Showtime Lakers S60 Preseason Presser

[MexicanMamba]

It's a season of change all around the league, but first, something that remained the same: Congrats to Detroit on making some history. It's been quite a run that isn't over just yet. Off the back of that however, we get to come to a season where a few teams seem poised to at least give it their best shot to slay the dragon, and these Lakers are one of them.

Wait, what? The Lakers? Yeah, it's still taking some getting used to on my end as well but I was more than thrilled to merge the Californias this off-season under the Laker banner, the team I grew up cheering on.

In more change, we did decide to part ways with a couple of important players from last season's tough, but ultimately snakebit by injury, team. Ousmane Dieng and Raiquan Gray are gone, hopefully to find success in Boston and Miami.

In their places are Charles Alleman, a young low post presence who we are incredibly excited about and rookie Center, Thomas Walker. Walker's potential has many of us here thrilled about the possibilities. The draft found us dig up a diamond in the rough, Gregory Kozak at #16 and though he's unlikely to play this season due to being ridiculously raw, the upside is great. The crown in the free agency period was a player we've coveted for multiple seasons now, Ronny Asher. It's his presence that made us feel comfortable letting Gray go be a #1 scorer elsewhere.

Coming back is the heart of last season's squad, Dong Bone, Karlo Pearson and Safi Fino-A-Laself. They will again anchor this attack and lead us where we want to go. Safi showed us in camp that he's still as hard working as ever, even with a huge price tag now attached. To help these guys will be young holdovers Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, Al Jones, EJ Liddell and new bit players James Cruz, Tex Harrison, Albert Hunter, Chadwick Dangerfield and the returning Kenneth Heard.

We feel it's a deep and talented squad that will push for the division, Conference and maybe the title. That won't be easy, sharing a division with the Bucks and their shiny new toys but we won't back down.

We also don't plan on being finished building. We're hunting for a star and have plenty of assets to work with. Phones are open! Holler!
We'll just ignore the 6-0 preseason because we know it's unreliable. However, its at least better than being awful!

The official lineup hasn't been cemented however it could look something like:

C: Ronny Asher
PF: Charles Alleman
SF: Dong Bone
SG: Safi Fino-A-Laself
PG: Karlo Pearson
6th: James Cruz
7th: Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk

It should be an exciting season!



Now, drop those questions!

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[false9]

What will be greater: wins this season or number of times you mix up Lakers/Clippers?

[Mike Lowry]

First off, Congratulations on bringing in what is an undeniable ton of talent and potential. This roster is loaded with all-star participants; they won't all make it this year though. So the obvious question is, which generation are you going to make a push with? Do you think Alleman, Pearson, and Safi are developed enough to raise a banner? And if not, when do you turn the corner on Bone? The good thing is, you have multiple opportunities to jump at the first sign of vulnerability displayed by the defending champs, but if that window opens now, will you maneuver to get through it?

[MexicanMamba]

What will be greater: wins this season or number of times you mix up Lakers/Clippers?

Lakers/Clippers by at least 1,457 ... conservative estimates

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[MexicanMamba]

First off, Congratulations on bringing in what is an undeniable ton of talent and potential. This roster is loaded with all-star participants; they won't all make it this year though. So the obvious question is, which generation are you going to make a push with? Do you think Alleman, Pearson, and Safi are developed enough to raise a banner? And if not, when do you turn the corner on Bone? The good thing is, you have multiple opportunities to jump at the first sign of vulnerability displayed by the defending champs, but if that window opens now, will you maneuver to get through it?

Well, I think this team can pull a title with one more big move to add to it by using assets and Tex's contract. So, I'll be trying hard to find that perfect deal. If I don't? I'll probably be looking to deal a major piece or 2 in the off-season to fully reset around Safi and Karlo.

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[K-100]

Safi's TC magic is something to behold - do you see him winning any individual awards this season?

[MexicanMamba]

Safi's TC magic is something to behold - do you see him winning any individual awards this season?

Probably not this season. He certainly is progressing at a ridiculous rate, and offensively he should be in the 20 PPG range (unless there's just too many good scorers that gotta share), but I think to get any awards love he'd have to be THE man, and he's still building to that.


(Unless I play him as 6th man )

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[greepleairport]

What are the ingredients in Safi’s secret juice?


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[garbageman]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: How did the new division draft influence the Lakers' short term plans?

[MexicanMamba]

What are the ingredients in Safi’s secret juice?


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California sunshine, a little Nina Simone, and being incredibly raw coming in but having high potentials.

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[MexicanMamba]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: How did the new division draft influence the Lakers' short term plans?

I dont think it did. I had every intention of coming into the off-season looking to get more assets or go all-in if I found a deal that made sense. I stayed with that plan even after the division shakeup. If anything shifted, it's just having solid assets, flexibility with salary for deals, a very positive TC all around, and a strong roster makes me more excited to try upgrading than I was when the season ended.

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[LazyTitanSmash]

Is Safi going to win MVP in the next 5 years on that super max deal? Follow up - What does his training camp work out look like?

[Eazy P]

Your Team is stacked. Do you expect to make any more moves and do you see yourself giving the defending champs a run for the title?

[MexicanMamba]

Is Safi going to win MVP in the next 5 years on that super max deal? Follow up - What does his training camp work out look like?

I'll say he does not win an MVP, but that's only because I've seen how tough it is to win that award. I think he's capable, especially near the end of this 2nd contract when his passing, defense catches up with his scoring but hard to predict what my team as a whole will look like that far down the road.

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[MexicanMamba]

Your Team is stacked. Do you expect to make any more moves and do you see yourself giving the defending champs a run for the title?

I'm aggressively searching for one more big move to make so that I can give the Pistons (And Bucks and Bulls and Wizards and Pacers) a real run. As-is, I think we may be just a tad behind the big guns. I'd love to add another stellar defender on the wings, and maybe a shot-blocker or post defender.

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