The Lakers are 21-19; how do they finish the last 42 games of the season?

[Im Still Ballin]

LA is 1 game from the halfway mark of the season. They've had a host of injuries and COVID issues that have caused them serious problems with lineups and depth. As a result, they've barely been able to stay above .500, falling multiple games below prior to this win streak.

The good news is that Anthony Davis and Kendrick Nunn will return by month's end. Combine this with recent lineup success and the signing of Stanley Johnson and things are looking up. They've finally got some depth and defense at the wing position and LeBron has embraced playing the C and PF positions.

There is also the trade deadline coming up, as well as the buyout market. Expect moves to happen; LA has hinted at its interest in some names. Jerami Grant, Myles Turner, Christian Wood, Eric Gordon, Robert Covington are names to watch.

So, how do you see them finishing the season? Can they win 25+ games? 30+ games? 35+ games? LeBron's 2014-2015 Cavs finished the season 34-9 after acquiring and acclimating Mozgov, Shump, and JR. LA's schedule is tough per SRS, but you never know what teams will have injuries/COVID outages.

25 wins will give them a 46-36 record. This will most likely result in the 5th seed.

30 wins will give them a 51-31 record. This will most likely result in the 4th seed.

35 wins will give them a 56-26 record. This could be either the 3rd or 4th seed.

[ImKobe]

Depends on their health really. I'd say around 48-53 wins if we're being realistic because they'll have to pace for the Playoffs. As long as they can stay in the 5-6 seed range they'll be fine.

[Full Court]

They haven't really passed any tough tests yet. Have you seen their February schedule though?

Blazers
Clippers
Knicks
Bucks
Blazers
Warriors
Jazz
Clippers
Pelicans

By March I think we'll have a good idea of what their ceiling is.

[3ba11]

It's amazing that people don't connect Lebron's need for ridiculous amounts of help to him not being that good.. He has AD, Westbrook, Monk and still needs more help

If you need shit-tons of help to win, then you aren't good compared to MJ, or others

[ShawkFactory]

They’re starting to play well. I think they’ll probably win something like 16-17 of the next 25 and then coast depending on what the playoff situation looks like.

[HylianNightmare]

Apparently 42-0 if LeBron starts at center

[FireDavidKahn]

As the play offs near they will look better and better. Seems like things are finally starting to gel.

[RRR3]

It's amazing that people don't connect Lebron's need for ridiculous amounts of help to him not being that good.. He has AD, Westbrook, Monk and still needs more help

If you need shit-tons of help to win, then you aren't good compared to MJ, or others
Westbrook is one of the worst players in the league. It’s not 2014. And Monk is a role player lmfao. Braindeadball

[3ba11]

Westbrook is one of the worst players in the league. It’s not 2014. And Monk is a role player lmfao. Braindeadball


Westbrook and AD currently have better stats than Pippen ever did, while Monk's last 7 games is better than peak Pippen (22 on 56%.. 1.0 tov).

But it isn't just this year - it's previous years where he needed a teammate to lead in scoring for the 2020 Playoffs and then needed super-teams every other year.. And nearly every year since he started forming super-teams, he's always asked for more help during the season despite having a super-team already!!.. Imagine asking for more "playmaking help" while standing next to one of history's top point guards and figures!!

Clearly, something must be suboptimal about his skillset that requires so much help to win.. frontcourt ball-dominance anyone?

[RRR3]

Westbrook and AD currently have better stats than Pippen ever did, while Monk's last 7 games is better than peak Pippen (22 on 56%.. 1.0 tov).

But it isn't just this year - it's previous years where he needed a teammate to lead in scoring for the 2020 Playoffs and then needed super-teams every other year.. And nearly every year since he started forming super-teams, he's always asked for more help during the season despite having a super-team already!!.. Imagine asking for more "playmaking help" while standing next to one of history's top point guards and figures!!

Clearly, something must be suboptimal about his skillset that requires so much help to win.. frontcourt ball-dominance anyone?
Westbrook’s stats are significantly worse than prime Pippen’s you retard. He’s literally negative in your beloved BPM and impact stats like RAPTOR and LEBRON show he’s having a bad year as well.

[1987_Lakers]

Westbrook and AD currently have better stats than Pippen ever did, while Monk's last 7 games is better than peak Pippen (22 on 56%.. 1.0 tov).

It's hilarious how this guy just throws defense out the window when discussing Pippen and just goes by scoring stats. Doesn't even bring up the fact that Pippen was a GOAT level defender while running the Bulls offense at times (Probably the best passing SF of his era along with a healthy G. Hill)

[dankok8]

If they won 56 games they could get higher than the #3 seed. It's very possible that no team this year wins 60 games with Covid and injuries.

Anyways I think the Lakers will end up with right around 50 wins so they'll go maybe 29-13 till the end and let's say get the 4th seed. They have no reason to go all out in the regular season. When AD comes back healthy Lebron will dial it down and wouldn't be shocked if he gets rested some games too. I don't think he cares about the regular season.

[ShawkFactory]

89 Pippen: 14.9 PER, .080 WS/48, 0.6 BPM, 1.5 VORP

21 Westbrook: 15.6 PER, 0.45 WS/48, -1.2 BPM, 0.3 VORP

[RRR3]

89 Pippen: 14.9 PER, .080 WS/48, 0.6 BPM, 1.5 VORP

21 Westbrook: 15.6 PER, 0.45 WS/48, -1.2 BPM, 0.3 VORP
“Duh-uhhhh-uhhhhh”-3ball

[ELITEpower23]

89 Pippen: 14.9 PER, .080 WS/48, 0.6 BPM, 1.5 VORP

21 Westbrook: 15.6 PER, 0.45 WS/48, -1.2 BPM, 0.3 VORP

:oldlol::roll:

[3ba11]

89 Pippen: 14.9 PER, .080 WS/48, 0.6 BPM, 1.5 VORP

21 Westbrook: 15.6 PER, 0.45 WS/48, -1.2 BPM, 0.3 VORP


Beal was lottery with Westbrook in 21' (and Lebron would be in 22' without all the extra help), whereas Jordan almost made the Finals in 89' with his "westbrook" sidekick.

