What We Are Owed (in Light of the Latest Reporting)

[badinage]

So, Westbrook went behind our back and talked to Lebron and Davis and hatched a plan. While he was a member of the Wizards.

Let me just say: F*ck. That.

And I have more to say. But again: F*CK. THAT.

And here I have to insert the obligatory don’t-get-me-wrong graf: Don’t get me wrong, he’s a wonderful player — an HOFer — and an apparently great man, I loved the lead he took on the Tulsa doc, blahdeddy blah blah.

I also feel compelled to insert a second obligatory don’t-get-me-wrong graf: Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad when workers have a measure of autonomy, and the idea of ownership — of one calling oneself an owner — in sports is odious and galling (and particularly in a Black-dominated sport) troubling to say the least.

But right now: F*CK YOU, Russell Westbrook.

This is total, indefensible bullsh*t.

And the compensation the Wizards received is now woefully insufficient.

This amounts to a form of tampering or collusion.

We need, at a MINIMUM, two more first-round picks.

And the Lakers need to fork over $10-15 million.

And the Lakers should forfeit their two games this year against the Wizards.

Steep?

Maybe just a little.

I could shave a couple million off.

But it needs to be steep — one, to make right by this franchise and two, to prevent this kind of bullsh*t from ever setting a precedent.

I said that we need two more first-round picks at a minimum. That’s me, holding back; being reasonable.

In a just society, the fair and honorable thing here would be to let the Wizards choose a player off the Lakers — anyone of their choosing.

To make it hurt. To stop it from happening ever again.

And yes, to be fair.

[AFM]

Why stop there? Make it 5 first round picks plus their annoying ass fans are banned from the Verizon center indefinitely

[gambitx777]

I'm sure the wizards could push tampering but at least if Westbrook was pushing this Beal won't be offended at tommy. But yeah it's ****. We got behind him and probably treated him better than. Most fans have in a while. But hey I doubt we push charges cuz tommy and Rob are buddies and I'm sure they aren't gonna burn those bridges over that.

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[gesa2]

Players can talk to each other, it’s team executives and coaches that are prohibited.

[gambitx777]

And again is pushing the issue worth brining a bridge tommy and Rob clearly have. For what a slap on the wrist. Look at the players and assets we've gotten from that relationship. Let's chill and say **** Westbrook and move on



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[doclinkin]

So, Westbrook went behind our back and talked to Lebron and Davis and hatched a plan. While he was a member of the Wizards.

Let me just say: F*ck. That.

And I have more to say. But again: F*CK. THAT.

And here I have to insert the obligatory don’t-get-me-wrong graf: Don’t get me wrong, he’s a wonderful player — an HOFer — and an apparently great man, I loved the lead he took on the Tulsa doc, blahdeddy blah blah.

I also feel compelled to insert a second obligatory don’t-get-me-wrong graf: Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad when workers have a measure of autonomy, and the idea of ownership — of one calling oneself an owner — in sports is odious and galling (and particularly in a Black-dominated sport) troubling to say the least.

But right now: F*CK YOU, Russell Westbrook.

This is total, indefensible bullsh*t.

And the compensation the Wizards received is now woefully insufficient.

This amounts to a form of tampering or collusion.

We need, at a MINIMUM, two more first-round picks.

And the Lakers need to fork over $10-15 million.

And the Lakers should forfeit their two games this year against the Wizards.

Steep?

Maybe just a little.

I could shave a couple million off.

But it needs to be steep — one, to make right by this franchise and two, to prevent this kind of bullsh*t from ever setting a precedent.

I said that we need two more first-round picks at a minimum. That’s me, holding back; being reasonable.

In a just society, the fair and honorable thing here would be to let the Wizards choose a player off the Lakers — anyone of their choosing.

To make it hurt. To stop it from happening ever again.

And yes, to be fair.

Ha!

Post "Taking my talents to South Beach" the Association has totally capitulated on the whole tampering thing. All they can do nowadays is fine a player. Or a team. And even that, the fines are barely equivalent to banking fees for a Global Icon like LeBJ.

The players now own their own careers. There is no political will to strengthen the hand of the 'owners'. Rightly or wrongly superstars nowadays get to say where they will or will not play. Yes the local fan is the person who suffers, unless your team has one of the star players with sufficient gravity to warp the landscape of the league around them, in their favor.

Big Market teams who land a big star will once again control the competitive nature of the game. Even in an era of salary cap and luxury tax etc. The best chance you get to have a good team is to draft an instant all star, for their first 2 contracts you have a slight advantage over the rest of the league. The rookie year then the ability to MAX them better than anyone else, with a RFA contract. After that, it is what it is.

Westbrook, he was fine, the most traded HOF player ever I bet. I can't imagine any other MVP being traded that many times.

In a way, if he does stick, it makes Beal that much more of an honorable character. He is right to want the team to build a winner, and has been unusually patient with the team (even while yeah being rewarded with what will soon be the leagues largest contract ever. For now). But it does stand in stark contrast with the players who have been clout chasing and pairing up with their superstar buddies. I am happy Giannis won with the team that drafted him. I wish Dame could've worked it out in Portland. I don't expect more from Westbrook than we got. He had nothing here to be loyal to, and gave 100% of the same Russ he has been every other place he has played. For whatever that is worth, he doesn't stick with any team anyway, hopefully his example and effort level will inspire a guy like Rui, even while a player like Deni will likely flourish in no longer having to conform to the only way Russ knows how to play.

Hell, LeBJ and Unibrow are now the ones talking about adjusting how they play to fit next to Russ. Shrug. Just Russ being Russ.

[doclinkin]

Players can talk to each other, it’s team executives and coaches that are prohibited.

No. League rules say that enticing a player to break their contract or switch teams is against the rules, whether it is done by execs, players, etc. The only sanction though is a tiny fine. So what do they care.

[montestewart]

Why stop there? Make it 5 first round picks plus their annoying ass fans are banned from the Verizon center indefinitely

Make them play naked in Escape From LA 2

[daSwami]

We got out from under the second-worst contract in the league. We should thank Lebron's tampering ass.

[WallToWall]

Each of those players involved should be given a public spanking in front of a home crowd, in order to deter such behavior in the future.

Seriously, players talk. It happens. That’s like Beal trying to “recruit” players to the team. Doesn’t matter if it happens over a lunch, a couple of beers, a pool party, or whatever. If they don’t want this to happen, then the penalty should be more severe.

I do think some “interference” happened. But what’s the proper recourse?

[closg00]

We got out from under the second-worst contract in the league. We should thank Lebron's tampering ass.

Tis true, but the Lakers and Team Bron REALLY wanted to make a splash, WE threw-on TWO 2nd rounders which was a vintage Ernie move, it should have been the other way around at a minimum.

[80sballboy]

That's fine. He did us a favor in terms of cap room assuming we can get rid of one or more of the new acquisitions.

[Ed Wood]

Sort of hacked into our work account and fired off a bunch of memos we'd been meaning to get around to didn't he?