Prediction Thread: Lakers v. Mavs

Post #1 » by **penbeast0** » Tue Feb 4, 2025 5:26 pm

Who has the better record from the big trade to the end of the 2024-2025 season? Make your predictions here so we can have you eat crow later. :starwars

durantbird · Post #2 » by **durantbird** » Tue Feb 4, 2025 5:43 pm

Lakers, though I kinda rely on them being able to get some decent, even lower end starter level, center (and not a constant injury guy like Timelord or Mitch Rob)

TheGOATRises007 · Post #3 » by **TheGOATRises007** » Wed Feb 5, 2025 12:09 am

Lakers

I am presuming Pelinka gets in a serviceable center though.

eminence · Post #4 » by **eminence** » Wed Feb 5, 2025 1:08 am

I'm just going to wait a few days.

Post #5 » by **rrravenred** » Wed Feb 5, 2025 1:09 am

I'm going to go with the Mavs here. I think the addition of Davis (with however big an injury caveat you put on it) will be more effective in the short term than the addition of Luka (with however big an injury, etc). Lakers big-man rotation looks very ordinary.

Both will struggle to evade the play-in.

Post #6 » by **Fadeaway_J** » Wed Feb 5, 2025 1:40 am

Based on how Pelinka was talking today, it looks like Dallas. The current roster is too unbalanced.

durantbird · Post #7 » by **durantbird** » Wed Feb 5, 2025 7:59 am

We should also take into account Lakers currently has 9 more wins. Dallas has less games remaining, 3 less.

Post #8 » by **penbeast0** » Wed Feb 5, 2025 12:46 pm

durantbird wrote:We should also take into account Lakers currently has 9 more wins. Dallas has less games remaining, 3 less.

For better record read higher win% from this point on, though 3 extra games gives a touch more time to adjust I guess.

I would say Dallas because the fit is better and Luka has not been playing as much as AD this season even though LeBron and Luka are the two best players on either team. However, the fanbase seems more broken by the deal and if that carries over to the players, they just won't play with the same energy and it will be the Lakers.

Post #9 » by **tsherkin** » Wed Feb 5, 2025 1:15 pm

I think Dallas is looking more balanced and all that, so I'll go with them, but I'm only like 60% into that position. If Luka and Lebron gel fast, it could easily be them.

KembaWalker · Post #10 » by **KembaWalker** » Wed Feb 5, 2025 1:37 pm

probably whichever one stays healthier

sp6r=underrated · Post #11 » by **sp6r=underrated** » Wed Feb 5, 2025 5:05 pm

Does Dallas's morale hold up? We think about these trades on paper but Kyrie has typically imploded mentally when he is the centerpiece and he is now again. And Davis, who hated NO and wanted LA, is sent to a team whose fans are fairly clearly displeased.

I think this could get ugly in Dallas, fast.