The Destiny To 17 - A Los Angeles Lakers Association
THE DESTINY TO 17
A Los Angeles Lakers Association - NBA 2K14 Current Gen
Team: Los Angeles Lakers
Injuries: Randomized
Season: 2014-15 & on
Games Played: 'Nationally Televised' Games
Roster: Trifecta
Sliders: Trifecta
Draft Class: 2014 Trifecta, CWSapp/Dreece
ALL DEFENSIVE 1ST TEAM
Michael Carter Williams, Philadelphia 76ers
Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls
Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans
Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
DeAndre Jordan, Los Angeles Clippers
ALL DEFENSIVE 2ND TEAM
Ricky Rubio, Minnesota Timberwolves
John Wall, Washington Wizards
Paul Millsap, Atlanta Hawks
Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City Thunder
Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons
ALL ROOKIE 1ST TEAM
Michael Carter-Williams, Philadelphia 76ers
Victor Oladipo, Orlando Magic
Trey Burke, Utah Jazz
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Kelly Olynyk, Boston Celtics
ALL ROOKIE 2ND TEAM
Nate Wolters, Milwaukee Bucks
Ben McLemore, Sacramento Kings
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Detroit Pistons
Cody Zeller, Charlotte Bobcats
Mason Plumlee, Brooklyn Nets
NBA Finals MVP: LeBron James - 24.9 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 7.8 APG, 2.2 SPG, 1.7 BPG, 57% FG
NBA 2014 RETIRING CLASS:
Spoiler
Shane Battier, 35 (13 years)
Vince Carter, 37 (16 years)
Jason Collins, 35 (13 years)
Derek Fisher, 39 (18 years)
Mike Miller, 34 (14 years) Steve Nash, 40 (18 years) - HOF Inductee
Pablo Prigioni, 37 (2 years)
NBA COACHING CHANGES:
Spoiler
Jazz hire Mike Woodson as head coach
Knicks hire Jacque Vaughn as head coach
Lakers fire head coach Mike D'Antoni
Lakers hire Maurice Cheeks as head coach
Magic hire Joshua Goodwin as head coach
Pistons hire Mike D'Antoni as head coach
2014 NBA DRAFT SUMMARY:
Spoiler
*** - Unsigned draft pick
ROUND 1: Lottery
1. Jabari Parker, SF - MIL
2. Julius Randle, PF - ORL
3. Andrew Wiggins, SF - PHI 4. Marcus Smart, PG - LAL
5. Joel Embiid, C - BOS
6. Noah Vonleh, PF - UTA
7. Kyle Anderson, PG/SF - CLE
8. Dante Exum, PG/SG - SAC
9. Glenn Robinson III, SF - CHA
10. Gary Harris, SG/SF - PHI
11. Aaron Gordon, PF - DEN
12. Willie Cauley-Stein, C - ORL
13. Clint Capela, PF - MIN
14. Tyler Ennis, PG - PHX
ROUND 1: Mid-Late 1st
15. Sean Kilpatrick, SG - ATL
16. Rodney Hood, SF - CHI
17. Nik Stauskas, SG - CHI
18. Okaro White, SF - PHX ***
19. Montrezl Harrell, PF - TOR
20. Wayne Selden, SG - BOS
21. Doug McDermott, SF/PF - DAL
22. Jerami Grant, SF - MEM
23. Adreian Payne, PF - CHA
24. James Young, SG - UTA
25. Spencer Dinwiddie, SG - LAC
26. P.J. Hairston, SG - HOU
27. Semaj Christon, PG - OKC - Traded to MIL in exchange for 2014 49th pick and 2015 2nd round pick
28. Kasey Hill, PG - PHX
29. Aaron Craft, PG - SAS
30. Russ Smith, PG - MIA
ROUND 2: Early 2nd
31. Markel Brown, SG - MIL
32. Mitch McGary, PF/C - PHI
33. Elfrid Payton, PG - CLE
34. A.J. Hammons, C - MIL ***
35. Fuquan Edwin, SG - DAL
36. Jordan Adams, SG - UTA
37. LeBryan Nash, SF/PF - PHI
38. Branden Dawson, SF - TOR
39. Isaiah Austin, C - DET
40. Cleanthony Early, SF/PF - MIN
41. Jahii Carson, PG - HOU ***
