LAKERS LAKERS Thread

Discussion in 'Los Angeles DODGERS' started by rube, Dec 16, 2015.

  1. Fall Winslow

    Fall Winslow McRib

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    Surprise.
    Official: LAL @ Warriors, Christmas
    Rockets demoted
     
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  2. Fall Winslow

    Fall Winslow McRib

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    Jones fracture for Sixers' athletic rookie wing Zhaire Smith. They've had a shitty off-season. All the focus was on LAL not getting George, but LAL still did what they had to do. However, the Sixers were an even better fit for George, so for them to lose out on both George and LeBron ( and Kawhi via trade) after sending Villanova wing Mikal Bridges to PHX..Sixers are fucking up. Started with that ridiculous Colangelo episode/firing and just kept rolling downhill. They're lucky they're in the east. Celtics are gonna murder them on Xmas.
     
  3. Gebbeth

    Gebbeth DSP Legend

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    48.5 seems a bit high. I would bet the under there. I’m sure the numbers will fluctuate again after a few preseason games but not sure 48.5 is attainable this year.
     
  4. rube

    rube DSP Legend Staff Member Administrator

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  5. Fall Winslow

    Fall Winslow McRib

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    .500 was attainable last season, except Ingram and Zo missed north of 50 games combined while LAL also shot ridiculously bad at the FT line and failed to close games late. Even if they had still shot terribly at the 3pt line, be healthier, make some freebies at the charity stripe and be more efficient closing games and they're a .500 ball club last year. They played that caliber of defense. Granted, they lost Julius, but Vegas is assuming that the kids will be healthier and improve yet again.

    Ingram played in 79 games as a rook, so he's shown the ability to suit up and get out there. I'm less confident in Zo with the knee. But then Rondo will have his impact and other youngsters like Hart and KCP can step up and help with the loss of Julius. I was extremely happy to get KCP back, you can't lose 2 of your best 3 defenders in one offseason and expect the defensive minded culture to not take a hit to a degree. And they've added to it with Rondo, of course.

    48.5 seems to be just about right to me. Or OK, I should say. I wouldn't blink if Vegas went 50, but they played it safe in my eyes and knocked off a couple games. I felt like 53 wins would be on deck, but ultimately I'm settling in at 50 to be safe. 50 wins with LeBron getting MVP, Ingram nabbing most improved.
     
  6. rube

    rube DSP Legend Staff Member Administrator

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    Lonzo, Caruso
    KCP, Hart
    Ingram, Clarkson
    Kuzma, Nance
    Randle, Lopez

    That team if not for Randle starting on the bench and Lonzo still having a weak baby body and not the body he has now = 45 wins.
    Replace Randle with LeBron and that alone takes you to 50 wins. The upgrade bench gets you a couple more to 52+.
    Rondo over Caruso big time. Hart and KCP are both better than last year and look to possibly switch places in the rotation.
    Stephenson is a better player than Clarkson and is a great two way 3 and D player that can play a needed role anywhere.
    Kuzma is supposed to be Beasley if Beasley would have panned out. But Beasley is now finally panning out and gives the Lakers a legit top-level offensive threat off the bench. Beas can anchor that bench offensively and has Wagner there to rain down 3's as well.
    While Javale is not polished offensively like Lopez he does not need to, he brings the rim protection sorely missing from this team and is more valuable here than Lopez would be.
    Our main post scorer going forward is gonna be LeBron anyway. That is why Randle and Lopez are no longer here.

    PG: Lonzo, Rondo, Caruso
    SG: Hart, KCP, Svi
    SF: Ingram, Stephenson, Bonga
    PF: Kuzma, Beasley, Wagner
    C : LeBron, Javale, Zubac

    That team has the best player in the game, 2 of the premiere passers this league has seen, tough defenders all around, a handful of sharp shooters with a few other shooters that are good enough, lots of guys that can make their own shot and make big plays, lots of characters and defined personalities, no punk ass bitches on this team.
     
    Last edited: Aug 8, 2018
  7. Fall Winslow

    Fall Winslow McRib

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    Dirty rat bastard NBA schedule makers. LAL's season opener will be OCT 18th in Portland..dreaded Portland. So tired of LAL losing in Portland. Not about to say its a must win, but gotdamnit I want a win there.

    Game #2, OCT 20th at Staples against Houston. Fresh out the frying pan and into the fire.
     
