The Lakeshow Review

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  • Lakers Come Up Short Versus Warriors in Season Opener

    The day has finally come. NBA and Lakers Basketball is back. Unfortunately, the Lakers could not get off to the start that they would have wanted, as they fell to Golden State during the Season Opener by a final score of 119-109. This was LAs ninth Opening Night loss in the last 10 years; a recurring trend. Despite the loss, the Lakers flashed some positive signs, however, it’s the final score which truly counts. Ultimately, the Lakers were beat by a better team, as well as a team that has been together for a long time and have a good idea of their identity. The Lakers looked disorganized, as well as unpolished. Time will tell how quickly they can turn things around, but in an ultra-competitive Western Conference, the sooner the better.

    The Lakers looked good to start things out. This was mostly off the back of one Luka Dončić. Luka, for his part, was phenomenal. He finished with a game-high 43 points on 16-27 shooting from. He did struggle from three, only connecting on two of his ten attempts. He also added 12 rebounds, nine assists, two steals and a block. He was an offensive catalyst in the first half, as his scoring helped the Lakers stay afloat. He looked particularly comfortable getting to his spots on the floor, specifically in the midrange, an area where he struggled a bit last season. The Warriors made it a point to blitz and trap Luka on ball screens and hand-offs, to which Luka countered by activating his scoring. This strategy worked for the first half. But unfortunately, for the Lakers, Golden State’s more balanced attack was able to sustain and outlast LA.

    The Warriors were led by Jimmy Butler, who scored a team-high 31 points, including 16-16 from the charity stripe, strong emphasis on charity. Stephen Curry also had 23 points, on a relatively efficient shooting performance. Though, as is usually the case with Steph, it’s his gravity that opens things up for him and his teammates. Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield each contributed 17 points apiece. Golden State looked like the more seasoned team, and their experience proved valuable. Their motion offense confused LA all game, who routinely blew defensive assignments, particularly on defensive switching. The Warriors also exploited the Lakers in transition, where their 13 points led LAs 8. This has been an issue since pre-season, and one that the team should look to patch as soon as they can.

    The Lakers did not look like a team that was ready to compete against the Warriors. Even though they managed to stay with the Warriors through one half of play, when the score was 55-54, they simply couldn’t keep up the execution or the game plan. Much of this falls on Coach JJ Redick’s shoulders. Redick failed to find a way to get his rotation players reps during pre-season, save for the last two games. Against Golden State, the Lakers looked woefully underprepared, often relying one one-on-one iso basketball instead of organized set plays. Against the Warriors’ meticulous motion offense, the contrast was glaring. Outside of Luka’s brilliant individual play, the team could not produce substantive production from their role players. They tried to force feed Ayton in the post, as opposed to having him be a factor in the pick and roll, whether as a roll man or as an outlet in the short roll. Traditional post-up aren’t Ayton’s greatest strength. The two-man action with Luka is where he’ll look his best. Austin Reaves is also someone who would benefit from having more motion, and more plays called for him. He was left to attack mostly one on one, where Golden State’s superior perimeter athletes had the upper hand. AR finished with 26 points, but his impact was perhaps less than the scoresheet would indicate. Occasionally, LA ran some high pick and roll, but Golden State made sure to crowd the passing lanes and employ a heavy dose of blitzing. The Lakers had neither the counters nor the floor spacing to offset this strategy. Offensively, there has to be more in store, particularly from players not named Luka Dončić. More set plays will be needed in the half court. LA doesn’t have the personnel to play heavy isolation basketball.

    With that said, this was not a terrible game for the Lakers. Their main issue was a lack of seasoning. More continuity should yield better results moving forward. LA did outshoot Golden State from the floor, 55% to 48%. However, missed free throws, lack of ball movement (no playmaking outside of Luka), careless turnovers and poor outside shooting all played a factor in the the Lakers’ Opening Day loss. These are all treatable issues, and it comes down to how effectively they can be addressed by the coaching staff and players alike. Ball movement and half-court execution should both be areas of focus in the immediate future. This game is the type of wake-up call that for a team that took the pre-season lightly. The lack of reps, the lack of focus and the lack of chemistry are all apparent. If the plan was to use the early portion of the season as an extension of pre-season, then that plan could prove costly in April amidst a Western Conference that offers razor-thin margins. But we’ll have to see the level of urgency that the coaches and the players have in order to bring this team to play the level of basketball that they’re capable of. Until then, let’s hope for a better showing Friday against Minnesota. Go Lakers.

  • Lakers Defeat Warriors to Earn First Win of Preseason

    Following a slow start to the preseason, one which saw the Lakers lose its first two exhibition games, the team finally found their footing after taking down the Golden State Warriors by a final score of 126-116. There was some good and some bad, but it was great to see LA get their first preseason win under their belts and have their hard work from training camp pay off. The team looked much more fluid, and the offense seems to be coming along. Defensively, they aren’t quite there yet, as they displayed some glaring weaknesses that will continue to bog them down should they go unaddressed. The positives, however, outweighed the negatives, and the Lakers were able to put together a more balanced effort that showed promise before the season.

    The Lakers started the game with a sense of urgency which they did not have during the first two contests. As a result, the team got off to a hot start. Shooting guard Austin Reaves led the way with 5 consecutive points early in the first. LA found success operating out of their horns series early on in the game, as they either got an open shot for AR at the top of the key, or they were also comfortable throwing it down to Deandre Ayton on the elbow and letting him go to work. Reaves finished with a team-high 21 points on a robust 7-10 shooting (2-4 from three), in only 23 minutes of action. He was eventually forced out of the game after bumping knees with Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski (in what should’ve been whistled an offensive foul on Podz). Deandre Ayton also broke out of his early exhibition blues, posting a nice stat line of 14 points, eight boards, five assists and a block. He was particularly effective on the midrange, as his short roll game was on full display and he was able to make the dropping big pay. Forward Rui Hachimura also got in the action early, as he poured in 10 points in the first quarter. He finished with 16 points on 10 shots, including 3-4 from beyond the arc. As a result, LA was able to build a healthy 30-24 lead after the first quarter, a lead which they wouldn’t relinquish.

