Takeaways from this season/predictions for the future?

aaron_gray · Post #1 » by **aaron_gray** » Mon Jun 16, 2014 4:27 am

Anything, any team, let em out.

Mine:

east

Spoiler:

west

Spoiler:

Dr Aki · Post #2 » by **Dr Aki** » Mon Jun 16, 2014 4:38 am

we need to throw 100 million dollars at greg popovich

Post #3 » by **Slava** » Mon Jun 16, 2014 5:02 am

Spurs winning titles in a 15 year span with the same core pieces shows a few things:

The best thing you can do as a GM is not be reactive and try to build the best team possible that can function together as a unit.

Ball dominant players will get found out in the playoffs

Its important to have 5-7 really good players than a big two/big three whatever the flavor of the month is and then some junk filling up the rest of the roster.

Its important for an organization to have a philosophy and stick to it no matter who comes in or goes out.

Post #4 » by **TyCobb** » Mon Jun 16, 2014 5:20 am

Slava wrote:Spurs winning titles in a 15 year span with the same core pieces shows a few things:

The best thing you can do as a GM is not be reactive and try to build the best team possible that can function together as a unit.

Ball dominant players will get found out in the playoffs

Its important to have 5-7 really good players than a big two/big three whatever the flavor of the month is and then some junk filling up the rest of the roster.

Its important for an organization to have a philosophy and stick to it no matter who comes in or goes out.

- Have an elite scouting and player development team

One Love · Post #5 » by **One Love** » Mon Jun 16, 2014 5:32 am

80% of their team is recruited from other countries...

Jajwanda · Post #6 » by **Jajwanda** » Mon Jun 16, 2014 5:44 am

You need to assemble a team, not just a talented team. Fortunately for L.A. their bench trio of Farmar, Young, Henry and even Hill at the 5 show that kind of bench fit and cohesion. That's a start. Kobe is a given as the starter and you have to find a way to put him in the high post. That's what you have to build on right now. How do you make that group the most effective group possible?

Also not just that but how do you get a great defensive team together? Last four teams to win had elite rim protection.

One Love · Post #7 » by **One Love** » Mon Jun 16, 2014 3:29 pm

It starts with Kobe taking $15 million, oops, too late... The reality is we NEED to simply start acquiring talent... We are too far away from talking about rings... Just be opportunistic and add talent when the opportunity presents itself... Right now, try to grab Exum or Smart in the draft than shift gears towards free agency... One piece at a time... Lakeshow baby...

LApwnd · Post #8 » by **LApwnd** » Mon Jun 16, 2014 3:45 pm

what I'd like to see

Nash/7th to Cha for 9th/24th
target James or Melo (hope for James)
use tpe to aborb Lin/Dmo/25th
send dmo/25th to Tor for Salmons/20th
IF there's still room to add Asik I would also absorb his contract once James has decideds where to go (if not with us we too could still chase Melo even with lin/asik on board)
use 20th/25th to try and move up to a teen pick and hope for Lavine, Anderson or Pain

Lin/resign farmar with half of mle
Kobe/Young (half of mle)/Bazemore
James/Bazemore/Wes if he wants back for vet min
Gordon (9th)/Kelly
FA/Sacre/vet min/

iamworthy · Post #9 » by **iamworthy** » Mon Jun 16, 2014 4:05 pm

My takeaway is that since the spurs first title with Duncan 1999 it took the spurs organization longer to win 5 chips than us. Spurs deserve all the credit in the world but don't get it twisted, our front office and Kobe delivered 5 rings by the end of the 2010 season in that same timeframe. Spurs did it their way and we did it ours. Congrats to them.

Post #10 » by **Kilroy** » Mon Jun 16, 2014 4:57 pm

Duncan and Pop are the reason the Spurs won this season... Those 2 guys are always on the same page and it carries over to the rest of the team. They preach team and neither one of them, allow any distractions.
Parker and Ginobili buy in too, but it's Duncan and Pop that makes them elite.

