The New Lakers

[DanishLakerFan]

The Lakers have a good team but how good. Can this team compete with the NBA elite in the playoffs? The answer is I do not know but this team can play when all of the team is in step with their roles and playing the system the coach has implement. So the answer is team chemistry is there yet; my opinion is this team is on the way. More has to come from the young core players to play better to develop the mental and fundamental mechanics of NBA basketball at the elite level of where champions play. This concept is dependent on time playing and learning together also knowing how to win close games and close out games.

A few notes:

Since we acquired Tyson Chandler we are the 3rd best defensive squad!
Lonzo, BI are a major part of that defense.
KCP is starting to hit is normal numbers
Hart has been injured a bit, but is coming back.
Beas is looking like he can contribute from the bench. Ditto for Moe.
Kuz is starting to play defense! (?)
Once Rondo comes back i think he's going to improve our offense.

All in all, things are looking pretty good so far. The record agrees.

We do need BI to play more within the system and while he is hitting his mid-range shots, some of them should be layups or 3s instead. We might also have to make a minor move before the deadline and get a piece - a 3pt specialist, perhaps - that could help us in a playoff-run.

As for the playoffs. If we make it, i think Lebron on a switchy top 5 defensive squad surrounded by shooters and with a few extra ball-handlers is a good place to start.

[milesfides]

Nobody is saying the young core will be as talented as Lebron. That’s a straw man argument.

The issue here is the illogic of building around a player who won’t be among the very best at ages 35-38. I think that assumption is very fair considering the hard facts of science and his being a one-way player for the past three seasons.

That doesn’t mean any of the young core will be an MVP candidate either, but they’re also not making a self-defeating 35% of the cap. Over time, Lebron makes more money, while his play becomes undoubtedly worse. How’s that for a smart investment?

I simply choose the young core because they’re not in the way. These kids are quality assets and we preserve capspace for a real chance at winning championships. With Lebron, we’re going all in - choosing to ignore the fact that other teams are sitting at the table with better hands. Jerry Buss would not have made such a dumb gamble. Case in point: not paying Shaq, then trading him because he was getting old. He never would have signed off Lebron either.

Sure I understand the losers’ mentality of getting excited about stale crumbs. Gary Payton and Karl Malone. Steve Nash and Dwight Howard. Everybody was so excited, right? Hopefully everybody remembers how embarrassing it was to expect that somehow these desperate moves would end up differently than shots behind the barn.

A bird in hand is better than two in the bush, unless you’re stuck with old Lebron while Kawhi and KD and Anthony Davis are available. If you want to win a championship, how can you possibly expect to get there with inferior players?

Again, the Lakers should have more pride. They should have more patience. They are bigger than Lebron. He’s a tail wagging the dog. He’s a bad bet to win it all. Golden State’s window will stay open far longer than his.

You can’t beat a winner by building around a loser.

[bearadonisdna]

Nobody is saying the young core will be as talented as Lebron. That’s a straw man argument.

The issue here is the illogic of building around a player who won’t be among the very best at ages 35-38. I think that assumption is very fair considering the hard facts of science and his being a one-way player for the past three seasons.

That doesn’t mean any of the young core will be an MVP candidate either, but they’re also not making a self-defeating 35% of the cap. Over time, Lebron makes more money, while his play becomes undoubtedly worse. How’s that for a smart investment?

I simply choose the young core because they’re not in the way. These kids are quality assets and we preserve capspace for a real chance at winning championships. With Lebron, we’re going all in - choosing to ignore the fact that other teams are sitting at the table with better hands. Jerry Buss would not have made such a dumb gamble. Case in point: not paying Shaq, then trading him because he was getting old. He never would have signed off Lebron either.

Sure I understand the losers’ mentality of getting excited about stale crumbs. Gary Payton and Karl Malone. Steve Nash and Dwight Howard. Everybody was so excited, right? Hopefully everybody remembers how embarrassing it was to expect that somehow these desperate moves would end up differently than shots behind the barn.

A bird in hand is better than two in the bush, unless you’re stuck with old Lebron while Kawhi and KD and Anthony Davis are available. If you want to win a championship, how can you possibly expect to get there with inferior players?

Again, the Lakers should have more pride. They should have more patience. They are bigger than Lebron. He’s a tail wagging the dog. He’s a bad bet to win it all. Golden State’s window will stay open far longer than his.

You can’t beat a winner by building around a loser.

Fact of the matter is, The ramifications of lbj joining the western conference has already taken place. Look at the parity.
Lbj is basically the basketball prez. You signed him and its like u have him for a 4 year term.( lol i dont even know his contract situation exactly.)

