Chargers O-Line 

General Manager Tom Telesco’s top priority this offseason was to revamp the offensive line. When you have a talent as the likes of Justin Herbert, protecting him should be the priority. Last season, the Chargers had the worst offensive line units in the entire league according to PFF. This was due to injuries piling up throughout the entire year. However, Herbert still found a way to win Offensive Rookie Of the Year. 

With additions such as Corey Linsley, who is an All-Pro, Matt Feiler, Oday Aboushi and rookie first round pick Rashawn Slater, this line had potential to be the best in the league. In their first matchup of the season, the O-Line had a tall task facing arguably the best defensive line in football. According to PFF, the Chargers allowed the lowest pressure rate (12%) in week one.

​​https://twitter.com/PFF_AustinGayle/status/1437393402346319876?s=20

As a unit the Chargers held reigning defensive rookie of the year and potential defensive player of the year candidate Chase Young to no sacks and three tackles. What makes this interesting is the fact that Young started on Slater before moving over opposite due to lack of production. Both Slater (73.5) and Feiler(73.2) put up top five offensive grades against WFT.

Chargers LT Rashawn Slater was awesome in his debut. Per @PFF, Slater vs. rookie OL:

2nd highest overall grade (73.5)
2nd highest pass block grade (79.9)
2nd most snaps (81)

For 53 of those 81 snaps, he was staring at Chase Young in front of him pre-snap. Zero pressures allowed

— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) September 13, 2021

Offense Making Strides

Throughout the whole game, the Chargers were in command on the offensive end. Los Angeles held the ball longer, had more total yards, more first downs and most importantly converted 14-19 on third down. In year two, the expectations for Herbert are through the roof. After an impressive rookie season, many want to see Herbert make that next leap in his career. In a loaded AFC, the Chargers will only go as far as Herbert takes them. 

On the day Herbert threw for 337 yards and a score. Unfortunately he had two turnovers for the day. One being an interception after missing his target on an overthrown ball in the red zone. The other was a controversial fumble which appeared to be an incomplete pass. As stated earlier it was the 14 for 19 on third down that was the most impressive stat. When LA needed to keep the chains moving they did that exact thing. It was in the final drive where the Chargers put everything together and ran out the clock to win the game. 

Keenan Allen and Mike Williams today: 17 catches for 182 yards and a touchdown. Monster day for that duo.

— Chris Hayre (@chrishayre) September 12, 2021

In addition, the duo of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams came to play. The two combined for 17 catches for 182 yards and a touchdown. Allen was his usual self making incredible catches off the break and gaining extra yards. It was Williams that was quite a surprise. Williams was targeted 12 times, catching eight of those for a career high. What makes this a surprise are the amount of balls thrown his way and the routes he ran. Williams is known for his jump ball catching ability but instead he was more focused on short and medium routes. Should he continue with this approach it makes this team much more versatile. 

Charged Defense

Many wondered how Staley’s fit would fit with his new team that is filled with playmakers. Joey Bosa had himself 1.5 sacks for the game and constantly put the pressure on both Ryan Fitzpatrick and Tyler Henike. Other than two terrible roughing the passer penalties, Bosa had a pretty good game to start the year. 

In his first game back since 2019, Derwin James made his presence felt from the get go. Just as Staley said postgame in the locker room “without this guy, this whole movie is different”. Staying healthy was a problem for the Chargers’ safety as he missed a majority of 2019 and all of 2020. However against Washington, James racked in seven tackles and one pass defense. 

The defense in general showed flashes of what they could be. Los Angeles held Washington to 259 yards, 15 first downs and 49 total plays. Washington’s offense was fairly balanced as they had 27 rush attempts to 21 pass attempts. 

Reason being is that Charger’s defensive end Uchenna Nwosu laid the hammer down on Fitzpatrick forcing him to exit the game in the first half. However, that wasn’t the critical play in the game. That came in the fourth quarter where Kyzier White forced a fumble on Antonio Gibson. The Chargers scored a touchdown following that turnover and were able to hold it down for a victory. 

The post This Is A New Chargers Team appeared first on Back Sports Page.

Three Takeaways From Week 1

Chargers O-Line 

General Manager Tom Telesco’s top priority this offseason was to revamp the offensive line. When you have a talent as the likes of Justin Herbert, protecting him should be the priority. Last season, the Chargers had the worst offensive line units in the entire league according to PFF. This was due to injuries piling up throughout the entire year. However, Herbert still found a way to win Offensive Rookie Of the Year. 

With additions such as Corey Linsley, who is an All-Pro, Matt Feiler, Oday Aboushi and rookie first round pick Rashawn Slater, this line had potential to be the best in the league. In their first matchup of the season, the O-Line had a tall task facing arguably the best defensive line in football. According to PFF, the Chargers allowed the lowest pressure rate (12%) in week one. 

