2018-2019 NBA Regular Season Thread

[trojanfan12]

LeBron is still averaging 28 9 and 8 guys

It's a matter of the pieces working or not. At this point in his career he obviously has no patience for a learning curve. I get it but at the same time he went to the wrong situation then.

He's still getting his numbers because he's a great player who is also smart and knows how to play.

But offense, especially in the first 3 quarters is the easy part. The problem is that he's not in shape and can't close games, he also doesn't have the same explosiveness as he did before the injury.

As for defense, he has mostly rested on defense for years, but has always been able to turn it up a bit late in the season and in the playoffs. Since he came back, he hasn't been able to. Partially because he's out of shape and partially because defense is a reactionary position and he doesn't trust his groin yet when a guy makes a quick move that he has to try to match.

 

[dtgold88]

They're 4-8 with Lebron back so I don't care about the injuries excuse because they were not several games out of playoffs position when he came back. Yes if Lebron stayed healthy, they're obviously a lock for the playoffs as a likely top 6 seed IMO but once he came back, playoffs were still very possible and likely to most of us on here

I would blame their season more on the AD debacle more than anything else.

Even with Lonzo out, they should be able to win 4 of 5 against the Grizzlies, Pelicans, Hawks, Suns, & Clippers

Far from a lock to even make the playoffs let alone at 6 if he played all year. Can we really assume watching them play now they'd be any better than 8-4 instead of 4-8 if he played? Still leaves them 2-3 back.

 

[trojanfan12]

They're 4-8 with Lebron back so I don't care about the injuries excuse because they were not several games out of playoffs position when he came back.

And? Lebron is also not in shape and they have been missing Lonzo for the past 18 games and Ingram for the past 2.

Anyone who has watched any of their games can see that Lebron isn't 100% yet.

You really need to learn the difference between an excuse and a reason.

 

[bksballer89]

Far from a lock to even make the playoffs let alone at 6 if he played all year. Can we really assume watching them play now they'd be any better than 8-4 instead of 4-8 if he played? Still leaves them 2-3 back.

Yes because they were 20-14 before he got hurt and was rolling. Kicked the Warriors ass in Oracle.

They were clearly going to be a playoffs team if the following 2 things doesn't happen.

1) He doesn't get hurt for 2 months

2) AD trade request never happens/Lakers offers are never made public

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

Might be in an area you want, but paying 2-3 mil for a home that could cost half a mil or less elsewhere isn't getting what you pay for.

If it's what you want, great.

Location and what factors into it is everything when it comes to property prices.

 

[bksballer89]

And? Lebron is also not in shape and they have been missing Lonzo for the past 18 games and Ingram for the past 2.

Anyone who has watched any of their games can see that Lebron isn't 100% yet.

You really need to learn the difference between an excuse and a reason.

Lakers should still be able to beat the freaking Suns with Lebron not at 100% and Ball missing.

 

[trojanfan12]

Ummm, Heat have essentially the same record as the Lakers. Not sure that helps your argument.

Especially in the East.

 

[dtgold88]

Yes because they were 20-14 before he got hurt and was rolling. Kicked the Warriors ass in Oracle.

They were clearly going to be a playoffs team if the following 2 things doesn't happen.

1) He doesn't get hurt for 2 months

2) AD trade request never happens/Lakers offers are never made public

So never mind the tougher portion of their schedule was coming up? How, exactly, is it a lock they even go 8-4 as opposed to 4-8 over the stretch he was out? And even that doesn't put them in the playoffs?

Not saying they wouldn't make it, but far from a lock.

 

[bksballer89]

So basically the Lakers shouldn't win another game this year because LBJ isn't 100% and superstar Lonzo Ball is out.

GTFOH

If you're not good enough to beat the Suns with Lebron at let's say 90% and Ingram/Kuzma both playing then i don't know what to say about your team.

 

[dtgold88]

Location and what factors into it is everything when it comes to property prices.

well no doubt.....but it's not getting what you pay for when you could get more for far less.

 

[dtgold88]

Especially in the East.

Are you forgetting the Lakers have Lebron and the Heat does not?

 

[bksballer89]

So never mind the tougher portion of their schedule was coming up? How, exactly, is it a lock they even go 8-4 as opposed to 4-8 over the stretch he was out? And even that doesn't put them in the playoffs?

Not saying they wouldn't make it, but far from a lock.

Yes. They're not losing to the Knicks or Cavs at home with him in the lineup.

I have to think they also beat the Kings and Clippers as well with LBJ 100% and healthy in late December

 

[dtgold88]

Yes. They're not losing to the Knicks or Cavs at home with him in the lineup.

I have to think they also beat the Kings and Clippers as well with LBJ 100% and healthy in late December

OK, and that makes them 8-4 (which I gave you) as opposed to 4-8.

Still 2-3 games out right now with that record.

 

[bksballer89]

OK, and that makes them 8-4 (which I gave you) as opposed to 4-8.

Still 2-3 games out right now with that record.

Yeah which is why I blame the AD situation more.

Are they really losing to the Hawks, Pelicans (without AD), Memphis, and Phoenix if those rumors are never started? I doubt it. Maybe they drop one of those games but not all 4

 

[WiggyRuss]

I mean, my over under on LeBron Games Played this year would have been 70.5

He rested the previous year to last year in Cleveland when Griffin was running things for maintenance- and that helped. That always made sense to me. they got rid of Griffin and LeBron did what he wanted- and it of course hurt him in the long run.

injuries happen. The Lakers injuries are not crazily out of line with what most of the rest of the league have experienced.

