TrueRaiderLaker Productions #11! - 2017-18 Lakers - "The Restoration Plan"

"You know MechG2994, your last hype video with the Raiders was pretty damn epic. I was so pumped up for the season to start when I saw that. Without a doubt, it's your best hype video ever."

"Hey, how about giving the Lakers a hype video like that too? It needs some epicness to it. I'm excited for basketball season to start."

Ask and you shall receive. With no further introduction I present to you TrueRaiderLaker Productions #11 - 2017-18 Lakers "The Restoration Plan!"

Description

The conversation above wasn't real, but it certainly left me to think. I'm coming off making an epic hype video about the Raiders, using an epic song by Hi Finesse. When I was pondering about a Lakers video, I at first thought about using some rap. But, that's not the way to follow up an epic hype video! And then it dawned me and asked myself, "hey, why not an encore with Hi Finesse?" 

My latest third Raiders hype video had a lot of storytelling involved. From the clinching the playoff spot to Carr's injury to prepping for a Super Bowl (which is looking bleak at the moment. I wanted to replicate the same storytelling element to the Lakers' incoming first season under the Magic-Pelinka regime.

The last five years under Jim Buss were tough for us Laker fans. There was no long-term contingency plan when Kobe decided to hang it up. After Kobe retired, it was the opportune time for Jim and Mitch Kupchak to build for the future. They did right by hiring Luke Walton and drafting Brandon Ingram in last year's draft. But signing Luol Deng and Timofey Mozgov to mega contracts signaled the demise of the Jim Buss-Mitch Kupchak era. In comes Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka to right the wrongs. They tell us there's a plan in place and they're making moves to restore the Lakers to greatness. They're starting off on the right foot trading for Brook Lopez, signing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to a reasonable contract, and drafting Lonzo Ball and Kyle Kuzma. Ball and Kuzma carried the Lakers to a Summer League championship and they will look to build up that confidence in the regular season along with Ingram, Clarkson, Randle, Nance, KCP, and Lopez,. Whether Magic and Pelinka's plan succeeds or fails remains in question. One thing's for certain, they are unified with a common long-term plan to return the Lakers to its former glory. That plan starts on Thursday Night vs. the Clippers. This video is a visual presentation of a restoration plan in motion. Enjoy this 2 minute fury Laker Nation.

Thumbnail

Official thumbnail of the video featuring a landscape view of L.A. and Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram all drenched in Purple and Gold. ("But, where's Kyle Kuzma?") 

Lakers Deal Mozgov and Russell for Brook Lopez and 27th Pick

Ingram: How do we become a dynasty again Lord Magic?
D'Lo: I wanna become a dynasty!
Magic: Well, the first step is to trade all the little buggers who send inappropriate ravens. *Stares directly at D'Lo; D'Lo scoffs*

- Game of Zones Season 4, Episode 8

Well, the above text is not the exact reason why Magic (and Pelinka) traded away D'Lo. You know it's a deal when Adrian Wojrnaowski reports something NBA-related. According to Woj, the Lakers are trading away Timofey Mozgov and D'Angelo Russell to the Brooklyn Nets for the Nets' 27th pick in the draft and Brook Lopez. This was a complicated process because the Lakers wanted a team to take the overpriced contracts of either Mozgov ($68 million) or Luol Deng ($72 million) to free up cap space. But, they have to sacrifice one of the assets of the young core in addition to getting rid of either contract. The good news is that Mozgov's contract is out the door. Seriously, who would want to pay the remaining $68 million to a Center who's going to sit on the bench? For D'Lo being a casualty, some fans are elated and some fans are mad. I understand that. I personally thought he was coming on as a Shooting Guard late in the season. But, the Lakers needed to move some big contracts and the cost required a young piece. With Brook Lopez on board, this gives the Lakers a stop gap at Center as Zubac continues to develop. He's not the answer to the Lakers' woes down low, but he can score. And plus, the Lakers now have three 1st round picks heading into this draft barring any talks regarding Paul George, which are heating up. It's all but certain that the Lakers are taking a Point Guard at #2 whether it's Lonzo Ball, De'Aaron Fox, or Markelle Fultz (if the Celtics are really sold on picking Josh Jackson first).