I don't get the notion that Lakers are absolutely stacked

[UcanUwill]

Sure, they look like a great team cause because LeBron and Davis are that good. But where all the other stuff? Maybe I am off on Westbrook, if you see Westbrook as NBA superstar, ok, they have 3 superstars in your eyes, but in my opinion Westbrook is not a very good star and a questionable fit. ANd the rest of their team are guys who were great 5+ years ago but are nearly done now.

Lakers might as well reach the finals cause LeBron and Davis can be that good, but I dont see them nearly as loaded as the Nets are. There is a huge drop off after 2 main stars and their role players are old and arent that good anymore. I think Nets are clear favorites to win it all.

[Dino353]

I wouldn't say they are a superteam either but massively improved just off having 2 guards who can actually pass in Russ and Rondo to keep AD involved.

[levon]

lol so Nunn, Monk, THT, and Bazemore were great 5 years ago but done now? You can say that about a few guys on the team but they're on minimum deals, can be scaled down as needed, and every team has guys like that.

No one's saying they're stacked like the Nets are, but that they have the best shot of making it out of the West, also as a product of teams like Denver, Clips, GS having injured stars for significant parts of the season.

[clyde21]

lol...they have 3 MVP caliber players on the roster, and are 10+ deep with vets.

they are not Brooklyn or 17 Warriors, but this team is absolutely stacked by almost every other measure.

[Harcore Fenton Mun]

Stacked just means that people recognize the names, it doesn't mean that it works.

[iamworthy]

So in other words you have the same opinion of a lot of people that doubt the Lakers? Ok.

[UcanUwill]

lol so Nunn, Monk, THT, and Bazemore were great 5 years ago but done now? You can say that about a few guys on the team but they're on minimum deals, can be scaled down as needed, and every team has guys like that.

No one's saying they're stacked like the Nets are, but that they have the best shot of making it out of the West, also as a product of teams like Denver, Clips, GS having injured stars for significant parts of the season.

See post after yours, people say this team is absolutely stacked... Nunn, THT and Monk are ok players, but lottery teams have players like that on their bench, and we are talking about team that people act is insane talented. Gasol, Dwight, Carmelo, Rondo, Mathews, these guys are pretty much done. Its LeBron, Davis... Westbrook, and then a bunch of nothing.

So in other words you have the same opinion of a lot of people that doubt the Lakers? Ok.

I like the Lakers, and dont want to fued with Lakers fans, I am just saying I puzzled with fans who say this is a Superteam. I get that very casuals, probably seeing these recognizable names and think - wow - but come on, RealGM posters know how washed, Marc, Dwights, Carmelo and to a point even Westbrook are, yet still I constantly see Lakers are loaded beyond belief takes.

I wouldn't be shocked at all if Lakers do not reach the finals, lots of wrong can go with this team.

[Clay Davis]

I think LeBron's first big 3 was his best. That being said if LeBron could thrive with Wade he can thrive with WB

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[Rodwilliams]

I wonder if Homer, Slim Charles, Knightfall or Dupp will show up on this thread just to say “ OMG another Lakers thread, I’m tired of hearing about Lebron KD and Curry.” Or maybe they just following me around only just to say that. So far no signs of them.


Yes OP the Lakers are stacked.

[SecondTake]

LBJ - top 5 player
AD - Top 10 player
WB - Top 12 player

And then you have an all time cast of role guys and defenders. Seems pretty stacked to me.

[picc]

Compare the Lakers to the rest of the West, as they are constructed going into next season. Roster, injuries, etc. Clippers are without Kawhi. Nuggets are without Murray. Jazz are ultra flawed. Suns are talented but far from stacked. Portland, Warriors, etc... who's going to challenge LA?

Relative to the competition (in the West), its a fully stacked roster. Getting to the finals is almost a foregone conclusion. Almost, yes i'm aware its not inevitable.

[UcanUwill]

LBJ - top 5 player
AD - Top 10 player
WB - Top 12 player

And then you have an all time cast of role guys and defenders. Seems pretty stacked to me.

I hate to play this game, but which of these players Westbrook better than?

Giannis
Durant
LeBron
Jokic
Embiid
Davis
Kawhi
Young
Zion
Lillard
Luka
Steph
Beal
Harden
Irving
Tatum
Gobert
Mitchell
Bam
Paul

RW is not a top 20 player, let alone top 12.

