Will the Lakers repeat?

[biggestnbafan]

https://sidelinefanatic.com/5-keys-to-the-lakers-repeating/

[biggestnbafan]

I'd say the Lakers have gotten better. It looks like it's theirs to lose.

[FireDavidKahn]

LeBron has had an amazing offseason.

LeBron's offseason:

- Max extension for AD
- Trade for Dennis Schroder
- Extend LeBron to 2023
- Signed Marc Gasol
- Signed Wes Matthews
- Signed Montrezl Harrell
- Re-signed KCP
- Re-signed Markieff

A+ offseason moves by LeGM

[Baller789]

I'd say 65% chance.

[Hey Yo]

I'd say 65% chance.

https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/50e3fa1/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2624x3208+0+0/resize/1080x1320!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F60%2F1e%2Ffb33dcf14f 199c0176133ec2859f%2Fla-photos-1staff-622053-sp-1011-lakers-heat-finals22-wjs.jpg

[biggestnbafan]

I'd say 65% chance.


That's probably a decent bet

[Doranku]

In terms of a playoff team, the Lakers have gotten worse. LeBron is the sole playmaker on this team now... not something you want to see from your 36 year old star. Lakers also benefitted from the most favorable matchups and the bubble where Bran and Rondo's IQ reigned supreme in a 7 game series. That competitive advantage is also gone.

I'd say less than a 50% chance to repeat. The talent is certainly there, but I can't help thinking this team gets exposed with zero playmakers in an actual playoff environment.

[RRR3]

In terms of a playoff team, the Lakers have gotten worse. LeBron is the sole playmaker on this team now... not something you want to see from your 36 year old star. Lakers also benefitted from the most favorable matchups and the bubble where Bran and Rondo's IQ reigned supreme in a 7 game series. That competitive advantage is also gone.

I'd say less than a 50% chance to repeat. The talent is certainly there, but I can't help thinking this team gets exposed with zero playmakers in an actual playoff environment.
??? Why are you acting like Schroeder isn’t a playmaker? He was compared to Rondo when he came into the league. Obviously he turned out to be more of a scorer but the point stands.

[Manny98]

The only team that has a chance of stopping them are my Nets so a repeat is very likely

[LAmbruh]

The only team that has a chance of stopping them are my Nets so a repeat is very likely

your Nets vs my Lakers :applause:

[jayfan]

Probably.

They will miss Rondo come postseason, though.


.

[Charlie Sheen]

I'd say 65% chance.
If it was a bubble season yea. 65% way too high if nba goes anything like nfl season. This roster isn't built to absorb the blow if their best player lands on the covid list.

[tpols]

Right now they are way ahead at number one +250 odds. Next closest is the Clippers at +650.

It will be a colossal failure if they don't win.

[Manny98]

your Nets vs my Lakers :applause:
Yep we are on a collision course

[RRR3]

Right now they are way ahead at number one +250 odds. Next closest is the Clippers at +650.

It will be a colossal failure if they don't win.
Another juicy meltdown.

[light]

No one would be surprised if they did.

[AirTupac]

In terms of a playoff team, the Lakers have gotten worse. LeBron is the sole playmaker on this team now... not something you want to see from your 36 year old star. Lakers also benefitted from the most favorable matchups and the bubble where Bran and Rondo's IQ reigned supreme in a 7 game series. That competitive advantage is also gone.

I'd say less than a 50% chance to repeat. The talent is certainly there, but I can't help thinking this team gets exposed with zero playmakers in an actual playoff environment.


Dude I'm sorry but you are kinda very wrong here. Dennis alone is an amazing pick up. Rondo was absolutely trash during the season. Now the Lakers have someone that can play 30 mins. He can playmake AND score. That relieves Lebron so much this time around.


Trez is such a great pick up because Vogel is elite and putting players in the right spots to succeed. Trez is a capable defender against not Jokic. And he's an absolute energy monster who gives us an extra edge.


I dont feel like going into detail with our other pick ups but we've gotten better... after winning a ring by blowing most of the teams out in a series. You're tripping.


We lost what?

1) DG who could not hit shots at the end.
2) Rondo (great playoffs, one of the worst during the regular season)
3) Javale (unplayable in the playoffs)
4) Dwight (Big loss but we got a better post defender who is super high IQ and Trez who is much better on offense)


Lakers got the 1st and 2nd 6th man of the year this season along with Marc freaking Gasol. And Wes for Danny. CMON!!!

[Bronbron23]

https://sidelinefanatic.com/5-keys-to-the-lakers-repeating/

Yes easily

[red1]

yup. they are still the team to beat.

