The Lakers are 17-4 in the Their Last 21 Games

[cupcakesnake]

They are fun to watch. I'm surprised the defensive intensity hasn't dropped. Completely bought into what Reddick is selling.

I'm a big Redick fan, have been since before the hire, but this defensive intensity comes down to 3 things. The return of Vanderbilt, the acquisition of DFS and a revitalized LeBron now that he doesn't have to carry the offensive load all game long.

I disagree Lebron is doing much different on defense. It just matters less now that DFS and Vando out there able to pressure the ball and make long rotations. Lebron is very strong, smart, and focused. Keep him near the paint and have him bodying up guys, and he can bring some value. The man is 40 though, and cannot make long rotations anymore. You want to keep him out of any situations where he's far away from the paint and is forced to recover. Close outs are not in his toolbox.

DFS and Vando are something you can build an elite defense around, and the collective strength of Luka/Lebron/Rui can give you horizontal paint protection. I worry about the Lakers in matchups against more vertical size. I think they'll have some lineup problems against some opponents. I don't think this defense will hold up against any opponent, but it just has to be solid and let their offense do the rest.

[Memories]

3rd straight year now that im convinced they’ll beat anyone out west except the nuggets.

Lakers have a different team now. Don't even think the Nuggets are a brick wall for them anymore especially after their last game.

Luka and LeBron is a completely task than Lebron and AD. Especially with AD not being a ball handler/shot creator, hense it being easier to stop than Luka and Lebron.

I think if I had to pick a brick wall for the Lakers, it would be the Cavs in the East, and Wolves with a full healthy team in the West.

[yoyoboy]

I don’t think they can beat Boston, Cleveland, or OKC, but I would favor them over anyone else except maybe Denver.

[Jedi32]

3rd straight year now that im convinced they’ll beat anyone out west except the nuggets.

i like our chances against anyone this year to be honest. especially once lebron and luka get more acquainted with each other which i expect their chemistry to be off the charts in a month.

[TheFire]

They are my favorites to win it all. Their experience will over power the Thunder and this is totally different team than the one the Nuggets owned last 2 years.

I don’t see anyone in the East beating them either. Lebron owns the Celtics.

[Mr.Raptorsingh]

I think they can win a 'ship this season, Redick has been channeling his inner-Philly Jax

[Tottery]

They are fun to watch. I'm surprised the defensive intensity hasn't dropped. Completely bought into what Reddick is selling.

I'm a big Redick fan, have been since before the hire, but this defensive intensity comes down to 3 things. The return of Vanderbilt, the acquisition of DFS and a revitalized LeBron now that he doesn't have to carry the offensive load all game long.

Yea, I meant the players have bought into Reddicks strategy. DFS/Vando/Vincent/Goodwin are bringing the defensive energy for sure.

[LeBronSpaghetti]

How serious is Reaves’ injury?

[bb22]

They started finding a rhythm when AR upped his game and took more responsibility organizing the offence. This was amplified when Luka arrived and further added to the non-Lebron initiated playmaking and scoring. Lebron can now focus on transition offense, disruptive D, and getting easy second chance points. We've come to the final chapter of Lebron's career, the off-ball threat. A sort of amalgamation of KG in Boston and D Wade in the 2011-13 Miami Heat.

I also think his catch and shoot (CAS) numbers will start creeping up. In terms of guys who play more than 30mpg, he's 8th in CAS 3pt%. Albeit, he doesn't shoot many of them. I don't have the actual CAS 3pt attempts per game, but he has only been averaging about 3 CAS FGA per game this season. I assume these numbers will go up with Luka and AR handling the ball more.

[right between the eyes]

The NBA is happy.

[Liam_Gallagher]

Did we ever figure out why nobody signed Jordan Goodwin even though he averaged 8 rebounds per game last year, in 17 games, at 6’3’’?

[Impuniti]

I don't understand how they've been so good defensively. Especially post-AD era.

