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Are the Lakers Wasting a Year of LBJ's Prime? |
Yes. We should have traded for another all-star and/or veteran players. Can't waste LBJ's final prime years. |
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No. Part of the process is to be patient and assess our young core with LBJ. He signed a 4 year deal for a reason. |
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Total Votes : 169 |
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venturalakersfan Retired Number
Joined: 14 Apr 2001 Posts: 144432 Location: The Gold Coast
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Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2018 2:51 pm Post subject: |
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kawhileonard wrote: | DId lebron have a no trade clause in his deal? |
No _________________ RIP mom. 11-21-1933 to 6-14-2023. |
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KingKobe20 Franchise Player
Joined: 14 Jul 2006 Posts: 18577 Location: L.A County, 26 miles away from Staples Center
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Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2018 5:39 pm Post subject: |
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I hate to play this card but nothing is for certain in the NBA injuries wise.
For us or other ball clubs obviously.
An say something was to happen to the Warriors why can’t we be the next favorites??!
Anything is possible and I’m kind of tired of hearing that narrative that Lebron didn’t come here to win. |
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venturalakersfan Retired Number
Joined: 14 Apr 2001 Posts: 144432 Location: The Gold Coast
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Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2018 6:23 pm Post subject: |
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The narrative came from Lebron himself, more than once when asked why he made his decision, the answer was family. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to win, just that winning wasn’t his priority. _________________ RIP mom. 11-21-1933 to 6-14-2023. |
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Judah Star Player
Joined: 23 Jun 2015 Posts: 4759
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Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2018 6:33 pm Post subject: |
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venturalakersfan wrote: | The narrative came from Lebron himself, more than once when asked why he made his decision, the answer was family. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to win, just that winning wasn’t his only priority. |
Fixed. _________________ “Christ did not die to forgive sinners who go on treasuring anything above seeing and savoring God. And people who would be happy in heaven if Christ were not there, will not be there."
- John Piper |
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Judah Star Player
Joined: 23 Jun 2015 Posts: 4759
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Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2018 7:36 pm Post subject: |
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Four Decade Bandwagon wrote: | Aeneas Hunter wrote: | yinoma2001 wrote: | LBJ is an older player who has always been serious about his craft. I agree he will have some attention turned to his business, but I don't think it'll reach a point where he has to effectively choose one or the other, or his basketball craft will be on the backburner. |
Eh. At this level, the margins are tiny. A 1% distraction may be noticeable, and a 5% distraction may be critical. I’m not making any predictions, and I don’t claim to have insights into Lebron’s mindset. But I think some of you are too quick to dismiss this issue. Last year may have been an Indian summer season for Lebron. He had a number of motivations for going all out — last chance to win a title at home, the departure of Kyrie, etc. We’ll find out whether he has the same fire here. Ask me in January, when the novelty of playing for a new team has worn off. |
Part of this discussion of James'motivation that I think is important is the development and progress of the young players. How invested is he in teaching them and handing over the reins to the next generation?
IMO the key at this point is the transition. James has a timeline. How well will he play for how long? Can the current young players earn the respect and play at a level worthy of that responsibility? Do the Lakers need to add a player to be the next leader of the team? How much does James ego affect the transition?
How the roster is built, chemistry and how they compete will tie in directly to how motivated James will be these final years. The distractions of being a mega star will be there but how he handles the transition will define his tenure in L.A. and very possibly how competitive they are during this James path the next few years.
A lot of variables to consider when discussing how motivated James can or will be. Have to admit it will be damn entertaining to watch this play out. |
Even aside from the available documentation that clearly spells out, not only his willingness, but his desire to mentor young players and play an active role in their development, the very fact that he came to the Lakers answers the question with clarity. He knew exactly what the Lakers’ situation was when he signed up. And he's far from a fickle, shortsighted individual. When listening to him it becomes clear that he routinely ponders things with a long-term outlook. He's even said he expects there to be bruises along the way during the first season because it's naturally part of the growth process for every team. I don't have any doubt that he thought everything through from A to Z. _________________ “Christ did not die to forgive sinners who go on treasuring anything above seeing and savoring God. And people who would be happy in heaven if Christ were not there, will not be there."
- John Piper |
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Laker's Fan Franchise Player
Joined: 27 Jun 2002 Posts: 12809
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Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2018 7:39 pm Post subject: |
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LA made a gambit, that flexibility and developing young talent along with LeBron was the smarter path to a title. Tough to say if that is better or not for LeBron, but it's definitely better for the Lakers. So I like it.
If you look big picture, it actually makes a lot of sense. This year GS is going to be a monster. That may continue but financials, fatigue and flight risk from Klay and Durant open up opportunity. You also need time to develop as a team. Most of these voltroned super teams fall short because they lack the key ingredient of continuity.
