Joined: 02 May 2005 Posts: 90307 Location: Formerly Known As 24
Posted: Sun May 22, 2022 8:05 am Post subject:
Injuries are the wildcard, but the team last year, even dead tired, was taking it to the eventual finals team until AD went down and they didn’t have the gas to fight on. That team even hung in with injuries during the season because they had that defense. The Schroder experiment didn’t quite work, but they were on the right track with adding tweaks to bring in some more offense without sacrificing the defense and depth. Blowing it up for a guy like Westbrook gutted who they were while removing all their assets. Like Brooklyn, they learned the hard way that too heavy teams of ball dominant guys aren’t the best route. _________________ “We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” ― Elie Wiesel
Joined: 24 Dec 2007 Posts: 35883 Location: Santa Clarita, CA (Hell) ->>>>>Ithaca, NY -≥≥≥≥≥Berkeley, CA
Posted: Sun May 22, 2022 8:07 am Post subject:
Omar Little wrote:
Injuries are the wildcard, but the team last year, even dead tired, was taking it to the eventual finals team until AD went down and they didn’t have the gas to fight on. That team even hung in with injuries during the season because they had that defense. The Schroder experiment didn’t quite work, but they were on the right track with adding tweaks to bring in some more offense without sacrificing the defense and depth. Blowing it up for a guy like Westbrook gutted who they were while removing all their assets. Like Brooklyn, they learned the hard way that too heavy teams of ball dominant guys aren’t the best route.
I don’t see last year’s team beating GSW or Memphis. Given the way Phoenix collapsed this year, I think we would have beaten them. _________________ Damian Lillard shatters Dwight Coward's championship dreams:
You said to factor in injuries. I don't think we would have beaten Phoenix with Davis and Lebron recovering from injuries. _________________ Internet Argument Resolved
Joined: 02 May 2005 Posts: 90307 Location: Formerly Known As 24
Posted: Sun May 22, 2022 8:10 am Post subject:
CandyCanes wrote:
Omar Little wrote:
Injuries are the wildcard, but the team last year, even dead tired, was taking it to the eventual finals team until AD went down and they didn’t have the gas to fight on. That team even hung in with injuries during the season because they had that defense. The Schroder experiment didn’t quite work, but they were on the right track with adding tweaks to bring in some more offense without sacrificing the defense and depth. Blowing it up for a guy like Westbrook gutted who they were while removing all their assets. Like Brooklyn, they learned the hard way that too heavy teams of ball dominant guys aren’t the best route.
I don’t see last year’s team beating GSW or Memphis. Given the way Phoenix collapsed this year, I think we would have beaten them.
I’m not advocating last years team, merely tweaking it rather than gutting it. And if AD and Bron are injured, it doesn’t matter. _________________ “We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” ― Elie Wiesel
Assuming we didn't do WB deal, brought back AC/Dennis, used mMLE on McGee (for argument) and minimums went to Monk, Melo, Wayne, Ariza, Bradley
McGee, Trezz, Dwight
AD, Melo, Ariza
LeBron, Kuzma, THT
KCP, Monk, Wayne
Caruso, Dennis, AB
Hard to think that level of depth and talent wouldn't be still playing if healthy. Elite defensive starting unit, bench of guys who can put up numbers in bunches and ability to play huge or small while still being big... yeah that team would've killed it.
They beat the Warriors in the play-in last year, the Warriors are in the finals this year, if they ran it back, they would at least be in the finals right?
If we completely undid the trade, kept AC and added Monk? Shoot we could still be playing. We won at a 58% clip with AD/LBJ missing around the same number of games % wise as this year. _________________ From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals
Which AD are we getting? Bubble --> championship. Otherwise, lose in 2nd round as I think PHX, GS, and Memphis are all better than us. _________________ Luxury Tax/FA Spreadsheet (Save to your Google Drive to edit)
Joined: 14 Apr 2001 Posts: 144475 Location: The Gold Coast
Posted: Sun May 22, 2022 11:02 am Post subject:
yinoma2001 wrote:
venturalakersfan wrote:
Play in then lose in the first round
If we completely undid the trade, kept AC and added Monk? Shoot we could still be playing. We won at a 58% clip with AD/LBJ missing around the same number of games % wise as this year.
