A New Coach Isn’t Fixing LeBron and the Lakers | The Bill Simmons Podcast

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons, Van Lathan, and Ryen Russillo discuss what is next for LeBron James and the Lakers.
For more from The Ringer:
Shop: theringer.com/...
Website: theringer.com
Twitter: / ringer
Facebook: / ringer
Instagram: / ringer
The Ringer on KZbin: / theringer

[@beegee3886]

I feel like the “did your wife leave you” line didn’t get nearly enough love 😂

[@TheeDevinMartin]

Sucks when they no sell a good Russilo one liner

[@leungsz]

......it may not be as funny when in a few months time Simmons' divorce news come out

[@drblazePrIMe]

☝🏾 somebody’s mad 😂

[@1sagacious1]

Too much Lebron envy and jealousy going on there... Since Simmons is wrong so often, then Lakers fans should welcome his analysis here... Perhaps his asinine opinion will be a good luck charm for Lebron and his team.

[@dennisdezarn5895]

Not asinine. Asiten. He's gone up a level since his hair got whiter.

[@paulf256]

LeBron plays on the Lakers but he ain't a laker. LeBron's always been about 1 thing.... LeBron.

[@blaketindle4703]

Yep he’s a mercenary. Not a Laker.

[@je5406]

​@@blaketindle4703I said it befofe. LBJ will be rememebered as a ring chasing mercenary.

[@nocturne311]

Kobe wanted Lakers fans to accept LeBron and the guy brought another title to LA to tie the Celtics for most chips all-time. Lakers fans are weird.

[@paulf256]

@@nocturne311 ain't nobody who knows basketball counting that bubble chip as legit. The Real Lakers fan sees right through his passive aggressive bullshit.

[@nocturne311]

@@paulf256Y’all are weird as hell. I guess you shouldn’t count the five Mikan won in Minneapolis without a shot clock too then.

[@Lozorondo]

Kobe’s passion is what makes him so loved

[@Edd_LShore]

And the lawsuit

[@dan17561756]

I"m a Laker season-ticket holder and it makes me sick to think the Lakers are going to pay Lebron max dollars for three more years. I would LOVE it if the Lakers hit the reset button - at least there would be some hope. Great discussion btw -the three of you are spot on.

[@LJExpedition]

You’re not a season ticket holder bro stfu. Every REAL Laker fan wants Bron to stay. We’re not relevant without him

[@HerbHerman-le5ux]

3 grade A haters lol… bills first point that “we already have seen lebron and AD can’t win a title” literally four years ago they won a title?!

[@tdup191]

Lol a season with a 4 month break. They haven't come close since 😂

[@HerbHerman-le5ux]

@@tdup191 made wcf last year your tripping

[@nocturne311]

@@HerbHerman-le5uxYeah and they got swept and then lost to the same team in five this year - a team that might lose in five to Minnesota now. Sorry, but that roster is cooked.

[@dawgpost90]

Let's be real...not really

[@dantedira4278]

Bubble chip not a laker chip

[@urbancheflife19]

With LeBron, you are not signing a player, you are partnering with a brand.

[@JayDay32]

Guy hasn’t played defense in 10 years. He isnt winning without playing both sides

[@deanoss777]

that’s just a lie

[@JayDay32]

@@deanoss777 no lie. Just watch the games for actual defense. Ignore his offense. He barely plays any defense

[@robglobal1]

He's only ever won rings with teams that can carry him while he stat pads and refs rigging things. His entire career is a fraud.

[@desertation]

"did you wife leave you" lmao i love russillo

[@invincible0463]

Ive never in my life seen one of the so called goat players lose and role players get blamed. Its always someone elses fault. First it was ADs fault, hes been great then they moved onto Dlo then the coach then random role players. They will keep scapegoating because nobody wants to admit they lose because of lebron himself.

[@Irishmule169]

Exactly It’s the same ole outcome every year with Lequitter !!!

[@draftmagicagain1000]

It’s also happening with Jokic

[@invincible0463]

@@draftmagicagain1000 yep

[@draftmagicagain1000]

@@invincible0463 how do we make funny Jokic words. Like LeBron is LeFlop and things.

[@joeblow1878]

the literal coach who got fired blamed dlo lol. you're delusional .

[@kingston4313]

Bill should make a draft list of best coaches for the lakers

[@limitedbom2206]

Bills gonna be breathing real heavy after reading this. “A draft you say?”

[@fortynights1513]

He should do best coaches in the league now

[@1sagacious1]

lol since Bill is terrible at getting stuff correct, then... Bill's stinking draft list should provide for lots of heckling, after the Lakers hire a coach.

[@xmanc5687]

No real good coach is going to coach the Lakers

[@1sagacious1]

@@xmanc5687 Says who??? You?!!! 🤣😂🤣😂 ...Sure pal, whatever you say...

[@blaketindle4703]

Everyone knows the right thing to do is move on from Lebron. Let another team kiss his ass and draft his son and deal with all the BS!

[@nathansutherland5749]

Blow it up, Davis off a healthy year is at his peak value

[@JonSmith-hk1bq]

And when the Lakers miss the playoffs for four straight years, will that still be the right call?

[@nathansutherland5749]

Yup, this core isn’t winning anything more than the 9th seed. Might as well cash in on the assets you have and start the rebuild now.

[@drentzios88]

He should go to the east which will be the furthest away from Jokic

[@the_real_ch3]

LeBron can never fail he can only be failed

[@kf4778]

The Russell Westbrook trade dismantled Laker's short-term future. One of the worst trades in the team's history. FO should've never listened to Lebron and AD.

[@maurice2245]

True but they was all on board with it ,Lebron and AD didn’t force anything

[@JoeHardacre]

@@maurice2245 Funny how the FO can ignore him when it comes to Caruso, Lue and Derozan but they suddenly have guns to their heads with Russ

[@whoknows20232]

@@maurice2245 they forced EXACTLY that.

[@PotatoGunCamper]

They had to make it in some ways because Pelinka had the championship team on bad contracts and refused to give them good deals to resign. AD and LeBron were wrong for pushing the Russ trade, Pelinka and the front office were wrong for going along with it.

[@whoknows20232]

@@PotatoGunCamper pelinka was wrong for signing LeBum in the first place

[@chiefkuuni]

I don't know why people love Lebron's game lately. He hasn't played any defense in like 13 years. How do you win when one of your guys isn't trying on the defensive end? When you lose, they blame everyone else even though he's not giving effort where it counts.

[@pstratos7]

Doesn’t he have multiple rings in those 13 years? So he has won while not trying on the defensive end…

[@openmike4559]

@@pstratos7 13 years is a little much. But definitely for the last 6-7 years, no defense at all. And no the bubble ring does not count.

[@pstratos7]

@@openmike4559 ok mac miller

[@rastaoiiii]

They only see espn curated highlights. Everyone who watched 10+ Lakers games this season has seen the undeniable truth. I hope pelinka just says "no, thank you" when he opts out. Let him look stupid trying to con another team to pay max money to a player that does not affect winning.

