2021-22 NBA Season Discussion

[DCasey91]

Can we talk about Evan Mobley’s defense? It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen: he seems just perfect in almost every technical facet on that end of the court.


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He's such an exciting prospect, he's been unbelievable on that end, I've been enjoying just solely focusing on him on Cavs defensive possessions, and he is just exhibiting a beautiful blend of athleticism, mobility and defensive IQ, but still clearly with areas to improve which is very exciting.

Side note on the cavs is Darius Garland has been awful to start the season. I was really excited for his development this year, its been a bizarre and poor start for him though, hope he picks it up (obviously he won't remain at this level of awful).


I think Cade and Jalen are going to have to become absolutely unreal prospects to warrant being taken over Mobley, I'm that high on him. If he can become good on the offensive end, the skys the limit. I just don't see it with Jalen, to me I see a supercharged Lavine/beal kind of player if he realises his potential, which while a good player, just isn't what I'm looking for in a prospect personally.

Curious to hear opposing takes on Jalen here, I'd love to see another perspective.

Garland might be the most over hyped player in the NBA at this point. Dude has the body of an 8th grader and absolutely no outstanding abilities. Pretty good at some things but not great at doing them consistently.

I guess it's because compared to Sexton it's a lot easier to see his skill set fitting into the modern NBA team oriented environment.

Personally while I don't think they can coexist long term, unless one accepts being a bench player, I think Garland's abilities are easier to find than Sexton's.

I’m of the opposite opinion. Watching the Cavs closely (Mobley of course but they are watchable and different) Sexton can be a mood/momentum killer, he can score but that’s literally it. Those are dime a dozen players.

Garland while timid at times has the natural facilitating aspect to his game. I’m expecting him to breakout this year if Sexton is gone by the deadline. Cavs work better around having Garland/Rubio handle the ball and do PG things.

Sexton is better suited to being a bench lighter imo or moved for a wing.

[AussieBuck]

He's such an exciting prospect, he's been unbelievable on that end, I've been enjoying just solely focusing on him on Cavs defensive possessions, and he is just exhibiting a beautiful blend of athleticism, mobility and defensive IQ, but still clearly with areas to improve which is very exciting.

Side note on the cavs is Darius Garland has been awful to start the season. I was really excited for his development this year, its been a bizarre and poor start for him though, hope he picks it up (obviously he won't remain at this level of awful).


I think Cade and Jalen are going to have to become absolutely unreal prospects to warrant being taken over Mobley, I'm that high on him. If he can become good on the offensive end, the skys the limit. I just don't see it with Jalen, to me I see a supercharged Lavine/beal kind of player if he realises his potential, which while a good player, just isn't what I'm looking for in a prospect personally.

Curious to hear opposing takes on Jalen here, I'd love to see another perspective.

Garland might be the most over hyped player in the NBA at this point. Dude has the body of an 8th grader and absolutely no outstanding abilities. Pretty good at some things but not great at doing them consistently.

I guess it's because compared to Sexton it's a lot easier to see his skill set fitting into the modern NBA team oriented environment.

Personally while I don't think they can coexist long term, unless one accepts being a bench player, I think Garland's abilities are easier to find than Sexton's.

I’m of the opposite opinion. Watching the Cavs closely (Mobley of course but they are watchable and different) Sexton can be a mood/momentum killer, he can score but that’s literally it. Those are dime a dozen players.

Garland while timid at times has the natural facilitating aspect to his game. I’m expecting him to breakout this year if Sexton is gone by the deadline. Cavs work better around having Garland/Rubio handle the ball and do PG things.

Sexton is better suited to being a bench lighter imo or moved for a wing.

Agree with this, they need to get a legit SF.

[DCasey91]

Garland might be the most over hyped player in the NBA at this point. Dude has the body of an 8th grader and absolutely no outstanding abilities. Pretty good at some things but not great at doing them consistently.

I guess it's because compared to Sexton it's a lot easier to see his skill set fitting into the modern NBA team oriented environment.

Personally while I don't think they can coexist long term, unless one accepts being a bench player, I think Garland's abilities are easier to find than Sexton's.

I’m of the opposite opinion. Watching the Cavs closely (Mobley of course but they are watchable and different) Sexton can be a mood/momentum killer, he can score but that’s literally it. Those are dime a dozen players.

Garland while timid at times has the natural facilitating aspect to his game. I’m expecting him to breakout this year if Sexton is gone by the deadline. Cavs work better around having Garland/Rubio handle the ball and do PG things.

Sexton is better suited to being a bench lighter imo or moved for a wing.

