Just how thin are the lakers.this year

[zimpy27]

I honestly think Howard is their 3rf best asset. He brings so much more on the table than Hollywood Kuzma.

Green is their third best asset.

Who knows what Howard will be, complete unknown. He was declining badly but apparently his back is fixed now.

I think Howard bounces back strong and is more vital. Green is a very streaky player. He has good metrics that make you think he's consistently really good, but he isn't. He sometimes goes months without a big game. He literally vanishes the entire playoffs, then has one big series etc. Dwight has everything to lose and is in the best shape of his life. His back seems really healthy right now. So in my opinion Dwight will be the 3rd most important, but not best asset like that poster said. Kuzma is a pretty one dimensional volume scorer, so I'm expecting more of the same. Dwight will be the difference between the Lakers defense being really good or sucking probably.

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Green is inconsistent with shooting. Defensively he's solid and that's why he's the third most important IMO. Defense at the SG and PF position are the two most important in the NBA.

I don't think Kuzma is as one dimensional as we thought. He's been played out of position, he's actually more suitable as an SF. He's also working on his scoring efficiency. Most of his offense has been based on movement off ball he developed last season. Just needs to put it together with the shooting touch of the year prior. He looked good in the world cup before he was injured.

Not expecting much from Howard but he certainly could be surprising. If he really has checked his ego. He'd be an amazing role player.

I surprisingly feel better about the Lakers without Cousins. I think they are neck and neck with Clippers. It will come down to which offense is more reliable in the playoffs I think.

[rzzzzz]

I think they are neck and neck with Clippers. It will come down to which offense is more reliable in the playoffs I think.

i think the big intangible in the Clippers' favor is how unbelievably clutch a healthy KL has been in the playoffs. but i ain't gonna underestimate LeBron at this point, and his chance to potentiate the immensely talented AD. plus they fought hard to hang onto Kuzma, who definitely looks pretty shiny. a Staple Center series could be damn entertaining.

[OkcSinceSGA]

Green is their third best asset.

Who knows what Howard will be, complete unknown. He was declining badly but apparently his back is fixed now.

I think Howard bounces back strong and is more vital. Green is a very streaky player. He has good metrics that make you think he's consistently really good, but he isn't. He sometimes goes months without a big game. He literally vanishes the entire playoffs, then has one big series etc. Dwight has everything to lose and is in the best shape of his life. His back seems really healthy right now. So in my opinion Dwight will be the 3rd most important, but not best asset like that poster said. Kuzma is a pretty one dimensional volume scorer, so I'm expecting more of the same. Dwight will be the difference between the Lakers defense being really good or sucking probably.

Sent from my LM-Q710(FGN) using RealGM mobile app

Green is inconsistent with shooting. Defensively he's solid and that's why he's the third most important IMO. Defense at the SG and PF position are the two most important in the NBA.

I don't think Kuzma is as one dimensional as we thought. He's been played out of position, he's actually more suitable as an SF. He's also working on his scoring efficiency. Most of his offense has been based on movement off ball he developed last season. Just needs to put it together with the shooting touch of the year prior. He looked good in the world cup before he was injured.

Not expecting much from Howard but he certainly could be surprising. If he really has checked his ego. He'd be an amazing role player.

I surprisingly feel better about the Lakers without Cousins. I think they are neck and neck with Clippers. It will come down to which offense is more reliable in the playoffs I think.

I too prefer Howard over Cousins. I actually think Cousins would of been a disaster this year despite the hype. Howard just needs to rebound and protect the paint. His role will be more streamlined than Cousin's would of been. LeBron to Dwight/AD PNR/Lob is gonna be easy money every time down the floor.

Kuzma being one dimensional isn't a scoring thing. His efficiency will improve I'm sure. Thing with him is he doesn't provide anything else positive. He's like a poor man's Melo. He rebounds okay, but he's a very mediocre defender and bad playmaker/passer relative to most players now. So if he's not hot and scoring he's actually hurting you more often than not. He's still young so let's see what he added this summer.

As for the Lakers being neck and neck with Clips it depends. The Lakers ceiling if everything pans out is slightly better for THIS year due to playoff LeBron, but the Clippers have the much higher floor. I don't see a scenario of the Clippers not living up to their potential unless massive injuries occur. Their chemistry, fit and depth is just too good and reliable. The Lakers on the other hand their floor if **** blows up in the locker room and they legit could barely make the playoffs. They have less margin for error than the Clippers. The Lakers role players besides Green are all gambles. Nobody knows what version they will get.

