TrueRaiderLaker Productions Entry #7 - 2016-17 Lakers - The Successors + Wallpaper (And Summer League Thoughts)

It's been a while Laker Nation. 2012, I made my first Laker hype video on my YouTube channel with 2Pac's "To Live and Die in LA" playing in the background as they formed a super team consisting of Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Pau Gasol, and a Center whose name shall never be mentioned in the Laker books ever again. A year later, I followed up with a motivational vignette titled "Kobe Bryant - The Heart is Still Beating" in the wake of Kobe's return from the achilles injury. Now, I am back to help usher in a new era of Lakers basketball, three years in the making. I present to you the first Laker video in the TrueRaiderLaker Productions era: "The Successors!"

Description

A new chapter in Lakers history is about to unfold. We are moving away from 20 years of Kobe Bryant to Year 1 of the Russell-Clarkson-Ingram-Randle-Nance, Jr. era. It's going to be a rough and weird transition as we grew accustomed to either a #8 or a #24 with the last name "Bryant" on the basketball court. But, this is a fresh start and the core that is assembled by Mitch Kupchak is still relatively young. Last season and in the Summer League (which I'll provide my thoughts a little later), the young core showed some promise at times, but other times, there are holes in their game that we can easily pinpoint that they need to work on and polish more. There's a lot of potential that is untapped with this young group. Hopefully, the leadership under Luke Walton and the coaching staff and the veteran leadership of Mozgov and Deng will help the young core grow faster than normal. 

For this video, I wanted to focus on the Lakers' young core of the future. Russell, Clarkson, Ingram, Randle, and Nance, Jr. each had highlights that provided some optimism. In addition, I wanted to make references to the Lakers' history. The history of the Lakers is rich and glorious from Magic and Showtime to Shaq to Kobe as they helped deliver a grand total of 10 NBA championships to the city of Los Angeles in their respective eras in addition to the first championship won in LA in 1972 when the Lakers posted the then best record of 69-13. I wanted to express that these players that the Lakers have now are the next in line, the new generation. They represent the next chapter in Lakers history. They are going to get some backlash because they are not as great as their predecessors yet. But if they continue to put in the work and give their heart out for the love and the appreciation of the game and this great franchise night in and night out, they can be great and one day, they will lead the purple and gold to a 17th banner.

Wallpaper/Thumbnail

1280 x 720 (Standard)

1366 x 768

1920 x 1080

Like my Kobe Bryant "Thank You" wallpaper, the promotional wallpaper for my video in three alternate sizes. From left to right, the wallpaper includes Julius Randle, D'Angelo Russell, Brandon Ingram, Jordan Clarkson, Larry Nance, Jr. The Staples Center is behind them with the bright purple lights shining on them. The black silhouette is the view of the Greater Los Angeles area from afar. Select your size, right click and save, set it as your desktop background, and enjoy the video.

Summer League

For those of you who are wondering, yes I'm kept track of the Lakers' Summer League play. I think the opener vs. New Orleans and the 3rd game vs. Golden State were impressive. Ivica Zubac has thoroughly impressed me with his offensive and defensive abilities and showing his worth as a 2nd round steal. Zach Auguste and Xavier Munford impressed me and I predict that they'll be on the training camp roster at best. Brandon Ingram looked good early on, but struggled with his shot and that's what Summer League is about. Remember, Russell struggled in his rookie year playing SL basketball and Ingram is going through the growing pains. Speaking of Russell he looked good, but the turnovers and defense still need work. The Philadelphia game and last night's loss vs. Cleveland showed (which I missed) showed that there's still long ways to go for the young core in terms of growth and development. Of course, I heard about Nance's fractured hand last night and I wish him a speedy recovery. You don't want a key cog of your future go down like that, especially in SL when it is supposed to be a series of exhibition games for young players to showcase their talent and refine their game. But overall, I would say I liked what I've seen from SL action, but I wouldn't argue that there's still room for improvement. 