42. Shabazz Napier, PG - ATL
43. Jerian Grant, SG - DEN ***
44. Patric Young, PF - CHA - Traded to DAL in exchange for 2014 51st selection
ROUND 2: Mid-Late 2nd
45. LaQuinton Ross, SF - CHI
46. Aaron Harrison, SG - MIN ***
47. Andrew Harrison, PG - WAS
48. Dwight Powell, PF - PHX
49. Jarnell Stokes, PF - MIL
50. Cory Jefferson, PF - PHI ***
51. Keith Appling, PG - DAL - Traded to CHA in exchange for 2014 44th selection
52. Perry Ellis, PF - PHI
53. Bobby Portis, PF/C - DEN ***
54. Juvonte Reddic, PF - MIN - Traded to MIA in exchange for Justin Hamilton and 2015 2nd round pick
55. Keith Frazier, SG - LAC
56. C.J. Fair, SF - MIA
57. Joe Harris, SF - PHI ***
58. Devyn Marble, SG - TOR ***
59. Chris Walker, PF/SF - IND ***
60. Jordan McRae, SG - SAS
NBA FREE AGENT SIGNINGS:
Spoiler
--list does not include re-signings--
Philadelphia 76ers:
Dante Cunningham, Shelvin Mack
Washington Wizards:
Andrew Bynum, Tyler Hansbrough, Emeka Okafor
NBA ROSTERS:
Spoiler
Philadelphia 76ers:
PG - Michael Carter-Williams, Shelvin Mack, Eric Maynor
SG - Tony Wroten, Gary Harris, Jason Richardson
SF - Andrew Wiggins, James Anderson, LeBryan Nash
PF - Thaddeus Young, Dante Cunningham, Brandon Davies, Perry Ellis
C - Nerlens Noel, Mitch McGary
Charlotte Bobcats:
PG - Kemba Walker, Patrick Mills, Keith Appling
SG - Gerald Henderson, Glenn Robinson III, Gary Neal
SF - Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Jeff Taylor, Chris Douglas-Roberts
PF - Cody Zeller, Josh McRoberts, Adreian Payne
C - Al Jefferson, Bismack Biyombo, Brendan Haywood
Milwaukee Bucks:
PG - Brandon Knight, Nate Wolters, Semaj Christon
SG - O.J. Mayo, Khris Middleton, Markel Brown
SF - Jabari Parker, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Carlos Delfino
PF - John Henson, Ersan Ilyasova
C - Larry Sanders, Ekpe Udoh, Zaza Pachulia, Miroslav Raduljica
Chicago Bulls:
PG - Derrick Rose, Jimmer Fredette
SG - Jimmy Butler, Tony Snell, Nik Stauskas
SF - Mike Dunleavy, Rodney Hood, LaQuinton Ross
PF - Carlos Boozer, Taj Gibson, Erik Murphy
C - Joakim Noash, Samuel Dalembert
Cleveland Cavaliers:
PG - Kyrie Irving, Jarrett Jack, Matthew Dellavedova, Elfrid Payton
SG - Dion Waiters, Rodney Stuckey, Carrick Felix
SF - Kyle Anderson, Wesley Johnson, Sergey Karasev
PF - Tristan Thompson, Anthony Bennett, Arinze Onuaku
C - Spencer Hawes, Tyler Zeller
Boston Celtics:
PG - Rajon Rondo, Phil Pressey
SG - Lance Stephenson, Jamal Crawford, Wayne Selden
SF - Jeff Green, Gerald Wallace, Hedo Turkoglu
PF - Jared Sullinger, Brandon Bass
C - Joel Embiid, Kelly Olynyk, Vitor Faverani, Joel Anthony
Los Angeles Clippers:
PG - Chris Paul, Darren Collison
SG - J.J. Redick, Spencer Dinwiddie, Reggie Bullock, Keith Fraizer
SF - Paul Pierce, Matt Barnes, Jared Dudley
PF - Blake Griffin, Glen Davis, Lou Amundson
C - DeAndre Jordan, Pero Antic
Memphis Grizzlies:
PG - Mike Conley, Nick Calathes
SG - Tony Allen, Courtney Lee, Jamaal Franklin
SF - Shawn Marion, Tayshaun Prince, Jerami Grant, Quincy Pondexter
PF - Zach Randolph, Ed Davis, Jon Leuer
C - Marc Gasol, Kostas Koufos
Atlanta Hawks:
PG - Jeff Teague, Dennis Schroeder, Shabazz Napier
SG - Kyle Korver, Lou Williams, John Jenkins, Sean Kilpatrick
