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After missing Kawhi Leonard, Rob Pelinka thinks the Los Angeles Lakers have made progress by creating a versatile list that corrects the personal mistakes made a year ago.
The general manager spoke Friday about the Lakers 'speed of adaptation after Leonard' s decision to join the Los Angeles Clippers and learn from the unfortunate decision of last summer to add game leaders handling the ball while sacrificing the shot.
"I really did not spend a lot of time thinking or describing this," Pelinka told a conference call about the Lakers' proximity to the Toronto Clippers and Raptors. "Because once the decision was made, we had all our chess pieces on the game board so that we could get closer and shut ourselves in. And at that moment, you would not look at further back, of course, when superstars are available, you put your best foot forward. "
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After waiting for Leonard's first week of free time and seeing some other secondary goals disappear from the table, the Lakers reacted quickly once Leonard made his decision and added or brought back people like him. DeMarcus Cousins, Danny Green, Avery Bradley, Rajon Rondo, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, JaVale McGee, Quinn Cook, Alex Caruso, Jared Dudley and Troy Daniels.
Pelinka says that with the approval of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Lakers have compiled a list of veterans who address critical areas such as shooting, perimeter defense, basketball IQ -ball and free character.
"I think the conversations we have with our players, we want to keep them private just because they are important," Pelinka said. "But when you have superstars on your team, especially when you have basketball IQ and Anthony Davis and LeBron's understanding of the game, you will of course use them as partners."
"We see our relationships here with our star players as partnerships, and I know that Anthony and LeBron are excited about the 14 guys and the way we're going to get together." Their contribution, Anthony and LeBron, is incredibly valuable. for me. "
And even if the Lakers had not played Leonard, Pelinka said the team had enough leeway to pursue another maximum free player in the summer of 2021 and he continued to learn from the mistakes made by the past, like last summer.
"I think the greatest teacher of life for all of us is the experience," Pelinka said. "And I think that to be good at anything, you have to learn from the past, I think we have taken into account a lot of what happened last year to shape this list. and set our goals for the season – The North Star for us just wanted more shooting – we wanted to have perimeter defenders, high IQ players, high-profile guys, and a multi-purpose team. "
"… you always have to learn, evolve and adapt as a leader of the past," Pelinka added. "For us, nothing less than a championship is a success, so we have to learn from last season, because we did not win a championship." And that part was taken in account for the construction of the alignment this year. "
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At the beginning of Leonard's prosecution process, former Lakers basketball president Magic Johnson told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne that Leonard's camp wanted to meet him and control the owner, Jeanie Buss. The NBA, however, would not allow Johnson to be part of the official free agent meetings.
While the Clippers remained silent during free time and Leonard finally landed, Pelinka was asked if Johnson could have harmed the Lakers' chances with the best free agent available. The Lakers general manager was complimentary to Johnson, who stepped down as president and subsequently accused Pelinka of stabbing him.
"I can say, we are extremely grateful for his messages of support," said Pelinka. "We know he's shooting for the Lakers, he's been saying it very clearly, and we've just appreciated the support he's shown from the outside. know, there are certain rules imposed by the league that we must follow, but it has nothing but support and enthusiasm for the lineup, the team and the players we have. "
Since Johnson resigned on April 9, Pelinka has been the victim of several treason charges while his credibility was highlighted in an ESPN article written by Baxter Holmes that examined the Lakers organization over the past two years.
"I think what we owe to fans here is that our time here does not respond to criticism or criticism," Pelinka said. "But my time here has to be spent on setting up the Lakers team.If I focus on the time to respond to individual criticism, every minute or five minutes I spend on that is a minute or five minutes away. building the team and putting this team in a position to win championships.It's my goal, I just worked, I really do not answer the critics. "
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