S66 Lakers Presser: YES. WE. DID. edition

[MexicanMamba]

The live feed flickers to life.  Out of focus then into focus in a blink.  Two men in frame, facing each other on a basketball court.  One shirtless, one with a purple Lakers shirt, heavy with sweat. 

Safi Fino-A-Laself, in purple, holds a basketball in his right hand.  Paolo Banchero, across from him, takes in a deep breath and gets down into a defensive stance.  From behind the image, a voice booms. 

"Game point, ya'll!"

Safi doesn't acknowledge, Banchero gives a slight nod of his head.  Safi lowers the ball to his waist, in both hands.

Jab step.

Jab.

Banchero adjusts. 

Safi walks the ball to his right, Paolo shadows.  Safi drives hard to his right, Banchero cuts him off, so Safi turns his back to the defender. 

Post up.

Bodies collide and collide as Banchero is backed down by the more physical player.  15 feet from the basket Safi quick turns for a fade away, but Banchero never loses his man and swipes, knocking the ball loose.  Scramble.  Paolo grabs the ball and immediately shifts to the offensive, going by the flat footed MVP.  Safi hunts him down.   Banchero rises up near the basket to go for the layup.  Safi launches into the air and blocks the shot.  The teammates dive for the ground to gain control of the ball.  Banchero gets there first and tries to get on his feet but Safi meets him and swipes the ball back.

Crossover.  Step back 3.

Off the glass and in. 

Game.

The voice behind the feed howls in excitement and the camera shakes with his movement like a sequel to The Bourne franchise.  Banchero and Safi fist bump as they walk off the court and sit on either side of the camera. 

The image flips, and Johnny Davis grins into the camera. 

"Hey everyone, JD here to give ya'll a few minutes of our time.  I'm sure you know these two gentlemen."

Camera quickly turns to Safi then Banchero, who both give a quick wave as they towel their faces. 

"I know this isn't the normal way these things typically go.  We're suppose to invite fans or media and let ya'll grill us.  And believe me, I KNOW you guys all have some questions after this off-season."

Banchero's voice interrupts.

"And they wanted us to do the whole show too.  Lights and banners and signs that said "YES. WE. DID." and pyro and fog." he shrugs. "But  ..."

Safi cuts in next.

"I said no." He shakes his head. "There's nothing to celebrate."

Johnny nods in agreement. 

"So, we're here continuing to work out the kinks that we saw during preseason instead. Still, we agreed to make some time to interact with ya'll like this. And we'll get to the part where we allow the questions to come in.  First though, obviously I know the first thing on everyone's mind.  Off the top, let me just say that I love Denver and all the fans who made my time there memorable.  We played some good basketball during my time there and I'll always appreciate it.  Going into this off-season, I wholeheartedly believed I'd go back.  But then I got a phone call.  An opportunity.  I've played good basketball on good teams.  I've never been on a GREAT team.  Coming here with these two? With this management team, who consistently does everything in their power to win? I had to think long and hard."

"And welcome to Los Angeles."

"I'm here now, bottom line.  I'm ready to be great."

Banchero slides closer to Davis to get into frame. 

"This wasn't easy for any of us.  Johnny to leave Denver.  Safi and I to accept that we still needed help to get over the hump.  To put this shit mildly, the past few seasons have been humbling."

"We needed to change, so we did." Safi is heard off-camera.

Banchero agrees by nodding. 

Davis follows suit. 


"So, good luck to my friends in Denver this season and beyond.  Good luck to the Lakers players who left to make this happen.  I know we're going to see Leroy Johnston again, for sure." 

"And we'll miss you too Evan and Primo.  Wish things would've ended for all of us in a more satisfying way.  Just doesn't always work out that way."

"And we know there's a lot of folks that are going to hate the three of us after this.  That's okay too. We're just here to play ball.  To win, to grow together, and to go out and finally bring another championship to this city."