[@MarcBrandMusic]

Vogel: He won a title LeBron: Bubble Chip

[@Mr.KyleRichey]

Name one legit reason the bubble isn’t a legit title

[@MarcBrandMusic]

@@Mr.KyleRichey I respect the chip. I was more so saying it’s bubble chip cause LeBron won but when it comes to Vogel it’s “he’s a championship coach”. Ppl wanna have it both ways.

[@owlperson5075]

@@MarcBrandMusic I only respect it because it's Lebron's 4th, not the Lakers' 12th

[@vincentoravec261]

LeBrons like a case of herpes at this point. He's just never going away. If/when that last season does unfold, he's going to be milking it for all it's worth; he's going to be worse than Cher during her farewell tour.

[@Irishmule169]

Lecancer !

[@openmike4559]

Well put.

[@socalgolf9978]

Lakers not getting past the wolves, nuggets , okc next year. West gonna be tough with spurs getting better and SAC

[@je5406]

Facts.

[@anthonytrevino3191]

Rockets too and don’t forget about Memphis

[@fexcab]

Here for the hats🤠

[@mookz34]

I want to see the text threads where Van and Ryen are planning their outfits together.

[@jasonwiggins5906]

Russillo’s career is not what he thought would be, his show after SVP left at espn was so boring!! And now he is stuck in simmons world 😢

[@drewphillips2907]

The problem is they traded picks for nothing lol

[@namiiiowens7234]

So sick of the “ why don’t yall love lebron more” convo

[@diegochavez6203]

People know kobes better it's the media that forces his stat padding ass in your head

[@robglobal1]

It's the usual media driven lies and narratives. Been going on since before Lebron was even in the league. His entire carear is media driven smoke and mirrors. Sad times for the NBA

[@JmO-ee1bi]

LeBron’s not top 5

[@brettdavis5873]

LeBron thinks of one person and that is LeBron

[@Hunned1000Trill]

As he should 🐐

[@openmike4559]

Why do you have a mask on in the picture?

[@niltash4ever]

Who do you think of? Even Kobe thought of himself only.

[@johndoe-me1ct]

He also thinks about his son… oh wait his name is also LeBron you right!!!!!😅

[@Ninjersey1]

@@Hunned1000Trillyour goat rookie not mine lol u got low standards

[@elvisp116]

Has lbj not taken steroids? Him and Alex Rodriguez might have more in common

[@siner2442]

Guess Lebron won’t get into the Baseball Hall of Fame now… 😂

[@robglobal1]

His ped use was exposed many years ago. Apparently the league doesn't care but is that really surprising considering how they push his false image so hard?

[@Mr.MooseTheGreat]

As a life long lakers fan, the only fix is Lebron takes a discount and they build depth

[@eranazran6000]

Did you expect Kobe to take a discount those last 4 years on a torn Achilles and never making the playoffs? GTFOH

[@Mr.MooseTheGreat]

@@eranazran6000 I didn’t expect it then and I don’t expect it now that’s why they’ll be a middle tier team until Lebron walks away

[@eranazran6000]

@@Mr.MooseTheGreat Kobe didn't even make the playoffs. LeBron at least got you a title 4 years ago and a conference final last year. Don't really know what better situation you think you're going to get if LeBron takes less $.

[@Obiamajoyisrmd]

@@eranazran6000 your comments are wild and you’ve missed the guys point. Did he say or even suggest that lebron wants to take a discount, or did he suggests that lebron needs to take one? The answer is NO to either. Pay attention before you go around telling people to GTFOH.

[@eranazran6000]

@@Obiamajoyisrmd read the original comment I replied to "the only fix is Lebron takes a discount and they build depth" learn to read.

[@fentanyljones6956]

Austin Reaves basically told Lebron to fugoff after Lebron yelled at him for his own defensive fuckup in game 5 lol. Austin Reaves is a great piece and they should keep him. If they can part w/ Lebron for damn near any all-star caliber point guard or small foward and keep a roster around w/ more or less what they have for a long enough time to gel they’ll be better off than with any Lebron team i can imagine them assembling going forward here.

[@maurice2245]

Reaves is great if he’s coming off the bench,he’s probably the worst starting shooting guard in the conference

[@herusun3654]

That's a good point. Having a guy you have to compensate for on defense and rebounding because he's too old is just too much in this league with the youngsters that are coming up. The next coach needs to be somebody who can tell LeBron "look if you're too tired to play both ends call for a sub, but if you're on the floor I expect you to be at full speed like everybody else" . Ham couldn't do that and it was pretty apparent.

[@maurice2245]

@@herusun3654 shut up you sound ridiculous Lebron plays defense and is rebounds

[@deddiev1718]

What he only played defense occasionally. They put his sorry arse on the weak side block defensively so he can just stand there and get rebounds. Get over it false narratives

[@herusun3654]

@@maurice2245 So how was Aaron Gordon feasting in the dunker's spot if he was playing defense, lol?? He plays defense and is active on the boards when he wants to be like during the in season tournament. But he'll also take plays off and fuss at other guys for not doing what he's not willing to do sometimes too...

[@johnnyd5047]

Speaking as a Laker fan we should move on from LeBron. His time has run its course.

[@12gark]

And do what? Trade Davis and hope they don't need another decade before some other dudes decides they want to play in LA? Because that's how the Lakers build their teams: they wait for a disgruntled superstar to show up and then trade everything else to build a team around them. When they contestually make a great pick (Magic, Kobe) they make a dynasty, when they just get the trade done, they still win a title (Wilt, LeBron). I mean, fine for me, but are you really sure you can't build a better team around these two guys and push the rebuild a bit down the line?

[@Riles3152]

@@12gark LeBron is almost 40 and has over 20 years on his legs. We can allege and speculate how he’s still able to play at this level, but that’s another conversation for another day, but even with whatever he does to keep his body upright, he still only able to do so much throughout the course of a season and playoffs. yes they got to the WCF a year ago and yes they gave the defending champions everything they could in a tough five game series, but these guys are barely making the playoffs through the play-in tournament. It’s not like they’re winning 50+ games in the regular season. And that’s because you have to preserve minutes and even games with the guy that’s almost 40 years old. Anthony Davis has pretty much shown year in and year out that he doesn’t want to be a leading guy. He still OK with getting his numbers and playing his part but still deferring to the guy that’s almost 40 years old. Let’s just face the truth, other than that bubble championship, LeBron and AD have underachieved since being in LA.

[@clee8019]

@@12garkyup and bron brings so many negative intangibles. He’s a terrible leader, no defensive intensity, no respect for a coach, and the constants pressures that if you don’t perform, you’ll be dragged thru the media and possibly traded at the deadline. Look at what the wolves are doing to the nuggets. There’s a defensive intensity with Rudy and Antman leading the way that just makes everyone step up there game. And there’s no real offense with bron. If he does decide to hand off the ball, he stands at the 3 point line and watches a player run iso.