Going forward due to age obviously I think the Clips have a legit 5 year window, Lakers 2 at best.

[Official]

I think the Lakers depth is just fine, at least from a scoring perspective. They have a guaranteed 85ppg per night out of 5 players. Not to mention if Lebron can make Zubac and McGee look good with no shooters - what is AD and Dwight going to look like with shooters?

Kuzma - 15ppg
Lebron - 25ppg
Davis - 25ppg
Howard - 10ppg
Green - 10ppg

[nikster]

Your post is perplexing, mostly because it is one that shows ignorance of the teams as they currently stand.

Our starting PF is Anthony Davis. You should look him up. He's pretty good. And defensively, AD + McGee >>>>>> Harrell/Zubac. Offensively, too.

LeBron has been known to make scrubs look VERY good in the past. Yes, the only thing you have right is that Lou Williams is the best scorer out of top 4 players. Won't argue with you there. But now that LeBron has knock down shooters (which he didn't last season), it's REALLY going to space out the offense and keep the defense honest.

And Pat Beverly the best perimeter defender? Please...HAHA who is he going to guard? Rondo?

I was clearly talking about players outside the topn2 for each team, hence no mention of AD.

Again, outside of Kawhi/PG and Lebron/AD the clippers are a lot more talented

"Clearly?" When you're talking about interior defense, why does it matter if you ONLY consider people outside of big 2?

You are back-pedaling and making no sense.

I was talking overall talent. Not fit or interior defense

I literally stated “outside of top 2 players clippers are more talented”. I’m not back peddling at all

[zimpy27]

I think Howard bounces back strong and is more vital. Green is a very streaky player. He has good metrics that make you think he's consistently really good, but he isn't. He sometimes goes months without a big game. He literally vanishes the entire playoffs, then has one big series etc. Dwight has everything to lose and is in the best shape of his life. His back seems really healthy right now. So in my opinion Dwight will be the 3rd most important, but not best asset like that poster said. Kuzma is a pretty one dimensional volume scorer, so I'm expecting more of the same. Dwight will be the difference between the Lakers defense being really good or sucking probably.

Sent from my LM-Q710(FGN) using RealGM mobile app

Green is inconsistent with shooting. Defensively he's solid and that's why he's the third most important IMO. Defense at the SG and PF position are the two most important in the NBA.

I don't think Kuzma is as one dimensional as we thought. He's been played out of position, he's actually more suitable as an SF. He's also working on his scoring efficiency. Most of his offense has been based on movement off ball he developed last season. Just needs to put it together with the shooting touch of the year prior. He looked good in the world cup before he was injured.

Not expecting much from Howard but he certainly could be surprising. If he really has checked his ego. He'd be an amazing role player.

I surprisingly feel better about the Lakers without Cousins. I think they are neck and neck with Clippers. It will come down to which offense is more reliable in the playoffs I think.

I too prefer Howard over Cousins. I actually think Cousins would of been a disaster this year despite the hype. Howard just needs to rebound and protect the paint. His role will be more streamlined than Cousin's would of been. LeBron to Dwight/AD PNR/Lob is gonna be easy money every time down the floor.

Kuzma being one dimensional isn't a scoring thing. His efficiency will improve I'm sure. Thing with him is he doesn't provide anything else positive. He's like a poor man's Melo. He rebounds okay, but he's a very mediocre defender and bad playmaker/passer relative to most players now. So if he's not hot and scoring he's actually hurting you more often than not. He's still young so let's see what he added this summer.

As for the Lakers being neck and neck with Clips it depends. The Lakers ceiling if everything pans out is slightly better for THIS year due to playoff LeBron, but the Clippers have the much higher floor. I don't see a scenario of the Clippers not living up to their potential unless massive injuries occur. Their chemistry, fit and depth is just too good and reliable. The Lakers on the other hand their floor if **** blows up in the locker room and they legit could barely make the playoffs. They have less margin for error than the Clippers. The Lakers role players besides Green are all gambles. Nobody knows what version they will get.

Going forward due to age obviously I think the Clips have a legit 5 year window, Lakers 2 at best.

Well, Kuzma is a better defender than he's given credit for. Kuzma should be played as an SF, he's too weak for that position. He's improving his defense all the time apparently. I wouldn't be surprised if he's average or above next season. He doesn't give much outside of that but being solid defensive and scoring wing is what he should aim to be.