Agree with this, they need to get a legit SF.

Barnes would be a solid get imo. He’ll regress to the mean but he’d fit well.

Rubio
Garland
Barnes
Mobley
Allen

Raffle the guard duties between the two. Lots of playmaking there.

Their defense has kept them in games its their offense that can get clunky. Marks, Sexton def have their limitations when push comes to shove. Marks was hot early then was very poor second half. Both don’t have a deep bag to fall back on.

I think it was a poor signing all things considered.

[Dr Positivity]

Masai made a series of bold moves with Trent Jr trade and signing and looks like it could pay off, he is playing fantastic defense this year, plus he's not just a spot up shooter on offense either. Great summer for Raptors between that, surprise Barnes pick, getting a real player for Lowry in Precious, and looks like steal of the 2nd round in Banton.

[MO12msu]

Cade Cunningham making his debut tonight is a fantastic cap to an already great day for me

[toodles23]

It's still incredibly early but what are everybody's thoughts on Jalen Green so far?

[BIGJ1ER]

It's still incredibly early but what are everybody's thoughts on Jalen Green so far?

I was never as high on him as someone like Clyde was to give some context to my thoughts.

I thought he'd be scoring a little more out of the gate, but Silas hasn't really run too much for him, and his slender frame has hurt him even more than I thought it would.

He's struggling to get to the line at the moment, and is showing limited playmaking chops right now, both things I think he'll improve at to verying degrees (especially getting to the line with that athleticism).

I don't see a sky high ceiling like some others do, I just can't see a world where he's a top 5 player in the NBA at any point in his career.

As always with young prospects though, I hope I get proven wrong and his progression goes in directions that I can't seem to fathom at the moment.

[Dutchball97]

It's still incredibly early but what are everybody's thoughts on Jalen Green so far?

He definitely has huge potential but it'll be a while before we see that translate imo. Ant also started historically bad as a rookie though and look how he turned it around.

[parsnips33]

Last season, Lakers had the best DRTG in the league at 107.1

So far this season, over half the league has a DRTG lower than that

Is this just weird, small sample size, statistics stuff? Or is this reflective of something real?

[falcolombardi]

Last season, Lakers had the best DRTG in the league at 107.1

So far this season, over half the league has a DRTG lower than that

Is this just weird, small sample size, statistics stuff? Or is this reflective of something real?

probably a combination of many factors

note that the current offensive rating is still higher than. pre widespread smallball 2006-2016 era and lower than 80's/90'ball

it just is way lower than the absurd 2021 offensive rating

is entirely possible thst if it sticks. we wil look back at 2019-2021 like we look at 2000-2004~

and anomaly/outlier caused by a confluence of factores, offensive outlier instead of defensive

[Doctor MJ]

Last season, Lakers had the best DRTG in the league at 107.1

So far this season, over half the league has a DRTG lower than that

Is this just weird, small sample size, statistics stuff? Or is this reflective of something real?

I'm glad you asked.

1. The Lakers last year had a bunch of role players who had learned how to play Vogel's scheme together. They played hard without focusing on getting their own buckets, and they played their ass off mostly focusing on what the team needed.

2. The Lakers now have Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony.

I really hope LeBron is watching Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso play together right now and kicking himself.

[falcolombardi]

Last season, Lakers had the best DRTG in the league at 107.1

So far this season, over half the league has a DRTG lower than that

Is this just weird, small sample size, statistics stuff? Or is this reflective of something real?

I'm glad you asked.

1. The Lakers last year had a bunch of role players who had learned how to play Vogel's scheme together. They played hard without focusing on getting their own buckets, and they played their ass off mostly focusing on what the team needed.

2. The Lakers now have Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony.

I really hope LeBron is watching Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso play together right now and kicking himself.

lomzo ball trade led to Anthony davis and a ring in 2020 so probably not

[Texas Chuck]

Last season, Lakers had the best DRTG in the league at 107.1

So far this season, over half the league has a DRTG lower than that

Is this just weird, small sample size, statistics stuff? Or is this reflective of something real?

I'm glad you asked.

1. The Lakers last year had a bunch of role players who had learned how to play Vogel's scheme together. They played hard without focusing on getting their own buckets, and they played their ass off mostly focusing on what the team needed.

2. The Lakers now have Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony.

I really hope LeBron is watching Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso play together right now and kicking himself.

lomzo ball trade led to Anthony davis and a ring in 2020 so probably not

And despite all regular insistence to the contrary Lebron definitely isn't making all of these decisions. Because not only did Ball help to land AD, but Caruso could have been kept regardless of other moves and I feel very confident Lebron isn't worrying about the Buss' luxury tax bill.

