Re: The Gold Standard: The Ronnie Gold Story
Amazing work as always... Can't wait till your next post
Amazing work as always... Can't wait till your next post
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Re: The Gold Standard: The Ronnie Gold Story
I'm loving it. Really excited for this conspiracy
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Re: The Gold Standard: The Ronnie Gold Story
This is freakin' fantastic.
PSN: sbunce5
Steam: sbunce5
New York Yankees, Oklahoma City Thunder, Oklahoma State CowboysComment
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Re: The Gold Standard: The Ronnie Gold Story
I need to know what is going to happen!!!!!!!Comment
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Re: The Gold Standard: The Ronnie Gold Story
Sorry for the lack of updates guys, it's been a busy week. I should have time to get some updates out this weekend, so no worries ... plenty of very interesting things happening in story. Thanks for your patience
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Re: The Gold Standard: The Ronnie Gold Story
Rapid Reaction: Blazers 92, Lakers 80
By Rachael Hansen |ESPNLosAngeles.com
November 10, 2014
LOS ANGELES -- The Lakers (6-0) took on the Trail Blazers (5-1) in what could be an early look at a potential playoff matchup. It was a tale of two halves for the Lakers who, behind an impressive showing from Gerald Wallace who scored nine points in the first half, the Lakers jumped out to a 48-45 lead.
It would be the last the time the Lakers would have the lead. From that point on nothing the Lakers shot would go in. In the third quarter the Lakers were outscored 26-15. Kobe Bryant and Jabari Parker both struggled from the field in the second half, finishing the game 10-of-37 from the field combined.
The Blazers took over the game behind the hot shooting of Nicolas Batum, who finished with 22 points, and Damian Lillard, who had 27 points. Though the Lakers were able to keep the big men of the Trail Blazers out of the paint they had problems closing out on the perimeter, which led to easy 3-pointers from the Blazers.
Here are three takeaways from the game:
Missed Opportunities
The Lakers got to the line 24 times but only converted on 16 of those tries. Andrew Bogut missed six of his eight free throws. “I had an off game and my form was poor … that’s on me,” said Bogut after the game. Bogut’s free throw troubles have haunted him throughout his career.
Rookie Struggles
Jabari Parker had his first game where he wasn’t able to score at will, only finishing with nine points in 33 minutes of play. Parker missed all five of his deep balls despite being open on a number of those looks and was frustrated by Batum’s defense. “He was tough, he was really tough,” said Parker after the game. “This is a learning opportunity and one I’m going to learn from … the next game will be different.”
Kobe Goes Cold
Kobe Byrant scored his first eight points in the first half on four turnaround mid-range jumpers that bothered the Blazers. After that first half, Kobe wasn’t able to get those jumpers off and the Blazers closed the paint off for him. He only got to the line two times the entire game and, as is often with the Lakers, if Kobe was having a poor game the rest of the team was as well. Kobe did finish with 16 points, eight boards, and seven assists, but was unable to get anyone going beside Paul Gasol, who finished with 12 points and 13 boards.
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Re: The Gold Standard: The Ronnie Gold Story
11-14-14
Jeanie moved her finger across the screen and smirked. “Sales are up, good,” she muttered to herself in the dimly lit study. It was late and she was still up, looking over business figures. Kobe’s jersey was still selling well as ever but closing in on him fast was Jabari Parker’s. Taking number two as his jersey number had been a marketing win as no other NBA star had that number.
A message flashed on her screen and she chuckled. “Phil, you can just walk in here.”
The lumbering footsteps of her husband could be heard down coming down the hall. “Are you coming to bed?”
She looked at the clock on her desk and frowned. “I didn’t realize it was so late.”
He stood before her in the doorway, clad in simple green pajamas, almost like a big kid. “Well, it is,” he said with a knowing grin. “What are you looking over?”
He was curious of course. He always was. He could never be divorced from basketball and that was fine with her. Their marriage was to each other and to that sport. “Sales figures.”
He rolled his eyes.
She motioned for him to come over and he did, staring down at her iPad. “I’m also looking over scouting reports from our GM.”
“He likes that sort of stuff?”
She nodded. “He used to be a scout. He always will be one,” she said as she looked up at him. “Like you’ll always be a coach.”
