S54 Lakers Preseason Press Conference (feat. nonsequitur gifs)

[greepleairport]

Hello everyone. I’ve sobered up since S53. So has my team. We’re helping each other now. Danny stopped skiing. I drink...less. Heard is back, Caruso is better than ever, and the offensive hole left gaping by Daniel Gamez exit has been filled with John freaking Blakemore.

But birdies can’t fly their way into a championship without wings now, can they?



Thus the dilemma in LA. We are without a wing to round us out. We are looking, and as their leader and decision maker (for now), I’ve pulled aside Richie Cuevas, James Andrews and Luigi Leathers to discuss their future value. They are going to be league greats who will not dance in the shadows of Danny Campbell and Alex Caruso - no! They will be the leaders of whatever team they are on several years down the road.



This isn’t to say that team cannot be the Lakers, of course. But these guys are young in the league, much like I was 15 seasons ago! I didn’t know what was going on much the same way they don’t know what’s going on. They’re still putting in the work, and thus, their time in LA may be sacrificed so that a wing may fly this team all the way to a championship ring.



Does that mean we’re going all in? Perhaps. We will not cut deals left and right and expect success - no! That is a game better played by older league vets. I remember when NOLa. traded his way into a ‘ship. I remember when Gman was ready to reset but saw that Delmar was available and traded his way back into a title. I’ve seen Quailman build up and tear down many a squad, and even though I haven’t seen him grab a ‘ship in a while, the results have been circumstantial due to injuries and such. So, been there, done that, failed. Last season was the microcosm of this experience that, after a few possible trades blew up this offseason (because I decided this), I intend not to repeat this season.



But my trade block is up. If you think you have the right deal for it, let me know. I have young guys ready to grow. With you. For you. And even if this roster doesn’t change any more, we’ll see you in the playoffs. Definitely. LA Lakers are BACK.



Now, do you have any questions???

phpBB [video]

[MexicanMamba]

Additional trade for a wing or not, do you see yourself as the favorite for the division? Who is your biggest competition?

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[garbageman]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: All other things being equal, which team do you think is better: Alex Caruso, Danny Campbell, and John Blakemore at their CUR or Luigi Leathers, Richie Cuevas, and James Andrews at their potentials?

[greepleairport]

Additional trade for a wing or not, do you see yourself as the favorite for the division? Who is your biggest competition?

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

Most certainly not. Gotta hand that over to the Thunder. If we give them a run for their money, we'll deem this season a smashing success.

[greepleairport]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: All other things being equal, which team do you think is better: Alex Caruso, Danny Campbell, and John Blakemore at their CUR or Luigi Leathers, Richie Cuevas, and James Andrews at their potentials?

Great question. I have to go with the former. This can change of course, but as of now? I've gone all in on AC, DC and JB. Blakemore is the weakest CUR link, but he's strong enough to run our developing offense with Caruso scoring on the perimeter and Heard scoring underneath.

In more simple math, I have 11 A CURs across AC / DC and JB, whereas I have 8 A POTs for LL, RC and JA. I'll take lucky 11 which rhymes with lucky 7. But I fully expect A POTs to go up for the latter three, at least turned up to 11.

[false9]

We all know how dubious preseason is, but Caruso increased his ppg by double digits. Are you expecting the same when it's the real deal?

[K-100]

How much longer do you think the Lakers will need to compete for a division --> conference --> league title?

[greepleairport]

We all know how dubious preseason is, but Caruso increased his ppg by double digits. Are you expecting the same when it's the real deal?

Caruso is off the ground running with his max contract in its 2nd year. We think that, had Caruso had someone more adept at running offense there would not have been a leap like this. He would be much closer already. But yes, we absolutely expect Caruso's numbers to be this high during the regular season. He is undoubtedly our offensive focus, and we aim to maximize the amount of touches he gets. And if his touches touch net? We'll touch him some more.


Touches.

[greepleairport]

How much longer do you think the Lakers will need to compete for a division --> conference --> league title?

We're planning on giving you problems now, K100. You specifically. See, we had to hit pause on our rivalry because we had to rebuild post-Delmar. But this is the build. And we don't think you can handle it. You might be able to handle it while we get everything nailed down in the regular season, but your headaches have just begun, sir.

Look out, JW. DC comin'.