SF - Danny Granger, DeMarre Carroll
PF - Paul Millsap, Mike Scott
C - Al Horford, Chris Kaman, Aaron Gray
Miami:
PG - Mario Chalmers, Norris Cole, Russ Smith
SG - Dwyane Wade, Ray Allen
SF - LeBron James, C.J. Fair
PF - Chris Bosh, Udonis Haslem, Juvonte Reddic
C - Greg Oden, Chris Andersen,
Utah Jazz:
PG - Trey Burke, Jameer Nelson
SG - Alec Burks, James Young, Jordan Adams, Ian Clark
SF - Gordon Hayward, Earl Clark
PF - Noah Vonleh, Marvin Williams, Jeremy Evans, Malcolm Thomas
C - Derrick Favors, Enes Kanter, Rudy Gobert
Sacramento Kings:
PG - Dante Exum, Ray McCallum
SG - Ben McLemore, Jason Terry, Troy Daniels
SF - Rudy Gay, Travis Outlaw
PF - Derrick Williams, Jason Thompson, Quincy Acy, Reggie Evans
C - DeMarcus Cousins, Carl Landry
New York Knicks:
PG - Raymond Felton, Steve Blake
SG - Iman Shumpert, J.R. Smith, Ben Gordon
SF - Carmelo Anthony, Tim Hardaway Jr., Brandon Rush
PF - Andrea Bargnani, Jeremy Tyler
C - Tyson Chandler, Amar'e Stoudemire
Los Angeles Lakers:
PG - Marcus Smart, Aaron Brooks, Leandro Barbosa
SG - Kobe Bryant, Nick Young, MarShon Brooks
SF - Trevor Ariza, Kent Bazemore, Xavier Henry
PF - Pau Gasol, Elton Brand, Kenyon Martin, Jan Vesely
C - Robert Sacre, Greg Smith
Orlando Magic:
PG - Kyle Lowry, Jordan Farmar
SG - Victor Oladipo, Shannon Brown, Doron Lamb
SF - Arron Afflalo, Maurice Harkless
PF - Julius Randle, Tobias Harris, Andrew Nicholson
C - Nikola Vucevic, Willie Cauley-Stein, Kyle O'Quinn
Dallas Mavericks:
PG - Jose Calderon, Shane Larkin, Gal Mekel, Keith Appling
SG - Monta Ellis, Wayne Ellington, Ricky Ledo, Fuquan Edwin
SF - Luol Deng, Jae Crowder, Doug McDermott
PF - Dirk Nowitzki, Brandan Wright, Patric Young
C - Jordan Hill, Jermaine O'Neal
Brooklyn Nets:
PG - Deron Williams, Kirk Hinrich, Marquis Teague
SG - Joe Johnson, Marcus Thornton
SF - Andrei Kirilenko, Alan Anderson
PF - Kevin Garnett, Andray Blatche, Mirza Teletovic
C - Brook Lopez, Mason Plumlee
Denver Nuggets:
PG - Ty Lawson, Nate Robinson, Devin Harris
SG - Wilson Chandler, Randy Foye, Evan Fournier
SF - Danilo Gallinari, Anthony Randolph, Quincy Miller
PF - Kenneth Faried, Aaron Gordon, Darrell Arthur
C - J.J. Hickson, Timofey Mozgov, Javale McGee
Indiana Pacers:
PG - George Hill, C.J. Watson, Donald Sloan
SG - Avery Bradley, Evan Turner, Willie Green
SF - Paul George, Solomon Hill
PF - David West, Luis Scola, LaVoy Allen, Chris Copeland
C - Roy Hibbert, Ian Mahinmi
New Orlean Pelicans:
PG - Jrue Holiday, Isaiah Canaan
SG - Eric Gordon, Austin Rivers, Garrett Temple
SF - Tyreke Evans, Al-Farouq Aminu, Richard Jefferson
PF - Anthony Davis, Ryan Anderson
C - Anderson Varejao, Jason Smith, Jeff Withey
Detroit Pistons:
PG - Brandon Jennings, Will Bynum
SG - Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Jerryd Bayless, Orlando Johnson
SF - Josh Smith, Kyle Singler, Tony Mitchell, Gigi Datome
PF - Greg Monroe, Jonas Jerebko, Antawn Jamison
C - Andre Drummond, Kevin Seraphin, Isaiah Austin
Toronto Raptors:
PG - Isaiah Thomas, Greivis Vasquez, Dwight Buycks
SG - DeMar DeRozan, Landry Fields, Julyan Stone
SF - Terrence Ross, Branden Dawson, Steve Novak
PF - Montrezl Harrell, Patrick Patterson
C - Jonas Valanciunas, DeJuan Blair, Chuck Hayes
