Round 1: LAL

[Klomp]

Interesting coaching match up. Finch was pretty damn good last year in his strategy. Not going to hold the mavs series against him

In the other hand reddick could come up with something brilliant.

It's interesting.....we are facing a team with an all-time great and a likely all-time great, but I think I might actually be more scared of JJ Redick and Austin Reaves.

[Klomp]

It will be a media circus, but remember that playing the underdog role is where this team has thrived over the years. I've been scared of this series for the past month, but right now I have an odd calm feeling that's hit me.

[Klomp]

Records since the last meeting:
Lakers: 14-11
Wolves: 17-5

[guest81]

I also doubt Clark gets any meaningful minutes based on how Finch has used him the past month and he his tendency to lean on vets

[Klomp]

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[Slim Tubby]

I read that many times and I'm confused.

Sorry...my Golden Retrievers went bonkers and distracted me after a bear wandered into the yard.

Let's try this again.

There is no other team in the NBA that I would enjoy beating more than the Lakers.

There is no other team in the NBA that I would hate losing to more than the Lakers.

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Best excuse ever! Bear!

Where do you live, Slim?

Northern MN...this time of year, coming out of hibernation and starving, we see them a lot. By the time May arrives, sightings go way down and they become the ghosts of the woods.

As a kid it was great because I could always blame my dogs OR the bears for "eating my homework". Like a good coach, you have to find a rotation that works for you.

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[karch34]

It will be a media circus, but remember that playing the underdog role is where this team has thrived over the years. I've been scared of this series for the past month, but right now I have an odd calm feeling that's hit me.

Love being the underdog like we were against Phoenix last year. That have 2 all timers and it will be tough but we have seemed to focus when it’s a big match up.

[ILC]

Still mad they were short to 50 wins, but will forgive if they wipe the Lakers out. Attack attack attack and Rudy has to dominate on the glass.

Really interested to see how the close games go. Probably the highest BBIQ late vs the dumbest clutch team, something has to give. Or MIN maybe exercises their demons finally.

[winforlose]

I listened to the national takes and they all claim (especially Marcus Morris,) that the Lakers are deeper than us. I find that as stupid as I do ignorant. But as wrong as the take is, it does raise an important question. With only 48 minutes per position, and with Ant pretty much taking 40+ at SG, and Jaden probably getting 40+ if he can avoid foul trouble, how do you dish out the minutes. Mike vs NAW, vs DDV is a decision that could decide the series. Likewise Randle vs Naz, vs Rudy could also decide it. Moreover, all of that ignores Clark who has been very up and down this month and could be impactful on Reeves in the right situations. For us the problem isn’t depth, it is whether we can exploit or advantages and get past our HC playing favorites to get the job done.

[TimberKat]

I listened to the national takes and they all claim (especially Marcus Morris,) that the Lakers are deeper than us. I find that as stupid as I do ignorant. But as wrong as the take is, it does raise an important question. With only 48 minutes per position, and with Ant pretty much taking 40+ at SG, and Jaden probably getting 40+ if he can avoid foul trouble, how do you dish out the minutes. Mike vs NAW, vs DDV is a decision that could decide the series. Likewise Randle vs Naz, vs Rudy could also decide it. Moreover, all of that ignores Clark who has been very up and down this month and could be impactful on Reeves in the right situations. For us the problem isn’t depth, it is whether we can exploit or advantages and get past our HC playing favorites to get the job done.

I don't see Conley playing 30 mins this round. If he does, we maybe in trouble. Typically playoffs is 8 man rotation, so reduced minutes goes to Clark. I think we just don't know enough about what a full strength Lakers team looks like yet. Will have to make adjustments. I am thinking NAW, DDV, and Clark will have big minutes to double team Luka

[guest81]

I listened to the national takes and they all claim (especially Marcus Morris,) that the Lakers are deeper than us. I find that as stupid as I do ignorant. But as wrong as the take is, it does raise an important question. With only 48 minutes per position, and with Ant pretty much taking 40+ at SG, and Jaden probably getting 40+ if he can avoid foul trouble, how do you dish out the minutes. Mike vs NAW, vs DDV is a decision that could decide the series. Likewise Randle vs Naz, vs Rudy could also decide it. Moreover, all of that ignores Clark who has been very up and down this month and could be impactful on Reeves in the right situations. For us the problem isn’t depth, it is whether we can exploit or advantages and get past our HC playing favorites to get the job done.

