The LeBron James All-NBA (2nd) and Luka Doncic - 24-25 Thread

Doug_12 · Post #1701 » by **Doug_12** » Sun Feb 9, 2025 10:24 am

Can we sign Biyombo for the rest of the year and grab him from the Spurs? He is probably the most fitting C that is currently available and we need one immediately.

If not, then Bamba is our best target imo. After one of them is signed, then we can wait for a buyout candidate

Post #1702 » by **Fadeaway_J** » Sun Feb 9, 2025 1:00 pm

Charlotte's statement on the trade is a work of art :lol:

ShaqAttac · Post #1703 » by **ShaqAttac** » Sun Feb 9, 2025 1:29 pm

so max our C?

Peregrine01 · Post #1704 » by **Peregrine01** » Sun Feb 9, 2025 3:16 pm

Special_Puppy wrote:
Peregrine01 wrote:
PistolPeteJR wrote:I'm discussing with a poster on the GB but figured I'd pose the question in here because I know a good number of you don't frequent the GB.

Where do you rank LeBron strictly based off of his play 50 games into the season?

Here's my list of who's definitely ahead of him in the RS so far in no specific order:

Jokic
Giannis
SGA
Luka
Wemby
Tatum
AD
Edwards

I cannot put KD ahead of him for the same reasons LeBron is being criticized especially this season: defense. Yeah, when he locks in like he has the last few games especially, he's still good there, but in general this season he hasn't been good at all. Still has time to change that up given there's still about 3/7s of the season left to play. Brunson, Booker, same defensive issues. Mitchell isn't as good, neither is Brown. Embiid's been hurt all year pretty much. I cannot give those guys a realistic argument that puts them ahead of him 50 games in.

That puts him at worst top-9. Let's call it top-10 to give it a nice round number.

Thoughts?

It might sound crazy but I wouldn't have anyone other than Jokic and maybe Luka over him for the playoffs.

Not even SGA?

Not yet. The playoffs have a level of physicality that’s just different from the regular season. I’m watching SGA lately and he’s just slithering in and out of the paint without really getting touched. Much harder to do when guys can body up on you. SGA isn’t a big guard like Luka who just bullies guys in the paint.

trickshot · Post #1705 » by **trickshot** » Sun Feb 9, 2025 8:07 pm

At current pace Lakers could actually touch the 2 seed at certain points this season. A lot of the younger teams came bursting out the gate and are only just having their losing skid phase.

TroubleS0me · Post #1706 » by **TroubleS0me** » Sun Feb 9, 2025 9:29 pm

Read on Twitter

Homer38 · Post #1707 » by **Homer38** » Sun Feb 9, 2025 9:34 pm

Complete farce he mention Shaq in that!!!!

xb3at band1tx · Post #1708 » by **xb3at band1tx** » Sun Feb 9, 2025 10:44 pm

war chest

Read on Twitter

Post #1709 » by **zimpy27** » Sun Feb 9, 2025 11:25 pm

Now without Mark Williams the Lakers will have a tight rotation of small ball.

Best C possible is Boucher based on impact metrics

trickshot · Post #1710 » by **trickshot** » Mon Feb 10, 2025 12:28 am

Need a real lob threat in the playoffs who has some skill or reading of the game when a team like the Celtics deny the lob. Hayes bless his heart can't make guarded layups and can't read corner passes yet will always go headfirst into a contested finish. That and the untimely fouls is how guys like him become useless and get played off the floor.

Doug_12 · Post #1711 » by **Doug_12** » Mon Feb 10, 2025 10:50 am

zimpy27 wrote:Now without Mark Williams the Lakers will have a tight rotation of small ball.

Best C possible is Boucher based on impact metrics

Isn't he still under contract with the Raptors? Webster stated after the deadline that both Boucher and the Raps love him being on the team. It seems they have no plans to waive or buy him out - which is unfortunate. Boucher would deserve a chance in a PO team and we could offer him a starter role.

Post #1712 » by **zimpy27** » Mon Feb 10, 2025 11:02 am

Doug_12 wrote:
zimpy27 wrote:Now without Mark Williams the Lakers will have a tight rotation of small ball.

Best C possible is Boucher based on impact metrics

Isn't he still under contract with the Raptors? Webster stated after the deadline that both Boucher and the Raps love him being on the team. It seems they have no plans to waive or buy him out - which is unfortunate. Boucher would deserve a chance in a PO team and we could offer him a starter role.

He is yes but i remain hopeful that an expiring big on under 12.82m will decide to give up some cash in a buyout to start for the Lakers.

Expiring guys: Boucher, Nance, Reed
2-year guys: Olynyk, Homes, RW3, Landale

Doug_12 · Post #1713 » by **Doug_12** » Mon Feb 10, 2025 12:36 pm

zimpy27 wrote:
Doug_12 wrote:
zimpy27 wrote:Now without Mark Williams the Lakers will have a tight rotation of small ball.

Best C possible is Boucher based on impact metrics

Isn't he still under contract with the Raptors? Webster stated after the deadline that both Boucher and the Raps love him being on the team. It seems they have no plans to waive or buy him out - which is unfortunate. Boucher would deserve a chance in a PO team and we could offer him a starter role.

He is yes but i remain hopeful that an expiring big on under 12.82m will decide to give up some cash in a buyout to start for the Lakers.

