Eh. I see a lot of frustration mixed with panic. The only thing that worries me is the health of Lebron and Davis. We have eight more games to get them back into the flow and playing at an elite level. If that happens, the title run is on.
I do have a certain amount of concern about hitting the Clippers in the first round. My concern is not the Clippers per se, but rather that the matchup would be apocalyptic for those of you who live in the LA area. If we go into that series unhealthy and somehow manage to lose, it would be unthinkable. _________________ Internet Argument Resolved
It wasn’t .500 though. They were 7-12 or whatever it was.
That’s just not good enough and it could have been worse if other teams didn’t have is ton of injuries themselves.
Over the past 2 seasons, the Clippers have done pretty well when missing Kawhi and PG.
You are right that it is LBJ/AD centric team, but that doesn’t change the fact that this particular supporting cast has underperformed and demonstrated over dependence on particularly Lebron.
No, your examples are flawed. There was NO stretch that Kawhi/PG were out 20+ games consecutively. Not even close. If that happened to the Clips this year they would be giving up a top 10 pick to OKC.
Agree to disagree. When I watch some of these games, the Clippers still look like a professional team.
The Lakers struggle mightily and win some games against really bad teams or teams with G League rosters due to injury. There have been some bad losses. If it was last year’s limited roster, I understand. However, this roster has not performed to capabilities.
They said so themselves that it’s a deep team.
The Clippers and Bucks had a huge advantage 3-10 on the Lakers last season. Not the case this season.
Have to agree with Yinoma on this one. Lakers are almost completely reliant on James and to some extent Davis playing on a MVP level to be successful.
When watching those other teams do you notice how they tend to run a system? All the players 1-15 play it. Not the Lakers. They rely on James or Davis to isolate and create. All the roster is there to support this system.
And let’s not overlook the losses to those “G League rosters” throughout the season, including before and after James returned from injury.
The players and I’m assuming coaches do not play with any sense of consistent energy, urgency or structure. Too many TOs , slow def rotations, poor shot selection, lapses in concentration and effort all season long.
It is the team DNA for this season. The extended injuries to both Davis and James just exposed this mentality even more.
It is a veteran team. I hope they can get their collective heads right and turn it around. But this is deeper then “just the injuries “. Lakers have problems consistently matching intensity and effort from whoever is on the court. Will they fix it in the next 8 games? We will find out.
It wasn’t .500 though. They were 7-12 or whatever it was.
That’s just not good enough and it could have been worse if other teams didn’t have is ton of injuries themselves.
Over the past 2 seasons, the Clippers have done pretty well when missing Kawhi and PG.
You are right that it is LBJ/AD centric team, but that doesn’t change the fact that this particular supporting cast has underperformed and demonstrated over dependence on particularly Lebron.
No, your examples are flawed. There was NO stretch that Kawhi/PG were out 20+ games consecutively. Not even close. If that happened to the Clips this year they would be giving up a top 10 pick to OKC.
Agree to disagree. When I watch some of these games, the Clippers still look like a professional team.
The Lakers struggle mightily and win some games against really bad teams or teams with G League rosters due to injury. There have been some bad losses. If it was last year’s limited roster, I understand. However, this roster has not performed to capabilities.
They said so themselves that it’s a deep team.
The Clippers and Bucks had a huge advantage 3-10 on the Lakers last season. Not the case this season.
Have to agree with Yinoma on this one. Lakers are almost completely reliant on James and to some extent Davis playing on a MVP level to be successful.
When watching those other teams do you notice how they tend to run a system? All the players 1-15 play it. Not the Lakers. They rely on James or Davis to isolate and create. All the roster is there to support this system.
And let’s not overlook the losses to those “G League rosters” throughout the season, including before and after James returned from injury.
The players and I’m assuming coaches do not play with any sense of consistent energy, urgency or structure. Too many TOs , slow def rotations, poor shot selection, lapses in concentration and effort all season long.
It is the team DNA for this season. The extended injuries to both Davis and James just exposed this mentality even more.
It is a veteran team. I hope they can get their collective heads right and turn it around. But this is deeper then “just the injuries “. Lakers have problems consistently matching intensity and effort from whoever is on the court. Will they fix it in the next 8 games? We will find out.
That’s fine and for me the (over) reliance on 2 stars is a separate argument from the underperforming roster. Just some bad losses given the depth. Particularly when players (bleep) about playing time during season.
It's funny, because if this were some other Lakers teams...Think shaq/kobe, maybe even kobe/gasol, If we had injuries, I would laugh at the prospect of a "play in" game. We would destroy the other team by 40 points - Just imagine a 9th/10th seed, knowing they had to play a 2000-2003 lakers. They'd have known they were about to get their ass kicked.
This team, I'm not so sure - they honestly just don't look that good. Other teams routinely shoot better from us from three, and just generally seem to be able to get whatever they want on offense. There's no switch here - Ultimately, It'll take a healthy Lebron, better playing AD...and just general good shooting from our players from three.
Let's assume a worst case scenario, from a W-L perspective. We lose our last 8. We end up in the 10th spot. In the process, we rest Lebron on all the remaining 2nd nights of back to backs. We get AD1 right, meaning functioning at a high level. (if that happens we will not lose the last 8, but let's still say we do)
In that case we will need to beat say the Spurs and then the loser of Grizz/GSW in the other playin. IF, and it is a big if, Lebron and AD1 are healthy and playing well, I think we win those two games. With current standings, we then play PHO in Rd 1. I am fine playing them in Rd 1. Also, on the bright side, we end up with the 16th/17th pick in a deep draft. So, things might work out...
