RealGM

One of the 5 teams in this article are the Lakers. What do you guys think, can the Lakers be a legit threat to the playoffs this season?

http://theleaguenews.com/nba-biggest-su ... eams-2013/

Most people are drinking on the media's poison of us not being good at all. Good for them, let them think that. All I know is that this isn't 2005 with guys that can't play worth a damn. When you have a Nick Young, Henry, Farmar, Kaman and a Wes Johnson, you have a pretty decent core of young guys that can help.

IMO our team won't have issues scoring, and I think we'll be one of the best scoring teams in the league. The problem will be defense and rebounding, and the 2005 team was better in both of those areas. Kaman and Gasol will play terrific together offensively, but that lineup will hurt our transition defense so if we wan't to have a good season guys like Hill will have to play very well.

I'm not a Laker fan but I used to say they'll suck just for jokes but this team could be a playoff team, anywhere from at least 6 to 8.

NBADraft2003 wrote:I'm not a Laker fan but I used to say they'll suck just for jokes but this team could be a playoff team, anywhere from at least 6 to 8.

And that's about right where most real Laker fans think we could finish. I'm seeing things with this team that when they come together can make them a very dangerous group to face in a series. I'm loving the fact that we can be the poison to some teams season especially when they have high hopes.

I know we aren't winning a title but we can damn sure wreck some of teams hope also.

I think our lack of transition defense and weak defense in the post will hurt us, but I'll agree that this is going to be a fun team to watch. Of course, I'm on the side that thinks this might be the draft to 'tank' for. I know, I know...loser mentality, but when it comes down to it we are Laker fans above all and I would hate for us to miss out on generational talent especially since Mamba is nearing the twilight years.

Everything will depend on Kobe's health. It's really hard to predict anything right now without seeing how he's going to play first. Also Nash has to step up while Kobe's still recovering.

DEEP3CL wrote:

NBADraft2003 wrote:I'm not a Laker fan but I used to say they'll suck just for jokes but this team could be a playoff team, anywhere from at least 6 to 8.

And that's about right where most real Laker fans think we could finish. I'm seeing things with this team that when they come together can make them a very dangerous group to face in a series. I'm loving the fact that we can be the poison to some teams season especially when they have high hopes.

I know we aren't winning a title but we can damn sure wreck some of teams hope also.

This team could be really good and they're more fun to watch than last year's team, I guess it's because they have a lot of new young players to watch. I couldn't believe my eyes last year when you guys were struggling but that proves you need a great coach to coach a great team like that. People can't HONESTLY believe a team with Nash, Pau, and Kobe as it's core can't make the playoffs. It all depends on health and if Kobe is ready to average fewer shot attempts.

Enjoy this year's journey, the ride or whatever you want to call it. If the team develops the chemistry as they all claim is happening, it will be a team that will be fun to root for win or lose. Unlike last year, when we were let down even vs inferior opponents because we under achieved -- we will play with house money.

At the end of the day, we will be more of a perimeter oriented team and coupled with aging stars plus erratic performers (some nights good, some bad), we can't expect to do any real damage in post season even if we get in.

On paper in hard to see this squad better than OKC, LA, Mem, GS, SA and Hou. Arguably on par with Den, Dal and Uta which means we will be 1 of 4 teams fighting for last 2 seeds and a thrashing in the first round.

I just hope this teams truly enjoys playing together and shares the basketball. If they play the right way, I will enjoy the ride regardless of when it ends.

I honestly think we are one of the most underrated teams in the league. If Kobe can get back to his 2013 form with better effort on defense, we can go pretty far. We have young legs who can run back on defense and we have Pau back in the post. Call me crazy but I honestly think we could be better than the Clippers.

Asianiac_24 wrote:I honestly think we are one of the most underrated teams in the league. If Kobe can get back to his 2013 form with better effort on defense, we can go pretty far. We have young legs who can run back on defense and we have Pau back in the post. Call me crazy but I honestly think we could be better than the Clippers.

you crazy

As long as Kobe, Pau & Nash stay healthy, we could be dangerous... Don't underestimate the value of "chemistry"... This team is developing it right now... We are the under dog right now and our team will embrace it... We could beat or lose to any team any night so lets embrace the year and enjoy it...

Well if we could stay **** healthy for once that would go a long way in us having success

Apparently Kaman hurt his fingers while tobogganing at the Great Wall

http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow ... z2hcDNkby4


Are you **** kidding me?

Doesn't sound serious but still

KB24TBOTB wrote:

Asianiac_24 wrote:I honestly think we are one of the most underrated teams in the league. If Kobe can get back to his 2013 form with better effort on defense, we can go pretty far. We have young legs who can run back on defense and we have Pau back in the post. Call me crazy but I honestly think we could be better than the Clippers.

you crazy

I hate the Clippers but Asianiac_24 been hit'in the saki too hard !