Expiring guys: Boucher, Nance, Reed
2-year guys: Olynyk, Homes, RW3, Landale

Hmm, but aren't we (as a team over the 1st apron) restricted to pick up guys who were earning more than the non-tax MLE?

Post #1714 » by **zimpy27** » Mon Feb 10, 2025 12:51 pm

Doug_12 wrote:
zimpy27 wrote:
Doug_12 wrote:Isn't he still under contract with the Raptors? Webster stated after the deadline that both Boucher and the Raps love him being on the team. It seems they have no plans to waive or buy him out - which is unfortunate. Boucher would deserve a chance in a PO team and we could offer him a starter role.

He is yes but i remain hopeful that an expiring big on under 12.82m will decide to give up some cash in a buyout to start for the Lakers.

Expiring guys: Boucher, Nance, Reed
2-year guys: Olynyk, Homes, RW3, Landale

Hmm, but aren't we (as a team over the 1st apron) restricted to pick up guys who were earning more than the non-tax MLE?

None are earning more than MLE this season.

Doug_12 · Post #1715 » by **Doug_12** » Mon Feb 10, 2025 1:15 pm

zimpy27 wrote:
Doug_12 wrote:
zimpy27 wrote:

He is yes but i remain hopeful that an expiring big on under 12.82m will decide to give up some cash in a buyout to start for the Lakers.

Expiring guys: Boucher, Nance, Reed
2-year guys: Olynyk, Homes, RW3, Landale

Hmm, but aren't we (as a team over the 1st apron) restricted to pick up guys who were earning more than the non-tax MLE?

None are earning more than MLE this season.

Ahh, ok. Somewhere I read a 12.5m+ figure. Probably it was an old article w/ his starting salary of his current deal.

PistolPeteJR · Post #1716 » by **PistolPeteJR** » Mon Feb 10, 2025 2:12 pm

TroubleS0me wrote:

Read on Twitter

Love this. Keep fanning the flames Mavs!

Post #1717 » by **zimpy27** » Tue Feb 11, 2025 12:50 am

Doug_12 wrote:
zimpy27 wrote:
Doug_12 wrote:Hmm, but aren't we (as a team over the 1st apron) restricted to pick up guys who were earning more than the non-tax MLE?

None are earning more than MLE this season.

Ahh, ok. Somewhere I read a 12.5m+ figure. Probably it was an old article w/ his starting salary of his current deal.

Anyway, even though Boucher is small I think he'd be the best fit, he should be bought out as he fits the typical criteria. Would be pretty cool to see the Lakers with elite small ball.

PG: Reaves (28) | Vincent (20)
SG: Luka (40) | Reaves (8)
SF: DFS (28) | Vando (20)
PF: LeBron (38) | Rui (10)
C: Boucher (28) | Rui (20)

18 mins: Reaves, Luka, DFS, LeBron, Boucher
12 mins: Vincent, Luka, Vando, LeBron, Rui
10 mins: Reaves, Luka, DFS, Rui, Boucher
8 mins: Vincent, Reaves, Vando, LeBron, Rui

When you put out the rotations you realise the Lakers are going to have 3 of Rui, Luka, Reaves, LeBron on the court, therefore the other 2 players should be defenders (ie Vincent, Vando, DFS, Boucher).

trickshot · Post #1718 » by **trickshot** » Tue Feb 11, 2025 3:33 am

Think might lose because of the holes, unfamiliarity and sheer enormity of the occasion but watching still feels like Christmas eve

scratch that, this offense is really good. Absolutely no problems scoring from day 1. Even the rebounding looks better with Luka and Goodwin

PistolPeteJR · Post #1719 » by **PistolPeteJR** » Tue Feb 11, 2025 4:45 am

donnieme wrote:Think might lose because of the holes, unfamiliarity and sheer enormity of the occasion but watching still feels like Christmas eve

scratch that, this offense is really good. Absolutely no problems scoring from day 1. Even the rebounding looks better with Luka and Goodwin

Well this didn’t age well

dcstanley · Post #1720 » by **dcstanley** » Tue Feb 11, 2025 4:46 am

zimpy27 wrote:
Doug_12 wrote:
zimpy27 wrote:
None are earning more than MLE this season.

Ahh, ok. Somewhere I read a 12.5m+ figure. Probably it was an old article w/ his starting salary of his current deal.

Anyway, even though Boucher is small I think he'd be the best fit, he should be bought out as he fits the typical criteria. Would be pretty cool to see the Lakers with elite small ball.

PG: Reaves (28) | Vincent (20)
SG: Luka (40) | Reaves (8)
SF: DFS (28) | Vando (20)
PF: LeBron (38) | Rui (10)
C: Boucher (28) | Rui (20)

18 mins: Reaves, Luka, DFS, LeBron, Boucher
12 mins: Vincent, Luka, Vando, LeBron, Rui
10 mins: Reaves, Luka, DFS, Rui, Boucher
8 mins: Vincent, Reaves, Vando, LeBron, Rui

When you put out the rotations you realise the Lakers are going to have 3 of Rui, Luka, Reaves, LeBron on the court, therefore the other 2 players should be defenders (ie Vincent, Vando, DFS, Boucher).

Boucher would be a boon. He could play with Vando too because of his shooting. Really hoping he's made available but I doubt it.

In any event, Hayes is looking okay. Actually pleasantly surprised by his defense. His rebounding still needs improvement, though.

Hindsight: Would you trade Luka back to Dallas for Anthony Davis?