobody's questioning that LeBron is controlling and manipulative, but when you surround him with shooters he gets you results. While I'm sure LeBron wanted a trade for AD (who wouldn't), you can thank Magic for telegraphing every detail of every single move to the media, on top of tampering with the player he's trying to trade for. This is why the best Front Offices in the NBA run a tight ship, you don't hear much about OKC, HOU (outside of some insiders who post here), BOS, GSW, LAC, etc... LeBron didn't sign Rondo, Lance, McGee, or Beasly, arguably the four (three now) worst rotation players on the team. He didn't trade Zubac for Muscala, he didn't let Randle and Lopez walk, and he can't control being on the wrong side of 34. The only major mistake LeBron made was signing a 4-year deal instead of the 1+1s which he signed with Miami and his second stint in Cleveland. Everyone has some blame in the Laker's situation, LeBron for alienating his own team, Walton for his insane orations (his love-fest with KCP/Lance is JBB-Corey Brewer bad), Magic/Pelinka for the reasons above, and Jenie Buss for choosing Magic over Jerry West for the GM job. LeBron gets the least blame because we know what he's capable of with a competent roster around him, everyone else has no record of success in their current fields.
From a basketball standpoint yes..but from an economic standpoint it was the right decision. More people are talking about the Lakers now than at any point since Kobe hung it up.
I used to be a fan of both LBJ and KD; however, their attitudes have taken a deep dive. Clearly rich and successful doesn't necessarily make you a good person. They both have real crappy attitudes and have become manipulative and controlling.
The Los Angeles Lakers somewhat surprisingly used their cap space last offseason to sign a series of veteran playmakers rather than shooters. LeBron James wanted the Lakers' roster to be different than how the Cleveland Cavaliers typically tried to surround him with shooters. James had voiced frustration while he was with the Cavaliers about their need for playmakers. The Lakers signed the likes of Rajon Rondo, Lance Stephenson and Michael Beasley. "(James) talked with (Magic) Johnson about finding playmakers and guys known for their toughness, which effectively resulted in a roster lacking in shooting and floor spacing," writes Ramona Shelburne. "The Lakers went out and got players who fit that description -- who were willing to play on one-year deals." http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/26137383/lebron-first-season-los-angeles-become-disaster
LeBron Spoke With Magic In Offseason About Preference For Tough Playmakers The Los Angeles Lakers somewhat surprisingly used their cap space last offseason to sign a series of veteran playmakers rather than shooters. LeBron James wanted the Lakers' roster to be different than how the Cleveland Cavaliers typically tried to surround him with shooters. James had voiced frustration while he was with the Cavaliers about their need for playmakers. The Lakers signed the likes of Rajon Rondo, Lance Stephenson and Michael Beasley. "(James) talked with (Magic) Johnson about finding playmakers and guys known for their toughness, which effectively resulted in a roster lacking in shooting and floor spacing," writes Ramona Shelburne. "The Lakers went out and got players who fit that description -- who were willing to play on one-year deals."
We think Harden has a high usage rate. Can you imagine the wear and tear on LeBron having to be the star player, GM and de facto coach all at the same time (while running/not running an agency on the side)?
