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this is ridiculous

Load management going to suck

Fasten your seatbelts, folks!

I don't care what happens between now and then
we'll get through somehow

but

all I want for Christmas is to show up at full strength and beat the living shtt out of the Lakers in front of the whole wide world on Christmas Day!!!

It's gonna be tough, but the harder it is at the beginning of the season, the easier it'll be from then onward when it balances out.

To be honest, we've already had a top 10 most difficult schedule so far, and with our two main players missing a combined 17 games when we are 21 games into the season, and we're still tied for 2nd in the West. With a top 5 NetRtg and a top 4 SRS in the whole league.

Even if things get a little bit worse record-wise in the next month, it's ok. We just gotta be patient and make sure we're all ready in April, when it matters.

While our schedule is tough, the Lakers have the more difficult schedule. It had to happen because their schedule currently has been very weak. here is what the Lakers December looks like:
1. 9 of 14 on road - 8 of their next 9 are on the road with @Den and @ Utah back to back starting the process. When they do come home, they have after the 8 road games, they have Denver, Clips @Portland and Dallas to end the month.
2. 11 of 14 are against teams currently in playoff spots. Of the 3 that aren't, 2 are in Portland. Portland had played a very road heavy schedule to date.

As Kawhi said when he was here in Toronto, regular season is just practice so I wouldn't sweat it. As long as your players stay healthy, you'll be in a good position to make a long playoff run.

clipperlover wrote:While our schedule is tough, the Lakers have the more difficult schedule. It had to happen because their schedule currently has been very weak. here is what the Lakers December looks like:
1. 9 of 14 on road - 8 of their next 9 are on the road with @Den and @ Utah back to back starting the process. When they do come home, they have after the 8 road games, they have Denver, Clips @Portland and Dallas to end the month.
2. 11 of 14 are against teams currently in playoff spots. Of the 3 that aren't, 2 are in Portland. Portland had played a very road heavy schedule to date.

I have to disagree. That doesn't even compare to what the Clippers have to go through. The picture I posted in OP says it all, 3 games in 4 nights back to back and then another 3 games in 4 nights? All of that leading up to the Christmas game against the Lakers? If I was one of the clippers players I would want to punch the guy who scheduled this month.

Go look at any other contender and see if they have 3 games in 4 nights like this with all of them on the road. I looked at Rockets and Bucks' schedule and they don't have to go through any stretches like this

jaketherap wrote:As Kawhi said when he was here in Toronto, regular season is just practice so I wouldn't sweat it. As long as your players stay healthy, you'll be in a good position to make a long playoff run.

Except this is the western conference, there's no such thing as a meaningless game in the West. Every game counts and could be the difference between homecourt advantage.

Yogatti wrote:

clipperlover wrote:While our schedule is tough, the Lakers have the more difficult schedule. It had to happen because their schedule currently has been very weak. here is what the Lakers December looks like:
1. 9 of 14 on road - 8 of their next 9 are on the road with @Den and @ Utah back to back starting the process. When they do come home, they have after the 8 road games, they have Denver, Clips @Portland and Dallas to end the month.
2. 11 of 14 are against teams currently in playoff spots. Of the 3 that aren't, 2 are in Portland. Portland had played a very road heavy schedule to date.

I have to disagree. That doesn't even compare to what the Clippers have to go through. The picture I posted in OP says it all, 3 games in 4 nights back to back and then another 3 games in 4 nights? All of that leading up to the Christmas game against the Lakers? If I was one of the clippers players I would want to punch the guy who scheduled this month.

Go look at any other contender and see if they have 3 games in 4 nights like this with all of them on the road. I looked at Rockets and Bucks' schedule and they don't have to go through any stretches like this

What is the winning % of the Lakers upcoming opponents vs the Clippers? The Clippers have played the tougher competition up to this point by a large %, so it has to balance out. I get the 3 in 4 argument, but we have a weak team in each of those.

We go on the road for 6 straight, but end the trip in Chicago before coming home to play PHO (who the schedule makers thought would be a bottom feeder). We start the trip with our hardest game (@Milwaukee). The Lakers end a 5 game trip @Milwaukee and then come home to face Denver and Clippers. The schedule makers expected all 3 of those teams to be playoff teams this year. Not the way you want to come back from a long road trip.

Wow that is a tough road trip. I mean, they get to play Chicago and Washington but just two days off for six games? If they go 3-3 I'll take it.

poultryfan wrote:Wow that is a tough road trip. I mean, they get to play Chicago and Washington but just two days off for six games? If they go 3-3 I'll take it.

I had the same thought. I just can't see beating up our guys in early December to go maybe 4-2 instead. Across town, 35-yr-old LeBron is playing 35 minutes a night just to beat 10 sub-.500 teams in a row. Then the Mavs kick the living **** out of them. At home.

