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 2016 NBA Draft Recap

Alright Laker Nation, the Lakers have wrapped up their draft night, assuming they're not going to make a trade for another draft pick (which is unlikely). I'm going to make this post short and sweet and give my thoughts on the Lakers' two pick in 2016 NBA Draft. Here are the picks and then I'll provide my thoughts:

Round 1 Pick 2: Brandon Ingram, SF, Duke

Highlights:

Round 2 Pick 32: Ivica Zubac, C, Croatia

Highlights:

Comments

There were no other options to consider on the 2nd pick in the first round, the Lakers had to take Brandon Ingram after the 76ers got Ben Simmons. I made a little joke that if the Lakers selected somebody outside of Ingram with the 2nd pick, I was going to go down to El Segundo and choke someone in the Lakers F.O. (front office). I'm satisfied they stuck with the script of Simmons, then Ingram, then every prospect for himself for every other team. The Lakers are getting a high ceiling prospect with superstar potential in Ingram. I did a Simmons vs. Ingram comparison myself and Ingram has clear-cut advantages in scoring and defensive capabilities because of his length and wingspan (a la Kevin Durant). I think his passing and court vision is solid, surely not up to par with Ben Simmons, but it's still decent. He could be the next K.D. A lot of skeptics are saying he's too skinny, but obviously with a little strength and conditioning, he could bulk up easily. Ingram and Russell on the same court has potential to be a legit scoring duo.

When the Lakers took Ivica Zubac in the 2nd round, I heard that most teams had him on radar as late bloomer in the 1st round at best. If that was the case, I thought to myself this guy could be a possible steal. Of course him being an international prospect is going to throw off the casual fan. I am that casual fan, but this is what I'll tell you about Zubac, his game reminds me of Pau Gasol. Zubac has a good low post game; that's what drew the Gasol comparisons when I saw his highlights. I would say he's a better finisher than Pau in the paint (subject to change once he faces NBA competition). Defensively, he's got a good recovery once he gets beat because he continues to stay on his man (again, subject to change once faces NBA competition). With a little more development and refinery of his game inside the post, he could turn out to be a good rim protector and a quality backup Center.

Overall, the Luke Walton era is off to a solid start. The Lakers addressed the draft the right way, taking the 2nd best prospect after Ben Simmons and filling a need at the Center position (in my opinion). I give Mitch Kupchak and even Jim Buss credit for staying firm and doing the right thing in selecting Ingram. Well, next stop is the free agency period in July. I'll see you guys for that.

Grade: A