In all honesty though, I saw the Clipper game last night against the Jazz and I wasn't that impressed because the Jazz don't match up with the Clippers anyway. They look like they're committed to defense a little more, but offensively it's still the same to me. Trying to make the highlight lobs and a bunch of 3's. They still lack a solid interior post game which is what you need in the playoffs.

So the story is going to be the same, nice 50-55 win regular season and probably a 2nd round out because Jordan and Griffin refuse to play the post like real bigs.

NBADraft2003 wrote:

DEEP3CL wrote:

NBADraft2003 wrote:I'm not a Laker fan but I used to say they'll suck just for jokes but this team could be a playoff team, anywhere from at least 6 to 8.

And that's about right where most real Laker fans think we could finish. I'm seeing things with this team that when they come together can make them a very dangerous group to face in a series. I'm loving the fact that we can be the poison to some teams season especially when they have high hopes.

I know we aren't winning a title but we can damn sure wreck some of teams hope also.

This team could be really good and they're more fun to watch than last year's team, I guess it's because they have a lot of new young players to watch. I couldn't believe my eyes last year when you guys were struggling but that proves you need a great coach to coach a great team like that. People can't HONESTLY believe a team with Nash, Pau, and Kobe as it's core can't make the playoffs. It all depends on health and if Kobe is ready to average fewer shot attempts.

Damnit but I have to defend MDA on this one, the only reason why the team was so bad last year was because of one player, He who shall not be named. If he who shall not be named just went along with the game plan then the season would've went better aside from injuries.
He was a cancer everyone else was on the same page but him. MDA is a wonderful coach and with group he'll proved just that. As for defense a team that wants to play together will play good team defense.
I understand that fact that Gasol and Kaman aren't fast on their feet but with younger legs running around on the outside guy should and will be able to stay in front of their man.
This team has the tools to make noise, So I'm hoping for a first round date with the clippers. I see us getting the 6th seed and if this team become hot from outside they'll be a nasty monster to deal with

b shaw20 wrote:Enjoy this year's journey, the ride or whatever you want to call it. If the team develops the chemistry as they all claim is happening, it will be a team that will be fun to root for win or lose. Unlike last year, when we were let down even vs inferior opponents because we under achieved -- we will play with house money.

At the end of the day, we will be more of a perimeter oriented team and coupled with aging stars plus erratic performers (some nights good, some bad), we can't expect to do any real damage in post season even if we get in.

On paper in hard to see this squad better than OKC, LA, Mem, GS, SA and Hou. Arguably on par with Den, Dal and Uta which means we will be 1 of 4 teams fighting for last 2 seeds and a thrashing in the first round.

I just hope this teams truly enjoys playing together and shares the basketball. If they play the right way, I will enjoy the ride regardless of when it ends.

On Paper? on paper last year everyone and their mother gave the Lakers the title before a single game was played.

OKC can be beaten as we are better constructed to defend them.

LAC is another one that can be beaten Paul just has to be stopped, if we defend him and slow him from getting everyone else involved then we can beat them

MEM is a team I don't believe in anymore after letting their coach go after a great year, a new system to learn...bottom line is they fixed something that wasn't broken

GSW and SAS are teams that I rather face in a later round...IMO
reasons we owned GSW last year and we took a page from the Spurs book

HOU we have something to prove to He who must not be named, so I see this as good matchup, this will be the much like the 2009 NBA finals on with Harden playing this team will be easy to defend.

DAL wont be a problem for us to beat out they can't defend anyone with their back court.

DEN lost Iggy and Karl also to add insult to injury Gallo is still out with an injury. This team didn't make moves in the right direction and I don't see how they'll be better that the Lakers

UTA is too young and I'm sure they won't even try for the post season it would be best for them to get another draft pick to continue.

MIN is another team that just doesn't have the pieces yet, Martin was a nice add but not enough

NOP is a team that I will like to see but I'm not counting on them to be healthy

DEEP3CL wrote:

KB24TBOTB wrote:

Asianiac_24 wrote:I honestly think we are one of the most underrated teams in the league. If Kobe can get back to his 2013 form with better effort on defense, we can go pretty far. We have young legs who can run back on defense and we have Pau back in the post. Call me crazy but I honestly think we could be better than the Clippers.

you crazy

I hate the Clippers but Asianiac_24 been hit'in the saki too hard !

In all honesty though, I saw the Clipper game last night against the Jazz and I wasn't that impressed because the Jazz don't match up with the Clippers anyway. They look like they're committed to defense a little more, but offensively it's still the same to me. Trying to make the highlight lobs and a bunch of 3's. They still lack a solid interior post game which is what you need in the playoffs.

So the story is going to be the same, nice 50-55 win regular season and probably a 2nd round out because Jordan and Griffin refuse to play the post like real bigs.

I agree 126% with you, Griffin will vanish once the post season comes around, now if they had Kevin Love then I would respect this team