We shouldn't be surprised if LA ends up with the #1 seed in the west

[Im Still Ballin]

I like what they've done so far. I really do.

LA has acquired a bunch of quality 3pt shooters: Ellington, Bazemore, Melo, Ariza, Monk. Some of them are decent defenders, while others... not so much. They've still got some more signings to come; potential names include Danny Green, Avery Bradley, Kendrick Nunn -- among others.

Also got what they needed at the center position with Dwight: rim-running, athleticism, rim protection.

The Russell Westbrook trade was controversial. I like it a little more now that they've got respectable shooters. Staggering him and LeBron is exciting. I really feel we'll get to see the true value of his playmaking.



The question remains: Did they lose too much defense?

I don't think so. I think they'll still be a top 5 defense; LA's still got the best defensive big rotation: AD, Gasol, Dwight.

Barring injury, I wouldn't be shocked to see LA take the #1 seed out west.

What do you think?

EDIT: Meant in the Western Conference.

[ScottieQuitting]

Don’t they have the most talent on the court in the entire Western Conference? All that talent they should win over 60 games, easy.

[Axe]

What if they do but the clippers get it instead?

[warriorfan]

Yeah they are good enough that LeBron can take time off for load management and let Westbrook carry them to a high seed and then LeBron can be fresh for the playoffs.

[Proctor]

Their intensity level should put damn near every team to shame.

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

Where's StrongLurk at? :lol Wonder if he still thinks LA's a joke.


Their intensity level should put damn near every team to shame.

Imagine their practices. A handful of HOFers, shooters and defensive minded players.

I'd pay just to watch them scrimmage.

[Xiao Yao You]

I'd be shocked. Westbrook, Howard and Carmelo oh my! :roll:

[DoctorP]

Yeah they are good enough that LeBron can take time off for load management and let Westbrook carry them to a high seed and then LeBron can be fresh for the playoffs.

this

[Axe]

Lol on paper you can only expect so much. In reality tho, different things may happen which will always determine their outcome. Before last season started, many expected kong and his club to repeat as champions after a rather short two-month break. Well, that is until solomon hill happened and ad as well. But that didn't stop the others from not expecting too much tho. Unfortunately, they were proved wrong ultimately when they faced the second-seed suns in the first round. The team thought they would be bailed out by refs but nope and suddenly, all excuses rose up plus haters were rejoicing in his defeat. Now i know it will only be a few years from now before he retires but it's apparent kong can't be a champion each year without different help. Plus, he's getting older too but nonetheless, he already has a solid career in him anyway. Just don't look at his finals losses and that he's won two rings in two seasons with less than the typical 82 games.

[Airupthere]

To whom much is given, much is expected. Lebron has failed even when odds are in his favor. This coming season, he is given a loaded lineup. No excuses.

As for last season, AD getting injured should not have been a factor. Branstans have been shitting on AD early in the season. The expectation from bron came from him and no one else. "These shoulders are meant to carry this lineup", lol. Bron and his stans should not be acting like victims here. He brings it upon himself.

[90sgoat]

Shades of 1998 Rockets.

Too many chefs.

[Im Still Ballin]

Shades of 1998 Rockets.

Too many chefs.

I disagree; if anything, that was this season with Schroder, Harrel, and Kuzma. The guys they have now are certified role-players.

[Im Still Ballin]

I think the perimeter defense won't be that big of an issue. When the rotation shortens in the playoffs, they'll prioritize the solid defenders:

Westbrook
Bazemore
Ariza
LeBron
Davis
Gasol
Dwight
THT

Guys like Monk and Ellington aren't as bad as made out to be, either.

In short, they should be ok on that front.

[Sportal]

I like what they've done so far. I really do.

LA has acquired a bunch of quality 3pt shooters: Ellington, Bazemore, Melo, Ariza, Monk. Some of them are decent defenders, while others... not so much. They've still got some more signings to come; potential names include Danny Green, Avery Bradley, Kendrick Nunn -- among others.

Also got what they needed at the center position with Dwight: rim-running, athleticism, rim protection.

The Russell Westbrook trade was controversial. I like it a little more now that they've got respectable shooters. Staggering him and LeBron is exciting. I really feel we'll get to see the true value of his playmaking.



The question remains: Did they lose too much defense?

I don't think so. I think they'll still be a top 5 defense; LA's still got the best defensive big rotation: AD, Gasol, Dwight.

