2018-2019 NBA Regular Season Thread

[trojanfan12]

Shams reporting that the Rockets are emerging partner in a possible 4-team Ariza-KCP deal.

KCP to Houston

Ariza to LAL

Knight and a pick to unnamed 4th team

Its unclear to me what PHX would be getting back. Salary filler plus a pick I guess?

KCP would actually be pretty good for the Rockets, imo. He brings defense, he can handle the ball and he can score. He's a bit streaky with his 3 point shooting, but he is "on" enough that it shouldn't be too much of a problem, especially in D'Antoni's offense.

 

[trojanfan12]

Why sign Lebron if you are gonna take the ball out of his hands?

Like, seriously....

Did you really believe LeBron was gonna play off the ball?

I know that's what the Lakers want.

But, did you think LeBron would be amenable?

Everything Lonzo is good at, LeBron is GREAT at.

Except for that fact that it's what's happening and the Lakers are 17-10 and Lebron is playing a career low in minutes. I'd expect his usage rate is down too.

In short, he's having virtually the same impact he always has, but without having to carry quite as much of the burden.

 

[trojanfan12]

And, most of us said that change wouldn't last long.

Except that it has...so far.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Yes and no. The Lakers don't NEED him to be a scorer so to speak. But they do need him to be able to score at a more efficient rate and score more in certain situations (like when other guys shots are off).

It's similar to Magic with the Showtime Lakers. They didn't need him to score, but they needed to him to be a threat and to be able to provide scoring when needed in certain situations.

Way more efficient. Coming out of UCLA they expected him to be a much better shooter. If he was shooting the ball well from deep at least we wouldnt be having this conversation. It’s the reason he wont last in LA unless he develops that jumpshot. Lebron is testing out this first year or even half year but you and all of us know eventually he will have shooters surrounding him. Lonzo wont last just like KCP wont last and honestly Ingram might not either especially if he is on the pine injured

 

[flyerhawk]

KCP would actually be pretty good for the Rockets, imo. He brings defense, he can handle the ball and he can score. He's a bit streaky with his 3 point shooting, but he is "on" enough that it shouldn't be too much of a problem, especially in D'Antoni's offense.

It sounds like some sort of deal is more or less in place but I am really curious about the details. I get why the Lakers want Ariza. I get why the Rockets would want KCP. I don't get what the Suns get out of this deal much less some 4th team.

Are the Rockets going to give up a protected 1st to get a KCP rental and get Knight off the books for next year?

 

[flyerhawk]

Except for that fact that it's what's happening and the Lakers are 17-10 and Lebron is playing a career low in minutes. I'd expect his usage rate is down too.

In short, he's having virtually the same impact he always has, but without having to carry quite as much of the burden.

He's still at 35 minutes a game. That is down from 37 2 years ago but still quite a bit. His usage rate is the highest for him in about 4 years.

Not quite carrying the entire team on his back like he did in Cleveland the past couple of years but still quite a workload.

 

[WiggyRuss]

He's still at 35 minutes a game. That is down from 37 2 years ago but still quite a bit. His usage rate is the highest for him in about 4 years.

Not quite carrying the entire team on his back like he did in Cleveland the past couple of years but still quite a workload.

ah I was jsut gonna say that

his usage:

this year: 32.5
last year: 31.7
year before: 30.1
year before that: 31.1

He also leads the Lakers in points, assists, and rebounds.

In Cleveland there was a year where he was third in rebounding and 2nd in scoring (always first in assists).

Cleveland had the horses like TT and Love so LeBron wouldnt have to get beat up being the teams leading rebounder and banging down low with the big men.

 

[WiggyRuss]

Kuzma, i am surpirsed that he is only shooting 32% from 3.

not surprised that Ingram is at 32.4% from 3-----not that it really matters sicne he is taking only 1.7 a game---- justs like i said his 39% from 3 last year only taking 1.8 three's per game was rather irrelevant as well.


Lonzo shot 36% from the floor and 30.5% from 3 last year--- he has improved to 38.3% from the field and 31.8% from 3--- but those numbers are still atrocious- esp. the 38% from the floor.

Playing with LeBron should automatically help you in that regard. 38% from the floor is totally unacceptable.

Hart has balled out- played good D, and is shooting 39% from 3 with 4.6 attempts per game....outstanding!

Kyrie was the rare point guard that shot a large amount of shots- almost 15 a game- and shot a GREAt percentage his rookie year- just under 47% from the field---that is pretty historic....the next year he shot 45.2% from the floor...again , very good.

One reason why i am encouraged by Sexton so far is that he is shooting 45% from the field---which is DAMN good for a rook, especially a rookie on a team with so few options taking the defenses attenetion off him. If he finishes at anything above 42% ill be happy- if he finishes at aroudn 45% that is REALLY REALLY good. When Love comes back - he should help Sexton- both with spacing, and by drawing defensive attention. If SExton finsihes around 46-47% that will be freaking historic like Kyrie.


