2018-2019 NBA Regular Season Thread

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

Who can't you say that about?

Concede.

Unless I fire off a bunch of shooters.

But, that's goal post moving....lol

So, let me rephrase...

Had you drafted Fox, LeBron would still do everything better.

But, Fox would be a threat offensively.

Lonzo is a afterthought on that end of the court.

In fairness, he's a much better defender.

Yet, Fox would fit better.

 

[LAD]

Yes, that was always the plan.

Magic even reiterated it last week.

LeBron is still doing him.

Is this shocking?

They were struggling, he took over.

Now they aren't.

And, most of us said that change wouldn't last long. It wasn't hard to figure out if we consider what the Lakers looked like prior to LBJ and what we already know LBJ is capable of doing on the floor.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

What does Kyrie do better than Lebron? A slight edge in 3%?

Charity stripe.

Excessive dribbling.

That's it.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

And, most of us said that change wouldn't last long. It wasn't hard to figure out if we consider what the Lakers looked like prior to LBJ and what we already know LBJ is capable of doing on the floor.

If the Lakers win 50 games, LeBron is the MVP.

He is the best player in the NBA.

Let that man eat.

 

[LAD]

There are times when LeBron reverts and the offense stalls.

Sometimes thats good - like at the end of game and in key moments. This is deliberate by the whole team.

Other times its not good.

Time will tell what wins out, but I see no indication that the plan has changed or won't ultimately suceed. If anything, things are going in the right direction. Lakers currently rank #4 in pace.

If they are in win now mode then it's good for him to take over late in games.

But, if they've communicated that this is a work in progress (which has been my understanding) and if you're trying to develop guys in real time & help bring them along so he will NOT have to always take over it isn't every good.

Unfortunately we won't know the result of it until the end of the season.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

There are times when LeBron reverts and the offense stalls.

Sometimes thats good - like at the end of game and in key moments. This is deliberate by the whole team.

Other times its not good.

Time will tell what wins out, but I see no indication that the plan has changed or won't ultimately suceed. If anything, things are going in the right direction. Lakers currently rank #4 in pace.

I have seen plays where Lebron gets the inbound pass, rebound and pushes the ball down court.

Lonzo is literally standing out of bounds, in the corner until the play is over.

So, yeah...

It can be bad because Ball doesn't know how to be aggressive without the Rock.

Kuzma doesn't have that problem.

Hart is starting to wakeup too.

Hopefully, Lonzo will keep trending upwards.

 

[LAD]

Concede.

Unless I fire off a bunch of shooters.

But, that's goal post moving....lol

So, let me rephrase...

Had you drafted Fox, LeBron would still do everything better.

But, Fox would be a threat offensively.

Lonzo is a afterthought on that end of the court.

In fairness, he's a much better defender.

Yet, Fox would fit better.

The problem, as I see it, is that Lonzo is the PG and so you typically want the guy who handles the ball often to have some sort of offensive game that defenses will have to respect. His defensive effort is great - and on point with other 2 guards IMO.

 

[flyerhawk]

Yes, that was always the plan.

Magic even reiterated it last week.

LeBron is still doing him.

Is this shocking?

They were struggling, he took over.

Now they aren't.

Which is why Lebron will always play the way he does.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

If they are in win now mode then it's good for him to take over late in games.

But, if they've communicated that this is a work in progress (which has been my understanding) and if you're trying to develop guys in real time & help bring them along so he will NOT have to always take over it isn't every good.

Unfortunately we won't know the result of it until the end of the season.

As currently constructed, they are in win a playoff spot mode.

So, they probably should try to develop these guys more.

If for nothing else, at least they'd know who to use as trade bait.

 

[LAD]

I have seen plays where Lebron gets the inbound pass, rebound and pushes the ball down court.

Lonzo is literally standing out of bounds, in the corner until the play is over.

So, yeah...

It can be bad because Ball doesn't know how to be aggressive without the Rock.

Kuzma doesn't have that problem.

Hart is starting to wakeup too.

Hopefully, Lonzo will keep trending upwards.

Ball should start watching film on 2 guards & pick up some of what they do. There are tons of 2 guards in the league that can move over to play the 1 & still be effective.

 

[Black Adam]

Thanks for the obvious

no problem...

all you hadda do was ask...

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

The problem, as I see it, is that Lonzo is the PG and so you typically want the guy who handles the ball often to have some sort of offensive game that defenses will have to respect. His defensive effort is great - and on point with other 2 guards IMO.