He nodded, his eyes looking over the scouting report. His brow furrowed slightly. “He’s saying Pau is struggling.”
Jeanie sighed. “I know you’re protective of him but he is struggling, Phil.”
“He’ll shake out of it. I’ll talk to him tomorrow.”
She put the iPad down and took his hand. “You can’t come riding to Pau’s rescue every time he gets into a funk. His averages are down across the board and he’s not hitting his shots.”
She could feel his pulse pick up ever so slightly. He didn’t get angry but he was agitated. “I don’t come to his rescue. He’s a great player.”
She nodded. “He is. But maybe he needs to find somewhere else to be.”
He understood exactly what she was saying and he frowned. “Gold wants to trade him.”
“He’s exploring options,” she conceded.
He narrowed his eyes at her. “I want to meet him.”
She let go of his hand and crossed her arms. He had taking the occasional advisory job over the last two seasons but she knew he wanted to run a team fully. She had considered letting him run her team but she knew that would make Jim go to war with her. He hated Phil … he was jealous how much she loved him and how much their late father respected him.
She knew he wanted back in the game and wanted back in it in an executive position … but she couldn’t let him do that with the Lakers. What if it didn’t work? What if she had to fire the man she loved from a job he desperately craved? How could they live with one another like that?
Phil, wise as he was, had agreed to all of her reasoning. But she knew he wanted some input.
“Well?”
She sighed. “Michael speaks very highly of him.”
Phil nodded. The two men spoke from time to time though they weren’t close. Michael was more stubborn as an executive than he was as a player. “I’ve heard. I’m not questioning his skills. I just want to meet him.”
She nodded. “All right. I’ll set something up this week.”
Her husband smiled and walked out of the room, heading for the bed.
She knew better than to stay in here and work.
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Re: The Gold Standard: The Ronnie Gold Story
Guys, haven't forgotten about you, just been wicked busy the last week. I'm gonna try and get some updates out later this week ... thanks for waiting and being so patient!Comment
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Re: The Gold Standard: The Ronnie Gold Story
11-16-14
His fingers tapped on the table relentlessly, though he tried not to tap them too loud. Still, he hadn’t been this nervous since he first asked Liz out. As quickly as his mind began traveling down memory lane, he managed to bring himself back into focus.
Liz couldn’t enter the equation here. Not today.
Today, he was meeting the greatest coach the NBA had ever seen. Being in L.A. as long as he had and working as the Lakers GM, he knew this would happen eventually. Phil Jackson was the husband of Jeanie Buss. The two had fallen for one another as he coached the team.
But this wasn’t just about meeting the boss’s spouse. This was the Phil Jackson.
His fingers began tapping harder but he managed to stop them as the looks started piling up. This was a fancy restaurant for fancy people … they weren’t accustomed to Ronnie’s nervous tendencies.
I wonder if these people ever get nervous.
And then he showed up.
Strolling through the restaurant like he owned the place … which he might have, Ronnie wasn’t sure … Phil Jackson arrived at his table and extended his hand.
His hand covered in championship rings.
“Ronnie, good to see you.”
Ronnie accepted the hand and shook it. “Phil,” he managed to say.
Jackson didn’t seem to mind being addressed on a first name basis but it felt wrong to Ronnie. Christ, this was Phil Jackson.
Jackson took his seat and waved a waiter over. The two ordered and once the waiter left, Jackson’s eyes fell on Ronnie.
It felt like he was being dressed down but Jackson hadn’t said a word. “So … you want to trade Pau?”
The rest of the room died away as Ronnie focused on the man who had so many championship rings. The man had won two of them with Gasol.
He was here to save his player.
“I’m going to trade him,” Ronnie stated factually. He tried not to sound too arrogant but there was no way around the facts. The team played better with Gasol off the floor than on it, and Gasol’s production was down across the board. “We have a number of deals we could accomplish.”
Jackson’s smirk didn’t go away but his eyes flashed … something. Indignation? Annoyance? Ronnie wasn’t sure. “I’m sure you have your reasons.”
“I have plenty.” Ronnie winced internally at the sound of his own voice. He was sounding arrogant.
“I’d like to hear them. Pau’s a good player and a friend … he’s still quite valuable in this league.”
