Predictions

[sonnyhill]

What do the people on this board believe that the Lakers' 2022-2023 Regular Season Record will be?

Where will the team place in the Pacific Division?

Where will the team place in the Western Conference?

Playoffs? Yes or No?

Play-in? Yes or No?

If LeBron and AD stay healthy, and Westbrook can accept his new role in the Darvin Ham system, I can see the team having a

42-40 record;

5th in the Pacific Division behind Golden State, Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix, and Sacramento;

10th in the Western Conference;

a Play-in team.

[TyCobb]

What do the people on this board believe that the Lakers' 2022-2023 Regular Season Record will be?

45-37

Where will the team place in the Pacific Division?

4th

Where will the team place in the Western Conference?

8th

Playoffs? Yes or No?

Yes

Play-in? Yes or No?

Yes

[SlimShady83]

AD won't last the season heck probably out b4 allstar break - that's my prediction

But If by some miracle, Lakers stay healthy - 5th seed with or with out Russ

[Beethoven]

If AD stays healthy for one full season and lebron is his usual self and we trade russ before new year we can go all the way.

[Landsberger]

My gut tells me this is the year Bron gets THE injury. Every great, toward the end, get an injury that steepens the slide down hill. An injury or lots of missed time is a given for Davis. Inconsistent play from Westbrook will be a given. The cast after that is thin... very thin. New system, new coach and nearly no depth at any position other than PG we seem poised for a very disappointing season if even a couple of those things happen.

OTOH the best case is little to no injuries to the top 3 and some cohesion. Lack of depth and old legs will limit even this but we could squeak into the playoffs at one of the bottom 3 slots which will be hotly contested.

[heezyo2o]

Realistically I expect both Lebron and AD to miss some time during the season. Seeding doesn't matter though as long as everyone is healthy at the end, maybe they can make a run. I think they should rest Lebron some games here and now, but that won't happen with Kareem's record in reach.

[Slava]

Record: 42-40
Division: 4th
Conference: 10th
Playoffs? Yes
Play-in? Yes

[DanishLakerFan]

Record: 52-30
Playoffs: Yes. And i think they'll win the title.

Lakers is the only team who has two players that could be the best player in a series. Sure, through the entire playoffs i think Giannis, Luka and Jokic will be better, but when they're at their best, i dont think anyone can match them. But it would require a trade at some point where they turn Westbrook into something useful.

[SK21209]

I think we stay above .500 for the first 20 games or so and the Hield/Turner trade is ultimately completed. After the trade the team looks good and finishes with 50-52 wins for a middle playoff seed. Lose in the 2nd round or conference final.

[Kilroy]

We're already screwed IMO... the only way this team does really anything of interest this season, is if AD can consistently dominate... Barring trading AD or LeBron for another superstar, no trade will compensate for AD not being able to dominate consistently on both ends of the court...
And with him already being questionable... It's just not a good thing... And it's not 'too early' to say that this season, because he hasn't been 'The Guy' on this team with any consistency, for at least 2 seasons now.

If he doesn't get injured, LeBron will be good Offensively and mediocre Defensively... He's not going to become something we haven't seen already... AD has either been in a slump after the Chip, or he's a shell of the player he was before he got a ring... If it's the latter, any optimism about this core repeating are probably delusional...

So based on what I've seen so far, this team, if it tries real hard, can get to the play-in and make it to the first round. But that's a dream at this point... I would be shocked if this team went beyond the second round, even if we pulled one of the rumored trades...

[LAKESHOW]

The acquisition of Westbrook has killed the season before it started. Thanks Pelinka. Thanks Lebron.
We are not championship contenders... 7th

[sonnyhill]

We're already screwed IMO... the only way this team does really anything of interest this season, is if AD can consistently dominate... Barring trading AD or LeBron for another superstar, no trade will compensate for AD not being able to dominate consistently on both ends of the court...
And with him already being questionable... It's just not a good thing... And it's not 'too early' to say that this season, because he hasn't been 'The Guy' on this team with any consistency, for at least 2 seasons now.

If he doesn't get injured, LeBron will be good Offensively and mediocre Defensively... He's not going to become something we haven't seen already... AD has either been in a slump after the Chip, or he's a shell of the player he was before he got a ring... If it's the latter, any optimism about this core repeating are probably delusional...

So based on what I've seen so far, this team, if it tries real hard, can get to the play-in and make it to the first round. But that's a dream at this point... I would be shocked if this team went beyond the second round, even if we pulled one of the rumored trades...

The Laker roster is not constructed with complimentary pieces, lacks athleticism, and got beaten too many times on the defensive end of the floor last night vs Golden State. Giving up easy, backdoor baskets and allowing for the Warriors to even score an uncontested layup on an out-of-bounds play from the baseline demonstrates a lack of commitment to defense.

Perhaps this season is all about Jeanie getting to see Lebron breaking Kareem's scoring record while wearing a Laker uniform.

Yet, if the team can make a commitment to playing defense and can get into the play-in, anything can happen with Lebron leading the charge. A longshot, yes...but also, achievable.

Cowherd deconstructs what the Lakers are missing by contrasting the Lakers with the Warriors:

Watch on YouTube

...sigh...

[Ball so hard]

We're already screwed IMO... the only way this team does really anything of interest this season, is if AD can consistently dominate... Barring trading AD or LeBron for another superstar, no trade will compensate for AD not being able to dominate consistently on both ends of the court...
And with him already being questionable... It's just not a good thing... And it's not 'too early' to say that this season, because he hasn't been 'The Guy' on this team with any consistency, for at least 2 seasons now.

If he doesn't get injured, LeBron will be good Offensively and mediocre Defensively... He's not going to become something we haven't seen already... AD has either been in a slump after the Chip, or he's a shell of the player he was before he got a ring... If it's the latter, any optimism about this core repeating are probably delusional...

So based on what I've seen so far, this team, if it tries real hard, can get to the play-in and make it to the first round. But that's a dream at this point... I would be shocked if this team went beyond the second round, even if we pulled one of the rumored trades...

Agree with pretty much everything you said. I’ve said for months now (before that Lebron contract) that we should blow up this team. Title window with this core is just about shut. I’m afraid AD is just not that guy anymore.

[LAKESHOW]

There is a Slim. Small. Miniscule hope for playoff advancement. Like I Said above. This Brain trust has shoved all our hopes on the 84 Million dollar man. That's right! This is the ridiculous scenario, over the top, can't believe it if it was a Hollywood movie....scenario these idiots have put us into. Dennis Schroeder has to come up big and provide the scoring (that Westbrook can't provide), the stretching of defense with perimeter shooting play(that Beverly can't provide). And the 3rd wheel attachment to Bron and AD that none of the others can provide.
THESE GUYS HAVE FORCED US INTO THAT SCENARIO. Schroder has to be that guy.
The other hail mary, Trade Westbrook. But that ain't a reality as of now.