Willing passer, defensively engaged, more athletic than I thought.

If he was surrounded by shooters, scorers he'd look much better.

People love to compare Lonzo to Kidd to justify his low stats.

Do you know what Kidd had his rookie year that Lonzo didn't?

Mashburn 24 ppg, Jim Jackson 25ppg.

He didn't need to score.

Did the Lakers even have 1 guy that averaged 20?

That's why people think Lonzo should have done more.

 

[True Lakers Fan]

And, most of us said that change wouldn't last long. It wasn't hard to figure out if we consider what the Lakers looked like prior to LBJ and what we already know LBJ is capable of doing on the floor.

From what I understood about all of those conversations, LeBron felt that the Lakers was his best option, and was willing to work with the current team. That being said Isn't it a given that every team is going to make changes in order to build around their franchise player? The KCP for Trevor Ariza trade if it happens would be a classic example - I think Ariza would be a beautiful fit for LeBron and Tyson Chandler has been another nice fit. Changes will always be made in my opinion

 

[True Lakers Fan]

In other news, according to the dumbass KD the 3 greatest players of all-time:

MJ, Kobe and....wait for it....wait for it, KYRIE IRVING

He is so jealous of Lebron, you shouldnt have joined a team that won without you KD. You aren’t even the most important player on your team, KD lolz what an idiot, troll, diva

Kevin Durant did what he wanted - He doesn't care about what anyone thinks - He has championship titles now

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

Athleticism wise AT HIS SIZE he is off the charts. Griffin is a pretty good comprarison actually but he is 4” shorter. Like I said, I have never seen a player at 6’6” 275 with his athleticism, some mentioned Larry Johnson and that’s about as close as it gets imo

Johnson and Barkley to a lesser extent.

Chuck is only 6'5 or 6'6.

Like Shaq, if he took care of his body better, he could have been greater.

 

[WiggyRuss]

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.


It was inevitable that LeBron would revert back to dominating the ball.

If he wouldn't give it up to Kyrie or Wade, it's not surprising that he won't let Lonzo be the primary ball handler.

you would think this is all common sense...

 

[WiggyRuss]

Yes, that was always the plan.

Magic even reiterated it last week.

LeBron is still doing him.

Is this shocking?

They were struggling, he took over.

Now they aren't.

sounds like just what happened with the Heat

and sounds like just what happened with the Cavs

they tried to be democratic about it--- it didnt work

LeBron took the reigns

and surprise surprise, it worked.

 

[WiggyRuss]

Johnson and Barkley to a lesser extent.

Chuck is only 6'5 or 6'6.

Like Shaq, if he took care of his body better, he could have been greater.

fucking A that is who Zion reminds me off!!!! the Round Mound of Rebound....great comparison--- the violent dunking, ability to have some flex to his game, the athleticism etc....



that aint charles barkley...thats just some wannabe that looks like him...be gone wannabe..be gone!

 

[trojanfan12]

Its a valid point, but I don't know if LeBron, at this stage in his career, is interested in re-creating the 2017-18 Cavs, where he does all the playmaking.

This is exactly right. Par of what Magic and Lebron discussed before he signed was lessening some of the burden that Lebron has to carry.

When Magic said..."We don't want to turn into Cleveland", this is exactly what he's talking about. The Lakers want Lebron to be the best he can possibly be for the time that they have him. One way to do that is to let someone else un the offense at times.

Something I've seen that I like is Lebron starting the game running things to get them off to a good start, then others, usually Lonzo, will run the offense, then Lebron takes over later in the 4th quarter to close out the game.

 

[trojanfan12]

I do think that is what Magic and Walton want. LeBron might say he wants to play fast too. And maybe they aren't there yet. But if they were playing with pace and moving the ball the way they wanted to, I would think Ball's numbers would look a lot better.

They are playing with pace. They've played at one of the faster paces in the league all year. Lonzo's numbers are where they are because he doesn't dominate the ball and often has "hockey assists" rather than the actual assist.

Also, Lebron's presence is going to bring Lonzo's numbers down a bit because you have to have Lebron running the offense at times or you're limiting his impact.

The Lakers are trying to find the right balance of having Lebron run the offense enough that he has the most impact on the game, but also having him play off ball enough so that he doesn't get worn down.

Will it work? Not sure yet. It took the Heat almost 2 full seasons to get it figured out and that was with another Hall of Famer and an All Star on the team.