$13 to build a playoff team

[SlimShady83]

Ariza ($2), Beverly ($4), Lopez ($4), Curry ($2)

No brainer imo. 3 and D.

Since it's playoffs you need Defense especially since we already have AD/Bron/Kuz taking 90% of the offense

Nice team I'm stealing it

[Darknemo2000]

Caruso, Curry and Lopez seem really popular.

Lopez is big that hits from distance. With Lebron and Davis Lakers need that specially when Lebron/Davis push to play closer to the basket.

This.

However. It’s not our biggest need given the roster. Hear me out.

Kuzma is a stretch four, will knock down his open threes.

AD is an unguardable stretch four, will knock down his open threes.

LBJ is an unguardable stretch four when his threes go down. Streaky.

All three are starters. All three are bigs. Neither can he left open for the three.

Add to that Caruso and, let’s say, Klay. See where I’m going with this? Add to that the fact that Pelinka will sure as hell go after 3 and D veterans.

It’s not last season. We don’t need a stretch C. We need a badass banger down low. Lopez can do that, too, but there are better alternatives.

AD should be allowed to play free like a guard, from perimeter to down low, whatever. But he shouldn’t be the body to get banged up by opposing bigs every night. He’s not that guy.

I propose the following, and I think this is what Phil Jackson would do; create a team of giant mismatches, literally.

Davis is a SF/wing in a 6’10” Center’s body. Let him play the Small Forward wing guard role. Who’s gonna stop him? Whom can’t he stop at the three?

Mismatch 1:
PG:
SG:
SF: Anthony Davis
PF:
C:

Kuzma has young knees, anticipates well and runs like a deer. Defense is a mindset. Start him at the two spot. Who’s gonna guard him at 6’10? There will be many SGs whom he can’t guard. The offensive spot up shooting over opposing two-guards is insane.

Mismatch 2:
PG:
SG: Kyle Kuzma
SF: Anthony Davis
PF:
C:

LeBron is a living mismatch 1-5, take your pick. I prefer him at the four, for longevity reasons (both ends) and more.

Mismatch 3:
PG:
SG: Kyle Kuzma
SF: Anthony Davis
PF: LeBron James
C:

That, to me, should be our new big three. Mismatch hell for opponents, given that we add the right type of player at the remaining two spots.


PG mismatch. To keep going with Phil’s type of aggressor lineup, one that forces opposing coach to react:

To cover for Kuzma’s defensive issues at the two, we need a work horse defense centric combo size guard with yet another height advantage offensively, who can score off the ball or distribute. Needs to knock down open threes, cut to the rim and finish, but most importantly switch intelligently on defense. Call me crazy, but I’d be shocked if he doesn’t break out given the starting PG job on this team.

Mismatch 4:
PG: Alex Caruso 6’5”
SG: Kyle Kuzma 6’10”
SF: Anthony Davis 6’11”
PF: LeBron James 6’beast8”
C:


The center this team needs (even if you replace Kuz w Klay and use him as 6th man), is not a stretch 5.

LBJ, AD, KK, AC all feed off of movement.

We need a low post anchor big man who pushes people out of the way, bangs, sets hard screens, boxes out, rebounds, does some serious heavy physical lifting down low. And, takes and makes the occasional three. It needs to be one that can pass and make his free throws.

Lopez can do some of that. But I’d put him in fifth on my wishlist of attainable Centers for this roster:

1) Vucevic
2) M Gasol
3) Nurkic
4) Dedmon
5) Lopez

Being that I’m going for height advantage on every position, plus in-court fit related mentioned above, Vucevic is our guy. Jokic would of course be perfect. Marc would be great.


I know, space for LBJ and AD to cut? Yes, this accommodates that exactly.

Mismatch 5:
PG: Alex Caruso 6’5”
SG: Kyle Kuzma 6’10”
SF: Anthony Davis 6’11”
PF: LeBron James 6’beast8”
C: Nikola Vucevic 7’1”



If you were the opposing team’s coach, let’s say Steve Kerr, what would your defensive strategy be? Who do you start? Seriously.

Phil would do it.


Do it, Frank!

Gasol isnt as good of banger down low. Not anymore at least.

There are other options like Capela and JV. Rockets really want to make space so they are willing to trade Capella. As for JV - he is a banger but at the same time will get paid and will be hard to lure away from Grizzles.

[tv24lakers]

PG | T Satoransky | 3
SG | T Ross | 3
SF | LBJ | *
PF | AD | *
C | N Noel | 3
PG | E Payton | 2
SG | L Stephenson | *
SF | K Kuzma | *
PF | Ed Davis | 2
C | A Baynes | *

[snaquille oatmeal]

Better make it $15 now

[zimpy27]

Better make it $15 now

haha this was based on a $30-33m budget the whole time. As soon as Dr Aki posted how it would be done it was never in doubt, just had to become official.