Game 78: Los Angeles Lakers (22-55) @ San Antonio Spurs (60-17) - 8:30 PM ET

[AcecardZ]

Losing to Boston in 2008 was way more painful. We were there playing the Septics for a ring and came up short... Those take a long long long time to get over. **** man i'm still not over it!

[TylersLakers]

I'm as sick today as when we lost the finals to Boston in 2008. This blows.

Slav, please tell me you're kidding brah.

[Slava]

I'm as sick today as when we lost the finals to Boston in 2008. This blows.

Slav, please tell me you're kidding brah.

I'm being serious, losing two first round picks is a serious dent when you are not good and struggling for talent. I can't blame Luke or the current front office but not trading Lou earlier is the difference between us being the worst team in the league and ending up odds on for losing our pick. Once we had that losing streak in December with injuries to Russell and Young, we should have been decisive in deflecting to the tank, offloading veterans and taking long shots on dudes like GP2 or Nwaba.

I'm so freaking glad those douchebags are out of jobs now.

[AcecardZ]

I'm so freaking glad those douchebags are out of jobs now.

I am too. It was clearly time to move in another direction.

There's a huge problem with letting management know they are on borrowed time. A "Win now or lose your job" mentality forces them to think short term and that isn't always best for the team.

[MrWaffles]

I'm as sick today as when we lost the finals to Boston in 2008. This blows.

Slav, please tell me you're kidding brah.

I'm being serious, losing two first round picks is a serious dent when you are not good and struggling for talent. I can't blame Luke or the current front office but not trading Lou earlier is the difference between us being the worst team in the league and ending up odds on for losing our pick. Once we had that losing streak in December with injuries to Russell and Young, we should have been decisive in deflecting to the tank, offloading veterans and taking long shots on dudes like GP2 or Nwaba.

I'm so freaking glad those douchebags are out of jobs now.

Slava's posts have been Classic ever since December.

[DEEP3CL]

I'm as sick today as when we lost the finals to Boston in 2008. This blows.

Slav, please tell me you're kidding brah.

I can't blame Luke or the current front office but not trading Lou earlier is the difference between us being the worst team in the league and ending up odds on for losing our pick.

Wrong...so so wrong, their was no way Lou was being moved before the deadline. Besides no matter how beaten down we were in December miraculously the team was still in playoff contention.

So moving Lou before then was almost moot, and to still get a 1st for him was good work by Magic. I mean I get the gist of where your thought process is on this but the fact the team was still "playoff alive" so to speak voided any notion of moving Lou.

Now I would've been in belief of full tank " run this b*tch over" mode had we gotten blown to dust in the opening part of the season. Winning 10 games at the early 1 quarter pole gave the FO hope. Had we won say maybe 9 of those 16 games in December we would've been well placed to stay in the playoff hunt and that pick would've been played down in the standings for one, so that would've been an automatic loss of the pick.

So looking at the big picture be thankful that we still have some percentages of getting the pick at 3 or better than not having a chance at all.

[Kilroy]

Slav, please tell me you're kidding brah.

I can't blame Luke or the current front office but not trading Lou earlier is the difference between us being the worst team in the league and ending up odds on for losing our pick.

Wrong...so so wrong, their was no way Lou was being moved before the deadline. Besides no matter how beaten down we were in December miraculously the team was still in playoff contention.

So moving Lou before then was almost moot, and to still get a 1st for him was good work by Magic. I mean I get the gist of where your thought process is on this but the fact the team was still "playoff alive" so to speak voided any notion of moving Lou.

Now I would've been in belief of full tank " run this b*tch over" mode had we gotten blown to dust in the opening part of the season. Winning 10 games at the early 1 quarter pole gave the FO hope. Had we won say maybe 9 of those 16 games in December we would've been well placed to stay in the playoff hunt and that pick would've been played down in the standings for one, so that would've been an automatic loss of the pick.

So looking at the big picture be thankful that we still have some percentages of getting the pick at 3 or better than not having a chance at all.

I agree with the intent of all of this... But Magic didn't make this deal... He just completed it. Mitch had this one in the works for weeks according to reports.

No way this is Luke's fault, though... A decision to intentionally put yourself in a position to lose games should never be in the coach's or players hands... That has to come from the GM... He tells the coach who should sit... And like Pop does, if it was in our best interest to set the entire starting lineup, we should have done it and told the league to pound sand. We didn't make the system, we're just trying to do the best for our fans we can given the parameters.