Houston Rockets:
PG - Patrick Beverley, Jeremy Lin, Pierre Jackson
SG - James Harden, Francisco Garcia, P.J. Hairston
SF - Chandler Parsons, Omri Casspi, Jordan Hamilton
PF - Terrence Jones, Donatas Motiejunas, Chris Johnson
C - Dwight Howard, Omer Asik
San Antonio Spurs:
PG - Tony Parker, Cory Joseph, Aaron Craft
SG - Danny Green, Manu Ginobili, Jordan McRae
SF - Kawhi Leonard, Marco Belinelli, Austin Daye
PF - Tim Duncan, Amir Johnson, Jeff Ayres
C - Marcin Gortat, Tiago Splitter
Phoenix Suns:
PG - Eric Bledsoe, Tyler Ennis, Kasey Hill
SG - Goran Dragic, Archie Goodwin, Dionte Christmas
SF - P.J. Tucker, Gerald Green
PF - Channing Frye, Markieff Morris, Marcus Morris
C - Miles Plumlee, Alex Len, Dwight Powell
Oklahoma City Thunder:
PG - Russell Westbrook, Reggie Jackson
SG - Thabo Sefolosha, Jeremy Lamb
SF - Kevin Durant, Michael Beasley, Andre Roberson
PF - Serge Ibaka, Nick Collison, Perry Jones III, Jarnell Stokes
C - Kendrick Perkins, Steven Adams, Hasheem Thabeet
Minnesota Timberwolves:
PG - Ricky Rubio, J.J. Barea
SG - Kevin Martin, Chase Budinger, Alexey Shved
SF - Corey Brewer, Cleanthony Early, Shabazz Muhammad
PF - Kevin Love, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, Clint Capela
C - Nikola Pekovic, Gorgui Dieng, Ronny Turiaf, Justin Hamilton
Portland Trail Blazers:
PG - Damian Lillard, Chauncey Billups
SG - Wes Matthews, C.J. McCollum, Allen Crabbe
SF - Nicholas Batum, Dorell Wright, Victor Claver
PF - LaMarcus Aldridge, Thomas Robinson, Joel Freeland
C - Robin Lopez, Meyers Leonard, Greg Stiemsma
Golden State Warriors:
PG - Stephen Curry, Jordan Crawford, Nemanja Nedovic
SG - Klay Thompson, Jodie Meeks
SF - Andre Iguodala, Harrison Barnes
PF - David Lee, Marreese Speights, Draymond Green
C - Andrew Bogut, Festus Ezeli, Ognjen Kuzmic
Washington Wizards:
PG - John Wall, Andre Miller, Andrew Harrison
SG - Bradley Beal, Martell Webster, Glen Rice Jr.
SF - Otto Porter, Chris Singleton
PF - Nene, Trevor Booker, Tyler Hansbrough
C - Andrew Bynum, Emeka Okafor
Last edited by StraightBaylien; 08-11-2014 at 06:40 PM.
Re: The Destiny To 17 - Los Angeles Lakers Association
LOS ANGELES LAKERS 2014-15 STARTING LINEUP:
Point Guard: Marcus Smart
2013-14 NCAA: 18.0 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 4.8 APG, 2.9 SPG
Here is the first of three mysteries in the Lakers lineup for the 2014-15 season, a rookie point guard in charge of running a team who's expectations from their front office, their fans and (some would say most importantly) their star player, Kobe Bryant are exceptionally high. After a disappointing campaign that left the Lakers with the fourth overall selection in the 2014 Draft, Los Angeles is looking to use that pick to vault into playoff contention a mere year after being planted in the Western Conference's cellar. Smart is an intelligent combo guard with explosiveness and great finishing ability at the rim. In the latter half of the NCAA season last year, Smart began displaying his talents as a playmaker and defender. In Smart's last 4 NCAA games he tallied 27 assists and 21 steals. A Rookie of the Year caliber season is needed from Smart in order for the Lakers to remain relevent.