No offense allowed a lower pressure rate (12%) than the Chargers in Week 1.

And they did it against arguably the best defensive line in the NFL.

— Austin Gayle (@PFF_AustinGayle) September 13, 2021

As a unit the Chargers held reigning defensive rookie of the year and potential defensive player of the year candidate Chase Young to no sacks and three tackles. What makes this interesting is the fact that Young started on Slater before moving over opposite due to lack of production. Both Slater (73.5) and Feiler(73.2) put up top five offensive grades against WFT.

Chargers LT Rashawn Slater was awesome in his debut. Per @PFF, Slater vs. rookie OL:

2nd highest overall grade (73.5)
2nd highest pass block grade (79.9)
2nd most snaps (81)

For 53 of those 81 snaps, he was staring at Chase Young in front of him pre-snap. Zero pressures allowed

— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) September 13, 2021

Offense Making Strides

Throughout the whole game, the Chargers were in command on the offensive end. Los Angeles held the ball longer, had more total yards, more first downs and most importantly converted 14-19 on third down. In year two, the expectations for Herbert are through the roof. After an impressive rookie season, many want to see Herbert make that next leap in his career. In a loaded AFC, the Chargers will only go as far as Herbert takes them. 

On the day Herbert threw for 337 yards and a score. Unfortunately he had two turnovers for the day. One being an interception after missing his target on an overthrown ball in the red zone. The other was a controversial fumble which appeared to be an incomplete pass. As stated earlier it was the 14 for 19 on third down that was the most impressive stat. When LA needed to keep the chains moving they did that exact thing. It was in the final drive where the Chargers put everything together and ran out the clock to win the game. 

In addition, the duo of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams came to play. The two combined for 17 catches for 182 yards and a touchdown. Allen was his usual self making incredible catches off the break and gaining extra yards. It was Williams that was quite a surprise. Williams was targeted 12 times, catching eight of those for a career high. What makes this a surprise are the amount of balls thrown his way and the routes he ran. Williams is known for his jump ball catching ability but instead he was more focused on short and medium routes. Should he continue with this approach it makes this team much more versatile. 

Keenan Allen and Mike Williams today: 17 catches for 182 yards and a touchdown. Monster day for that duo.

— Chris Hayre (@chrishayre) September 12, 2021

Charged Defense

Many wondered how Staley’s fit would fit with his new team that is filled with playmakers. Joey Bosa had himself 1.5 sacks for the game and constantly put the pressure on both Ryan Fitzpatrick and Tyler Henike. Other than two terrible roughing the passer penalties, Bosa had a pretty good game to start the year. 

In his first game back since 2019, Derwin James made his presence felt from the get go. Just as Staley said postgame in the locker room “without this guy, this whole movie is different”. Staying healthy was a problem for the Chargers’ safety as he missed a majority of 2019 and all of 2020. However against Washington, James racked in seven tackles and one pass defense. 

The defense in general showed flashes of what they could be. Los Angeles held Washington to 259 yards, 15 first downs and 49 total plays. Washington’s offense was fairly balanced as they had 27 rush attempts to 21 pass attempts. 

The reason being is that Charger’s defensive end Uchenna Nwosu laid the hammer down on Fitzpatrick forcing him to exit the game in the first half. However, that wasn’t the critical play in the game. That came in the fourth quarter where Kyzier White forced a fumble on Antonio Gibson. The Chargers scored a touchdown following that turnover and were able to hold it down for a victory.

The post Three Takeaways From The Chargers Week 1 Win appeared first on Back Sports Page.

OFFICIAL: He's Baaaack. pic.twitter.com/ax1JazGJ59

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) August 31, 2021

Rondo appeared in 45 games for both the Atlanta Hawks and Los Angeles Clippers last season. For the season, Rondo averaged 5.4 points, 4.4 assists and 2.4 rebounds with 17.1 minutes of playing time. In addition, he shot 32.8% from behind the arc and 44.2% from the field. 

The 15-year vet returns to the Lakers after leaving Los Angeles following the 2020 championship season. From 2018-2020, Rondo appeared in 94 games, averaging 8.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.0 steal. 

Why It Works

What makes this signing perfect is that Rondo fits the theme of this team perfectly. Vets who are willing to make a sacrifice for the better of the team. The Lakers have a record five 35-year old players on this roster. However, they still have at least one good run in them for a championship. 

“Wisdom is definitely key to winning a championship,” Rondo said. “We have a lot of that, obviously, with the age and experience on the court. I’m most excited about not being the oldest guy on the team anymore. I’m actually about [fifth oldest] now, so that’s a big step for me going from two months ago I was the oldest guy on the team and now I’m one of the young guys.”

