It’s hard to bet against LeBron James wherever he is, East or West. That in itself is worth getting to the playoffs and possibly getting to the Western Conference finals if they get injury help against the top two teams. LeBron will do what LeBron does anywhere. Whether they get to the conference finals will be determined by Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram andKyle Kuzma. . . . LeBron is still the best player in basketball and he will be an MVP candidate. They will have to play him at the four and the five given their depth chart. But when you put four shooters around him, it doesn’t matter what position you call him. That will be a good offense and the opponent will have to guard him with whoever their best defender is. . . . The Lakers roster is better than Cleveland’s last year top to bottom. The Lakers we see in the first month will look different than the Lakers in the playoffs. They’re going to try to figure out what works best as they go along. Historically, LeBron handling the ball the majority of the game, that formula has been proven. The roster the Lakers have assembled will challenge a lot of what has made LeBron comfortable in the past because they want to play at a high pace and they don’t have that much shooting. . . . Letting Brook Lopez go surprised me.
Joined: 10 Jul 2009 Posts: 611 Location: Los Angeles
Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2018 8:19 am Post subject:
yinoma2001 wrote:
Quote:
Letting Brook Lopez go surprised me.
Jules...there was a lot going on. But Brook? I still don't get why we let him go.
I think they didn't like how slow Brook was. There is a considerable amount of a difference between him and McGee's foot speed, and I think they value that a lot. If they want a guy who can get out and run, block some shots and play solid defense, McGee hasn't been that bad.
Also, averaging 4 rebounds as a starting center didn't help.
Brook Lopez is not going to be the difference between winning a championship or coming up short. McGee is probably better on the boards, on defense, and at catching lobs. He will fit way better than Lopez, who had the movement of an elderly Brontosaurus.
Joined: 02 Jan 2011 Posts: 36081 Location: 502 Bad Gateway
Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2018 8:30 am Post subject:
Quote:
I think their best lineup in a playoff game is LeBron, Hart, Kuzma, KCP and Rondo. No Ingram and no Ball. You have a lot of thing to think about with that group. Super modern. All switchable. That closing lineup is better than Cleveland’s last year.
I think their best lineup in a playoff game is LeBron, Hart, Kuzma, KCP and Rondo. No Ingram and no Ball. You have a lot of thing to think about with that group. Super modern. All switchable. That closing lineup is better than Cleveland’s last year.
Yeah I really don't get why we didn't keep Brooke and not sign Lance.
Play him 25 minutes, Javale 15, and then have LeBron close at Center. And then you wouldn't have to worry about Lance ball stopping and stealing minutes from Hart.
I think their best lineup in a playoff game is LeBron, Hart, Kuzma, KCP and Rondo. No Ingram and no Ball. You have a lot of thing to think about with that group. Super modern. All switchable. That closing lineup is better than Cleveland’s last year.
Kuzma is switchable?
I do agree he's the best offensive fit, though.
The exclusion of Ingram from that proposed lineup is what jumps out to me.
Kuzma switchable or Rondo over Ball are at least debatable. But KCP over Ingram? Not seeing that at all.
Overall I agree with the analysis. Lakers have some strengths and weaknesses. How they eventually fit and player chemistry will define the season.
Lakers have as many "unknown" aspects of any team in the League. Predictions all over the place and with multiple qualifiers are no surprise.
Brook Lopez is not going to be the difference between winning a championship or coming up short. McGee is probably better on the boards, on defense, and at catching lobs. He will fit way better than Lopez, who had the movement of an elderly Brontosaurus.
Brook Lopez could have been the difference between being the 5th seed or the 8th seed, though, since there are going to be a mess of Western Conference teams after GSW and Houston separated by 2-3 wins. _________________ Under New Management
I think their best lineup in a playoff game is LeBron, Hart, Kuzma, KCP and Rondo. No Ingram and no Ball. You have a lot of thing to think about with that group. Super modern. All switchable. That closing lineup is better than Cleveland’s last year.
Kuzma is switchable?
I do agree he's the best offensive fit, though.
KCP and Rondo also aren't switchable, and certainly not in comparison to Ball and Ingram. _________________ Under New Management
Brook Lopez is not going to be the difference between winning a championship or coming up short. McGee is probably better on the boards, on defense, and at catching lobs. He will fit way better than Lopez, who had the movement of an elderly Brontosaurus.
Brook Lopez could have been the difference between being the 5th seed or the 8th seed, though, since there are going to be a mess of Western Conference teams after GSW and Houston separated by 2-3 wins.
No one thinks Lopez is a Impact player in any form in basketball, he can be good contributor and nothing else.
Brook Lopez is not going to be the difference between winning a championship or coming up short. McGee is probably better on the boards, on defense, and at catching lobs. He will fit way better than Lopez, who had the movement of an elderly Brontosaurus.
Brook Lopez could have been the difference between being the 5th seed or the 8th seed, though, since there are going to be a mess of Western Conference teams after GSW and Houston separated by 2-3 wins.
No one thinks Lopez is a Impact player in any form in basketball, he can be good contributor and nothing else.