    This game saw several big names out of action, for both sides. For the Lakers, LeBron James, Luka Dončić and Marcus Smart were all in street clothes. Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler also sat out for Golden State. With that said, it was still a competitive and entertaining affair with both teams providing their share of highlights. For the Lakers, their offensive sets looked alot more polished. They look more comfortable operating in the half court, as their aforementioned horns sets yielded good results. They also made a conscious effort to feed center Deandre Ayton on the block (or at the elbow). Because of LAs five-out spacing, Ayton generally had an open paint to work on. His post-ups looked great as did his midrange looks. He also flashed some prowess as an outlet man on the screen-and-roll, as he dished out five assists, mostly from the post. If Ayton can prove to be this type of offensive hub during the season, particularly with Luka back in the fold, it’ll pay huge dividends for LA offensively.

    Despite a much better effort and tenacity by the Lakers, they still played a very sloppy game. They lost the turnover battle, coughing the ball up 22 times (to Golden State’s 20). They also conceded 24 points off of turnovers and were out-gunned in transition were they were only able to muster nine points, to the Warrior’s 21. Transition defense was an issue all game. The Lakers were slow to get back on defense, and looked equally lost with their defensive assignments, often failing to stop the ball or leaving a shooter open in the slot. Golden State made sure to run on the Lakers all game, not only after misses, but even following makes. LA was disoriented with their transition gameplan all night. Perhaps this is fixable. It comes down to attention to detail. Stop the ball, and stay with shooters on the wings and corners. Players need to be aware of their matchups and assignments. The key is effort and execution. Coach JJ Redick seems to agree, as he had some comments regarding LAs transition endeavors. “Still don’t love our general transition defense… we’re lacking a little bit of urgency to get back after makes and get matched up”, remarked LAs coach. This should definitely be an area of emphasis for the team as they prepare for Opening Night (where they’ll take on the Warriors).

    Fortunately, the Lakers played such an offensive game where they were able to overcome their defensive woes. They never gave up their early lead, and stayed aggressive with the ball. Eventually, their deep end reserves, namely exhibit-10 players R.J. Davis and Nate Williams as well as two-way guard Nick Smith Jr. were all able to keep up the scoring when LA took out their rotation guys. Dalton Knecht also had his breakout performance of preseason. He finished with a solid 16 points on nine shots, including 2-5 from three point range. It’s crucial for Knecht to find his groove, as he’ll be counted on to provide some much needed scoring punch off the bench. Overall, this was an impressive win for LA, against a formidable and familiar opponent. Both Luka and Marcus Smart are slated to make their preseason debuts tomorrow against Phoenix. Hopefully the offense continues to take shape, and we can see more of a meaningful commitment to transition defense. Until then, let’s hope guys keep getting healthier and ready for the season. Go Lakers.

  • Lakers Start Preseason 0-2 Following Losses to Phoenix, Golden State

    The Los Angeles Lakers kicked off their preseason with a disappointing showing, after dropping their first two contests to the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors. Both games displayed much of the same faults, with the Lakers playing without LeBron James and Luka Dončić and failing to squeeze out good productivity from their role platers. Aside from Dončić and James, LA also played without Gabe Vincent and Marcus Smart for the first game. Vincent eventually returned for the second contest versus Golden State, and even though he clearly brought some balance to the bench unit, the final score still yielded the same result.

    Game one against Phoenix was a bit of a weird one. The Lakers played without Luka, LeBron, Smart, Vincent and Maxi Kleber. On paper, a great opportunity to get an extended early look at newcomers such as Jake LaRavia and Deandre Ayton. Unfortunately, none of those guys looked particularly good, instead appearing lost and still finding their footing in a new roster and system. Ayton scored all of one point, while grabbing eight boards and swatting two shots. LaRavia was a bit more solid, tallying 7 points on six shots, although one certainly would have liked to see him have a bigger role, particularly with all the aforementioned names out of action. Rui Hachimura aslo had a disappointing outing, scoring 11 points on twelve shots, including 1-4 from three. Austin Reaves was the lone bright spot, dropping a team-high 20 points while shooting 6-11 from the field, to go with three boards and two assists. The Lakers, however, lost handily by a final score of 101-83.

    The early portion of the game looked promising, with Austin Reaves shouldering the scoring load early on, and Rui Hachimura teasing a big night with 5 consecutive points early in the first quarter. The Suns, who were playing close to all of their key rotational pieces, eventually took command of the game midway through the first half and never looked back. Three of their starters hit double figures in scoring, including Devin Booker who had a game-high 24 points and looked quite comfortable scoring the basketball. The Lakers made a bid to make things competitive, after a Rui three pointer slashed Phoenix’s lead to just three. The Suns answered with a scorching run to push their lead back up to double figures just before the halftime buzzer. The second half saw more of the same, with the Suns pushing their lead significantly and leaving LA in the dust. The Lakers looked underprepared, lackadaisical, and were clearly outplayed by a superior side. The offense looked stuck in reverse with all the big names out, and no consistent playmaking engine to spark the offense. It’ll be nice to see more cohesiveness once the big boys are back.

    LAs second game yielded more of the same, with the team falling to a fully-manned Warriors unit by a score of 111-103. Head Coach JJ Redick opted to rest shooting guard Austin Reaves, as Gabe Vincent returned to the lineup. Vincent was relatively solid, scoring 16 points on nine shots and dishing out five assists. The Lakers actually managed to look somewhat more competitive in this game, compared to their first. The offense and ball movement looked to be more cohesive, and the team managed to produce a somewhat competitive showing despite missing all of their key guys. Jake LaRavia had a nice showing with 10 points (albeit on ten shots), while Jarred Vanderbilt provided some glimpses on what could be a new and improved iteration of himself. Vando scored 9 points and even drilled a three, while pulling down seven boards. More importantly, he displayed his game-changing defensive skillset as he was everywhere on that end of the floor. He collected three steals, and hovered around on switches while being the type of defensive disruptor that won over the Lakers a couple of seasons ago. If we can see this Vando on a reasonably consistent basis, that’ is’ll be a huge plus for the Lakers. They’ll need all the defensive help they can get.

    The Warriors, who were making their preseason debut, looked every bit as rusty as you’d expect. To their credit, the shorthanded Lakers took advantage of this, as they led on the scoreboard as late as midway through the second quarter. But as soon as guys like Curry and Butler got going, the Golden State handily assumed control of the game, extending their lead to double digits. Once the game veered into garbage time, LA made a small run, which made the final score look more respectable. Golden state were easily the better team this game and they showed it. The Warrior’s Moses Moody led both sides in scoring with 19 points, including five three pointers. Stephen Curry also chipped in with 14 points. Golden State played their full rotations, and looked like the more organized and experienced team. As far as the Lakers, hopefully they’ll look better once they have their full compliment of rotational players at their disposal, as they have clearly been shorthanded to start preseason.