[ishoy123]

LBJ - top 5 player
AD - Top 10 player
WB - Top 12 player

And then you have an all time cast of role guys and defenders. Seems pretty stacked to me.

[Ambrose]

lol...they have 1 MVP caliber player on the roster, another top 10 player, RW, and are 10+ deep with vets.

they are not Brooklyn or 17 Warriors, but this team is absolutely stacked by almost every other measure.

FIFY

[LAL1947]

The Veteran Minimum salary and salaries for other role-players definitely needs to be raised in the next CBA. By a lot.

[Bornstellar]

They kinda remind me of the 2006 Heat. Young star (well, I guess AD isn't so young anymore), older GOAT level player and a mix of former all star ring chasers and solid role players. They may not be as stacked as they'd be if it was 2015 again, but they still have a pretty stacked team. They're just old.

[SecondTake]

LBJ - top 5 player
AD - Top 10 player
WB - Top 12 player

And then you have an all time cast of role guys and defenders. Seems pretty stacked to me.

I hate to play this game, but which of these players Westbrook better than?

Giannis
Durant
LeBron
Jokic
Embiid
Davis
Kawhi
Young
Zion
Lillard
Luka
Steph
Beal
Harden
Irving
Tatum
Gobert
Mitchell
Bam
Paul

RW is not a top 20 player, let alone top 12.

I put a lot of value on leadership, which isnt something that is reflected in stats. To me WB is easily a top 3-5 leader and locker room presence in the game and it makes up for a lot of in-game shortcomings, because it elevates other guys around him. We've seen a bunch of guys have their best seasons around him, and call him the best teammate they've ever had.

To me he's easily better than:

Gobert
Bam
Young
Zion
Beal

He's comparable, but IMO also better than:

Irving - WB can turn his defense on in a way KI cant, and is worlds better passer, rebounder and is a top tier leader, the latter which KI is the opposite of.

Tatum - Tatum is better defender and scorer, but I give WB the edge for now due to playmaking, rebounding and mainly leadership.

Mitchell - WB is better at everything except scoring. You can argue defense, Mitch is more consistent, but WB is as good when he turns it on for certain matchups.

Lillard - It's a wash, I prefer WB's playmaking and defense, but I admit I might be wrong on this now.

Paul - I think WB has a gear CP3 just doesn't have anymore.

[norcocredo]

They’re stacked on name recognition only. Sans AD, this team is way past their prime. They will be good if they can stay healthy.

[kingr]

They aren't stacked. They are old and a fit poorly skill set wise.

[levon]

lol so Nunn, Monk, THT, and Bazemore were great 5 years ago but done now? You can say that about a few guys on the team but they're on minimum deals, can be scaled down as needed, and every team has guys like that.

No one's saying they're stacked like the Nets are, but that they have the best shot of making it out of the West, also as a product of teams like Denver, Clips, GS having injured stars for significant parts of the season.

See post after yours, people say this team is absolutely stacked... Nunn, THT and Monk are ok players, but lottery teams have players like that on their bench, and we are talking about team that people act is insane talented. Gasol, Dwight, Carmelo, Rondo, Mathews, these guys are pretty much done. Its LeBron, Davis... Westbrook, and then a bunch of nothing.

So in other words you have the same opinion of a lot of people that doubt the Lakers? Ok.

I like the Lakers, and dont want to fued with Lakers fans, I am just saying I puzzled with fans who say this is a Superteam. I get that very casuals, probably seeing these recognizable names and think - wow - but come on, RealGM posters know how washed, Marc, Dwights, Carmelo and to a point even Westbrook are, yet still I constantly see Lakers are loaded beyond belief takes.

I wouldn't be shocked at all if Lakers do not reach the finals, lots of wrong can go with this team.

A bunch of nothing? Who has a bunch of something in your opinion? Also this same board was pining for Dwight Howard to come back less than a year ago because he was supposedly central to the team's success in 2020, but now he's done?

They have the most playmaking talent in the league and maybe all-time between Lebron, Westbrook, and Rondo. That's to say nothing of the guards that can create at the very least for themselves. They have some guys that can shoot in motion. They have good to great catch-and-shoot guys. They have size and physicality. They have defensive versatility. And they might be the best small-ball team in the league because they can stay big while playing small, and will wreak havoc in transition.

I mean if your benchmark for stacked is the 2017 Warriors, this team falls a rung or two short. But it's clear they're really talented.