Game thread

[kungfoodude]

5 minutes ago, PNW_PantherMan said:

Not sure who looks more awkward with the ball.  Him or Josh Green.

Him. MKG looks like Magic Johnson in comparison.

I will say it was bananas to see that Detroit team live side by side with us. Outside probably Bridges and Gibson it looked like Towson versus Kansas at the college level. Insane how big and physical that Pistons team is.

[33inNC]

1 hour ago, kungfoodude said:

Honestly, they played hard against a fsr superior Detroit team. Salaun is a great defensive prospect and possibly one of the worst offensive players I have seen above the high school level.

Yes, "they". Not Ball and the other so called stars. Ball wanted so bad to play against SA and did. Does that mean he just doesn't want to play against other teams?  That guy is a child. 

[kungfoodude]

29 minutes ago, 33inNC said:

Yes, "they". Not Ball and the other so called stars. Ball wanted so bad to play against SA and did. Does that mean he just doesn't want to play against other teams?  That guy is a child. 

Eh...we are organizationally mailing it in after the trade deadline. I hate the Lakers trade tanked. fug that was so much of a future bump.

[33inNC]

What is the point in following this team any longer?  They clearly don't care, so why should we?  Why did we can James Borrego and hire this trash ass of a coach?  These guys SUCK!

[DamnItJake!]

I don’t watch Hornets games cuz I am out of market.. not about to pay for this mess.. been a fan since they were born….my post is about it’s the only NBA game on and no network National is showing it or did.. I luv Luka… and almost want to be a Laker fan now. .so you would think they would show it.. it’s just embarrassing we can’t get a free game to watch.. this is the end of my Rant !

[frankw]

6 hours ago, DamnItJake! said:

I don’t watch Hornets games cuz I am out of market.. not about to pay for this mess.. been a fan since they were born….my post is about it’s the only NBA game on and no network National is showing it or did.. I luv Luka… and almost want to be a Laker fan now. .so you would think they would show it.. it’s just embarrassing we can’t get a free game to watch.. this is the end of my Rant !

I wouldn't root for any of these big market teams if you paid me.

I am thrilled the lowly Hornets embarrassed them in their own city. That's the absolute least they deserve.

[toldozer]

4 hours ago, frankw said:

I wouldn't root for any of these big market teams if you paid me.

I am thrilled the lowly Hornets embarrassed them in their own city. That's the absolute least they deserve.

I'm glad they won but super annoyed that they put out a statement that they were going to explore options with the League and then silver said we hadn't filed any grievance with the league. Front office is pussies just like the players

[frankw]

35 minutes ago, toldozer said:

I'm glad they won but super annoyed that they put out a statement that they were going to explore options with the League and then silver said we hadn't filed any grievance with the league. Front office is pussies just like the players

I tend to agree with you and I was frustrated with that as well but we do not know what conversations went on behind closed doors. I think the likelihood is ultimately the front office did speak to Silver and raise concerns but he basically dismissed them thus nothing "official" was filed. The league knows the Lakers are their money maker. They are not going to let that all go down. Stuff like this is why I've largely detached from basketball when I used to be very passionate about it when I was younger. Small markets in this league don't stand a chance.

Edited February 20 by frankw

[33inNC]

18 hours ago, frankw said:

I tend to agree with you and I was frustrated with that as well but we do not know what conversations went on behind closed doors. I think the likelihood is ultimately the front office did speak to Silver and raise concerns but he basically dismissed them thus nothing "official" was filed. The league knows the Lakers are their money maker. They are not going to let that all go down. Stuff like this is why I've largely detached from basketball when I used to be very passionate about it when I was younger. Small markets in this league don't stand a chance.

They don't. Add in a player like LaMelo Ball, who selectively plays when he feels like it, and you cannot compete. If your highly paid players refuse to play full time, what can you do?

[PNW_PantherMan]

I think one problem is the league already perceives Lamelo as a traveling parlor trick act.  He's probably the most skilled player to ever wear a Hornets uniform, but he doesn't play to win.  Even when he plays, the carelessness with the ball and fouls etc.  It sucks, but you combine that with the durability issues and I'm not sure he has the type of value Hornets fans would like in return.