Now Safi slides into frame as well.

"And THAT ... is really all that matters to me."

Davis grins. 

"But before we get back to work on all of that.  Let's hear from ya'll.  What do you really wanna know?"

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[garbageman]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: What do you think the biggest difference will be on this year's Lakers team that doesn't have anything to do with your big three?

[MexicanMamba]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: What do you think the biggest difference will be on this year's Lakers team that doesn't have anything to do with your big three?

1. Swapping out Evan Mobley for Kai Jones. Mobley was a bona-fide superstar in his prime. I love that guy and appreciate everything he brought to Cali. BUT ... my man wouldn't stop shooting the basketball, especially from distance, as he tailed off at the end. He took valuable shots and possessions from the guys who should have them. Kai Jones is a rebounder and defensive presence, but doesn't demand the basketball as much and plays his role well. Evan shot 15+ times per game last season. Kai shot 9 in the preseason.

2. And this is wishful thinking but ... can we stay healthy when the playoffs hit? Losing Mobley and Pearson once and Leroy last season really derailed some great opportunities.

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[Black Superman]

As safi turns 29 how do you feel about the new look Lakers as you look to secure a championship before he retires?

[greepleairport]

Did it hurt, JD, when you fell from Denver in to the crypto.com arena? Are you in any way related to KD, JD?

One more for Safi, the reigning MVP. You have 2 absolute studs on your team now which by PBSL math takes the MVP trophy out of your hands. Who do you think will step up to the throne and take that honor next?

[MexicanMamba]

As safi turns 29 how do you feel about the new look Lakers as you look to secure a championship before he retires?

I feel good about this team. It's similar to last season's 65 win team in a lot of ways, except with better fitting pieces (Kai over Mobley) or simply better players (JD over Leroy). I don't know exactly the best way to fit them yet, but we've got all season to tinker and try to nab that elusive 2nd championship, with Safi at the center of it all.

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[MexicanMamba]

Did it hurt, JD, when you fell from Denver in to the crypto.com arena? Are you in any way related to KD, JD?

One more for Safi, the reigning MVP. You have 2 absolute studs on your team now which by PBSL math takes the MVP trophy out of your hands. Who do you think will step up to the throne and take that honor next?

All I'm feeling is California Love, my guy. I'm not here to worry about negative headlines or folks too inside their feelings. I'm here to ball and win.

...

Who is going to take my MVP crown? You just heard from him. Three monsters or not, I'm going to set my man JD up all season, and i know he's going to knock em down. When he still averages 25-7-7? I'll slide him the trophy myself. Hopefully it won't be the only one he raises either.

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[Eazy P]

I have a question for JD.

What went into your decision to leave Denver for LA and what were the deciding factors?

[78#]

Steven Gates, Houston Chronicle:

Johnny Davis played PG in the preseason. Do you see him being the consistent point on the team and how will it affect his scoring as well as the scoring for other key guys? How frustrating was it dealing with injuries in the playoffs and how will it affect your mindset with this upcoming season?

[MexicanMamba]

I have a question for JD.

What went into your decision to leave Denver for LA and what were the deciding factors?

It was time to be part of a great team instead of just a great player. As for the deciding factors, that's easy. Two things. Safi. Paolo.

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[MexicanMamba]

Steven Gates, Houston Chronicle:

Johnny Davis played PG in the preseason. Do you see him being the consistent point on the team and how will it affect his scoring as well as the scoring for other key guys? How frustrating was it dealing with injuries in the playoffs and how will it affect your mindset with this upcoming season?

You'll see plenty of JD playing point this season, but he will be sharing that responsibility with Safi as well. We're going to experiment and see what's the best route for this squad. I think JD will get numbers regardless.

As for the injuries, yeah, it sucks. I think we win a ring two seasons ago without them. Last season isn't so clear-cut to me, but I'd have loved a chance to find out. Can't do anything but move forward now though.

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