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  8. TAFNAC

    TAFNAC Cossack Staff Member Administrator

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    West is goung to be a gauntlet this year. That's why I'm not surprised by the win projections in the 40s. So many good teams in the west.

    With the exception of the Clippers, very few nights off. :D
     
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  9. fsudog21

    fsudog21 DSP Legend

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    Don't hold your breath. Lakers have had some really good (including championship teams) struggle in Portland.
     
  10. Fall Winslow

    Fall Winslow McRib

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    Certainly won't be holding my breath. But right out of the gate, a chance for LeBron to set himself apart from Kobe, at least in terms of taking his crew up to Portland. Man, did those good LAL teams used to piss me off with the obligatory L @ Portland
     
  11. Fall Winslow

    Fall Winslow McRib

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    Jerry West staring down the barrel of being the new Elgin Baylor over there, holding a high position with LAC and watching his former team win big and do big things without him. I really want to see what West can do with LAC because he's been chirping and projecting his own past advantages of working for LAL/in LA onto Magic.

    He's already shown he can't handle big LAL news without taking a shot..why he's on the outside looking in now, you'd think he'd learn. Nobody forced him to go clapping at Jeanie and Phil and their thing back then. Gotta know your role. Should've used some foresight and left Jeanie the hell alone. Now, he's with the Clippers. Bless his heart. Lol
     
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  12. Fall Winslow

    Fall Winslow McRib

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    The LAL/HOU game on OCT 20th is a Saturday ESPN " Primetime Special ", just making up specials on the fly Lol
    This team is about to be on national TV a shit ton, Brandon Ingram could be a household name by the end of this season
    Of course the season opener in Portland is on TNT
     
  13. Fall Winslow

    Fall Winslow McRib

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  14. Fall Winslow

    Fall Winslow McRib

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    Action hero Lance

     
  15. Fall Winslow

    Fall Winslow McRib

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    Looks good. Looks like he knows and understands he won't be getting 20+ minutes every night. I'll assume Lance has the same understanding. McGee probably the same and Rondo is talking as if he knows his role as well. Think they'll all stay in line, if not for Luke, for Magic and/or LeBron.



    Michael Beasley Opens Up on Lakers, LeBron, Lonzo, Magic and His NBA Journey


    Michael Beasley talks a lot about basketball. It's ironic, in a way.

    Conversations about Beasley often have little to do with his abilities or about his place within the sport itself. His name is associated with weed, with hotheads, with unpredictability. Rarely does a Beasley discussion center on his ability as a basketball player.

    But Beasley is a strong and crafty lefty, a genuine power forward during an era in which power has largely abandoned the position. Beasley can stretch the floor as well, but he mostly lives in and around the paint. He plays an old-school game, and he plays it well.


    That's why the Lakers signed him this summer to a one-year deal worth $3.5 million. L.A.'s decision to surround LeBron James with Beasley, Rajon Rondo, JaVale McGee and Lance Stephenson drew some criticism, largely because they're each prone to Shaqt a Fool from time to time.

    That's all fine, but save it for another day. Right now, Michael Beasley wants to talk hoops.

    After all, Beasley is at the top of his game. He wouldn't say so himself, but the numbers don't lie. Last season, Beasley started 30 games for the Knicks, his highest total since 2010-11. As a starter, he averaged 16.0 points and 6.4 rebounds while shooting 50.6 percent overall and 46.7 percent from three. Few players across the league matched those percentages, let alone the counting stats.

    He was a gift for the struggling Knicks in the wake of Kristaps Porzingis' ACL tear. On many nights, Beasley was the Knicks' best player. While that may not be the most distinguished title in sports, Beasley can still ball at the age of 29.

    Earlier this week, he called from his home in Atlanta to discuss just that.

    Bleacher Report: Are the Lakers a playoff team?

    Michael Beasley: As of now, we're out, according to all the polls. Rightfully so. But I think we're a team that will be able to decide our own fate by how hard we work and how much we're willing to sacrifice physically and mentally. I'm not going to put my foot in my mouth and say we're going to win 25 championships or 75 games, no. But I'm confident that we got a group of guys that wants to play basketball the right way, wants to win and work hard. With that being said, I think we can be exactly where we want to be at the end of the year.

    B/R: It's nearly a brand-new roster. How do you expect it to mesh?

