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LOS ANGELES – The organizer of a protest against the state of Los Angeles Lakers said that the problems with the team boiled down to one thing: decision-making at the front-office level.
Charlie Rivers, a 22-year-old Arizona student who allegedly left the Phoenix area to participate in the demonstration that he launched this week on social media, said Friday that he was happy results of his efforts.
"I think I've already understood – the media coverage, the word is given to the experts, the analysts talk about the inept decision taken by the front-office, basketball operations requiring a change," said Rivers. "I do not mean that this is a personal attack against [owner] Jeanie Buss or something like that. I simply do not agree with their decision-making at the front-office level.
"Nepotism should not be involved in decision making."
The Lakers did not comment on the event.
Fans of 35 to 40 people drew an even bigger group of media and viewers Friday outside the Staples Center's main entrance. The songs sounded as several fans organized protest signs. But the angry looks and worries common to many protests were absent, replaced mostly by funny smiles of content.
Rivers, born and raised in Anaheim, Calif., Said he was a longtime fan of the Lakers who moved to Arizona with his family in 2008.
"I'm like anyone else, I just have my opinion," said Rivers, who used the Reddit social media site to stage the event. "I do not feel any different from anyone, but I feel that my opinion has picked up speed and that people have resonated well." Someone said: "If you have the # 1" "Why do not you start demonstrating?" So I did it. "
The message from one of the panels was "More Rambis!" The songs were clear: Jeanie Buss plus general manager Rob Pelinka equal an image of LeBron James – eyes closed.
"This is based solely on the front office and its decision-making," Rivers said. "I understand that LeBron will be here only in three or four years." That's fine. "When he's reached that age, it's fine, it's more the case." the direction taken by the organization since the death of Mr. Buss, Jim Buss, Jeanie Buss – things have been toxic, and I have the impression that people around Jeanie do not have any. have their best interest at heart and that they are taking political steps to stay in the position of the organization. "
The protest was held while the Lakers were about to question their sixth head coach candidate since their dismissal from Luke Walton a month ago. Former Indiana Pacers coach, Frank Vogel, would travel to Los Angeles Thursday for the interview, said league sources Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
It also happened a day after the Mayor of Los Angeles, Eric Garcetti, called the city "City of Clippers" in an impromptu interview with TMZ.
"Right now, it's a city of Clippers," Garcetti said. "I'm a Lakers until the day of my death." But I love [the] Clippers. I do not hate them. "
Superfan "Cipper Darrell" appeared in front of the Staples Center as the protest continued, drawing his own crowd.
He told some of the people gathered that there was no reason for Lakers fans to keep hope alive.
"With social media, players do not need to come to Los Angeles," he said.
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