2019 Los Angeles Lakers Off-Season Thread

[trojanfan12]

As long as the management of the Lakers continue let LeBron dictate to the modus operandi of basketball operations and style of play, the Lakers are are not going to do well. Vogel needs to step-in when camp and the preseason begin and let it be known he is running the show.

Granted, LeBron maybe telling Vogel that he is not that interested in being the focal point of the offense and shift it to AD but Vogel had better have a plan or we may have another situation where the inmates will be running the asylum.

I don't see how Lebron saying that he wants AD to be the focal point of the offense is a bad thing.

It actually seems like the smart thing to do. Lebron is 34 with a lot of miles on his body. If AD and others can do most of the heavy lifting with Lebron being more of a facilitator, he'll be more rested when the playoffs start.

Imo, this is just Lebron letting the Lakers know that he understands his age and mileage and that they won't be hearing any complaints from him if he's not the main option.

Remember, Lebron's game has always favored Magic more than MJ or Kobe. So I'd expect that Lebron won't necessarily be handling the ball less, but his likely will look to score less.

 

[tomodach10]

I don't see how Lebron saying that he wants AD to be the focal point of the offense is a bad thing.

It actually seems like the smart thing to do. Lebron is 34 with a lot of miles on his body. If AD and others can do most of the heavy lifting with Lebron being more of a facilitator, he'll be more rested when the playoffs start.

Imo, this is just Lebron letting the Lakers know that he understands his age and mileage and that they won't be hearing any complaints from him if he's not the main option.

Remember, Lebron's game has always favored Magic more than MJ or Kobe. So I'd expect that Lebron won't necessarily be handling the ball less, but his likely will look to score less.

I 100% agree with your post. It is a great thing for Lakers going foward. I could never see Kobe doing this.

 

[wildturkey]

Kuzma out "indefinitely" with a stress reaction in his foot, lingering issue from his time with Team USA this summer. Expected to miss camp but not clear if he'll miss regular season games at this point

 

[Retroram52]

Well, Vogel liked the energy of the early preseason practices before the team heads over to China for a few games.

 

[trojanfan12]

Well, Vogel liked the energy of the early preseason practices before the team heads over to China for a few games.

Yeah, heard that too. Also heard that, in order to try to help Lebron defensively, he's going to basically make him the "quarterback" of the defense. From the sound of it, he'd be doing more directing of teammates rather than concentrating on locking guys down individually.

Heard something interesting re: Jason Kidd being hired. Apparently. Kidd acknowledges that he "skipped a few steps" by going directly from being a player to a head coach. So, from what was said, some of the reason he is here as an assistant is to "pay his dues".

 

[trojanfan12]

How's this for a Land of the Giants lineup?

PG - Lebron 6'8"
SG - Kuzma 6'9"
SF - AD 6'10"
PF - Javale - 7'0"
C - Dwight 6'11"

 

[Retroram52]

Yep, TJF12, I am warming-up to the notion that Pelinka, despite all that has been said about him, might have assembled a real badass team sans Magic who seemed to be the liability in that pair. I am looking forward to seeing the new powerhouse Lakers in the preseason. Stay tuned on this one!!

 

[trojanfan12]

Yep, TJF12, I am warming-up to the notion that Pelinka, despite all that has been said about him, might have assembled a real badass team sans Magic who seemed to be the liability in that pair. I am looking forward to seeing the new powerhouse Lakers in the preseason. Stay tuned on this one!!

Yeah, I love Magic. We all do. But Magic is an ambassador. He's a guy you want in the room when you are trying to convince a big name to join the Lakers. He's not the guy you want building your entire roster.

I liked Pelinka because of what Kobe said about him. According to Kobe, Pelinka is smart and a grinder who puts in the work every day.

In other words, he's a lot like Kobe. Lol

 

[tomodach10]

Can't wait for season. We have a nice mix of veterans and young players with experience. Too many question Marks the last two years. Too much dependence on young players staying healthy and taking the next step. We now have a team with a lot of players who know how to win in the NBA.

 

[Retroram52]

I totally agree Tomodach and TJF12. I think the Lakers may have finally turned a corner.

 

[trojanfan12]

We have 2 of the 5 best players in the game and solid veterans around them. If that's not enough for a deep playoff run, I don't know what is. lol

 

[trojanfan12]

Close enough to the season. Just unstuck this thread. @Retroram52 you wanna start the 2019-20 Regular Season thread?

 

[Retroram52]

Sure TJF12. Ill get to it on Tuesday when I have some time.

 

[Retroram52]

Lakers sign David Stockton, son of HOF John. He'll be playing in the G league for a spell.

 

[Retroram52]

First look at the new Lakers is today against the Dubs!

 

[tomodach10]

Ohh man!!!!!!! What a different team!!

 

[trojanfan12]

So the new guy looks solid.

 

[wildturkey]

So the new guy looks solid.

Jared Dudley winning MVP this year

 

[trojanfan12]

Jared Dudley winning MVP this year

Biggest signing by the Lakers since Shaq.

 

[Retroram52]

I agree. These Lakers look totally different. Even Rondo is hitting threes and AD is awesome. I never thought I'd say this but ahem, Dwight Howard looks different too! Wow, Pelinka is looking like a genius.