[@12gark]

@@Riles3152 2023 season started with a nonsense roster. The real roster was present after the deadline and they won over 60% of their game, won 2 playoff series and lost to the champs, hilighting no perimeter defense and a very short bench. 2024 season they fixed nothing, started well, were fourth in the west, won the IST, playing well despite terrible rotations and multiple injuries (Rui, Vanderbilt, Vincent, and so on). Then Ham decided it was a smart idea to play Prince at the 4 and benching both DLo and Reaves. 3-10 stretch that dropped them to the 10th seed. Finally, Ham pulled his head from his ass, and despite Vanderbilt getting injured again, they won 60% of their games and eventually lost to Denver again thanks to no perimeter defense and zero depth (we can argue they didn't have 5 players contributing)). AD and LeBron proviede 278/112/64 against the Nuggets (for reference, Jokic and Murray closed the series 259/104/85...). Now you can go wherever you want from here, but I'd say that the market should dictate the decision far more than the standings: is it harder to find a competent replacement for DLo with the asset they have now or to get a massive return for AD and strart from scratch? that said, to me, winning a title is never a disappointment. Sure, maybe they underachieved (injuries and the terrible Russ trade have a weight here), but after watching the Clippers implode again, the Sixers lose again, the Suns getting steamrolled, the Nets exploding last season and so on, I'd argue winning one title is not so disappointing. Nobody did much better than that.

[@theBlackBearrrr]

​@clee8019 a terrible leader who got yall a ring? Let's be honest, it wouldn't have matter what Bron did, you would've had an issue. The coaching thing is such a tired talking point. Darvin Ham wasn't a good coach. Period. If you hate the guy, just say that, don't make up things.

[@iTuber012]

You trade him and don't draft bronny... They will do the opposite though

[@12gark]

You can't trade a free agent

[@HahaHaha-km4sm]

@12gark. Sign and trade ??? Definitely can

[@12gark]

@@HahaHaha-km4sm sign and trade hard caps the team taking LeBron. Nobody's doing that and giving up real assets, they would have nothing to build around LeBron. The Lakers should take a lot of bad contracts back to make that work, which means trading AD as well

[@elliottsmith7530]

Bill: "I went back read about lebrons first lakers season....." (RR processing) RR: "did your wife leave you?" lmfao low key howling! love RR humor, you can see the gears turning for the joke lol

[@blaketindle4703]

😂

[@granddolph]

"huh?"

[@Clyde92]

Kobe lived and breathed purple and gold, worshiped it and embodied Laker culture. LeBron came in with a list of demands and under delivered while demanding respect from a very proud fan base that expects to win every year like the Yankees do. I’m not a Laker fan but live in LA and I was a Kobe hater but I totally understand why Kobe gets all the love and LeBron doesn’t. One was a Laker for life, the other came to the Lakers to crown his own legacy.

[@karimglasgow5518]

Kobe dissed his teammates on record and demanded a trade three years after running Shaq out of town and flirting with the Clippers. Other than that...yeah, he was the embodiment of loyalty to a franchise.

[@kendeng9828]

I like how Van being here forced Bill and Russillo to say something resembling positive about Kobe.

[@kelearl3772]

THEY KNO BETTER

[@marcelmarshall4240]

The Russillo guy must be on the Klutch payroll.

[@BU_TV]

@@marcelmarshall4240he is

[@THE_BEAR_JEW]

LeBron was a mercenary for hire with the Lakers and the Heat. Those fanbases understand that, which is why he'll never be thought of like Wade or Kobe.

[@markbantz9699]

OR MJ!!!

[@herusun3654]

Exactly 💯

[@doloj6490]

How can they say so easily Bron was better than Kobe? It’s more to it than stats.

[@herusun3654]

@@doloj6490 LeBron does have better stats and a longer career. When Lakers fans talk about Kobe, it's about what he meant to the fan base vs what LeBron means. Stats can't overcome that.

[@GStampedeIII]

​@herusun3654 kobe died early & tragically, that has alot to do with it. I never heard anyone call him the goat until after he passed. Respectfully

[@scottburlington6645]

Can someone explain wtf is going on with the cowboy hats?

[@Br4dSp34d]

this podcast was part of a larger one where they talked about Deon Sanders. My guess is it has something to do with that

[@Earl_E_Burd]

I think they honestly think they're cool b/c they paid big money to some cowboy lookin person to shape 'em at the circus and it felt special.

[@maneevent1508]

Lefraud Blames

[@TheArrowOfLife]

The gm rob has to be on the hot seat too . Because that Westbrook trade is was the real death sentence. Them giving kcp and Caruso free walks also .

[@abuyusufabdulhakim952]

But it was LBJ and AD that wanted Russ. Don’t blame Rob for that.

[@rashb3994]

I'm a Laker fan and local that used to think Lebron was better than Kobe, but in reality his time as a Laker made me appreciate Kobe fully and respect Lebron less. Its not the back end of career thing, I get that. It's the phonyness, the desire to put praise and stat padding over winning, he's not a great leader especially noticable when he had the young core, but still noticeable to this day. The undermining every coach we've had, the load management against the tough teams but suits right up against bad to average teams. The new scapegoat every year, the treadline headaches with him. I was completely fine watching the young core develop. I've never thought "Oh thank goodness Lebron pulled us out of darkness". My thought was he kind of keeps us in s weird dark place because he's a bit toxic for our franchise in my opinion.

[@rashb3994]

@@codyfrance2537 Well yeah Magic will always be the ultimate Laker and leader no doubt. As for Lebron vs Kobe comps that's what he signed up for, lol. I agree Kobe was a bully and he did shoot us out of games but still a better leader because he tells guys to their face and won't ask anybody to do something he wouldn't because he's willing to do anything to win. Lebron's more like a fake leader for the media more concerned about accolades at this stage than winning still trying to catch MJ. Young him oddly enough was a better real leader. The more you watch him closely now it's like "whoa is a terrible passive aggressive leader." Throws temper tantrums at teammates for his missed defense assignments or rotations, always holds the franchise hostage, does all this coded sneaky stuff when he wants a teammate out, etc.

[@Supreme36074]

Kobe was the ultimate stat passer bro. & didn’t lead the Lakers to shit after Gasol left & his contract was so big they don’t improve the team. Stop the selective outrage .

[@rashb3994]

@@Supreme36074 Nonsense young man, Kobe was about winning first. After his last two championships with Gasol his body broke down because he gave his all unlike Leload management James. We rewarded him with a big contract because we were rebuilding anyways. Win-win, something for the fans to come see while reloading. Lebron has no Laker legacy like that so I would rather play for the Clippers or Golden State if he wants to stay in Cali.

[@xmanc5687]

@@Supreme36074Kobe stats were huge before Gasol because his team was bad. Kobe was all about winning not accolades.

[@davidsuissa6247]

Van-- that Kobe story was amazing. Gave me the goosebumps. My boy and I grew up with him. He's still living in our hearts.

[@mgee1723]

Lakers are for Kobe. Lebron could never be at this level.

[@mookz34]

Lebron never missed the playoffs in his prime, you are right.

[@CJBlake-ym6ky]

Kobe can never be matched as a Laker if you're comparing LBJ as a Laker.

[@mgee1723]

@@CJBlake-ym6ky that’s my point. Thank you cj

[@cptsketch13]

Pelinka has done a good job with the roster with what he's been given. That first year with the zubacs trade and taking Lonzo, that was all Magic.

