The dysfunction within the Los Angeles Lakers franchise has every person with a bone to pick with the team salivating at the minute. The criticisms are out in full force after the Lakers were officially disqualified from the running for the 10th seed, and Frank Vogel, LeBron James, and Rob Pelinka have all come under fire from various sources for the way everything has panned out for the team this season.
Reports that DeMar DeRozan thought the Lakers didn’t have a vision before the season began have also emerged and it’s becoming clear that the organization needs a lot to change ahead of next season if they plan on being competitive. Vogel is reportedly expected to leave but according to Stephen A. Smith, the problem with the franchise may not be limited to the players and coaching staff.
In an incredible rant on ESPN that left his fellow panelists speechless, Smith blasted the Lakers for the involvement of Linda Rambis in making deals happen for the team at points before and during the season. He even criticized Jeanie Buss for allowing it to happen.
(Stephen A.’s rant starts at 1:59 minutes)
“Here’s where we have to do the unthinkable, the uncomfortable, what we don’t like the most. And that’s holding the wonderful Jeanie Buss accountable. Because why in the hell is anybody whose last name is Rambis, relevant when it comes to basketball decisions?
“I challenge anybody in America, anybody in the world, that knows anything about basketball, to tell me one nugget of justification that Rambis, ANYBODY named Rambis, should have something to do with making basketball decisions.
“Especially Linda Rambis. I mean, at least we got something to point to when it comes to Kurt Rambis. You were a champion as a player. Not much as a coach, damn sure not much as an executive, but at least you played and won championships. What the hell has Linda Rambis done in the world of basketball to be on the phone with agents and other people trying to make basketball decisions? THAT is an international basketball travesty.”
Linda Rambis’ role with the Lakers has been called into question in the past, with rumors that her influence extends over personnel decisions and things of that nature. Kurt Rambis is an advisor to the Lakers and the duo is a part of the decision-making hierarchy in the organization. With the way this season has gone through, this likely won’t be the last time a question is asked about their involvement and what it means for the franchise.
