How do you feel about the current state of the Lakers?

[NOpinion]

How do you feel about the current state of the Lakers?

It's not a very good state. Our best player is going to be 36, getting paid nearly 40% of our salary cap. Even in the glory mid ought years, it'd be hard to justify such a large percentage. We have a somewhat clueless new ownership group that ponied up this money when it was clear-as-day what the ramifications would be if such a contract was given. Not only did it hamstring spending ability but why would any "max free agent" come when they would a) have to take less in order to field a competitive team and b) if they took less, why didn't the guy that wants to win more than anyone else take a similar percentage cut (market worth v. actual contract).

What's probably worse about the current state of the Lakers is the brotherhood of fans---It's become somewhat of a civil war of two groups that seem to be that if you are questioning the managerial decisions and the worth of Kobe then you are somehow not a true fan of the team versus the side that support whatever decides to do. As someone that was not happy on the day he signed that 48m extension, I only think in terms of basketball worth, not how much money a player makes for a team.

Are you happy with the coaching search?

What search? Same old guys no one else would hire as head coach? I guess, they interviewed Hollins but he was in such demand that he barely got hired last week due to the failed power grab by Kidd. I do applaud their method of not picking a tier 3 coach like Byron Scott before they consult with Lebron and Carmelo as it's a clear perk that no other team can offer this free agent season.


Are you happy with the free agents we are going after and the type of money we are throwing around?

Who knows who are we going to land? I'm actually ecstatic how things have played out. I'm glad the Lakers didn't overpay for Lowry (he's worth 12m for sure with the Raptors but with the Lakers...not so sure). Meeks (6m year) Kaman (5m) and so on? No thank you. My only fear is that Kupchak and co. will get rejected by both Lebron and Carmelo and overcompensate by overpaying Deng, Bledsoe or whatever guy is out there. If I were the GM, if I struck out on those two big guys, I'd only have one-two year deals. If Lakers get Love next year by some divine intervention, then he'll take up 20m of cap space. that'd leave 12m left after you factor in all other contracts we have currently. Then in 2015, with probably no 1st round pick again, you again give player 1 year deals and have a completely blank slate for Durant, Westbook in 2016. If players do not come, then you are bad and you build through the draft. I just would not want to set the team back for many years by overpaying on players when you are not a player away from being a contender. Unless you realistically do not have a chance to win it all, you don't spend just to spend. In the new CBA when resources are finite, it's reckless not to have a good cap understanding which is why it's perplexing that management doled out that huge contract. I'm tired of thinking about it but in these times when your favorite team can be set up back years by lack of basketball foresight, it's at the forefront of thought.

Are you happy with our draft pick?
I wasn't as high on Randle but he was the best player available in my opinion. I like a lot of things about him and since I don't have much to be optimistic about, I'm going to hold out hope that he can be our next All-Star power forward. A lot of times, the right situation can bring out the best in a player and vice versa, and I think he landed in a great spot. He'll get to play, play in front of the biggest fan base and live in LA. What's not to like about that?
Sorry for the long diatribe.

[Marionettetc]

As laker fans how do you feel about the current state of the Lakers? Are you happy with the coaching search? Although it really feels like at this point Byron Scott is a shoe in. Are you happy with the free agents we are going after and the type of money we are throwing around? Are you happy with our draft pick?

Yes sir, I'm fairly happy. I think we're moving forward the best we can after those last two years.

I would be ok with Scott, it's not like he's an idiot. Sometimes bad coaches are successful and sometimes good coaches aren't, so I'm willing to give him a shot.

I think Mitch is on point as usual, considering what's available on the market. I was also pleased with our young guys last year, X, Johnson, Marshal, Sacre, Kelly. I hope we can retain them because they are all growing and would be on cheap contracts.

I'm also happy with Randle, seems like he's got a motor, some skills and fills a position that we've been weak at for years (sorry pau but you can't defend anyone else except slow 7 footers at this point).

Overall I'm optimistic with next year, especially if Kobe comes back relatively healthy and with a fire to win after not playing for a year.

[Pointgod]

For the posters that are unhappy about the roster did you honestly think we would be a contender in 1 offseason? Even if we signed Melo or Lebron there's no magic button to turn into an instant contender. We should have learned the lesson from the Dwight and Nash fiasco. The goal should be to a playoff team the next 2 years and make it attractive for a potential 2016 free agent. Dwight, Melo, Lebron, Love the common theme they all wanted to go to an established playoff team. I just want the front office to a couple under the radar players that could turn into borderline allstars and use their cap space to start building the pieces for a real contender. This is if we don't sign Melo of course.

As far as the coaching search I want a coach who will stress defense and will make adjustments depending on personnel instead of being a slave to his system.

[chitownsalesmen]

Randle was a home run for LA. It seems like hes really glad to be a Lakers and ready to prove the first 6 teams who skipped on him wrong.

