RealGM

WTF?

How is Pelinka not taking any heat for messing up by signing Westbrook and not signing DeRozan?

https://heavy.com/sports/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-rumors-lebron-derozan-westbrook-nba/

LeBron James Wanted 5-Time All-Star on Lakers Instead of Russell Westbrook: Report
By Ashish Mathur
Updated Jun 15, 2022 at 1:24pm

The Los Angeles Lakers were a walking disaster in 2021-22, and Russell Westbrook, the team’s highest-paid player, was the poster boy for their failures.

Westbrook was a poor fit with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but one player who could have meshed well with them is DeMar DeRozan, whom James wanted on the team, according to talk show host Cari Champion.

“I ran into LeBron at an event, and he goes, ‘Well, I was trying to get DeMar…,” Champion said on the June 13 episode of “Naked With Cari Champion.”

The Lakers didn’t make a good impression on DeRozan when he took part in meetings at James’ house last summer, according to a September 2021 report by The Athletic. In that report, Bill Oram, Shams Charania and Sam Amick noted “a perceived disconnect between the Lakers stars and the front office.”

Westbrook’s attendance at new head coach Darvin Ham’s introductory press conference seems like a pretty strong sign he’ll be on the Lakers next season.

Edited to meet Real GMs quoted content restrictions. ~3 paragraphs is guidance

I’m calling 100 percent bull on this one.

I'm fully on the side of Pelinka's an idiot. There's just too much smoke at this point. The quicker the Lakers can get away from him - the better their relationship will be with teams and players across the league. He reminds me of a greasy salesperson. I work in sales, I've excelled in sales for many, many years. HOWEVER - Pelinka seems like your classic infomercial salesman advertising the shticky or the tape that covers up 6" holes in house foundations.

I challenge anyone to watch the Pelinka press conference at the end of the year. I then challenge you to watch the Sam Presti, Masai Ujiri or Pat Riley press conference at the end of their seasons. There's a huge sense of realism, personality without overdoing it, answering questions directly, etc.

I was never a fan of hiring someone just because they're Kobe Bryant's agent - and I remain that same way even in Kobe's passing. We have to start hiring basketball executives and not friends or family of the Buss kids.

Typical Buss family BS of blaming the player for the front office mess-ups.

First blaming Kobe for jettisoning Shaq because of the team not wanting to pay Shaq (https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/kobe-bryant-not-to-blame-for-shaquille-oneal-trade-lakers-owner-jeanie-buss-says-purely-a-money-situation/) and now the Lakers "blaming" LeBron for choosing Westbrook over DeRozan.

Laker nation deserves better ownership than Jeanie Buss.

TylersLakers wrote:I'm fully on the side of Pelinka's an idiot. There's just too much smoke at this point. The quicker the Lakers can get away from him - the better their relationship will be with teams and players across the league. He reminds me of a greasy salesperson. I work in sales, I've excelled in sales for many, many years. HOWEVER - Pelinka seems like your classic infomercial salesman advertising the shticky or the tape that covers up 6" holes in house foundations.

I challenge anyone to watch the Pelinka press conference at the end of the year. I then challenge you to watch the Sam Presti, Masai Ujiri or Pat Riley press conference at the end of their seasons. There's a huge sense of realism, personality without overdoing it, answering questions directly, etc.

I was never a fan of hiring someone just because they're Kobe Bryant's agent - and I remain that same way even in Kobe's passing. We have to start hiring basketball executives and not friends or family of the Buss kids.

I’m no fan of Pelinka. However, this reporting just doesn’t smell right to me. I just get the sense the source of this is someone in Lebron’s camp. This reporting absolves Lebron of any blame; this does not make any sense to me. The benefactor is often the one perpetuating the leak. Up to this point all indications point to the Russ trade being Lebron and AD’s idea. This report attempts to modify the narrative. I trust Lebron and his camp no more than I trust Pelinka. Lebron strikes me as the guy that says one thing in public and does the opposite behind closed doors.

I've stated before. Where does the Buck stop? Who is given the keys and authority to run this department. Pelinka. He is and has the title, and is where it all ends. Ownership entrusted pelinka to make the final call. And especially after winning the title, has been given the pull and power of final decision.
Don't blame the players. Dont blame Jeanie. Its pelinkas job to vet and decipher the roster makeup for this team.

Sure and I want all the all stars to play for the Lakers.

Geez how the f was 5 all stars even doable???

What a bunch of bs

sonnyhill wrote:Typical Buss family BS of blaming the player for the front office mess-ups.

First blaming Kobe for jettisoning Shaq because of the team not wanting to pay Shaq (https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/kobe-bryant-not-to-blame-for-shaquille-oneal-trade-lakers-owner-jeanie-buss-says-purely-a-money-situation/) and now the Lakers "blaming" LeBron for choosing Westbrook over DeRozan.

Laker nation deserves better ownership than Jeanie Buss.

