#PoetsCorner LIKE I SAY THE DROUGHT IS OVER IN LA

Look it’s a fresh new look in LA and I think it safe to say the sun always shines in the city of fallen angels. Six years of hurt, not making the top eight in the west. The drought of a playoff run could well be over for the Lakers. At times it seems like only yesterday that Metta World Peace shot that three that won us a back to back (two-peat) championship against the (Dirty Boston) Celtics. But times have changed and what a whirlwind offseason it has been for us so far. We got our man in Anthony Davis, arguably the best centre in the league today. He has wanted this move since last season and finally we got it done, while also keeping hold of the best player out of our young core (the man, the myth, the Kuz). What sold me on AD was the fact he gave up is $4 million trade bonus so we could build a strong new look Lakers. When asked why he intends to do this his reply was this “money comes and goes, your legacy is forever." I mean wow that's what every Laker fan needs to hear. A guy that want to build a legacy and how is that done in the game of basketball? Winning championships! Something that the 26 year old centre is yet to do but his vision is clear and well if he means what he says then maybe one day I will see his number 23 hung from the rafters.

Now let’s address the elephant in the room... Kawhi Leonard. Yes it would have been good to have him in the purple and gold but I think he wanted to be the man somewhere else. And just to make it interesting chose to go to Clippers and they wasted little time in getting his partner in crime in Paul George. But this aint about them we will let the ballin do the talk next season.

So without Kawhi we had to build an epic bench to help King James and AD in the goals and we have wasted no time in doing that. Bringing back some familiar faces and standout players from last season in KCP, McGee and Rondo (let not forget my brother Tim Harvey’s mate Alex Caruso as well).

But we didn’t stop there. Like I said this is a new look for the Lakers so we have also added Jared Dudley and shooter Troy Daniels. All I can say is last seasons depth was a problem but with these two guys as well as the addition of Danny Green as well could this be the return of the bench mob?

Wait…hold up...LOOK. I couldn’t forget the sharp scoring rookie shooting the lights out in the summer who has signed a two-way deal, Zach Norvell Jr. Leading the Lakers Summer League team in scoring, I see a bright future for this kid.

But this next and final signing I want to talk about has really go me hyped up for the new season. We have signed the big man DeMarcus Cousins! This guy is tough in the point and has got the three-point shot on lock as well. Now who remembers when the Kentucky alumni of him, Rondo and AD played together? There was Showtime like plays being ran in New Orleans. Though now it is different. Because they didn’t have King James and the Kuz with them.

I just have a good feeling about next season and like I say I think the drought is over in LA. DAN STOCKER.

#PoetsCorner THE FORGOTTEN POSITION

Look! Showtime in LA. It really was a beautiful thing. Like the times before when the logo himself Jerry West wore the purple and gold. Now the common thing in both the Showtime era and the ones before was that we had All Star Point Guards running the backcourt.

Sure times have moved on and the Shaq and Kobe era lead us to three rings. Followed by the Kobe and Gasol one that lead us to a two-peat. But the common exception to this whole write up is that my man Mamba is the G.O.A.T. He made players push their limits and ran the backcourt from the two guard position. But the Kobe years are over now and it kills me to say but it’s a new dawn in LA for the Lakers.

We got LeBron and hoped our young core could learn and grow around him. One player that did step up was the man the myth the Kuz. But our promising P.G. Ball was plauged with injuries which left us not really with someone to lead the show. We did have the once great Rondo who’s knowledge of the game was an asset in itself, but he too was held back by injury and suspension.

So now after finishing the highest we have in a long time and still not making the playoffs we look to next season. And with the induction of one of the best Point Guards to play the game in the past 20 years (Jason Kidd) to our coaching staff it would make sense for us to really push for a solid guard. I mean Ball could have improved so much under the mentorship of Kidd, but he sent in the package deal for Anthony Davis. Now we are left with no true Point Guard for the team. So what are our options in free agency?

First name that has been dropped is Uncle Drew himself who has stated that he would like to play with AD and it goes without saying what him and Bron can do on the same team. If we get him that would be great and I see a playoff spot in our future and even a finals. Still, however quite a few sources around the league think Kyrie will head to the Bronx and play for the Nets  I guess we will see. But what would that mean for D Lo? I wouldn't rule out a return to L.A. I mean if he wants out why not go for him? He would get a warm welcome as far as I am concerned and there is nothing for him to worry about. Nick Young doesn't play for us anymore.

Other than Kyrie, Kemba Walker is also someone else the Lakers are looking at. He to would be a great addition. Either way I think moving forward we need to breath new life in to the Point Guard position and any three of the names above could do that. Let just watch this space. DAN STOCKER.

#PoetsCorner IS THE PRICE WORTH THE COST? THE AD PARADOX.

Look! It's been a while since I have wrote anything and well a lot has happened. A prediction I made about the NBA Finals turned into a reality. As the Championship now lives within the Jurassic Park of the Toronto Raptors. The Canadian side took it in six games to bring the first piece of bling to the trophy case.