[@Desnond]

What about westbrook losing kcp losing Alex losing a whole championship roster what about HIRING A ROOKIE HEAD COACH NAMED DARVIN HAM.. ontop of that they about to trade all their picks for lebron give him a max sign his son lol basically Mortage your future… as well has having how many coaches in the past 6 seasons lol.All stuff decided by the GM LOL

[@mxhughes]

Pelinka is as much to blame for the roster assembled as the coaches are for not being able to use them right.He gets low end n underachieving talent and hopes they'll get motivated to do better when it never works

[@Desnond]

@@mxhughes exactly lakers are in the situation they are in because they fail to address the real problem lol… the people make all the decisions are the ones letting y’all down 😂 it’s not just darvin Ham

[@siner2442]

Lonzo went there for a couple reasons, and one was playing with Ball… Lebron & Gamic thought he was going to be an awesome player LOL shows how much they know? Magic trade Zubac for no necessary reason is still questionable? Everybody started laughing at him after that, that’s when he said “I don’t know what I’m doing, so I’m going to step down”. 😂

[@ThomasMaldonado-wp2nd]

Choosing THT over Caruso was a fireable offense in itself

[@davidwheward8081]

Kobe is revered in China... all I have to do is play "See you again" and so many of the students are singing it with tears in their eyes... with a plaintive "Mamba out" at the end.

[@QuestionEverything562]

That's cult like behaviour.

[@Mskedu47]

Didn’t Kobe win 5 rings? Lebron bubble champ

[@Mr.KyleRichey]

Name one legit reason the bubble isn’t a legit title?

[@anthonymelendez333]

@@Mr.KyleRicheyit wasn’t a real nba atmosphere for the games alone let alone actual home and away advantages as well as it wasn’t a full season played which as much as we criticize teams for beating injured teams that is part of the nba that’s just one

[@MrDiipp]

I’m a laker fan and thank you Bill for bringing up what Lebron does to the rest of the team.

[@norebab3818]

Lebron is untouchable

[@JoeHardacre]

You'll notice there was no trade deadline drama the championship winning season because players were actually playing well. Van's suggestion that all the other greats give you 7-8 years of stability is absolute bullshit as well. Shaq and Kobe nearly broke the franchise with their spat, Wade didnt want Spo before he was hired, Howard had disagreements with Van Gundy, Kobe/Nash/Dwight got coaches fired, Kyrie irving and Steve Nash, Giannis just got Griffin bumped and look how well that worked.

[@davidhensley7422]

The comparison between A.Rod and Bron was really spot on

[@marcelmarshall4240]

Except Lebron is not better than Kobe, All ANYONE has to do is go watch the documentary of when they played on the Olympic team that year. They ALL said Kobe saved them and was on another level.

[@marcelmarshall4240]

It’s getting weird to watch so many men talk about other men.

[@davidhensley7422]

@marcelmarshall4240 bro that wasnt prime bron..hate im in the position to even defend him but all around bron is better..easy..much like mj is better than bron set the hate aside

[@JohnBurgundy]

Balco

[@mjwbulich]

Bills right about Lakers fans showing up regardless. You can go back and look at attendance and jersey sales in those horrible years between Kobe and LeBron. They had a 97- 98% attendance rate and were top 10 in the league. They were still top of the league in jersey/merch sales. Bills finally starting to figure out how it works in LA. The Lakers are THE sports franchise here. Everyone else is a distant second at best. I think it bothers him a little too. Boston loves the Celtics but not like LA loves the Lakers.

[@rubaiyat300]

It’s a huge media market. LA has more people in it than most states. The greater metro area has more people in it than 40 states.

[@fortynights1513]

@@rubaiyat300Earlier on they mentioned how the Clippers were better for a couple years, I remember reading somewhere that in the early 90’s the Clippers played a few playoff games in Anaheim, and there was talk of Anaheim getting the Clippers. Orange County is a big part of that metro area I believe.

[@Wick9876]

@@fortynights1513 LA county 9.7 million, Orange county 3.15 million, state average 333/50 = 6.66 million.

[@tazer95]

I don't think I would call the Dodgers a distant second

[@sleevedaces81]

Thank you! LA LOVES to buy Van Exel, Sasha, Kuzma or Carusso jerseys! We have always loved the Lakers regardless of what national sports media will tell you. The Clippers will always be a niche thing here but the Dodgers are a closer second in town then you're giving them credit for. We also love us some at least entertaining Trojans football

[@programme9363]

Celtics have 1 title in 38 years. Tatum is incredibly overrated, and all Celtics fans know it without admitting it. Lakers are an 8 seed who didn't win this year. Celtics are contenders, if they don't win its legitimately embarrassing.

[@Fives-CT-5555-]

Drop james. He’s cancer to any team. He’s a mercenary. Overhyped, overrated scared and crumbles under pressure, ducks the big moments.

[@tru3dialect]

Pelinka did great last year at trade deadline and every one unanimously applauded him before this year. Lol sometimes it's not coaching or the gm sometimes the players just aren't getting it done

[@berniekerns4281]

Watch Lakers games and just watch lefraud. He is a LOSING player

[@davidsuissa6247]

missing the key point-- IMPATIENCE. The obsession year after year to win immediately. A lot of blunders came from that.

[@mgee1723]

It’s so annoying as a fan

[@d2k2j4]

Would you rather be a team that keeps building and never win? Or a team that actually try to make moves and win a ring?

[@Roy-ml5fn]

That’s what got them 17 championships lol you think they would’ve been as successful if they had PATIENCE? Most teams in the league go that route and look at their success. It’s not necessarily about obsessing winning every year. It’s about making the right decisions to win every year. When you have a history of wanting to win every year, have a brand like the Lakers,and you have 2 of the best players on the team then of course you would want to win every year. And that’s even more exaggerated when one of those stars is aging and the other has a history of being constantly injured. And I haven’t even talked about other teams trying to win year after year which puts even more pressure on the Lakers and their stars.

[@WoTMike1989]

He sat on his ass and gave them a year. He has been what? 35-39 in his time there. He doesn't have time to just give up on a year. It isn't about mortgaging the future every year or patience. It is about making winning moves and stacking them. They have had two top 10-15 players on their team for 5 years. Of course you are in win now mode.

[@tejas9258]

To be fair, LeBron is aging, they dont exactly have the luxury of waiting.

[@gio7388]

Ryen and Bill are so far in the anti-Kobe camp they can’t even consider the guy who is actually knowledgeable and still prefers Kobe over LeBron. All fan bases have irrational fans, but honestly Kobe has traits LeBron doesn’t and vice versa so that comes down to preference. You can’t truly have a definitive list of who is better than who due to differences in positions, rules changes, teammates, playing styles, refs, etc.

[@michaelmaniloff9297]

From an efficiency standpoint, I don't think it's really close. Kobe was only able to achieve success when he had a hall of fame big man.

[@gio7388]

@@michaelmaniloff9297 And who did LeBron play with? Scrubs?

[@Warriors7670]

​@michaelmaniloff9297 Kobe went to three straight finals with 1 other all star. Lenron has played with 5 of the top 75 players of all time.

[@michaelmaniloff9297]

@chrislopez7670 I'm not defending lebron. Kobe still massively overrated in my eyes. Considering many people got him top 5

[@Warriors7670]

@@michaelmaniloff9297 he is top 5

[@HUDBEKNOWIN]

If he don't take less money he won't win.

[@eranazran6000]

Did you say the same thing about Kobe who was playing one 1 Achilles and making over $30 million a year?