With Rondo on the roster, it brings another high IQ player. Just having LeBron James alone is amazing but add Rondo, Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis the sky’s the limit. Rondo understands coverages on both ends of the court and how to exploit an opponent’s weakness. This was especially evident during the 2020 playoffs in all three rounds. Not to mention that this will give less stress to LeBron on ball handling duties and focus on more off-ball work.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, this signing will benefit both parties in the highest form. Rondo plays with a roster full of veterans who truly understand the game. Nonetheless with the younger players such as Talen Horton-Tucker, Malik Monk and Kendrick Nunn, they have the opportunity to learn from him and others to not only improve their game but to understand the game through the eyes of future hall of famers. The Lakers now have one roster spot left open.

The post What Rondo Brings Back To the Lakers appeared first on Back Sports Page.

“It takes a special person to want to play for this franchise, and take the pressure that comes along with playing for this franchise. The pressure of following Magic’s footsteps, myself and the dynasty that we’ve had, it takes a special person to do that.”  

And with that being said let’s dive on in.

Honorable mentions:

LeBron James

In his short stint with the Lakers, LeBron James has brought in a championship to the franchise as well as nearly winning an MVP. However, just because his name is LeBron James and he is arguably the best player to ever play, that doesn’t cut it. As many have learned, receiving love from fans in LA is a difficult thing to do. Especially for someone like LeBron who many did not like for the reason that they were team Kobe. 

In year one with LA, James was able to take a young core of Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Kyle Kuzma to as far as the third seed before succumbing to a groin injury which forced him to miss a majority of the season. In year two, after trading away Ball, Ingram, and Josh Hart for Anthony Davis, the duo was able to win a title after a year filled with Kobe’s death, racial injustice, and Covid-19.  James looked in peak form in year three before a terrible ankle sprain occurred. James did not look the same after returning from the injury and the team was bounced in the first round to the Phoenix Suns. 

Can James make this list? Personally I don’t think so, but if he were to win another title or two as the number one option there is no reason to keep him off. 

• 1x NBA Champion (2020)
• 3x All Star (2019-2021)
• All-NBA First Team (2020)
• All-NBA Second Team (2021)
• All NBA Third Team (2019)

Pau Gasol

Pau Gasol in his own right is a Lakers legend. In his years with the Lakers, Gasol won two championships (2009-2010), three time All-Star and a member on three All-NBA teams. Just stats alone would put him on any other team’s Mount Rushmore. However, these are the Lakers we’re talking about, it’s a high bar to reach. 

Why Gasol makes this list is simply a result of Kobe Bryant. In fact both, players needed each other when their careers crossed paths. Gasol was the guy for the Memphis Grizzlies but never amassed anything big. Kobe was the solo act that needed a partner to help win championships post the Shaq-era. Not to mention that Gasol’s heroics in Game Seven of the 2010 Finals is an all time performance when Bryant struggled to get his offense going. Gasol’s jersey eventually will hang alongside his former teammate Kobe Bryant. 

• 2× NBA champion (2009, 2010)
• 3× NBA All-Star (2009–2011)
• 1× All-NBA Second Team (2011)
• 2× All-NBA Third Team (2009, 2010)

George Mikan

Dubbed the NBA’s first superstar, George Mikan was a tough assignment for anyone in his day. Standing at 6’10 245 lbs, Mikan was a paint beast who scored at will. In Mikan’s first three years in the league, he averaged 28 points and 14.1 rebounds a game. Mikan’s accolades speak for themself. Should he have played for another team, he could arguably be regarded as that franchise’s greatest player. 

• 5× BAA/NBA champion (1949, 1950, 1952–1954)
• 2× NBL champion (1947, 1948)
• NBL Most Valuable Player (1948)
• 4× NBA All-Star (1951–1954)
• NBA All-Star Game MVP (1953)
• 6× All-BAA/NBA First Team (1949–1954)
• 2× All-NBL First Team (1947, 1948)
• NBL scoring champion (1948)
• 3× NBA scoring champion (1949–1951)
• NBA rebounding leader (1953)

Gail Goodrich

Gail Goodrich played alongside three of the greatest players in NBA history in Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, and Wilt Chamberlain. In his early years with the Lakers, Goodrich did not receive much playing time, averaging 21.9 minutes a game. In that time he put up 11.6 points a game. It wasn’t until his second stint with the Lakers where he blossomed into the player that we know and love today. In his final six seasons with the Lakers, Goodrich had a much larger role. With the bigger role now, he made four All-Star teams averaging 22.5 points a game on 36.3 minutes. 

However, Goodrich is loved by Lakers fans for being the reason why Magic Johnson became a Laker. The Lakers received three first-round picks for their one and it really worked out as the then-New Orleans Jazz were the worst team in the NBA in the 1978-79 season. The Lakers had the draft rights to the pick, won the first overall pick coinflip with the Chicago Bulls and drafted Magic Johnson.

