I don't get the notion that Lakers are absolutely stacked

[jptremblay]

Agree, they are basically 2 superstars (Lebron and Davis) plus decent role players (Nunn, THT, Mathews). Then washed vets like Marc and Carmelo and some solid vets like Dwight and Rondo, but those 2 can't shoot, so they can't play many minutes in a team with one of the worst spacings.

Also, Westbrook is not a net positive in a contender right now. He can give rest rights to the stars because he elevates teammates in some regular season games, but don't expect something good in postseason.

[TheRealKaboom]

lol so Nunn, Monk, THT, and Bazemore were great 5 years ago but done now? You can say that about a few guys on the team but they're on minimum deals, can be scaled down as needed, and every team has guys like that.

No one's saying they're stacked like the Nets are, but that they have the best shot of making it out of the West, also as a product of teams like Denver, Clips, GS having injured stars for significant parts of the season.

See post after yours, people say this team is absolutely stacked... Nunn, THT and Monk are ok players, but lottery teams have players like that on their bench, and we are talking about team that people act is insane talented. Gasol, Dwight, Carmelo, Rondo, Mathews, these guys are pretty much done. Its LeBron, Davis... Westbrook, and then a bunch of nothing.

So in other words you have the same opinion of a lot of people that doubt the Lakers? Ok.

I like the Lakers, and dont want to fued with Lakers fans, I am just saying I puzzled with fans who say this is a Superteam. I get that very casuals, probably seeing these recognizable names and think - wow - but come on, RealGM posters know how washed, Marc, Dwights, Carmelo and to a point even Westbrook are, yet still I constantly see Lakers are loaded beyond belief takes.

I wouldn't be shocked at all if Lakers do not reach the finals, lots of wrong can go with this team.

Lots can go wrong with the other 29 teams, too. Trying posting about them, or maybe soccer which seems to be your sport anyway.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

[Michael Jackson]

This is silly. The Lakers are stacked with talent I don't think that can be argued. Now they are not a given as being as good as their talent. They have a lot of age, chemistry and injuries to workout, but talent wise? Yeah they have plenty of talent. Russ is overrated because of his stats and he isn't the best with playing with other stars, but man is definitely talented. Now are any of these players at their prime? Just AD if healthy. Still a guy like Howard can give 5 minutes if greatness at anytime, Melo same etc... because they are deeper they can play the hot hand (back to chemistry and injuries) and if they figure it out yeah they are scary.

[LAL1947]

I don't get the notion that Lakers are absolutely stacked

When a team has a Lebron @ $41m, an AD @ $36m and a THT @ $9.5m on a roster... and are then able to add a Russ @ $44m... a Malik Monk @ $1.7m instead of $10m... a Kendrick Nunn @ $5m instead of $10-15m... along with Dwight, Melo, Rondo, Ariza, Ellington, Bazemore @ $2.5m each though Free Agency... I feel like this should be included in the Urban Dictionary definition of being stacked, along with Candy Samples. This team may not be as stacked as the Nets are... and didn't get stacked naturally... but it sure as heck is stacked too.

Also, even if Russ doesn't fit as good with Lebron and AD or some of the players are older, it doesn't change that the team is stacked with talent. The definition of "stacked" does not include "fit".

[SDman]

First there's a difference IMO between being stacked and having a super team. In this day and age, the latter usually means you have at least 3 perennial all-stars, moreso if all 3 are often in the MVP conversation or worthy of receiving MVP votes. Whether you think the fit is ideal is another question.

To call this team stacked is either misleading or disingenuous sensationalism IMO. Yes the team technically has several players who were at some time considered All Stars or are likely HOFers. But that's also like saying this team is young because all of our older players were young at some point. it also ignores that a lot of these guys cannot be trusted to play extended minutes. If you replace all of our non-AD center minutes with Clint Capela and all of our non-Lebron wing minutes with OG Anunoby we definitely would not be considered as "stacked" but a better team IMO.

[celtxman]

This is a different situation than the Nets. If Durant is out the Nets will still win a lot. But Lebron needs to be healthy for this to work. Right now it is cobbed together with a great need for everyone to understand their roles. But if Vogel and Lebron get them to play the right way they could ne very tough to stop

[LAL1947]

So in other words you have the same opinion of a lot of people that doubt the Lakers? Ok.

Haha, +1 for putting him in a "damned if he does, and damned if he doesn't" situation there.

[King4Day]

Lakers may be more top-heavy than anything. Elite 2-3. Then it drops off a bit. Still, if they're healthy, no excuses.