[frankw]

https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/mark-williams-agent-disputes-lakers-rescinding-trade-for-hornets-center-due-to-failed-physical-210454614.html

"The overwhelming sentiment, after conferring with multiple, nationally recognized doctors, is that the Los Angeles Lakers should not have failed Mark Williams on his physical,” said Excel Sports Management's Jeff Schwartz in a statement. “Mark was ready and able to play for them and should have been given that opportunity.”

"I don’t know for them, if it was what they gave up or went into that reasoning. But I don’t think it was solely because of my physical,” Williams told Sportskeeda's Mark Medina. "I’ve been playing all year. And I think my minutes and production on the court speak for itself."

The more I read about this the more it's plainly obvious the Lakers got cold feet over the compensation they gave up and Adam Silver ran cover for them. The Hornets were never going to be given a legitimate opportunity to challenge a storied big market franchise. Take one on the chin and move on is what our front office was told. That's pretty much it.

[PNW_PantherMan]

2 hours ago, frankw said:

https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/mark-williams-agent-disputes-lakers-rescinding-trade-for-hornets-center-due-to-failed-physical-210454614.html

"The overwhelming sentiment, after conferring with multiple, nationally recognized doctors, is that the Los Angeles Lakers should not have failed Mark Williams on his physical,” said Excel Sports Management's Jeff Schwartz in a statement. “Mark was ready and able to play for them and should have been given that opportunity.”

"I don’t know for them, if it was what they gave up or went into that reasoning. But I don’t think it was solely because of my physical,” Williams told Sportskeeda's Mark Medina. "I’ve been playing all year. And I think my minutes and production on the court speak for itself."

The more I read about this the more it's plainly obvious the Lakers got cold feet over the compensation they gave up and Adam Silver ran cover for them. The Hornets were never going to be given a legitimate opportunity to challenge a storied big market franchise. Take one on the chin and move on is what our front office was told. That's pretty much it.

Or maybe their team doctor(s) looked at him and realized he's a ticking time bomb, even though he technically passes a physical today.  I do think it's dumb they were able to effectively change their mind on the deal though.  It wasn't a mystery he's made of glass.

[toldozer]

1 hour ago, PNW_PantherMan said:

Or maybe their team doctor(s) looked at him and realized he's a ticking time bomb, even though he technically passes a physical today.  I do think it's dumb they were able to effectively change their mind on the deal though.  It wasn't a mystery he's made of glass.

Yeah that's never been the rules though.  They flat out said they failed him because they didn't think he could be their center in 5-10 years. Just one more reason to hate their guts

[frankw]

17 hours ago, PNW_PantherMan said:

Or maybe their team doctor(s) looked at him and realized he's a ticking time bomb, even though he technically passes a physical today.  I do think it's dumb they were able to effectively change their mind on the deal though.  It wasn't a mystery he's made of glass.

Well look I can agree it is absolutely a very valid notion to question if Mark Williams will even be in the NBA in ten years. But that could be said for most guys his size and playing into their mid thirties. That I feel like is for a different conversation because these newer generations of players are built differently physically and mentally. There are so many distractions now with social media and off the court. Anyway on principle I concede your point has merit. I'm not saying you're wrong I just think the reasoning on their part as they presented it to the Hornets and the league was nonsense. They got buyers remorse over the compensation they gave up. They weren't making that trade for 10 or even 5 years from now. LeBron will be long gone within half that time and Luka at this point while possessing very significant offensive talent has huge questions looming about his future conditioning and defensive effort. That will be a completely different franchise ten years from now regardless of trading for a Mark Williams or any other big man. They went all in on that trade for the short term and when the league at large gave the Hornets credit for effectively getting the better of them on the deal they looked for any reason to pull the plug knowing Adam Silver would back them up.

Anywho it's over and done with. Personally I hope that whole situation over there ends in a spectacular debacle for the Lakers. But I'm petty