lakers flaw and concern at this point.

[iamworthy]

The rim protection doesn't bother me one bit. AD's been chilling his a.ss off, so far this season. Dwight and McGee would be far worse off, if AD played like this last year.


My biggest concern since the beginning of the season is Schroeder's fit. Great hard working player on a good contract, but the dude just doesn't help anyone other than Bron's aging legs - which doesn't take much. Matthew Dellevadova could've done that job for a vet minimum.

His vision, P&R technique and poor passing are more apparent after the 15 games we've played now, and I simply don't like the fit. A true PG would work wonders exploiting the P&R potential of possibly the two best Roll guys in the league(Trez & AD).

But Lebron coined a nickname for him, so unfortunately I don't think we'll find a solution anytime soon.

Badly missing Rondo right now.

I've got my eyes of Ricky Rubio. Rubio's role has been substantially marginalized with the Wolves, next to Russel, which makes him a buyout candidate. Be great if we could get him, even for a reserve role, although I am certain that won't be the case for long because of his ability to pass.

It does over crowd our bench even more, but he's the perfect final piece of the jigsaw for the hobos which makes them true contenders, so maybe this can be a bit of a Reggie Jackson tit-for-tat.

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Rubio would be amazing.
But I do like Schroder's tenacity on defense.

My bad.. Rubio's tied up till 2022. Covid year threw off my calc. Sorry.

Schroeder is indeed an amazingly talented role player. I'm just clamoring for some legit P&R game for Trez & AD.

Lebron's one of the best at it, but he doesn't seem to wanna do it at all since the 2019 preseason when they were spamming it like it was going out of style. Maybe it's the secret weapon if and when we find out match in the playoffs.

BTW.. These 15 games in 2020-21 is the first instance of a Lebron team having a net positive +/- (1.7) with him off the floor. We're fine!

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I think I heard this on the lakerfilmroom podcast, but the Lakers do not want to use Trez the same way the Clippers did. Lakers are not interested in running PnR with Dennis and Trez while the other three guys stand around.

[lalalaker]

reason lakers need rim protection is mainly because gasol is too dam slow to keep up with other centers in the league. if he has more positive up value being in the game then fine but all i see is non reliable shooter, slow as brick movement, hardly post up to use his size center. I rather have a rim blocking alley oop only center that is fine cause at least we wont be beat at the rim when opponents get to the rim. but then again where would we be able to find such a center anyways? even nets are dreaming of andre drummond buy out which for sure aint happening with him making 20+ mill. Anyone got any realistic options we can consider? we cant get javale back even if he is bought out unless he is traded elsewhere and then bought out.

[stan francisco]

reason lakers need rim protection is mainly because gasol is too dam slow to keep up with other centers in the league. if he has more positive up value being in the game then fine but all i see is non reliable shooter, slow as brick movement, hardly post up to use his size center. I rather have a rim blocking alley oop only center that is fine cause at least we wont be beat at the rim when opponents get to the rim. but then again where would we be able to find such a center anyways? even nets are dreaming of andre drummond buy out which for sure aint happening with him making 20+ mill. Anyone got any realistic options we can consider? we cant get javale back even if he is bought out unless he is traded elsewhere and then bought out.

What happens to the game in the post season? Does it slow down or speed up? Will that favor Marc and the Lakers? I’m not so worried, but I agree we should be on the lookout and ready to pounce should someone drop from Grace elsewhere.

[Ballerhogger]

Still feel like we need another big man Why hast Cacuck got more minutes in and there? What does it take to get THT more minutes? Kuzma has improved last few games defensively. Im not like marc gasol movement offensively either. He has no lift at all

[LAKESHOW]

Well last night, Clevelands high scorer was their center Drummond. Meaning, they scouted and were trying hard to hit us in that area of our defense. It is a cause for concern. I'm not going to assign a percentage of how much of a concern. But there is cause for pause in there.

[Kilroy]

It's a long season and I'm not worried at all about it, but just on a conceptual level, there is ZERO reason for Trezz to be a bad interior defender... Especially on a Championship team. That has to be a challenge he accepts as part of his role here. He has the athleticism and physicality to do it, and judging by his offensive skills, the mental capacity too... So it pretty much has to be a desire/mentality thing.
IMO, we know the linups that work at this point, and guys look like they're basically in shape, it's getting to the point where guys need to not play if they don't execute on defense... Maybe not right now, but certainly as we get to the latter part of the season.

