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LeBron doesn't care about regular season record anymore. The focus of the team will be on being ready for the playoffs. I'd be surprised if they hit 60 wins.

They’ll be more focused on defense which should get them above high 40’s-50 wins so long as they stay healthy

Ainosterhaspie wrote:LeBron doesn't care about regular season record anymore. The focus of the team will be on being ready for the playoffs. I'd be surprised if they hit 60 wins.

I wouldn't be surprised if they start out hot and LeBron wants another MVP he plays harder than usual in the regular season.

Getting a top 4 seed will be huge in the West; top 2 moreso.

Colbinii wrote:

Ainosterhaspie wrote:LeBron doesn't care about regular season record anymore. The focus of the team will be on being ready for the playoffs. I'd be surprised if they hit 60 wins.

I wouldn't be surprised if they start out hot and LeBron wants another MVP he plays harder than usual in the regular season.

Getting a top 4 seed will be huge in the West; top 2 moreso.

Wishful thinking at this point. Lebron would love another MVP but he's done going for stuff in the regular season. If it's going well with his default level of play then that's all good, but he's not kicking into overdrive for 5 more wins or anything like that. That Lebron died somewhere in 2016. I expect him to halfass a couple of marquee games as well. He just doesn't care beyond a certain effort level.

AD is unstoppable, and the team defense seems like it should be above league average.

I’m really liking this late 80’s Magic halfcourt LeBron.

Bron abusing Kawhi.

This dude's playing til he's 50

MisterHibachi wrote:AD is unstoppable, and the team defense seems like it should be above league average.

Does it really?

Basileus777 wrote:

MisterHibachi wrote:AD is unstoppable, and the team defense seems like it should be above league average.

Does it really?

It did before Vogel let KCP cover Kawhi single coverage.

This game started off fun to watch, but now the calls are getting annoying.

I did not tune in to see the stripes.

AD beasting in the post, but feel like he could do a better job being a playmaker out of the post too.

I don't see how this Lakers team doesn't get lit up by perimeter players all season long. Rondo, KCP, Bradley, Cook, Kuzma, and Daniels are awful defensively. And then coming off a screen from the big, McGee and Howard have no chance defending the perimeter and stay dropped back, giving them a wide open look.

The Clippers are just better.

If they stay healthy, there is no battle for LA.
It will always be a Lakers town, but the Clippers are just flat out superior.

yoyoboy wrote:I don't see how this Lakers team doesn't get lit up by perimeter players all season long. Rondo, KCP, Bradley, Cook, Kuzma, and Daniels are awful defensively. And then coming off a screen from the big, McGee and Howard have no chance defending the perimeter and stay dropped back, giving them a wide open look.

What are you talking about?

KCP and Bradley are nowhere near awful defensively. Bradley in particular is a great on ball defender.

Greyhound wrote:

yoyoboy wrote:I don't see how this Lakers team doesn't get lit up by perimeter players all season long. Rondo, KCP, Bradley, Cook, Kuzma, and Daniels are awful defensively. And then coming off a screen from the big, McGee and Howard have no chance defending the perimeter and stay dropped back, giving them a wide open look.

What are you talking about?

KCP and Bradley are nowhere near awful defensively. Bradley in particular is a great on ball defender.

Bradley is a poor defender and it's part of the reason why metrics have him as a big net negative player.

Greyhound wrote:

yoyoboy wrote:I don't see how this Lakers team doesn't get lit up by perimeter players all season long. Rondo, KCP, Bradley, Cook, Kuzma, and Daniels are awful defensively. And then coming off a screen from the big, McGee and Howard have no chance defending the perimeter and stay dropped back, giving them a wide open look.

What are you talking about?

KCP and Bradley are nowhere near awful defensively. Bradley in particular is a great on ball defender.

Bradley has been a negative defender for years. He looks pesky but that's about it. Doesn't help on the boards, isn't a good help defender, dies on screens, and his size limits his ability to contest.

Lakers definitely need another perimeter defender, maybe Iggy. But there's no reason for them to be losing on the boards to this tiny team. They need to dominate the boards every game if they're gonna run out two 7 footers for 40 minutes a game.

Lakers also need another playmaker. They could barely get the ball to AD in the post when LeBron was sitting. Although Kuzma should provide another threat in those minutes when he comes back.

The Lakers are an old school team, but with the way the game is called today that appears to be worthless.

If the Lakers cannot batter people inside with their size (on offense, defense and the glass) they are going nowhere.

Guys like Beverly flopping on box outs should not be able to neutralize the rebounding of a team loaded with true bigs.

yoyoboy wrote:

Greyhound wrote:

yoyoboy wrote:I don't see how this Lakers team doesn't get lit up by perimeter players all season long. Rondo, KCP, Bradley, Cook, Kuzma, and Daniels are awful defensively. And then coming off a screen from the big, McGee and Howard have no chance defending the perimeter and stay dropped back, giving them a wide open look.

What are you talking about?

KCP and Bradley are nowhere near awful defensively. Bradley in particular is a great on ball defender.

Bradley has been a negative defender for years. He looks pesky but that's about it. Doesn't help on the boards, isn't a good help defender, dies on screens, and his size limits his ability to contest.

You are looking at the numbers (and there is nothing wrong with that), I am leaning on my eye analysis. He has been injured the past few seasons and playing on teams with poor fit.

Healthy, on a team structured with good back line support, his brand of defense will be very valuable.

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On another note: Bradley averaged over 8 rebounds a game (as a guard) just a few seasons ago. So he is quite capable of helping on the glass.