How Good Are The Lakers Currently Constructed?

iamworthy · Post #1 » by **iamworthy** » Sat Jul 28, 2012 1:13 am

Our team as is, where do you rank them in the NBA? How far do we get in the playoffs? Our starting 5 would look something like this:

Kobe
Metta
Bynum
Gasol
Nash

Bench
AJ
Hill
Blake
Ebanks

Its been said by Joh Ireland that G-Lock gets no time because he plays zero defense.

Post #2 » by **TyCobb** » Sat Jul 28, 2012 1:28 am

Our bench is still really weak--lose second round.

iamworthy · Post #3 » by **iamworthy** » Sat Jul 28, 2012 1:39 am

TyCobb wrote:Our bench is still really weak--lose second round.

I dont see our bench getting drastically better with the options that are out there.

ennui · Post #4 » by **ennui** » Sat Jul 28, 2012 1:42 am

TyCobb wrote:Our bench is still really weak--lose second round.

I agree. A decent combo guard would be round our roster out nicely and give us that strong 8 man rotation that is needed in the POs.

XXIV · Post #5 » by **XXIV** » Sat Jul 28, 2012 2:02 am

We still have a weak bench, an upgrade for backup wing players is really needed. With that said, as currently constructed I could see us making the WCF without too much issue.

stillflossin · Post #6 » by **stillflossin** » Sat Jul 28, 2012 2:07 am

I think Jamison is as good of a 6th man as Harden or Ginobili. And it shouldn't be too hard to have a rotation where one of Bynum/Pau AND one of Kobe/Nash is always on the floor. If Bynum plays the whole year, the Thunder are the only team in the West that can take us out, and even that I think is a coin-flip. Hard to predict what round we make because of seeding. Heat should repeat, but if we get to the finals and Kobe starts to smell that 6th ring... watch out!

ennui · Post #7 » by **ennui** » Sat Jul 28, 2012 2:11 am

stillflossin wrote:I think Jamison is as good of a 6th man as Harden or Ginobili. And it shouldn't be too hard to have a rotation where one of Bynum/Pau AND one of Kobe/Nash is always on the floor. If Bynum plays the whole year, the Thunder are the only team in the West that can take us out, and even that I think is a coin-flip. Hard to predict what round we make because of seeding. Heat should repeat, but if we get to the finals and Kobe starts to smell that 6th ring... watch out!

You are going to be very disappointed next year. Sure, he's serviceable, stretches the floor and is an obvious and dramatic improvement over McBob and Murphy, but he's no world-beater. Especially at his advanced age.

stunnar0b · Post #8 » by **stunnar0b** » Sat Jul 28, 2012 2:17 am

if all goes well 2012-13 champions isn't out of the question

Stebo_SSK · Post #9 » by **Stebo_SSK** » Sat Jul 28, 2012 2:18 am

XXIV wrote:We still have a weak bench, an upgrade for backup wing players is really needed. With that said, as currently constructed I could see us making the WCF without too much issue.

I wouldnt say that its weak just no balance. We need a wingman in the backcourt that can get his own buckets. No one really left that can do that except Rush but he'd be matched by GS. Getting JRich in the Howard trade will do wonders for our bench.

Michael Lucky · Post #10 » by **Michael Lucky** » Sat Jul 28, 2012 2:34 am

The bench looks weak because it's missing a player. lol Add in that player and it's an average bench to go along with the best starting lineup in the league. Not exactly the end of the world.

77CSUN77 · Post #11 » by **77CSUN77** » Sat Jul 28, 2012 2:37 am

If we get Howard for bynum then i won't worry about the bench , Let says if we don't get Howard then we definitely need a backup guard. I also kind of expecting that Nash will develop our average players to the next level, just like he did in the Phoenix

Bandwagon1 · Post #12 » by **Bandwagon1** » Sat Jul 28, 2012 3:03 am

If LA acquires either Barbosa or Rush then damn #ColeWorld

Marionettetc · Post #13 » by **Marionettetc** » Sat Jul 28, 2012 3:12 am

WCF exit.

We're due for an injury or two considering the average age of the club, and we still only have two people on our bench that can contribute.

If we find a decent backup SG I think we make it to the finals.

DEEP3CL · Post #14 » by **DEEP3CL** » Sat Jul 28, 2012 5:25 am

Need a 2/3 type guy but he doesn't have to be some offensive machine. Just a guy who can pump in about 8-10 a game. Most people over analyze benches, we don't need our bench to score 30-35 points a game, just score more than the measly 18-20 we got most nights. I like the defensive make up of the bench though, even though Jamison isn't that good of a defender but on the other hand he's never played with any real centers during most of his career.

The Lakers will still be about tempo, if we play our pace we can beat anybody.

chefy · Post #15 » by **chefy** » Sat Jul 28, 2012 8:39 am

should be wcf at the very least, if we play the right way the finals or chip. but playing the right way has never been the lakers style tho, we're just not that type of team. lakers have always won by having superior talent.

Kobe System · Post #16 » by **Kobe System** » Sat Jul 28, 2012 10:24 am

Conference finals. We are still not beating OKC.

Matt6288 · Post #17 » by **Matt6288** » Sat Jul 28, 2012 10:53 am

I don't think its a bad bench, its obviously not complete yet but AJ is a decent scorer, in his season at Dallas with Nash he shot 4% better then he has in any other season so i'm looking forward to seeing us finish games with the bench scoring........thats it i would just like to see the bench score......

One Love · Post #18 » by **One Love** » Sat Jul 28, 2012 3:04 pm

Start Ebanks & let Jamison, Artest & Bynum/Gasol anchor the second unit... I would love to get Delfino/Webster/Barbosa but it may not happen...

ALL HAIL · Post #19 » by **ALL HAIL** » Sat Jul 28, 2012 5:33 pm

Are you all kidding me?

Aside from the frontcourt, that bench sucks bigtime for what this team needs.

If this team stays as is (I think it won't), you all will regret much of what's been said in this thread.

If that bench stays as is, you all will be cursing "no impact Blake" and "can't catch and shoot Ebanks" to kingdom come around the new year. I guarantee it ... and I like Ebanks.

Most of you also discount Johnson-Odom as well. If that team stays as is, Johnson-Odom will get backup SG minutes. I guarantee that too.

This team needs count 'em TWO MORE IMPACT MINIMUM GUYS to be dominant.

And why not be dominant? ... For the minimum ... why not really?

They should be on Barbosa's ass right now, but if he won't take the paycut to win, the next best bets are (in no particular order) Roger Mason, Shannon Brown, Arenas, Willie Green and Meeks.

According to reports, Meeks is the guy (I hope they at least talked to Barbosa and Dooling first).

If they sign Meeks for the minimum, the last "big" need is backup "shooting SF".

If Jason Richardson doesn't fill that hole via trade, there are a number of minimum options remaining who can have an impact, mostly veterans who can still shoot ie. CJ Miles, McGrady, Redd, Webster, Raja Bell, and Antoine Wright.

The Lakers need to sign one of them as well.

Unless the Lakers know about an improved Ebanks jumpshot, then they'd be best advised to add a "shooting SF" to give backup minutes to W.Peace .... in addition to a combo guard/Meeks signing.

ALL HAIL · Post #20 » by **ALL HAIL** » Sat Jul 28, 2012 5:40 pm

DEEP3CL wrote:Need a 2/3 type guy but he doesn't have to be some offensive machine. Just a guy who can pump in about 8-10 a game. Most people over analyze benches ...

Eight to ten points off the bench is an EXCELLENT, OFFENSIVE bench player ... not sure what you're talking about.

You either misspoke or you're straddling the fence.