[HBK_Kliq_2]

Absolutely not because he will not be able to dodge Kawhi this time. What we saw in the bubble is any shooter\scorer can go off as long as they have that confidence to do so, nuggets will never be able to beat clippers on normal hoops in a normal environment. So who is going to beat Kawhi in order for Lebron to dodge him like he has been doing since 2014? I don't see it, this is Kawhi's year. It will be finals clippers vs nets.

[Jasper]

LeBron has had an amazing offseason.

LeBron's offseason:

- Max extension for AD
- Trade for Dennis Schroder
- Extend LeBron to 2023
- Signed Marc Gasol
- Signed Wes Matthews
- Signed Montrezl Harrell
- Re-signed KCP
- Re-signed Markieff

A+ offseason moves by LeGM

Rest of the top 5 players haven't learned yet...
Dennis will take game, series winner , and bron will still be MVP.

[GrayGoat]

Absolutely not because he will not be able to dodge Kawhi this time. What we saw in the bubble is any shooter\scorer can go off as long as they have that confidence to do so, nuggets will never be able to beat clippers on normal hoops in a normal environment. So who is going to beat Kawhi in order for Lebron to dodge him like he has been doing since 2014? I don't see it, this is Kawhi's year. It will be finals clippers vs nets.

Winning the finals is dodging Kawhi? Lolol

[red1]

shoulders. his mental game is going to be rock solid- he'll probably gun for the DPOY and a finals MVP this year.

[Marcus Shart]

I'd say it's highly likely though not so much that I'd take them over the field. They've gotten a lot deeper this off-season, but they're still really top heavy so any injury to Lebrun or AD in the playoffs would be all she wrote for them. They'll miss Rondo and Dwight in the playoffs, but that little German skunk ape is definitely an upgrade particularly in the regular season where Ronda always mails it in. This should provide a bit of a safety valve for when Brun needs to sit hopefully keeping him fresher for the playoffs. Gasol is a solid replacement for Dwight in certain matchups, but he looked cooked against the Celtics in the 2nd round. He's still a big body that knows what he's doing on D though so he should be useful if they get matched up with the Jokic/Nurkic/Embiid's etc. He's also an underrated passer so Vogel can run some offense through him in the high post if he wants to add another wrinkle to their offense.

Harrell can shoulder some of the offensive load off the bench for them no doubt. He's more of a regular season player, but if they play him in lineups with AD they should be able to hide him a bit on D by having Davis cover the better frontcourt players. This is a luxury the Clippers didn't have so maybe he'll be less of a disaster come playoff time allowing them to take advantage of his scoring without giving all back on the other end. I'm not a Harrell fan by any means, but they would've been crazy not to sign him at that price! He seems butthurt about the whole Clippers thing as well so that chip on his shoulder could give him an edge.

They got less long and athletic losing them a bit of rim protection, but they gained a lot more options on offense so that should offset it. Marc Gasol's not exactly chopped liver in that department anyway he's a former DPOY. Overall I'd say LeGM had a damn good offseason with guys signing up to ride his jock to a ring.
Barring a Harden trade to Golden Shower I don't see any competition for them in the West. Denver lost their best Lebrun defender in free agency so they will be a bit weaker on wing defense though Gary Harris coming back should help stem the bleeding a bit. Ibaka is just what the Clippers needed, but I still don't trust that team to get it's ish together. Ty Lue isn't the answer:facepalm, and that team seriously lacks leadership and cohesion. That's not even taking into consideration the 2nd round curse on that franchise. Wouldn't be suprised if #2 demands Ballmer move them back to San Diego if they want him to re-sign:oldlol: After they lose to Portland or Dallas in the 2nd round of course.

If the Lakers face any real threat it will have to come from the East. I'm not betting on Kylie and Cupcake to hold up or be 100% so I doubt we'll get to bask in that drama. Miami could have better luck health wise, and internal development from guys like Bam and Herro. Bucks should be formidable with Jrue replacing the pumpkin that is Drew Bledsoe in the playoffs. Morey or Masai might be able to swing some magic and land Harden, and the Celtics are sure to be in the mix. The East is going to be a lot more interesting than the West that's for damn sure. I'll be rooting for anyone but the Lakers, but it's not looking too good

[red1]

In terms of a playoff team, the Lakers have gotten worse. LeBron is the sole playmaker on this team now... not something you want to see from your 36 year old star. Lakers also benefitted from the most favorable matchups and the bubble where Bran and Rondo's IQ reigned supreme in a 7 game series. That competitive advantage is also gone.