[zimpy27]

Did we ever figure out why nobody signed Jordan Goodwin even though he averaged 8 rebounds per game last year, in 17 games, at 6’3’’?

I don't know. He's an impressive player, I'm surprised he was floating around out there.

[Rust_Cohle]

I think they can win a 'ship this season, Redick has been channeling his inner-Philly Jax

No way are they beating any teams with solid depth, they're top heavy for if Luka doesn't shoot better they will struggle against quality teams. Even the Clippers were missing tons of wide open looks the other night.

Lakers have been good for sure, but winning a championship I'd be shocked if they even make it to the finals.

[Stanq]

I think they can win a 'ship this season, Redick has been channeling his inner-Philly Jax

No way are they beating any teams with solid depth, they're top heavy for if Luka doesn't shoot better they will struggle against quality teams. Even the Clippers were missing tons of wide open looks the other night.

Lakers have been good for sure, but winning a championship I'd be shocked if they even make it to the finals.

Depth is overrated in the playoffs. Teams just play their top8-9 guys.

[Rust_Cohle]

I think they can win a 'ship this season, Redick has been channeling his inner-Philly Jax

No way are they beating any teams with solid depth, they're top heavy for if Luka doesn't shoot better they will struggle against quality teams. Even the Clippers were missing tons of wide open looks the other night.

Lakers have been good for sure, but winning a championship I'd be shocked if they even make it to the finals.

Depth is overrated in the playoffs. Teams just play their top8-9 guys.

And I’ll take the top 8-9 for a lot of other teams over the Lakers. Especially in a 7 game series. Tons of pressure on that laker bench to show up.

[Handlez]

Luka Magic is real.

Just the thought of him inspired the team.

[OriginalRed]

I don't understand how they've been so good defensively. Especially post-AD era.

From what I've been able to tell it's mainly due to the return of Vando, the addition of DFS, everyone playing hard, and defensive schemes cooked up by the coaching staff. Roster wise they definitely do not have top tier defensive talent but you can make up for that with schemes and effort. Plus, they're actually a rather big team and lengthy.

[Stanq]

No way are they beating any teams with solid depth, they're top heavy for if Luka doesn't shoot better they will struggle against quality teams. Even the Clippers were missing tons of wide open looks the other night.

Lakers have been good for sure, but winning a championship I'd be shocked if they even make it to the finals.

Depth is overrated in the playoffs. Teams just play their top8-9 guys.

And I’ll take the top 8-9 for a lot of other teams over the Lakers. Especially in a 7 game series. Tons of pressure on that laker bench to show up.

From 3-8, maybe. But it is very hard to find cases when the team with the two best players in the series lost. If LeBron plays at a top5 in the league level like he’s been doing for the past month and a half, they can win against anyone.

There are lots of Ifs for a newly built squad like the post dealine Lakers: is Luka gonna get back to last playoffs level, is LeBron gonna be able to keep it up as a 40yo in a 7 game series, is Austin’s production sustainable in the post season, can they keep the is level of defense… but if all of this is true, they can beat anyone.

[Rust_Cohle]

Depth is overrated in the playoffs. Teams just play their top8-9 guys.

And I’ll take the top 8-9 for a lot of other teams over the Lakers. Especially in a 7 game series. Tons of pressure on that laker bench to show up.

From 3-8, maybe. But it is very hard to find cases when the team with the two best players in the series lost. If LeBron plays at a top5 in the league level like he’s been doing for the past month and a half, they can win against anyone.

There are lots of Ifs for a newly built squad like the post dealine Lakers: is Luka gonna get back to last playoffs level, is LeBron gonna be able to keep it up as a 40yo in a 7 game series, is Austin’s production sustainable in the post season, can they keep the is level of defense… but if all of this is true, they can beat anyone.

That’s a very very big if though. Lebron is only getting older. I do agree their ceiling is high but if the bench doesn’t show up the gap between LeBron/luka who can’t shoot straight and the top 2 of a lot of other teams is not that big.