A good basketball contributor probably has some kind of impact on a basketball court. _________________ Under New Management
Brook shot poorly for a good chunk of the season. Don't think him and KCP shot well last season. Hit a purple patch once we were out of the playoff race and improved their averages. Consistency wasn't there. _________________ Showtime 2.0
Brook Lopez is not going to be the difference between winning a championship or coming up short. McGee is probably better on the boards, on defense, and at catching lobs. He will fit way better than Lopez, who had the movement of an elderly Brontosaurus.
Brook Lopez could have been the difference between being the 5th seed or the 8th seed, though, since there are going to be a mess of Western Conference teams after GSW and Houston separated by 2-3 wins.
No one thinks Lopez is a Impact player in any form in basketball, he can be good contributor and nothing else.
Good Contributor impacts the game, what is you talking about fam _________________ “Life is too short. You have to keep it moving.” - Kobe
Brook Lopez is not going to be the difference between winning a championship or coming up short. McGee is probably better on the boards, on defense, and at catching lobs. He will fit way better than Lopez, who had the movement of an elderly Brontosaurus.
Brook Lopez could have been the difference between being the 5th seed or the 8th seed, though, since there are going to be a mess of Western Conference teams after GSW and Houston separated by 2-3 wins.
No one thinks Lopez is a Impact player in any form in basketball, he can be good contributor and nothing else.
Good Contributor impacts the game, what is you talking about fam
A guy who provides contribution doesn’t necessarily mean they are good enough to Impact playoff seedings, a lot of guys in basketball put up solid stats but aren’t making a difference for there team... but if you think that way cool
Brook shot poorly for a good chunk of the season. Don't think him and KCP shot well last season. Hit a purple patch once we were out of the playoff race and improved their averages. Consistency wasn't there.
Agreed, but Brook certainly shoots better from deep than McGee and Zu while Beasley is a low volume three point shooter and Kuz may prove to be as streaky from deep as KCP. _________________ Under New Management
Brook Lopez is not going to be the difference between winning a championship or coming up short. McGee is probably better on the boards, on defense, and at catching lobs. He will fit way better than Lopez, who had the movement of an elderly Brontosaurus.
Brook Lopez could have been the difference between being the 5th seed or the 8th seed, though, since there are going to be a mess of Western Conference teams after GSW and Houston separated by 2-3 wins.
No one thinks Lopez is a Impact player in any form in basketball, he can be good contributor and nothing else.
Good Contributor impacts the game, what is you talking about fam
A guy who provides contribution doesn’t necessarily mean they are good enough to Impact playoff seedings, a lot of guys in basketball put up solid stats but aren’t making a difference for there team... but if you think that way cool
Interesting point of view.
Much depends on how one defines "impact" or "contribution" IMO.
A consistent role player can contribute to the team. That bench scorer, pesky defender, 3pt specialist or energy player may play only a few mpg and never be grouped with stars of a team but IMO just as critical over the course of a long 82 game season.
Considering how tight the West is projected to be this season being able to steal a couple games because of consistent reliable bench contributors might make the difference in being a 5th seed or missing the playoffs.
Would love to see his 13/4 and physical counter balance on the court for 20mpg again this season. His battling and boxing out contributed to others getting rebounds and pushing the pace while he could trail the play.
Biggest point is Lakers are missing that contribution this season. They need to find a way to get it or perhaps those couple games lost over the season end up costing them.
Brook Lopez is not going to be the difference between winning a championship or coming up short. McGee is probably better on the boards, on defense, and at catching lobs. He will fit way better than Lopez, who had the movement of an elderly Brontosaurus.
Brook Lopez could have been the difference between being the 5th seed or the 8th seed, though, since there are going to be a mess of Western Conference teams after GSW and Houston separated by 2-3 wins.
No one thinks Lopez is a Impact player in any form in basketball, he can be good contributor and nothing else.
Good Contributor impacts the game, what is you talking about fam
A guy who provides contribution doesn’t necessarily mean they are good enough to Impact playoff seedings, a lot of guys in basketball put up solid stats but aren’t making a difference for there team... but if you think that way cool
Interesting point of view.
Much depends on how one defines "impact" or "contribution" IMO.
A consistent role player can contribute to the team. That bench scorer, pesky defender, 3pt specialist or energy player may play only a few mpg and never be grouped with stars of a team but IMO just as critical over the course of a long 82 game season.
Considering how tight the West is projected to be this season being able to steal a couple games because of consistent reliable bench contributors might make the difference in being a 5th seed or missing the playoffs.
Would love to see his 13/4 and physical counter balance on the court for 20mpg again this season. His battling and boxing out contributed to others getting rebounds and pushing the pace while he could trail the play.
Biggest point is Lakers are missing that contribution this season. They need to find a way to get it or perhaps those couple games lost over the season end up costing them.
Brook Lopez is not going to be the difference between winning a championship or coming up short. McGee is probably better on the boards, on defense, and at catching lobs. He will fit way better than Lopez, who had the movement of an elderly Brontosaurus.
Is he any slower than Zaza Pachulia?
You don’t keep Lopez for his speed, you keep him for his size and inside defense
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