Undoing the trade doesn’t make AD or Lebron healthy. _________________ RIP mom. 11-21-1933 to 6-14-2023.
This team isn't winning anymore with LBJ and Davis...
Dudes both checked out...
Westbrook wasn't the issue this year...
Had we made the playoffs, we would have won the title... But AD and Bron decided they were too hurt to play the most important games of the season down the stretch in must win games
Withlh Caruso and a healthy AD? Almost certain championship. We spanked the Heat in 2020 and they're one of the best teams currently so yea, we would have been right there in the thick of things.
Can you imagine squandering not 1, not 2, not 3, but 4 legit chances at championships in an age where the league is extremely competitive and championships are hard to come by?
I think the Warriors or Grizzlies beat us. And if we're considering health, a fully healthy Clippers and Nuggets beat us too. _________________
"Through the legs to the left, through the legs to the right, we don't run them Laker plays, we just Kobe fadeaway..."
They beat the Warriors in the play-in last year, the Warriors are in the finals this year, if they ran it back, they would at least be in the finals right?
No injuries? Conference Finals, with a chance to win it.
with injuries? An honorable 1st round loss.
But much better without Russell, no matter the scenario
I completely agree here. As constructed close to last year’s team, if healthy I’m not sure if this team gets past only the Warriors, I think they could have beat a healthy Phoenix team and the winner out of the East. _________________ Austin Reaves
Tweeter: @sarah_dotbiz
Posted: Mon May 23, 2022 1:42 pm Post subject: Re: How far would we have made it if we had not traded for Westbrook?
CandyCanes wrote:
Assume we bring back Schroeder, re-sign Caruso, bring back Harrell, etc. and make a competent signing with whatever level of the MLE we had.
Scenario 1: What would have actually happened, injuries included?
Scenario 2: Assume we have perfect health.
Teams left in the playoffs have youth, defenders, and competent 3 point shooters. We would have to be bring back KCP and Kuz, along with Caruso. Our team from last season wouldn't have gotten very far.
In fact, if you look at this current Lakers team (38 year old Lebron, often-hurt Anthony Davis, Bricklaying turnover machine Russell Westbrook, and a bunch of NBA bottom feeders), there is no way we are competing next season, especially when you factor in a 1st year yes-man head coach who knows he must bend the knee to Lebron.
Look. Lets get this straight. We had our championship celebration 2 seasons ago. We won't win next season, or the following, or any season until we significantly rebuild the roster, which means either Lebron or AD, and especially Westbrook leaves.
Joined: 19 Nov 2007 Posts: 4378 Location: Lake Nacimiento
Posted: Mon May 23, 2022 8:06 pm Post subject:
We def. would not have made the Playoffs in either scenario if AD and Bron are injured the same. Do people not remember the previous Season and why we even made the moves in the first place? Obviously, Russ just severely worsened us but without AD and Bron leading things the supporting cast wasn't going to get us any further this Season either.
If AD and Bron were healthy though then we're a much better team but to even make the Playoffs they'd probably flame out early on anyways kind of like KD did since it took so much to get us there.
We def. would not have made the Playoffs in either scenario if AD and Bron are injured the same. Do people not remember the previous Season and why we even made the moves in the first place? Obviously, Russ just severely worsened us but without AD and Bron leading things the supporting cast wasn't going to get us any further this Season either.
If AD and Bron were healthy though then we're a much better team but to even make the Playoffs they'd probably flame out early on anyways kind of like KD did since it took so much to get us there.
In hindsight, even another first round exit is worth the hassle of not having to deal with Russ.
To not ask future coaches how they plan to use Russ would be a blessing right now.
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