Ronnie leaned back and nodded. “Yes, he is.” He tried to think of some way to say it nicer, but he couldn’t. He just decided to blurt it out. “But he’s lacking consistent effort. He’s messing up the flow of this team. He may be talented but his talent doesn’t fit with the organization’s views of team building … we’re moving on.”
Jackson’s face tightened just a bit. “He can play.”
It was more of a challenge than a statement. “I know … we’re going to find a good place for him. We owe him a chance to contend for a title. I don’t know if we’re ready for that this year,” Ronnie finally admitted. “I wish we hadn’t resigned him … but I wanted to have him available at the five spot if we didn’t get Bogut,” he admitted.
Jackson nodded slowly, Ronnie’s words seemingly soothing the man. “Somewhere he can contend?”
“Absolutely. In fact, the deal I’m considering pulling will ship him off to one of the premiere contenders. I think he’ll enjoy it and if he doesn’t he can leave in free agency next summer.” Ronnie reached for his drink and took a big gulp of water, trying to make his throat feel less dry.
Talking to Phil Jackson like this was fraying his nerves. Hell, his whole body. He just wanted to ask so many questions of the man but he didn’t want to look like a fanboy.
He was a GM of an NBA team. He needed to at least try to be dignified.
The food arrived much to Ronnie’s relief. As he stared at his steak, he saw Jackson eying it as well.
“Looks like a good a steak.”
Ronnie nodded slowly, unsure of the point. “You want half?”
Jackson smirked. “No … I like my soup and salad just fine.” His eyes met Ronnie’s. “Sometimes you need to cut into a steak to see if it’s really good or not. I don’t need to with yours … it’s a good steak.”
Jackson looked at him for a long moment before turning his attention to the food.
Ronnie cut into the steak, unsure of what to make of the words. Was Jackson complimenting the steak or him?
And this is why they call him the Zenmaster, he thought to himself.
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Re: The Gold Standard: The Ronnie Gold Story
Rapid Reaction: Heat 93, Lakers 88
By Rachael Hansen |ESPNLosAngeles.com
December 10, 2014
MIAMI -- The Lakers (12-8) took on the Heat (10-9) in tightly contested game, one that went back and forth all game. Both teams battled, with the Lakers clinging to a one point lead at halftime. However, as has been the case in the last eight games (where the Lakers have gone 4-4), they struggled to maintain their momentum in the third quarter and the Heat outscored them 25-20.
Jabari Parker and Kobe Bryant both had difficulties getting through the tough defense of LeBron and Wade in the third quarter. Andrew Bogut was the big difference in this game, taking advantage of Marcin Gortat on the inside for 21 points on 7-of-11 shooting.
Paul Gasol was neutralized by the Heat however, only scoring two points all game.
LeBron and Wade both finished with 30 points each and the Heat closed out the game with relative ease, despite late heroics from Bryant and Parker, who finally found their shot but found it too late to make a difference.
Here are three takeaways from the game:
Where Is Pau?
In what has to be a difficult question to answer for any Lakers fan, Pau Gasol has seemingly disappeared the last few games from the floor. Gasol, known to have stretches where he is less than effective, is a key cog in the Lakers attack. Though Gasol isn’t expected to carry nearly as much a load as was during his first three years with the team, the team still needs him to step up. His absence today had a direct effect on the outcome.
Bryant Struggles
Kobe once again found himself struggling to get any shots to fall in the third quarter in what is becoming a worrisome trend for the Lakers. Though the team is better balanced than it was the year before, it still runs through Kobe first and if he struggles, the rest of the team does as well. Jabari Parker, though an outstanding rookie, is not yet ready to assume the bulk of the scoring load and when he does try to do that he ends up missing more than he makes.
Mr. No Shot
Chauncey Billups, a heralded addition to the Lakers bench this offseason, missed every shot he took in 16 crucial minutes of play. Many of those shots were wide open ones and the Lakers need him to make at least some of those to give their starters relief. The bench was not at its best today and that showed in the box score.
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Re: The Gold Standard: The Ronnie Gold Story
I saw in a post a few pages back that you amnestied Tyrus Thomas. How did you do that in Association?Comment
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Re: The Gold Standard: The Ronnie Gold Story
Guys, you have not been forgotten about. Expect updates sometime this week. Thanks for being so patient, work has really sucked my life and looks to continue doing so for the next few weeks, sadly.Comment
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