• NBA champion (1972)
• 4× NBA All-Star (1972–1975)
• All-NBA First Team (1974)
• No. 25 retired by Los Angeles Lakers

8. James Worthy  

James Worthy left his mark during the Showtime Lakers run. Worthy became the first player to ever be drafted number one overall to the team that won the title the prior year. Earning himself the nickname “Big Game James”, James Worthy is remembered for his greatest performance in Game Seven against the Detroit Pistons. In that game, Worthy put up 36 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists to solidify the Lakers second consecutive championship. This was a feat that hadn’t happened in the 19 years prior. 

• 3× NBA champion (1985, 1987, 1988)
• NBA Finals MVP (1988)
• 7× NBA All-Star (1986–1992)
• 2× All-NBA Third Team (1990, 1991)
• NBA All-Rookie First Team (1983)
• NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team
• No. 42 retired by Los Angeles Lakers

7. Wilt Chamberlain

Arguably the most dominant big man to ever play the game, Wilt’s stats speak for themselves. However, when Wilt joined the Lakers he was already on the tail end of his career. Joining the team at 31, Wilt played his final five seasons with the purple and gold. In those five seasons, Wilt helped bring in one championship and averaged 17.7 points and 19.2 rebounds per game as well as being named an All-Star four times. The reason why Wilt is not placed higher on this list is due to lack of more titles as well as longevity. 

• NBA champion (1972)
• NBA Finals MVP (1972)
• 4× NBA All-Star (1969, 1971–1973)
• All-NBA Second Team ( 1972)
• 2× NBA All-Defensive First Team (1972, 1973)
• 11× NBA rebounding champion ( 1968–1969, 1971–1973)
• NBA assist leader (1968)
• 35th Anniversary NBA Team
•  50th Anniversary NBA Team
• No. 13 retired by Los Angeles Lakers

6. Elgin Baylor

To put this one into simple terms, if there was no Elgin Baylor there would be no Julius Erving. Without Julius Erving there would be no Michael Jordan. And with no Michael Jordan, there would be no Kobe Bryant. Do you see where I’m going with this one? 

Baylor was the Michael Jordan of the league before Michael Jordan even touched a basketball. Being blessed with freakish athletic ability, Baylor spent his entire career with the Lakers. Although Baylor never won a championship, he was a spectacle to see with his aerial attack. In his 14 years with the Lakers, Baylor put up 27.4 points and 13.5 rebounds a game. To this day he has the highest point average per game in team history. 

• 11× NBA All-Star (1959–1965, 1967–1970)
• NBA All-Star Game MVP (1959)
• 10× All-NBA First Team (1959–1965, 1967–1969)
• NBA Rookie of the Year (1959)
•  35th Anniversary NBA Team
•  50th Anniversary NBA All-Time Team
• No. 22 retired by Los Angeles Lakers

5. Jerry West 

The logo himself is an iconic figure in both the league and Lakers history. Jerry West the player was a player way ahead of time. He had the ability to not only dribble the ball but also shoot the ball at a high rate. In today’s NBA, West would be compared to the likes of Stephen Curry with both his scoring and playmaking ability. Although he isn’t quite the same shooter as Steph is, West was among the elite in his era. Just as his teammate of Elgin Baylor, he spent his entire career with the purple and gold.

• NBA champion (1972)
• NBA Finals MVP (1969)
• 14× NBA All-Star (1961–1974)
• NBA All-Star Game MVP (1972)
• 10× All-NBA First Team (1962–1967, 1970–1973)
• 2× All-NBA Second Team (1968, 1969)
• 4× NBA All-Defensive First Team (1970–1973)
• NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1969)
• NBA scoring champion (1970)
• NBA assists leader (1972)
•  35th Anniversary NBA Team
•  50th Anniversary NBA Team
• No. 44 retired by Los Angeles Lakers

4. Shaquille O’Neal

Easily the most dominant force in NBA history since Wilt, Shaq was in a league of his own. At a staggering 7 foot 1 and 330 lbs, there was no way to guard Shaq. In addition to his incredible stature, Shaq was very athletic for his. With the ability to run the floor gracefully there was no answer for The Diesel. 

During his times with Los Angeles, he was the man on the Lakers. In his 7 seasons with the Lakers, Shaq was the focal point of the triangle offense bringing in three straight championships and winning three straight Finals MVPs. Shaq also has an MVP to his name and multiple All-NBA and All-Star appearances. The only problem with Shaq was his mindset and attitude. If only he had taken the game seriously and worked on his body and prepared mentally to that of a Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant, he’d be the GOAT. 

