Are they incorrect? As constructed, are the Lakers a top-4 (HCA), 6 (Playoff), 8 (Play-In I), 10 (Play-In II) or 11-15 (Lottery) in the West?
Cheers,
EP
Thanks for the article EP. We were inevitably going to struggle from the very moment we traded for Westbrook. Practically everyone knew that except, apparently, LeBron, Davis & the front office.
He's not a bad player. He's just a bad fit, which many predicted. With that said, my guestimate is 8 (Play-in I)
Joined: 14 Jul 2003 Posts: 4126 Location: Space City
Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2022 8:53 am Post subject:
Given all the Laker propaganda, there is one critical voice that has not been heard being boastful: Rob Pelinka. My hope is that the recent positivity is just posturing and Rob realizes just how bad the current team is and is currently trying to get one, if not both of our needs: Shooting and Defense. _________________ Darvin
Some context on what the Jazz may mean in a Westbrook deal. They may not have many suitors for some reason of their dudes _________________ Salary Cap Strategist and Columnist at Bleacher Report and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/EricPincus
As is currently constructed, they are a lottery or a play in team. There just isn't enough shooting or wing defenders. They need a trade to balance the roster out and become a playoff team.
We simply do not have proven PFs or SFs (which is why Bogs would be so ideal, who averages about 70 games per season the past 2 years) in that situation and it's pretty frightening, let alone the lack of big wing defenders and 3 point shooting in general. _________________ From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals
Crazy how no one cares that Schroeder is on the market unless he has a promise from another team on a contract. not signing him is shocking, he’s been killin it in the eurobasket.
Off-topic but my daughter put this out tonight - an original song
If you have the inkling - give it a watch, like, subscribe all that stuff _________________ Salary Cap Strategist and Columnist at Bleacher Report and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/EricPincus
If both AD and Lebron have 2019-20 level (MVP/top 5) seasons, yes.
65+ games each.
MVP level play.
AD's long ball shot goes back to 35%.
Lebron defends on a consistent basis, again.
What are the odds that Westbrook will be motivated to put his best foot (not "brick) this season because he faces the reality that
1) it might be his last season in the NBA;
2) face the reality that this could be his last real chance to get a ring;
3) people will remember his last season of playing like a ill-prepared rookie making careless mistakes;
4) last opportunity to show that he deserves a large contract;
5) he doesn't want to be player that can only get a small contract (his ego won't let him);
6) he isn't a player that can play on a team that is a serious contender or can play with other superstars;
7) that he doesn't have the athletic ability to dominate play while not having the NBA IQ to compensate;
8) he is not better than Lebron and AD
9) he will be held accountable where every possession counts and:
10) he is not a winner (though he will get into the HOF based exclusively on his stats)
Imagine you are a team that takes about 40m off their salary cap. That's what we're doing with Russ. He's about a MMLE level player now but he's paid 47m. So the opportunity cost of not having 2-3 rotation players at that combined total is going to haunt the Lakers with our depleted big wing/PF depth. _________________ From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals
Joined: 03 Oct 2003 Posts: 8451 Location: Santa Monica
Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2022 6:33 pm Post subject:
Mike@LG wrote:
4th/5th in the Western Conference.
Sounds about right. We have many more reliable two-way role players this season, plus we're much younger.
We won't win the world championship as presently constituted, but i also have a sneaky feeling that we could pleasantly surprise some people and be better than expected.
Sounds about right. We have many more reliable two-way role players this season, plus we're much younger.
We won't win the world championship as presently constituted, but i also have a sneaky feeling that we could pleasantly surprise some people and be better than expected.
I appreciate the optimism. I would be pleasantly surprised to see the 15+ game improvement that had them competing for the 6th seed and not the play-in.
Despite the improvements to the roster, they still have some major flaws to overcome. Expecting the Big 3 to consistently play like the Big 3 every game may be the main one. I think they will be more competitive, but instead of historic losses they will still be outplayed by better and younger squads.