I don't see Conley playing 30 mins this round. If he does, we maybe in trouble. Typically playoffs is 8 man rotation, so reduced minutes goes to Clark. I think we just don't know enough about what a full strength Lakers team looks like yet. Will have to make adjustments. I am thinking NAW, DDV, and Clark will have big minutes to double team Luka

Finch isn't going to play Clark unless there's foul trouble. He's going solid 8 man rotation. You can write that in stone

[winforlose]

The Lakers have 3 choices for the starting 5. In each version Lebron, Luka, and Reaves are included.

Option 1: Hachimura and Hayes. This is the more traditional starting 5, with them using as much size as possible to enable rebounding, traditional inside play, ect…

Option 2: Vando and Hayes. This is if they need a defensive stopper for Ant and two players who can help with rebounding and dunking off the Luka doubles.

Option 3: DFS and Hachimura. This is the small ball, 5 out lineup teams like using against Rudy. Both guys can shoot, and DFS can guard Ant. The problem is rebounding and defending Rudy on the lob.

[Klomp]

I listened to the national takes and they all claim (especially Marcus Morris,) that the Lakers are deeper than us. I find that as stupid as I do ignorant. But as wrong as the take is, it does raise an important question. With only 48 minutes per position, and with Ant pretty much taking 40+ at SG, and Jaden probably getting 40+ if he can avoid foul trouble, how do you dish out the minutes. Mike vs NAW, vs DDV is a decision that could decide the series. Likewise Randle vs Naz, vs Rudy could also decide it. Moreover, all of that ignores Clark who has been very up and down this month and could be impactful on Reeves in the right situations. For us the problem isn’t depth, it is whether we can exploit or advantages and get past our HC playing favorites to get the job done.

I don't see Conley playing 30 mins this round. If he does, we maybe in trouble. Typically playoffs is 8 man rotation, so reduced minutes goes to Clark. I think we just don't know enough about what a full strength Lakers team looks like yet. Will have to make adjustments. I am thinking NAW, DDV, and Clark will have big minutes to double team Luka

Mike hasn't even played 30 minutes in a regulation game since the second night out of the all-star break. Indiana and Denver were the other two. I doubt it's even on the table. If it was, you'd think they would have ramped him up here over the past week or so.

[Klomp]

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Ant played under 27 minutes in two of the four games. That alone is a major swing if SAS is worried about his scoring.

[shangrila]

Depends on how physical we can be.

If Austin Reaves isn't getting the kind of whistle that would make SGA blush then we've got a good chance. I wouldn't call us favourites, but a good chance.

[Klomp]

Finch isn't going to play Clark unless there's foul trouble. He's going solid 8 man rotation. You can write that in stone

This will be very interesting to monitor. I tend to think you are correct, however I do think it's worth noting that Clark fits the mold of someone who could be game-planned into a series while also remember that Shannon had a breakout performance against the Lakers. With the tendency to not overload Conley, there's a chance he could deepen the rotation a little bit to help find an edge, especially if other things aren't working. If things are working though, I do agree that Finch likely sticks with a tight rotation.

[Klomp]

At some point, is it wise to just treat this like they treat the Nuggets.....let Luka get his and guard the crap out of everyone else?!

[Klomp]

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[TimberKat]

At some point, is it wise to just treat this like they treat the Nuggets.....let Luka get his and guard the crap out of everyone else?!

That could be the strategy too. I haven't seen enough of the Luka Lakers team to have an opinion. I default to double Luka right now as I think we could rotate to cover Reaves which was way more difficult with Kyrie's handle and quickness.

[shrink]

Finch isn't going to play Clark unless there's foul trouble. He's going solid 8 man rotation. You can write that in stone

This will be very interesting to monitor. I tend to think you are correct, however I do think it's worth noting that Clark fits the mold of someone who could be game-planned into a series while also remember that Shannon had a breakout performance against the Lakers. With the tendency to not overload Conley, there's a chance he could deepen the rotation a little bit to help find an edge, especially if other things aren't working. If things are working though, I do agree that Finch likely sticks with a tight rotation.

I wonder if the physical Clark would provide the best style of defense against Doncic?

Sure, he’d foul out quickly with the Laker whistle, but McDaniels is too slight.