• 3× NBA champion (2000–2002)
• 3× NBA Finals MVP (2000–2002)
• NBA Most Valuable Player (2000)
• 7× NBA All-Star (1997–1998, 2000–2004)
• 2× NBA All-Star Game MVP (2000, 2004)
• 6× All-NBA First Team (1998, 2000–2004)
• 1× All-NBA Second Team (1999)
• 1× All-NBA Third Team (1997)
• 3× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2000, 2001, 2003)
• NBA scoring champion ( 2000)
•  50th Anniversary NBA Team
• No. 34 retired by Los Angeles Lakers

3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Arguably the greatest player of all time, the resume speaks for itself. In his 14 seasons with the purple and gold, Kareem averaged 22 points and 9 rebounds a game. Cap is notoriously known for his emphatic and unstoppable hook shot which helped him win five titles in LA alongside Magic Johnson. Abdul-Jabbar is the third highest scorer in team history and the highest scorer in NBA history. 

• 5× NBA champion (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988)
• NBA Finals MVP (1985)
• 3× NBA Most Valuable Player (1976, 1977, 1980)
• 13× NBA All-Star (1976–1977, 1979–1989)
• 6× All-NBA First Team (1976, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1986)
• 4× All-NBA Second Team (1978, 1979, 1983, 1985)
• 3× NBA All-Defensive First Team (1979–1981)
• 4× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1976–1978, 1984)
• NBA rebounding champion (1976)
• 3× NBA blocks leader (1976, 1979, 1980)
• NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team
• No. 33 retired by Los Angeles Lakers

2. Magic Johnson

Earvin “Magic” Johnson is the second greatest Laker of all time. To most he is the greatest, but that depends on who you’re talking to. On this list he’s number two for the fact that it felt like he had more to give before retiring in 1992 due to HIV. Nonetheless in his 13 year career Magic brought five titles to Los Angeles. 

Johnson is labeled as the greatest point guard of all time for his vision and ability to see a play happen before anyone else does. In addition Magic has some of the most iconic moments in Lakers history such as being the only rookie to ever win Finals MVP after playing center for an injured Kareem and winning the title. The junior sky hook against the Boston Celtics is his most iconic moment in the league as he and Bird battled for supremacy of the league. He holds the franchise record for total assists and assists per game and is fifth in points scored.

• 5× NBA champion (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988)
• 3× NBA Finals MVP (1980, 1982, 1987)
• 3× NBA Most Valuable Player (1987, 1989, 1990)
• 12× NBA All-Star (1980, 1982–1992)
• 2× NBA All-Star Game MVP (1990, 1992)
• 9× All-NBA First Team (1983–1991)
• All-NBA Second Team (1982)
• NBA All-Rookie Team (1980)
• 4× NBA assists leader (1983, 1984, 1986, 1987)
• 2× NBA steals leader (1981, 1982)
• NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team
• No. 32 retired by Los Angeles Lakers

1. Kobe Bryant

The Black Mamba is without a doubt the greatest Laker of all time. The reason for this is that Bryant stayed his entire 20-year career with the purple and gold. This is a feat that he alone holds. In those 20 years, Kobe gave his all every time he stepped out on the floor to put on a performance for fans. His killer mentality and nonstop resilience made him the player fans fell in love with. Although he may not have the MVP awards to his name like other All-Time greats, he pushed himself to the very end to achieve excellence.

What made Kobe Bryant the greatest player on this list was his work ethic and attention to detail. The countless hours in the gym and sacrifices that he made in order to be great. Although there were players much more talented than him on this list, it was his desire to be great that made him great. With fans that is a trait that they can resonate with him especially when it comes to chasing a dream to be the best.

By the time Bryant called it quits, he held the Lakers record for most field goals, three pointers, points games, minutes played, steals and free throws. Other Laker legends such as Jerry West, Shaquille O’Neal and  Magic Johnson have acknowledged the Black Mamba as the greatest Los Angeles Laker of all time.

• 5× NBA champion (2000–2002, 2009, 2010)
• 2× NBA Finals MVP (2009, 2010)
• NBA Most Valuable Player (2008)
• 18× NBA All-Star (1998, 2000–2016)
• 4× NBA All-Star Game MVP (2002, 2007, 2009, 2011)
• 11× All-NBA First Team (2002–2004, 2006–2013)
• 2× All-NBA Second Team (2000, 2001)
• 2× All-NBA Third Team (1999, 2005)
• 9× NBA All-Defensive First Team (2000, 2003, 2004, 2006–2011)
• 3× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2001, 2002, 2012)
• 2× NBA scoring champion (2006, 2007)
• NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion (1997)
• NBA All-Rookie Second Team (1997)
• Nos. 8 & 24 retired by Los Angeles Lakers

The post Eight Greatest Lakers Of All Time appeared first on Back Sports Page.

According to Marc Stein in his Newsletter, Marc Gasol “is no longer a lock” to return for the upcoming season. Gasol is in the last year of his deal with the Lakers and is due to make $2.7M. Gasol started most of last year until the Lakers signed Andre Drummond via the buyout market to which they promised Drummond a starting position if he joined. Although Gasol was not the ideal fit for the Lakers athletic wise, he did make some incredible passes from time-to-time.

