2018-2019 NBA Regular Season Thread

[LAD]

I wish I could watch this 4th qtr.

want to see how LeBron reacts so bad...I think hes gonna go insane...but we shall see.

LeBron has to go beast- like high level crazy i would think

Have you gotten over your butt hurt feelings about LBJ leaving and have become a Lakers fan???

 

[CitySushi]

It is funny that when the Lakers lose to Phoenix, they're going down in flames. When the Bucks lose to them the very next game, crickets. Never mind that the Lakers coughed up a potential win over the Bucks as well...

The team hasn't quit; they have key players (Rondo, Lebron) that aren't taking defense seriously enough. Rondo used to be all-NBA; his regression isn't about anything other than interest IMO, and it really hurts this team. They routinely get beat up by opposing backcourts; whomever Rondo gets switched onto scores easily. The whole team goes through lapses where they don't know the defensive rotations, and I think that's at least partially related. They need Ball back to solidify that backcourt defense.

Honestly this shit show is actually one of the best things that's happened for Lonzo. People are actually starting to value his play for what it is, instead of the hype beast created by Lavar. Lonzo's a good player, and he's getting better too.

 

[shopson67]

you think thats the first game this season that Walton matched up Kuzma with a center that he had no business matching up against? its been happening all year.

Not much really until recently. Typically the mix at center was a full 48 out of McGee/Chandler/Zubac, and after the trade deadline Zubac was to be replaced by Muscala. That only lasted 1 game before Muscala got hurt (and has been back for a few games now). Apparently there is something up with Chandler, as he hasn't played much at all of late.

My issue with Walton lately is his use of defensive sieve and wayward jumpshot Rondo. 8-25 from 3 over the past 3 games (and it seems worse than that). So many throw-away possessions with a missed early 3. Lakers need a passer inside to get better 3 pt opportunities. Lebron needs to utilize his size and play on the block more.

 

[shopson67]

Honestly this shit show is actually one of the best things that's happened for Lonzo. People are actually starting to value his play for what it is, instead of the hype beast created by Lavar. Lonzo's a good player, and he's getting better too.

It's unfortunate that the injury came when it did; he was really getting on a roll offensively and aggressively looking for his offense. His defense has been there all along.

 

[CitySushi]

Not much really until recently. Typically the mix at center was a full 48 out of McGee/Chandler/Zubac, and after the trade deadline Zubac was to be replaced by Muscala. That only lasted 1 game before Muscala got hurt (and has been back for a few games now). Apparently there is something up with Chandler, as he hasn't played much at all of late.

My issue with Walton lately is his use of defensive sieve and wayward jumpshot Rondo. 8-25 from 3 over the past 3 games (and it seems worse than that). So many throw-away possessions with a missed early 3. Lakers need a passer inside to get better 3 pt opportunities. Lebron needs to utilize his size and play on the block more.

People have been saying this for the last 5 years about Lebron. Unfortunately it probably won't happen.

 

[LAD]

That strategy worked and led to 4 finals and 1 championship. I bet you if Gilbert was the owner of the Lakers, they would be significantly better then this mess you see right now...

In the last half decade we may look back at the only teams to have won was the Cavs and GS

Lol what?? You do realize that the Cavs & the Lakers are only being compared as franchises because the great Buss dies and his kids took over, right?

When people look back they will see the Lakers 16 titles to the Cavs' 1. That's some strategy. SMH.

 

[Wamu]

Lol what?? You do realize that the Cavs & the Lakers are only being compared as franchises because the great Buss dies and his kids took over, right?

When people look back they will see the Lakers 16 titles to the Cavs' 1. That's some strategy. SMH.

I miss the days of Jimmy Buss calling the shots for the Purple n Gold.




(beep beep)

 

[shopson67]

I miss the days of Jimmy Buss calling the shots for the Purple n Gold.




(beep beep)

I wish I missed them entirely.

 

[OutlawImmortal]

This season was a dumpster fire overall for the Lakers. It's difficult to pinpoint exactly what was the cause of this Lakers' team implosion because there are so many different things. Injuries, coaching, the trade deadline and LeBron not denying that he'd trade anyone on the team for AD. In the end it's probably a combination of everything slowly chipping away at team chemistry until guys just stopped caring and decided they were only worried about their next contract. I actually think the deadline affected the vets more than the young guys. The young guys continued to play hard, Rondo only plays hard when he's starting and it's safe to say that McGee and Lance don't give a crap anymore.