Barring injury, I wouldn't be shocked to see LA take the #1 seed out west.

What do you think?

EDIT: Meant in the Western Conference.

These are essentially the kind of role-players they were hoping to acquire last year, and just didn't get. Disregarding age, I would say this is the best roster that LeBron has ever had, after the 3 best players on the team. Age will be a factor, and time played will be managed... But I would expect to see their main team start at least 50 games next season, which should be good enough come playoff time.

[DoctorP]

meh. 2nd round fodder. i really don't see a perimeter player that scares me on the Lakers.

[And1AllDay]

meh. 2nd round fodder. i really don't see a perimeter player that scares me on the Lakers.

goatbrook and monk aint got you shooketh with bran at the 1?

[DoctorP]

goatbrook and monk aint got you shooketh with bran at the 1?

not at all, unfortunately. They don't have a Middleton, Booker or Paul. Or a Young, a Durant, a Curry and Klay. They don't have a Kawhi or a Butler. They don't have that guy that will ball out and not choke.

They needed Patty Mills. That should have been their #1 target.

[Thenameless]

not at all, unfortunately. They don't have a Middleton, Booker or Paul. Or a Young, a Durant, a Curry and Klay. They don't have a Kawhi or a Butler. They don't have that guy that will ball out and not choke.

They needed Patty Mills. That should have been their #1 target.

Lebron's won more Championships than all those guys. Some of those guys haven't won any. I've seen Durant, Curry, and Kawhi all choke. Anthony Davis is the most skilled big man in the game. No team has anyone close to him. The Lakers and the Nets will easily be favorites to meet in the Finals.

[RRR3]

Lebron's won more Championships than all those guys. Some of those guys haven't won any. I've seen Durant, Curry, and Kawhi all choke. Anthony Davis is the most skilled big man in the game. No team has anyone close to him. The Lakers and the Nets will easily be favorites to meet in the Finals.
Pee isn’t very smart. That said WB and Melo will be the death of this team. Actually like all their other moves (well I dislike Nunn signing with them because the Heat kinda needed him but it’d objectively a good move) but those two were braindead acquisitions considering the personnel.

[DoctorP]

Pee isn’t very smart. That said WB and Melo will be the death of this team. Actually like all their other moves (well I dislike Nunn signing with them because the Heat kinda needed him but it’d objectively a good move) but those two were braindead acquisitions considering the personnel.


if im not smart, rrr3 is the intellectual equivalent of slime from the bottom of a public toilet.

LeBrons not 28 anymore he doesn't have that hunger to singlehandedly destroy a team inside of him, nor does he have the stamina to move his heavy ass body consistently.

Durant, Young, Morant, Middleton, George, Luka, Kawhi and Booker played better this postseason than LeBron has in years.

AD is too injury prone and inconsistent for me to give LA title hopes.

I'll wait to see how they play but I'm not bullish on LA.

[Im Still Ballin]

The Lakers absolutely needed a secondary playmaker. Every time LeBron sits, the offense collapses; Westbrook somewhat solves that issue.

I'd have preferred Kyle Lowry, but I guess that wasn't in the cards.

At the very least, I'm kind of excited to see how this new Lakers outfit works together. Best case scenario, here's what I think they could look like:

- 60 wins
- Top 5 offense AND defense
- Top 10 3pt shooting team
- Arguably top rim protecting team (Utah/Philly/Milwaukee)
- Best playmaking
- Most dominant paint scoring team (LeBron/Davis/Westbrook/Dwight)

[Axe]

if im not smart, rrr3 is the intellectual equivalent of slime from the bottom of a public toilet.

LeBrons not 28 anymore he doesn't have that hunger to singlehandedly destroy a team inside of him, nor does he have the stamina to move his heavy ass body consistently.

Durant, Young, Morant, Middleton, George, Luka, Kawhi and Booker played better this postseason than LeBron has in years.

AD is too injury prone and inconsistent for me to give LA title hopes.

I'll wait to see how they play but I'm not bullish on LA.
The ether :milton

[RRR3]

The Lakers absolutely needed a secondary playmaker. Every time LeBron sits, the offense collapses; Westbrook somewhat solves that issue.

I'd have preferred Kyle Lowry, but I guess that wasn't in the cards.