Mystery 2/3 right here, folks. Entering his nineteenth NBA season, it is still no doubt in anyone's mind that Kobe Bryant is one of the elite shooting guards and all-around scorers in NBA history, his numbers will not fight you on that claim. With that being said, Bryant is coming off the most disappointing season in his career, in terms of numbers, team play and general involvement in the team. While appearing in only six games for the Lakers last year, Kobe helped his team to only two wins. Bryant is not only playing for his team's success this season, but will be fighting to save his legacy, in his eyes. The 18-year pro has stated he does not wish to play if he can not "dominate", meaning a lesser role or perhaps being designated the second option of a team, would not appease the Mamba. Kobe Bryant will have to prove not only that he wishes to dominate, but that he's still capable of it as well.
With defense being a top priority for Jim Buss in the off-season, one can't help but think the Lakers struck gold with Trevor Ariza. Coming off of an impressive 2013-14 season, Ariza opted to leave Washington and sign with the Lakers. "I went to school here, high school and college. I won a ring here. This feels like home right now. You're never more comfortable than you are at home, and when I'm comfortable, that's when the best comes out." Back in the 2008-2009 season, Ariza was a huge piece in the Lakers Championship season and that fact no doubt had a play in Los Angeles' pursuit of the UCLA alumni. Defensive ability, athleticism, consistent shooting and a quick first step make Los Angeles' signing of the eleven-year swingman one of the more sneaky (and possibly rewarding) signings this off-season.
While it's not a huge suprise that the Lakers re-signed Pau Gasol given how intent Kobe was on the organization keeping him, but what was suprising is the length of the deal. A one-year deal, worth $6.13M (source: SpoTrac.com) gives Gasol another season with a decent pay rate until next year when the Lakers will either choose to sign him to a multi-year deal, let him walk, or the Spainard may decide to retire. "I'm not sure how much is left in my body, I mean, right now.. I feel great. I feel like I could play until I'm 40. But there's always that stretch in the season, where your body does not cooperate. I hope myself and the training staff can do our bests to limit that. I think we did a good job of it last year and we'll build on it." Gasol missed 24 games last season due to injury, which may not look like a step forward for a 34 year old big man, but his 58 games played is a step up from the 49 he played in 2012-13. Gasol is still an extremely skilled, efficient scorer in both the low and high post, not to mention probably the best passer on the entire roster. For the Lakers to success, Gasol must succeed and success is linking back up with Kobe and being that great one-two punch, if just for one more season.
And the third and final mystery is awarded to the third-year big man out of Gonzaga. Robert Sacre was announced as the starter last week after the Lakers final preseason game against the Bobcats. If anyone can recall, last year head coach (at the time) Mike D'Antoni praised Sacre as the team's "best defender, by far" which of course is quite the compliment, but when you put it into context of how bad the Lakers were on defense, SOMEONE has to be the best defender. All ribbing aside, Sacre did show great promise near the end of last season when Gasol went down with a knee injury and was forced to sit the final 10 games of the season. In those 10 games (10 games started) Sacre averaged 7.7 PPG, 6.9 RPG and 1.7 BPG in roughly 25 minutes per contest. If Sacre is awarded the starting job full time, offensive improvement must be a huge priority for him and the Lakers staff. Who knows, given the right development and training, we could have another Andrew Bynum situation on our hands, and we're not talking Philadelphia or Cleveland.
Re: The Destiny To 17 - Los Angeles Lakers Association
Kobe Says Marcus Smart Is Lakers "Best Draft Pick Since Magic" Oct 28, 2014 7:50 PM EDT
Kobe Bryant was impressed with Lakers' draft pick Marcus Smart's pre-season performance, so much so that Bryant compared Smart to Hall of Fame point guard Magic Johnson, but not necessarily with a player comparison. Bryant went on to say: "Marcus [Smart] is special. He stepped into a system, being the number one option right away and choked it out. He's a killer. [The Lakers] best draft pick since Magic."
Smart led the Lakers to a 5-3 record in the pre-season while averaging a solid 15.3 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 4.3 APG, 1.1 SPG on .437% shooting from the field. Smart's averages in assists was good for first on the team and his points per game was for second behind Nick Young's 16.3 PPG.
