Many, Many Questions About Potential Fit Issues

[Joe Pesci]

As far as I can tell LeBron James has always played with either a Center who can shoot or a Center who strictly defends and rebounds (but does not need the ball).

So, if the Lakers get a commitment from George and James, how well would Julius Randle fit into a lineup with those two guys (who need the ball) and Ingram (who also needs the ball)?

How well would, specifically, James and Randle fit when you also factor in the integration of both Ingram and, especially, Paul George?

Would Randle cramp James’ style?

Are Randle and James’ games incompatible when other guys need their shots too?

I see a lot of talk of a James/Randle/George/Ingram lineup, but, although, admittedly, a monster of a lineup defensively, how well would a lineup like this coexist offensively?

Who suffers most here from what I see to be an influx of too much talent and not enough players (between Ingram, Randle, James, and George) who would know how to be effective without their customary high usage?

Who becomes the role player in this situation, and would that player, whoever it becomes, be effective or happy in that role as a role player?

[yinoma2001]

Great problems to have.
_________________
From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals

[Joe Pesci]

[Sentient Meat]

I do think we are going through a little bit of a honeymoon phase with Randle where we've gone from underrating him to being slightly overoptimistic

I'm not worried about him being a good player, because he's sustained his success over a long period of time now... however, I do worry that we end up overpaying for a jump shot that may never come.

If someone offers a max... we are in a quandary.

If we decline and he develops the midrange or three, we lose out on a perennial all star for several years.

If we sign him and he's reached his ceiling... we are stuck with a good player like DeAndre who helps the team but remains a drain on cap space relative to his overall contribution.

Greater basketball minds than mine will ultimately have to make that determination.

[Vanquish]

I think the best thing to do if someone offers him a max is to try to work out a sign and trade. For us to keep him, I think Randle's contract has to be similiar to JC, where it is good value for money and easily traded if need be.

I think we need to discount Randle's play a bit because it is in a contract year. How many times have we seen players play out of their minds in a contract year only to regress once large contract is signed *cough Whiteside cough*

[Joe Pesci]

[Lakers4Life33]

-LeBron is top option
-Randle is second option(LeBron played with near prime Zydrunas Illgauskas)
-Ingram is third option, and stagger lineups where Ingram is top option when leading bench
-George dramatically lowers usage in starting lineup and plays Klay Thompson role
-Lonzo is the multiplier

Done.

[venturalakersfan]

If Green fits with Durant, Curry and Thompson, why would Randle have an issue playing with Lebron and George? There wouldn’t be a problem.
_________________
RIP mom. 11-21-1933 to 6-14-2023.

[32]

I think our new analytics department will play a role in putting together the roster for this summer.
_________________
Nobody in the NBA can touch the Laker brand, which, like the uniform color, is pure gold.

[Joe Pesci]

[Sentient Meat]

[Joe Pesci]

[Joe Pesci]

[venturalakersfan]

[Vanquish]

[Sentient Meat]

[Joe Pesci]

Even if Hart becomes the shooter you say we need, the fit between Randle and James (with Ingram and George) is still questionable.

Someone would have to sacrifice more than perhaps they would like.

[Joe Pesci]

[Sentient Meat]

[Judah]

As I envision it, the system they run offensively would be egalitarian in nature. The parts would be interchangeable. Jordan nicknamed the triangle as an "equal opportunity offense," and while the Lakers aren't going to run the triangle, I'd imagine that their offense would be "equal opportunity" in nature as well. All of the players would have to sacrifice to some degree, so there's no way around that.

Assuming Randle returns and starts at C (neither of which is a guarantee, obviously), I can easily see a good number of their sets involving him at the top of the key to take advantage of the speed advantage he'd have over most starting C's. LeBron will probably be featured in the high post and as a pick and roll ball handler a lot of the time, George would likely be featured the same way KCP is, Ball would be a screen setter, cutter, and occasional catch and shoot guy, and Ingram a DHO guy and cutter.

This would be primarily a speed team and their transition principles would mostly be the same. Whoever grabs the rebound or retrieves the ball off of live ball turnovers would have the freedom to push and everyone else would just fill the spots. Randle and LeBron could both be rim-runners if they don't have the ball.

I don't think the fit would be quite as tricky to figure out as many have assumed.
_________________
“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

[Sentient Meat]

[Mike@LG]

If LeBron has won with Mozzy and Tristan Thompson, I'm not concerned.

Overthinking.
_________________
Resident Car Nut.

https://lakersdraft.substack.com/

I am not an economic advisor nor do I advise economic strategies or plans.

[Sentient Meat]

[yinoma2001]

[governator]

Simply put, LBJ eat first, PG13 eat 2nd and everybody else fall in line. We’ve done this before with Kobe and LBJ has done this with The Cavs. Winning cures everything, most of the times including egos