Kupchak on Kobe Extension, Coach Search, and Draft

[TyCobb]

http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/140512mi ... _qa?cid=FB

Kupchak on Kobe extension:

"When we gave Kobe the extension, we took a lot of factors into consideration, including the factors you just mentioned. We felt it was the thing to do. We’re still in a position to be a big player in the free agent market. Signing Kobe when we did, we felt, gave us one of the top two or three free agents that would be available this summer. We had the rare opportunity to get that done and not have to wait until July 1. Everybody can debate whether they would have waited or not, but our mindset was: ‘This is somebody we can get done now, and we still have a chance to be a player financially with free agency.’ Cap space is valuable and you don’t want to misuse it. You do have to use it, but you don’t have to use it going forward unless you want to."

Kupchak on Coach Search:

"You do take into consideration the make up of your roster. Although I won’t rule out hiring a coach prior to the lottery on May 20, I think it’s likely that we don’t, because that’s really the first step in terms of additional information for this franchise. Let’s find out what kind of pick we have. That may even help us decide what direction to go with for our coach. It will be a consideration."

Kupchak on Draft:

"The Chicago combine (May 15-16) is really our focus right now. There is a general manager’s meeting on Wednesday, then the combine, and right after we get back (next Tuesday) is the lottery. We are working on setting up some interviews, and we’ve been successful, but you’re not going to really get moving on it until the agents know where you’re drafting. But we’re tied into the calendar and the way business has been conducted for years, which is: Chicago; the lottery; workouts in our gym; interviews; and physical results. There is a lot more information to be had."

[LApwnd]

Kupchak on Coach Search:

"You do take into consideration the make up of your roster.

this makes me MAD!!! why wasn't this logic used on MDA hiring? They hired him to maximize Nash rather then the entire team. SUCH stupid/failed logic, to depend on a 39yr old pg at the time to be the focal point of your offense was beyond short sighted.

[TyCobb]

Meanwhile, on the He-Man Kobe-Extension Haters Club front...

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8E_zMLCRNg[/youtube]

[Slava]

I don't see what's new in the Kobe extension front from what he's saying there. He claims to have a plan to contend while investing what he did in Kobe and I'm willing to sit back and watch him either accomplish it or fail miserably and end up on mediocrity island, which in the west doesn't even guarantee you a playoff spot. It is kind of interesting that he seems so confident about it and claims that Kobe is 2 of the 3 best free agents this summer, the other two presumably being Lebron and Melo.

[TyCobb]

There seems to be quite the crowd taking it out on Kobe when this was a front office decision and offer.

[Slava]

There seems to be quite the crowd taking it out on Kobe when this was a front office decision and offer.

I just hope he asked Mitch the same questions that we are asking now before signing on the dotted line. Otherwise there is a good chance his pay might cock-block his own ambitions to win.

[TyCobb]

There seems to be quite the crowd taking it out on Kobe when this was a front office decision and offer.

I just hope he asked Mitch the same questions that we are asking now before signing on the dotted line. Otherwise there is a good chance his pay might cock-block his own ambitions to win.

This is where the 'moneyball' (usage of advanced stats to assemble a roster) approach comes in to play. You have the A player, now you just have to build the supporting cast.

[myersia]

Blah Blah Mitch. I wish he would decline to comment on anything for the rest of this offseason. No more generic answers. Let's just see you use your magic and make some noise by either drafting a stud or trading for a stud, signing a stud, and grabbing a coach for the future. No more tank. Reestablish that Lakers Pride and let's go back to our winning ways. I don't care if we are a lower seed next year. I want to be in the playoffs and I want to believe we have a chance at winning.

[crazyeights]

There seems to be quite the crowd taking it out on Kobe when this was a front office decision and offer.

I just hope he asked Mitch the same questions that we are asking now before signing on the dotted line. Otherwise there is a good chance his pay might cock-block his own ambitions to win.

This is where the 'moneyball' (usage of advanced stats to assemble a roster) approach comes in to play. You have the A player, now you just have to build the supporting cast.