My only fear for this team is a lack of focus heading into the playoffs, like the Clips had last season. I'm not worried about any gaps in our lineups, only focus, chemistry and motivation... Clearly LeBron is locked in... KCP looks about where he should be... Caruso is better this season... Marc is pretty much exactly what we expected and I don't see him getting distracted... Schroder is what we thought and may still be trying to figure out his role etc... Kuz is trying... Still inconsistent but better than last season.

But our other bigs... AD, Trezz, and Morris, haven't really had any impressive, complete games yet. Morris came on strong in the playoffs last season, so I'm not so worried about him, but AD was a beast all season and THEN hit a monster gear in the playoffs... Trezz basically disappeared for the Clips. So at about 50 games in, those guys need to have shown some legit fire, or we're screwed.

But that said... It's not 50 games in yet... There's tons of time to fix a motivation issue, which I think, is all this is...

[snaquille oatmeal]

rim protection

and good consistent D

That’s what she said!!

[Doug_12]

reason lakers need rim protection is mainly because gasol is too dam slow to keep up with other centers in the league. if he has more positive up value being in the game then fine but all i see is non reliable shooter, slow as brick movement, hardly post up to use his size center. I rather have a rim blocking alley oop only center that is fine cause at least we wont be beat at the rim when opponents get to the rim. but then again where would we be able to find such a center anyways? even nets are dreaming of andre drummond buy out which for sure aint happening with him making 20+ mill. Anyone got any realistic options we can consider? we cant get javale back even if he is bought out unless he is traded elsewhere and then bought out.

Dedmon and Mahinmi are available and could help right away. However as we are winning right now it's not the wisest thing to fix a problem that is not hurting us.

Comes playoff time, it might be an issue, but we have plenty of time till then and buyouts will happen. Who knows who will be available, but most probably we will have better options than them. (Especially than Mahinmi.)

[Michael Lucky]

#1 in defense but we're all bitching about Rim protection. lol

[sashaturiaf]

I dont trust this team as it stands right now, especially given what Brooklyn is building. I feel this team is still a level below last seasons' team which was a flawed team in the first place that got a few lucky breaks to win the title. Essentially, if Brooklyn pick up a competent center say last season's Dwight then I can't see how the Lakers can beat them in a series (and if the Drummond rumors are real then its GG)

Not a cap expert but it looks like trade options are quite limited given the contract situation, best option appears to be a package of Shroeder and THT to upgrade for a better guard since it includes enough salary to bring back a decent player and obviously has value in what Lakers are giving up.

[Kilroy]

Nets are 2020 Clippers 2.0... Sure, against medium quality defenses and below, they can score a ton of points, but they can't defend even bottom dweller teams, and they have huge chemistry issues. Which of their big 3 is the glue guy? LeBron is a master at it...

The only team that prevents the Lakers from getting another chip this season, is the Lakers. If we execute at a high level as a team, even with no other changes to roster, we win fairly easily... If we don't, we won't even make it out of the 2nd round.

[sashaturiaf]

Nets are 2020 Clippers 2.0... Sure, against medium quality defenses and below, they can score a ton of points, but they can't defend even bottom dweller teams, and they have huge chemistry issues. Which of their big 3 is the glue guy? LeBron is a master at it...

The only team that prevents the Lakers from getting another chip this season, is the Lakers. If we execute at a high level as a team, even with no other changes to roster, we win fairly easily... If we don't, we won't even make it out of the 2nd round.

You're kidding yourself if you think the Nets are the Clippers. Clippers 2nd best player is a fringe all star type in Paul George whereas Nets have the potential to be the greatest offense of all time.

Nets roster also isn't close to being done. They have 3 roster spots and more money than any other contender to play with. Their weakness I lacking a few big bodies is the easiest one to address in the NBA (think we saw from Lakers getting Dwight off the scrapheap). I can't see a scenario where Lakers can be favoured against Nets after the Nets complete their team, if the Lakers stand still.

The biggest and perhaps only real question mark is can KD stay healthy

[sashaturiaf]

Fans should be aware that a LeBron team has never won a series where they had a talent deficit to the opponent.

