On the last Friday before the chaos of training camp is set to begin Mitch Kupchak met the media in El Segundo to talk about the upcoming season and the roster he put together in the summer. As always he was candid and thoughtful. He was a little delusional when he said he expected the Lakers to compete for a championship. And he pulled back the expectations for Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson reminding everyone of their age and lack of NBA experience. All in all it was Mitch being Mitch which is only to acknowledge he is the leader of the basketball side of the Lakers organization. It is an obligation he meets with optimism on the one hand and acceptance on the other; the Lakers carry with them into the 2014-15 season both feast and famine, expectations of success and predictions of demise.
Jul 29, 2014; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak at press conference to announce Byron Scott (not pictured) as coach at press conference at Toyota Sports Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
When asked if he expected the Lakers to make the playoffs he didn’t hesitate. He said a very emphatic, “yes.” He spoke like a king who can’t fathom being tossed from his throne out into the streets. Compare that response to last year when asked the same exact question and he went sideways answering. He said if everything goes right and if Kobe is healthy and if Nash is healthy, and if things go our way…and if this…and if that…and maybe. You knew it was doomed from the start right then. But today Kupchak omitted the “ifs” and replaced it with yes. Yes, the Lakers will make the playoffs. He then added, “our goal every year is to win the championship.” Of course only the Lakers ingest this particular mantra year after year after year.
On Kobe: Kupchak’s watched him play in El Segundo and in Orange County and he echoes those who have seen him play recently. “He looks really good, he feels really good. No ill effects of either injury…I think he’s going to have an excellent year. He’s been working every day. I think you’ll see a player similar to what you saw two years ago.” Scoring 30 or 35 points wouldn’t surprise Mitch, not at all. Kobe has lost 10-12 pounds. “You couldn’t tell he blew out an Achilles tendon or broke a bone in his knee last year…It’s comforting to know he’ll be here for two more years and he’s healthy. He’ll give you a chance no matter the circumstances.”
On Steve Nash: He is back to playing pain free. He works out in the morning and comes back in the evening for a second workout. Kupchak likes his progress and the organization is cautiously optimistic considering they have a 40 year old point guard on the roster they expect to contribute. “We’re much farther along with Steve this year.” But then he added, “we’re more apprehensive with Steve naturally.” Naturally.
On their summer: From the outset it was a long shot for Carmelo and Lebron. Lebron was never going to happen but the Lakers felt they had a shot at Carmelo and went for it which is the Lakers way. “We were close I think we came close.” Kupchak said. Instead of Carmelo they acquired flexibility, two draft picks and cap room for next year. The outcome didn’t ruin Kupchak’s long range plans or thinking. “If you don’t try you don’t know. We went all out to pursue both…We’ll get somebody. At some point we will.”
On his new coach Byron Scott: Byron has to pass Mitch’s office to get to the court so they talk every day. “Byron’s been great. One thing he’s going to do is hold people accountable.” Translation: Byron will be the anti-D’antoni.
On Lakers Depth: Definitely in the front court, with forwards and centers. Julius Randle. Carlos Boozer. Ryan Kelly. Ed Davis. Jordan Hill. Robert Sacre. Kupchak admitted, “I don’t know who will start.” If nothing else it put all the big men on notice of the upcoming competition.
Jun 26, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Julius Randle (Kentucky) shakes hands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number seven overall pick to the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2014 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
On the Rookies: The last thing he wants is outside pressure resulting from unrealistic expectations of 20 year olds who have never played in the NBA before. But even Kupchak couldn’t deny the talent Randle possesses. “He has gifted quickness, he loves contact. Sometimes that’s good, sometimes that’s not good.” If Randle produces he will see a lot of minutes. But he was still dialing back optimism. “I’ve never looked at a rookie and said ‘this guy is gonna take us to the top’”.
On Jeremy Lin: He has been working with Steve Nash. Lin isn’t concerned if he is the starter or not, he is content to learn from Nash as he becomes acclimated to the Lakers bubble. Lin has the right attitude, according to Mitch.
On Carlos Boozer: “There’s no reason why Carlos can’t play three or four more years if he wants to.” Kupchak was surprised the Lakers won the bid for Boozer and reiterated he is only 32 years old.
It was Kupchak at his best. Friday afternoon when the press conference ended Mitch Kupchak had the weekend in front of him, the last weekend before the season and all of its maniacal preparations and fish bowl coverage and incessant limelight begins. No one knows what the Lakers will look like three months from now and that is the anticipatory excitement the Lakers organization is wrapped in. For a lot of them it has been years in the NBA. Mitch Kupchak- 38 years. Byron Scott- 30 years. Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash- 19 years. Nothing that happens this year will change what they have achieved in their past years of glory. And yet all that happens this year may change everything.