The trouble is still that even if Kobe comes back to an insane level of play for his age/injuries...we need 2nd and 3rd options...how do we go on spending to win in the short term and then have the space for the "home runs" that Mitch and Jimmy are hoping for?

[TyCobb]

I just hope he asked Mitch the same questions that we are asking now before signing on the dotted line. Otherwise there is a good chance his pay might cock-block his own ambitions to win.

This is where the 'moneyball' (usage of advanced stats to assemble a roster) approach comes in to play. You have the A player, now you just have to build the supporting cast.

The trouble is still that even if Kobe comes back to an insane level of play for his age/injuries...we need 2nd and 3rd options...how do we go on spending to win in the short term and then have the space for the "home runs" that Mitch and Jimmy are hoping for?

We'll have to wait 7 more days before the true options show.

[myersia]

I just hope he asked Mitch the same questions that we are asking now before signing on the dotted line. Otherwise there is a good chance his pay might cock-block his own ambitions to win.

This is where the 'moneyball' (usage of advanced stats to assemble a roster) approach comes in to play. You have the A player, now you just have to build the supporting cast.

The trouble is still that even if Kobe comes back to an insane level of play for his age/injuries...we need 2nd and 3rd options...how do we go on spending to win in the short term and then have the space for the "home runs" that Mitch and Jimmy are hoping for?

I guess my only argument is who is to say that these "home runs" will even be available. What if Kevin Love stays? What if Kevin Love signs with the Knicks or what if he is traded this offseason? Same goes with the other possible free agents next year. Look at the Mavs. They have had cap space for three straight offseasons. These are the only things that scare me about "waiting for that home run".

[myersia]

That being said....I'm going to go out on a limb and say something crazy.......I really think there is a 60% chance LeBron opts out. If you have watched him during the playoffs he is really getting annoyed by the Heat's other big three not stepping up. Would not shock me whatsoever if he turns this offseason into a frenzy. I could see Bosh leaving as well if they lose.

[LLcoleJ]

Kupchak on Coach Search:

"You do take into consideration the make up of your roster.

this makes me MAD!!! why wasn't this logic used on MDA hiring? They hired him to maximize Nash rather then the entire team. SUCH stupid/failed logic, to depend on a 39yr old pg at the time to be the focal point of your offense was beyond short sighted.

So shouldn't it make you happy that they are not going to do that moving forward?

[LApwnd]

this makes me MAD!!! why wasn't this logic used on MDA hiring? They hired him to maximize Nash rather then the entire team. SUCH stupid/failed logic, to depend on a 39yr old pg at the time to be the focal point of your offense was beyond short sighted.

So shouldn't it make you happy that they are not going to do that moving forward?

yes but that is "common sense," no? like you're doing something wrong and you know it but you gona ignore logic anyways and go the other route.

[LLcoleJ]

this makes me MAD!!! why wasn't this logic used on MDA hiring? They hired him to maximize Nash rather then the entire team. SUCH stupid/failed logic, to depend on a 39yr old pg at the time to be the focal point of your offense was beyond short sighted.

So shouldn't it make you happy that they are not going to do that moving forward?

yes but that is "common sense," no? like you're doing something wrong and you know it but you gona ignore logic anyways and go the other route.

What is common sense? The Lakers made a decision to hire MDA because Nash was coming on board for 3 years. When they were flirting with Phil they asked him if they would utilize Nash in the triangle and Phil said no so they wanted to run a more uptempo, pick and roll type offense.

Us as fans wanted the uptempo, we wanted the PG that we never had. We wanted Howard, etc..... so injuries blew up in our face. Howard wouldn't pick and roll with Nash and more injuries happen. As a result Nash is done, Howard is gone and MDA is out and they are hopefully learning from their previous miscalculation.

MDa was a bad hire no matter how you slice it and I am glad they are not going to use that philosophy again. ( hopefully)

Hindsight is great and all but...

[TyCobb]

I didn't want uptempo. I wanted a system that would utilize our two star bigs since it was clearly our advantage over other teams.