So my takeaway is that not only is it your star player that wins you championships (Pop pulling Duncan last finals reinforces this for me), but it's the right star player... And the right coach... Everything else builds from there.

Guys like Durant, Marc Gasol, who else?

After watching this finals, I'd give anything to rip Durant away from OKC...

LAKESHOW · Post #11 » by **LAKESHOW** » Mon Jun 16, 2014 6:21 pm

WIN the draft lottery twice can carry your organization a long way.

Post #12 » by **crazyeights** » Mon Jun 16, 2014 7:55 pm

Great leadership goes a long way. Pop and Duncan have been successful enough that players buy into the system, unquestioning and it pays off.

The good thing about the new CBA, is that it's finally forced the Lakers to start working on the small things. I think the way we played and developed our young guys like Ryan Kelly and Sacre, and dipped into the D-League to get a nice bench player (Marshall) has shown a step in the right direction. Plus Mitch and Jimmy's ability to field a cheap team with chemistry was a welcome sight.

Now we have to get a coach who can keep the team together, who has a game plan that can be bought into and succeed, and who will tailor it around his personnel.

Like guys have said all season, it starts from the top down, and what we do with this draft pick will say a lot about the direction we wish to go. Are we going for a defensive specialist to pair with Kobe? Will a young groomable star fall to us? Will we trade the pick for a vet or trade down for multiple swings at a future homerun?

Will we re-sign a keeper like Hill? Will we use our cap space to acquire assets and expirings? Most importantly will we hold onto Pau and the past? Or, will we move forward?

Mitch and Jimmy have held their cards so close to their chest it makes it awful hard to guess what they'll do. What they've been putting out tells us they plan on keeping their cap space plan until they're forced not to, which I can only hope doesn't bite us in the end...because after watching Miami break down, I hope Mitch and Jimmy see that while yes we are in desperate need for top-tier talent, there's more than one way to build a winner, rather than swinging for the likes of Dwight and CP3.

Sure, if Kobe ends up taking a significant slide (as he likely could) then their plan is wise...however, if he can summon the pre-achilles version of himself, I can't help but wondering if we couldn't win now with the right team around him.

The odds are extremely low, but I hope we at least put ourselves in a position to remain flexible, but also have a puncher's chance. If they get creative, I believe it's possible. It's all about the small things.

Fresh360Waves · Post #13 » by **Fresh360Waves** » Tue Jun 17, 2014 1:24 am

Jajwanda wrote:You need to assemble a team, not just a talented team. Fortunately for L.A. their bench trio of Farmar, Young, Henry and even Hill at the 5 show that kind of bench fit and cohesion. That's a start. Kobe is a given as the starter and you have to find a way to put him in the high post. That's what you have to build on right now. How do you make that group the most effective group possible?

Also not just that but how do you get a great defensive team together? Last four teams to win had elite rim protection.

Lakers could give Emeka Okafor a shot. He's been battling with injuries, sure, but if he can prove he can stay healthy in training camp I think he's definitely worth giving a vet minimum contract. He's shown in the past he can be a great rim protector.

Post #14 » by **dockingsched** » Tue Jun 17, 2014 1:46 am

I learned that ball movement, off the ball movement, and being able to stretch the floor is both enjoyable to watch and preferable to the ball stopping iso ball that a lot of teams resort to.

Post #15 » by **crazyeights** » Tue Jun 17, 2014 1:59 am

dockingsched wrote:I learned that ball movement, off the ball movement, and being able to stretch the floor is both enjoyable to watch and preferable to the ball stopping iso ball that a lot of teams resort to.

Makes me think of Lance Stephenson. We must stay away.

H00PDREAMS · Post #16 » by **H00PDREAMS** » Tue Jun 17, 2014 4:29 am

NBA PREDICTIONS 2014 - 2015

NBA Wide:

The Return of the Big Man. I predict that some teams on the cusp will now realise that in order to compete successfully in the NBA Playoffs, the will have to attain and or develop a legit center or dominate PF. Proof being the success of the Lakers, Mavs, Celtics and Spurs since 1999 will lead to a big man renaissance. Big men will once again be coveted in the NBA Draft.