At the very least, I'm kind of excited to see how this new Lakers outfit works together. Best case scenario, here's what I think they could look like:

- 60 wins
- Top 5 offense AND defense
- Top 10 3pt shooting team
- Arguably top rim protecting team (Utah/Philly/Milwaukee)
- Best playmaking
- Most dominant paint scoring team (LeBron/Davis/Westbrook/Dwight)
Replace WB with Lowry and get rid of Melo for a 3+d guy and this might be the one of the best teams LeBron has ever had. I hate when GMs ignore fit.

[Im Still Ballin]

Replace WB with Lowry and get rid of Melo for a 3+d guy and this might be the one of the best teams LeBron has ever had. I hate when GMs ignore fit.

True.

Lakers can still be a top 5 offense with Westbrook, though. OKC was 7th in that 2017-2018 Carmelo season; this was despite being a horrendous 3pt shooting team. That gives me some confidence in LA, offensively speaking.

[BigShotBob]

True.

Lakers can still be a top 5 offense with Westbrook, though. OKC was 7th in that 2017-2018 Carmelo season; this was despite being a horrendous 3pt shooting team. That gives me some confidence in LA, offensively speaking.

:roll::roll::roll:

[3ba11]

Lakers should win the title easily and the only reason everyone has questions is because of poor fits

But the poor fits are due excusively to Lebron's skill deficit - if Lebron had elite jumpshooting skill and could get some of his production off-ball, then there would be zero "fit" issues and everyone would be saying how Lebron, Oscar and Duncan are an unstoppable juggernaut.

That's what anyone would normally say about a core like that - but Lebron's skill deficit and resulting poor fits prevents it.

[hold this L]

The Lakers absolutely needed a secondary playmaker. Every time LeBron sits, the offense collapses; Westbrook somewhat solves that issue.

I'd have preferred Kyle Lowry, but I guess that wasn't in the cards.

At the very least, I'm kind of excited to see how this new Lakers outfit works together. Best case scenario, here's what I think they could look like:

- 60 wins
- Top 5 offense AND defense
- Top 10 3pt shooting team
- Arguably top rim protecting team (Utah/Philly/Milwaukee)
- Best playmaking
- Most dominant paint scoring team (LeBron/Davis/Westbrook/Dwight)

I don't think they're getting top 5 defense, but I'm expecting 56-62 wins from them.

[bladefd]

Replace WB with Lowry and get rid of Melo for a 3+d guy and this might be the one of the best teams LeBron has ever had. I hate when GMs ignore fit.

Lowry was not an option because he would have hard-capped the Lakers.

I also feel like LeBron/AD both forced the trade for Westbrook instead of buddy Hield.

[Im Still Ballin]

:roll::roll::roll:

Sounds outlandish, but I think it's possible.

OKC was the 7th best offense in 2017-2018. They were a horrific 3pt shooting team.

Houston was the 3rd best in 2019-2020 with 4 games left; ended up finished 6th.

https://i.ibb.co/7GhFKQJ/hoo.png

Neither of those teams was a great shooting team. Houston simply took a lot of threes; perhaps they were average at best.

LA has the paint dominance, rebounding, and shooting to be top 5. I think it can happen. Hell, the Lakers in their championship season were the 4th best offense before the bubble restart.

https://i.ibb.co/12bT3QQ/lal.png

That team was horrendous at 3pt shooting (23rd in attempts, 17th in %)

[Full Court]

I, for one, will be VERY surprised if they end up #1 seed in the West.

[kawhileonard2]

I, for one, will be VERY surprised if they end up #1 seed in the West.

They should have been

[BarberSchool]

Thread is a great lesson in who is a glaring idiot shaking a magic 8-ball, and who are the intelligent men who can foresee the future based on airtight judgment of individual talents co-existing on the floor, in the locker room, and elite pattern recognition.

Villainous belly laughter right all up in the stupid shocked faces that believed this would ever work.
Be mad at us smart MF who sh!t on this baby brain idea from the jump.

[kawhileonard2]

How come they aren't the #1 seed with 4 players in the top 75 all time?

[Axe]

Cheering for kong seems to have taken a toll on his team's current standing.

[FireDavidKahn]

I'm not sure what the best decision here was. Pelinka turned down



NBA Central
@TheNBACentral
Report: Klutch Sports is ‘not happy’ with Rob Pelinka

“It reached a boil when Pelinka refused to trade [Russell] Westbrook and a future first-round pick (likely 2027) for Houston Rockets guard and Klutch client John Wall.”

Westbrook
2027 first

for

Wall