TrueRaiderLaker Productions Entry #7 Teaser

CLICK HERE

Lakers 2016 Offseason Activity

07/07:

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Marcelo Huertas - Re-signed to a 2-year deal

Comment: I'm gonna channel my inner Steve Harvey here and retract the comments I made about Huertas when the Lakers got Jose Calderon in a trade. Thought the Lakers were not going to retain him since they got Calderon, who's an upgrade over Huertas, but I'm gonna have to apologize on that comment. Now, the depth at the point guard position is stacked as Russell, Huertas, and Calderon have proven they can facilitate offensively. It's going to be interesting to see how that rotation works. But nonetheless, welcome back Marcelinho!

07/06:

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Jose Calderon (CHI) - Acquired via trade

Comment: On the Chicago Bulls side of things, they had to clear up some cap space to make room for Dwyane Wade. A backup guard (preferably a point guard) is also a need for the Lakers and they get a one-year rental with Jose Calderon whose contract is about to expire after incoming season to fill that need. This likely means that Marcelo Huertas is not going to be retained after one season, backing up D'Angelo Russell. Calderon is a definite upgrade over Huertas in terms of scoring, play-making ability, and having shot a high percentage from behind the three point arc throughout most of his career. The reason he fell out with the Knicks is because they ran the Triangle Offense full time and Calderon just didn't fit in. Running a fast, free-flow offense under Luke Walton should allow him to rekindle some of his game before his fallout with the Knicks.

07/04:

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Tarik Black - Re-signed to a 2-year, $12.85 million deal

Comment: I had to let all the Kevin Durant to the Warriors talk subside before I give my thoughts on the Lakers bringing Tarik Black back. Black is the one unrestricted free agent that I want the Lakers to re-sign because of his potential. Tarik Black showed he can be a high energy guy for the Lakers when given the minutes and the opportunity. There's no doubt that he'll get more opportunities to develop his game under Luke Walton unlike when he was playing under Byron Scott. More minutes to Sacre over Black? C'mon man!

07/02:

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Luol Deng (MIA) - *Details here*

07/01:

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Jordan Clarkson - *Details here*

06/30:

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Timofey Mozgov (CLE) - *Details here*

Lakers Reach Deal with Luol Deng

The Lakers continue their free agency in surrounding their young core with quality, veteran players. Just a few hours ago, the Lakers have reached an agreement with Miami Heat small forward, Luol Deng. Deng's contract details with the Lakers is a 4-year, $72 million deal.

I should ask myself why didn't I include Deng in my free agency outlook post? This is a smart, solid move for the Lakers and they sign him to a contract that's reasonable given his production last season with the Heat and his NBA career overall. What Deng will bring to the Lakers is that he's going to bring scoring (albeit inconsistent), defense, and much-needed veteran leadership, The only question that remains is will he be a temporary stopgap at the "3" while Ingram develops as a starter or will he back up Ingram off the bench? Given Deng's high character and class, he'll accept whatever Luke Walton tells him to do. With Walton installing elements of the Golden State Warriors' system on the Laker personnel and with Mozgov and now, Deng on board, you can pretty much connect the dots here. Mozgov will play a role that is similar to Andrew Bogut, but better when healthy. Deng could be playing a role for the Lakers similar to Andre Iguodala. Again, this is a smart move on the Lakers' part. 

Lakers to Retain Jordan Clarkson

The Lakers didn't waste any time to retain one of their key players of the future. Jordan Clarkson is coming back to the purple and gold. The contract details of Clarkson's retention is on a 4-year $50 million deal. Again, none of this is official yet until July 5, when players can sign with teams.

I'm glad to see that the Lakers actually made Clarkson a top priority and they swooped him out of the market immediately before teams can pry him out of LA for better deals that the Lakers can't match (Clarkson's a restricted free agent). Like I said, in two seasons, Clarkson has proven to the Lakers that he's worth a steal in the 2nd round, averaging double figure PPG (points per game) and constantly improving field goal percentage. If you're following him this offseason, he's not wasting any time to relax as he's working out in the Lakers' facility, improving his strength and conditioning and refining his game. He definitely learned a thing or two from Kobe in terms of work ethic. So with Clarkson staying, the core along with Russell, Randle, and Ingram is safe, barring any ridiculous trade. It's going to be interesting to see how they gel and grow under Luke Walton. Welcome back JC!