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Wilkes52 Star Player
Joined: 02 Jun 2009 Posts: 2415 Location: Far from home
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Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2017 7:06 am Post subject: Western conference teams |
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Is there a handful or so of Western Conference teams whose roster moves appear to have made themselves weaker rather than stronger than they were in 2016-2017 ?
I know we Laker fans feel - as a whole but perhaps not without exception - that some progress has been on our own team's roster.
San Antonio looks weakened without having adequately replacing Dedmond.
Utah looks weakened with the loss of Hayward.
Houston's gamble with CP3 is something that I can picture not yielding competitive improvements.
The Clippers without CP3 is an unknown entity but I'm guessing a worsened one.
Memphis is changed without Z-Bo, probably not for the better. _________________ “These GOAT discussions are fun distractions while sitting around waiting for the pizza to be served.”
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar |
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Chronicle Retired Number
Joined: 21 Jul 2012 Posts: 31930 Location: Manhattan
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Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2017 7:10 am Post subject: |
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Memphis losing Z-Bo is huge. He was their closer, and won them a lot of games over the past few years _________________ Kobe |
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lakersken80 Retired Number
Joined: 12 Aug 2009 Posts: 38751
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Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2017 9:09 am Post subject: |
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I disagree with the Houston assessment. I think CP3 will end up helping the Rockets.
Also Minnesota Timberwolves improved over the offseason.
So you have 2 teams improved versus 3 teams that have gone weaker.
Also the teams that haven't made any moves but could benefit from playing together over the entire offseason include the Pelicans. We never really saw how well that roster could fit over the entire course of an NBA season. The DMC acquisition was made pretty late in the season. |
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Krispy Kreme Franchise Player
Joined: 30 Mar 2003 Posts: 12252
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Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2017 10:51 am Post subject: |
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In my opinion, the follow teams are clearly better than us:
Warriors
Rockets
Thunder
Spurs
The following teams will probably be better than us, but it's close:
T-Wolves
Grizzles (if they lose Marc Gasol, then drop them from this list)
Teams that I think we can be better than:
Jazz
Blazers
Clippers
Judging by the above list, I think we fall into the 5-8 seed category.
I see us getting a 7 or 8 seed with our current squad and getting swept or losing in 5 in the first round. _________________ Dominating every day. |
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PRLakeShow Franchise Player
Joined: 07 Oct 2016 Posts: 10460
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Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2017 10:56 am Post subject: |
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Krispy Kreme wrote: | In my opinion, the follow teams are clearly better than us:
Warriors
Rockets
Thunder
Spurs
The following teams will probably be better than us, but it's close:
T-Wolves
Grizzles (if they lose Marc Gasol, then drop them from this list)
Teams that I think we can be better than:
Jazz
Blazers
Clippers
Judging by the above list, I think we fall into the 5-8 seed category.
I see us getting a 7 or 8 seed with our current squad and getting swept or losing in 5 in the first round. |
Denver, Pelicans... |
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activeverb Retired Number
Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 37470
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Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2017 11:17 am Post subject: |
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Krispy Kreme wrote: | In my opinion, the follow teams are clearly better than us:
Warriors
Rockets
Thunder
Spurs
The following teams will probably be better than us, but it's close:
T-Wolves
Grizzles (if they lose Marc Gasol, then drop them from this list)
Teams that I think we can be better than:
Jazz
Blazers
Clippers
Judging by the above list, I think we fall into the 5-8 seed category.
I see us getting a 7 or 8 seed with our current squad and getting swept or losing in 5 in the first round. |
I think 5-8 is the most optimistic projection, and it hinges on Ingram (and maybe Randle) having a significant improvement, as well as Ball not having a huge amount of rookie struggles.
Could happen. But I could also see us finishing as low as the 13th seed. It's really hard to predict because it depends less on what players have done in the past, then improvements/performance we can't gauge until they are in meaningful NBA games.
Personally, I am not getting worked up about dreams of a playoff appearance (which a lot of people had last year too.) I just want to see gradual movement in the right direction. |
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Wilkes52 Star Player
Joined: 02 Jun 2009 Posts: 2415 Location: Far from home
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Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2017 4:06 pm Post subject: |
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These teams listed below have enough proven player quality and overall depth to be slated easily as faves to finish the season well above the Lakers. The first seven playoff teams, no particular order:
Warriors
Rockets
Thunder
Spurs
T-Wolves
Grizzlies
Clippers
I see three teams only who seem poised for a fight for the eighth playoff slot.
Minnesota - a helluva Summer upgrade; my pick for #8
Blazers - may have got a little worse this Summer, but remain far better than us
Sacramento - improved mightily over last season, especially chemistry
The rest of the West will be tumbling or remaining to the bottom quarter of the conference at season's end:
Mavs
Lakers
Jazz
New Orleans - bad chemistry
Phoenix
At 35 wins, and I think that's the most likely accomplishment level attainable for the LAL, our guys won't be contending with anyone for a playoff spot. One step at a time, ten games is a big jump. _________________ “These GOAT discussions are fun distractions while sitting around waiting for the pizza to be served.”
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar |
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PRLakeShow Franchise Player
Joined: 07 Oct 2016 Posts: 10460
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Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2017 5:09 pm Post subject: |
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Top 4 - GSW, HOU, SAS, OKC
5 - MIN
6 to 11 - DEN, LAC, MEM, POR, UTA, LAL
Wildcard - NOP
Rest - SAC, DAL, PHX |
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unleasHell Franchise Player
Joined: 16 Apr 2001 Posts: 11591 Location: Stay Thirsty my Friends
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Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2017 5:24 pm Post subject: |
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The Kings will probably win more games than the Lakers (this is not something I'm hoping for but they did make some decent signings) while the Lakers lost their #1, #2 and #4 scorers from last season, sure there will be guys who step it up to fill the void, but just saying...
Also with Ball running an up tempo game, the Lakers should be scoring 4-8 more ppg next season...
I expect Ingram, Nance and Deng to increase their scoring next season...! _________________ “Always remember... Rumors are carried by haters, spread by fools, and accepted by idiots.” |
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PRLakeShow Franchise Player
Joined: 07 Oct 2016 Posts: 10460
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Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2017 5:27 pm Post subject: |
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unleasHell wrote: | The Kings will probably win more games than the Lakers (this is not something I'm hoping for but they did make some decent signings) while the Lakers lost their #1, #2 and #4 scorers from last season, sure there will be guys who step it up to fill the void, but just saying...
Also with Ball running an up tempo game, the Lakers should be scoring 4-8 more ppg next season...
I expect Ingram, Nance and Deng to increase their scoring next season...! |
I really don't see it. Yes, they added solid vets but we have the best player out of both teams (Lopez) plus better young guys than they do (Ball, BI, Randle > Fox, Buddy, WCS). |
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vanexelent Retired Number
Joined: 17 May 2005 Posts: 30081
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Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2017 6:41 pm Post subject: |
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I think the Lakers nab the 8th spot. Clippers miss out entirely after Blake goes down and misses a big chunk of the season. I also see Sactown and TWolves not being able to get their act together just yet. |
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