I'd say less than a 50% chance to repeat. The talent is certainly there, but I can't help thinking this team gets exposed with zero playmakers in an actual playoff environment.
I disagree bro. I think you're massively overrating rondo. He was the third best player but it was a HUGE dropoff after lebron and AD. you could make the case that kcp was the third most important player for the title.

what you're not realizing is that schroder is a scorer AND ballhandler and he's fearless just like rondo. not to mention the improved chemistry now that the team has been tested in battle together. rondo for schroder is a lateral move and probably an upgrade in fact. schroder is legit and he's fearless in the playoffs too.

then when you factor in trezz's production for a team with a putrid bench? getting a 6moy is a HUGE upgrade for the lakers.

and then you wouldnt be surprised if a guy like caruso comes back and steps up in his role now that he's a champion. not to mention the weight off of AD's shoulders. his mental game is going to be rock solid- he'll probably gun for the DPOY and a finals MVP this year.


this team is WAY better this year. last year it was all lebron and AD.

[GrayGoat]

I'd say it's highly likely though not so much that I'd take them over the field. They've gotten a lot deeper this off-season, but they're still really top heavy so any injury to Lebrun or AD in the playoffs would be all she wrote for them. They'll miss Rondo and Dwight in the playoffs, but that little German skunk ape is definitely an upgrade particularly in the regular season where Ronda always mails it in. This should provide a bit of a safety valve for when Brun needs to sit hopefully keeping him fresher for the playoffs. Gasol is a solid replacement for Dwight in certain matchups, but he looked cooked against the Celtics in the 2nd round. He's still a big body that knows what he's doing on D though so he should be useful if they get matched up with the Jokic/Nurkic/Embiid's etc. He's also an underrated passer so Vogel can run some offense through him in the high post if he wants to add another wrinkle to their offense.

Harrell can shoulder some of the offensive load off the bench for them no doubt. He's more of a regular season player, but if they play him in lineups with AD they should be able to hide him a bit on D by having Davis cover the better frontcourt players. This is a luxury the Clippers didn't have so maybe he'll be less of a disaster come playoff time allowing them to take advantage of his scoring without giving all back on the other end. I'm not a Harrell fan by any means, but they would've been crazy not to sign him at that price! He seems butthurt about the whole Clippers thing as well so that chip on his shoulder could give him an edge.

They got less long and athletic losing them a bit of rim protection, but they gained a lot more options on offense so that should offset it. Marc Gasol's not exactly chopped liver in that department anyway he's a former DPOY. Overall I'd say LeGM had a damn good offseason with guys signing up to ride his jock to a ring.
Barring a Harden trade to Golden Shower I don't see any competition for them in the West. Denver lost their best Lebrun defender in free agency so they will be a bit weaker on wing defense though Gary Harris coming back should help stem the bleeding a bit. Ibaka is just what the Clippers needed, but I still don't trust that team to get it's ish together. Ty Lue isn't the answer:facepalm, and that team seriously lacks leadership and cohesion. That's not even taking into consideration the 2nd round curse on that franchise. Wouldn't be suprised if #2 demands Ballmer move them back to San Diego if they want him to re-sign:oldlol: After they lose to Portland or Dallas in the 2nd round of course.

If the Lakers face any real threat it will have to come from the East. I'm not betting on Kylie and Cupcake to hold up or be 100% so I doubt we'll get to bask in that drama. Miami could have better luck health wise, and internal development from guys like Bam and Herro. Bucks should be formidable with Jrue replacing the pumpkin that is Drew Bledsoe in the playoffs. Morey or Masai might be able to swing some magic and land Harden, and the Celtics are sure to be in the mix. The East is going to be a lot more interesting than the West that's for damn sure. I'll be rooting for anyone but the Lakers, but it's not looking too good

:biggums:

[HBK_Kliq_2]

Winning the finals is dodging Kawhi? Lolol

Kawhi has the same amount of rings as LeBron since 2014.

[red1]

Kawhi has the same amount of rings as LeBron since 2014.

lebron














































































durant



kawhi

[LAmbruh]

lebron














































































durant



kawhi

https://media.giphy.com/media/TmyKbZZmy5J7nKfv36/giphy.gif

[GrayGoat]

lebron














































































durant



kawhi

....

[red1]

https://media.giphy.com/media/TmyKbZZmy5J7nKfv36/giphy.gif

ring ring ring ring




its lebron james :oldlol:

[StrongLurk]

They should be the favorites but by a small margin. Age is always going to be a potential factor for Lebron and there is no super stacked team.

I wouldn't BET for sure that the Lakers repeat.

[LAmbruh]

ring ring ring ring




its lebron james :oldlol:

chips on chips on chips on chips


no pip :no:


all chips:pimp:

[Marcus Shart]

:biggums:

I'm referring to the stripe in his hair. The skunk ape is a cryptid rumored to roam the woods of Florida and Georgia. Gave him that nickname when he was on the Hawks.

[bladefd]

Right now they are way ahead at number one +250 odds. Next closest is the Clippers at +650.

It will be a colossal failure if they don't win.

Odds change all the time. Wasn't your buddy Donny Trump ahead for 2hrs until the mail-in-ballots began to be counted? Donny was way behind in odds before election day. Odds change by the day