    It’s tough to evaluate the team after just two preseason games, as it’s also unwise to rush to overreactions. Guys like Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves and even LeBron James will surely make a difference. With that said, the team has looked quite lackadaisical through these first two contests. Even without Luka, they should still be able to run their offense, provided there’s a good system in place. The team is also going to require significantly more production out of names like Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton, who will be counted on to fulfill major roles this upcoming season. Guys like Vando and Jaxson Hayes on the other hand have looked fairly promising. Hayes in particular likely won’t be asked to play above his paygrade, as he’ll be backing up Ayton throughout the year without being asked to do too much. So far he’s looked good; swatting shots, setting picks and cleaning up the glass. Occasionally he’ll get his lobs at the rim as well. Team-wide, we’ll have to see a better effort on both ends, even with the starters back. Hopefully we can see a couple of tuneup games with as many rotational guys as possible, so we can hit the ground running when the season commences. Until then, here’s to the team getting better, improving with each game. Go Lakers.

  • Lakers Media Day

    NBA media day is upon us, which only means one thing: NBA Basketball is right around the corner. The Lakers gathered last Friday to speak to the media before they kickoff training camp, and we learned quite a bit regarding the outlook of this team. Lots of questions were answered in anticipation to the upcoming season.

    Among those questions is the state of LeBron James, and all that surrounds his orbit. According to James himself, he is in a good place. He’s looking forward to the season, and even praised some of the team’s new additions, namely Deandre Ayton and Jake LaRavia. Overall, he stressed his excitement and feeling of positivity towards the Lakers and the upcoming season. Personally, I’m calling bullshit on this one. For a guy that spent the entire offseason complaining about his ‘timeline’ and needs not being met, I don’t buy that he’s suddenly bought-in and ready to give this franchise his stamp of approval. With that said, I do appreciate LeBron for not coming out and making a spectacle during Media Day with his patented ‘passive-aggressive’ ultimatums. Not that he would have the leverage to issue such demands, since LA did not offer him a contract extension this summer. Thus, LeBron will be playing this season as an expiring contract. We also learned that LeBron will not be entering the season at 100%, and will be prioritizing load management for the upcoming season. Which once again, good thing LA did not offer him an extension. He’s at the point where it’s all diminishing returns from here on out. No shame in being 40, it’s just the reality.

    Apparently, Jarred Vanderbilt has been working on his three ball this summer. This was echoed by teammate Jake LaRavia, who confirmed that Vando’s deep ball is in fact looking legitimate. In reality, who knows though. Chances are Vando will continue being a subpar shooter, and of course, any marginal (or significant) improvement will be gladly welcomed. However, one thing’s for certain, it’s good to see him enjoy a healthy offseason and show up to camp with a clean slate. At the very least he will have the opportunity to reclaim his former defensive self, which would be a massive boost to the team. When healthy, he’s likely the team’s best and most versatile defender.

    We also had a chance to hear from other incumbent Lakers such as Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves. Rui in particular, looks to be in great shapes and spirits, and the organization definitely has shown him some love. Rui is seemingly in fantastic physical condition, and also said some encouraging things that paint him as a team-first guy. When asked about his preference for staring vs coming off the bench, Rui stated that he plans on doing whatever he has to do to help the team win. Whether that entails starting, or fulfilling a role as a reserve, he’s up for either one. It’s nice to hear these types of sentiments from a player like Rui, as he is the type of guy that can be alternated from starter to reserve, depending on the need or the matchup. It’s great to hear that he’s of this mentality, and willing to put the team’s needs in front of his own. As a result, the organization has thrown out murmurs of possibly adding Rui to their longterm plans, which could be a motivating factor for him to play his best ball this season.

    Austin Reaves also had some interesting tidbits. As everyone knows, AR will be playing this season on the final year of his player contract, with the hopes of cashing in on a big payday during next summer’s free agency. By all accounts, AR has repeatedly stated his desire to remain with the Lakers and certainly seems to relish the notion of wearing the Laker uniform. He also looks determined to take his game to even greater heights, even after a gaudy performance last season, which saw him play the best basketball of his young career. He still feels he can get better, and quite frankly, should he be proven correct, he’d easily be worth the type of payday that he’s seeking. Personally, I’m rooting for Austin. He’s a homegrown kid, and I’d love to see him remain a Laker for the foreseeable future. He is obviously betting on himself, and seems to be confident in his ability to continue enhancing his game. If he cashes out, then it’s a win for both him and the organization.

    Redemption was seemingly a recurring theme during this Media Day session. Deandre Ayton in particular, is someone who is looking to re-establish his league-wide image. During his interview, he revealed that he’s in fact aware that this could be his final opportunity to prove himself at the NBA level. He also is quite keen on embracing this as a challenge. He stated that he intends to play angry. Angry Ayton! So far he’s shown that he can obviously play. He’s an 18/10 guy for his career, which doesn’t happen accidentally. But if he can channel those talents into a winning form of basketball, night in and night out, he will effectively shatter any and all negative stigmas currently attached to his name. It’s good to see a player embrace the pressure of the bright lights of Los Angeles. Not to mention, embrace the idea that he’s playing with a chip on his shoulder. The Lakers don’t currently have a ton of center depth, so Ayton will theoretically get every chance to make good on those goals. If he can bring some defensive prowess to match his offensive gifts, then he’ll definitely put himself on the map and emerge as a hot commodity within the league once again. Of course, this is all just chatter, and it remains to be seen how it manifests on the court. But so far, it’s the type of perspective that you’d like to hear. Like AR, if Ayton helps himself, he helps the Lakers.

    All in all, none of these players seem overly concerned with their individual roles, and are embracing the concept of team unity. Guys seem ready to go, and ready to lock in to whatever role is asked of them. Whether it’s Marcus Smart, or Jake LaRavia, or Austin Reaves, or Rui Hachimura. Team-wide buy-in is essential, and you want to see a group of players that are on the same page and willing to make sacrifices for the greater good of the team. Of course, all of this sounds neat at the moment, right before we kickoff preseason action. Let’s hope this mantra persists deep into the season. If so, it’s a great start and a good place to be. Go Lakers.