It is clear that the Black Mamba is high on Smart as well are the Lakers. We'll just have to see how well it translates to the court and if the addition of Kobe to the Lakers lineup will stunt or strengthen Smart's growth. Bryant is expected to play in the Lakers season opener vs. Portland on Thursday, this will be the first time Kobe has appeared in an NBA game since Dec. 19, 2013.
Last edited by StraightBaylien; 03-29-2014 at 02:46 PM.
Re: The Destiny To 17 - Los Angeles Lakers Association
GAME 2 ON TNT: Blazers vs. Lakers GAME 1: Nets 104, Knicks 96
PTS: BKN-Johnson 19 | NYK-Anthony 25
REB: BKN-Kirilenko, 11 | NYK-Chandler, 10
AST: BKN-Williams 5 | NYK-Shumpert 5
-NBA on TNT's theme plays as the camera flies back in from commercial break and displays the four panelists laughing, discussing something unknown, the music fades out and the camera focuses on Ernie Johnson.-
Ernie: Hello once again, this is Inside the NBA on TNT, presented by Hyundai, thanks for sticking with us. I'm your host, Ernie Johnson and as always with my to my direct left is Kenny "The Jet" Smith, to his left is Charles Barkley and to my right, none other than "The Diesel" Shaquille O'Neal. Gentlemen, we had a great game one, where the Brooklyn Nets defeated the New York Knicks 104-to-96 but now its time to shift attention to Game 2 of our double header. The Blazers and Lakers.
Kenny: Ernie, I'm really excited about this game and I'll tell you why..
Ernie: Well I'd like to hope so and not just leave us all in the dark
Kenny: These two teams have two of the most exciting players in basketball right now. And I'm talkin the point guard position. Damian Lillard versus Marcus Smart. Granted, granted we haven't seen Smart play a minute of REAL TIME NBA ball yet, but from what we've seen, both in the pre-season and at Oklahoma State, is that this guy can be a game changer. He can dominate, its just whether he can do it on the biggest stage there is. We've seen what Lillard can do, Smart is up in the air. I'm excited for it though..
Chuck: Kenny, you make a great point. What, with the two young guards in Marcus Smart and Damian Lillard, but my focus... and I think I'm not alone here... my focus is gonna be solely on Kobe Bryant tonight. Will he show up and play his game, let the game come to him, ease himself in, or will he force up a buncha junk tryna get things goin again? That's gonna be real interesting to see.
Shaq: As far as I'm concerned, its not a question of HOW Kobe is gonna come out and play. Or if he's gonna look for his shot, or pass it up, it's how he's gonna adjust to the game. How 10 months off affects your game. Its a tricky thing, but I know Kobe and he'll be ready for it either way.
Ernie: So what do you think this team's ceiling is, the Lakers that is, where do you think the highest they can reach this year, if they stay healthy?
Kenny: And that's the key Ernie, IF... they stay healthy. And this roster, is not a very young roster. They have young pieces. But a lot of the production and depth they're gonna be relying on is from guys, on the tail end of the playing career. Kobe, Gasol, Elton Brand, LeAndro Barbosa, Kenyon Martin. All players with history of injury, Kobe's a little more recent as he's shown to be able to fight through injuries in the past. Plus a new coach never helps things... But if this team can stay healthy and gel together, you got a playoff team here. Now after that, I don't know. They're not winning it all, obviously. I'd pick the Blazers to win it all before the Lakers do. At least this year.
Shaq: I agree, I agree, this team doesn't have the firepower to compete with a Miami, with an Oklahoma City, with a San Antonio. There's too many obstacles in the way for the Lakers to make too much noise this year.
Ernie: ...Chuck? You have any thoughts?
Chuck: OK, this Laker team. They might be better than last year, but every team in the NBA is right now. (panel laughs) No no but I'm serious. The Lakers were turrible last year, they had D-League players on their roster playing big minutes, so the only way is up. That's it..
Ernie: Short and sweet from the Chuckster. All right, we're gonna take a quick commercial break and when we come back we'll send you live to Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller and the rest of the TNT crew for tipoff of Game 2 of our double header with the Portland Trail Blazers visiting the Los Angeles Lakers, stay with us.
Re: The Destiny To 17 - Los Angeles Lakers Association
COMING UP NEXT:
Exclusive interview with Kobe Bryant and Craig Sager
Coming up next, TNT will air Craig Sager's exclusive one-on-one interview with Kobe Bryant where the two discuss his injury, the rehab process, his sizeable extension, the future of Los Angeles and more...