Ball cant shoot 38% from the floor as a teammate of LeBron James'....that is just wretched. unacceptable

 

[msgkings322]

ah I was jsut gonna say that

his usage:

this year: 32.5
last year: 31.7
year before: 30.1
year before that: 31.1

He also leads the Lakers in points, assists, and rebounds.

In Cleveland there was a year where he was third in rebounding and 2nd in scoring (always first in assists).

Cleveland had the horses like TT and Love so LeBron wouldnt have to get beat up being the teams leading rebounder and banging down low with the big men.

That's why Cousins is going to fit in so well there next year

 

[True Lakers Fan]

Except for that fact that it's what's happening and the Lakers are 17-10 and Lebron is playing a career low in minutes. I'd expect his usage rate is down too.

In short, he's having virtually the same impact he always has, but without having to carry quite as much of the burden.

This is the approach that I envisioned. Realistically - Lonzo Ball is miles from being a quality point guard that the Lakers needs. LeBron makes it possible for Lonzo to develop naturally and at the same time there is enough talent to take the load off LeBron. Magic said very clearly last week - The Lakers do not want Cleveland all over again - They want to get to the playoffs with a Healthy and Rested LeBron who won't be too tired to close in the fourth quarter of each game

 

[DJ]

ive said this for MONTHS

that Lonzo was a shitty fit with LeBron---- that he does what LeBron does except a million times worse- and that giving him the ball while taking it out of lebrons hands is pure idiocy. Shocking that is how it has played out right?

Um, 17-10.

*Looks at the Cavs record*

 

[DJ]

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

Currently being discussed per source: LA giving up KCP & a 1st round pick, Phoenix Suns giving up Trevor Ariza, & the Philadelphia 76ers giving up Markelle Fultz, Shake Milton.

pretty much what we figured- LA giving up a first along with KCP to get Ariza...

but, is that really worth a first rounder? i dunno......is the difference between KCP and Ariza worth a first round pick? its a question i am glad i dont have to answer.

Lol, didn't you lose your shit when I jokingly suggested that only a few days ago?

KCP to Philly :: Fultz to Phoenix :: Ariza to the Lakers works in the trade machine.

why in the samfuck would the Sixers take KCP for Fultz?

So what's your excuse now, one-nut?

 

[Bolts]

Um, 17-10.

*Looks at the Cavs record*

One team has LeBron James, the other doesn't. If you put him on the Cavs they probably have a similar record while the Lakers would be a fringe playoff team.

 

[DJ]

One team has LeBron James, the other doesn't. If you put him on the Cavs they probably have a similar record while the Lakers would be a fringe playoff team.

Impossible.


James is garbage.

 

[DJ]

Woj just said on NBA countdown the 2 teams to watch in play for AD....




Boston and the LA.............Lakers.

 

[Mecca]

Except for that fact that it's what's happening and the Lakers are 17-10 and Lebron is playing a career low in minutes. I'd expect his usage rate is down too.

In short, he's having virtually the same impact he always has, but without having to carry quite as much of the burden.

He has career numbers of 27, 7 and 7.

His stats this Season are 28, 7 and 7.

His minutes are down.

But, his load hasn't been lightened.

He might be more efficient.

But, he's not doing less.

Coincidentally, the Lakers Season did a 180 when he started doing LeBron type thangs.

He hasn't changed his game at all and he shouldn't.


Windbag summed it up quite nicely in his story after Thanksgiving.

LEBRON JAMES HAS LOOKED more like the LeBron James of old over the past few weeks. Well, other than Tuesday night.

His scoring is way up and his impact on Los Angeles Lakersgames has surged, too. Not coincidentally, they've been winning more. They've won seven of 10 even after their 32-point loss to the Denver Nuggets.

Is it because he has become more comfortable in his new surroundings? Sure, that probably is playing some role.

Is it because his teammates are learning how to play alongside him and vice versa? No doubt.

But that doesn't seem to be the real basis of it. What seems to have gotten James back into the groove is that he's back in his comfort zone playing lots of point guard again. It hasn't been framed this way but that's what he has been doing increasingly as the season has aged, and especially after Rajon Rondo went down because of a broken hand.

 

[Mecca]

Woj just said on NBA countdown the 2 teams to watch in play for AD....




Boston and the LA.............Lakers.

If he doesn't demand to go to the Lakers, you have no way to outbid the Celtics.

With that being said, he hired Rich Paul...come on.

On a side note, he missed out on his last Supermax.

Gonna be interesting to see if he's willing to do it again.

 

[Black Adam]

Woj just said on NBA countdown the 2 teams to watch in play for AD....




Boston and the LA.............Lakers.

if the Lakers pull off AD...

wow...

 

[DJ]

if the Lakers pull off AD...

wow...

I know right?

AD and James plus Kuzma and some midgets and that's a formidable team.