[crazyeights]

This is where the 'moneyball' (usage of advanced stats to assemble a roster) approach comes in to play. You have the A player, now you just have to build the supporting cast.

The trouble is still that even if Kobe comes back to an insane level of play for his age/injuries...we need 2nd and 3rd options...how do we go on spending to win in the short term and then have the space for the "home runs" that Mitch and Jimmy are hoping for?

I guess my only argument is who is to say that these "home runs" will even be available. What if Kevin Love stays? What if Kevin Love signs with the Knicks or what if he is traded this offseason? Same goes with the other possible free agents next year. Look at the Mavs. They have had cap space for three straight offseasons. These are the only things that scare me about "waiting for that home run".

I agree, it is a gamble, I'm not even suggesting we do it necessarily, but I do believe it's what Mitch and Jimmy are indicating they're leaning toward.

IF (big if) Kobe is a legit first option again (25ppg...somehow), then yeah, maybe we can patch something together...hey, if we hit the lotto, and not only on paper, but this kid we draft fills a huge need (such as not merely being a potential guy to pass the torch to 5 years from now), then hell, I say go after our top needs in free agency and screw waiting for 2015/2016...but the odds are neither of those things happen, so we have to remain flexible.

May 20th. One week from today. Buckle up, guys.

[LApwnd]

What is common sense? The Lakers made a decision to hire MDA because Nash was coming on board for 3 years. When they were flirting with Phil they asked him if they would utilize Nash in the triangle and Phil said no so they wanted to run a more uptempo, pick and roll type offense.

Us as fans wanted the uptempo, we wanted the PG that we never had. We wanted Howard, etc..... so injuries blew up in our face. Howard wouldn't pick and roll with Nash and more injuries happen. As a result Nash is done, Howard is gone and MDA is out and they are hopefully learning from their previous miscalculation.

MDa was a bad hire no matter how you slice it and I am glad they are not going to use that philosophy again. ( hopefully)

Hindsight is great and all but...

the common sense was our team was FULL wrong side of 30 players and fact that you would make a hire based on fully utilizing a 39yr old PG on his last leg would seem to indicate you're ignoring commons sense and logic. Does not need hindsight. Nash was prone to injuries, old, and had back problems. Starters old, backups sucked or was old, Hill only got his chance cause of injuries otherise entire bench was old granted Jamison was productive when he got his chance. Personally I hated Mike Brown more then MDA as a coach but Brown as a hire made more sense than MDA.

[LLcoleJ]

the common sense was our team was FULL wrong side of 30 players and fact that you would make a hire based on fully utilizing a 39yr old PG on his last leg would seem to indicate you're ignoring commons sense and logic.

I am not clear what you mean. But they didn't hire MDA to help Nash. They signed Nash to run the team and the hired MDA as an extension of that.

You know getting Howard . the Pick and Roll ... ball movement,get the ball out of Kobe's hands, etc... Did we go all in ? Yes. it was a gamble that failed because of injuries alot of injuries.

Does not need hindsight. Nash was prone to injuries, old, and had back problems. Starters old, backups sucked or was old, Hill only got his chance cause of injuries otherise entire bench was old granted Jamison was productive when he got his chance. Personally I hated Mike Brown more then MDA as a coach but Brown as a hire made more sense than MDA.

This is all hindsight. Even if you were not on board with either hiring... ( personally, I wasn't a fan of either Mikes) they did it for reasons that don't apply to the current Laker situation. ( i.e roster and contention status) so you should be happy with them approaching it differently.

[lakersin4]

Kupchak on Coach Search:

"You do take into consideration the make up of your roster.

this makes me MAD!!! why wasn't this logic used on MDA hiring? They hired him to maximize Nash rather then the entire team. SUCH stupid/failed logic, to depend on a 39yr old pg at the time to be the focal point of your offense was beyond short sighted.

The thinking at the time was that Nash/Dwight would become an even deadlier pick & roll combo than Nash & Amare were.. They had no way of knowing that Dwight was going to refuse to set picks & demand the ball in the post.