[@je5406]

​@@eranazran6000yes

[@petergianakopoulos4926]

Yes

[@SomeChink]

@@eranazran6000yes, everyone said that because they knew it was 1000% true

[@eranazran6000]

@@SomeChink Yes I'm sure you were at the front of the line. Sit your ass down and eat a slice of pizza lol.

[@CD-gk9ix]

Sometimes GM’s need to remind everyone they run the league, not the players. Take a page from the Krause playbook.

[@Beast12369]

and never win again lmfao. The bulls won with Krause, not because of.

[@robertriteman3227]

No longer true because owners gave up too much in the past 2 CBAs

[@CD-gk9ix]

@@Beast12369 Krause had his faults, but he knew what he was doing. The problem was he wanted more credit than he deserved, and deserved more credit than he was given.

[@jonahfalcon1970]

More like the Pat Riley playbook.

[@christopherwilliams2351]

Take a page from the guy known for blowing up the greatest basketball team ever?

[@LenGott8345]

I feel like it's next to impossible for folks to admit what's staring them in the face. If not for the pandemic, LBJ would still be sitting on 3 rings. That's it. We're looking at not just another roster turnover (one for every season he has been on payroll I might add which of course nobody's willing to talk about) on top of another coaching search (4th since LBJ arrived). Old Man James isn't bulldozing this conference the way he did the East. We know this to be factual moving forward. LBJ as noted, is a literal team cancer. You're never truly safe around him, he can get you gone the SECOND things start to go south. We've had 2 decades worth of this with the only glaring exception, being his time in Miami and that's probably the biggest reason he ran home after the 2014 Finals. Cause he couldn't have his way and they weren't going to bend to his will the way Cleveland did. (Which even when they did, still wasn't enough to his liking cause he left.) LeBron may get his kid there. He may get his coach this Summer. He may get yet another roster that he's happy with until he's not. He's still going home after the 1st round ends. The Lakers will have maybe two more seasons of this before he hangs it up and then the true rebuild begins which as the Cavs can attest to, is pretty nasty once you realize you have nothing to build with. It doesn't matter who coaches LeBron at this point. It'll never be good enough. He's not coachable. Signing off on Redick is suicidal in every sense of the word. A new coach with a whole new roster. Also, how do you take him seriously when he's literally sitting on a pod with LeBron just retconning parts of his playing legacy? Also, let's stop pretending like it matters who the Lakers didn't take in the Draft when we know even IF they took the right guy, the rookie is either not playing with the Lakers or sent packing at a moment's notice. It's one thing when you consider what the next two seasons look like, it's another entirely when you consider what this looks like when LeBron retires and you gotta see the post retirement Lake Show.

[@mylessmith8059]

Can we stop with this pandemic crap. Lakers were the #1 team in west leading up to the playoffs in 2020, beating both the Clippers and Bucks before the season shut down. and were the #1 team in basketball in the rushed 2020-2021 season To say they were never winning a title is revisionist history because you don’t like Lebron

[@d2k2j4]

They were the 1 seed the whole year before the shit down 😂

[@misinfluence]

Don’t you think the Lakers would’ve had the biggest advantage going into the 2020 postseason given they were the 1 seed?

[@Blunder03]

Everybody was in the same boat in the bubble. I don't get why some people say the bubble chip like the Lakers had some advantage that the other team's didn't.

[@karimglasgow5518]

Ppl make the bubble title sound like this year's IST. Every good team in the league competed for the 2020 championship just as hard as they competed for every other championship.

[@nocturne311]

Kobe’s fans are massive hypocrites or they’re just casuals who forget that Kobe attempted to leave the Lakers multiple times. He wanted out and wanted to play for the Clippers or the Bulls until the Lakers appeased him and brought in Pau Gasol for chump change. If the Cavaliers traded for Pau Gasol in 2008, LeBron would have stayed in Cleveland and the Cavaliers probably would have won it all in 2009 and 2010 instead of Kobe. I’m a Kobe guy, by the way, and believe it or not, I really don’t like LeBron as a player or a person. However, what I really can’t stand are delusional fans.

[@Steelo832]

Russillo hating on Kobe that hard was unnecessary. Bron as a Laker hasn’t been anywhere near Kobe and that’s ok to say. The Kobe/Bron conversation is a lot closer than people give it credit for and I’m not mad at people for choosing Bron but Kobe has a legitimate argument to be the better player lol. It’s not egregious

[@38WorksGr8]

We hate our own flaws when we see them in others

[@jamesmarshall6619]

Kobe occupies a weird space in NBA circles. I think part of it is if you say LeBron is better than Kobe, which I think he is, I think too often people take it as people saying Kobe is trash or how dare we. I think Kobe was amazing and to me, once you start talking about the top 12-13 best NBA players in history we're talking about little nitpicks in terms of greatness. I agree with Russillo that to me LeBron is clearly better but I also agree with you, it's not like it isn't close. Part of it is as fans we get too defensive but the Kobe hate at times is too much. I'm a Suns fan, sports hating Kobe is a tradition I'm proud of but I think I spend more time defending him than having fun sports hating on him. I agree, there is a legitimate argument, too many people can't just have a discussion and go right to their emotions. Then again a lot of people hate me because LeBron and Jordan are my two favorite players of all-time and I loved-hate watching Kobe and to a lot of fans, you can't like all three.

[@Steelo832]

@@jamesmarshall6619 the talk around LeBron combined with me being a Kobe guy growing up made me almost seem like a hater of Bron esp when I was younger. But now I truly do respect his ability and I don’t mind people saying he’s greater, my issue just comes from the “it’s not even close crowd”. I edge Kobe over him for my own reasons but objectively I can understand LeBron being over him on most list. I definitely agree with you on the weird space thing, his passing (RIP) made it even weirder, and I’ll admit that a lot of Kobe fans go too far at times and do too much. That’s no different than Bron or MJ fans though so it just depends on who you’re talking to at a given time.

[@maurice2245]

No he doesn’t

[@JoeHardacre]

Whats the legitimate argument? Missing the playoffs and getting bounced in the first round two years running in his absolute prime? I dont care what is said about his supporting cast, look at what LeBron did in 07 and 18. Kobe was an incredible player, top 10-15 of all time without much debate. But to suggest there's a legit argument he should be ranked ahead of LeBron, which makes him the 1/2/3rd best player EVER is insane.

[@SuperYoungpoet]

They Talk like the Laker fans don’t care I am here to tell you we do care we are not the cowboys . It’s the owner & the Gm who is unstable if jeannie buss would have Let Magic Johnson Hire the Coach he wanted win or lose we would have knew what Magic was trying to do . Because Rob P is Kobe guy but a lot of teams hate doing business with him because his a shady business man . D Ham is not to blame for everything let’s make it clear . But he is solely responsible . For those Nuggets loses . Because when he made the trades to bring back DLo and get rid of Pat Beverly and he and Lakers was trying to gett off the Russell Westbrook. Trade . D Ham did that and they were winning Lebron didn’t even play for almost 3 weeks so Said what you want about Magic but he got the money right he clean the books and Made room for a Lebron to come Now the Original plan was Lebron & PG giving up alot to get AD hurt us but we won so fine . Is the ownership who keeps giving Lebron the power the Chicago Bulls would of bury the team listen to Michael Jordan, he would had half of his North Carolina buddies on the Chicago Bulls. So that’s the Owner and why isn’t Rob Pelinka fire 🔥 We can just keep fire the head coaches 😂😂😂😂

[@PlanetPOW]

Lebron is never winning another championship with the lakers. He is only interested in taking all the glory for the good things and none of the blame when they fail.

