Series Thread: 2023 Western Conference Finals: 1) Nuggets vs 7) Lakers (Bubble Rematch)

[DJ Fieri]

DLo is less of an obvious headache.

But in all honesty the results on that front are about the same.

Kyrie just a lot better. And the waves he makes are headline news.

People here talking about benching DLo in the biggest games of the season.

Can’t have that man back on the team if you question whether or not it is a good idea to play him in big moments.

Say what you want about him but you do not have to worry about Irving in the big moments.

He can and does produce.

 

[trojanfan12]

All warts aside.....Irving is bona fide scoring star....I think he would be the best we could do and he relieves a lot of the load off Bron's shoulders. Luka and Irving were never going to work. They both need the ball. Bron and Irving have played together before and Irving was in effect a SG when they played with the Cavs.

Bron could play 33mpg or so since he is almost 39 and Irving and AD could shoulder the load at 38mpg since they are a lot younger and have less miles on their bodies than Bron.

They don't need a bona fide scoring star. They need better transition defense.

The issue isn't the minutes Lebron's been playing in the playoffs. The issue is the minutes he had to play in the regular season because of the roster construction before the trade deadline and the push to make the playoffs after.

If they bring back as much of the current roster as possible with a couple of tweaks they can have the necessary depth so that Lebron can play fewer regular season minutes and have more for the playoffs without introducing Kyrie's crazy to the mix.

 

[tlance]

Say what you want about him but you do not have to worry about Irving in the big moments.

He can and does produce.

Well….

You do have to worry about him showing up for the big moments.

 

[The Q]

Well….

You do have to worry about him showing up for the big moments.

That’s not true

He doesn’t meltdown in the finals

He makes sure to sink your season well before that…

 

[tlance]

That’s not true

He doesn’t meltdown in the finals

He makes sure to sink your season well before that…

Ouch.

True though.

 

[Tai Chi≈Surfing]

The league scheduled the beginning of the championship finals for Thursday June 1st.

With both conference title rounds possibly ending in 4-0 sweeps early this week.....which of the 2 winners (if they do indeed close it out 4-0) would benefit from, or be hurt the most from a long layoff before meeting up in game 1 more than a week later?

If Denver wins their game 4, they'd have 9 days to rest....while Miami would have an 8 day break if they won theirs.

 

[thunderc]

No. The Lakers need to stay out of the Kyrie business.

It could happen for the entertainment alone

 

[thunderc]

Decent after the fact read

Lakers finally feeling the downside of Russell Westbrook trade as they fall down 3-0 to Nuggets

The clock is striking midnight on the Laker role players

www.cbssports.com

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

Say what you want about him but you do not have to worry about Irving in the big moments.

He can and does produce.

Say, who do I talk to about SportsHoopla welfare?

Lakers and the Fucking Celtics got me V Cash destitute.

 

[justanidiot]

lol

Seriously?!?

The minimum salary in the NBA for this season was $1,017,781. I'd say that if you make it to the NBA...you're realizing the American Dream.

that is actually pretty sad. one player over 60 million, 6 over 50, 11 over 40, 31 over 30, does not say much for the guys on the bottom of the, what 400 professional players for 10-12 years of a dream.

 

[DJ Fieri]

Say, who do I talk to about SportsHoopla welfare?

Lakers and the Fucking Celtics got me V Cash destitute.

You still have 9.6k...

When you hit 0....you get your welfare refill....

 

[bksballer89]

The league scheduled the beginning of the championship finals for Thursday June 1st.

With both conference title rounds possibly ending in 4-0 sweeps early this week.....which of the 2 winners (if they do indeed close it out 4-0) would benefit from, or be hurt the most from a long layoff before meeting up in game 1 more than a week later?

If Denver wins their game 4, they'd have 9 days to rest....while Miami would have an 8 day break if they won theirs.

Miami due to Herro

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

They don't need a bona fide scoring star. They need better transition defense.

The issue isn't the minutes Lebron's been playing in the playoffs. The issue is the minutes he had to play in the regular season because of the roster construction before the trade deadline and the push to make the playoffs after.

If they bring back as much of the current roster as possible with a couple of tweaks they can have the necessary depth so that Lebron can play fewer regular season minutes and have more for the playoffs without introducing Kyrie's crazy to the mix.

