Pelinka is being criticized on Twitter for L. A’s woeful shooting performance

During a 123-109 loss to the Golden State Warriors in Chase Arena, your Los Angeles Lakers looked outgunned, outworked, and outclassed to begin what may be a lengthy 2022-23 season. L.A. fought to keep a grip on the rock, flipping it over 21 times. Despite looking scrappier on defense, Los Angeles put on a dismal jump-shooting effort. L.A.’s depth was particularly thin, with the club’s three most expensive players accounting for 77 of its total points.

 

NBA Twitter was dissatisfied with the performance and (correctly) pointed the finger at the guy most responsible: the team’s vice president of basketball operations.

 

Jasmine Watkins shared a “Great British Bake-Off” meme.

 

That would explain many of the team’s summer additions ($6.5 million for Lonnie Walker IV when he could’ve been had for the veteran’s minimum?).

 

For whatever reason, former Boston Celtics center Kendrick Perkins became very nationalistic in his criticisms:

Perkins, Kendrick

@KendrickPerkins

 

“Rob Pelinka should be embarrassed by himself for assembling this roster throughout the offseason. God bless the United States!”

 

Some sports journalists got involved. Tony Jones of The Athletic was enraged at what he perceived to be a grave breach of duty:

 

CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn chimed in as well:

 

Quinn, Sam

@SamQuinnCBS

 

“It tells a lot about Rob Pelinka’s roster that the Lakers can start 1-of-8 from three, and my reaction isn’t to dismiss it as a terrible variance.”

 

Following the negative vibes of last year’s unfortunate 33-49 club, you’d expect Pelinka to address his roster’s most pressing issues in the summer, including dealing Russell Westbrook’s contract for valuable role players and attempting to acquire above-average wing shooting (also defense). But perhaps it was too difficult a problem to solve:

 

The Miami Herald’s Daniel Daniel Oyefusi didn’t mince words when it came to Pelinka’s absurd contract extension:

 

Oyefusi, Daniel

 

@DanielOyefusi

 

“I’m unsure how Rob Pelinka received an extension, given the rosters he’s put together over the last two years.”

 

ProPublica’s Corey Johnson went after the team’s reconstructed roster, which, to be honest, might be just as useless as last year’s.

 

Why did he sign a multi-year contract that might keep him in Los Angeles longer than LeBron James?

 

Imagine if the Lakers had just maintained vital role players like Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Danny Green (pre-ACL/LCL injuries), Alex Caruso, and JaVale McGee around the entire time. At the same time, improving the lead guard position – or simply maintaining LeBron James as the team’s de facto point forward. Or, you know what, maybe you shouldn’t picture it. It’s best not to think about these things too much.

 

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This current Lakers team needs to make a move, and quickly, or it will be relegated to the play-in tournament bracket – or worse.