I'd still rather take my chances against them than the Nets.

[CIN-C-STAR]

Kinda remind me of the 04 Lakers with Karl Malone and Gary Payton.
I hope a team like the Spurs (Denver?) takes them out and we get to see the Lakers crying on the bench again (best guess would be Howard and/or Melo)

[Edrees]

I dont think they are stacked either, just extremely good. However, if Westbrook can return to OKC form, and fit in well, you'll start seeing the narratives that they are a stacked superteam.

[LakersSquadup]

Sure, they look like a great team cause because LeBron and Davis are that good. But where all the other stuff? Maybe I am off on Westbrook, if you see Westbrook as NBA superstar, ok, they have 3 superstars in your eyes, but in my opinion Westbrook is not a very good star and a questionable fit. ANd the rest of their team are guys who were great 5+ years ago but are nearly done now.

Lakers might as well reach the finals cause LeBron and Davis can be that good, but I dont see them nearly as loaded as the Nets are. There is a huge drop off after 2 main stars and their role players are old and arent that good anymore. I think Nets are clear favorites to win it all.

Huh? Lets compare these teams to 2017 warriors

Green 10ppg 8rpg 7apg 1.4bpg
Durant 25ppg 8rpg 5apg
Steph 25ppg 41%3pt
Klay 22ppg 41%3pt
Zaza 6ppg 6rpg 0.5bpg

Bench
Matt barnes
Ian clark
Iggy
Livingston
Looney
Javale

Lakers
Lebron 25ppg 7rpg 7.8apg
Westbrook 22ppg 11.5rpg 11.7apg
Ellington 9ppg 42%3pt
AD 22ppg 8rpg 3apg 1.6bpg
Dwight 7ppg 8.4rpg 1bpg

Bench
Melo
Monk
Nunn
Bazemore
THT
Gasol
Jordan
Ariza

If you don't think the lakers and brooklyn teams are as deep you're lying to yourselves.

[vxmike]

The Veteran Minimum salary and salaries for other role-players definitely needs to be raised in the next CBA. By a lot.

What’s that going to solve? You’ll just get more players on the Nets and Lakers playing for the minimum if the minimum is higher.

[Swish1906]

Honestly players #3 to #15 wont matter at all. Including WB.

Its all about the health and how many games they get out of Lebron/Davis. And if one is injuried in the playoffs they are toast anyway

[LakersSquadup]

LBJ - top 5 player
AD - Top 10 player
WB - Top 12 player

And then you have an all time cast of role guys and defenders. Seems pretty stacked to me.

I hate to play this game, but which of these players Westbrook better than?

Giannis
Durant
LeBron
Jokic
Embiid
Davis
Kawhi
Young
Zion
Lillard
Luka
Steph
Beal
Harden
Irving
Tatum
Gobert
Mitchell
Bam
Paul

RW is not a top 20 player, let alone top 12.

Lol this list is hilarious now I know not to take you serious lol

[Kingdibs19]

I think the Lakers are being underrated but Westbrook is not a top 12 player. His fit is overblown, Lebron and AD will make it work.

[LakersSquadup]

I think the Lakers are being underrated but Westbrook is not a top 12 player. His fit is overblown, Lebron and AD will make it work.

Cool

[Catchall]

LBJ - top 5 player
AD - Top 10 player
WB - Top 12 player

And then you have an all time cast of role guys and defenders. Seems pretty stacked to me.

Most GMs might think Westbrook is a top ~40 player. Almost no one thinks WB is a top 12 player.

[art_tatum]

I mean look at the nets, outside of their big 3 (with many people questioning where kyrie ranks just like they do westbrook) who is after? Brown and harris are decent even though they choked away the bucks series. Then you got washed ex all stars that no one wanted like blake and LMA who was forced to retire last seAson lol.

When you have 3 max guys ofc the rest of the roster is going to ok to meeh players.
Lakers are stacked and a superteam. They got all the vets wanting to go there for little or no dollar.
Nets imo more stacked, but doesnt mean the lakers arent. Will they jell is another question, but the talent alone on that team is elite.

[jehosafats]

They need to find consistent shooting somewhere. Where they find that with his roster isn't exactly clear to me.

[LakersSquadup]

They need to find consistent shooting somewhere. Where they find that with his roster isn't exactly clear to me.

Marc Gasol
Melo
Ellington
Bazemore
Monk and Nunn isnt enough for you?