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Wiretap: Jason Kidd Played Critical Early Role In Lakers Signing Dwight Howard

When exactly did the Lakers become the gift that keeps on giving? It will be interesting to see what Lebron and AD can do, but it's like watching one of those videos with a bunch of people playing tug-of-war with an elephant. Talent is the elephant in the NBA, but at a certain point if you add up enough little incompetencies to the other end of the rope, the tide has to turn, right? Compelling theater though.

I completely forgot Kidd wasn't already head coach.

blazza18 wrote:I completely forgot Kidd wasn't already head coach.

I'm sure he has, too.

Cousins, Dwight, no difference. Two physically imposing dudes. Will put up some numbers, not win, and cause discomfort in the locker room.

High IQ.

Nets got a good deal with the Levert signing.

The Lakers are set up for an all time **** show of a season this year.
Front office in way over its head
Kidd will openly be undermining Vogel from day one
Volatile roster who will start bitching as soon as things get hard.

If it all culminates with Davis leaving I can die a happy man.

Oh man, I didn't even think about the possibility of AD bolting (New York?) if/when things go south in Laker Land. After mortgaging the next 5 years of their future for him, that'd just be the cherry on top.

I am in the camp that thinks the Lakers are set up for disaster. Lebron is aging, AD is not a winner and you just signed a guy in Howard who you ran out of town a few years ago. All coached by Frank Vogel and if that don't work out, Jason Kidd takes over. Clippers vs Lakers will be fun.

I think this season it just becomes clear that AD isn't the caliber player he gets credit for being. Great in the flow scorer, but dude completely lacks any tangible ability to dictate how the game is being played. He's always just along for the ride. Now that is still really valuable especially next to Lebron, but honestly the fact that he's been labeled as a top 5 player for yeas I think is utterly ridiculous.

Lol y’all are tripping. Lakers are going to roll this year

I buy all of this, Kidd undermining Vogel, Lebron getting old and becoming the fading star, AD not being able to lead in crunch time, the gutted roster not being deep enough etc. It'll be drama all season.

But I also wouldn't bet against them come playoffs. Some part of me thinks after last year's **** show (and shortened season) Lebron comes back with renewed focus and some fresher legs. He'll coast the 2nd half and save up some G.o.a.t powers for the playoffs. AD with less pressure as a 2nd banana will thrive and people will wonder why they doubted them all season. There's probably still atleast a 50/50 chance the Clippers take them down but it'll be closer than most think.

100% rooting against the Lakers.

Chapter29 wrote:100% rooting against the Lakers.

Always, I'm still not betting against Lebron in the playoffs though. Not even convinced Kidd will be too big deal as coach as Lebron won't listen to him if he doesn't want to. Wouldn't be shocked if it's a cluster **** though if they start slow and the blame game starts. Should be super interesting regardless.

Thinking Boston go from a defensive team to formidable offense team that can't stop anybody. Philly spent the offseason squarely building to face us, Boston against Giannis this season should be hilarious.

Lebron made Ty **** Lue a championship head coach, so yeah, I don't think the coaching mess is gonna derail their championship hopes. But again, that's not the problem. The problem is that was 29-30 year old Lebron that carried trash coaching to a title, not 34-35 year old Lebron.

Great deal for Levert and the Nets. Leaves the possibility open of one more big contract too. Happy for the guy.