State of the Lakers?

[Pythagoras]

People clamor on trading JC and Randle not because they are not performing, it's because they are assets.

As far as JC goes specifically, my reasons for wanting him traded him absolutely revolve around his performance, and not because I view him as an asset. He's not a bad player, but I don't think his style is conducive to championship level basketball. This is unquestionably the best version of JC we've ever gotten, and the advanced numbers still say he's at best been a neutral to the team's success, and at worst he's just slightly hurting the team less than he has in years past.

I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and say that he's been a positive impact player, but IMO, the team's defense has been much more important. And for all of the talk about the luck involved in the Warriors building this current dynasty, people are too quick to ignore all of the good decisions they made along the way. One of said decisions including trading away a similar player to JC in Monta Ellis, which opened the door for Steph and greatly improved the defense.

[Danny Darko]

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[stan francisco]

So, Randle should start at C for now. Until Lopez plays a lick of defense I don't see why both Randle and Bogut don't eat his minutes.

[Takes5]

Current, Transition, Future are the only three states. I'll vote for transition.

[LakersSoul]

Next step for the Lakers franchise?:

1. Get some pure shooters on the wings. We really could have use Matt Thomas on this team.
2. Get an experienced PG help that wont pound the ball.


The two key areas for the lakers is at the wing as KCP is gone by next year and at center spot. On the wings, we need someone that has a higher basketball IQ and can just shoot as a 3&D guy. I was hoping Hart would be that guy but we shall see how he plays in GLeague.

On the center spot, Lopez is a drastic improvement over useless Mozgov but would love to have someone like Cousins with an athletic rookie like Thomas Bryant backing Cousins up. I hope to see more of TB over the next few months and given opportunity to showcase his talent as the Lakers hold the team option.

[RingsDontLie]

Until Lonzo starts impacting the game it's going to get bad. Luke has to make changes and learn how to utilize Lonzo better.

[Landsberger]

So, Randle should start at C for now. Until Lopez plays a lick of defense I don't see why both Randle and Bogut don't eat his minutes.

Why anyone thought Lopez would change his stripes at 30 is beyond me. He's always been like this defensively. Actually, he seems more active now than in NJ and he's still the hole on defense. To me, Randle isn't much better. For every good play he makes on that end he misses 2 or 3 assignments it seems. At least he rebounds however.

[Beethoven]

If the players keeps going in this trajectory , I'm not too concerned about wins and losses here, I say we keep Clarkson and randle and try naturally to gain a max free agent that'll really work integrated w this foundational group we have going now rather than trying to force our hand, get a couple of mercenaries who'll wreck perhaps the culture we started here, and in hindsight, may not even be any better than "if we just kept randle and Clarkson and etc"

[stan francisco]

So, Randle should start at C for now. Until Lopez plays a lick of defense I don't see why both Randle and Bogut don't eat his minutes.

Why anyone thought Lopez would change his stripes at 30 is beyond me. He's always been like this defensively. Actually, he seems more active now than in NJ and he's still the hole on defense. To me, Randle isn't much better. For every good play he makes on that end he misses 2 or 3 assignments it seems. At least he rebounds however.

This is why I haven't been excited about Lopez. He sucks on defense and doesn't rebound. I even cringe every time he takes a jumper. Sideshow Bob is a one year rental, thank god.

See DD's post above. You must've missed it, and the in-game eye test.

[LakersSoul]

So, Randle should start at C for now. Until Lopez plays a lick of defense I don't see why both Randle and Bogut don't eat his minutes.

Why anyone thought Lopez would change his stripes at 30 is beyond me. He's always been like this defensively. Actually, he seems more active now than in NJ and he's still the hole on defense. To me, Randle isn't much better. For every good play he makes on that end he misses 2 or 3 assignments it seems. At least he rebounds however.

This is why I haven't been excited about Lopez. He sucks on defense and doesn't rebound. I even cringe every time he takes a jumper. Sideshow Bob is a one year rental, thank god.

See DD's post above. You must've missed it, and the in-game eye test.

As imperfect as Lopez is, he is miles and miles better than Mozgov, no?

We made some good additions this year. Next year we take it another level or two higher.

BTW, do you know we are only 0.5 games away from the #8 playoff spot? We have the same number of wins compared with Memphis/OKC but have 1 more loss. Not bad after a tough 17 game stretch where we are figuring ourselves out and with Nance out.

#1 Houston 13-4
#2 GSW 13-4
#3 Spurs 11-6
#4 Portland 10-7
#5 Minn 10-7
#6 Denver 10-7
#7 NO 9-8
#8a Memphis 7-9
#8b OKC 7-9

Lakers 7-10

We could easily be 9-8 on the year. Plus I expect the Lakers to continue to play better and hopefully climb up the standings. Next up, Chicago. The next 3 are must wins!

vs. Chicago
@ Sacramento
@ Clippers

[Spanish_Laker]

0.5 games behind the 8th spot. The Western Conference has never been this weak for a long time!

[stan francisco]

Why anyone thought Lopez would change his stripes at 30 is beyond me. He's always been like this defensively. Actually, he seems more active now than in NJ and he's still the hole on defense. To me, Randle isn't much better. For every good play he makes on that end he misses 2 or 3 assignments it seems. At least he rebounds however.

This is why I haven't been excited about Lopez. He sucks on defense and doesn't rebound. I even cringe every time he takes a jumper. Sideshow Bob is a one year rental, thank god.

See DD's post above. You must've missed it, and the in-game eye test.

As imperfect as Lopez is, he is miles and miles better than Mozgov, no?

We made some good additions this year. Next year we take it another level or two higher.

BTW, do you know we are only 0.5 games away from the #8 playoff spot? We have the same number of wins compared with Memphis/OKC but have 1 more loss. Not bad after a tough 17 game stretch where we are figuring ourselves out and with Nance out.

#1 Houston 13-4
#2 GSW 13-4
#3 Spurs 11-6
#4 Portland 10-7
#5 Minn 10-7
#6 Denver 10-7
#7 NO 9-8
#8a Memphis 7-9
#8b OKC 7-9

Lakers 7-10

We could easily be 9-8 on the year. Plus I expect the Lakers to continue to play better and hopefully climb up the standings. Next up, Chicago. The next 3 are must wins!

vs. Chicago
@ Sacramento
@ Clippers

Better than Mozgov? Yes. Means little. And no, not on defense.

I love our record being what it is, given Nance is out (causing fewer fast breaks which is rendering Lonzo confused facing NBA half court defenses).

When Nance gets back, we're going in a winning streak. Book it.

[LakersSoul]

With the win, the Lakers are in the #8 spot for the playoff hunt.

Next up:

@Sac
@Clippers

We win both of those games then we get to .500 on the year!!