I will be watching and rooting for 98 wins. Up to them to prove it
Joined: 03 Oct 2003 Posts: 8451 Location: Santa Monica
Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2022 9:55 pm Post subject:
Four Decade Bandwagon wrote:
slavavov wrote:
Mike@LG wrote:
4th/5th in the Western Conference.
Sounds about right. We have many more reliable two-way role players this season, plus we're much younger.
We won't win the world championship as presently constituted, but i also have a sneaky feeling that we could pleasantly surprise some people and be better than expected.
I appreciate the optimism. I would be pleasantly surprised to see the 15+ game improvement that had them competing for the 6th seed and not the play-in.
Despite the improvements to the roster, they still have some major flaws to overcome. Expecting the Big 3 to consistently play like the Big 3 every game may be the main one. I think they will be more competitive, but instead of historic losses they will still be outplayed by better and younger squads.
I will be watching and rooting for 98 wins. Up to them to prove it
The only real flaw this team has is a lack of 3-and-D wings who have length. They need one who plays the 2/3 and one who comfortably plays the 4. That would also address the lack of 3-point shooting we have.
Will Austin Reaves be that first wing player? He has bulked up this summer, he just needs to become an above-average 3-point shooter.
Sounds about right. We have many more reliable two-way role players this season, plus we're much younger.
We won't win the world championship as presently constituted, but i also have a sneaky feeling that we could pleasantly surprise some people and be better than expected.
I appreciate the optimism. I would be pleasantly surprised to see the 15+ game improvement that had them competing for the 6th seed and not the play-in.
Despite the improvements to the roster, they still have some major flaws to overcome. Expecting the Big 3 to consistently play like the Big 3 every game may be the main one. I think they will be more competitive, but instead of historic losses they will still be outplayed by better and younger squads.
I will be watching and rooting for 98 wins. Up to them to prove it
The only real flaw this team has is a lack of 3-and-D wings who have length. They need one who plays the 2/3 and one who comfortably plays the 4. That would also address the lack of 3-point shooting we have.
Will Austin Reaves be that first wing player? He has bulked up this summer, he just needs to become an above-average 3-point shooter.
I guess there is a difference of opinion on the importance of the “flaws”.
Sure, the lack of 3 and D is an issue. Maybe Reaves, Brown, Beverley or JTA can bulk up or play bigger and fill the role. Maybe not.
IMO the most important 3 and D player is James. He is the marquee starting SF they need to excel. Will he? Can he at his age? Is he willing to sacrifice mpg and scoring to commit to defense? We shall see.
IMO the biggest flaw is the chemistry of the overall team. At the moment I see too many conflicting pieces to the puzzle that have to find a way to play together to be competitive. We will see if they can.
Individually, I think the roster is improved and can be competitive for a playoff spot. Not top 4 / HCA competitive, but maybe they surprise us and earn a 5th or 6th seed to avoid the play-in. Just too many good teams still ahead of them IMO. I am not sure how Ham gets this makeshift new team to play together and with four quarter intensity for 82 games. From starters to the 15th man.
I am skeptical this roster can achieve this. Maybe they can. That is why they play the games.
Off-topic but my daughter put this out tonight - an original song
If you have the inkling - give it a watch, like, subscribe all that stuff
Enjoyed the video
Same. Caught my attention when she Mariah'd near the end.
Takes after my wife - thx! _________________ Salary Cap Strategist and Columnist at Bleacher Report and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/EricPincus
I predict we'll see AD & LeBron playing 75% of our games and hopefully we win 75% of those. That puts us at 46 wins.
As for the 25% remaining games, I *hope* we can win half of those, i.e., go 500 or tread water. That ultimately puts us at 56 wins on the best case scenario.
Mid-case scenario I'll deduct 10% of those wins as when the lakers simply do not show up which puts us at 50 wins.
Low-case scenario I'll deduct 20% which pus us at 45 wins.
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