Magic bitched and moaned about how bad we were and how Tanking should never be in the Lakers vocabulary... Then when he took over he said 'Tank'... But on his watch we've gone from 2nd worst in the league to 3rd worst and don't seem to have a shot to get that spot back... This is when the good GMs make the tough calls and take the heat for the team in order to win the war...
So this one is squarely on Magic's shoulders... Being the head of Basketball for the Lakers isn't all interviews and sound bites...

[RingsDontLie]

I can't blame Luke or the current front office but not trading Lou earlier is the difference between us being the worst team in the league and ending up odds on for losing our pick.

Wrong...so so wrong, their was no way Lou was being moved before the deadline. Besides no matter how beaten down we were in December miraculously the team was still in playoff contention.

So moving Lou before then was almost moot, and to still get a 1st for him was good work by Magic. I mean I get the gist of where your thought process is on this but the fact the team was still "playoff alive" so to speak voided any notion of moving Lou.

Now I would've been in belief of full tank " run this b*tch over" mode had we gotten blown to dust in the opening part of the season. Winning 10 games at the early 1 quarter pole gave the FO hope. Had we won say maybe 9 of those 16 games in December we would've been well placed to stay in the playoff hunt and that pick would've been played down in the standings for one, so that would've been an automatic loss of the pick.

So looking at the big picture be thankful that we still have some percentages of getting the pick at 3 or better than not having a chance at all.

I agree with the intent of all of this... But Magic didn't make this deal... He just completed it. Mitch had this one in the works for weeks according to reports.

No way this is Luke's fault, though... A decision to intentionally put yourself in a position to lose games should never be in the coach's or players hands... That has to come from the GM... He tells the coach who should sit... And like Pop does, if it was in our best interest to set the entire starting lineup, we should have done it and told the league to pound sand. We didn't make the system, we're just trying to do the best for our fans we can given the parameters.

Magic bitched and moaned about how bad we were and how Tanking should never be in the Lakers vocabulary... Then when he took over he said 'Tank'... But on his watch we've gone from 2nd worst in the league to 3rd worst and don't seem to have a shot to get that spot back... This is when the good GMs make the tough calls and take the heat for the team in order to win the war...
So this one is squarely on Magic's shoulders... Being the head of Basketball for the Lakers isn't all interviews and sound bites...

We definitely can kiss Paul George goodbye at least for next season by falling to #3.

I look at it as this...we are not intentionally tanking like other teams, so good on us. It's a good mental win for the team to beat the Spurs as well. I was high on Fultz, but very low on Ball, so going to #3 works out since we were not going to get #1 any way. Main thing is we avoid Lonzo Ball like the plague. I'm sorry but I feel he is going to be a big bust. You guys might look at this as a blessing in hindsight if Lonzo becomes a bust.

I feel we already got our stars in Russell and Ingram. And for the love of all that is good I wish Luke would let Ingram take over in these last few games.

And look how well Ennis has been, it looks like he might make a good backup guard. Seems like that was a real good signing to me.

And don't sleep on that #3 pick...cuz I want this guy on this team..

Watch on YouTube

[Princeinrevolt]

We definitely can kiss Paul George goodbye at least for next season by falling to #3.

I look at it as this...we are not intentionally tanking like other teams, so good on us. It's a good mental win for the team to beat the Spurs as well. I was high on Fultz, but very low on Ball, so going to #3 works out since we were not going to get #1 any way. Main thing is we avoid Lonzo Ball like the plague. I'm sorry but I feel he is going to be a big bust. You guys might look at this as a blessing in hindsight if Lonzo becomes a bust.

I feel we already got our stars in Russell and Ingram. And for the love of all that is good I wish Luke would let Ingram take over in these last few games.

And look how well Ennis has been, it looks like he might make a good backup guard. Seems like that was a real good signing to me.

Why do you think the Suns will pick Ball if they get the number 2 pick? They already have Eric Bledsoe. I see them picking Josh Jackson, and then we will most likely get Ball. Even though I don't want Ball AT ALL. I don't think he is going to be good in the NBA, I would much rather have Jackson, Fultz, or Tatum over him. But I really don't see the Suns passing up on Jackson, for another point guard. They also have Tyler Ulis, who has been doing well for them.

