Just Like That, LeBron/Lakers

Dauntless

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So no more Cavaliers in the finals for awhile. This might break the starting to shake Warriors, too. But the Lakers have been to the finals more than any other team.

Knowing there are so many Lakers haters out there, how about Cliff Randle/Luol Deng for Kawhi Leonard? That'll leave so much money to resign Isaiah Thomas, as well as, oh, the possibilities.

But the Lakers need 1st round picks 4-6 years from now for the post LeBron period. We gotta be ready this time. Start with a deal getting one from San Antonio.
 
Don't hear about any big names coming up through the ranks as much. Its starting to feel like the period just before Jordon retired. After Jordon retired the NBA got boring for a while. With Kobe gone, and LeBron to follow suit at some point, things might get boring until another super star takes the stage.
 
The league's historic matchups were Wilt Chamberlain/Bill Russell and Magic Johnson/Larry Bird. 8 years in Magic was staging a summer exhibition game and he was to be teamed with Bird for the first time in like EVER. From the NCAA Championship game that is the most watched in history, 3 NBA finals with the NBA's greatest rivals, Lakers/Celtics, then of course every AllStar game of their careers, they'd always been opponents. Sorry, Kobe/LeBron wasn't going to match any of that. It's been awhile since the league was all so exciting, yes.

So the Minneapolis Lakers were formed in 1947 to play in the National Basketball League, something that they did very well from the start. In their first year they had the best record in the league and won their first championship. That would keep going for awhile, although they left the NBL and joined the Basketball Association of America, again the best record in the league and again the champions. Their 3rd year came in their 3rd league, the National Basketball Association was formed from the merger of the Lakers' two previous leagues. And the Lakers took their 3rd championship. Oddly enough, while the 1949 championship with the BBL is counted in the league history, the championship with the NBL is not recognized, nor is the championship of the now Sacramento Kings or two for the now Detroit Pistons. The Indiana Pacers won the American Basketball Association championship 3 times before the leagues merged, the now Brooklyn Nets won once, none of this is recognized.

So the Lakers have 17 championships to match the Boston Celtics, but only get credit for 16. By 2010 they had gone to the championship finals 32 times in 63 seasons, over half the time, but they haven't been back since. During that 2010 season playoffs the league commissioner was asked who he'd like to see the Lakers play in the finals, bringing the answer "I'd like to see the LAKERS play the Lakers in the finals." At the time they were recognized as the world's most popular sports team. Maybe with LeBron they'll get back up there. Maybe there's still hope Lonzo Ball will the the exciting player as billed.

But I don't think we'll ever see another Magic Johnson or Wilt Chamberlain, the only serious choices for the greatest ever. It's so funny to see some player get $10 million a year without creating any real excitement.
 
http://www.latimes.com/opinion/la-ol-enter-the-fray-dear-los-angeles-lebron-james-is-an-1530542745-htmlstory.html#nt=card
Need to scroll down and click expand to get the text. Like to see him get motorized and start commuting GC in DC style. Looking for LB in LA to appear in this forum soon. :lol:
 
Lebron is a frugal consumer, but he sure does need a larger custom made bicycle for 6 feet, 8 inches tall and weighs 250 pounds.
 
A year ago Lakers fan we're enthusiastic about the development of Julius Randle, Josh Hart, Brandon Ingram, Alonzo Ball, even G leagues top player Thomas Bryant. All flushed down the toilet.

I blame LeBron. Now it's like they didn't get Anthony Davis to win a title, they did it to act like they're kewl.

Do you suppose the point to getting rid of Luke Walton was because he was a reminder of how Golden State built their 5 trips to the finals?
 
just like that...
45e1586d508839f9288fefc9fcf959f4.jpg
 
Just like that, Kawhi/Clipper, Lakers Championship, LeBron injured.

Not only are the Lakers tied with the Celtics with 17 NBA championships, but the Lakers have one from before the NBA so they are the leading all time champions.

Maybe the Clippers can finally win one this year.
 
Asterisk for what? This year? Last year? I don't see why.

If you're the Sacramento Kings who have one NBA Championship* over 70 years you want an asterisk for the 1946 National Basketball League title you won that the NBA doesn't recognize. The Lakers and Pistons have championships there that are unrecognized but at least have won a few times in the NBA. The Lakers 17 Championships*, the Pistons 3 Championships*.

Then there's the Indiana Pacers. 3 time champions in the American Basketball Association. No NBA Championships*. The Brooklyn Nets also had 3 Championships*, although one was the final, cut it short before we go out of business season before merging with the NBA, so perhaps they need TWO asterisk's for mentioning no championships**.
 
I can just go by what the NHL does, which is a non season even though they are playing. I dont know what the NBA is doing, just heard Toronto is playing in the USA with no covid restrictions, while if they play in Canada, the stadiums will have zero audience. Crowds have a big impact on teams.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2021/01/12/nhl-2021-schedule-season-one-its-most-unusual/6603982002/
which has no crowds, borders being clsoed necessitated the formation of an all-Canada division, That required shuffling the other divisions. The league is trying to limit travel, so many teams will spend two games in a city before going to another city or heading home.
 
LeBron James and Russell Westbrook have gone in different directions. LeBron didn't used to let his mouth get him in trouble. Same with Kevin Durant. So much has changed.

At least Westbrook is growing up.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/sports.yahoo.com/amphtml/nba-wizards-russell-westbrook-responds-to-stephen-a-smith-criticism-i-was-a-champion-171407638.html
 
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