It's time to be honest - the Lakers look great and are bonafide contenders

[Raps in 4]

In my truest most objective and kindest way of communicating, I say, confidently and with firmness:

The Lakers are pretenders.

Will they beat OKC? No
Will they beat Spurs? No.
Will they beat Denver? No.

They can go toe to toe with Houston and the second tier. But the playoffs are a different beast.

I could see them beating the Spurs based on that team's lack of experience. But there is absolutely no chance they get past OKC, Denver, Minny, or Houston. The series wouldn't even be competitive (maybe against Houston they could win a few games).

[Raps in 4]

Bona fide contenders:

[JRoy]

Bona fide contenders:

Only so much the zebras can do.

[The Servant]

I could see them competing for an in season cup maybe?

[HotRocks34]

This team is real, and dangerous.

The OKC beatdown was just the wake up call they needed.

Ayton is starting to get his rhythm.

[CobraCommander]

when Lebron gets back and they get some time to figure out who's initiating the offense...I could see their big three all being better on defense because of the lighter workload on Offense, Ayton being respectable in the paint and Rui, Kennect4 and the boys playing their roles leading to NO ONE WANTING TO PLAY THESE GUYS IN A 7 game series

[doogie_hauser]

[quote="HotRocks34"]This team is real, and dangerous.

The OKC beatdown was just the wake up call they needed.

Ayton is starting to get his rhythm.[/quote]

Nope. That OKC loss is not an aberration. Lakers get exposed by fast, athletic teams with two way wings (aka Atlanta) they are not close to being a top 3 team in The West

2nd round of the playoffs is their current ceiling.

[Godymas]

The Lakers are the classic second round exit team. They will happily sweep the mid the to bad teams which will propel them to 50 wins, but they will get dismantled by actual contenders

[HotRocks34]

This team is real, and dangerous.

The OKC beatdown was just the wake up call they needed.

Ayton is starting to get his rhythm.

Nope. That OKC loss is not an aberration. Lakers get exposed by fast, athletic teams with two way wings (aka Atlanta) they are not close to being a top 3 team in The West

2nd round of the playoffs is their current ceiling.

Not buying it.

I didn't think much of this team but they're better than I thought.

Atlanta loss was the ATL switching defense and no secondary ball handler to help Luka because Reaves, Bron and Vincent were out. Smart played but it's not the same level, at least not that outing.

They're learning from their mistakes quickly. Good sign.

[doogie_hauser]

This team is real, and dangerous.

The OKC beatdown was just the wake up call they needed.

Ayton is starting to get his rhythm.

Nope. That OKC loss is not an aberration. Lakers get exposed by fast, athletic teams with two way wings (aka Atlanta) they are not close to being a top 3 team in The West

2nd round of the playoffs is their current ceiling.

Not buying it.

I didn't think much of this team but they're better than I thought.

Atlanta loss was the ATL switching defense and no secondary ball handler to help Luka because Reaves, Bron and Vincent were out.

They're learning from their mistakes quickly. Good sign.

Agree but there roster still has issues and at any rate, I don't think anyone is coming close to OKC this season (who are heading for a 70 win plus season)

It would honestly be one of the greatest shocks in modern NBA history if OKC doesn't repeat as champions. They are at least 2 tiers above the next best teams in the NBA (at this point Houston and Denver)

[Beethoven]

They don't look amazing. But it'll be a respectable season.

[audiosway]

They should call up NOP about Herb Jones. If they can somehow get him to add on top of the current roster, they can be legit contenders.

I would love to see them add Herb. They are looking pretty legit already. Can't wait after they have more of the season under their belts. They are gelling really well.

I've quoted this b4 about Herb, but will most likely cost a FRP, would you?

No. I wouldn't do a FRP. He's a good player but he is a role player. While I think he would carve out a good role in LA I would save the FRP for a bigger move. I have a feeling there is going to be a bigger move at the TDL for the Lakers.