[RingsDontLie]

We definitely can kiss Paul George goodbye at least for next season by falling to #3.

I look at it as this...we are not intentionally tanking like other teams, so good on us. It's a good mental win for the team to beat the Spurs as well. I was high on Fultz, but very low on Ball, so going to #3 works out since we were not going to get #1 any way. Main thing is we avoid Lonzo Ball like the plague. I'm sorry but I feel he is going to be a big bust. You guys might look at this as a blessing in hindsight if Lonzo becomes a bust.

I feel we already got our stars in Russell and Ingram. And for the love of all that is good I wish Luke would let Ingram take over in these last few games.

And look how well Ennis has been, it looks like he might make a good backup guard. Seems like that was a real good signing to me.

Why do you think the Suns will pick Ball if they get the number 2 pick? They already have Eric Bledsoe. I see them picking Josh Jackson, and then we will most likely get Ball. Even though I don't want Ball AT ALL. I don't think he is going to be good in the NBA, I would much rather have Jackson, Fultz, or Tatum over him. But I really don't see the Suns passing up on Jackson, for another point guard. They also have Tyler Ulis, who has been doing well for them.

Bledsoe? Bledsoe is made of glass. Who cares about him. Pheonix will move him back to his old backup spot duties like when he played for the Clippers. Ball is so hyped right now Suns will pick him. But if we get Ball he's huge trade bait because a lot of teams want him. So either way it's all good so long as we trade Ball if we get him.

[Princeinrevolt]

Why do you think the Suns will pick Ball if they get the number 2 pick? They already have Eric Bledsoe. I see them picking Josh Jackson, and then we will most likely get Ball. Even though I don't want Ball AT ALL. I don't think he is going to be good in the NBA, I would much rather have Jackson, Fultz, or Tatum over him. But I really don't see the Suns passing up on Jackson, for another point guard. They also have Tyler Ulis, who has been doing well for them.

Bledsoe? Bledsoe is made of glass. Who cares about him. Pheonix will move him back to his old backup spot duties like when he played for the Clippers. Ball is so hyped right now Suns will pick him. But if we get Ball he's huge trade bait because a lot of teams want him. So either way it's all good so long as we trade Ball if we get him.

I wish we would trade Ball if we get him, but I think Ball won't even interview with the Suns, and he'll force his way onto the Lakers. I just don't see Magic trading Ball. He has already told Luke Walton to move Russell to shooting guard so he can draft Lonzo Ball.

[RingsDontLie]

I wish we would trade Ball if we get him, but I think Ball won't even interview with the Suns, and he'll force his way onto the Lakers. I just don't see Magic trading Ball. He has already told Luke Walton to move Russell to shooting guard so he can draft Lonzo Ball.

Magic is very good at faking a pass to get a desired outcome

If you are a GM and got a top 3 pick are you going to let everyone know who you want? The only benefit to that is they are influenced by who you say you want(Ball), so they(Suns) pick him up instead. That way, you can get the guy you are really gunning for(Josh Jackson) after they(Suns) pick Lonzo Ball over Josh Jackson.

[Princeinrevolt]

I wish we would trade Ball if we get him, but I think Ball won't even interview with the Suns, and he'll force his way onto the Lakers. I just don't see Magic trading Ball. He has already told Luke Walton to move Russell to shooting guard so he can draft Lonzo Ball.

Magic is very good at faking a pass to get a desired outcome

If you are a GM and got a top 3 pick are you going to let everyone know who you want? The only benefit to that is they are influenced by who you say you want(Ball), so they(Suns) pick him up instead. That way, you can get the guy you are really gunning for(Josh Jackson) after they(Suns) pick Lonzo Ball over Josh Jackson.

I hope you're right.

[DEEP3CL]

I can't blame Luke or the current front office but not trading Lou earlier is the difference between us being the worst team in the league and ending up odds on for losing our pick.

Wrong...so so wrong, their was no way Lou was being moved before the deadline. Besides no matter how beaten down we were in December miraculously the team was still in playoff contention.

So moving Lou before then was almost moot, and to still get a 1st for him was good work by Magic. I mean I get the gist of where your thought process is on this but the fact the team was still "playoff alive" so to speak voided any notion of moving Lou.