Agreed, Clippers have more chances into the future.

I think Caruso, Green, LeBron, Kuzma, AD will all be solid. That alone gets them in the playoffs with below average backups. Bradley, KCP, Howard, McGee could be below average or above average as backups, I tend to just take them as average.

[Pennebaker]

Outside of lebron, davis all you have is kuz who has serious flaws in his game. Is there even another player that can give you 30 mpg as a key rotation player for a contender? 32 year old danny green who is on the decline?

If lebron leads this squad at age 35 to win it all is there anyone here that wouldn't be impressed?

"Outside of LeBron, Davis all you have is..."

Dude, LeBron James and Anthony Davis is enough. That's a historical powerhouse duo. The best duo the league has seen in many decades. I mean, LeBron has never had a teammate as good as Anthony Davis, and he's had some impressive teammates over the years. And LeBron has taken thinner teams to the Finals.

So the thinness of the rest of the squad is like... so what? Good luck just trying to beat those two guys.

[so_bored]

They have the best duo in the league with veterans with championship experience, and the field is wide open. What more do they need? Man, these Lebron fans already trying to play the excuse game.

[Edrees]

I think Howard bounces back strong and is more vital. Green is a very streaky player. He has good metrics that make you think he's consistently really good, but he isn't. He sometimes goes months without a big game. He literally vanishes the entire playoffs, then has one big series etc. Dwight has everything to lose and is in the best shape of his life. His back seems really healthy right now. So in my opinion Dwight will be the 3rd most important, but not best asset like that poster said. Kuzma is a pretty one dimensional volume scorer, so I'm expecting more of the same. Dwight will be the difference between the Lakers defense being really good or sucking probably.

Sent from my LM-Q710(FGN) using RealGM mobile app

Green is inconsistent with shooting. Defensively he's solid and that's why he's the third most important IMO. Defense at the SG and PF position are the two most important in the NBA.

I don't think Kuzma is as one dimensional as we thought. He's been played out of position, he's actually more suitable as an SF. He's also working on his scoring efficiency. Most of his offense has been based on movement off ball he developed last season. Just needs to put it together with the shooting touch of the year prior. He looked good in the world cup before he was injured.

Not expecting much from Howard but he certainly could be surprising. If he really has checked his ego. He'd be an amazing role player.

I surprisingly feel better about the Lakers without Cousins. I think they are neck and neck with Clippers. It will come down to which offense is more reliable in the playoffs I think.

I too prefer Howard over Cousins. I actually think Cousins would of been a disaster this year despite the hype. Howard just needs to rebound and protect the paint. His role will be more streamlined than Cousin's would of been. LeBron to Dwight/AD PNR/Lob is gonna be easy money every time down the floor.

Kuzma being one dimensional isn't a scoring thing. His efficiency will improve I'm sure. Thing with him is he doesn't provide anything else positive. He's like a poor man's Melo. He rebounds okay, but he's a very mediocre defender and bad playmaker/passer relative to most players now. So if he's not hot and scoring he's actually hurting you more often than not. He's still young so let's see what he added this summer.

As for the Lakers being neck and neck with Clips it depends. The Lakers ceiling if everything pans out is slightly better for THIS year due to playoff LeBron, but the Clippers have the much higher floor. I don't see a scenario of the Clippers not living up to their potential unless massive injuries occur. Their chemistry, fit and depth is just too good and reliable. The Lakers on the other hand their floor if **** blows up in the locker room and they legit could barely make the playoffs. They have less margin for error than the Clippers. The Lakers role players besides Green are all gambles. Nobody knows what version they will get.

Going forward due to age obviously I think the Clips have a legit 5 year window, Lakers 2 at best.

Kuzma is not a poor man's melo. Melo gets his points in ISO on the perimeter, Kuzma get his points moving without the ball, in the post, as a spot up 3pt shooter, or cutting in. Traits that favor playing next to superstars more, traits that favor being the #1 of a team much less. I wish Kuzma had skills in the ISO and you could just pass to him to get a bucket. That's probably the weakest part of his offensive game.

If melo could do these team friendly scoring things kuzma does, even his past prime, he would still fit on an NBA roster.

[Joker]

In the playoffs, depth is overrated. Rotations are cut to about 8 guys anyway

I'll take top heavy over depth any day of the week

I agree about top heavy > depth in the playoffs but if you're too thin in the regular season, you may come into the playoffs with bad seeding and/or having your star players banged up.