“I’m hearing that Marc Gasol is not a lock to return to the Lakers, even after Gasol said following Spain’s quarterfinal loss to the United States in the Olympics that he intends to play out the final year of the two-year deal he signed with Los Angeles. It’s not yet clear if that means Gasol is poised to be set free to play elsewhere in the NBA or if he would ultimately opt to finish his career in his home country like brother Pau.”

Taking A Look At Millsap

Should Gasol stay, he will join a three big man rotation alongside Anthony Davis and Dwight Howard. In addition, Gasol is set to turn 37 in January. With Davis originally stating that he doesn’t want to play center, he may have if a Gasol departure occurs. But who can the Lakers look to sign should Gasol walk away from the NBA? An interesting veteran, the team could pick up Paul Millsap. 

The Lakers have expressed interest in signing Paul Millsap according to Evan Massey.

Per league source to @HoopAnalysisNet, the #Lakers have considered the possibility of signing veteran forward Paul Millsap. Millsap has interest from a handful of other teams as well.

— Evan Massey (@massey_evan) August 20, 2021

During the 2019-2020 season, Millsap shot a career high in three point percentage at 43%. However, that number dropped down drastically to 34%. The reason for this could be that age is catching up. Although Milsap is no longer the All-Star caliber player he once was, he still has the ability to play down in the post at an efficient rate. Not to mention that he is no slouch on the defensive end and can space out the floor. If Millsap were to join Los Angeles, it brings another hungry veteran seeking their first championship on the roster. All in all, this could be the icing on the cake as the Lakers have three roster spots available. 

The post Could Paul Millsap Be Headed to LA? appeared first on Back Sports Page.

For the Los Angeles Lakers, the challenge that the team faced was finding players to join for cheap deals, as having a majority of their payroll going towards LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook makes signing free agents  a difficult endeavor. That is the reason why Rob Pelinka sought out veterans who looked to win a championship before retirement. A prime example of this is Carmelo Anthony, whose legacy outside of a ring is pretty much cemented. Being able to find talented pieces for the low can be difficult because many players view themselves as much better than what they are, especially young players.

Carmelo Anthony

Of all the signings that Los Angeles made Tuesday, the least surprising one was Carmelo Anthony. The link between James and Anthony has always been evident since their days in High School. It progressed as both were members of the notorious 2003 draft class as well as Olympic teammates from 2004 to 2012. In addition, the coveted banana boat crew has always been a fun connection for these two. Both have made it evident that they love the idea of playing together. The only problems reared their heads when it could actually happen. The two had a chance to play together back in 2011 when Anthony was the original third piece Miami was looking to bring. However, with that breaking up and the Heat going for Bosh instead it looked as if they’d never play together. 

Fast forward to 2022, both James and Anthony are teammates at last. While Anthony was out of the league for a brief two years before joining the Portland Trailblazers, many believed James would lobby for him in Los Angeles. That wasn’t the case as Anthony was a Blazer for two seasons. Anthony is well beyond his prime, but still has the tools to be an effective off the bench scorer as we’ve seen in Portland. In his two seasons with Portland, Anthony averaged 14.3 points and 4.6 rebounds on 39.9% shooting from three. Now after signing a one-year $2.5M contract, James will do all he can to help his friend get that ring. 

Malik Monk

Like it was stated earlier, the most difficult task to do as a GM is finding players to take the minimum, especially if they are young. That is why the signing of Malik Monk came as a surprise to many. If Monk decided to go elsewhere, he’d make around $8M to $10M easily. However after signing with Los Angeles in an effort for a championship, he took a one-year $1.78M contract. 

The former 11th pick overall struggled his first few years in the NBA averaging 8.6 points on 32.2% from three and 39.5% overall. Not to mention that Monk served a drug-related suspension in 2020. Despite all this, Monk proved to be a dependable role player for Charlotte last season putting up 11.7 points a game on 40% from three and 43.4% overall. 

Kendrick Nunn

The biggest surprise signing for the Lakers easily is Kendrick Nunn. Of all the free agents Pelinka signed, Nunn was one out of left field. Signing for the mid level exception, Nunn is receiving a two-year $10M contract. In his two seasons with the Miami Heat, Nunn put up 15 PPG on 36.4% from three and 45.8% overall. 

Nunn is a familiar name that Lakers fans should know since he participated in the 2020 NBA Finals. In those Finals, Nunn was a quick guard that the Lakers had trouble dealing with at times. His speed and shot making ability made him a tough guard in moments. In those finals, Nunn averaged 10.5 PPG and 3.5 RPG on 39% from three and 47.1% overall. Nunn is a great off the bench guard who can score in bunches for the Lakers when James takes a break. 