    Beasley: I don't know for sure because we haven't gotten together yet, but first thoughts: Running and spacing the floor will be so fun this year. It's rare you play with three guys who average seven-plus assists, and we have it. For us to average 30 assists per game this year, I wouldn't be surprised if we get somewhere around that number. (Ed: That would haveled the league last season.)

    B/R: You have high-IQ teammates in LeBron and Rondo, among others. Are you excited to connect with them?

    Beasley: I love it. I love the game when everyone plays the right way. Not just LeBron and Rondo. We got Lonzo [Ball], who loves to get everybody involved. Lance—when he's focused, Lance is one of the best playmakers in the game. We just gotta get together and play basketball, learn each other out and work hard.

    B/R: How much Lonzo Ball tape have you watched? What do you think of his game?

    Beasley: I'm a big Lonzo fan. I don't understand how Lonzo gets so much criticism, averaging almost 11 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, a steal and a block per game. Granted, his percentages were low, but you all think Russell Westbrook can shoot, and he's got the same three-point percentage. (Ed: Lonzo's was a tick higher last year.) Two years ago, Malcolm Brogdon won Rookie of the Year with 10 points and three rebounds a game, but now Lonzo is 11-7-7 and he's a bust? I'm a Lonzo fan. I think if you just let him play and not worry about if he can shoot or not, I think you will see a player that knows how and wants to play a complete game of basketball. Same thing with Kyle Kuzma. I liked him in college but didn't know how skilled he was until I played against him in the NBA. Josh Hart, same thing.

    B/R: How can you help the young Lakers along?

    Beasley: There's things I can show them, but for the most part with guys like those, it's really just get out of the way. Give them space to work. Let guys think their own game.

    B/R: This will be your second time playing with LeBron. What's changed since you teamed up in Miami?

    Beasley: I played with LeBron the first time when I was 24 years old. I was at a different point in my career. The only thing that mattered to me was minutes. Now I know what I do, what I bring to the table, and LeBron does, too. I'm coming to help the team potentially make the playoffs, coming to play basketball the right way. Whatever happens after that, I can live with.

    B/R: Last year, I noticed you added a little lefty version of Dirk's one-legged fadeaway. What are you working on this summer, trying to add?

    Beasley: First of all, thanks for noticing. I'm working on handling the ball in the open floor. My main goal is showing up to camp in good shape and working on my three, spreading the floor.

    B/R: On paper, there isn't much three-point shooting on this team. What will the collective approach be? I doubt it will look like Golden State or Houston, driving and kicking for threes.

    Beasley: I think if you look at everybody individually, in the past, in their respective roles, they weren't asked to shoot threes. Like, Lance was playing with Paul George, and Rondo played with Ray Allen. LeBron can't just sit out there and wait for somebody to make a play for him. I'm not saying we can all be 50 percent three-point shooters, but particularly if you look at my percentages, my three-point percentage is not bad at all. It's actually pretty good. I think we're all smart enough to play the game the right way.

    B/R: How were your conversations with Magic Johnson and the Lakers?

    Beasley: I was happy that someone trusted that I could play basketball, somebody wanted me to play basketball. Being in L.A., being with LeBron—all those things were a plus, but the way the Lakers were speaking to me on behalf of me and my game and things I can do for the Lakers, that part was overwhelming for me. Because I've really been at a down state in my career mentally and confidence-wise. So to reassure me that I can play basketball, the way Magic was talking—it was good to hear someone I looked up to talk about my game. Being wanted and being admired was really overwhelming.

    B/R: When you say you're at a down state, are you referring to your season with the Knicks, where you played pretty well, or the past few seasons in general, bouncing around the league?

    Beasley: Both. I thought I earned—I believe I earned—more time with the Knicks, but that's that. I guess I'm moving on.

    B/R: Los Angeles will be your fifth NBA city since 2014-15. Have you thought about the logistics of going to L.A. yet? Do you have a house set up there?

    Beasley: Being 11 years in, that's the hardest part. Especially with what we just talked about, having to uproot and move and find a place and things like that. It's hard, but it's fun at the same time. I love architecture, decor, things like that. But I've literally been doing it every year for the last seven or eight years now. I'm tired of it, but at the same time, I've always been a guy to roll with the punches.

    B/R: LeBron is signed for several years, and the Lakers have this young core. It's early, but can you envision Los Angeles being a place to settle down?

