Bobby Motus - Feel the game LA’s new additions
CEBU, Philippines - Everyone following this column should have known by now that I am and will always be an LA Lakers fan and have a modest haul of Laker-related stuff to cement the interest on the franchise.
An agonizingly disappointing season haunted the organization with the apparition of injuries to their stars and lack of focus and dedication from the healthy ones. A coach favored a small lineup in a game dominated by big men. The resulting product was ranking 28th in the league for defensive futility, meaning the Lakers can’t even guard a strolling geriatric.
Management eventually had the clots removed from their brains and their sinuses cleared that they somewhat decided to have some fixings and hopefully improve from the strangely morbid performance of a season past where they finished last in the Pacific Division and were made cheering squad during the Playoffs.
Several players were re-signed, several opted out, some new guys were brought in and a new coach was hired.
The focus will be on the NBA’s oldest player, Steve Nash. According to the team’s head athletic trainer Gary Vitti, Nash is 100% fit noting that nerve issues related to his leg fracture are gone and that he has been doing all the corrective injury and performance exercises required.
At 40 years old, we can’t expect much from Nash but most likely, he will be coach Byron Scott’s starting point guard. Training camp and the subsequent rigors of the regular season will torture an aging body and management developed a backup plan.
Depending on the senior citizen’s health, new hire Jeremy Lin could see his minutes rise. He’s not a pure point guard but could be a good substitute for Nash. With a 40% clip from beyond the arc, J-Lin definitely will be a threat with his ability to get himself free and create his shots. A warning to J-Lin fans – LA is owned by someone wearing number 24 and Linsanity will not be revived as long as that someone is there.
Another backup point is 2nd round pick Jordan Clarkson. He was remarkable during the Vegas summer league point-wise but was alarmingly error-prone, in five games accumulating 17 turnovers. He’s the 3rd point guard option and could see some minutes if Lin moves up to the 2-spot.
Pau Gasol and Chris Kaman are gone and in comes Carlos Boozer and Ed Davis. The Laker frontcourt is already crowded and my gut feel is that Davis will battle minutes with Ryan Kelly, Jordan Hill, Robert Sacre and Boozer. Scott is a defense-minded coach and I think he will favor Davis over the others due to his defensive abilities.
Boozer is a scorer and a rebounder, that’s it. Between him and Kaman in a Laker uniform, I prefer the latter. They both have one thing in common though – since their scalps had a disagreement with their hairs, they decided to have a hair resettlement on their faces.
Julius Randle will be the team’s future and they must push him to battle from the beginning. He should be their starting power forward over Boozer for him to develop quickly. Mistakes will come like the ton of expletives spat from last season’s woeful campaign but the mistakes must be tolerated.
In two years, Randle should have blossomed to his potential and Kobe Bryant will finally ride into the sunset. This will open up the chase for superstar free agents with Kobe’s retirement. By that time, Randle will still be in his rookie deal and maybe Kevin Durant could be enticed playing alongside a rising star. In three or four years, LA will be in familiar territory – gunning for the NBA championships.
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What would a millionaire athlete do to ease the pain from a season ending injury? Simple. Buy himself a super car. That’s what Paul George did. He bought a new Ferrari 458 to accompany him on his long recovery process. What he’s gonna do with it is still a mystery as it will be months before he can drive. Ah, the things money can buy even when you’re not working.
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Belated birthday greetings to my wife Denise who celebrated her birthday last Monday. My first love and first girlfriend was my late mother and you are my second love. My gift to you, Ma, is not material. If promises are not enough, please take comfort in the thought that my love and care for you and the children will not end, even when life and time itself will have ended for me. Always, always.
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