The Lakers are 17-4 in the Their Last 21 Games

[Stanq]

That’s a very very big if though. Lebron is only getting older. I do agree their ceiling is high but if the bench doesn’t show up the gap between LeBron/luka who can’t shoot straight and the top 2 of a lot of other teams is not that big.

LeBron is shooting over 40% for the last 3 years. Luka made the most threes last years playoff. LeBron show no signs of slowing down. There’s not a thing you said that makes a “big if”.

“But if all of this is true” again that’s a very big if, if LeBron wasn’t slowing down the lakers would’ve gotten past the first round last year instead of getting knocked in round 1. He had a good playoffs but again, my issue isn’t even lebron and rusty Luka, it’s the rest of the squad. That’s a huge if trusting the rest of the team to see them through come playoff time.

That’s hyperbole and stupid argument. Lakers played a competitive series but lost to the team that was reigning champions. LeBron was great, Nuggets were just better, esp when considering matchups.

Lakers third best player has proven more in the playoffs than everyone outside Shai in OKC. You can trust whoever you want, the Lakers have a legit squad.

Btw, all of your arguments were bad so far: LeBron is horrible defender is false; LeBron and Luka can’t shoot are even more false; their depth is bad (Austin, Rui and DFS would play heavy minutes in almost every team). You don’t need to think they are contenders or whatever, just make sure you watch the games before making such comments.

[NCHeels2008]

it's almost like the league was being bombarded with negativity and needed its biggest market and team to change the narrative. How convenient they miraculously get Luka. People are so naive they still don't think this was planned and that the league is rigged

Hey man there's always politics if you wanna think everything is rigged against you, that's a place more open to your absurdist views

[Rust_Cohle]

LeBron is shooting over 40% for the last 3 years. Luka made the most threes last years playoff. LeBron show no signs of slowing down. There’s not a thing you said that makes a “big if”.

“But if all of this is true” again that’s a very big if, if LeBron wasn’t slowing down the lakers would’ve gotten past the first round last year instead of getting knocked in round 1. He had a good playoffs but again, my issue isn’t even lebron and rusty Luka, it’s the rest of the squad. That’s a huge if trusting the rest of the team to see them through come playoff time.

That’s hyperbole and stupid argument. Lakers played a competitive series but lost to the team that was reigning champions. LeBron was great, Nuggets were just better, esp when considering matchups.

Lakers third best player has proven more in the playoffs than everyone outside Shai in OKC. You can trust whoever you want, the Lakers have a legit squad.

Btw, all of your arguments were bad so far: LeBron is horrible defender is false; LeBron and Luka can’t shoot are even more false; their depth is bad (Austin, Rui and DFS would play heavy minutes in almost every team). You don’t need to think they are contenders or whatever, just make sure you watch the games before making such comments.

What an idiotic take. I literally said they weren't contenders as in a lock for the finals. I never said they were bad or haven't done well. LeBron was literally one of the worst defenders in the league up until 2-3 weeks ago.

https://www.threads.net/@sidelinesources/post/DDS0NEhy5pP?hl=en

Did you even watch him this season or just got on the bandwagon with Luka? People here are saying they have a good chance of wining a title this season is crazy. That's what I'm saying. Lots of good teams out West, and that isn't a slight to the Lakers.

Lakers bench is not great, it has been better lately but they have to show up in the playoffs. Big difference than regular season. There's a lot of opportunities for the Lakers to lose to the better team come playoff time with how solid the West is.

[Stanq]

“But if all of this is true” again that’s a very big if, if LeBron wasn’t slowing down the lakers would’ve gotten past the first round last year instead of getting knocked in round 1. He had a good playoffs but again, my issue isn’t even lebron and rusty Luka, it’s the rest of the squad. That’s a huge if trusting the rest of the team to see them through come playoff time.

That’s hyperbole and stupid argument. Lakers played a competitive series but lost to the team that was reigning champions. LeBron was great, Nuggets were just better, esp when considering matchups.

Lakers third best player has proven more in the playoffs than everyone outside Shai in OKC. You can trust whoever you want, the Lakers have a legit squad.

Btw, all of your arguments were bad so far: LeBron is horrible defender is false; LeBron and Luka can’t shoot are even more false; their depth is bad (Austin, Rui and DFS would play heavy minutes in almost every team). You don’t need to think they are contenders or whatever, just make sure you watch the games before making such comments.

What an idiotic take. I literally said they weren't contenders as in a lock for the finals. I never said they were bad or haven't done well. LeBron was literally one of the worst defenders in the league up until 2-3 weeks ago.

https://www.threads.net/@sidelinesources/post/DDS0NEhy5pP?hl=en

Did you even watch him this season or just got on the bandwagon with Luka? People here are saying they have a good chance of wining a title this season is crazy. That's what I'm saying. Lots of good teams out West, and that isn't a slight to the Lakers.

Lakers bench is not great, it has been better lately but they have to show up in the playoffs. Big difference than regular season. There's a lot of opportunities for the Lakers to lose to the better team come playoff time with how solid the West is.

LeBron has been a positive defender every post season of his career. He had a short offseason because of the Olympics, so didn’t start good in any metrocs, both offense and defense, but saying he was a bad defender for 3 weeks means nothing in a 22 year career.

Lakers top 3 guys off the bench are DFS, Vanderbuilt and Gabe Vincent. They would be startibg for half of the league, I’m sure they will be fine come playoffs.

[Rust_Cohle]

That’s hyperbole and stupid argument. Lakers played a competitive series but lost to the team that was reigning champions. LeBron was great, Nuggets were just better, esp when considering matchups.