  • Rob Pelinka and JJ Redick Face the Media

    In anticipation of Monday’s NBA Media Day, General Manager Rob Pelinka and team Head Coach JJ Redick held a press conference last Thursday where they addressed the media regarding all things Lakers and the upcoming season. In it were the usual exchanges that take place during these gatherings, with Rob and JJ going back and forth with the media in a way you’d expect. However, occasionally, there were some kernels of knowledge dropped that are insightful as far as the current state of the organization and their plans for the immediate future.

    The first one being JJ Redick’s extension. Apparently, JJ’s contract was extended at some point during the offseason but was only announced until now. Redick initially singed a 4-year deal with the Purple and Gold, prior to the 2024-25 season. After this new extension, his contract will be extended for an extra two years, through 2030. The Lakers view this as an investment of confidence in Redick’s ability to coach and grow as leader. Perhaps also as a bid to cement a player-coach partnership between newly-extended superstar Luka Dončić and a newly-extended Redick. This signals to the rest of the league and those watching that the Lakers’ motto of the day is stability.

    While I understand the intent, I can’t view this as anything other than unnecessary. Redick already had a 4-year deal in place, and after a lackluster showing during last season’s playoffs, it would be incumbent on the organization to observe how he responds and maintain an honest evaluation throughout the remaining three years on his contract. Maybe they see something in JJ Redick after extending him for an additional two years, and maybe they are correct in their assessment. But surely, he’s yet to prove it on the court. I don’t particularly love the idea of the Lakers diving head-first into a commitment before they’ve gone through the proper trials. Think Taylen Horton-Tucker’s extension. JJ could very well end up being LAs next Pat Riley, or it’s next Mike Brown. Either way, let him earn it. Of course, I hope JJ is in fact the next Riley, but I’d be lying if I said this doesn’t feel a bit premature. Particularly with new ownership rolling in.

    For his credit, Redick seems increasingly and positively committed to being the Lakers’ coach. He’s maintained constant dialogue with his players throughout the summer, and has generally been involved with the team’s day-to-day operations all throughout the offseason. Based on what he said during the presser, he’s also sought mentorship from other successful sportsmen outside of basketball, such as the L.A. Rams’ Head Coach Sean McVay, and even Tom Brady. Additionally, he’s spent a good time consulting ChatGPT for extra guidance. He’s certainly performed his due diligence when it comes to improving as a coach and as a leader. Now it remains to bee seen how it manifests on the court.

    Aside from JJ’s current status within the organization, him and Pelinka also discussed the roles of newcomers Jake LaRavia, Marcus Smart and Deandre Ayton. Starting with LaRavia, they view him as a young up-and-coming player with lots of room to grow as well as someone who can emerge as a 3&D weapon. That’s exactly what you want to hear, and exactly what I’ve been saying of LaRavia since he signed. As far as Smart, they’re hopeful that he can recapture his old defensive capabilities and return to his DPOY caliber self. Another aspect they mentioned of Smart is his leadership; he’s someone who’s voice will be counted on to provide an example and set the tone for the younger players. Given his experience and abilities, he can definitely impact the the locker room in a positive way. When it comes to Ayton, he’s someone that the team expects to get alot out of on the offensive end. Particularly on the pick-and-roll, next to Luka Dončić. Redick mentioned how Ayton already experienced great success operating as a screen-setter and roller next to Chris Paul, during the Phoenix Suns’ 2021 run to the NBA Finals. Ayton was also praised for his unique feel for two-man action, which will be an integral component when it comes to his offensive output.

    It’s good to see that the Lakers have a good idea of what to expect from their new acquisitions, and so far have said all the right things. It would have been interesting to hear a little bit more about Deandre Ayton’s defense, as that’s an area of his game that could use some improvement, not to mention crucial to the team’s defensive outlook. Additionally, Redick also spoke of incumbent Lakers, and their respective roles for the upcoming season, namely Rui Hachimura. LA seems to value Rui tremendously, as he is someone that the front office ‘discovered’. Such players always seem to be a source of pride for organizations, as evidenced by the Lakers’ glowing appraisal of his game. Rui was praised for his conditioning by Redick. Conditioning was a recurring theme expressed by Redick throughout the event, as he explicitly called for players to arrive to training camp in their best possible shape. I think this is a very good thing, you want to see coaches demand this level of commitment out of their players. Dalton Knecht was also mentioned, with Redick making the case for Dalton having over-worked himself during the summer, which goes a long way in explaining his subpar play during Summer League action. Personally, I think Knecht will look much better in pre-season, and during the season. So we’ll see.

    Overall, JJ Redick’s vision for this team is quite clear. He will preach “championship shape”, “championship communication” and “championship habits”. He wants players to show up ready to go, with the collective aim of competing for a championship. He’s also, seemingly, put in the work to get better. He’s maintained a constant line of dialogue with his assistants, which already sets a great example for players when it comes to communication. I like alot of what was said, by both Redick and Pelinka. I do wish there had been more explicit discussion regarding the starting five, and Redick’s plan for rotations. But we’ll see soon enough what that looks like, as pre-season will be kicking off very soon. I just hope JJ has the open-mindedness and flexibility to tinker with lineups based on what the season demands. It is very encouraging to hear about his passion for individual player fitness, the buy-in, the communication and the attention to detail, both in practice and in-game action. All of these are integral components to a championship unit. It comes down to how passionately and how effectively JJ can institute these principles. But so far, you love to hear what they’ve had to say. It’ll be interesting to see how these ideals materialize as the season begins. Until then, let’s hope players come in ready to go for training camp. Go Lakers.

  • Why Adam Silver Needs to Drop the Hammer on the Clippers

    It’s been a few days since the reports surfacing of the Los Angeles Clippers circumventing the salary cap in order to pay Kawhi Leonard more endorsement money under the table. We’ve had a good amount of time to let these allegations marinate. Needless to say, things aren’t looking so rosy for the Clippers, Owner Steve Ballmer, Kawhi Leonard and his camp, or the National Basketball Association. The ensuing media coverage also certainly hasn’t helped shine a positive light on the Clips, or the allegations surrounding them. At this point, it’s pretty clear as to what is going on based on the preponderance of evidence in front of us. It’s up to the NBA, and the offices of the commissioner, led by Adam Silver, to take action, and do so with impunity. In order to protect the integrity of the league, and the game, measures need to be acted upon swiftly, and aggressively.