Talen Horton-Tucker

Bringing back Talen Horton-Tucker was somewhat of a priority for Los Angeles. The third year guard showed flashes of what he could be in the league. However, he also showed flashes of immaturity and impatience with turnovers and costly shot selection. Although Horton-Tucker had his ups and downs last season, he is still a work in progress with a tremendous upside. Most importantly he brings youth to a veteran team. This is important because he is able to stay on the floor for long periods of time giving rest to older players. What makes this a great signing is that the Lakers brought him back on a three-year $32M contract. 

Final Verdict

Although the Lakers have the oldest average age in NBA history, they still have the tools to win. Each individual piece that was signed has a purpose and understands the main goal. Not to mention that this Lakers’ team will buy into the defensive end. This is evident as they were a top defense in 2019-2020 and for a period of time in 2020-2021 the number one rated defense. Once the pieces come together and figure out each others tendencies, Showtime 2.0 is upon us.

The post Lakers Free Agency Review Day Two appeared first on Back Sports Page.

The main priority for the Lakers going into free agency was finding shooting for cheap deals. With a majority of the cap going towards LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook, Pelinka needed to be smart in who he invested in. 

Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard was a no brainer to sign for multiple reasons. All throughout last season, the Lakers missed Howard’s presence down low, especially on the defensive end. Still one of the most athletic big men in the league, Howard is still able to run up and down the court with ease. This was an issue with Los Angeles last season with Marc Gasol and Andre Drummond which at times would result in them being benched. Although Dwight doesn’t have the offensive game of a Gasol, it’s the intangibles that he brings to the table that makes him a great fit.

We saw how important Howard was for the Lakers during the 2020 championship run. He accepted his role coming off the bench, provided a fun energy that everyone gravitated towards, bullied opposing bigs such as Nikola Jokic in the Western Conference Finals and played well alongside Davis. Even though his numbers were nowhere near as his Orlando days, Howard still found ways to be effective and leave his mark on a game. It was a mistake to let Howard walk last offseason and Pelinka made sure to not repeat the same thing if he could bring him back. 

Wayne Ellington

Wayne Ellington was a name that was linked to Los Angeles days ahead of free agency. Last season with the Detroit Pistons, Ellington shot 42% from three which ranked him at 18th in the entire league. Being able to sign Ellington was huge for Los Angeles because they lost their primary three point threat in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope via the Westbrook trade. In Ellington’s first stint with the Lakers back for the 2014-2015 he averaged 10 points a game and shot an average 37% from behind the arc. Should Ellington continue to shoot as well as he did with Detroit, it spaces out the floor for both Westbrook and James to attack the basket. 

Kent Bazemore

Kent Bazemore is another familiar face for Lakers’ fans. In Bazemore’s first stint with Los Angeles, he was a fan favorite who brought energy when he stepped on the floor. In his 23 games with Los Angeles back in 2013-2014, Bazemore averaged 13.2 points a game and shot 37.1% from three.

Although his season was cut down short due to injury, he still showed a resilience that the team missed. However, now history has repeated itself once again. Joining the Lakers for a second time following a stint with the Golden State Warriors, Bazemore is competing for a championship now. It was reported that he turned down more money and years in order to play for the Lakers.  Bazemore averaged 7.2 points a game and shot a career high 40% from three. 

Trevor Ariza

The last familiar face that Los Angeles is bringing back is Trevor Ariza. Many remember Ariza for his outstanding play and winning a championship alongside Kobe Bryant. Since then, Ariza proved over the years that he is a consistent veteran presence. Especially to a team that is contending for a championship. 

Although Ariza is up there in age at 36 years old, he still brings something to the table. That something is three point shooting and defense. Ariza is the prototypical wing player in today’s NBA. As streaky of a shooter Ariza is, he still has the ability to take and make big shots at any juncture of a game as well as guarding an opposing team’s best player. With a reunion with the Lakers, this signing should work well for parties as Ariza is coming to the end of his career and looking to win one more championship.

The post Lakers Free Agency Day 1 Review appeared first on Back Sports Page.

Uchenna Nwosu

Uchenna Nwosu is the obvious choice to take the starting role. Nwosu, originally drafted back in 2018, is the longest tenured Charger other than Bosa. In his three year career with the Chargers, Nwosu has 10 starts, 10 sacks, 92 combined tackles, 61 solo tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 28 quarterback hits. Not to mention that he also has a moment in Chargers playoff history, stripping the ball from Lamar Jackson in 2019 to seal a victory over the Baltimore Ravens in a wild card matchup. 

Heading into the 2021 season, Nwosu has  high expectations especially under Brandon Staley’s 3-4 scheme. Should he adapt and take his game to the next level, it would be a similar situation to Leonard Floyd’s with the Rams last season. In addition, Nwosu is set to be a free agent after this season. With a big year, he could be up for a pay day.

Kyler Fackrell

Kyler Fackrell is another name to watch for. The Chargers signed Fackrell in the offseason to a one-year $1.5M contract. In his tenure in the NFL, Fackrell is a solid depth piece at his position. He gets the job done in both rushing and pass coverage. Overall he won’t beat you with speed or power, but instead he’ll beat you with his determination. All in all Fackrell is a football player who goes out there and gets the job done. 

