We are now a legit team.

Halflife · Star Player Joined: 15 Aug 2015 Posts: 3303

We have greatly improved imo.

1ngr4m · Star Player Joined: 22 Dec 2011 Posts: 4884

My prediction is that one of the most impactful parts of the team will be relentless attacking from KCP, Ingram and Randle. KCP is a monster on the break, so are Randle and Ingram. Combine that with Zo's passing and these 4 should make up our best lineup by far.
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Jellojigglin · Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2017 3:11 pm Post subject:

Is anyone going to bet the ranch in Vegas that we win it all? Just remember other teams can have injuries and setbacks...
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Practice · Star Player Joined: 14 Apr 2015 Posts: 3545

lakersfever714 · Star Player Joined: 05 Jan 2016 Posts: 2875

I would put a couple of dimes on the over but i dont like to wait like almost a year to make a couple of grand. Plus I dont like gambling. Winning will only entice me to gamble more. lol.
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DanielKetch · Starting Rotation Joined: 23 Jun 2017 Posts: 315

Now that we locked up Caruso, I can safely say that we are now a legit team.

trablos · Star Player Joined: 10 May 2017 Posts: 1601

I want to know what kind of goal Luke and co. is communicating to our roster this coming season. Last year it was "not to win, but develop and get better". I am of the mindset that our goal should be to compete with the best teams every season. That means making the playoffs and going as far as possible. Do we even have a shot in hell at the WCF let along the playoffs? Probably not. But if you get the guys buying in to that goal, and nobody is intimidated by an ambitious target, then we are much more likely to reach the playoffs as opposed to if our goal was to "just compete". Reach for the stars and you might get to the moon.

kwase · Star Player Joined: 21 Mar 2008 Posts: 2086

To me the most important thing is that we have a team worth watching. We're not going to win the championship every year. We went an entire decade during the 90's and didn't win it all, but the team was exciting and we had players that we could get behind and support. These last 3 years have not been watchable. In fact, it's been downright painful and at times laughable. But now I can at least see a flicker of light and hope. I'm curious to see what this team can do together and, most importantly the Lakers are no longer a joke.

venturalakersfan · Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2017 6:24 pm Post subject:

Inverse · Star Player Joined: 27 Jun 2014 Posts: 1303

What teams will be fighting for the 7th and 8th seed? IMO here are the projected standings:

1. GSW
2. HOU
3. SAS
4. OKC
5. MIN
6. NOP
7. LAC
8. MEM
---
9. POR
10. DEN
11. UTAH
12. LAL
13. SAC
14. DAL
15. PHX

I think what it essentially comes down to is injuries. Teams like Memphis/Clippers/New Orleans have historically been plagued by injuries. If guys like Anthony Davis/Marc Gasol/Conley/Griffin go down for extended periods of time, their teams can lose significant ground in the playoff picture in the competitive west. That essentially opens up 3 possible positions for the teams right outside the top 8 to sneak in

Personally, I'm not sold on Denver yet, and Utah has regressed significantly by losing their two best players from last year.

With all that being said, the Lakers have a great chance to surprise everyone and sneak into the playoffs. They now have 2 all-star caliber players in their starting lineup. This year will be KCP's coming out party. A lot of casual NBA fans have never even heard of the guy, which goes to show you the importance of these players playing in a big market.

We have an impact rookie who will make a difference, along with a hungry PF who is entering a contract year.

Right now, I give the Lakers a 40% chance to make the playoffs. However, if they are able to sign Rondo, I would be genuinely surprised if they miss out on a top 8 seed.
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LakerLogic · Franchise Player Joined: 27 Mar 2005 Posts: 13195

The Lonzo effect is real fellas. Enjoy the ride.

lakersboy · Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2017 7:11 pm Post subject:

2 years ago they were handling the Warriors in the pre season game that was canceled early. That same season they beat them once, and last year they did it again, to all of our surprise. Something about this squad at times matches up to the Warriors. The Warriors are the best, but the Lakers will only get closer to their level as time goes by. Unlike the last 2 years, I'll expect at least 1 win against them. Their style of play will be surprise any team that doesn't bring their A game.

For sure there's improvements from Ingram, pg, sg, and center. Soon the veteran's improvement we've heard of will be further aided by 'Zo. Kuzma is real. Hart is solid. The squad is full of talented mix and match pieces. Other than backup pg, I see no holes.
Defensive ability has grown with the change of personnel.

People are sleeping on these guys, even many who root for them.

noahp45 · Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2017 8:40 pm Post subject:

Megaton · Franchise Player Joined: 18 Feb 2015 Posts: 19002

Memphis ain't making the playoffs anymore imo. They're older and get worse every year. Now they're an Marc/Conley injury away from being a top 10 lottery team.

1. Warriors
2. Rockets
3. Spurs
4. Thunder
5. Blazers
6. Wolves
7. Lakers
8. Pelicans

We got this fam. The Big Baller Brand will speak it into existence.
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underdogsgv · Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2017 9:01 pm Post subject:

I think we'll win about 35 games, but we'll be entertaining and exciting as hell to watch, and a lot of our losses might be of the close variety.
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yammy1688 · Starting Rotation Joined: 14 May 2009 Posts: 424

5. MIN
6. NOP
7. LAC
8. MEM

minny and pelicans still have yet prove they can actually put the talent they have to win games.

clippers are worse

memphis worse.

we got a real shot at the playoffs!

young legs gonna win us a bunch

Daikatana · Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2017 9:29 pm Post subject:

LakerSanity · Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2017 10:36 pm Post subject:

I think if you took Butler off of Minnesota, they haven't improved externally at all. I think Teague is only a slight upgrade over Rubio, but they lost LaVine and Dunn. So, is the addition of Butler and the internal improvement from Wiggins/Towns enough to vault them from a lottery team to a top 5 seed? Maybe, but maybe not.

The locks for the playoffs (barring strange injuries) are these - GSW, SAS, HOU, OKC and LAC. I think the last three spots will be fought for between MIN, NOP, POR and UTA. I don't think DEN or MEM gets in. If I had to predict things right now, this would be my prediction.

1. GSW
2. HOU
3. SAS
4. OKC
5. LAC
6. MIN
7. POR
8. NOP
9. LAL
10. MEM
11. UTA
12. DEN
13. DAL
14. SAC
15. PHO
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lakersfever714 · Star Player Joined: 05 Jan 2016 Posts: 2875

50 wins. Good for 6th seed.
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Car54 · Franchise Player Joined: 10 Aug 2005 Posts: 10659

Jhin0821 · Starting Rotation Joined: 06 Feb 2017 Posts: 264

30-35 wins

venturalakersfan · Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2017 11:21 am Post subject:

2019 · Star Player Joined: 03 Dec 2014 Posts: 5601

32-38 wins for us. I don't think that's consider greatly but it's certainly in the right direction.

levon · Star Player Joined: 11 Oct 2016 Posts: 2406

ringfinger · Franchise Player Joined: 08 Oct 2013 Posts: 21257

Lets just wait for the ESPN predictions. They are always so much closer than we are.