Has Mike Dantoni Lost this Group?

[Beethoven]

Dantoni lost this group?
A team with three principal players about to pass the torch (Kobe, Nash, gasol) I can perfectly see this young group playing first time with each other in a confused, mentally-not there, and emotionally-reactive way (many ways like last year) but what I've seen so far is

Aggressive, energetic, team spirited play, pulling their leadership from committee. And it is most likely dantoni.
And he's also got them playing team defense.

I've found new respect for dantoni and I'm thoroughly enjoying this season thus far. Even in some of the losses. I see the sincere effort and the team doesn't finger point afterwards. Very encouraging season. And refreshing.

[Thethirdguy]

I think Dantoni has been doing a pretty good job. I'm not a big Dantoni fan, but I honestly feel he's the best coach available for this team. People love to hate on Dantoni but when you look at our record in the second half of last season and the start of this season and (wins against Clippers, Pelicans, Houston and Warriors without Kobe) I think he's done a pretty damn good job. I don't think he ever "lost the team". If anything its the opposite. I predicted after pre season this team would finish a 5-7 seed and If kobe comes back anywhere near where he was last year I stand by that 100%.

[Tee212]

ehh what the heck dantoni keeps losing this group with all the winnings lol

[DEEP3CL]

It's funny how guys wanna come to our board and just flat out claim "the team just isn't that good", yet we've played the 2nd toughest schedule and still has played it to a .500 record. I'm starting to realize 95% of the guys that post on RGM don't know or fail to understand basketball.

People want to say the team isn't that talented, maybe so from an individual standpoint but hell I can say that for like 25 other teams in the leagues also. Hell I can say that for some of the teams that people think are flat out contenders. Every team in the NBA has flaws, no team is built to combat every single thing thrown their way.

This is why you play the game as a team, I told guys here on these forum and on the streets this wasn't 2005,06 when Kobe was surrounded by utter garbage like Tierre Brown........Tierre Brown, Chucky Atkins. Those guys were low talent picks or found on the damn street.

This team has 3 guys that were lottery picks, picked by teams who were already in shambles and expected those guys to come in and just elevate them to elite level. It don't work that way. Guys like Jordan Hill going to a place like the New York was the worst possible thing to happen to a guys who scouts should've been able to see from day one in college that he was just going to be a rugged 4.

A guys that if developed right could give you 20-25 good minutes a night. But now at 26 Jordan is reaching that point where most players start to figure it out. Same with Wes and Xavier and he's the youngest at 22.

I laugh at these so called expert media guys and haters on these forums who just want to finally say the Lakers are going to suck. Got bad news for y'all......once this team figures out it's true identity, somebody gonna try to avoid playing a 6,7 or 8th seed. Bank on that.

[TylersLakers]

I don't usually criticize other post's but yikes.. this is a brutal one.

Once Howard left, Mitch and D'Antoni clearly sat down and communicated very well and designed it this way. Kudos to those two men. They got a team full of hungry, coachable players who just want a chance to be on the Lakers roster and playing.

We've got a team full of guys who love being on an NBA court with the Los Angeles Lakers and who will do anything to stay there. They're not stupid, they all have agents and realize the situation and cap flexibility that we'll have going forward. It's an audition going forward on and off the court.

They all care, they all sweat and play their ass off and the whole locker room talked about it after Friday's game against GSW, they don't have a lot of talent, but they have guys who make up for that with effort, energy, passion and accountability.

Bryant will be back soon and the offense will slow down and become a little more organized and our offensive efficiency will creep up.

How anyone can saying but GOOD things about D'Antoni at this point just doesn't know a whole lot about basketball. If this team makes the playoff and makes a run, the credit should go to two individuals -- Mike D'Antoni and Mitch Kupchak for putting a plan together back in July and executing it. Pretty impressive considering the restraints they had against them.

[TheBargnaniRule]

Gotta say from an outsider looking in the Lakers have been very fun to watch. Great ball movement all round. D'Antoni must love coaching this team atm as it fits his style a lot better than last years one did.