    Recently, Clippers owner Steve Ballmer had a sit-down interview with ESPN’s Ramona Shelbourne. It was a total trainwreck. Nothing he said was believable, or made any sort of sense. Throughout the interview, Ballmer, who himself invested $50M into Aspiration, the company used to funnel extra-curricular “endorsement” money to Kwahi Leonard, repeatedly insisted that he had been conned by said company. Ballmer, who is comfortably the richest owner in all of North American team sports, and has a net worth totalling over $150B, expects people to believe that he was conned by a now defunct tree-planting company, Aspiration. Yeah, you don’t have to be a Daryl Morey-level genius to call hard BS on such claims. On top of that, Ballmer further tripped over himself, revealing that he and the Clippers introduced Kawhi Leonard to Aspiration during November 2021. Remember Kawhi Leonard signed a $48M deal with the company where he had to do a grand-total of nothing. Kawhi never mentioned his affiliation with Aspiration, at any point. Seeing as how Ballmer shelled out $50M to Aspiration as “investment”, it’s not difficult to put two and two together. Yet Ballmer claims he was conned? Yeah, right. The only people doing the conning here are Kawhi and his now infamous Uncle Dennis. There are amore than enough “smoking guns” in this scenario for the NBA to intervene and lay down the hammer.

    But in typical Clippers fashion, things get worse. We know that Kawhi’s deal with aspiration paid him a king’s ransom to basically do nothing. The deal could also only be voided should Kawhi leave the Clippers. Yikes. Among the list of endorsers for Aspiration were the likes of Leonardo Di Caprio, Drake and Robert Downey Jr. Yet, it was Kawhi who was taking home more payout than all of them combined. Double yikes. But, as if that wasn’t enough, it was also recently reported, by journalist and sportswriter Pablo Torre, that the Clippers and their ownership group were still “donating” (read: funnelling money) to Aspiration, as they were going bankrupt. During December of 2022, as the company Aspiration was tanking, Kawhi Leonard was due his quarterly payment of somewhere around $1.75M. Because they were broke, Aspiration could not fulfill this payment, which made Uncle Dennis very, very angry. Out of the blue, Clippers minority owner Dennis Wong (also Steve Ballmer’s former college roommate) stepped in to ‘donate’ $2M through his company DEA 88 Investments, to Aspiration. A few days later on December ’22, Kawhi miraculously received his quarterly payment, and Uncle Dennis rejoiced.

    The company was dying, Uncle Dennis was furious and the Clippers owner donates $2M as there was a federal investigation taking place. Also Dennis Wong’s daughter worked at Aspiration, and yet, he still made a first-time donation to the company during this comically questionable time. Yeah. Guilty.

    The NBA has the Clippers over a barrel. It’s up to Adam Silver to jump on his big boy pants, and protect the integrity of the league. At this juncture, however, Silver doesn’t seem very enthused to enact his powers and do his job. He said in a recent interview, that “The NBA is not a court of law”, further adding that “the burden of proof is on the NBA” and referred to the evidence presented so far as “circumstantial”. To me, this speaks to someone who is scared and is dubious of his own authority. Yes, the NBA is very much a court of law. They mediate disputes, and castigate improprieties all the time. That’s part of the commissioner’s job. David Stern would’ve revelled in this scenario. The commissioner is the judge, jury and executioner. All he has to do is closely examine the evidence and make a decision, and it isn’t a difficult one. Im afraid, however, that the starry-eyed Silver might in fact fear Steve Ballmer’s checkbook. He’s the seventh richest man on the planet, and by far the richest sports owner. This brings me to my final point.

    In the present day, the NBA is increasingly run by ultra-wealthy tech moguls or elite billionaire magnates. They view their sports franchises as part of a conglomerate, merely just an asset to their larger entities. Long gone are the mom and pop days of team sports ownership, as ultra-elites have realized precisely how valuable a sports team can be to their portfolios, because sports in general, in this current day, are incredibly profitable. There’s simply a ton of money being thrown around. Thus, now more than ever, there needs to be rules in place which regulate these massive flows of cash, so that there is an even playing field. If these tech magnates can simply barge in and start dispensing money, left and right, mostly under the table, then that’s effectively terrible for the NBA, and the game of basketball. It undermines the league, the sport, the fans and the powers of the commissioner’s office. It states that the NBA is merely a playground for heavyweight tycoons to play their private game of chess at the expense of the sport and the fans. This can’t fly. That’s why the league needs to act swiftly and make an example out of the Clippers, who are led by Ballmer. If the richest owner has to play by the rules, so does everybody else. It’s about protecting the integrity of the league and the sport. If Adam Silver can staunchly preserve the NBA as a merit-based field, then that’s a win for the game and for the fans. And when you boil it down, that’s basically his job as NBA commissioner. It’s time for Silver to do his job.

  • Luka, Slovenia Ousted By Germany in EuroBasket Quarterfinals

    Luka’s outstanding run of international basketball unfortunately came to an end yesterday, as Slovenia was downed by Germany during the 2025 EuroBasket quarterfinals by a score of 99-91. Slovenia was by no means a favorite coming in to this tournament, but they managed to make it all the way to the knockout round, thanks in no small part to a series of stellar performances by Luka Dončić. One could say that they played well beyond their expectations, and that’s definitely something to be proud of, both for Luka and for his side. But against a robust Germany squad, one that boasts several NBA talents, including the likes of Dennis Schröder, Daniel Theis, Franz Wagner and Tristan Da Silva, Slovenia had its work cut out for them and were tasked with an uphill climb from the onset. They battled admirably, but eventually fell to a more skilled and well-rounded German side. From a Lakers-perspective however, this tournament provided many positives that could carry on to next season, all involving one Luka Dončić. The Lakers superstar balled out, and showed the world that he’s ready to answer the critics that called out his commitment and physical condition. Luka looked stellar all tournament, save for one or two games were he was forced out of action, he was by far the best player in the tournament. Unfortunately, due to the shortcomings on the Slovenian roster, he could only take them so far. But it was encouraging to see Luka play at the level that he did, thus helping his team make it this far.