That 10-game winning streak is garbage now.

clipperlover wrote:

Yogatti wrote:

clipperlover wrote:While our schedule is tough, the Lakers have the more difficult schedule. It had to happen because their schedule currently has been very weak. here is what the Lakers December looks like:
1. 9 of 14 on road - 8 of their next 9 are on the road with @Den and @ Utah back to back starting the process. When they do come home, they have after the 8 road games, they have Denver, Clips @Portland and Dallas to end the month.
2. 11 of 14 are against teams currently in playoff spots. Of the 3 that aren't, 2 are in Portland. Portland had played a very road heavy schedule to date.

I have to disagree. That doesn't even compare to what the Clippers have to go through. The picture I posted in OP says it all, 3 games in 4 nights back to back and then another 3 games in 4 nights? All of that leading up to the Christmas game against the Lakers? If I was one of the clippers players I would want to punch the guy who scheduled this month.

Go look at any other contender and see if they have 3 games in 4 nights like this with all of them on the road. I looked at Rockets and Bucks' schedule and they don't have to go through any stretches like this

What is the winning % of the Lakers upcoming opponents vs the Clippers? The Clippers have played the tougher competition up to this point by a large %, so it has to balance out. I get the 3 in 4 argument, but we have a weak team in each of those.

We go on the road for 6 straight, but end the trip in Chicago before coming home to play PHO (who the schedule makers thought would be a bottom feeder). We start the trip with our hardest game (@Milwaukee). The Lakers end a 5 game trip @Milwaukee and then come home to face Denver and Clippers. The schedule makers expected all 3 of those teams to be playoff teams this year. Not the way you want to come back from a long road trip.

It doesn't matter how weak the opponent is, 3 games in 4 nights which happens 3 times in one month is absolutely ridiculous. 8 out of 9 games are on the road as well. Players will get tired playing through that kind of stretch so this whole notion that this is perfectly fine because the opponents are weak is BS

Yogatti wrote:

clipperlover wrote:

Yogatti wrote:
I have to disagree. That doesn't even compare to what the Clippers have to go through. The picture I posted in OP says it all, 3 games in 4 nights back to back and then another 3 games in 4 nights? All of that leading up to the Christmas game against the Lakers? If I was one of the clippers players I would want to punch the guy who scheduled this month.

Go look at any other contender and see if they have 3 games in 4 nights like this with all of them on the road. I looked at Rockets and Bucks' schedule and they don't have to go through any stretches like this

What is the winning % of the Lakers upcoming opponents vs the Clippers? The Clippers have played the tougher competition up to this point by a large %, so it has to balance out. I get the 3 in 4 argument, but we have a weak team in each of those.

We go on the road for 6 straight, but end the trip in Chicago before coming home to play PHO (who the schedule makers thought would be a bottom feeder). We start the trip with our hardest game (@Milwaukee). The Lakers end a 5 game trip @Milwaukee and then come home to face Denver and Clippers. The schedule makers expected all 3 of those teams to be playoff teams this year. Not the way you want to come back from a long road trip.

It doesn't matter how weak the opponent is, 3 games in 4 nights which happens 3 times in one month is absolutely ridiculous. 8 out of 9 games are on the road as well. Players will get tired playing through that kind of stretch so this whole notion that this is perfectly fine because the opponents are weak is BS

I didn't say it was perfectly fine. i am merely pointing out that the Lakers are going to have a much tougher month. Not only do they have a lot of road games, but they have a lot of games against top competition.

Sure we have 3 in 4, but each sequence is started with our toughest competition and then followed by teams that are below .500 (Wiz, Bulls) or can't beat quality opponents (Indy and Minny have combined to beat a total of 3 opponents above .500). Minny and Karl Anthony Charmin are 3-7 at home. Indy is 9-2 at home, but only 1 home win against a top team (Utah). We should go no worse than 4-2 in those 6 games. Lakers will be lucky to go 5-4 over their next 9.

Yogatti wrote:

clipperlover wrote:

Yogatti wrote:
I have to disagree. That doesn't even compare to what the Clippers have to go through. The picture I posted in OP says it all, 3 games in 4 nights back to back and then another 3 games in 4 nights? All of that leading up to the Christmas game against the Lakers? If I was one of the clippers players I would want to punch the guy who scheduled this month.

Go look at any other contender and see if they have 3 games in 4 nights like this with all of them on the road. I looked at Rockets and Bucks' schedule and they don't have to go through any stretches like this

What is the winning % of the Lakers upcoming opponents vs the Clippers? The Clippers have played the tougher competition up to this point by a large %, so it has to balance out. I get the 3 in 4 argument, but we have a weak team in each of those.