Adam Silver will apologize for rampant gambling implications brought up by Donald Sterling's investigators. Stern is approached by media in response to canceled Paul trade to Lakers and and New Orleans draft of Anthony Davis.

West Coast Predictions:

Warriors - will trade for a big to help hold down the paint. Thompson backs out of extension talks. Kerr fends off Laker inquiry talks.

Spurs - will return to form despite losing Duncan to retirement. Leonard will continue to dominate LeBron in matchups. Eric Gordon is the new starting SG.

Mavericks - will capture the 3rd seed and go deep into the playoffs.

Thunder - exit the playoffs in round 2. :crazy:

Rockets - barely survive playoffs to enter the western conference finals.

Clippers - follow B.Griff's march to league MVP. Clipps defeat the Thunder in the 2nd Round of the playoffs. Clipps to Sonics rumors mount.

Kings - seriously consider sending Cousins to the Heat in a developing blockbuster trade.

Timberwolves - will say farewell to Kevin Love and welcome Carlos Boozer. :lol:

Suns - lose out in Kevin Love fest. Dragic has a 20 and 20 asst game.

Trailblazers - Fail to advance to WCF. LaMarcus leaves for Heat talk begin after AllStar Break. :roll:

Pelicans - trade into first round for Michigan center Mitch McGary sending Gordon to the Spurs. Davis has MVP Caliber year.

Memphis - Marc Gasol gets defensive player of the year edging out Clippers Jordan.

Denver - Welcome back JR Smith. On return from suspension Smith scores 45 against Knicks. :lol:

Jazz - Vonleh and Heyward duo does damage in the west during the first part of the season. Injuries slow teams progress just before all star break.

East Coast Predictions:

Bulls "rents" Love for the year. Rose makes triumphant return and makes valiant stance in the NBA playoffs and advance to ECF. Love to Laker rumors begin after Allstar break. LeBron caught on mic at Allstar game "Kev, come to Miami man lets get a ring next year." :-?

Bucks - welcome Jabari Parker of Duke. Parker earns NBA Rookie of the year averaging 26.7 PPG. 9.8 RPG 6.5 APG

Raptors - DeRozan scores 50 against Knicks. Playoff run ends in Miami.

Knicks - keep Melo. Plan to rebuild on the fly and trade away JR Smith back to Denver. :wink:

Wizards - Wall beats out Davis, Kobe, Lebron, and Leonard in NBA MVP race. :wizard:

Pacers - Behind Lance Stephenson defensive efforts pacers hold off Knicks to capture the 3rd seed in ECP.

Heat - Attempt to acquire a big man legit big man in trade. Aldridge and Heat are believed to have mutual interest. Love courted by LeBron. Trade of Bosh is attempted. Oden and Beasley help LBJ to ECF. :uhoh:

Celtics - Rebuild. Rondo contemplates a move West. Ainge fined for tampering. :banghead:

76'ers - Wiggins excels. Philadelphia Basketball makes a return.

Hawks - Sale talk sinks season. "Fire Sale" trade commences after all star break.

Pistons - make remarkable turnaround and storm into the ECP.

Hornets - Kidd-Gilchrist receives most improved.

Nets - Williams returns to form. Admirable late playoff push ends falling short of the 8th seed. Prokhorov offered 5 million for stake, Cuban calls it a "lowball". :lol:

Orlando - Oladipo drops 35 in route of Knicks. Fisher calms New York fans fears. :noway:

CAVS - Accused of tanking 1st half of season. Bennett now at PF and Embiid develop and Irving considers resigning amid Laker trade rumors.