    Slovenia got off to as promising start, with Luka providing the offensive cavalcade they’d become accustomed to. Luka was scoring in isolation, from the pick-and-roll and doing his best to keep his teammates involved. For a moment, it looked like it may well have been enough. Slovenia battled Germany to a standstill for three quarters, even building a modest four-point (74-70) advantage heading into the fourth quarter. However, a successful 3-point heave to end the third, courtesy of Tristan Da Silva, gave Germany some much needed momentum. Such that they marched into the fourth quarter ready to assume the lead once more, thanks to the skilled shotmaking of players like Franz Wagner (who finished with 23 points, seven rebounds and four assists) and Dennis Schröder (the former Lakers put up 20 points and seven assists). Big man Daniel Theis also contributed 15 points and nine boards. Ultimately, Germany was too much for the Slovenians to keep up with, eventually building a healthy lead in the waning minutes, one they did not relinquish.

    For his part, Luka was once again Luka Magic, in other words, excellent. He put up a gaudy 39 points, 10 boards and seven assists. He shot the ball relatively poorly (11/25 from the field and 5/16 from beyond the arc). Most this was due to him having to empty the clip, as surely, no sizeable help was going to come from the rest of the roster. Luka knew he had to lay it all out there, and he did. He had the midrange going, as he made a number of them in the fourth quarter in hopes of keeping his team afloat. But ultimately Germany’s savviness and multi-pronged attack helped them close the deal. A late stepback three pointer from the wing by Luka briefly gave Slovenia a one point 86-85 lead with a little over four minutes to go in the game. But from there on, it was all Germany, as they managed to out-execute the opposition in a hard-fought contest. It was a good game for sure and one that perhaps can be somewhat of a building block for Slovenia, and their future hopes for International glory. All in all, making it this far in the tournament is certainly an achievement, and something they can be proud of.

    For Luka, this tournament was everything he and his supporters could have hoped for. He showcased his talents on an international stage, being the main driving force behind his team’s success. After starting out 0-2, Slovenia managed to string together a 4-game win streak, heading into the quarterfinal matchup with Germany. Their hopes were cut short against a superior opponent, yet it was still an impressive showing by Slovenia, as well as for Luka individually. For the entire tournament, Luka averaged 34.5 points to go with 8.6 rebounds and 7.9 assists. He shot a robust 45.8% from the field, but was eluded by the three pointer, making only 32% of his shots from range. Hopefully, with better looks on the Lakers, he will make them at a better clip, without having to force the issue. Luka finished as the leader in both scoring and steals for the tournament. Certainly a positive sign for a player coming back from an injury-ridden 2025 season, with the hopes of recapturing his past form. Luka looks great and ready to prove the doubters wrong. After yesterday’s contest, we will next see Luka suit up for the Lakers training camp in a few weeks. Pre-season is slated to start early in October. It’s exciting to see a well-motivated Luka come into the season ready to pick up where he left off, and hopefully go on to do great things for the Los Angeles Lakers. Until then, let’s hope guys arrive at training camp with a chip on their shoulder and eager to prove the naysayers wrong. It should be a good season in store. Go Lakers.

  • Should The Lakers Pursue Andrew Wiggins?

    As we head deeper in the offseason and inch closer towards the regular season, we’re starting to get a very clear picture of what the 2026 Los Angeles Lakers roster is going to look like. Training camp is less than a month away, and the Lakers seem ready to embark on yet another campaign with their new look group. Newcomers Deandre Ayton, Jake LaRavia and Marcus Smart will give the team an infusion of skillsets that they did not have last year. However, on a team with Luka Dončić and an older LeBron James, the phrase ‘Win-Now’ is ever-present in the franchise’s outlook. The Lakers and GM Rob Pelinka have done well this offseason, and their additions have been largely solid. But as is expected of this franchise, the pursuit of excellence is non-stop. Thus, there are still areas of the roster where the team can improve. The main one of those being perimeter defense; that is an area where the team, despite marginal improvements, can still do better.

    Enter Andrew Wiggins. The 30-year old Heat journeyman, despite his many talents, finds himself in a unique situation with his current franchise. The Heat are a team in transition. They traded Jimmy Butler last season. Now, they look to build around some of their young pillars: Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro. Wiggins looks to be an odd man out. He’s still a talented player, no doubt, but his age perhaps suggests that he and the Miami are not on the same timeline. He also happens to be a sizeable expiring contract, with Miami having not placed an extension for him on the table. This usually means one thing: trade bait. While he is a good player, Miami, in my opinion, correctly view Wiggins’ optimal value as that of a trade chip that can net them assets. The only problem with Miami and Wiggins is his price tag has been much too high, perhaps even unrealistic. Miami clearly want to trade him, but only seem willing to do so under the guise that they are trading a way a star player. One that commands assets, draft picks and even a young player in return. Wiggins is certainly good, but is he that good?

    The Lakers, for their part, have done well in maintaining future flexibility. All of their offseason additions have come via free agency, where despite their limited resources, they were able to add considerable talent upgrades without having to reach back into their limited assets chest. The Lakers could proverbially swing a trade for Andrew Wiggins, should the opportunity present itself. But it takes two to tango, and then there’s the Miami angle. The Heat have repeatedly stated that they intend to keep Wiggins, and that he will be a valuable piece to their upcoming campaign. I’m not sure that I buy that given that Miami has yet to offer Wiggins an extension. As it stands it’s questionable if the Heat are a playoff team in the Eastern Conference, but given how weak the East is, perhaps they will sneak in as a lower seed. But is that even worth it? Miami’s best strategy is to tank, and roll into the 2026 offseason with a high draft pick plus ammunition to add pieces. Trading away Wiggins certainly helps them do that, while keeping him accomplishes the opposite. It’ll be interesting to see how the Heat proceed with Wiggins and his salary. But if and when he’s made available, he’s certainly a piece that should attract the Lakers, as he provides exactly what they need: an athletic two-way presence that can raise the team’s defensive ceiling and fit in with Luka Dončić.

    There are some around NBA circles that believe that the Lakers will continue to heavily monitor their options on the trade market, and eventually pull the trigger on the right deal. Should Wiggins be made available, the Lakers would look to be players in such a scenario. Legendary reporter of ESPN fame Marc Stein, had this to say:

    “The Lakers are in win-now mode.

    They signed Luka Dončić to a three-year max contract extension worth $165 million on the first day such a deal was permissible (Aug. 2). They have LeBron James under contract for one more season. And they will be on the lookout, I’m told, for the proverbial right deal to present itself to upgrade on the wing if possible and add to a list of newcomers headlined by Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia.

