Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Standing Pat
()
For the next two weeks, daydreaming will be the favorite pastime of NBA fans. They will try hard picture what Kevin Garnett would look like in a Laker uniform, or what Jason Kidd would look like running the Clippers offense.
Two weeks from today (Feb. 22) is the NBA trading deadline, so for the next fortnight fans on Web sites and sports talk radio hosts will dream up ways the Lakers could trade for Dwyane Wade while only giving up bench-warmer Shammond Williams and a bag of Doritos. In the rarely rational world of sports fandom, this is the silly season.
Laker fans: Don’t get your hopes up. Let me give you three good reasons the Lakers will stand pat:
Support for LAist comes from
1) Kevin Garnett is not on the trade block. Is he unhappy in Minnesota? I know I would be. Would he welcome a trade? Probably. Is Minnesota’s ownership going to okay the trade of the one draw they have at the gate and the one last shred of credibility they have with their fan base? No. Not until Garnett asks out. Then, if and when he does ask, the move will come in the off-season when the team has time to evaluate offers without a deadline looming. Bottom line, this ain’t happening in the next two weeks.
2) Andrew Bynum. Laker fans are growing to love him. So are opposing general managers. Every borderline decent trade offer Laker General Manager Mitch Kupchak hears in the next two weeks will involve an ask for Bynum. He’s not about to give up a future All-Star center at the age of 19 for anyone not named Garnett (see item 1). Plus, Bynum was the pick Jim Buss pushed the franchise to take two years ago, the kid he staked his reputation on. Think he’s going to let that walk out the door?
3) The triangle offense. The Lakers run one of the more structured and harder to learn offenses in the NBA. It takes a player all of training camp and half a season to start to find his way in Phil's beloved triangle (hey, it won him nine NBA titles). Just ask Vladamir Radmanovic how hard it is - he is just now starting to look comfortable in the offense. If you make a trade now for someone who hasn't played in the offense before, he will still be wandering around lost come playoff time.
Of course, the best reason to stand pat is that this team is 30-19 on the season, is growing together and is fun to watch. Moves may need to come eventually, but the Laker franchise has never been one of rushed decisions and harried moves. That's not about to change now.
AP photo by Gregory Smith
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons Thursday after suddenly shutting down six months ago. -
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
Best of LAist