So thanks for demonstrating Jordan's goatness - the facts always do ... :dancin:

[ELITEpower23]

89 Pippen: 14.9 PER, .080 WS/48, 0.6 BPM, 1.5 VORP

21 Westbrook: 15.6 PER, 0.45 WS/48, -1.2 BPM, 0.3 VORP

3ball?

[ShawkFactory]

Beal was lottery with Westbrook in 21' (and Lebron would be in 22' without all the extra help), whereas Jordan almost made the Finals in 89' with his "westbrook" sidekick.

So thanks for demonstrating Jordan's goatness - the facts always do ... :dancin:

Just so we're clear...Westbrook now is worse than '89 Pippen. I'm glad we're on the same page.

Cause boy do we know how trash Pippen was that year, according to you. Westbrook is WORSE.

[3ba11]

Just so we're clear...Westbrook now is worse than '89 Pippen. I'm glad we're on the same page.

Cause boy do we know how trash Pippen was that year, according to you. Westbrook is WORSE.


Westbrook's PER is higher and his WS/48 is against better players than Pippen's lower minute ranking

Regardless, Jordan nearly made the Finals with just westbrook in 89' and 90', while Lebron barely scrapes .500 with Westbrook as the 4th best player behind AD/Monk

[ShawkFactory]

Westbrook's PER is higher and his WS/48 is against better players than Pippen's lower minute ranking

Regardless, Jordan nearly made the Finals with just westbrook in 89', while Lebron barely scrapes .500 Westbrook as the 4th best player behind AD/Monk

Barely.

And the fact that you have to even twist it to try and say Westbrook > '89 Pippen tells you all you need to know.

[Axe]

Wow he really called pippen a 'wb'. :biggums:

[ShawkFactory]

Wow he really called pippen a 'wb'. :biggums:

Seriously. I thought that Westbrook contributed to the super team narrative.

[3ba11]

Barely.

And the fact that you have to even twist it to try and say Westbrook > '89 Pippen tells you all you need to know.


As a primary assist man and Lebron's scoring sidekick, Westbrook has a bigger burden than 89' Pippen, who was carried in all areas by Jordan - Jordan DOUBLED Pippen's scoring and assists.. And big steals/blocks advantages too.

Is Lebron doubling Westbrook's scoring or assists and carrying the defense?

[ELITEpower23]

As a primary assist man and Lebron's scoring sidekick, Westbrook has a bigger burden than 89' Pippen, who was carried in all areas by Jordan - Jordan DOUBLED Pippen's scoring and assists.. And big steals/blocks advantages too.

Is Lebron doubling Westbrook's scoring or assists and carrying the defense?

Jordan played zero defense and doubled Scottie's FG attempts, what did you expect to happen? :oldlol:

[ShawkFactory]

As a primary assist man and Lebron's scoring sidekick, Westbrook has a bigger burden than 89' Pippen, who was carried in all areas by Jordan - Jordan DOUBLED Pippen's scoring and assists.. And big steals/blocks advantages too.

Is Lebron doubling Westbrook's scoring or assists and carrying the defense?

So the argument is now that Westbrook is worse than '89 Pippen because he has to do more? Are you listening to yourself :lol

Also you realize what you just did, right? You just said that Westbrook is the primary assist man. So Lebron..can play without being the primary ball-handler. Interesting..

[ELITEpower23]

So the argument is now that Westbrook is worse than '89 Pippen because he has to do more? Are you listening to yourself :lol

Also you realize what you just did, right? You just said that Westbrook is the primary assist man. So Lebron..can play without being the primary ball-handler. Interesting..

Off-ball LeBron Center Ball = Elite :rockon:

[ArbitraryWater]

LeBron has made a star out of Monk so lets see

[3ba11]

LeBron has made a star out of Monk so lets see


Elite shooters are the only player type that doesn't crater alongside Lebron

Everyone else does, which indicates massive skill deficit on Lebron's part... Bad fit = skill deficit

[pandiani17]

If they won 56 games they could get higher than the #3 seed. It's very possible that no team this year wins 60 games with Covid and injuries.

Anyways I think the Lakers will end up with right around 50 wins so they'll go maybe 29-13 till the end and let's say get the 4th seed. They have no reason to go all out in the regular season. When AD comes back healthy Lebron will dial it down and wouldn't be shocked if he gets rested some games too. I don't think he cares about the regular season.

I am a rooting for the Lakers, and I couldn't disagree with you more. All the games they have played lately have been versus weak teams. Therefore, we don't know where they stand yet. I think it is a fair assumption to say that they have many flaws, I think they will struggle a lot in the upcoming weeks, even though I would prefer it to be otherwise.

[Hey Yo]

It's hilarious how this guy just throws defense out the window when discussing Pippen and just goes by scoring stats. Doesn't even bring up the fact that Pippen was a GOAT level defender while running the Bulls offense at times (Probably the best passing SF of his era along with a healthy G. Hill)

That's what makes Rodman's 7ppg so amazing in the 96 Finals that he got FMVP votes for his offensive performance.

[Thenameless]

Hopefully, we do a little better than the first half. Not going to be easy with the tougher schedule though.