There's a lot of free agents and a lot of cap room next year. As the deadline approaches there may very well be value from teams in the trade market with teams not wanting to pony up or players exercising their pre-agency. To that end, it may just not have been time for LA to cash in their chips. _________________ Austin Reaves keeps his game tight, like Kobe Bryant on game night. |
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av3773 Star Player
Joined: 11 Dec 2011 Posts: 3750
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2018 4:40 am Post subject: |
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TBD...I think a lot depends on Ball....Hart I think has already shown he is going to be a player, same with Kuzma and BI....if Ball improves at the same level BI did from year 1 to year 2 I think the Lakers are going to be a lot better than most people expect.
Personally I think Rondo is going to kill it on this team...I even think McGee is going to be a good fit for us.
I'm hoping ALL of the young guys went to work this summer and come in to work at another level....if so I think this will be one of the most entertaining seasons for a long time and could very easily see us in the WCF |
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yinoma2001 Retired Number
Joined: 19 Jun 2010 Posts: 119487
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2018 5:41 am Post subject: |
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I think it's foolish to trade multiple young players and assets for KL not knowing if he's healthy enough to play (let alone the Spurs being unwilling to trade him to LA).
The Warriors are stacked this year, but are now finally approaching some critical decisions. There is a small chance they lose one of KD/Klay in 2019, which would certainly make the Death Star more vulnerable.
People are being far too harsh on the Lakers not going all in right now when it likely means it's a futile effort. _________________ From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals |
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venturalakersfan Retired Number
Joined: 14 Apr 2001 Posts: 144432 Location: The Gold Coast
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2018 6:21 am Post subject: |
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Judah wrote: | venturalakersfan wrote: | The narrative came from Lebron himself, more than once when asked why he made his decision, the answer was family. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to win, just that winning wasn’t his only priority. |
Fixed. |
Not really. And create your own posts, don’t bogart mine. Have some creativity, be your own person, don’t live in my shadow. _________________ RIP mom. 11-21-1933 to 6-14-2023. |
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Judah Star Player
Joined: 23 Jun 2015 Posts: 4759
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2018 12:13 pm Post subject: |
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venturalakersfan wrote: | Judah wrote: | venturalakersfan wrote: | The narrative came from Lebron himself, more than once when asked why he made his decision, the answer was family. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to win, just that winning wasn’t his only priority. |
Fixed. |
Not really. And create your own posts, don’t bogart mine. Have some creativity, be your own person, don’t live in my shadow. |
Your shadow is pretty cozy, though. It's warm like a campfire. _________________ “Christ did not die to forgive sinners who go on treasuring anything above seeing and savoring God. And people who would be happy in heaven if Christ were not there, will not be there."
- John Piper |
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kawhileonard Starting Rotation
Joined: 15 Jun 2018 Posts: 599
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2018 3:15 pm Post subject: |
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NAh, VLF is right.
I get the same feeling too with lebron.
Lebron might have a desire to still win, etc, but maybe not the same level of desire as before.. |
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Judah Star Player
Joined: 23 Jun 2015 Posts: 4759
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2018 5:37 pm Post subject: |
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kawhileonard wrote: | NAh, VLF is right.
I get the same feeling too with lebron.
Lebron might have a desire to still win, etc, but maybe not the same level of desire as before.. |
Again, the flaw in the logic is that it assumes his motives have to be one dimensional. There's no reason to view it that way. _________________ “Christ did not die to forgive sinners who go on treasuring anything above seeing and savoring God. And people who would be happy in heaven if Christ were not there, will not be there."
- John Piper |
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unleasHell Franchise Player
Joined: 16 Apr 2001 Posts: 11591 Location: Stay Thirsty my Friends
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2018 6:08 pm Post subject: |
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Why the negative post?
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
These things take time, just gotta have some patience.. _________________ “Always remember... Rumors are carried by haters, spread by fools, and accepted by idiots.” |
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GTL Star Player
Joined: 29 Feb 2008 Posts: 9839
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2018 10:49 pm Post subject: |
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Judah wrote: | kawhileonard wrote: | NAh, VLF is right.
I get the same feeling too with lebron.
Lebron might have a desire to still win, etc, but maybe not the same level of desire as before.. |
Again, the flaw in the logic is that it assumes his motives have to be one dimensional. There's no reason to view it that way. |
I think his passion and desire to win are as strong as they have ever been, if not stronger. A player of LeBron’s magnitude doesn’t just suddenly decide he no longer cares to win, especially against younger up and comers who may be “threatening” his title as greatest in the game today. He goes into every season with the same competitive drive that he’s had for over a decade now. It’s why he’s one of the all time greats, maybe even the greatest ever, and any assumption that he’s suddenly decided to stop caring because he lives in Los Angeles has no basis of fact to back it up. In fact, quite the opposite is true if you cosider his career up to this point. He didn’t spend his entire life getting to this point to suddenly decide in the prime of his career that he no longer cares about winning. That’s a ludicrous notion in my opinion (and everyone is entitled to their opinion, despite the narrative). _________________ I miss you Kobe. I miss you Gigi. |
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lakerican Star Player
Joined: 09 May 2005 Posts: 3780
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Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2018 7:37 am Post subject: |
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unleasHell wrote: | Why the negative post?