[parsnips33]

Last season, Lakers had the best DRTG in the league at 107.1

So far this season, over half the league has a DRTG lower than that

Is this just weird, small sample size, statistics stuff? Or is this reflective of something real?

I'm glad you asked.

1. The Lakers last year had a bunch of role players who had learned how to play Vogel's scheme together. They played hard without focusing on getting their own buckets, and they played their ass off mostly focusing on what the team needed.

2. The Lakers now have Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony.

I really hope LeBron is watching Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso play together right now and kicking himself.

I did not understand Lakers letting Caruso go at all. Feels like the type of guy who could get dropped on any team and immediately make winning contributions

[falcolombardi]

Last season, Lakers had the best DRTG in the league at 107.1

So far this season, over half the league has a DRTG lower than that

Is this just weird, small sample size, statistics stuff? Or is this reflective of something real?

I'm glad you asked.

1. The Lakers last year had a bunch of role players who had learned how to play Vogel's scheme together. They played hard without focusing on getting their own buckets, and they played their ass off mostly focusing on what the team needed.

2. The Lakers now have Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony.

I really hope LeBron is watching Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso play together right now and kicking himself.

I did not understand Lakers letting Caruso go at all. Feels like the type of guy who could get dropped on any team and immediately make winning contributions

maybe the buss family are cheaper than we thought

their money comes mostly from the lakers after all where for other owners teams are closer to semi Vanity projects

[Colbinii]

Last season, Lakers had the best DRTG in the league at 107.1

So far this season, over half the league has a DRTG lower than that

Is this just weird, small sample size, statistics stuff? Or is this reflective of something real?

It's very real. Look at the rosters.

This was expected.

[Texas Chuck]

I'm glad you asked.

1. The Lakers last year had a bunch of role players who had learned how to play Vogel's scheme together. They played hard without focusing on getting their own buckets, and they played their ass off mostly focusing on what the team needed.

2. The Lakers now have Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony.

I really hope LeBron is watching Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso play together right now and kicking himself.

I did not understand Lakers letting Caruso go at all. Feels like the type of guy who could get dropped on any team and immediately make winning contributions

maybe the buss family are cheaper than we thought

their money comes mostly from the lakers after all where for other owners teams are closer to semi Vanity projects

No question its the family business in a way different from most franchises. But they also have revenue streams other franchises can't dream of.

For instance the Lakers local TV deal returns $200M annually. The Rockets have what's considered one of the very best local TV deals and they bring in less than $70M annually. They just play on a whole different level. They could have afforded the salary and tax on Caruso without risking poverty.

Or total revenues for the 19/20 season for the Lakers -- $400M. Heat - $266. Bulls $300M Brooklyn $280M. Clippers $262M Only the Knicks play in their numbers.

[falcolombardi]

guys, remember that rhw league average offensive rating dropped 5 points so far

we are back to 2006-2016 levels of scoring at least so far into the season

is normal thag a lot of teams have better defensive ratings than last year lakers

the issue is the lakers themselves are not one of those

[parsnips33]

guys, remember that rhw league average offensive rating dropped 5 points so far

we are back to 2006-2016 levels of scoring at least so far into the season

is normal thag a lot of teams have better defensive ratings than last year lakers

the issue is the lakers themselves are not one of those

Yeah I was more curious about the league-wide trends than what's specifically happening with the Lakers defense

Is this all because of the changes in officiating? Or something else at play?

[Doctor MJ]

Last season, Lakers had the best DRTG in the league at 107.1

So far this season, over half the league has a DRTG lower than that

Is this just weird, small sample size, statistics stuff? Or is this reflective of something real?

I'm glad you asked.

1. The Lakers last year had a bunch of role players who had learned how to play Vogel's scheme together. They played hard without focusing on getting their own buckets, and they played their ass off mostly focusing on what the team needed.

2. The Lakers now have Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony.

I really hope LeBron is watching Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso play together right now and kicking himself.

lomzo ball trade led to Anthony davis and a ring in 2020 so probably not

Right, but Chicago signed both Ball & Caruso to long term deals this off-season while the Lakers did what they did.

And I get why it might seem unfair that I'm bringing both these guys up given that Ball's been gone a while and helped bring in AD, but both Ball & Caruso got treated by the Lakers at the end as if they weren't very good, were easy to get rid of, and showed no indication in the 2021 off-season that getting/keeping either of these guys would be a good idea despite the fact that both were guys who could have been got.

Instead they acquired Westbrook as if he was a star who helps teams win championships.