    As I understand it: The Lakers’ reluctance in the early stages of the offseason to consider trades for contracts that stretch beyond the 2025-26 season has thawed somewhat.

    I don’t think that means they’ll swing a deal for just anyone between now and the Feb. 5 trade deadline, but league sources say L.A. would indeed have interest in adding a two-way swingman who can raise their ceiling.”

    Specifically as it pertains to Wiggins, he mentioned the following:

    “The sort of player who is likely to interest the Lakers?

    My read (if Miami were to make him available): Andrew Wiggins.

    Wiggins, 30, will earn $28.2 million this season and holds a $30.2 million player option for 2026-27. I wouldn’t have classified him as a potential purple-and-gold target before Dončić’s long-term future was secured, but things are different now. So my sense is that the Lakers would have interest if the Heat, in coming weeks or months, decide to prioritize financial flexibility and look to reduce payroll.“

    Personally, I’d like to see the Lakers target Andrew Wiggins, but only at the right price. If that price is Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent and a second round pick, then by all means, jump on that. But if that tag somehow spikes up to Rui Hachimura, a first rounder and (gulp) Austin Reaves, then that’s a hard pass. Andrew Wiggins potentially solves some of the team’s issues, and his acquisition will go a long ways to show Luka that the Lakers are committed to putting the right pieces around him. However, is getting Andrew Wiggins worth sacrificing flexibility and committing future salary to? Perhaps. Is Andrew Wiggins worth the flexibility, salary and additional assets such as a first rounder? Hell no. It’s important to keep things in perspective. Yes, the Lakers should perennially be on the look-out to improve the roster. Alas, at the right price. Andrew Wiggins is definitely worth some combination of Rui, Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber and a second round pick. He isn’t worth much more than that, and his own team knows it given that they haven’t put an extension in front of him. They want to move him, and are selling high. For the Lakers, the best course of action is the same one they’ve been adopting as of late. Patience. If the right deal emerges, then they’ll pull the trigger. Until then, they’ll continue to diligently observe the market and see where they can fit in. This is the best strategy. Go Lakers.

  • Luka Dominates as Slovenia Defeats Italy to Advance to Knockout Round

    Following a rough start to EuroBasket 2025, Slovenia seems to be coming together at the right time. Fresh off the heels of a victory over Israel to conclude group stage, Slovenia took down Italy today by a score of 84-77. Luka Dončić was once again Luka Magic, as the Lakers star dropped a game high 42 points, to go with 10 rebounds and an assist. He also collected three steals. Luka was quite efficient today, shooting 11 of 19 from the field. Even more encouraging is the fact that his three-pointer seems to be rounding into shape, as he made five out of his 11 shot attempts from behind the arc. What’s impressive about Luka so far is he seems to be capable of dialling in his level of play depending on the stakes at hand. All of his best games have come as of late, and he seems to be keenly aware of his importance to the Slovenian team, and how much he needs to contribute in order to win. Today he wasn’t so much Luka the distributor as much as he was Luka the bucket-getter. He knew his team needed every ounce of offense he could muster, and he made sure to keep pressing on the accelerator when it came to scoring the basketball. On the other hand, he didn’t get much support tonight from the rest of the team, as Klemen Prepelic (11 points on 3/10 from the field) was the only other Slovenian scoring in double-figures. At this stage though, Luka will do whatever he has to do. It’s win or go home moving forward.

    Italy was a worthy foe today, as they battled their way back into the contest despite falling behind by double digits at halftime. Luka came scorching out of the gates, helping Slovenia build a 29-11 lead after the first quarter. By halftime he had scored 30 points, while helping preserve the lead. But Italy bounced back, after they decisively won the third quarter, and would eventually make it a one point affair late in the fourth quarter. Led by NBA alum Danilo Gallinari and Simone Fontecchio, the Italians were a strong team coming into this tournament, and continued to prove why. Slovenia, to their credit were able to execute late and make the timely buckets that would gradually push their lead back up and help them close the game.

    Italy’s gameplan versus Luka was an interesting one, as they opted not to double or trap as much, instead switching on ball screens and trying to tire him out by making him iso all game. Luka recognized this, and was determined to beat his man off the dribble and get to the free throw line, where he connected on 15 of his 16 attempts. Conversely, when the defense switched, Luka was aggressive in making the switching big guard him in space, often draining a stepback three over him. He made a few of those today, showcasing how truly special his game can be when he has that shot falling. Luka was in full scoring mode today, as his lone assist came via a trap on the wing, where he cleanly fired a laser over the defense, that hit the rolling big in the paint, before the help could rotate, resulting in a dunk. Luka definitely recognized that his team was going to need every bit of offense that he could give them, and he made sure to do just that. Perhaps equally importantly, Luka made sure to get to the line in the waning minutes, with the score heavily contested. Up just one point, with a little over a minute to play, Luka connected on four free throws to make sure they’d secure the victory.

    Despite Luka’s teammates not scoring the ball proficiently, one must give them credit for doing the little things that contributed to their win. Slovenia won the battle at the glass, nabbing 40 rebounds, to Italy’s 30. 15 of those were offensive, which lead to an extra 16 points, which very well may have been the biggest factor in today’s win, despite Luka’s gaudy individual statistics. Italy actually outshot Slovenia from the field (45.5% to 42.2%) so one can safely surmise that those offensive rebounds made a sizeable difference in the final outcome. For his play, Luka was named the player of the game, as he once again led both teams in scoring, as well as rebounding. With Luka playing at this level, we must give Slovenia a puncher’s chance to hang with the better teams, as we inch closer to the tournament’s finale.

    Luka has looked great in EuroBasket 2025. The changes to his physique are noticeable, and have helped him gain more mobility, which we didn’t see last year, certainly not at this level. In particular, he seems to be able to split doubles and traps, which help him get to the middle of the court, where he can post-up, shoot the mid-range, or if the defense is over-aggressive, earn a trip to the charity stripe. He seems to be well in control offensively, which is an awesome thing to see, and certainly something that we look forward to seeing this upcoming Lakers season. For the most part, his game has looked smooth, and he is letting things come to him as opposed to forcing the issue. His three-pointer is also starting to come around, making him all the more dangerous with the ball in his hands. Slovenia will now be advancing to the quarterfinals, where they’ll take on Germany. The Germans are fresh off the heels of a resounding victory over Portugal in their Round of 16 matchup, and on paper, easily boast one of the more talented rosters in the tournament with no shortage of NBA pedigree. But as we witnessed today, anything can happen in the single elimination format, as Serbia and France both endured upsets, taking the two juggernauts out of the picture. If Luka Magic persists, Slovenia can definitely hang with any of the remaining teams, but alas, you never know. It’ll be intriguing to watch Slovenia square off against Germany, in what should be a fun contest. Until then, let’s hope they can keep playing quality basketball and that Luka keeps bringing the fireworks. Go Slovenia and Go Lakers.