But that's not what this is about. In bigger news my beloved L.A. Lakers finally got their guy as a trade has been done for New Orleans big man Anthony Davis. But look. Is the price worth the cost? I mean it's true ever since the Magic scandal that rocked our team to its young core literally, Davis has expressed that he wanted to be a Laker and wear our colours to practice. So I guess yeah the passion to play for the Lakers is there...or should I say the passion to play with LeBron is there.

Don’t get me wrong there is no question AD is one of, if not the best centres in the league right now and any Laker fan would be happy to have him but was the price we paid in players worth it?

Trading three of our young core players and our top five draft pick for this year’s draft as well as a handful of future first round picks?! I mean it’s safe to say we want to make the playoffs and try and win another championship sooner rather than later, instead of building a young new dynasty and ruling the NBA and two or threepeeting again. Which is fine, I mean I get it. For the last God knows how many years we have been one of the worst performing teams in the NBA and for a franchise like us its nothing but years of hurt.

The thing is AD is only here for a season. As much as he says he wants to re-sign there’s nothing stopping him from moving on after next season and if we let go of yet another future star Point Guard then that’s two in the space of two seasons (what up D Lo? Miss ya bro). Mr. Jerry West can sleep safe because the way we nurture point guards (sarcasm right their people) the logo himself will remain the best Laker Point Guard of all time up there with Mr. Trade The Youth, Magic Johnson.

The other concern is can AD stay fit for a full season or will he end up riding the bench sipping wine with the King? With all the questions I bring it back to my main ask, is the price worth the cost in this here AD paradox? DAN STOCKER.

#PoetsCorner THE MAN, THE MYTH, THE KUZ

What happens when an underdog baller from Flint ends up playing for one of the biggest teams in the NBA?

They set themselves up to be an NBA and Lakers icon that’s what!

Kuzma was selected with the 27th pick in the 2017 NBA draft by the Nets. But by fate in a draft-day trade, he was dealt along with main man at the time Brook Lopez to the Lakers in exchange for D'Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov (remember that guy?) before the draft. Kuzma at the time was projected to go in the second round or undrafted (thank the Lakers Gods he wasn’t). On July 3, 2017, he signed his rookie contract with the LA Lakers.

During the seven out of eight games he played for the Lakers (starting in only six of the games) in the NBA Summer League, Kuzma led by example. Leading the way with points scored he became a force all the way through the tournament. He then gained his first glory as a rookie and was named to the All-Summer League Second Team. However proving he was the real deal didn’t stop there as he was named the Summer League Championship Game MVP after recording a double-double of 30 points and 10 rebounds in a win over Portland in the championship match.

Ready to make his NBA appearance he trained hard with the drive to be the best player he knew he could be and on November 3rd 2017 in his first game as a starter he shot the lights out to gain his first ever double-double with 21 points and 13 rebounds in a win over wait for it...the Brooklyn Nets. The team that traded his pick and I'm not the only Laker fan that is glad they did.

October 22, 2018 was a day I will always remember. On that day Kuz scored a season-high 37 points against the Spurs. He then went on to top that when he scored a career-high 41 points against the Pistons which lead to a win.

So it was no surprise when he was selected again for the Rising Stars game. This time he had a point to prove and he did just that and earned the crown after scoring a game-high 35 points.

With the Davis scandal during the backend of the season that shook the locker room like a hurricane, a lot of players hung their heads and who wouldn’t after being thrown on the block like useless pieces of a puzzle.  Still Kuz didn’t let it get to him and he continued to play the game he loved. Players like this don’t come around often in the modern business that is the NBA. I know I would love for him to earn a jersey being raised in the Staples Centre and with big Rob from the front office reassuring him that he is this team’s future and he wouldn’t be traded unless it was for one of the top three players in the NBA (is one of them Anthony Davis? (Tim)) the odds and the future looks bright for this soon to be Laker legend. DAN STOCKER.

#PoetsCorner THE LAKE SHOW REDEMPTION

Well our regular season came to a close and eight teams from the West compete for the gold. We find ourselves missing the playoffs for the sixth season in a row as a lot of fans will hang their heads, but when your blood is purple and gold our team will never be dead.

We all thought (myself included) we would make the top eight this year at the start of the season. Hell I even said to my good friend (what up Tim! (what up Stock!))) we could reach the finals. Now I know what your thinking I have no clue, but Basketball the greatest game ever played can surprise you and after our game at Christmas we stood in a position well on our way. But then the plague of injuries struck our team like a dunk from Zion Williamson down. And just when we thought it couldn’t get worse, Magic flipped the locker room upside down in the A.Davis trade talk, but well karma is indeed a bitch (thanks for nothing Magic).

Now the lastest is we decided to let our coach go after three years. All I can say to that is good luck Luke and thank you. The blame can't all be put on him so I really do wish him all the best.

