2022-2023 NBA Season Thread

[fightinfunbags]

He may not be Caruso, but I think you're on the opposite side of the white guy trope, assuming he can't defend. Will he be known as a defender? No, but he can get the job done. He was the victim of a few ref-ignored push offs by Booker last night.

Bro… dude can spend years working his ass off to become a better defender and the ceiling is “adequate”. He’s never going to be Caruso who is going to draw a top assignment every game. Weird comparison.

 

[fightinfunbags]

We all know they started poorly, but after that 0-5 start, they are 5-6, the last 5 without Lebron and only the last 3 with Bryant/Schroder. West best record is only 11-6. 3.5 ahead of last, 5.5 out of first with a lot of season left.

It’s adorable that you still have hope. Adorable.

 

[trojanfan12]

Not a chance. This is just a lazy white guy is a white guy comparison. This dude doesn’t have Caruso’s feet or instincts. Caruso impacts games with his on ball and off ball defense. Reaves is a liability defensively. If the Lakers get into playoff games with him playing a key role in the rotation, every trip is going to be a clear out and they play Where’s Waldo with Reaves and continue to work him on every possession.

A Caruso type isn't saying he'll be as good as Caruso. But there are similarities beyond both of them being white.

I wouldn't call Reaves a liability on defense either. He's not as good defensively as Caruso, but he's better than a lot of guys who are more talented and athletic than he is.

 

[DJ Fieri]

Oh I didn’t say the Lakers were tanking. That isn’t the intent. At the same time, they absolutely look like one of the tanking teams with the product on the floor. They’re 5-11 and have the 2nd worst record in the Western conference.

They started out 0-5....they have a rookie coach and aren't the same team that started the season in such awful fashion.

 

[fightinfunbags]

A Caruso type isn't saying he'll be as good as Caruso. But there are similarities beyond both of them being white.

I wouldn't call Reaves a liability on defense either. He's not as good defensively as Caruso, but he's better than a lot of guys who are more talented and athletic than he is.

Would you agree his upside on defense is “adequate” and he hasn’t gotten there yet?

 

[thunderc]

A Caruso type isn't saying he'll be as good as Caruso. But there are similarities beyond both of them being white.

I wouldn't call Reaves a liability on defense either. He's not as good defensively as Caruso, but he's better than a lot of guys who are more talented and athletic than he is.

Plus the fact that Reaves is going to be better offensively. He also doesn’t look ridiculous out there either.

 

[fightinfunbags]

They started out 0-5....they have a rookie coach and aren't the same team that started the season in such awful fashion.

Again…it’s adorable that you guys still have hope.

 

[trojanfan12]

They started out 0-5....they have a rookie coach and aren't the same team that started the season in such awful fashion.

I'm interested in seeing what happens when Lebron comes back.

AD has been playing like a top 5 player since Lebron has been out. He needs to keep that up when Lebron comes back.

If he does, they still won't be contenders, but they'll be a good bit better than they have been.

 

[thunderc]

Again…it’s adorable that you guys still have hope.

Do you decide the morning of or the night before who you are going to be a prick to that day?

 

[DJ Fieri]

He may not be Caruso, but I think you're on the opposite side of the white guy trope, assuming he can't defend. Will he be known as a defender? No, but he can get the job done. He was the victim of a few ref-ignored push offs by Booker last night.

Yeah....he can still be a average defender.....may not be as good as Caruso but similar type player.

 

[DJ Fieri]

I'm interested in seeing what happens when Lebron comes back.

AD has been playing like a top 5 player since Lebron has been out. He needs to keep that up when Lebron comes back.

If he does, they still won't be contenders, but they'll be a good bit better than they have been.

Yep.

Easier to be aggressive when James isn't there.

 

[fightinfunbags]

Do you decide the morning of or the night before who you are going to be a prick to that day?

You can’t predetermine this stuff. You have to take what the defense gives you. And now I’m remembering that Reaves played his college ball at Oklahoma and why you’re all up in your feels.

 

[trojanfan12]

Would you agree his upside on defense is “adequate” and he hasn’t gotten there yet?

Nah, he's adequate now. His ceiling is "solid".

Imo, adequate means that you don't have to try to hide him on defense. They already don't have to hide him.

 

[DJ Fieri]

He may not be Caruso, but I think you're on the opposite side of the white guy trope, assuming he can't defend. Will he be known as a defender? No, but he can get the job done. He was the victim of a few ref-ignored push offs by Booker last night.

Exactly.

 

[DJ Fieri]

Nah, he's adequate now. His ceiling is "solid".

Imo, adequate means that you don't have to try to hide him on defense. They already don't have to hide him.

Yep.

 

[DJ Fieri]

@fightinfunbags deciding to die on a certain hill today....LOL.

 

[thunderc]

You can’t predetermine this stuff. You have to take what the defense gives you. And now I’m remembering that Reaves played his college ball at Oklahoma and why you’re all up in your feels.

It’s just a really stupid argument on your part. It’s not like Caruso is very good at all, and he looks so stupid out there it’s laughable.

 

[DJ Fieri]

Do you decide the morning of or the night before who you are going to be a prick to that day?

LOL.

 

[fightinfunbags]

Nah, he's adequate now. His ceiling is "solid".

Imo, adequate means that you don't have to try to hide him on defense. They already don't have to hide him.

 

[DJ Fieri]

Plus the fact that Reaves is going to be better offensively. He also doesn’t look ridiculous out there either.

Yeah