[@wapoj4220]

lol he is already cemented! & it don't matter people like you will blame him for everything anyways & create fake narratives

[@BC-th3mx]

Blame? LeBron & AD shot career high 56.6% & 63.4% vs Denver, rest of the team barely shot above 40%, w/ everyone except Reaves under that. MJ never shot higher than 53% in the playoffs, NBA season record is 54%, if they have to be historically great just to win 1 game, they're not the problem

[@andrewmcmurray8081]

​@@BC-th3mxgood stats, but if they won who gets rhe credit? Bron. When they lose it should work the same way.

[@EdeDizon]

That's funny cause that's what everyone said when he first came to LAL

[@937jmoney3]

@@wapoj4220Guys like PlanetPOW live in their own little world.

[@JuliusSpin]

Tbf: Outside of skill Lebron is the antithesis of Kobe, which he will never be accepted/respected by (hardcore) Kobe fans. F.e. flopping/faking to cry/blaming others/etc. (generally known) The reason Vogel got fired is because they needed a fallguy for the try to be The KD Nets, and the sacrifices they made to make that happen, although it was a bigger bust than the Nets.

[@Brownflash]

Couple of Celtics homers talking about what it means to be a Laker. GTFOH 😂😂😂🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️

[@mcdude9578]

Right? Ain't nobody watch lebron regular season games when he was on the heat or Cavs man. He's in the limelight now in l.a. where Kobe was his whole career thats why they compare them.

[@drewland6140]

Yeh RR is hating hard on Kobe…….why should the laker fans care about what Lebron did before he got to LA…..Kobe brought 5….it’s real simple

[@TCRgalaxy]

Lebron is crazy if he stays in the West…

[@MavenFade]

The Lakers should let Lebron walk and trade AD for assets. Let Lebron go wherever Bronny goes, he got you 1 title thats enough

[@JackFlash771]

Russillo loves creating scarecrows and ghost fans he can eviscerate with his sports logic.

[@danielruiz3379]

Did this dude just say arod isn’t remembered a Yankee, gtfoh you don’t know what you’re talking bout

[@amc1140]

LeBron got hurt in 2018-19 right?

[@nikosvault]

For a month. Like Kobe in 04-05. But only Lebron gets to cancel a failure being out a month.

[@rayd4974]

@@nikosvault LBJ didn’t have 3 time FMVP

[@genefernandofaelnar8300]

He quit on his team with a bogus injury

[@gringoboy701]

@@nikosvault It wasn't just Lebron injured. Lonzo was injured. Ingraham was injured. That team wasn't going anywhere when half your starters are out for 30 games.

[@rayd4974]

@@genefernandofaelnar8300 You mean Jamal Murray & Kawhi? Lebron is 6th all time in games played... keep drinking delusions

[@gringoboy701]

Lakers Lebron opts out and comes back on that westbrook vet min contract if they commit to signing bronny jr and then they sign donovan mitchel and pick up a good 2way player.

[@drewphillips2907]

Lebron will never be a Laker all timer.

[@fortynights1513]

Nice stay there, but I get what you mean.

[@jayboeker1935]

Stop it. Lebron has the same amount of rings as Wilt and Jerry West do as Lakers. Lebron is an all time laker.

[@fortynights1513]

@@jayboeker1935West at least would have spent more of his career in Los Angeles, let alone his GM days.

[@davidhensley7422]

Kobe is easily a better Laker than Bron..but overall its hard to say Bron isnt better..i think thats closer to what the L.A. fan believes..they dont care bout any player that hasnt worn a Lakers jersey

[@anthonymelendez333]

Nah man I’m a Boston Celtic fan and Kobe was better Kobe had GAME Kobe was just a ridiculous animal Lebron is just bully ball with his gifts which is fine but it’s not as good as Kobe’s game it always showed too when they played each other

[@EasyWeezyy]

Y'all remember when Bill said Nuggets are a top 3 team he's seen in the 2000's and he wasn't so sure about the 2013 Heat? Lol that aged very well

[@QuestionEverything562]

The 2013 Heat? Lol please. They looked pretty beatable. Pacers pushed them to 7 and the Spurs had them if they could have made their free throws and got a def rebound. The 2013 Heat barely won. Like by their chinny chin hairs. Not even close to the top 10 teams of all-time. Not once did they look truly dominant, other than sweeping a pathetic Bucks squad led by Brandon Nobody Jennings lol.

[@johnnycash8567]

@@QuestionEverything562that spurs team was great too tho. That heat team won like 60 games and went on a 27 game win streak. The Nuggets were underdogs against the suns in the first round with home court. They got a historically great player and good role players who mesh well but idk about a historically great team. I think that 2019 Toronto team is super underrated because everyone dismisses them for the KD injury

[@johnnycash8567]

@@QuestionEverything562also saying they barely won is school but u act like the nuggets would sweep that spurs team 😂 come on now

[@berniekerns4281]

​​@@johnnycash8567... it wasn't just the KD injury... it was the Klay injury. If the Warriors just have Klay.... they beat that Toronto team.

[@johnnycash8567]

@@berniekerns4281 he got hurt at the end of game 6 in a series where Toronto was up 3-1 and they were huge underdogs and that was with no KD. Also game 6 and the end of game 5 were Klays only good moments in that series. Toronto had too much length

[@TraMark]

Always hating on Kobe. Jokers. LeBron is not sitting at the table with Kobe.

[@f58534]

Yeah, unless they can somehow swindle Lue out of the Clippers, it ain't getting better

[@misinfluence]

Lue doesn’t fix the lack of shooting or big depth

[@openmike4559]

Nothing will make it better. Tyrone lue is garbage.

[@HahaHaha-km4sm]

Other than that lucky comeback down 1-3 in the finals, Lue has done NOTHING..

[@17NateJohnson]

Kobe is overrated. Great, great player. But Kobe is overrated.

[@jtknox]

Russillo's defense on LeBron - in the context of LeBron James versus Kobe Bryant - is admirable.

[@ishetrying]

The Lakers should draft Bronny and then trade LeBron.

[@ballerproductions1408]

“True alpha males make their coaches into legends” never let this guy talk ball again

[@deifiedtitan]

Honestly hate the “you gave everything away for AD” take every time I hear it. LA gave away a guard that can’t stay on the floor and a collection of players that have essentially done nothing in exchange for a perennial top-10 player and a ring. Stop it. Behave yourself. Every single team in the league would do it in a heartbeat for a guaranteed chip.

[@machravens]

I mean yeah most teams would take that deal, but weird to say Josh Hart, Brandon Ingram, Herb Jones, etc., have "done nothing," even if you want to discount Lonzo because he had future injuries? Especially when Hart and Jones are exactly the sort of player that would be good fits to develop with LeBron, the same way Ariza did with Kobe? And when the Pelicans were in a "trade him now or lose him for nothing" situation, who were you bidding against giving away years of future assets?