Fans may be complacent but I'm sure LeBron isn't, he doesn't want to see this nets team in a series. I'm certain he's got Rich Paul working overtime to upgrade the roster

[lazybatman]

Nets are 2020 Clippers 2.0... Sure, against medium quality defenses and below, they can score a ton of points, but they can't defend even bottom dweller teams, and they have huge chemistry issues. Which of their big 3 is the glue guy? LeBron is a master at it...

The only team that prevents the Lakers from getting another chip this season, is the Lakers. If we execute at a high level as a team, even with no other changes to roster, we win fairly easily... If we don't, we won't even make it out of the 2nd round.

You're kidding yourself if you think the Nets are the Clippers. Clippers 2nd best player is a fringe all star type in Paul George whereas Nets have the potential to be the greatest offense of all time.

Nets roster also isn't close to being done. They have 3 roster spots and more money than any other contender to play with. Their weakness I lacking a few big bodies is the easiest one to address in the NBA (think we saw from Lakers getting Dwight off the scrapheap). I can't see a scenario where Lakers can be favoured against Nets after the Nets complete their team, if the Lakers stand still.

The biggest and perhaps only real question mark is can KD stay healthy

Too right mate. It is by far the greatest collection of offensive talent in NBA history.

Think they'll be major players in the buyout market. If they stumble upon someone like an Andre Drummond as a vet minimum, cos you can rely on Dan Gilbert to do everything to stop Lebron. And the Nets may be willing to throw some wink wink money at him for the service, they're solid on defense too.

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[lazybatman]

Fans should be aware that a LeBron team has never won a series where they had a talent deficit to the opponent.

Fans may be complacent but I'm sure LeBron isn't, he doesn't want to see this nets team in a series. I'm certain he's got Rich Paul working overtime to upgrade the roster

Not entirely incorrect, but Lebron's got 2007 Pistons. 2016 Warriors. 2018 Atlanta, Raptors & Celtics. But it is not the norm for sure. Lebron's not god after all.

I don't think all of the top 10 all time list would have 5 such series combined, while most of the current top 10 hold losing records from 3-1 leads.


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[sashaturiaf]

Fans should be aware that a LeBron team has never won a series where they had a talent deficit to the opponent.

Fans may be complacent but I'm sure LeBron isn't, he doesn't want to see this nets team in a series. I'm certain he's got Rich Paul working overtime to upgrade the roster

Not entirely incorrect, but Lebron's got 2007 Pistons. 2016 Warriors. 2018 Atlanta, Raptors & Celtics. But it is not the norm for sure. Lebron's not god after all.

I don't think any of the top 10 all time list would have 5 such series combined, while most of the current top 10 hol losing records from 3-1 leads.


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Dont agree that the 16 warriors or 18 Celtics, hawks and Celtics were more talented than the respective Cavs teams. Cavs had the better team on paper at least, but that is a separate discussion.

[Spanish_Laker]

Morris is a huge scrub, everytime he is on the floor, the opponent has a huge run. DNPs and let Kuzma eat those minutes.

[lazybatman]

Fans should be aware that a LeBron team has never won a series where they had a talent deficit to the opponent.

Fans may be complacent but I'm sure LeBron isn't, he doesn't want to see this nets team in a series. I'm certain he's got Rich Paul working overtime to upgrade the roster

Not entirely incorrect, but Lebron's got 2007 Pistons. 2016 Warriors. 2018 Atlanta, Raptors & Celtics. But it is not the norm for sure. Lebron's not god after all.

I don't think any of the top 10 all time list would have 5 such series combined, while most of the current top 10 hol losing records from 3-1 leads.


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Dont agree that the 16 warriors or 18 Celtics, hawks and Celtics were more talented than the respective Cavs teams. Cavs had the better team on paper at least, but that is a separate discussion.

Sure, you can have your opinion, but mind naming the other dudes who won series with a talent deficit, since Lebron's such a scrub?

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[Beethoven]

"Fans should be aware that a LeBron team has never won a series where they had a talent deficit to the opponent."

IF it was "never"..Obviously, pretty much in human existence, the better team wins out usually , no? Lame statement and claim above.

[lazybatman]

Well Paul Pierce said it so it must be true.. Lol

https://youtu.be/No7p-Sd9yBw

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