We go on the road for 6 straight, but end the trip in Chicago before coming home to play PHO (who the schedule makers thought would be a bottom feeder). We start the trip with our hardest game (@Milwaukee). The Lakers end a 5 game trip @Milwaukee and then come home to face Denver and Clippers. The schedule makers expected all 3 of those teams to be playoff teams this year. Not the way you want to come back from a long road trip.

It doesn't matter how weak the opponent is, 3 games in 4 nights which happens 3 times in one month is absolutely ridiculous. 8 out of 9 games are on the road as well. Players will get tired playing through that kind of stretch so this whole notion that this is perfectly fine because the opponents are weak is BS

Right. I believe the Lakers may have the toughest schedule in terms of quality of opponents, but I guess not as many 3 in 4's and BTB's.

In any case, it would be great if at the end of December we've kept pace or caught up a game or 2 on them. I think they are the ones we will be battling in the standings at season's end.

clipperlover wrote: am merely pointing out that the Lakers are going to have a much tougher month. Not only do they have a lot of road games, but they have a lot of games against top competition.

Sure we have 3 in 4, but each sequence is started with our toughest competition and then followed by teams that are below .500 (Wiz, Bulls) or can't beat quality opponents (Indy and Minny have combined to beat a total of 3 opponents above .500). Minny and Karl Anthony Charmin are 3-7 at home. Indy is 9-2 at home, but only 1 home win against a top team (Utah). We should go no worse than 4-2 in those 6 games. Lakers will be lucky to go 5-4 over their next 9.

I love facts behind opinions. Even if you don't agree, you learn something. Well done, sir.

I don't think the schedule is as tough as far as opponents go. Looks like the bucks and the raptors will be the toughest opponents. The only thing tough about the schedule is its tough on fresh legs.

clipperlover wrote:

Yogatti wrote:

clipperlover wrote:
What is the winning % of the Lakers upcoming opponents vs the Clippers? The Clippers have played the tougher competition up to this point by a large %, so it has to balance out. I get the 3 in 4 argument, but we have a weak team in each of those.

We go on the road for 6 straight, but end the trip in Chicago before coming home to play PHO (who the schedule makers thought would be a bottom feeder). We start the trip with our hardest game (@Milwaukee). The Lakers end a 5 game trip @Milwaukee and then come home to face Denver and Clippers. The schedule makers expected all 3 of those teams to be playoff teams this year. Not the way you want to come back from a long road trip.

It doesn't matter how weak the opponent is, 3 games in 4 nights which happens 3 times in one month is absolutely ridiculous. 8 out of 9 games are on the road as well. Players will get tired playing through that kind of stretch so this whole notion that this is perfectly fine because the opponents are weak is BS

I didn't say it was perfectly fine. i am merely pointing out that the Lakers are going to have a much tougher month. Not only do they have a lot of road games, but they have a lot of games against top competition.

Sure we have 3 in 4, but each sequence is started with our toughest competition and then followed by teams that are below .500 (Wiz, Bulls) or can't beat quality opponents (Indy and Minny have combined to beat a total of 3 opponents above .500). Minny and Karl Anthony Charmin are 3-7 at home. Indy is 9-2 at home, but only 1 home win against a top team (Utah). We should go no worse than 4-2 in those 6 games. Lakers will be lucky to go 5-4 over their next 9.

Lakers looking like they're going to go 8-1 in their next 9 lol.

shamet wants to make his debut during the road trip. Commentators have mentioned that teams usually bring back guys against the worst teams. Look for shamet to come back against the wizards.

NippySudz wrote:

clipperlover wrote:

Yogatti wrote:
It doesn't matter how weak the opponent is, 3 games in 4 nights which happens 3 times in one month is absolutely ridiculous. 8 out of 9 games are on the road as well. Players will get tired playing through that kind of stretch so this whole notion that this is perfectly fine because the opponents are weak is BS

I didn't say it was perfectly fine. i am merely pointing out that the Lakers are going to have a much tougher month. Not only do they have a lot of road games, but they have a lot of games against top competition.

Sure we have 3 in 4, but each sequence is started with our toughest competition and then followed by teams that are below .500 (Wiz, Bulls) or can't beat quality opponents (Indy and Minny have combined to beat a total of 3 opponents above .500). Minny and Karl Anthony Charmin are 3-7 at home. Indy is 9-2 at home, but only 1 home win against a top team (Utah). We should go no worse than 4-2 in those 6 games. Lakers will be lucky to go 5-4 over their .

Lakers looking like they're going to go 8-1 in their next 9 lol.

Lakers taking out Denver and Utah on the road definitely makes them the top team in the NBA. Was not expecting them to win both.