[@Coolquip43]

I say this as a Celtics fan: If Davis had said he'd re-sign, I'd bet they'd have given up more

[@maurice2245]

@@machravensyou can live without Hart for AD

[@Earl_E_Burd]

@@machravens "would be good fits" did you think that trading bad fits is how a team gets someone like AD?

[@machravens]

@@maurice2245 yeah but why give up Hart? New Orleans didn't want him? Did you think I was arguing that Hart > AD?

[@jonahfalcon1970]

Lebron feels like a hired gun "for some reason"?! Cleveland Miami -- THE DECISION! Cleveland Los Angeles Um, that's because he IS a hired gun.

[@Irishmule169]

But doesn’t know how to shoot a gun !! Lequitter

[@Blacksparrow612]

Russillo's Kobe hate is quite disturbing

[@TizzleF]

Kobe > Bron 🖤💜💛

[@WhereIsYourID]

If thats what you got out of his point you are literally the people ges talking about 🤣🤣🤣

[@deanoss777]

How is what he said “hate”? Because he’s not on his knees for the guy. He’s just saying Kobe fans are delusional and guess what? THEY ARE.

[@Blacksparrow612]

@@deanoss777 It's not about being a delusional Kobe fan which I don't consider myself to be even tho I'm a Laker fan. I have him 9th all time. But to be so vicious to fans wanting to support their fave guy especially ever since 2020 just comes across as a lil distasteful and unnecessary.

[@michaelmaniloff9297]

​@Blacksparrow612 he only shot 44% for his career and you got him 9th? 😂

[@howlinhauler]

Trade AD for Bronny and picks , REBUILD. They would sell tickets and could get $ ready for ANT.

[@17NateJohnson]

This convo really taps into something that never gets talked about enough: the instability around Lebron. Also, most great players make their head coaches HoFers. But Lebron always bailed when things got tough. The “Lebron is a great leader” thing actually is really problematic.

[@seitostockman]

The LeMedia is bought and paid for so they're scared to talk about it

[@doubledown0411]

Lebrons next coach will he his 10th. He's about to be on his 4th Lakers coach. It's definitely a hole in his legacy. He doesn't want to be coached. I think he left Miami because he wasn't going to be able to push Pat Riley or Spoelstra around.

[@2dmartin]

⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠@@poorchrisdid you say Kyrie + Davis was the “more mature, more composed, more well rounded, alpha”??????? 😂😂😂😂😂 you’re nuts

[@Prod_Xanta]

@@poorchriswhat have kryie and ad ever accomplished without Lebron?

[@richardturner1063]

What the f*ck are you talking about. Bill Simmons is a 🤡 Name me 3 better teams than the Lakers since Lebron went there the last 6 years! Celtics, Clippers, Raptors, Lakers, Bucks, GSW, Nuggets, 2024 winners? Your GOAT was playing golf in his 21st yr, not leading his team to the playoffs in points, assists and steals. SMDH

[@jchannelty]

Kobe is better then Lebron lol I watch more basketball then anyone not paid to, I'm still going to say its only close cuz of longevity. That bubble title is… ok at best.

[@TCRgalaxy]

MJ 1 - Kobe 1a leGM with his bubble title going 4-6 in the finals…😬

[@genefernandofaelnar8300]

Coaching was never the problem get rid of the fraud a lot of real Lakers fans have zoned out tje team because of Lebron, they will be back once he leaves

[@joshuacampbell6212]

Only won a ring cus he went there lmao, I understand not liking Lebron but they were dogshit horrible and he got them a chip.

[@genefernandofaelnar8300]

@@joshuacampbell6212 They were young needed time to grow and they did not have to mortgage their future and by the way the chip they won was because of AD, who was robbed if the MVP

[@Prod_Xanta]

@@genefernandofaelnar8300yeah they should’ve kept Lonzo who hasn’t played in years, Ingram who was getting benched in the final minutes of playoff and play in games and Kyle kuzma (he might actually be good the wizards just suck) and let them compete instead

[@genefernandofaelnar8300]

@@Prod_Xanta I am syre they would have done better by now

[@richardturner1063]

What the f*ck are you talking about. Bill Simmons is a ... Name me 3 better teams than the Lakers since Lebron went there the last 6 years! Celtics, Clippers, Raptors, Lakers, Bucks, GSW, Nuggets, 2024 winners? Your GOAT was playing golf in his 21st yr, not leading his team to the playoffs in points, assists and steals. SMDH

[@blakewu1375]

Ah, the annual Bill Simmons Lakers Schadenfreude Crocodile Tears episode. "I don't know what the fix is"--as if if he actually knew a secret "fix", he would tell the Lakers....all of these podsters always think they know more than they actually do, and certainly more than people who actually have jobs and run teams. All the same, the Lebron era with the Lakers has been an unmitigated disaster for a variety of reasons outside of that strange Bubble Championship (and this comes from a lifelong Laker fan) that fans really didn't get to enjoy. Lebron has always felt like a mercenary to me, not an authentic Laker, and he's never had any loyalty to the Lakers (or any team) with all the passive-aggressive stuff at the end of each year when the team disappointed their way out of the playoffs (or not even get it). Now Lakers are stuck with him demanding $60/yr past age 40 and blackmailing the team (or perhaps the league, all non-too-subtly at that) to draft or trade for his worthless son (basketballwise, not as a person) just because he's the "King" of NBA (or thinks he is). In some ways, I almost wish Lakers didn't win that title so that it'd have been easier to get rid of him--that title essentially became his talisman to protect against any types of failures and excuses or legitimate criticism--it's his free pass for the rest of his Laker tenure. Even if they never won anything, I think I'd have preferred the Young Lakers drafted or traded for by the team than the failed Lebron experiment. It'd have been fun to see where they could've developed organically before being jettisoned prematurely: Randall, Hart, Ingram, Nance Jr., Zubac, Mo Wagner, Caruso, Lonzo, Kuzma, et al. Who knows, they might have even been lucky to trade for a gem like Brunson to lead the team at some point, someone who plays hard and doesn't think he's above the league. I think people forget that the true Lakers dynasty of the 1980s was actually more built with home-drafted talent than big free-agent signings (Kareem was traded by his demand and didn't come in as a free agent): Magic, Worthy, Scott, AC Green, Norm Nixon, Michael Cooper, et al. They shouldn't be dreaming of building any more "super teams" Lebron style--that was a flash in the pan, not honest team building. In the long run, you don't get rewarded for that most of the time.

[@davidsuissa6247]

he ain't Kobe

[@eranazran6000]

He's better.

[@ImportAl]

​@@eranazran6000*was, 4+ years ago, at passing, rebounding, scoring within 3 feet. Kobe clears Lebron in the rest of basketball abilities.

[@daa_97]

@@ImportAlwhen has Bron missed the playoffs 5 straight years?

[@ImportAl]

@@daa_97 You're comparing post-Achilles Kobe, Lebron needed a Finals MVP teammate to repeat and Kobe did it with Pau coming out of the West. Also, Kobe never went full 2011 Finals.

