Pointing Fingers...

Lakerpark · Star Player Joined: 09 Nov 2002 Posts: 2117

Hi, I have some general questions regarding the Lakers for you hardcore analysts....

I believe its time to point some fingers at who or what the problem is.

1. What is wrong with the Lakers? I don't really expect much because they do still have lots of holes in their roster. Experience and continued growth will remedy some of the problems but it seems like it goes deeper than that.

2. Why is their defense so bad? Is it just a lack of effort? Or are the players just not smart enough to grasp the concepts? Is it a physical ability issue? (too old, too young, too slow, too short, too skinny, etc)

Pointing some fingers:

3. Brandon Ingram - so far, he can't shoot. He seems to be improving slightly lately but I worry when a player shoots an airball when he is wide open. Why do some rookies have a hard time shooting when they get to the NBA? The rim is still 10 feet high just like in college. I'm talking about wide open shots... Otherwise BI is doing fine. Seems like he plays hard and smart.

4. Jordan Clarkson - makes some really dumb offensive plays once in a while and I don't know if he is improving any on defense. We seem a little forgiving when his shots are falling. He's still a ball hog. I feel his effort is high at least on offense. Not sure about on Defense.

5. Julius Randle - Is he one of the guys the press is saying is not putting out 100% effort? Seems to do well on the boards and in bringing the ball up and distributing. But when it comes to shooting the ball, he kind of reminds me of Kwame Brown in that he is afraid to shoot anything but a lay up and even his layups seem to have been shot by hands of stone.

6. Mozgov - What's his issue? I thought he was playing hard yesterday as evidenced by him running the court on the fast break a couple times. But his minutes were really cut short. Is he doing a good job this year. He can't seem to finish the easy short shots very consistently. But he does get hot occasionally from the perimeter. But his verticality ploys don't seem to do much. Seems like a more sturdier version of Hibbert. I know it was only one game but look at Zubac, he's about the same size, he does that verticality stuff and is not as strong but Zubac seems to produce (points, rebounds, blocks) . Mozgov doesn't seem to produce much. Is he one of the guys not hustling or playing smart?

7. Russell - So inconsistent. Is he becoming a slacker? Seems like Mudiay outplayed him last night. Hopefully Russell has stopped all his "I'm the best in the draft" and "I've got ice in my veins" talk.

8. Deng - Inconsistent - but at least is the effort there?

9. Lou Williams - great on offense but does he even try on defense? Is his poor defense just a physical thing or is it lack of effort?

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The guys I count on for good efforts:

10. Tarik Black - works hard all the time. How's his defense? I know he's too small to be a rim protector. Still needs work on his offense, but seems to be improving.

11. TRob - Works hard all the time. But limited offensive skills.

12. Zubac - hope he keeps it up. Hopefully he'll get stronger next season and that should help him on the boards. The guards need to give him some shots in the low post. So far all he seems to get are PNR shots.

13. Nance - Seems to be a big key for the Lakers. Plays hard, plays smart, has average to above average offensive skills. Seems like the Lakers MVP.

14. Nick Young - I think he's playing well. Pretty consistent on offense. And putting in a good effort on Defense based on what I have observed. Whether he is out to prove himself or because he is playing for a new contract, I say I can count on Nick.

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So, only five guys (maybe add 3/4 for BI and 1/2 for Lou) I can count on night in and night out. No wonder the Lakers are so bad.

kobetimeeverytime · Star Player Joined: 24 Jan 2012 Posts: 2471

what's wrong with the lakers?

we have a squad of young <25 year old players. Even Kyrie wasn't winning at that age. You don't win in the NBA with young players, I don't know why people were expecting playoffs with this team. It simply wasn't realistic

yinoma2001 · Retired Number Joined: 19 Jun 2010 Posts: 119487

Was watching the Wolves the Spurs last night. They blew a sizeable lead to the Spurs b/c frankly, they are talented and young, but inexperienced.

I think the Wolves core is better than ours, and if they're struggling to close, then it's not hard to believe we are too.
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From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals

governator · Retired Number Joined: 28 Jan 2006 Posts: 25076

Point finger at youth

lakersboi1993 · Starting Rotation Joined: 10 Jun 2014 Posts: 138

If anybody knows the difference between a college ball and NBA official basketball the NBA balls are heavy I believe it takes a while to get used to not to foresure if the college balls are the same as NBA but for surely NBA balls are the heaviest basketball's I played with with some lifting kid should be okay by next year hopefully

Lakerpark · Star Player Joined: 09 Nov 2002 Posts: 2117

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

This isn't the main issue, or the issue, but I'd like to lament the roster construction.

Only guys who can space the floor are Russell and Nick Young in the starting lineup, Deng on a good day.

We have three gunners who have the exact same skillset in Lou, Clarkson, Young, and not a single rim protector. Duplicate talent. We don't even have a go-to perimeter defender in certain moments.

We have three roster spots that are complete dead weights in Huertas, Calderon, and MWP, on a professional basketball team.
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Austin Reaves
Tweeter: @sarah_dotbiz

Lakerpark · Star Player Joined: 09 Nov 2002 Posts: 2117

Chronicle · Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2017 8:03 am Post subject:

It's the jews. must be

[Another mod will address this suspension-worthy comment as I don't have time -- but this comment is appalling and wrong and not welcome here. And if you thought it was "funny" or a "joke," that's equally inappropriate. --CL]
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Kobe

fiendishoc · Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2017 8:10 am Post subject:

For number 2, youth, injuries, not as deep as you would think roster, and lack of focus. I happened to write 4000 words on it recently if you care to take a look. (In my sig)

JerryMagicKobe · Moderator Joined: 28 Jul 2005 Posts: 15100

Truck Turner · Star Player Joined: 28 Apr 2011 Posts: 3937

I'd say the biggest problem is impatient fans that don't understand what a rebuild looks like with a young core....

yinoma2001 · Retired Number Joined: 19 Jun 2010 Posts: 119487

Truck Turner · Star Player Joined: 28 Apr 2011 Posts: 3937

yinoma2001 · Retired Number Joined: 19 Jun 2010 Posts: 119487

I think our young core is a slow but steady bake in the oven.

Guys like KAT/Embiid/Porky were more instant contributors.

But the NBA is about longevity and it's way too early to say our core can't be better than the other young cores over the long haul.
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From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals

kikanga · Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2017 9:31 am Post subject:

yinoma2001 · Retired Number Joined: 19 Jun 2010 Posts: 119487

JerryWest_44 · Retired Number Joined: 22 May 2004 Posts: 25319

Omar Little · Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2017 9:37 am Post subject:

Dave20 · Franchise Player Joined: 15 Jun 2013 Posts: 11333

Youth shouldn't be an excuse for the lack of effort and hustle. I think they are stars on the team they're just being underutilized because of their draft status.

Mike@LG · Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2017 9:46 am Post subject:

Well this looks like fun.

I believe its time to point some fingers at who or what the problem is.

JeezyXVII · Star Player Joined: 07 Jul 2014 Posts: 1835

venturalakersfan · Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2017 11:00 am Post subject:

venturalakersfan · Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2017 11:02 am Post subject:

activeverb · Retired Number Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 37470