LAKERS - Nike launches Welcome back Kobe commercial campaign and re reissues all of his past signature shoes and jerseys. Kobe returns drops 45 and 10 Ast on Knicks. Nash and Kobe average 6.5 assists per game each. Pau plays limited minutes 1st half of season. Pau returns 100% after All Star break amid talks of Chicago trade. Coaches Rambis and Scott tandem earns respect from fans. Coach Scott in play for Coach of the year but loses to Pistons' VanGundy. Kobe courts Love signing after hearing Heat rumors. Meanwhile Exum avgs 18 PPG and becomes ROY candidate. Lakers playoff run ends in Houston. Nash considers retirement and considers becoming assistant coach. :thumbsup:

Last but not least Nike FiNALLY announces September 2015 as the release date of the self lacing glow in the dark, Nike Mag 2015s (McFly Edition).

NBA FInals:

Rockets (2) Heat (1) = Rockets win in 7
D. Howard MVP :roll:

DEEP3CL · Post #17 » by **DEEP3CL** » Tue Jun 17, 2014 6:02 am

iamworthy wrote:My takeaway is that since the spurs first title with Duncan 1999 it took the spurs organization longer to win 5 chips than us. Spurs deserve all the credit in the world but don't get it twisted, our front office and Kobe delivered 5 rings by the end of the 2010 season in that same time frame. Spurs did it their way and we did it ours. Congrats to them.

Exactly, I'm seeing too many guys get all smitten with San Antonio. It's not like our title runs were weak, in fact we did ours when the comp was still a lot stiffer. And we did something the Spurs NEVER did....defend our titles and won again. But again props to them.

DEEP3CL · Post #18 » by **DEEP3CL** » Tue Jun 17, 2014 6:13 am

To answer the thread question....

One is teams will eventually move away from the ball dominate/ #1 scoring option mantra. I've been preaching this for years that it's not working anymore. Because a team playing through one guy time and time again is fracturing the structure of the team. I saw this as evidence in the playoffs, when option 1 couldn't score neither could the rest of the team.

Second, players opting out of this CBA in 2016-17....no way in hell this one is running it's full course til 2020-21

Jajwanda · Post #19 » by **Jajwanda** » Wed Jun 18, 2014 2:50 am

Fresh360Waves wrote:
Jajwanda wrote:You need to assemble a team, not just a talented team. Fortunately for L.A. their bench trio of Farmar, Young, Henry and even Hill at the 5 show that kind of bench fit and cohesion. That's a start. Kobe is a given as the starter and you have to find a way to put him in the high post. That's what you have to build on right now. How do you make that group the most effective group possible?

Also not just that but how do you get a great defensive team together? Last four teams to win had elite rim protection.

Lakers could give Emeka Okafor a shot. He's been battling with injuries, sure, but if he can prove he can stay healthy in training camp I think he's definitely worth giving a vet minimum contract. He's shown in the past he can be a great rim protector.

I'd like that idea. Let Kobe, the PF, and a combo guard take care of the offense while taking a great defense into the playoffs.

Fresh360Waves · Post #20 » by **Fresh360Waves** » Wed Jun 18, 2014 6:21 am

Jajwanda wrote:
Fresh360Waves wrote:
Jajwanda wrote:You need to assemble a team, not just a talented team. Fortunately for L.A. their bench trio of Farmar, Young, Henry and even Hill at the 5 show that kind of bench fit and cohesion. That's a start. Kobe is a given as the starter and you have to find a way to put him in the high post. That's what you have to build on right now. How do you make that group the most effective group possible?

Also not just that but how do you get a great defensive team together? Last four teams to win had elite rim protection.

Lakers could give Emeka Okafor a shot. He's been battling with injuries, sure, but if he can prove he can stay healthy in training camp I think he's definitely worth giving a vet minimum contract. He's shown in the past he can be a great rim protector.

I'd like that idea. Let Kobe, the PF, and a combo guard take care of the offense while taking a great defense into the playoffs.

I think a roster like this would be good w/ a chance to get at least an 8th seed although that shouldn't be the priority:
Smart / Farmar / Marshall
Kobe (or Stephenson) / Bazemore / Henry
Deng (or Kobe) / Swaggy P
Hill or Gasol (If Gasol doesn't re-sign, Hill could slide into the lineup and start. His improved jumpshot would help the offense) / Kelly
Okafor / Hill or Kaman / Sacre