The beauty of it all is that it's only going to get more glorious once Kobe comes back.

Fixed... Bait-b-gone..
-Kilroy

[ArC_man]

Gotta love underhanded compliments

[TheBargnaniRule]

Lol you guys will realise it eventually. Won't be able to avoid it when it's staring you right in the face

[EArl]

Worry about your own team bro. Has Rudy gay "banned" you from the raptors board

[Tee212]

win bump

[TheBargnaniRule]

Worry about your own team bro. Has Rudy gay "banned" you from the raptors board

Rudy's just doing everything he can to ensure the Raptors tank doesn't get derailed. He is a great tank commander .

I don't wanna keep harping on it but it's just fun to see a MDA team in action, even when they don't have great talent. It's nice to watch players share the ball. Will be interesting to see if it continues as circumstances change

[EArl]

Worry about your own team bro. Has Rudy gay "banned" you from the raptors board

Rudy's just doing everything he can to ensure the Raptors tank doesn't get derailed. He is a great tank commander .

I don't wanna keep harping on it but it's just fun to see a MDA team in action, even when they don't have great talent. It's nice to watch players share the ball. Will be interesting to see if it continues as circumstances change

The irony is that you guys are currently in 4th place in the east so you wouldnt even get a lottery pick.

[Slava]

Worry about your own team bro. Has Rudy gay "banned" you from the raptors board

Rudy's just doing everything he can to ensure the Raptors tank doesn't get derailed. He is a great tank commander .

I don't wanna keep harping on it but it's just fun to see a MDA team in action, even when they don't have great talent. It's nice to watch players share the ball. Will be interesting to see if it continues as circumstances change

You are stretching your luck brah, stay off our forum.

[Tee212]

Worry about your own team bro. Has Rudy gay "banned" you from the raptors board

Rudy's just doing everything he can to ensure the Raptors tank doesn't get derailed. He is a great tank commander .

I don't wanna keep harping on it but it's just fun to see a MDA team in action, even when they don't have great talent. It's nice to watch players share the ball. Will be interesting to see if it continues as circumstances change

ya its fun to watch when they win and no one complains about his defense. when they lose its all his/systems fault. nothing new

[TheBargnaniRule]

Worry about your own team bro. Has Rudy gay "banned" you from the raptors board

Rudy's just doing everything he can to ensure the Raptors tank doesn't get derailed. He is a great tank commander .

I don't wanna keep harping on it but it's just fun to see a MDA team in action, even when they don't have great talent. It's nice to watch players share the ball. Will be interesting to see if it continues as circumstances change

The irony is that you guys are currently in 4th place in the east so you wouldnt even get a lottery pick.

Early days still. Nothing stops this tank. For Casey is our shield.

Worry about your own team bro. Has Rudy gay "banned" you from the raptors board

Rudy's just doing everything he can to ensure the Raptors tank doesn't get derailed. He is a great tank commander .

I don't wanna keep harping on it but it's just fun to see a MDA team in action, even when they don't have great talent. It's nice to watch players share the ball. Will be interesting to see if it continues as circumstances change

ya its fun to watch when they win and no one complains about his defense. when they lose its all his/systems fault. nothing new

Yeah fair point. I think with MDA he just needs everyone to buy into his system. Not to mention how its made Steve Blake look like a legit starter.

[TheBargnaniRule]

Worry about your own team bro. Has Rudy gay "banned" you from the raptors board

Rudy's just doing everything he can to ensure the Raptors tank doesn't get derailed. He is a great tank commander .

I don't wanna keep harping on it but it's just fun to see a MDA team in action, even when they don't have great talent. It's nice to watch players share the ball. Will be interesting to see if it continues as circumstances change

You are stretching your luck brah, stay off our forum.

OK I'll take my praise of the Lakers elsewhere.

[Slava]

viewtopic.php?f=24&t=1287567

[EArl]

http://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=1287567