Grade the Lakers pre-season

Inspector Gadget · Retired Number Joined: 18 Apr 2016 Posts: 46639

Lakers showed a lot of positives, and to me what stands out is the fact that Luke didn't try developing chemistry with the 1st unit, I barely even saw Deng play during preseason then you had to see different line ups.

So far what we know:

Mozgov is a reliable center who can help you
Ingram has great D at the age of 19
Randle can end up being a energy guy instead of a star
Clarkson is finally trying to play D
Russell is gonna be a 18-20PPG this year

ringfinger · Retired Number Joined: 08 Oct 2013 Posts: 29418

More like a B- / C+ for me. But I picked B.

Bench looks good, DLo looking way better than this time last year, JC looking better on defense, Nance looking better than ever, Nick changing my opinion of him with his play. Some semblances at times of a more free flowing offense.

Ingram not as far along as I had hoped but still lots of potential, starters still coming out slow, not a fan of some of our lineups, offense stalls and sometimes we fall back in to iso mode, positions still not locked down, free throws atrocious.

ringfinger · Retired Number Joined: 08 Oct 2013 Posts: 29418

More like a B- / C+ for me. But I picked B.

Bench looks good, DLo looking way better than this time last year, JC looking better on defense, Nance looking better than ever, Nick changing my opinion of him with his play. Some semblances at times of a more free flowing offense.

Ingram not as far along as I had hoped but still lots of potential, starters still coming out slow, not a fan of some of our lineups, offense stalls and sometimes we fall back in to iso mode, positions still not locked down, free throws atrocious.

Inspector Gadget · Retired Number Joined: 18 Apr 2016 Posts: 46639

Ziggy · Franchise Player Joined: 10 Feb 2005 Posts: 12712

Chronicle · Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2016 8:56 am Post subject:

F for Fantastic
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Cochese · Starting Rotation Joined: 23 Apr 2016 Posts: 957

I voted for a solid C. Muh 2 cents:

The biggest problem right now is the starting line up. We've started slow in several games, Luke needs to find the right mix. I'd like to see Deng and Ingram together, just to see how effective it is.

In some of the games we had trouble rebounding, which will be costly if we can't fix it.

Turnovers are another problem right now. We are moving the ball more, but turning it over more as well. I suppose in Byron's system turnovers were lower because no one passed, lol.

Defense remains a work in progress, but several players look more engaged then they were last year, which is a good sign. I'm hoping our guys can get on the same page.

I kind of like our roster right now...except for Lou. I just think he's a bad fit. his contract is a bargain and he can get buckets, but I just don't like him on this team. I wish we could replace him with a solid 3 and D type dude...good luck finding one. I'm high on Clarkson, but I love him with that second unit.

Overall I thought we had a solid preseason. Some of the games we lost were winnable and I like our style of play. Still plenty of work to do and we probably won't win a ton of games, but at least we should play entertaining ball.

BigGameHames · Star Player Joined: 24 May 2015 Posts: 7982

I agree it's in the B+/C- range so I went with C because of the 2-6 record. They experimented with a lot of different lineups and rotations which is what I expected from a first year staff. As a whole, the team looks much better than last year. More ball and player movement and fluidity on offense is what has me most excited. JC and Youngs defense is much improved as well but the team defense is still a work in progress. Moderately happy about the preseason but I'm really excited to see the growth in the coming months.

venturalakersfan · Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2016 9:16 am Post subject:

B. They accomplished some of the evaluation they needed, and got some of their principles installed.
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pio2u · Retired Number Joined: 26 Dec 2012 Posts: 54570

C+

Ton of work and development left to do but headed in the right direction.

"In Luke I Trust"

yuurin98 · Star Player Joined: 28 Aug 2015 Posts: 1164

D.
-Putting Lou into the starting lineup is already a big negative
-The inconsistency of our players is bloody as hell
-Little chemistry is shown between some of the young core, this is not the results I wanted with all those time practicing together as the Breakfast Club.
-Maybe it's because they are still learning Luke's new system, the players seem to be hesitant to make the right play.
-And yeah, that interview from Byron ruined the whole preseason to me so I blame the Lakers failing to shut his mouth up.

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justsomelakerfan · Franchise Player Joined: 16 Jul 2016 Posts: 10939

I want to hear from anyone who graded this preseason with an F

adkindo · Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2016 1:54 pm Post subject:

RusselDoeee01 · Star Player Joined: 28 Apr 2014 Posts: 1072

Do we grade them with the criteria compared to the rest of the NBA, or do we grade them with a curve given we have been so bad that we don't except too much anymore?

On par with the rest of the NBA we get an F because we still aren't good.

With a curve, and comparing to the last couple seasons probably a C cause there has been some improvement and signs of potential, but we still aren't good

The Logo · Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2016 2:08 pm Post subject:

B - despite the record, all of the games were winnable with the exception of the Warrior games. The Denver game, Portland game, and Phoenix game all came down to the wire.

Inspector Gadget · Retired Number Joined: 18 Apr 2016 Posts: 46639

KindCrippler2000 · Franchise Player Joined: 02 May 2003 Posts: 15821

IF we're just grading the starting unit for the fast points they are giving to the opposition each first quarter? F-.

Other than that, they get a C+ overall from me. The bench was very, very solid.

Mike@LG · Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2016 3:20 pm Post subject:

B. The system is in place. The energy and focus on defense is much more intense compared to last season. They play with some level of enthusiasm on that end.

Offensively, the Lakers are running initial plays and just getting comfortable. Sometimes there's some indecisiveness or mix up. But at the same time, we've seen scoring outbursts from JC, Russell, and even Ingram. Randle is playing a role that he's more comfortable with and I'm not watching him do that stutterstep at the FT line, spin move right into a defender.

What would make it an A? Really crisp ball movement regardless of line up. It's a lot to ask, but it's easy to see that Lou Williams still chucks. Nick Young, OTOH, seems to get shots within the flow of the offense and exerts focus on defense.
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Vin · Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2016 3:33 pm Post subject:

I'd give it a C because we didn't find our starting lineup. Overall very enjoyable pre season to watch wich some fine offensive/defensive moments and some real struggles on both sides aswell wich was to be expected. But we're going into the season a little bit in the dark as far as our starters are concerned.

Inspector Gadget · Retired Number Joined: 18 Apr 2016 Posts: 46639

Jim99187 · Franchise Player Joined: 03 Jan 2014 Posts: 22138

Randle getting mins like he is entitled over nance who barely got consistent mins
Lou williams starting at the SG spot and continuing to do so

Vin · Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2016 3:48 pm Post subject:

dcarter4kobe · Franchise Player Joined: 30 Jul 2005 Posts: 17674

How would you guys grade each player individually?

2016-2017 Los Angeles Lakers Preseason Stats - Averages

http://basketball.realgm.com/nba/teams/Los-Angeles-Lakers/13/Stats/2017/Averages/Qualified/points/All/desc/1/Preseason
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KeepItRealOrElse · Retired Number Joined: 11 Oct 2012 Posts: 32767

Mike@LG · Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2016 5:16 pm Post subject:

I don't understand how the core was so underwhelming. I understand that the system benefits the players' style of play, but was JC that bad? Didn't Randle show off his playmaking more often?

I wouldn't consider this an "Average" preseason. Then again, I figure that Byron Scott's preseason last year was average. No real stand out games. A blanket of a system in place. High effort, minimal effectiveness.
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