So what happens now? Well rumors are flying about possible coaches and free agency, but our main focus should be the draft and making that 2% chance for the first pick turn into something more.

As for they players we have Kuz, McGee and KCP really stood out for me this season as well as the call ups from South Bay (pro contracts are coming in the post boys). Of course King James has spoke out and promised us a better him next season and with a few additions from the free agency (Kyrie....just saying), there is no reason why we cant finish in the top eight next season.

I am gonna finish off here by saying no matter how much bad times come our way I don't speak alone when I preach I am Lakers 'till my dying day. Lets hit the ground running next season. It's time for the Lake Show Redemption. DAN STOCKER.

#PoetsCorner '6 Things To Take From The 6'

LOOK I’ve got to say after last nights game I wasn’t disappointed with the way we played. I mean bear in mind the Raptors could win in it all this season, we actually gave them a game. The scores were close from start to finish like a horse race and times it was like a game of H.O.R.S.E. was going on as both teams had an answer for the other.

With that in mind here is six things I think we can take from our game in The 6:

1# WE GAVE THEM A GAME! I mean I know it's not the result any Laker fan wanted, but in the place where we are right now coming to the end of the regular season it was good to see us actually playing good basketball. Again it just shows we can play well I mean who knows maybe the Weak Show can become the Lake Show again. Stranger Things have happened like LeBron playing well again and laying off the wine.

2# LINSANITY LIVES ON! I remember when the scoring and assist phenom signed with us a few years back from the Knicks. I honstley thought Lin plus Kobe in the backcourt would equal NBA Finals. But here's a life lesson for you people, things don’t always go how you expect them to and for the Lakers that no exception. Case and point this current NBA Season. That being said however Lin seem to being performing like the player I thought he could be and is know a key piece to the Raptors team.

3# GASOL MAKING IN RAIN! Some people might not know this but back before he was in the NBA the Lakers had the rights to Marc Gasol. Though they were traded away (Magic were you visiting the front office that day?). We did end up with his older brother Pau and he went on to help us win back to back championships (the famous 2 PEET). Last night though I was amazed to see Gasol making it rain and shooting from beyond the arc. He was a killer and it just makes me think yet another player we let slip through out fingers.

4# OPEN THREES, NOT IN L.A.! Even though we played well we still remain the worst team in the league when it comes to open look 3 point shots. Reggie, I told you to leave those bricks in the Windy City. I mean this is a fact people. But then again does it matter? Well all I'm going to say is open look shots should be getting drained. Look why do you think Golden State are where they are? It'st not all down to the snake who could be slithering to New York.

5# KAWHI LEONARD KING OF THE 6: There is no question the Raptors getting Leonard is the reason they are where they are. He is leading that team to the promised land and although he has been linked with us in the offseason, I really think its best for him to stay right where he is and build a legacy there. Could the Raptors be the new Golden State?

6# A NEW FOR US! Tonight we head to the Motor City to play the Pistons and honestly if we play with this energy I really think we will leave 8 Mile road with a W. It's true nothing is certain but I believe the odds are actually in our favour for once. LETS GO LAKE SHOW. DAN STOCKER.

#PoetsCorner 'L.A. Bull Fighters & The Return Of The King Kuz

(For those that don’t know me I go by the name Raw Poet. Other than writing records and producing music my other love is...well read on and you will understand. Here is my new regular column for #LakeShowView 'Poets Corner')

LOOK I thought our losing streak would never end, but as my team like to do they shock me with a performance worthy (clap) of a playoff seed. There must have been something in the wine in Chicago as LeBron lead the way with 31 points, followed by KCP with big numbers (Tim, I always liked that guy). As well as the return of the man, the myth, the mania himself Kyle Kuzma, who added 21 points in his first game back after his injury. Though we were down at halftime LeBron must have popped the wine, as it was a different Lakers team that came out for the second half . Let’s not forget the standing ovation the real Ingram got as he returned on a 10 day deal. Why we don’t just sign him properly to a long term deal I will never know. The fans love him and he loves the Lakers. Speaking of players that love to wear the purple and gold Reggie Bullock has made it public that he wants to re-sign with the Lakers in the offseason. And you know what? Even though he shoots that many bricks he could build his own house, I would love him to re-sign because he loves our team and his energy and team camaraderie is something we have been missing this season. However with the front office being the way it is I am trying to stay positive that Magic does the right thing on this one. But then again there is more chance of us getting a two-peat in the next four years than Magic actually doing what is best for our team, just saying.

Next up we play the Rapters on Friday in Toronto. They are the best team on the East Coast and it is going to be a challenge to say the least. But honestly if we play like we did in the second half and Reggie leaves his bricks in Chicago I think we can give them a decent game.

One of the big signing rumours has been over the Rapters main man Kawhi Leonard who has been linked with the Lakers. But since then it has been reported that he has said he doesn’t what to play with LeBron (shock there). So I'm going leave this by just saying it’s was great even if only for one half to see us play like the Lake Show again. DAN STOCKER.