Ideally you exploit depth in the regular season to give your best players games off and less minutes, and then ride them harder in the playoffs and tighten the bench rotation. This is essentially what Toronto did.

[OkcSinceSGA]

Green is inconsistent with shooting. Defensively he's solid and that's why he's the third most important IMO. Defense at the SG and PF position are the two most important in the NBA.

I don't think Kuzma is as one dimensional as we thought. He's been played out of position, he's actually more suitable as an SF. He's also working on his scoring efficiency. Most of his offense has been based on movement off ball he developed last season. Just needs to put it together with the shooting touch of the year prior. He looked good in the world cup before he was injured.

Not expecting much from Howard but he certainly could be surprising. If he really has checked his ego. He'd be an amazing role player.

I surprisingly feel better about the Lakers without Cousins. I think they are neck and neck with Clippers. It will come down to which offense is more reliable in the playoffs I think.

I too prefer Howard over Cousins. I actually think Cousins would of been a disaster this year despite the hype. Howard just needs to rebound and protect the paint. His role will be more streamlined than Cousin's would of been. LeBron to Dwight/AD PNR/Lob is gonna be easy money every time down the floor.

Kuzma being one dimensional isn't a scoring thing. His efficiency will improve I'm sure. Thing with him is he doesn't provide anything else positive. He's like a poor man's Melo. He rebounds okay, but he's a very mediocre defender and bad playmaker/passer relative to most players now. So if he's not hot and scoring he's actually hurting you more often than not. He's still young so let's see what he added this summer.

As for the Lakers being neck and neck with Clips it depends. The Lakers ceiling if everything pans out is slightly better for THIS year due to playoff LeBron, but the Clippers have the much higher floor. I don't see a scenario of the Clippers not living up to their potential unless massive injuries occur. Their chemistry, fit and depth is just too good and reliable. The Lakers on the other hand their floor if **** blows up in the locker room and they legit could barely make the playoffs. They have less margin for error than the Clippers. The Lakers role players besides Green are all gambles. Nobody knows what version they will get.

Going forward due to age obviously I think the Clips have a legit 5 year window, Lakers 2 at best.

Kuzma is not a poor man's melo. Melo gets his points in ISO on the perimeter, Kuzma get his points moving without the ball, in the post, as a spot up 3pt shooter, or cutting in. Traits that favor playing next to superstars more, traits that favor being the #1 of a team much less. I wish Kuzma had skills in the ISO and you could just pass to him to get a bucket. That's probably the weakest part of his offensive game.

If melo could do these team friendly scoring things kuzma does, even his past prime, he would still fit on an NBA roster.

He's a volume scoring big wing without a reliable 3. Both players love the high-mid post. He is prone to having monster scoring games, followed by terribly inefficient games. So that's what I meant by the comparison. Also what are his off ball scoring and spot up percentages? I'm curious on that.

[Official]

Kuzma is definitely not an iso scorer. Giving it to Kuzma on the perimeter to break down his man and get a bucket was never the position he was put in and for good reason. His issues and sometimes why you love him too is he is never afraid to let it fly. He shoots with confidence even if he misses. But I am not sure anyone knows what Kuzma is going to do this year. He may be what he is or he may not. He is a 24 year old player going into his third season who averaged 16ppg his first year, and 18.7ppg his second year. Usually that is an extremely good thing - not sure why people like to label him as some poor man's melo. Like what the hell is Lou Williams then? Just as bad defensively and His TS% is pretty much the same and his USG% is 10% higher.

[jehosafats]

I honestly think Howard is their 3rf best asset. He brings so much more on the table than Hollywood Kuzma.

Green is their third best asset.

Who knows what Howard will be, complete unknown. He was declining badly but apparently his back is fixed now.

I think Howard bounces back strong and is more vital. Green is a very streaky player. He has good metrics that make you think he's consistently really good, but he isn't. He sometimes goes months without a big game. He literally vanishes the entire playoffs, then has one big series etc. Dwight has everything to lose and is in the best shape of his life. His back seems really healthy right now. So in my opinion Dwight will be the 3rd most important, but not best asset like that poster said. Kuzma is a pretty one dimensional volume scorer, so I'm expecting more of the same. Dwight will be the difference between the Lakers defense being really good or sucking probably.

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Can't argue with that. Green disappears offensively for long periods of time, then one game all of sudden puts up 7-8 threes. He does bring consistent wing defense.

