Where do the Lakers go from here...?

[True Lakers Fan]

The argument was about last year. Last year was easily a top 3 player.

It all depends on his injury and how severe it is. I'm not a doctor and I don't know what his quad looks like at the moment. But Isiah Thomas playing hurt and costing himself over a $100 million has players thinking about the long term. Wouldn't shock me if Kawhi approached it with that in mind.

But regardless if Kawhi's coming back 100% or not (which is uncertain at this point). You can't automatically say that Ingram's better than him. Only the homerest of homers would come up with some asinine shit like that.

By the way - I never said Ingram is better then him - points and rebounds, I think they are close, but championship teams hang their hats on defense. What I have argued is that for a player who will be a free agent at the end of the next season and possible will not be 100% until 2019 - the most I would give up is Ingram. If Leonard is healthy and is willing to sign a contract extension - then that is a different story. This is always been my position.

Now if you're saying that Ingram will never be better then Leonard - you might be right, but I am still going to say you don't know that yet. What makes Julius Randle and Ingram desirable is the unknown potential. Personally I would rather give up Lonzo Ball - I don't have strong feelings about him quite yet.

 

[tlance]

I have to assume that Kawhi made the right decision based on HIS PERSONAL HEALTH. I have no problem saying he was top ten or whatever player IF HE PLAYED THE ENTIRE SEASON. I have no problem saying if he is healthy, he is a top whatever player. BUT HE WASN'T - HE WAS INJURED AND NO ONE KNOWS IF HE IS HEALTHY YET.

I have been in the position where I insisted on a second opinion for my mother. She was 84 years and the doctor wanted to do an exploratory surgery on her heart and I said NOT WITHOUT A SECOND OPINION YOU'RE NOT. Two experts told him NO. I am assuming that Kawhi will be ready to play this fall and I assume that Popovich and Kawhi will work it out. If they don't then - look for him to get traded to the eastern conference. If Lebron stays in Cleveland, or Miami. I already know that the Lakers will not get him unless he is a free agent and wants to come to the Lakers.

If he doesn't, I don't think that matters because the Lakers are getting good enough now to attract free agents like before, so I think it's good. Now if some of you don't agree with that - then oh well

Is it possible he is hurt?

Yes. But, if he is legitimately hurt the Spurs are not trading him because they will work out their differences.

But, it is also possible, and more likely, IMO, that he is trying to manipulate his way out of SA to a bigger market. His teammates thought he was healthy 2 months ago. Spurs doctors cleared him 3 months ago.

It is fine that you don't want the Lakers to give up anything of value to get him. But, stop making up stupid trade scenarios that aren't even in the ballpark of Kawhi's value. It just makes you look bad. Say you don't want Kawhi and move on already.

 

[Mecca]

Eh.

Made 1 post making fun of them.

Not getting in deep in this one.

But seriously though. That shit should be reserved for Laker boards. When you say stuff that dumb on NBA main, I feel like it is my job to call them out. No crazy homer stuff goes unchecked here.

Yeah, it's ridiculous.

I'm no better, I do it too.

But, remember the source.

Dude is not right upstairs.

So, it's an exercise in futility.

 

[True Lakers Fan]

Is it possible he is hurt?

Yes. But, if he is legitimately hurt the Spurs are not trading him because they will work out their differences.

But, it is also possible, and more likely, IMO, that he is trying to manipulate his way out of SA to a bigger market. His teammates thought he was healthy 2 months ago. Spurs doctors cleared him 3 months ago.

It is fine that you don't want the Lakers to give up anything of value to get him. But, stop making up stupid trade scenarios that aren't even in the ballpark of Kawhi's value. It just makes you look bad. Say you don't want Kawhi and move on already.

Have you spoken to his doctor?

Have you spoken to Leonard?

Are you an expert on this situation?

No, you're just some one with an opinion like the rest of us. He might not be hurt, But might also be right when he said he had not recovered yet a few weeks ago. I didn't say I don't want Leonard - What I said was I would rather wait and see what the Lakers can do in free agency. A trade is more of tool you use when you already have one or two players that can help you win and you need that third player. Leonard is a great player, but Magic Johnson might want to wait instead of giving up any young players. Everything he does regardless of making a trade or keeping what he has is a gamble either way.

 

[Rambunctious]

Luke is a real basketball coach. He's considered one of the better young coaches in the league. Plus, the players love him and play hard for him.

You're probably literally the only person who thinks he should be replaced.

Scoreboard. Kind of speaks for itself. Either Luke can't coach or the Lakers players are not NBA ready. Last season wasn't just an unfortunate speed bump in rebuilding a team, the Lakers sucked!!! and didn't make the playoffs again!!! in a league where 75% of the teams qualify for the playoffs. That is huge.

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

Eh.

Made 1 post making fun of them.

Not getting in deep in this one.

But seriously though. That shit should be reserved for Laker boards. When you say stuff that dumb on NBA main, I feel like it is my job to call them out. No crazy homer stuff goes unchecked here.

And that is what makes you a fucking joke.

You get personally insulted every time someone has a different opinion to you. At this point it's fucking hilarious just to make stuff up just to see you lose your shit.

every....
single....
time....

 

[handicappers]

And that is what makes you a fucking joke.

You get personally insulted every time someone has a different opinion to you. At this point it's fucking hilarious just to make stuff up just to see you lose your shit.

every....
single....
time....

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

Here's todds mom to the rescue.

You greasing yourself up before your son comes home big momma june?