Let's assume a worst case scenario, from a W-L perspective. We lose our last 8. We end up in the 10th spot. In the process, we rest Lebron on all the remaining 2nd nights of back to backs. We get AD1 right, meaning functioning at a high level. (if that happens we will not lose the last 8, but let's still say we do)
In that case we will need to beat say the Spurs and then the loser of Grizz/GSW in the other playin. IF, and it is a big if, Lebron and AD1 are healthy and playing well, I think we win those two games. With current standings, we then play PHO in Rd 1. I am fine playing them in Rd 1. Also, on the bright side, we end up with the 16th/17th pick in a deep draft. So, things might work out...
This is a positive way to look at it too. Got to be honest though, I know the general sentiment is we are going to be a monster low seed, but upsets in the early rounds of a playoffs are not common. Phoenix are playing really well and they do have moderate star power with CP3.
Let's assume a worst case scenario, from a W-L perspective. We lose our last 8. We end up in the 10th spot. In the process, we rest Lebron on all the remaining 2nd nights of back to backs. We get AD1 right, meaning functioning at a high level. (if that happens we will not lose the last 8, but let's still say we do)
In that case we will need to beat say the Spurs and then the loser of Grizz/GSW in the other playin. IF, and it is a big if, Lebron and AD1 are healthy and playing well, I think we win those two games. With current standings, we then play PHO in Rd 1. I am fine playing them in Rd 1. Also, on the bright side, we end up with the 16th/17th pick in a deep draft. So, things might work out...
Hard to get excited about a pick in the draft. Likely gets traded for another quick fix player. Similar to Schroder last off-season.
Also not as confident the struggling Lakers easily win the play in. Which team shows up? How focused and ready for playoff intensity will they be? Denver game was beautiful in how they battled. Two nights earlier they had no intensity on a night that emotion should not have to be manufactured.
Lakers treading water and dropping to the 9th / 10 th seed and having to win multple games against teams with nothing to lose is a nightmare. Especially if somehow needing two against a Warrior team with Curry potentially going off or a Spurs or Grizz team ready to run and gun?
Also you are overlooking the rest factor. Lakers need those days off before any potential series more then any team. A tired Laker team going against a well rested Suns or Jazz team is not a good matchup.
Lakers might not have a choice in this. They look to be limping across the finish line and barely holding ground. Maybe they somehow “ get healthy “ and find the proverbial switch? Crazier things have happened.
Joined: 15 Sep 2012 Posts: 29280 Location: La La Land
Posted: Tue May 04, 2021 7:16 pm Post subject:
roger_federer wrote:
Clippers tanking to play us in 1st round?
They're scared and just trying to avoid Denver.
Jokes aside, alot is riding on Ibaka in terms of the Clips this playoffs. _________________ "Every hurt is a lesson, and every lesson makes you better”
LOL, they are certainly coming off like they are trying to position themselves to play the Lakers in the first round, assuming no play-in. Lakers lose, they lose. Lakers win, they win, each win or loss getting them closer to being at the spot to play the Lakers. _________________ "One thing I admire about Kuzma is his unwavering confidence. He truly has no idea that he’s not as good as he thinks." - Killer_Z
Dallas has the inside track to 5 seed imo. It’s theirs unless they want to tank to 6.
Lakers and Portland will be trying to make sure they get the 6 seed, but it will be interesting to see if one of them tanks to 7 based on who is the 3 seed.
Portland I’m sure would love to the play the Suns instead of the Clippers or Nuggets. Less experience and a team like the Clippers gives Dame and CJ hell with their wing depth.
every team is reliant on their 2 best players playing at the top of their games to win a ring. We have a little more cushion than most due to our defensive abilities which we have shown most of the year.
Show me another team who doesnt need elite performances from their 2 best players to win a ring.
We were screwed from the jump with minimal off season and injuries. However we at the very least stayed afloat then hit a rough patch. We can definitely win remaining games but if the nuggets game was a sign we were on the other side of the hill then we are in a great place, with great timing. Obviously winning is all that matters but if we revert back to our elite defense down the stretch with a couple L's. all is good.
Joined: 04 May 2017 Posts: 3078 Location: The Left Coast
Posted: Wed May 05, 2021 8:24 am Post subject:
kwase wrote:
defense wrote:
kwase wrote:
Jordan-esque wrote:
Doncic 31 points 20 assists 12 boards wow
Yeah I just looked at the box score. He's easily the MVP this year.
CP3 and Embiid have a shot
Julius Randle has to get some love too.
Yeah he is certainly a worthy candidate. Right now in order for me:
1) Jokic
2) CP3
3) Julius
4) Embiid (this low only because of missed games) _________________ “You can't be held captive by the fear of failure or the fear of what people may say.” - Kobe Bryant
Yeah I just looked at the box score. He's easily the MVP this year.
CP3 and Embiid have a shot
Julius Randle has to get some love too.
Yeah he is certainly a worthy candidate. Right now in order for me:
1) Jokic
2) CP3
3) Julius
4) Embiid (this low only because of missed games)
Same list for me. I put Steph at 5 due to the outrageously amazing year he's having. _________________ Author of James Harden and the Strip Club
"The key to good decision making is not knowledge. It is understanding. We are swimming in the former. We are desperately lacking in the latter." - Malcom Gladwell
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