How to fix the Los Angeles Lakers season, Pulp Fiction style
By Ronald Agers
Tell Talen Horton-Tucker, Malik Monk and Austin Reaves they are part of the future of the Los Angeles Lakers!
One of the more interesting things about the website here at Lake Show Life is the colorful commentary in the comment sections. Nothing dominates it more than fans wanting certain players to be traded if they are not playing well. That’s really cute until all of the young players are traded away for aging superstars that clog up the salary cap or limit roster flexibility.
It’s no secret that all of the young players drafted by the Lakers in the last decade have grown to be fringe All-Star talents. The assets given away to the New Orleans Pelicans for Anthony Davis was alarming but the franchise got a ring out of the deal.
The losses of Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will loom much worse. With the acquisition of Westbrook, the team would not have the money (Or unwilling to spend) to keep Alex Caruso and give him an extension. Kuzma is playing lights out these days.
To save the Los Angeles Lakers’ future past this season, LeBron’s blueprint of bringing in his friends and veterans to avoid the leadership part of his job is done. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat were set back with his leaving to start over.
Bottom line, it is assumed that the Lakers fanbase is not willing to go into yet another six years of purgatory with no options for the future without first round draft picks.
Rob Pelinka and I will go to THT, Malik Monk and Austin Reaves to challenge them to grow into the foundation of the franchise. LeBron James is not getting any younger, Anthony Davis hasn’t shown the ability to stay healthy 90 days straight and the Russ experiment is a admitted disaster.
Here’s the selling points to each player…
Talen Horton-Tucker:
We get it. COVID-19 and your thumb injury set you back. No issues there. Now that you are getting back in rhythm, it’s time to start showing why you got that three-year, $30 million contract. Get with Phil Handy and David Fizdale to work on your ball handling (Aka work on your left hand so you can use your left hand for layups!) and 3 point shot. You are getting groomed for the point guard spot for the future. Right now you are the backup. Congratulations. One more thing, defense got you in the door here, that part of your game better not slide.
Malik Monk:
My man, Lik’ Lik’. I told everyone at Lake Show Life you were that cat. Had my eye on you since your days in Charlotte. Glad you are here. We are definitely going to talk contract after the season. But you have to make me look good by continuing to score the ball. But I need the defense to improve so you can stay in the starting lineup. The weight room will be your best friend going forward because ball players usually beat on the high scoring slim guys. Remember, no one else wanted you but the Lakers. If it wasn’t for Rob you would be in the G-League or overseas.
Austin Reaves:
AR-15!!!! Glad you are with us. You are a marketing dream. This could be a feel good story that Lakers fans will love! A underdog story that everyone can relate to. If you continue to improve you game, we see movies in your future telling your story. But before that…
Gotta have more confidence in your shot. Too many passed up open shots. Stop worrying about fitting in. Who are you going to upset? Russ? He can’t shoot! Worried about LeBron? We’ll take care of that. You play defense. Keep doing what you are doing. Get with Handy and Fiz along with THT to work on ball handling.
If you are worrying about the veterans on a one-year deal, stop. More than likely, Carmelo Anthony will hang up the high tops after the season and the rest are getting shown the door. At this point, the veteran roster is stagnating the development of these players’ development that will be paramount for the rest of the decade.
Time to get to the stars. Get the popcorn ready folks, we’re going old school Pat Riley style with this conversation! Press the purple bar for the next meeting!