Now I would've been in belief of full tank " run this b*tch over" mode had we gotten blown to dust in the opening part of the season. Winning 10 games at the early 1 quarter pole gave the FO hope. Had we won say maybe 9 of those 16 games in December we would've been well placed to stay in the playoff hunt and that pick would've been played down in the standings for one, so that would've been an automatic loss of the pick.

So looking at the big picture be thankful that we still have some percentages of getting the pick at 3 or better than not having a chance at all.

I agree with the intent of all of this... But Magic didn't make this deal... He just completed it. Mitch had this one in the works for weeks according to reports.

No way this is Luke's fault, though... A decision to intentionally put yourself in a position to lose games should never be in the coach's or players hands... That has to come from the GM... He tells the coach who should sit... And like Pop does, if it was in our best interest to set the entire starting lineup, we should have done it and told the league to pound sand. We didn't make the system, we're just trying to do the best for our fans we can given the parameters.

Magic bitched and moaned about how bad we were and how Tanking should never be in the Lakers vocabulary... Then when he took over he said 'Tank'... But on his watch we've gone from 2nd worst in the league to 3rd worst and don't seem to have a shot to get that spot back... This is when the good GMs make the tough calls and take the heat for the team in order to win the war...
So this one is squarely on Magic's shoulders... Being the head of Basketball for the Lakers isn't all interviews and sound bites...

You can't place the Lakers being 3rd on Magic, fact is before he took over the Lakers were barely hanging on to the 3rd spot.They were 19-39 when Magic walked in around All Star break and were only 2 games in front of the Orlando Magic at the time. Once he took over it seemed almost immediately that Deng and Moz went on play or don't play status, then it went full shut down once Rob was able to have some interjection. At that time the team actually sunk to the 2nd slot...all that was on Magic and Rob's watch, so they made the tough decisions and start tweaking around with the roster.

I don't get what else you wanted him to do in terms of the roster or the moves that were left ? Yeah Mitch did have the ground work laid out for the Lou deal but he and Jim left the team backed in a corner. 2 bad deals already on the books has the team in a noose, I'm not buying that this can be placed on Magic's plate. Many can't seem to understand Luke nor Magic has that much control on if these players decide to go out and beat the objective to lose games.

When I looked at the final month I knew it was a possibility that we were going to win maybe 3-4 games closing out the year. And with Orlando winning tonight they officially have the 3rd slot locked in now. At least the team still has a chance to steal the Lottery, and truth told no team can control the outcome.

[RingsDontLie]

I wish we would trade Ball if we get him, but I think Ball won't even interview with the Suns, and he'll force his way onto the Lakers. I just don't see Magic trading Ball. He has already told Luke Walton to move Russell to shooting guard so he can draft Lonzo Ball.

Magic is very good at faking a pass to get a desired outcome

If you are a GM and got a top 3 pick are you going to let everyone know who you want? The only benefit to that is they are influenced by who you say you want(Ball), so they(Suns) pick him up instead. That way, you can get the guy you are really gunning for(Josh Jackson) after they(Suns) pick Lonzo Ball over Josh Jackson.

I hope you're right.

Even if I'm wrong, we get Ball, maybe he becomes the next Jason Kidd. I think we got great scoring options to put beside him with d'angels, Ingram, and Clarkson.

The only thing I like about Ball right now is that he wants to be a Laker. I think all the greats we had really wanted to be Lakers. So maybe that is a sign? I don't know. For some reason I smell bust, but could be wrong...

[Alex DeLarge]

It's worth pointing out that the thought of not having an all-star next year makes Jeannie Buss sick to her stomach.

Even if the Lakers do luck out and keep their pick, there's a very good chance that he will be out the door (along with the other guys the Lakers have drafted in recent years).

[Kilroy]

Yeah, and that's a monumentally stupid statement to make given the circumstances. I thought she was supposed to be good at Poker.

[Ballerhogger]

Losing to Boston in 2008 was way more painful. We were there playing the Septics for a ring and came up short... Those take a long long long time to get over. **** man i'm still not over it!

Its ok , i got your back 2 back

[AcecardZ]

Losing to Boston in 2008 was way more painful. We were there playing the Septics for a ring and came up short... Those take a long long long time to get over. **** man i'm still not over it!

Its ok , i got your back 2 back

Those two championships were the medicine I needed that's for sure.