Opinion | Corbin Smith: The Toronto Raptors are in the NBA Finals, and the L.A. Lakers are not — for a reason. - NBCNewsTHINK
— should put every team on notice, but one team in particular: the L.A. Lakers.
The Lakers, of course, weren’t even close to making it to the playoffs, let alone the finals, and that’s the point. For every tired and inside-the-box choice L.A. made, the Raptors went the other way. Their daring, in particular a willingness to jettison fan favorites, has gotten them to where they are.
And the Lakers' abysmal season, riddled with embarrassing losses and humiliating off-the-court coverage, shows the limits of placing personal connections and name recognition above all else. The Lakers' abysmal season, riddled with embarrassing losses and humiliating off-the-court coverage, shows the limits of placing personal connections and name recognition above all else., one of the league’s top-shelf front-office executives, traversed it with decisiveness and guts. A lot of other NBA front offices would have been scared to take his approach, fretting for their jobs if such bold moves didn’t work out and lounging in the comfort of a familiar team with moderate success.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Lakers 2.0: The failed reboot of the NBA's crown jewelWhen Rob Pelinka and Magic Johnson were named to lead the Lakers, there was talk of a return to greatness. Baxter Holmes goes behind the scenes on how a bold front-office experiment failed amid a culture of fear, distrust and anxiety:
Read more »
The Toronto Raptors Are the North—and Everywhere ElseThe Toronto Raptors are the North—and everywhere else: The fan base of the Eastern Conference champions reflects Toronto's standing as one of the most diverse cities in the world
Read more »
Johnson & Johnson, Oklahoma Spar in Opioid TrialOklahoma is seeking to hold Johnson & Johnson accountable for widespread opioid addiction in a closely watched trial
Read more »
Historic opioid trial against Johnson & Johnson kicks off in OklahomaOklahoma faces off in court against Johnson & Johnson in the first major case against an opioid maker to go to trial.
Read more »
The Toronto Raptors Took Risks. It Took Them to the NBA Finals.The Toronto Raptors fired the coach of the year, traded the face of their franchise and didn’t play their best player. Now they’re in the NBA Finals.
Read more »
Why this avowed Disney ‘apologist’ finds it harder to believe in the magic of DisneylandWhat's the problem with Disney? 'The increasing monopoly it has on the entertainment industry and, by extension, American culture,' writes columnist marymacTV
Read more »
Viral Gillette ad shows dad teaching transgender son to shaveRazor company Gillette lauded for inclusiveness and representation featured in its new ad, which depicts a dad teaching his transgender son to shave.
Read more »