LA Lakers (15-20) vs. OKC Thunder (27-8) Fri 1/11 7:30 PT

[deNIEd]

Ehh the draft is going to be weak anyway. Youngster's here like blowing up Shabazz Muhammad, don't get me wrong he's good but he ain't a player that's going to change a franchise the minute he's drafted. Neither is Nerlens Noel, they over hype these guys now. Noel doesn't even have the game Anthony Davis has, sorry I don't by into the stock of these guys. The draft is going to be mighty weak from now on in college.

The last great draft was this one that just passed. 2012 will be one of the deepest in recent years.

Deep with role players, not franchise changing players. At least some of them aren't there yet maybe one day but not now.

And so many Laker fans fail to realize this is partially why some teams take so long to ever become relevant.

At any given time in the NBA, there is only a small handful of franchise changing players period.

[DEEP3CL]

Deep with role players, not franchise changing players. At least some of them aren't there yet maybe one day but not now.

And so many Laker fans fail to realize this is partially why some teams take so long to ever become relevant.

At any given time in the NBA, there is only a small handful of franchise changing players period.

I think the smart and rational/educated basketball Laker fan understands how drafting works. But yeah some don't understand it, to think 1st round picks hold any weight in today's game is fruitless thinking.

I don't think it's just a "Laker fan failing to realize", I think it's a problem with most fan bases. I tell people all the time it's a reason they cut the draft from seven rounds to two.

[deNIEd]

Deep with role players, not franchise changing players. At least some of them aren't there yet maybe one day but not now.

And so many Laker fans fail to realize this is partially why some teams take so long to ever become relevant.

At any given time in the NBA, there is only a small handful of franchise changing players period.

I think the smart and rational/educated basketball Laker fan understands how drafting works. But yeah some don't understand it, to think 1st round picks hold any weight in today's game is fruitless thinking.

I don't think it's just a "Laker fan failing to realize", I think it's a problem with most fan bases. I tell people all the time it's a reason they cut the draft from seven rounds to two.

Do people really argue with you about the reason? And Oh God, I couldn't even begin to imagine the talent difference between a Kevin Durant and a 7th round pick

[DEEP3CL]

[

Do people really argue with you about the reason? And Oh God, I couldn't even begin to imagine the talent difference between a Kevin Durant and a 7th round pick

Well just younger cats who think it should be more rounds. When I tell them it use to be 7 and why the league dropped it to 2 they're like "that's stupid."

But it's funny to me, boards like Cleveland's have a "Laker pick watch" thread. These draft picks the Lakers gave up mean nothing as far as drafting some franchise changing player.

I mean teams like the Cavs for example will need to have at least 2 more drafts before they build a solid core. But then what ? By the time 1 or 2 guys become flat out stars, one or both will be ready to jump to a different situation. The process is rinse and repeat, it is what it is. Sadly teams trying to build through a drafting process will never get two steps ahead when they're always taking 3 steps backwards.

[Kobe System]

Los Angeles Lakers ‏@Lakers
D’Antoni: “I told the team, our biggest thing, is the season starts Sunday. We need to make a run.” #GoLakers

Enough of this losing streak. Let's start our own winning streak!

[The Boot Room]

the way the lakers are defending, I can't see how they can beat okc tonight...I hope I'm wrong though.

We all hope you listen to your inner thoughts that your wrong

unfortunately I was right...those minutes at the end of the first half were hard to watch, considering it was about 5'30 am here in Spain...

[EnigmaticProblem]

No one takes a loss more to heart than Kobe. As for Dwight his personality is just disgusting at times. And this isn't just a coincidence, it's been a theme this season.

You're just reaching, man.

[Optms]

Dwight really needs to stop smiling though. Its wearing on me the longer this losing continues.

Its not normal behavior to be sitting their smiling like a complete ass while you get embarrassed on your own floor. No one else does that. There's nothing to smile about. There's been nothing to smile about all season. Stop **** smiling.

[KB24TBOTB]

Los Angeles Lakers ‏@Lakers
D’Antoni: “I told the team, our biggest thing, is the season starts Sunday. We need to make a run.” #GoLakers

Enough of this losing streak. Let's start our own winning streak!

Same bs is being said after every game. Don't start to expect anything because you'll only be disappointed

[iamworthy]

I wonder how Sessions would do in an open court offense.

[Archerbro]

Ehh the draft is going to be weak anyway. Youngster's here like blowing up Shabazz Muhammad, don't get me wrong he's good but he ain't a player that's going to change a franchise the minute he's drafted. Neither is Nerlens Noel, they over hype these guys now. Noel doesn't even have the game Anthony Davis has, sorry I don't by into the stock of these guys. The draft is going to be mighty weak from now on in college.

whatever helps you sleep at night.

[Archerbro]

[

Do people really argue with you about the reason? And Oh God, I couldn't even begin to imagine the talent difference between a Kevin Durant and a 7th round pick

Well just younger cats who think it should be more rounds. When I tell them it use to be 7 and why the league dropped it to 2 they're like "that's stupid."

But it's funny to me, boards like Cleveland's have a "Laker pick watch" thread. These draft picks the Lakers gave up mean nothing as far as drafting some franchise changing player.

I mean teams like the Cavs for example will need to have at least 2 more drafts before they build a solid core. But then what ? By the time 1 or 2 guys become flat out stars, one or both will be ready to jump to a different situation. The process is rinse and repeat, it is what it is. Sadly teams trying to build through a drafting process will never get two steps ahead when they're always taking 3 steps backwards.

Not necessarily,

Look at the final mvps from 2008-2011.

Kobe-13 overall
Pierce-10 overall (same draft as dirk)
Nowitzki-9 overall


Sometimes the lottery is a "crapshoot" but to assume there won't be any franchise changing guys is silly. these 3 guys show that it's possible to draft a franchise type guy late in the lottery (Maybe not immediate dividends though)