This part is simply revisionist history and a prime sign of your agenda... Shaq wasn't retained because he specifically asked for an amount that would have made it impossible to also pay Kobe what he'd be getting on the open market... In the process he directly and publicly insulted Dr Buss...
Shaq didn't get to stay because Shaq was a petulant child... Pure and simple... It's also why nobody talks about him in the same breath as Kareem or Wilt... If he hadn't have been such a child about the negotiations, he'd have stayed... And if he hadn't been so arrogant about his skills and the game, he'd have been in the GOAT conversation... Kept his body right... Built on his skills...

At this point, you basically repeat yourself every post. It's obvious and several posters have called you on it. If it keeps up, I'm going to start warning you for derailing and trolling...

Nobody here wants to hear about the Clippers surpassing the Lakers and the Lakers selling off and moving to LV... Read the room...

We signed Westbrook? I stopped there. If she doesn't know we traded for Westbrook then she doesn't know much. People who only follow curling know we traded for Westbrook.

Ball so hard wrote:I’m calling 100 percent bull on this one.

Nah this was legit. I was convinced Lakers were getting DeMar up to the minute they announced Westbrook trade.
Reports at the time said LeBron and Davis would move to 4 and 5 to make way for an all-star SF with playmaking.

DeMar was willing to take a discount so that Lakers could slip under apron to make SnT happen but DeMar wanted 4 years guaranteed. Rob hates giving out deals longer than 3 years to players that aren't top tier, that's been a common theme.

It was the contract length that messed it up, same deal with Caruso.

sonnyhill wrote:WTF?

How is Pelinka not taking any heat for messing up by signing Westbrook and not signing DeRozan?

https://heavy.com/sports/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-rumors-lebron-derozan-westbrook-nba/

LeBron James Wanted 5-Time All-Star on Lakers Instead of Russell Westbrook: Report
By Ashish Mathur
Updated Jun 15, 2022 at 1:24pm

The Los Angeles Lakers were a walking disaster in 2021-22, and Russell Westbrook, the team’s highest-paid player, was the poster boy for their failures.

Westbrook was a poor fit with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but one player who could have meshed well with them is DeMar DeRozan, whom James wanted on the team, according to talk show host Cari Champion.

“I ran into LeBron at an event, and he goes, ‘Well, I was trying to get DeMar…,” Champion said on the June 13 episode of “Naked With Cari Champion.”

Westbrook’s attendance at new head coach Darvin Ham’s introductory press conference seems like a pretty strong sign he’ll be on the Lakers next season.

Is that you, Ballmer?

Watching DeMar's game I'm not sure he'd fit any better than Westbrook. He'd have performed better I'm sure but that's not as "additive" as one would think.

The problem with 3 people who've been a number one option from Jr. High is that they never truly understand how to coexist in more than a pairing it seems. 2 is good... 3 often isn't.

I wish we'd go get 3 players that have defined roles over another "3rd star".

Thinking back, maybe we should went all in on Jimmy Butler

Jimmy is a much better player than Derozan and Russ.
I’m not sure how the chemistry would have worked but as a complete package, Jimmy>>Derozan>>>>>>Russ.

Not sure the right formula for winning in this league is 3 stars though.
It is 2 stars , another two strong scoring options, a good bench that doesn’t squander leads, and great team defense .

Calling BS on the title

Edit: I've said it b4 and I'll say it again, I can't wait for Bron/AD and Klutch to be off this team:)

Landsberger wrote:We signed Westbrook? I stopped there. If she doesn't know we traded for Westbrook then she doesn't know much. People who only follow curling know we traded for Westbrook.

Yeah....your pretty "sensitive" about the signing/traded wording. I noticed :0)

Your right to point it out, but I also think it could be one of those 'vernacular' deals. Obviously lot's of paperwork is signed no matter how it's done....so I mean you can call it splitting hairs. I still say "watch the tape" ....I usually don't speak like I'm in a court of law. Perhaps the same with her? Good journalism is dead. This is someone on twitter who could be A/Legit B/Lying to sell a story C/working for Lebron's camp. I think your holding her to a standard that died some 25 years ago.

Why would Lebron say something like that to a twitter journalist at a 'party'???

Lot's of issues, and I think the whole thing is false. Just trying to figure out who gains from this. Other than Lebron's reputation. I think the vast majority of people feel this was Lebron's doing. I dunno....I kinda remember all the talk about meeting with Russ, and Russ convincing them that they would work. Lebron seemed to own this back before the season started.

So DeRosen noticed palpable friction between FO and the stars (here's the story I think Lebron wants leaked) and the meeting went poorly, and yet DeRosen was convinced he was gonna sign right up until they signed Westbrook?? Hmmm......that's fishy. And Pelinka just went and did it even though his star player wanted otherwise?? This certainly wasn't the story 10 months ago, now was it?

My opinion: A) this is complete bs from someone trying to get fame. B) this is Lebron angling for something.

