Series Thread: 1st Round: 3) LA Lakers vs 6) Minnesota T-Wolves

[thunderc]

I guess Sharpe and Morris are having to eat crow this morning

 

[UK Cowboy]

I think we can beat OKC


I don't think we will though, OKC is deeper than the wolves and Ant would have to take his game up yet another gear and not sure it's fair to expect that from 23 year old Ant.

OKC has built a juggernaught with some smart trades and moves. That Paul George trade was brilliant

You're not beating OKC lol. Calm down

 

[shopson67]

From a Lakers POV, I think it's less of an issue of LeBron, and more of an issue of ... Luka with a fair enough cast got crushed in a 1st round series and lost two games at home.

But I think he needs just a little more time to adjust to his teammates and the Wolves were better than a typical 6 seed.

Luka was not the reason in either home loss. He ended up with a strong stat line last night despite getting tomahawked and struggling with back tightness thereafter.

 

[shopson67]

Ant has also taken another step and is better passer than last year.

I don't know that his passing improved, more that he was just more willing when the double teams came. Sizeable step forward either way.

 

[shopson67]

I think we can beat OKC


I don't think we will though, OKC is deeper than the wolves and Ant would have to take his game up yet another gear and not sure it's fair to expect that from 23 year old Ant.

OKC has built a juggernaught with some smart trades and moves. That Paul George trade was brilliant

The style of play will have to change. OKC has more defenders and more size to deal with.

 

[thunderc]

People taking up for Nico after Lukas complete lack of defense

 

[thunderc]

The style of play will have to change. OKC has more defenders and more size to deal with.

Thunder have to get past a very tough opponent in round 2 first

 

[wildturkey]

People taking up for Nico after Lukas complete lack of defense

Those people are stupid. It was still a horrendous trade for Dallas

 

[thunderc]

Those people are stupid. It was still a horrendous trade for Dallas

I agree, but if Luka is absolutely not going to get in better shape to help the defense I guess I could understand moving him. No excuse for not getting more though.

 

[PnkPanther]

You're not beating OKC lol. Calm down

I said I don't think we will

Too be fair, you had us an easy out vs your overrated lakers

 

[PnkPanther]

The style of play will have to change. OKC has more defenders and more size to deal with.

Like I said, we'd be underdogs

I don't think it's however impossible. Wolves under achieved a bit this season. If Randle can cook and Ant be Ant, we should be in the series, but we'll also need contributions for Jaden, Rudy, Divincenzo.

But if I was a betting man, I'd bet OKC, but it's not like they'd be first #1 seed to be regular season favorite to not make the finals.

 

[PnkPanther]

Those people are stupid. It was still a horrendous trade for Dallas

Agreed. Trading Doncic wasn't the issue, it was the return.

 

[PnkPanther]

I guess Sharpe and Morris are having to eat crow this morning

wolves have been a god awful franchise for so long, it's easy to bet against them.

I certainly would take a prove it strategy

It just took a few decades to vindicate letting the Minneapolis Lakers leave and getting the timberwolves later on

 

[PnkPanther]

Won’t say this too often, but… Go Wolves.

No seriously though their time is kind of now… Their non-Ant core is going to age itself out soon, Utah controls many of their upcoming picks while San Antonio and Sacramento control their 2030 and 2031 picks, respectively. Yikes.

I think Connely has some moves up his sleeves this off-season

but i'll worry about that once off season starts

 

[msgkings322]

People taking up for Nico after Lukas complete lack of defense

It's a factor. Still doesn't make it a 'good trade' but adds evidence to my (and others') claim that the trade was not the disaster portrayed by many. Luka's defense is a big problem, as in maybe prevents a title problem. Your best player who is expected to play 40 minutes every playoff game can't be that bad on D

 

[msgkings322]

Those people are stupid. It was still a horrendous trade for Dallas

Less so than people (like you) are saying. Lakers fans should be quite concerned if he doesn't at least become average at defense.

Wasn't that the problem with prime Harden? Great offensively, maybe best in the league...terrible defender (he's not so bad now), and no titles, not a coincidence. Steve Nash, same.

 

[Jordan23]

Wolves are no joke if they show up to play. I wouldn’t underestimate this team if I was OKC, but both teams have to win another round first. Antman is damn good and dangerous when he penetrated and dishes. Like to see that more from him

 

[trojanfan12]

It's a factor. Still doesn't make it a 'good trade' but adds evidence to my (and others') claim that the trade was not the disaster portrayed by many. Luka's defense is a big problem, as in maybe prevents a title problem. Your best player who is expected to play 40 minutes every playoff game can't be that bad on D

While Luka certainly has to try to at least become a good "help defender", the biggest issue was the Lakers having no bigs. Not just for rebounding, but defense as well. A big like AD or maybe Williams can hide a lot of defensive deficiencies. Luka's perimeter defense was serviceable, but he was getting beat off the dribble...it's lot different beating him off the dribble and having to face a legit, shot blocking big than facing Hayes, Rui or Vando.

 

[msgkings322]

While Luka certainly has to try to at least become a good "help defender", the biggest issue was the Lakers having no bigs. Not just for rebounding, but defense as well. A big like AD or maybe Williams can hide a lot of defensive deficiencies. Luka's perimeter defense was serviceable, but he was getting beat off the dribble...it's lot different beating him off the dribble and having to face a legit, shot blocking big than facing Hayes, Rui or Vando.

Agreed but the effort isn't even there. Which leads to conditioning concerns, like he has to 'rest' on defense to be as good as he is on the other end.

 

[thunderc]

wolves have been a god awful franchise for so long, it's easy to bet against them.

I certainly would take a prove it strategy

It just took a few decades to vindicate letting the Minneapolis Lakers leave and getting the timberwolves later on

Well both of those bozos were picking the Lakers to come out of the West