It would have been foolish to think LeBron would play in 75+ games again.

not only that- but Ball sure seems like he has a hard time staying healthy--- and asking kuzma and ingram to carry such a heavy load when they have never playe a full NBA season before that mattered was asking a lot of them.

the Lakers injuries are both fairly predictable and fairly in line with the rest of the league- except for instead of LeBron missing 18 games it would have been safer to say he would miss 10-13 games between one minor injury and maintenance.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

I'm not buying that argument about the young guys. Lonzo is out (so who knows how he's taking it, but it hasn't impacted the team as much as his lack of availability), Ingram has been on fire since the allstar break, and Kuzma is still Kuzma. Hart has been limited by knee tendinitis and his shot has been AWOL all season. They may have initially been shocked by it all, but that only lasted a couple of games.

The misfit vets have been the problem. Rondo is only engaged on offense. Lance is Lance, which is a risky game to play. McGee's defense has really faded, while Tyson is AWOL and likely done. KCP doesn't know what a good shot is in the offense. Lebron is still pretty much Lebron, but he can't take the minutes like he used to and needs to accept that. We've all seen him taking plays off on both ends of the court, and he might as well be resting on the bench if he needs to do that to pace himself.

Injuries certainly haven't helped, as they force some of these vets into bigger minutes, and against starters instead of 2nd team players. Since the team is out of the playoff hunt, I really wish the Lakers would clean house of most of these misfit toys and get some guys off the street to fill out the roster (yes, including Melo if he doesn't find a playoff bound team interested). The team needs to let Walton show some control and weed out the trash.

Luke is a lame duck Coach.

It's not his fault.

This isn't the team he signed on to Coach.

Carlisle couldn't reign in Rondo.

Luke has no shot.

Look, it pains me to say this because I like the kid.

Lonzo is average.

He isn't a game changer.

He will be a good defensive player.

He will get you close to double digit assists and boards.

But, he's a role player.

Magic totally Shit the bed by passing on Fox.

At this point, we know it's true.

Also, this injury thing is starting to be a pattern.

I'm not ready to label him injury prone yet.

But, he's missed a ton of time.

Let's hope he's not Exum 2.0

As for Ingram, yeah....last month or so he's been a monster.

He needs to keep it up a full season.

Kuz leaks like a sieve on defense.

If LeBron is going to pace himself, defensively, for most of the year....

Lakers better get a legit rim protector and a lock down wing.

Or, y'all will continue to get cooked.

Mcgee could have filled that role, had been until you brought in Tyson.

I actually agree that it isn't the Kiddie Corps sulking that sunk you.

But, I also think they aren't nearly as good as advertised.

 

[WiggyRuss]

Yeah which is why I blame the AD situation more.

Are they really losing to the Hawks, Pelicans (without AD), Memphis, and Phoenix if those rumors are never started? I doubt it. Maybe they drop one of those games but not all 4

keep in mind the Lakers are last in the league in free throw shooting, 3rd last in 3 pt shooting, and 3rd last in turnovers.

when you cant shoot free throws, cant shoot 3s and turn the ball over your margin of error is small and you can lose to anyone on any given night.

 

[bksballer89]

That Pacers game told me everything I needed to know about what the AD trade did to those guys.

You lose 136-94 to that team without Oladipo? Yeah something was very wrong with that group

 

[WiggyRuss]

Luke is a lame duck Coach.

It's not his fault.

This isn't the team be signed on to Coach.

Carlisle couldn't reign in Rondo.

Luke has no shot.

Look, it pains me to say this because I like the kid.

Lonzo is average.

He isn't a game changer.

He will be a good defensive player.

He will get you close to double digit assists and boards.

But, he's a role player.

Magic totally Shit the bed by passing on Fox.

At this point, we know it's true.

Also, this injury thing is starting to be a pattern.

I'm not ready to label him injury prone yet.

But, he's missed a ton of time.

Let's hope he's not Exum 2.0

As for Ingram, yeah....last month or so he's been a monster.

He needs to keep it up a full season.

Kuz leaks like a sieve on defense.

If LeBron is going to pace himself, defensively, for most of the year....

Lakers better get a legit rim protector and a lock down wing.

Or, y'all will continue to get cooked.

Mcgee's could have filled that role, had been until you brought in Tyson.

I actually agree that it isn't the Kiddie Corps sulking that sunk you.

But, I also think they aren't nearly as good as advertised.

yah...LeBron is clearly suffering defensively more than anywhere else and that is just the continuance of a downward trend.

Kuzma is a bad defensive player and Ingram is not a good defensive player.

if they ar going to clean up their defense next year -just like you said- they need Ball to stay healthy and they need a big man who can be a big time defensive rebounder and guard the rim efficiently.

 

[trojanfan12]

agree with a lot of this, but no chance the Cs would struggle to make the playoffs in the West. I'd say 6th seed at worst.

Right now, they are 5th in the East. If they were playing a Western Conference schedule, they'd likely be lower than 6th.

Issues with your theories are even with Lebron back they have been losing a lot. sure, they have missed Lonzo, but teams have been missing players on his level or better and not fallen off a cliff.

He's been back, but he's also clearly not 100% and he came back as they hit the hardest part of their schedule.

And again, most teams haven't been missing the 1 guy who could have kept their heads above water. I think we all knew that the 1 guy the Lakers couldn't lose for any significant time was Lebron.