The Lakers Could Very Well Go to the Finals ...

[Pelly24]

Nico Harrison is truly on the verge of oblivion. AD gets hurt as soon as he gets there, and the Mavs are now in 10th seed.

On the Lakers end of things, which makes the above much worse, is they now have the best duo in the entire league. It was looking like LeBron would be washed in the first half of the season, but he's essentially still a top 10 player, and unlike others in the top 10 besides Jokic and Luka, he's got an all-time great IQ. Now he's got Luka, who is a top 3 or so player in the world. They can both close. It's like an amped up version of LeBron and Kyrie, or Luka and kyrie. Except both are all-time great playmakers, and one is still a strong defender. They've also got Austin Reaves, who is essentially an all-star or high level starter now.

Looking at these teams in the West, the lakers will have two of the three best players in each series, even against the Celtics or OKC. Idk about their depth. But the nuggets can't get it done. Grizzlies, a lot of other western conference teams are pretty damn flawed.

Lakers could really make it to the big games.

[slick_watts]

if they beat the thunder it would be a monumental upset.

[JustBuzzin]

I told you all the moment the trade happened. The Lakers are a legit threat to win the West.

Luka is not AD. Luka impact is much bigger as a all-around threat. This trade allowed LeBron to take a backseat now he can be fresh with a lesser load to carry on offense. The scary part is they don't even have a legit center yet.

Good luck NBA you just created a monster.

[EmpireFalls]

They’ll lose to the Thunder. I also don’t buy that they’ve solved Denver after getting owned by them for 3 years straight.

Probably 3rd favorites though which is a monumental success considering everything.

[Johnny Firpo]

A Lakers-Mavs first round would be bonkers.

[Liam_Gallagher]

The Luka trade extended LeBron's career by 3-5 years IMO. The amount of easy baskets he's been getting has been alarming. The crazy thing is that Luka has only had maybe 1 game where he looks like his true self - they're still winning despite poor shooting and decision making. I'd imagine that's going to get much better very quickly.

The Thunder don't want the Lakers. They don't have the experience or defenders for Luka/Bron/Austin.

[Karate Diop]

I trust Lukron to ball out, but they gonna need the Grim Reaver to be on his A-Game to beat the elite teams out there. They just don't have the weapons otherwise...

[nikster]

Only concern i have is their size. They are doing a great job accommodating for it so far but I can see that being a bigger issue during a playoff series

[EmpireFalls]

The Luka trade extended LeBron's career by 3-5 years IMO. The amount of easy baskets he's been getting has been alarming. The crazy thing is that Luka has only had maybe 1 game where he looks like his true self - they're still winning despite poor shooting and decision making. I'd imagine that's going to get much better very quickly.

The Thunder don't want the Lakers. They don't have the experience or defenders for Luka/Bron/Austin.

Dort does a very good job on Luka. The Lakers don’t have the defenders for SGA though and they can run a legit 5-out with capable shooters which really ruins LA’s defensive scheme.

I don’t think the Thunder need to worry about LA.

[bb22]

They’ll lose to the Thunder. I also don’t buy that they’ve solved Denver after getting owned by them for 3 years straight.

Probably 3rd favorites though which is a monumental success considering everything.

I also think Denver would still be a slight favorite against them in a series (Jokic is not going to shoot 10 or less shots per game).

As wild as it may sound, I actually think they massively improved their chances against Denver by losing Anthony Davis. AD was getting cooked by skilled bigs, especially Jokic, ever since that pandemic season. His inability to tolerate the physicality required to defend these talented bigs down low, combined with the drop in his outside game and his unwillingness to play the 5, allowed guys like Jokic (and Sabonis) to rest more on D and dominate on offense. With the smaller lineup, Jokic has to move a lot more on D and the Lakers can get away with hacking him on the other end.

The adjustments such as fronting, doubling, and preventing Jokic from getting the ball closer to the paint is something that is probably not sustainable over multiple games. I think Jokic and the Nuggets can comfortably adjust to this. Jamal has to play like an all-star playmaker and the supporting cast has to hit 3s. Defensively, I'm not sure how you approach defending Luka/Lebron/AR in the clutch other than hoping they don't hit their 3s.

[Big J]

They’ll lose to the Thunder. I also don’t buy that they’ve solved Denver after getting owned by them for 3 years straight.

Probably 3rd favorites though which is a monumental success considering everything.

Luka owns OKC.

[Special_Puppy]

They’ll lose to the Thunder. I also don’t buy that they’ve solved Denver after getting owned by them for 3 years straight.

Probably 3rd favorites though which is a monumental success considering everything.

You'd put them over the Warriors and Clippers? Weren't you really high on the Warriors?

[Himothy Duncan]

If LeBron and Luka don’t get a big injury and miss playoff time, they will win it all. Book it now.

[TheGOATWill]

A lot of stars would have to align but the Lakers dream scenario is on the table.

Finish as the 2.
Den finishes at 4
R1 Home for Dubs who also aren't big inside
R2 Home for Griz whose stars and coach we all like, but still don't quite trust
R3 OKC/Den winner after a 6 or 7 game snot knocker

[TFJava]

They would have to have a lot go their way. I do think that they have a strong shot to make it to the Western conference semi-finals.

[slick_watts]

The Thunder don't want the Lakers. They don't have the experience or defenders for Luka/Bron/Austin.

if there's anything the thunder does have it's a surplus of capable wing defenders.

[WestbrookGOATed]

The Luka trade extended LeBron's career by 3-5 years IMO. The amount of easy baskets he's been getting has been alarming. The crazy thing is that Luka has only had maybe 1 game where he looks like his true self - they're still winning despite poor shooting and decision making. I'd imagine that's going to get much better very quickly.

The Thunder don't want the Lakers. They don't have the experience or defenders for Luka/Bron/Austin.

They have the best defense in basketball. Highly doubt they're worried about 40yo Lebron and Austin Reaves

[Kobe187]

Lakers are probably the best team; elite athleticism & defence & great balance throughout the lineup, with Don Luka Magic joining it’s over for the NBA, Lakers are likely winning the Championship.

[WestbrookGOATed]

They’ll lose to the Thunder. I also don’t buy that they’ve solved Denver after getting owned by them for 3 years straight.

Probably 3rd favorites though which is a monumental success considering everything.

Luka owns OKC.

And SGA owns Luka.

[AleksandarN]

This will be a great thread to revisit in a couple months.