[@jonathanday5010]

You're right LeBron's better

[@timhall5382]

The arrogant white guy that isn't bill is the reason i rarely watch this show. Hadn't seen the black guy before, he seems intelligent.

[@timhall5382]

Laker fan since 80, LeBron has 1 title. We brought him in expecting more. If he doesn't get another or if he plays for another team after the Lakers then he's just a guy. He won't be considered a laker legend and we won't retire his jersey.

[@timhall5382]

They gave away the entire team and the future for James and Davis. 1 title is a massive failure. Only a non laker fan and or a simpleton would believe it's a success.

[@lorenzobmw810]

Bill is the MJ of constantly not letting people talk lmao

[@carboy101]

As a Lakers fan I’ve never once thought a single one of those players homeboy mentioned

[@openmike2941]

I love bill and Lebron sad that Bill hates Lebron because he hates racist Boston lol

[@JohnWest-dm4qb]

'Racist' just means anyone who doesn't treat blacks like they're god.

[@dparks2856]

​@@JohnWest-dm4qb Racist

[@wapoj4220]

@@JohnWest-dm4qbracist just means racist! It's a reason Bill Russell doesn't fuck with the Celtics! Boston treated him like ish! But I guess calling opposing players "Ni**** is cool lol clown

[@smokeyedwards6637]

Even Bill knows that his city is racist. Always has been. Even Russell got bs. And. Blacks don't need 2b treated like gods. But the fact the people who cheer 4 black players but drop an Nbomb at the same time is CRAZY 💯🗑️

[@aron.gortman]

@@JohnWest-dm4qb Pretty much in 2024.

[@SSGourmet702]

it was true what micheal said at his wake on tv "he left it all on the floor" you cannot hate a man who gave everything he had even on his last game Kobe bled purple and gold

[@goseeaboutagirl]

Tyron Lue, Stotts, or Atkinson

[@amc1140]

Jeanie can't afford Ty Lue. We already went through this

[@ExtremeDailyDrivers]

To act like the Lakers were lost without Lebron is hilarious. That team was STACKED with young talent and they had picks. Would they have won the bubble chip without Lebron and AD? No. However, they would be currently competing for a championship for years to come. What are they doing now? Nothing. Ten teams in the West are better than the Lakers going into the 24-25 season. There are going to books written about how the Lakers allowed an aging superstar destroy their team and set them back for years and years.

[@17NateJohnson]

This an awesome convo.

[@ExtremeDailyDrivers]

After spending 90 seconds mocking anyone who would think Kobe was better than Lebron, you spend 15 minutes talking about how great Kobe was. Lol. You three need to listen to this podcast so you can your sh!t together.

[@Kinogotiate]

Ryen cry more, LeBron isn't a top 10 player all time deal with it.

[@Shortballa11]

I hate lebron and this is a crazy statement

[@Kinogotiate]

@@Shortballa11 Yet you glaze him still. You aren't a real hater if you can't unpack why he sucks. Doesn't play in a hand checking era. Jumps between teams so he's always on a stacked roster. Guy's below Tim Duncan but less loyal to his team and a more selfish scorer.

[@Shortballa11]

@@Kinogotiate this is the wildest comment ever lol. I guess 99% of basketball fans are glazers then because Lebron is unanimously in the top 10. As a Lebron hater i appreciate your hate cuz this is a level that has totally surpassed me. I did not think it could be done lol

[@Kinogotiate]

@@Shortballa11 You take Lebron off any of his 6 teams which lost the finals and put Jokic on those teams and all 6 are wins. I have Jokic over him already.

[@Shortballa11]

@@Kinogotiate Not the best time to bring up Jokics name bt I love it

[@cinesnipe599]

Lebron wants Phil Jackson to coach him and his posse

[@je5406]

Lol

[@seitostockman]

Russillo wasnt in LA in the Kobe era and he is a celtics fan so he is never going to get it

[@Youralwayswhining4367]

Terrible take kid

[@seitostockman]

I'm 34 years old kid

[@j20s46]

the reality is GM Lebron has failed in yet another location

[@JoeHardacre]

Literally won a ring for every stint he's had with ateam. I'm sure the Lakers fans are screaming for the 2015 season to come back so they don't have to remember the title they won

[@jackthibault8864]

A lot funny stuff in here but the Kobe discussion is very refreshing. To me it kinda been a topic nobody wants to breach for good reason as it is very hard to speak on. I’m from the south and I know ppl just how you describe ab him. Die hard, I also preciate the shoe point bc I would bet a lot of money it’s the most popular shoe among HS/College/NBA. And the love is deserved but It’s strange how many casual Kobe fans there are.. ig it speaks to his overall mindset in the fact that casual and real junkie fans can all relate to

[@jackthibault8864]

And I know I’m not articulating myself correctly but damn it is a good discussion

[@karimglasgow5518]

Already commented on this but Kobe's shoes were always nicer than LeBron's. I'm not sure players wearing Kobes is a sign that he's the more popular player. Had the same thought when that photo popped up with Bron's kids wearing Jordans, and of course that became "lol even Bron's kids think MJ's the GOAT", which, maybe they do, but all I took from it was Bron's kids think dad's shoes are hideous, because, sorry, they are.

[@Andre-ko7co]

Him not being bad this late in his career is honestly kinda hard to watch as a bron fan

[@CommonScentsAintSoCommonNow]

Vogel was not fired because Lebron didn't like him. Vogel was fired because Pelinka and Buss didn't like him.

[@maurice2245]

Walton was fired because he was bad and Magic wanted to fire him

[@Simouno]

When did Russillo became such an unbearable Lebron balls washer? It's sad to watch his denying of the reality that aside from the fake bubble championship, the Lebron LA stint has been a colossal failure. They won 2 REAL playoffs series in 5 years, they are basically the Cowboys of the NBA

[@gpauldejesus]

Bron and the Lakers have as many titles in the 2020’s as Jokic and the Nuggets, Giannis and the Bucks, Curry and the Warriors, more than Tatum and the Celtics, Kawhi and the Clippers, KD and the Nets/Suns, Kyrie/Luka and the Mavs, Embiid and the Sixers and Jimmy/Spoelstra but for some reason everyone talks about it as if its this massive failure, its so weird man

[@ldeez4375]

Are all those other teams you listed barely making the playoffs every year other than the heat?

[@gpauldejesus]

@@poorchris the only people not counting it are bitter losers, the Lakers would’ve won that year with or without the Bubble, they were the best team in the league right before covid hit

[@jayboeker1935]

@@ldeez4375 Objectively incorrect. The nuggets, Bucks, Heat, Celtics, Clippers, Sixers all have been in the playoffs the entire 2020s decade.

[@ldeez4375]

@@jayboeker1935 it was a rhetorical question homie I was being sarcastic to say the lakers have barely made it into the playoffs and even missed the playoffs since they won in 2020.

[@daa_97]

@@ldeez4375yea warriors playoffs missed like 3 times…

[@Dbo_Sports]

A mercenary will never give you the feel of a one team guy. You can flirt all you want with other teams. When you actually have no problem leaving, the supporters dwindle. Kobe’s death made him an idol. But if he were alive Lebron wouldn’t be able to do half the nonsense that he does, because there would be a response from a Kobe. And Kobe was one player that was infinitely more respected than Lebron.