Lakers third best player has proven more in the playoffs than everyone outside Shai in OKC. You can trust whoever you want, the Lakers have a legit squad.

Btw, all of your arguments were bad so far: LeBron is horrible defender is false; LeBron and Luka can’t shoot are even more false; their depth is bad (Austin, Rui and DFS would play heavy minutes in almost every team). You don’t need to think they are contenders or whatever, just make sure you watch the games before making such comments.

What an idiotic take. I literally said they weren't contenders as in a lock for the finals. I never said they were bad or haven't done well. LeBron was literally one of the worst defenders in the league up until 2-3 weeks ago.

https://www.threads.net/@sidelinesources/post/DDS0NEhy5pP?hl=en

Did you even watch him this season or just got on the bandwagon with Luka? People here are saying they have a good chance of wining a title this season is crazy. That's what I'm saying. Lots of good teams out West, and that isn't a slight to the Lakers.

Lakers bench is not great, it has been better lately but they have to show up in the playoffs. Big difference than regular season. There's a lot of opportunities for the Lakers to lose to the better team come playoff time with how solid the West is.

LeBron has been a positive defender every post season of his career. He had a short offseason because of the Olympics, so didn’t start good in any metrocs, both offense and defense, but saying he was a bad defender for 3 weeks means nothing in a 22 year career.

Lakers top 3 guys off the bench are DFS, Vanderbuilt and Gabe Vincent. They would be startibg for half of the league, I’m sure they will be fine come playoffs.

Gabe Vincent, a "shooter" who shoots 39% on the season? Stop being a homer. Lakers have a high ceiling for sure, but people need to slow their roll.

[Michael Lucky]

How serious is Reaves’ injury?

MRI revealed no damage. Day to Day. He will probably miss a couple of for precautions.

[Michael Lucky]

That’s a very very big if though. Lebron is only getting older. I do agree their ceiling is high but if the bench doesn’t show up the gap between LeBron/luka who can’t shoot straight and the top 2 of a lot of other teams is not that big.

There’s no way Luka doesn’t figure out his shot before May. It already looks much better. He’s just working his way into shape, rhythm, sync with new teammates and system etc.

It's possible for sure, he's still coming back from injury but playoffs are a completely different animal, and I'm far more concerned with the Lakers bench than Luka. People talking about them making the finals or winning it all need to slow their roll.

Lakers bench is hardly an issue with how they rotating Reaves, Lebron, and Luka. Not to mention Rui can also score points. The bench players are mainly there to rotate and keep the Lakers defense in check.

[MrPainfulTruth]

The reason they play better is that LBJ decided to put a bit more effort into defense. No rocket science behind it. To me its also evidence he knew there was a deal cooking because they played better before Luka even arrived. We'll see if he maintains that level of energy on D.

[TheGOATWill]

the defensive improvement is pretty puzzling. teams are hunting luka relentlessly (I would too) yet the others are executing really well behind him. maybe redick and staff understand defending pace and space better than a lot of us thought?

lebron at the 5 works well in small chunks aside from getting crushed on the boards. I'll assume there's no more questions about him playing off the ball.

vincent, goodwin, dk4 and vando are slowly becoming a legit bench mob.

luka's face already looks less puffy, somebody got him off the carbs (fingers crossed for zion). 6 more weeks of regular season basketball is a ton of time to get himself all the way right.

if 3 of these things hold, the lakers are formidable. all 4, this forum gets really obnoxious.

[kingr]

I want to see how they look when teams start to really try to punish them in the paint.

[Beethoven]

it's almost like the league was being bombarded with negativity and needed its biggest market and team to change the narrative. How convenient they miraculously get Luka. People are so naive they still don't think this was planned and that the league is rigged

Hey man there's always politics if you wanna think everything is rigged against you, that's a place more open to your absurdist views

People who think everything is rigged are people who haven't worked hard enough in life to succeed in anything

[xinxin]

Lakers are 18-4 now. & no. 2 in the West.


I have serious doubts about this team getting past Boston and Cavs. assuming they make it out of the West. i think not having a legit big - hayes is good for 15-20 mins - will really hurt them in the playoffs.

[Liam_Gallagher]

What happened to the rust? This team is rolling.

[Archx]

I want to see how they look when teams start to really try to punish them in the paint.

Irony is, that's why they don't want to face a team like Mavs in the 1st round. Mavs when healthy will be terrifying for any team, even for a team like OKC.

[ratul]

Worst trade ever

[Liam_Gallagher]

I want to see how they look when teams start to really try to punish them in the paint.

I want to see those teams try to guard Luka, James, and Reaves.

[FrobeBryant]

I want to see how they look when teams start to really try to punish them in the paint.

You really think teams haven't tried to expose their lack of size inside? They've faced Jokic and KAT since trading away AD and have fared pretty well. And the last two games they had Zubac inside, he did well the first game but the Lakers emphasized keeping him off the boards, which resulted in him only having 12 pts 9 rebs in their second meeting. Yes the Lakers don't have a traditional center inside but they have plenty of wing defenders and a scheme that helps mitigate the lack of a big.

[stan francisco]

Based on the defense since the trade, I say we have a chance to go all the way.

Haven’t seen defense like this from our team since 2010. DFS was a total gift to our defensive intensity.

Teams I fear: Rockets, OKC, Cleveland. Young and well coached teams.

Let’s avoid HOU and OKC by keeping the number two spot, cut straight to CLE.

[Jazz9]

Best defense in the league for the last 19 games

[The Laker Kid]

It doesn't feel right to have a player as good as Luka gifted to us out of thin air. It's just unfair and wrong. I cannot, in good conscience, accept the reality of it all. Still can't believe Luka is wearing a Lakers jersey.