In Fackrell’s career, the Chargers are his third team in his brief five year career. Throughout his career thus far, Fackrell racked up one touchdown, two passes defended, one forced fumble, 20.5 sacks, 145 combo tackles and 103 solo tackles. Fackrell is an excellent choice for a rotational piece heading into this season but should be able to make an impact for the Chargers. 

The post Chargers Training Camp Battles: Outside Linebackers appeared first on Back Sports Page.

The Washington Wizards have agreed to trade Russell Westbrook, 2024 second-round pick, 2028 second-round pick to the Los Angeles Lakers for Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Montrezl Harrell and No. 22 tonight, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 30, 2021

What This Means for LA

For the Lakers, this trade covers multiple holes in the roster. To begin with, Los Angeles has a viable playmaker besides LeBron James. This is important for the Lakers forward for the fact that James is getting up in age. Although James will still be an intricate part of the Lakers offense, it’s nearing the time for him to take a step back. With the likes of Westbrook on the roster, this is the perfect scenario for James. 

Just like James, Westbrook is a constant triple-double machine anytime he steps on the court. He can score at will (especially in transition), can set up teammates for easy baskets as well as being the best rebounding guard of all time arguably. However, where I see Westbrook being the most effective is with his intangibles. Since coming into the NBA, Russ has always played with a ferociousness like no other. This play style generally has amped up the play of both him and the entire team. 

The player who will benefit the most from this trade is easily Anthony Davis. Davis is the perfect match for Westbrook, especially in the pick and roll. Westbrook has made his bread and butter in the pick and roll. This was especially evident in his time alongside Steven Adams. Now with the best big man he’s ever had in Davis, the sky’s the limit for these two. Not to mention that Westbrook will in Davis’ ear to encourage the Lakers’ big man if he’s having a rough night as well as give him an ear full when he settles for jump shots instead of attacking the paint. 

Another reason as to why this will work is because of James’ presence. Westbrook hasn’t had a teammate of LeBron’s caliber since Kevin Durant. However with James being older and understanding the game to another degree, this gives Westbrook an opportunity to learn from him. Ultimately, this opportunity has the potential to bring Westbrook’s play to another level.

Final Verdict

Although Westbrook has had his share of playoff fallouts, he still gives his all. The only problem that is present in this trade is the IQ aspect. By this I mean understanding when to shoot and when to pass. How to make the right play instead of forcing a play. Next to James and Davis, Westbrook I believe that this won’t be as much of a factor as years past. Especially since this is going to be the closest to winning a championship since playing with Durant in OKC. Overall, the Lakers won this trade for the simple fact that Kuzma, Harrell and KCP don’t equal the amount of production that Westbrook brings. 

The post Why Russell Westbrook to the Lakers Makes Sense appeared first on Back Sports Page.

A name that has been tied with the Los Angeles Chargers this offseason is Davante Adams. The Green Bay Packers star is entering his final season of his contract with the team. It was reported by Ian Rapoport that talks of a contract extension have “broken off”. 

It’s not just Aaron Rodgers: The #Packers and star WR Davante Adams have broken off long-term extension talks. There are no current plans to resume them. The two sides have been negotiating for months, but they are now in a bad place, sources say. First the QB, now the No. 1 WR.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 23, 2021

After Aaron Rodgers decided to take action against the Packers for the way they’ve treated him, all eyes were on Adams next. With Adams entering the prime of his career, he has no idea what the future holds in Green Bay, especially with Rodgers’ situation. Adams has shown that he has no interest in waiting on Jordan Love to develop by making this statement. Not to mention that this also shows that both Rodgers and the Packers are nowhere near reconciling.

The Los Angeles Chargers would welcome Adams with open arms if they are able to snag him next offseason. A main reason why he may be in a Chargers uniform is a result of his relationship with Keenan Allen. Adams made it clear in April that he and Allen would be trouble together on the field.

Just wanna remind yall that me and Keenan Allen would go for 300 yards a game. Ayte bet enjoy ya night!!

— Davante Adams (@tae15adams) April 16, 2021

This morning, Allen wrote a tweet to Adams, a California native, saying to “come home”. This came after the news broke of contract talks blowing up. 

Just wanna remind yall that me and Keenan Allen would go for 300 yards a game. Ayte bet enjoy ya night!!

— Davante Adams (@tae15adams) April 16, 2021

Although it is a fantasy to see these two line up together, in reality it could happen. The Chargers number two receiver, Mike Williams is also in the final year of his contract. Should he not return, the Packers’ star is a viable option thanks to the flexibility of Justin Herbert’s rookie contract.

The post Davante Adams To the Chargers? appeared first on Back Sports Page.