[OkcSinceSGA]

Green is their third best asset.

Who knows what Howard will be, complete unknown. He was declining badly but apparently his back is fixed now.

I think Howard bounces back strong and is more vital. Green is a very streaky player. He has good metrics that make you think he's consistently really good, but he isn't. He sometimes goes months without a big game. He literally vanishes the entire playoffs, then has one big series etc. Dwight has everything to lose and is in the best shape of his life. His back seems really healthy right now. So in my opinion Dwight will be the 3rd most important, but not best asset like that poster said. Kuzma is a pretty one dimensional volume scorer, so I'm expecting more of the same. Dwight will be the difference between the Lakers defense being really good or sucking probably.

Sent from my LM-Q710(FGN) using RealGM mobile app

Can't argue with that. Green disappears offensively for long periods of time, then one game all of sudden puts up 7-8 threes. He does bring consistent wing defense.

For sure. He's a positive overall and a great pickup for the Lakers no question. It's just when you look at his metrics, it seems to reflect a star player.

[NO-KG-AI]

I think they’ll be poo poo competition against anyone not intentionally tanking. I don’t care how high nba 2k rates them this year, this is the most poorly put together roster I’ve ever seen, and that’s without Michael Beasley lol

This roster isn’t even more poorly constructed than last years Lakers lol.

[Spens1]

Its not THAT bad, also the roster fit this year is a lot better than last (which was an umitigated disaster and everyone knows it). Depth isn't the issue i think, i think we may actually be light on talent besides A.D, Lebron and Kuzma. Green is nice but beyond that, right now all it is, pretty much is bench guys because having lost DMC, we lost a lot of punch in that second unit.

[triple_threat]

Outside of lebron, davis all you have is kuz who has serious flaws in his game. Is there even another player that can give you 30 mpg as a key rotation player for a contender? 32 year old danny green who is on the decline?

If lebron leads this squad at age 35 to win it all is there anyone here that wouldn't be impressed?

"Outside of LeBron, Davis all you have is..."

Dude, LeBron James and Anthony Davis is enough. That's a historical powerhouse duo. The best duo the league has seen in many decades. I mean, LeBron has never had a teammate as good as Anthony Davis, and he's had some impressive teammates over the years. And LeBron has taken thinner teams to the Finals.

So the thinness of the rest of the squad is like... so what? Good luck just trying to beat those two guys.

Those two can do it, but even shaq and kobe had solid two way role players., plus davis isnt shaq and lebrons going on 35.

[SK21209]

Asking Green to be the primary wing defender is a little shaky; he’s always had Kawhi take on the other team’s best perimeter player and LeBron hasn’t been that guy since he left Miami. As a basketball fan, it’d be cool to see him turn back the clock defensively if AD can relieve some offensive responsibility.

[ItsMyPotPie]

Lotta rondo disrespect in this thread. The lakers will be dangerous in the playoffs.

[Pennebaker]

Outside of lebron, davis all you have is kuz who has serious flaws in his game. Is there even another player that can give you 30 mpg as a key rotation player for a contender? 32 year old danny green who is on the decline?

If lebron leads this squad at age 35 to win it all is there anyone here that wouldn't be impressed?

"Outside of LeBron, Davis all you have is..."

Dude, LeBron James and Anthony Davis is enough. That's a historical powerhouse duo. The best duo the league has seen in many decades. I mean, LeBron has never had a teammate as good as Anthony Davis, and he's had some impressive teammates over the years. And LeBron has taken thinner teams to the Finals.

So the thinness of the rest of the squad is like... so what? Good luck just trying to beat those two guys.

Those two can do it, but even shaq and kobe had solid two way role players., plus davis isnt shaq and lebrons going on 35.

Kobe was much worse than both Davis and LeBron.

Davis kind of is Shaq, and so is LeBron - and especially LeBron in the playoffs.

What I mean by that is both Davis and LeBron have the ability to match prime Shaq's PER. And in the case of playoff LeBron he can exceed prime Shaq's PER. The last time LeBron was in the playoffs (a little over a year ago, at age 33) he posted a 32.2 PER which well exceeds prime Shaq's best championship effort of 30.5 in 2000.

Kobe never had the ability to match or exceed prime Shaq in this regard.

So LeBron + Davis is like having 2 Shaqs on your team, except that one of the Shaqs is also Michael Jordan (i.e. LeBron James).