 

[handicappers]

^^^triggered

Brian the Tucker melting down again. Truth hurts

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

^^^triggered

Brian the Tucker melting down again. Truth hurts

Live footage of handi right now

 

[handicappers]

^^^Brian the Tucker is triggered^^^^

commence meltdown

hahahahahahahaha

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

^^^Brian the Tucker is triggered^^^^

commence meltdown

hahahahahahahaha

You drinking your own bathwater again?

 

[handicappers]

 

[tlance]

And that is what makes you a fucking joke.

You get personally insulted every time someone has a different opinion to you. At this point it's fucking hilarious just to make stuff up just to see you lose your shit.

every....
single....
time....

This is why you are a joke.

I don't feel insulted or upset.

But, when you or your band of misfits says something really stupid, I am going to tell you it is stupid. Maybe one day you can come to terms with that. Or you can stop posting stupid stuff. But that will probably never happen.

 

[Heatles84]

By the way - I never said Ingram is better then him - points and rebounds, I think they are close, but championship teams hang their hats on defense. What I have argued is that for a player who will be a free agent at the end of the next season and possible will not be 100% until 2019 - the most I would give up is Ingram. If Leonard is healthy and is willing to sign a contract extension - then that is a different story. This is always been my position.

Now if you're saying that Ingram will never be better then Leonard - you might be right, but I am still going to say you don't know that yet. What makes Julius Randle and Ingram desirable is the unknown potential. Personally I would rather give up Lonzo Ball - I don't have strong feelings about him quite yet.

Ingram and Leonard aren't close. And that's acknowledging that Ingram's a solid player.

 

[larryjohn]

Who you trading for Demar?
I actually like that scenario for you guys.
But, 30 mil plus for both those guys is crippling.

For Lakers #1 pick ... plus salaries. (Deng if Raptors are generous)
DeRozan has $83M / 3 years left on his contract.

I don't think I'd do it if I were the Raptors -- but suggestion was on one of the sports sites yesterday.

 

[trojanfan12]

Scoreboard. Kind of speaks for itself. Either Luke can't coach or the Lakers players are not NBA ready. Last season wasn't just an unfortunate speed bump in rebuilding a team, the Lakers sucked!!! and didn't make the playoffs again!!! in a league where 75% of the teams qualify for the playoffs. That is huge.

Are you serious right now? The Lakers said before the season that the season was going to be about development, not wins.

Ingram and Ball missed a combined 50+ games because the Lakers were being very/overly cautious with minor injuries.

After starting out 11-27 through the first 38 games, they finished up 24-20 over the last 44.

They were predicted to be about a 30 to sub 30 win team (I think Vegas had them at about 27 wins) and they finished with 35 wins. Most Lakers fans had them in the 30-35 win range. So they actually exceeded expectations.

Had the season been about wins, Ingram and Ball don't sit out as many games and the Lakers are likely in 40+ win territory and possibly fighting for a 7th or 8th seed.

Luke is not the problem, a lot of youth and players on 1 year deals were the problem.

What Magic, Pelinka and Luke have done to clean up the mess left by Short Buss is nothing short of a minor miracle.

Pretty much everyone, except you apparently, says that the Lakers are headed in the right direction. This is the first time that can be said in at least 5 years.

 

[trojanfan12]

This Dude is doing his damnest to scratch every free agent prospect off the Lakers list.

Better than Kawhi?

Lmfao

I'm sure Kawhi's people are just loving this if they really wanted him to land there.

LaVar Ball says Kawhi Leonard isn't a better player than son Lonzo

If Lavar's mouth is the reason any player doesn't want to go to the Lakers, then the Lakers wouldn't want them anyway. It's not like the Lakers allow him in the locker room, on team flights or have him showing up at practice.

I think most players just tune him out. I can't even remember any player other than Lonzo commenting on him and even Lonzo only does when asked. And then he just says something along the lines of "He does what he does, it's his life and doesn't really effect me".

Now, if the Lakers do something stupid like sign Gelo to a summer league contract....that would bother me and change my opinion a little. Not to mention the fact that he'd be taking away a roster spot from someone who may actually be able to make it to the NBA.

 

[trojanfan12]

For Lakers #1 pick ... plus salaries. (Deng if Raptors are generous)
DeRozan has $83M / 3 years left on his contract.

I don't think I'd do it if I were the Raptors -- but suggestion was on one of the sports sites yesterday.

This would make sense for the Raptors, only if the decision is to blow it up and start over. Gives them a later 1st round pick this season and they are probably in the lottery next season. Then they would go into the season after that with a ton of cap space.

It would be a great move for the Lakers, imo as long as they weren't expecting DeRozan to be their #1/team leader and brought in another top FA who can actually lead.

It would get Deng completely off the books and may be a way to add 2 max guys (one being DeRozan) and keep Randle. I don't know 100% if that would be the case, but based on some of what I read, it may be possible.

 

[Rambunctious]

The Lakers said before the season that the season was going to be about development, not wins

I know they said it but it was the dumbest thing a sports franchise ever said. Not about wins? From the get go? what must the players have thought after hearing that? The Lakers are rudderless, lost, and the decision to stick with the leadership that said "its not about wins" is the problem.
We will see what Luke can do next season but if its a mirror image of this season he needs to be cut lose and they need to bring in a proven Basketball coach with a track record.
I never in my life thought that the mighty Lakers would fail to make the playoffs this many seasons in a row.
Its pathetic.
One bad choice and decision after another. They need to clear out the front office of any former Lakers players and fill it with great basketball minds with an eye for real talent not over sized point guards that can't shoot. Enough already!