 

[Stakesarehigh]

So if we redraft last year's draft is Doncic the hands down top pick

 

[LAD]

That might be the problem. The extra hair has made him top heavy.

@WiggyRuss has been saying he looks heavier.

I'm wondering if all this "extra" hair you're talking about came from the crown of his head. From what I saw last night it looks like his barber snatched a batch during his last cut

 

[LAD]

He does have alotta miles on him. Had to look this up but he's played in 239 playoff games. Nearly 3 full regular seasons.

The playoffs are a longshot. Why take any chances of aggravating the previous injury or getting injured again?

At one point during last night's game it looked like he might have aggravated that groin again.

 

[Wamu]

At one point during last night's game it looked like he might have aggravated that groin again.

That's not good.

 

[LAD]

Yeah. No matter how they spin it now, missing the playoffs this year is a failure. Lebron certainly isn't trying to hide that. Everyone knew that this team wasn't winning a title. But the floor was a 6 or 7 seed and early playoff exit. Ceiling was a 2 or 3 seed and a conference final exit.

So now Pelinka/Magic are going to be under tremendous pressure to bring in a big time star. And make their move. No more 1 year deals. Build the team and see how it plays out. If it works, great. If it doesn't they get fired.

I thought 6/7 seed was being generous I had them slated for the 8th seed, if they made it. But I wasn't completely sold they would even make it at all....

 

[flyerhawk]

The only negative effect of missing the playoffs is to Lebron's ego (and an earlier end to the media swarm). A first round exit is helpful how? Maybe to give the kids their first taste of the playoffs, but if they're going to be traded off anyway, what then? Get the better draft pick and continue building. Hopefully add a big name this summer and move forward.

I don't know what the effect is per se. But as it stands there is a real possibility that this Lakers team finishes with fewer wins than last year's team. That's not a good look.

This isn't a Lakers team that can continue to build for the future. That ended the moment they got Lebron. The team is on the clock now. A 30 something win season this year will mean a significantly higher bar to reach next year, IMO.

 

[LAD]

To be fair, those expectations were based on the team being healthy. Just a rough count, but Lebron, Rondo, Ball and Kuzma have missed a combined 54 games and now Ingram was out last night.

I think if anyone knew that was going to happen, most would have put them right about where they are.

I agree. I don't think there should be anymore cap space preservation. Use the space to improve the team as much as possible and live with the results.

Much of where they are is due to the mess Short Buss made being even worse than many thought, an incredible run of bad luck and some rookie mistakes by Magic and Pelinka.

The lucks got to turn around at some point...

Doesn't it? lol

So what is up with Kuz's ankle?

 

[flyerhawk]

I thought 6/7 seed was being generous I had them slated for the 8th seed, if they made it. But I wasn't completely sold they would even make it at all....

LOL. Fair enough but you Lebron hatred may have colored your views.

 

[LAD]

I don't know if Lebron is still hurt, but he's not in shape from sitting out for so long which is essentially, the same result.

I disagree that they've quit. They just aren't healthy. They're in a "must win situation" and lose Ingram for at least last night and he's been arguably their best player since the all star break. Ball won't be back until Thursday at the earliest and I doubt even then because he hasn't even practiced yet.

With all of the injuries, guys are playing minutes and roles that they were never intended to and they are fading late in games.

The last few games I have seen, there is a lot of standing around on defense. They are not getting in the passing lanes like they had been earlier this season & there is no urgency when guys are switching. All that spells "checked out" in the basketball world.

 

[LAD]

People have been saying this for the last 5 years about Lebron. Unfortunately it probably won't happen.

they could've won that game last night if LBJ would've taken over in the last 6 mins or so. It was right there for him to go get it. MJ and Kobe would've went balls to the walls to win that game.

THAT is the difference - and always will be - between him & MJ/Kobe.

 

[LAD]

LOL. Fair enough but you Lebron hatred may have colored your views.

lol or worked out in favor of the Clips, Kings & Spurs??