[LAKESHOW]

KOBE is the key to whether we can bring guys in now...or...wait till his time is over, and have every free agent come out like the munchkins in the wizard of oz, and begin a new, post-kobe era.

[One Love]

I understand the coach, Randle is fine but I do feel we have missed grabbing some key pieces chasing a low probability Melo... I understand the thought process but would like to see some of the roster take shape...

[Bandwagon1]

Im happy knowing Jeanie and Jim are on the same page. Now just waiting for the Lakers to sign 1 player at least...

[lakersin4]

I understand the coach, Randle is fine but I do feel we have missed grabbing some key pieces chasing a low probability Melo... I understand the thought process but would like to see some of the roster take shape...

I think Hawes was the first contract given out this offseason that wasn't an overpay.. We haven't missed out on much. I like the patient approach.. If we're not going to get Bron or Melo, our best bet is waiting until the money dries up & getting better value. & I have no problem waiting on the coach either.. Byron isn't going anywhere this his dream job.. & if we end up not being able to bring in any big FA's there's no reason to spend big on a coach.. I don't know what kind of money Byron is asking but I think we go cheap & wait to make a more permanent hire once we have the talent.

[Sedale Threatt]

KOBE is the key to whether we can bring guys in now...

What does this mean?

[Sedale Threatt]

I think Hawes was the first contract given out this offseason that wasn't an overpay.. We haven't missed out on much. I like the patient approach.. If we're not going to get Bron or Melo, our best bet is waiting until the money dries up & getting better value.

I would much, much, MUCH rather go after two or three good, young players for value rather than one huge name. Guys that we could build around, help build a foundation and then swing for the fences in two years once Kobe's ridiculous contract comes off the books. Trouble is, those kind of players aren't exciting, and unfortunately it seems like that's the only currency a certain part of our fan base -- any huge fan base of a team with our success and tradition, honestly -- understands.

[lakersin4]

I think Hawes was the first contract given out this offseason that wasn't an overpay.. We haven't missed out on much. I like the patient approach.. If we're not going to get Bron or Melo, our best bet is waiting until the money dries up & getting better value.

I would much, much, MUCH rather go after two or three good, young players for value rather than one huge name. Guys that we could build around, help build a foundation and then swing for the fences in two years once Kobe's ridiculous contract comes off the books. Trouble is, those kind of players aren't exciting, and unfortunately it seems like that's the only currency a certain part of our fan base -- any huge fan base of a team with our success and tradition, honestly -- understands.

There's still time for that.. Lance, Isaiah, Parsons, Deng etc. aren't going to sign until after everyone sees what's going to happen with Lebron & Melo.

[Exodus]

If Lakers lose out to the blue chippers. Do you want to remain flexible for future better players in 15/16 or fill the roster with 2nd tier players like Lance and Thomas for lucrative contracts at their market value. I think with Kobe's contract, it will be hard to balance the cap and be solid this year and still be flexible next season to lure in a big time FA.

[jackwindham]

I wouldn't necessarily call Randle a home run just yet. Kupchak was smart in trying to explain to people that he's just a 19 year old kid who is stepping on the court with some of the best players in the world. Give him time to develop and see what he does on the court before declaring him a successful pick.

[Sedale Threatt]

If Lakers lose out to the blue chippers. Do you want to remain flexible for future better players in 15/16 or fill the roster with 2nd tier players like Lance and Thomas for lucrative contracts at their market value. I think with Kobe's contract, it will be hard to balance the cap and be solid this year and still be flexible next season to lure in a big time FA.

The former. Frankly, there aren't too many young guys in the current crop that really interest me. Or rather, the few who do, like Bledsoe and Parsons, are restricted, so you have to grossly overpay to have a chance. Stephenson is a knucklehead; I wouldn't saddle him up for four years unless the price was too good to be true. I haven't seen Thomas nearly enough to know if I like him. But in general, I feel like getting a couple of quality players is more desirable than swinging for the fences with one guy, unless that one guy happened to be LeBron or Durant.

[Jakay]

The current state is anything but. It's all up in the air. Right now the current state is Steve Nash coaching Kobe with two other players on the floor. Literally.

I like how Mitch is going about this though. TBH, finding your big name free agent is more important than finding your coach, because there's no point in having a coach going one direction, with the wrong player trying to go the other, when in the end, the player is who wins the game. It's an interesting way to go about things, and I'm not sure I've seen this approach before.

As for the rook, don't know. I know nothing of all rookies each and every year. I don't pick 'em, I'd rather see what their game says than pretend I have a clue.

[abosser]

I feel hopeful about the future of the Lakers and that the worst is more or less behind us. Although there's still an element of PTSD from the past 1-2 years of colossal disappointment and the unwatchable brand of Mike D'Antoni basketball.