  • Report: The Clippers Are Still The Clippers

    In a not-so-stunning turn of events, the Los Angeles Clippers did something very Clipper-like. They embroiled themselves in yet another controversy, proving yet again that they are, indeed, the Clippers. The Clips and owner Steve Ballmer, *allegedly* set up a phony company called Aspiration which would go on to count Clippers’ star Kawhi Leonard as its flagship endorser. Aspiration, now bankrupt, *allegedly* payed out a total of $28M to Leonard for a “no-show” endorsement gig. Leonard never publicly acknowledged his connection to Aspiration, despite receiving a substantial amount of money for (secretly?) endorsing their enterprise. This smells fishy, and very Clipper-esque. Not to mention, Steve Ballmer, the sixth richest man in the world, *allegedly* facilitated Kawhi Leonard’s “participation” with Aspiration by donating large sums of money to the now defunct company. This essentially circumvents the NBA salary cap, which is a very serious affront given how much the NBA values their CBA and its accompanying by-laws. This is a story that won’t go away until we get to the bottom of it, and it so eloquently encapsulates the Clippers and their ethos. All that glitters ain’t Gold.

    The Los Angeles Lakers, of course, were briefly linked to Kawhi Leonard when they pursued his services during the summer of 2019. Kawhi eventually spurned the Purple & Gold, in favor of the cross-hall rivals Clippers. But amidst negotiations with the the Lakers, some interesting reports surfaced. Among those the notion that Kawhi and his team (led by his uncle Dennis Robertson) made outlandish demands to the Lakers in exchange of his services. A private plane, a house, team ownership stakes and most suspiciously, a guaranteed amount of endorsement money (perhaps to the tune of $28M?) were some of the reported indulgences demanded by Leonard and his camp. The Lakers, smartly, walked away from that whole fiasco, before Leonard eventually landed with the Clips. The Lakers also rebounded by assembling the pieces for what would later become a championship roster during the 2020 NBA season. In hindsight, LA did the right thing. The way Kawhi and his camp carried themselves during those negotiations doesn’t exactly reek of someone who is committed to proudly donning the logo. To the contrary, it speaks of someone who is in it for himself.

    The Clippers of course, being the Clippers, *likely* welcomed Leonard and his demands, seeing as how a.) they’re the Clippers therefore they’re desperate and b.) the idea of sticking to big brother Lakers was too much to pass up. It’s very telling that there were reports of Leonard and his camp making these outrageous demands as early as back in 2019, during his big free agency summer. Now, almost six years later, these same reports are resurfacing, except now in greater detail. The company in question, Aspiration, was a company that helped clients ‘leave behind’ a carbon footprint by planting trees on their behalf. Apparently, they charged their clients one dollar for every tree planted in their name. Steve Ballmer caught wind of this company around late 2021, and decided to bring them aboard the ‘Clipper Family’ (move over Billy Crystal and Clipper Darrell). He then starts *allegedly* pouring in tens of millions of dollars into the company, in addition to agreeing to eventually anoint them as chief franchise sponsors, complete with a jersey patch and ads plastered all over the Intuit Dome. A few months later, Kawhi Leonard resigns with the Clippers for over $176M, hmmm. And a few months after that, Kawhi lands an endorsement deal with you guessed it, Aspiration. Hmm-hmmmmm. This was followed by Leonard creating an LLC by the name of “KL2Aspire”, which would be used for Kawhi to collect his “endorsement” money. If you stopped right there, that’s enough evidence for a guilty verdict, but in true Clipper fashion, it still gets worse.

    Kawhi, *allegedly* earned more money than all of the other company’s celebrity ambassadors combined, and by a healthy margin, more than four times over. He was essentially “paid” $28M to do absolutely nothing. Moreover, Kawhi’s contract with Aspiration stated not a single demand for the superstar to fulfill, instead making a handful of “requests”. Among said requests were for Leonard to autograph a number of items, take a photo or video each month and provide five organic interactions (such as comments, likes or retweets). Of these requests, Leonard fulfilled a grand total of zero of them. As a cherry on top, the only way for the contract to be voided/terminated was if Kawhi no longer played with the Los Angeles Clippers. That’s a lot of red flags. Of course these are all still *allegations*. But if true, oh boy. We also know that the Lakers declined to grant any of Leonards demands during their negotiation process. Perhaps those demands included a phony company to funnel $28M of secret endorsement money under the table. By the way, Kawhi also never spoke publicly of Aspiration, or his involvement with them.

    If these allegations are proven true, and the evidence certainly suggests so, then the NBA should throw the book at the Clippers and make an example of them. Years ago, when the Minnesota Timberwolves signed power-forward Joe Smith, by sliding extra money under the table. As a result, they were met with harsh consequences by then NBA commissioner David Stern. They were fined up the rear, and forced to forfeit over 5 draft picks. Current Commish Adam Silver ought to strap on his big boy pants and go to work. The NBA, reportedly, takes its CBA very seriously, and any violations thereof are usually persecuted to highest degree. Here, you have the Clippers, with owner and tech mogul Steve Ballmer, the sixth richest man on the planet, assuming they’re above the norms and traditions by flexing their financial muscle in ways that undermine the rulebook. This type of thing can’t fly. Fines, draft selections and voided contracts should all be in play. The Clippers need to be made an example of. Other organizations have been punished for much less. More importantly, the integrity of the game and of the NBA should be protected. Adam Silver shouldn’t fear Ballmer’s checkbook, because Ballmer will be filthy rich regardless. The NBA should come first in this regard, and in this new age of über-wealthy tech moguls buying sports franchises with their pocket cash, the league needs to stand firm by its rules so as to not undermine the integrity of the sport by allowing these ultra-wealthy magantes to think they can make a mockery of it. Because at the end of the day money can buy status, but not respect.

    Anyways, Go Lakers.