Not sure the consensus on signing Melo but i dont think there is much downside for the Lakers. You need the ring chasers to build a heat/cavs. Kobe literally made a statement about laughing at warriors fans. That seems to be good confidence from a laker ‘higher up’. The development of the ‘new lakers ‘will only expedite the process but overall lbj will need some help.

[tviper]

yeah, Melo isn't helping anyone. check out his recent teams. they all go into the tank as soon as he arrives. no thanks. you really want to take away minutes from Kuz and Hart?

[Landsberger]

yeah, Melo isn't helping anyone. check out his recent teams. they all go into the tank as soon as he arrives. no thanks. you really want to take away minutes from Kuz and Hart?

The Melo talk could be to fill in if we trade Ingram or Ball. As much as I'd hate to have that punk on the Lakers if we make a major move at the deadline I could see Melo signing to fill the gap for the rest of the year.

[tviper]

yeah, Melo isn't helping anyone. check out his recent teams. they all go into the tank as soon as he arrives. no thanks. you really want to take away minutes from Kuz and Hart?

The Melo talk could be to fill in if we trade Ingram or Ball. As much as I'd hate to have that punk on the Lakers if we make a major move at the deadline I could see Melo signing to fill the gap for the rest of the year.

I think Ariza is a better fit and more likely. No reason for the Suns to keep him around as they tank. I expect him to be bought out and join the Lakers within the next month or so, unless they can find a trade partner.

[Landsberger]

yeah, Melo isn't helping anyone. check out his recent teams. they all go into the tank as soon as he arrives. no thanks. you really want to take away minutes from Kuz and Hart?

The Melo talk could be to fill in if we trade Ingram or Ball. As much as I'd hate to have that punk on the Lakers if we make a major move at the deadline I could see Melo signing to fill the gap for the rest of the year.

I think Ariza is a better fit and more likely. No reason for the Suns to keep him around as they tank. I expect him to be bought out and join the Lakers within the next month or so, unless they can find a trade partner.

Better fit?... maybe but he doesn't vacation with LeBron in the offseason..... Laker fans have lusted for Ariza's return forever but the reality is that Melo is close with LeBron and out of work.

[bearadonisdna]

yeah, Melo isn't helping anyone. check out his recent teams. they all go into the tank as soon as he arrives. no thanks. you really want to take away minutes from Kuz and Hart?

Melo would be signing for the minimum most likely.
The lakers arent that great on bigs.
Now that i think of it, Ariza could help less.

Bigs:Mcgee,James, Chandler, Beasley,Wagner
Wings: Ingram,Kuzma,Pope,Hart,Stephenson.

Mo was a guy i liked during the draft. If you like mo and bease then cool, but melo can help both positional groupings as a combo forward.

[tviper]

The Melo talk could be to fill in if we trade Ingram or Ball. As much as I'd hate to have that punk on the Lakers if we make a major move at the deadline I could see Melo signing to fill the gap for the rest of the year.

I think Ariza is a better fit and more likely. No reason for the Suns to keep him around as they tank. I expect him to be bought out and join the Lakers within the next month or so, unless they can find a trade partner.

Better fit?... maybe but he doesn't vacation with LeBron in the offseason..... Laker fans have lusted for Ariza's return forever but the reality is that Melo is close with LeBron and out of work.

Apparently the Lakers front office agrees with me.

https://nba.nbcsports.com/2018/12/09/report-lakers-trying-to-add-trevor-ariza-via-trade/

[Landsberger]

I think Ariza is a better fit and more likely. No reason for the Suns to keep him around as they tank. I expect him to be bought out and join the Lakers within the next month or so, unless they can find a trade partner.

Better fit?... maybe but he doesn't vacation with LeBron in the offseason..... Laker fans have lusted for Ariza's return forever but the reality is that Melo is close with LeBron and out of work.

Apparently the Lakers front office agrees with me.

https://nba.nbcsports.com/2018/12/09/report-lakers-trying-to-add-trevor-ariza-via-trade/

That would be great..... it means no Melo most likely. However is it a "first step" to moving a forward?

[bearadonisdna]

The way i see this roster construction:
The lakers need a good starting 5 and then a good second unit to give them a good look.

Currently its:
Zo Hart
Ingram Caldwell
Kuzma Stepenson
James Beasley
McGee Chandler


Rondo will be back and minutes can be filled accordingly. Lakers have to be careful not make lateral moves.The Lakers depth is not that bad.