    Beasley: I've felt like that every year for the last eight years, so I'm going into this situation with the mindset of playing basketball for a year and coming home to Atlanta at the end of the year and whatever happens, happens. I want a long-term contract, two, three, four years, 100 percent. But at this point, I'm tired of getting my hopes up and smashed. But the Lakers organization, from Rob Pelinka to Jeanie Buss to Magic, they've treated us like family. So, they did nothing wrong as to why I feel the way I feel. It's just kinda like a battered-dog situation. I'm gonna take it a day at a time, and hopefully the days don't end.

    B/R: Were you surprised LeBron went to Los Angeles?

    Beasley: A little piece of me didn't think he'd leave Cleveland, but every time I make a [prediction] like that, it's always the opposite. I didn't think he was gonna leave Cleveland, so I knew he was gonna leave Cleveland. I 100 percent didn't think L.A. I thought the Philly situation made sense—teams that already had things in place to win the championship made sense. But when you listen to him speak and watch him play, and you watch how every team he brought to the Finals was all him making the situation 100 times better, it makes sense now.

    B/R: Once he signed on, did you look at L.A. and think, "Hmm, that could be a spot for me?"

    Beasley: Honestly, when he went to Los Angeles, I really just crossed L.A. out in my mind. With the young core they have, the roster is stacked, so I was just like, "Aight, well, that might be another boat I missed." But my agent had something up his sleeve.

    B/R: In the Western Conference, you'll have to go through Golden State. What did you think of DeMarcus Cousins signing with the Warriors?

    Beasley: I think it was f--king bulls--t! [Laughs.] No, I'm just playing. I was surprised, but for DeMarcus, it was the best move. Coming off an injury, the market not being what he thought it'd be, him going there gives him a good chance to reevaluate what a winning culture is, to better himself on and off the court. But I'm like everybody else, too. God damn, you got DeMarcus Cousins? You got two championships with JaVale, he leaves, and you replace him with DeMarcus? C'mon, man. But at the end of the day, we're all men, and we play basketball the same way. I don't think they're unbeatable; we just gotta go back to the drawing board.
     
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  16. Fall Winslow

    Fall Winslow McRib

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  17. Fall Winslow

    Fall Winslow McRib

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    Official: https://www.nba.com/lakers/schedule

    That stretch from Jan. 9 to Jan. 24 is insane..all nationally televised - 8 games in a row Lol
    Then skip one game and back on TNT against Philly the next..then skip another game and back on ABC against GSW..then skip another game and back to back games on TNT/ABC against Philly/Boston
    That's the craziest LAL January I've ever seen
    43 nationally televised games scheduled and they'll probably pick up more
    But that January/Feb. stretch is incredible, feels like half of the nat televised games are in that stretch, can't remember anything like it
     
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  18. Gebbeth

    Gebbeth DSP Legend

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    I wonder how many of those games Lebron will actually play. Body preservation mode maybe in effect.
     
  19. Fall Winslow

    Fall Winslow McRib

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    Could very well be in effect 1 year after playing all 82
     
  20. rube

    rube DSP Legend Staff Member Administrator

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    PG: Lonzo 26
    SG: Hart 26
    SF: Ingram 32
    PF: Kuzma 26
    C : LeBron 32

    PG: Rondo 20
    SG: KCP 20
    SF: Stephenson 20
    PF: Beasley 20
    C : Javale 18

    Ten man rotation. Very balanced team with lots of guys who can do lots of things pretty well.
    Beasley is a beast and carries the spirit of basketball in him. The dude is decently talented with athleticism but not a whole lot. What he has is the ability to get good looking shots against anyone at any time he wants to yet he is a great teammate who has no problems passing on shots to move the ball and find a teammate closer to the basket or in better position to score.
    I really like that 2nd unit. It will be the best in the NBA. Those guys all do what they do very well.
    KCP is excellent at being a jack of all trades guard who can shoot and play defense very well. Stephenson is great at playmaking and defense, Beasley is beyond excellent at scoring and great at playmaking, Rondo is excellent at passing and defense. and Javale is great blocking shots and getting up and down the court.
    No team will be able to run with the Lakers.

    Wagner, Svi, Zubac, Wear, Caruso, Bonga = Garbage time and there in case someone gets injured or in foul trouble. That is a AAA level minor league to pull from with a couple good prospects and some possible role players.
     

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