The problem is everyone else has the time to make tweaks as well.

Love Vando.

If you could combine him with D’Lo, you’d have a 30 plus minute a game player.

But, as they are, depending on what’s going on with the rest of the guys, both turn unplayable.

Seriously, 4 or 5 other guys have to have it going.

Because, neither give you anything outside of their specialties.

I honestly believe Dlo’s lack of production sunk Vando.

Can’t play 3 on 5 on offense and 4 on 5 on the other end.

I agree that some of these guys should be retained.

To preserve the salary slots, if nothing else.

But, depending on the price, who would eat a 30 mil per D’Lo deal or Beasley at his current price?

Nobody would trade you anything good without pick compensation.

Kyrie is likely not the answer.

But, neither is Russell.

He has been this 2 of the 3 times he has made the playoffs.

He does not do well as the 3rd option or lower.

Look at his run in Minny with KAT and Edwards.

Also, what to do about Bamba?

 

[DJ Fieri]

Decent after the fact read

Lakers finally feeling the downside of Russell Westbrook trade as they fall down 3-0 to Nuggets

The clock is striking midnight on the Laker role players

www.cbssports.com

It really is.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

You still have 9.6k...

When you hit 0....you get your welfare refill....

I will put it all on the Lakers tonight.

Im sure they will sink my battleship again…lol

 

[trojanfan12]

that is actually pretty sad. one player over 60 million, 6 over 50, 11 over 40, 31 over 30, does not say much for the guys on the bottom of the, what 400 professional players for 10-12 years of a dream.

Again, just like any other industry, the top producers make the most money.

The guys on the bottom part of the scale are actually overpaid, while the guys at the top are underpaid based on what they add to the team and leagues bottom line.

Example...the Lakers gave Kobe a max level contract over his last 2-3 seasons even though he couldn't play as many games or produce at the levels he did earlier in his career. Yet, he was still underpaid when you consider the number of people showing up at home, on the road and watching on tv for the chance to see him play one last time.

 

[Shanemansj13]

 

[Shanemansj13]

Too little, too late Ham. Pull the stick out of your ass

 

[trojanfan12]

The problem is everyone else has the time to make tweaks as well.

Love Vando.

If you could combine him with D’Lo, you’d have a 30 plus minute a game player.

But, as they are, depending on what’s going on with the rest of the guys, both turn unplayable.

Seriously, 4 or 5 other guys have to have it going.

Because, neither give you anything outside of their specialties.

I honestly believe Dlo’s lack of production sunk Vando.

Can’t play 3 on 5 on offense and 4 on 5 on the other end.

I agree that some of these guys should be retained.

To preserve the salary slots, if nothing else.

But, depending on the price, who would eat a 30 mil per D’Lo deal or Beasley at his current price?

Nobody would trade you anything good without pick compensation.

Kyrie is likely not the answer.

But, neither is Russell.

He has been this 2 of the 3 times he has made the playoffs.

He does not do well as the 3rd option or lower.

Look at his run in Minny with KAT and Edwards.

Also, what to do about Bamba?

There are definitely tweaks that need to be made.

D-Lo isn't worth what he's probably going to want. I like him, but would be fine with letting him walk if he wants too much. They should try to sign him for an amount that gives him a tradeable deal.

Bamba is interesting. He played some when they first got him, but he's been out with ankle issues most of the time. When he played, he looked raw, but also showed that he may be able to be developed. I believe he's on a non-guaranteed contract, so they should be able to bring him back on a lower contract.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

There are definitely tweaks that need to be made.

D-Lo isn't worth what he's probably going to want. I like him, but would be fine with letting him walk if he wants too much. They should try to sign him for an amount that gives him a tradeable deal.

Bamba is interesting. He played some when they first got him, but he's been out with ankle issues most of the time. When he played, he looked raw, but also showed that he may be able to be developed. I believe he's on a non-guaranteed contract, so they should be able to bring him back on a lower contract.

I hate Yall.

But, If you traded for FVV instead of DLo, you might be in the Finals.

Monday Morning quarterbacking, because the cost would have been oh so much higher.

* it really is Monday this time @shopson67 *