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
These things take time, just gotta have some patience.. |
Japanese |
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yinoma2001 Retired Number
Joined: 19 Jun 2010 Posts: 119487
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Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2018 7:39 am Post subject: |
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unleasHell wrote: | Why the negative post?
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
These things take time, just gotta have some patience.. |
Still waiting for the Germans to bomb Pearl Harbor?
#Patience _________________ From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals |
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kball Sixth Man
Joined: 05 Aug 2018 Posts: 56
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Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2018 8:06 am Post subject: |
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That does then explain why the russians dropped those 2 nukes on the japanese I guess |
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yinoma2001 Retired Number
Joined: 19 Jun 2010 Posts: 119487
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Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2018 8:07 am Post subject: |
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Has Japan torn down the Berlin Wall yet? _________________ From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals |
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lakurluv Star Player
Joined: 17 May 2010 Posts: 2529
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Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2018 8:26 am Post subject: |
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To the OP: NOT AT ALL!
We're young, but only in terms of NBA standards. When you look at our core of players without LeBron.
Ball+Kuzma+Ingram+Hart+Pope+Wagner (I'll use this group in example)
We average 22 years of age (which is young) and three (3) years of experience.
The just of those numbers is that you're talking 3 out of the 6 players in that list have STAR Potential and could break out at any time in their career!
With that being said, sometimes it takes a SUPERSTAR Player, like LBJ to bring the best out of the young potential teammate!
Things will get a lot easier for all of these players as LBJ will draw double teams and establish a consistent inside out game and perimeter ball movement.
Magic and Rob did a great job of providing LeBron not only with youth, but Talented Youth to encompass him. There's no doubt this team will be in the Playoffs, just how far we go remains to be seen... |
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JerryMagicKobe Moderator
Joined: 28 Jul 2005 Posts: 15100
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Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2018 9:13 am Post subject: |
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kawhileonard wrote: | NAh, VLF is right.
I get the same feeling too with lebron.
Lebron might have a desire to still win, etc, but maybe not the same level of desire as before.. |
That is a rationalized attempt to explain why LeBron left Cleveland for Los Angeles ("I don't believe the Lakers can win, therefor LeBron must not care about winning"). There is nothing to suggest that LeBron actually cares less about winning than he did before, and that assumption is pretty insulting to LeBron and the Lakers. |
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activeverb Retired Number
Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 37470
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Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2018 9:32 am Post subject: |
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JerryMagicKobe wrote: | kawhileonard wrote: | NAh, VLF is right.
I get the same feeling too with lebron.
Lebron might have a desire to still win, etc, but maybe not the same level of desire as before.. |
That is a rationalized attempt to explain why LeBron left Cleveland for Los Angeles ("I don't believe the Lakers can win, therefor LeBron must not care about winning"). There is nothing to suggest that LeBron actually cares less about winning than he did before, and that assumption is pretty insulting to LeBron and the Lakers. |
There really wasn't a team that Lebron could go to, without sacrificing a ridiculous amount of money, that would clearly put him in a position to beat the Warriors.
So it may not be that he lacks the desire to win; he may have just seen that whether he stayed in Cleveland, went to the 76ers, or came to us, his odds of winning were modest, so he factored in other stuff in his decision. |
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lakersboy Star Player
Joined: 20 Jul 2006 Posts: 8518 Location: Left coast
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Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2018 1:32 pm Post subject: |
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You heard it here first. This year:
Ingram is going to be a star.
Kuzma is going to be a star.
Hart is going to be a star.
Zubac is going to be pretty good.
Good / key role players will be everywhere Luke looks on the bench.
Lonzo will begin to show improvement as the season goes on.
Their fast, efficient offense will resemble UCLA's offense 2 years ago, only better.
The bench is going to dominate.
The rookies will be ready to contribute meaningful, effective minutes if needed.
How much of that could be said about Cleveland?
What part of that is wasting LeBron's prime? |
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Wino Star Player
Joined: 07 Jun 2002 Posts: 9674 Location: San Diego
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Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2018 4:57 pm Post subject: |
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lakerican wrote: | unleasHell wrote: | Why the negative post?
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
These things take time, just gotta have some patience.. |
Japanese |
He heard that one somewhere in the media because I heard it too. Someone running for office who has no clue about the world made it originally. _________________ Never argue with stupid people! They will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience!! - Twain |
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venturalakersfan Retired Number
Joined: 14 Apr 2001 Posts: 144432 Location: The Gold Coast
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Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2018 5:48 pm Post subject: |
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JerryMagicKobe wrote: | kawhileonard wrote: | NAh, VLF is right.
I get the same feeling too with lebron.
Lebron might have a desire to still win, etc, but maybe not the same level of desire as before.. |
That is a rationalized attempt to explain why LeBron left Cleveland for Los Angeles ("I don't believe the Lakers can win, therefor LeBron must not care about winning"). There is nothing to suggest that LeBron actually cares less about winning than he did before, and that assumption is pretty insulting to LeBron and the Lakers. |
I don’t question his desire, just where it ranked in his decision making process. I expect Lebron to give his all. _________________ RIP mom. 11-21-1933 to 6-14-2023. |
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