Its amazing that most of us fans are taking one side of this mess.
Lebron and AD wanted Westbrook, so its on them. DeRozan was interested but Pops will NEVER help the Lakers.
Rob thought he can replace his defenders with Bazemore and the very old Ariza, also signed Ellington all failures, that’s on Rob.
They let Caruso walk and refused to spend money on a vet assistant, that’s on Jeannie.
Lebron realize his mistake and pushed to trade Russ and fillers for Wall and wood. Thats on Jeannie.
It’s all collaborative.

tamaraw08 wrote:Its amazing that most of us fans are taking one side of this mess.
Lebron and AD wanted Westbrook, so its on them. DeRozan was interested but Pops will NEVER help the Lakers.
Rob thought he can replace his defenders with Bazemore and the very old Ariza, also signed Ellington all failures, that’s on Rob.
They let Caruso walk and refused to spend money on a vet assistant, that’s on Jeannie.
Lebron realize his mistake and pushed to trade Russ and fillers for Wall and wood. Thats on Jeannie.
It’s all collaborative.

I don't necessarily agree with all your points, but fine....let's go with them as 'fact' for this argument. I don't think many people feel like it was JUST Lebron....but mainly. Obviously Jeanie has to sign off on stuff.

Still doesn't change the fact that Lebron (per this "report".....let's def bear that in mind. This could all be BS) is suddenly changing the narrative here. Not only that, but he's coming out against a teammate that's currently on his team (of course I'd do that too, if it was Russ, and we just went through the nightmare called last season). This is the part that bothers me. And like I said, I'm not sure why this is suddenly being put out there. It's either total BS, or something Lebron wanted.

Lol. Sure. Well if lebron told “cari champion” something that hindsight would fully approve of, gotta take his and Cari’s word that was the case. Lame

tamaraw08 wrote:Rob thought he can replace his defenders with Bazemore and the very old Ariza, also signed Ellington all failures, that’s on Rob.

I hope you are willing to admit that Rob had very little to work with. He was essentially left having to sign vet-min contracts.You do know that right?

I'm not completely defending Rob. But if we go back to original narrative....AD and Lebron met with Westbrook, they all got the tingly's and Lebron and AD went to Rob/Jeanie and campaigned for Westbrook to be signed. Right?? I mean this was the big narrative for months...before we got to watch it suck. Back when it was theoretical, AD was saying he'd play the 5 more. Preseason interviews were full of love and light. Nobody was talking about DeRosen. Nobody was contending anything written above. Up until a month or so ago, nobody had any issues with this narrative.

So if your Rob, and the Westbrook deal has essentially been dropped on your plate, I don't think it's fair to say Rob thought Bazemore and Ariza were gonna "replace" anyone. Rob was shopping from the discount aisle.

I think that the Lakers have let AD and Lebron run the show. That's a decision the owner makes/allows...not the GM. Rob probably had two options: go with the flow, or say "F** it...I'm out". He prob likes his job, and he also prob sat with Lebron and AD (and let's give Lebron some credit.....4 rings, like 10 finals appearances...he knows SOMETHING about basketball you and I prob don't) and was convinced this was all gonna work. AD and Bron would get more rest.....Westbrook would push the ball. Bada bing. We're in the playoffs....and if everyone is healthy, who's gonna stop em??

Rob and Jeanie were fools for buying Westbrook after the career of evidence out there. But Lebron was triple-so. He KNOWS the game. He's out there. He knows and talks to players in manners/conditions that nobody else will ever get to.

Lebron made a huge mistake. Jeanie was the one that allowed him to do it. Rob was stuck (may have been a willing participant, I don't truly know) walking into the store with $5 bucks in his pocket, and told to buy dinner. You know it's not gonna be steak.

Now in Jeanie's defense.....you'd think Lebron woulda known better. He has been to several teams, built them to his liking, and they've been in the Finals almost every time. Lebron came here....wanted the youth moved for AD....Title. Next year was not so good, but AD and Lebron both had injuries. You can tell yourself that. You have an "out" mentally. Ok....so Lebron shows up, and says "hey...I got Westbrook on board. He's in. He's told Washington he wants to come here.....so we just gotta make this work, and he's gonna do this for me, that for me. He'll work great with AD because of X - Y. So come on.....if you're Jeanie, do you REALLY look at Lebron and tell him he doesn't know what he's talking about?

This was Lebron's bed. Jeanie let him do this....but I don't thing Jeanie was wrong for allowing it. It's worked quite well for the last 12 years. But sadly for Laker nation.....this was the big flub. Oops.

I dunno. We can hate people for this. We can say "Rob sucks" or "Lebron is crap". Or you can enjoy that the whole team at least tried, and swung big. It didn't work. Lebron just needs to be a big man, and own what happened here. And Jeanie needs to accept that she did allow this, and decide (CLEARLY) whether or not she wants to take back control. And Rob needs to understand that he's now in a position where he's gotta make some miracles happen....but he's also gotta grow a pair, and say he's not gonna look the fool anymore by agreeing to these deals where we get played. If the deal is there.....he'll make it. Otherwise sorry. If you don't like it, then fire me. I'm not doing this anymore.