Series Thread: 2023 Western Conference Finals: 1) Nuggets vs 7) Lakers (Bubble Rematch)

[justanidiot]

Bamba could return for game 4.

Is he going to try to guard Murray too?

 

[justanidiot]

Why do you hate capitalism and people with absurdly unique talent being able to monetize their talents? Why do you have a problem with people realizing the American Dream?

If you consider a few dozen supermax players are the only ones realizing the American Dream, you should be able to see the problem.

 

[trojanfan12]

I think there are a few things that have led to this.

First and foremost...Denver is a very good team and has played virtually flawless basketball. It's not like the Lakers are the only asses they've kicked during this run.

Also, the Lakers have been in playoff mode since the All Star break which has meant extended minutes for Lebron since then.

It's hard to play with that level of intensity for that long...especially at 38.

I said at the start of the playoffs that I didn't think they could get to the finals this season and that the WCF was their ceiling, but they'd most likely be out in the 2nd round...so I'm not going to complain.

Hopefully, they can re-sign most of this roster with a couple of tweaks, then go into next season with a full training camp and see what happens.

 

[thunderc]

I think there are a few things that have led to this.

First and foremost...Denver is a very good team and has played virtually flawless basketball. It's not like the Lakers are the only asses they've kicked during this run.

Also, the Lakers have been in playoff mode since the All Star break which has meant extended minutes for Lebron since then.

It's hard to play with that level of intensity for that long...especially at 38.

I said at the start of the playoffs that I didn't think they could get to the finals this season and that the WCF was their ceiling, but they'd most likely be out in the 2nd round...so I'm not going to complain.

Hopefully, they can re-sign most of this roster with a couple of tweaks, then go into next season with a full training camp and see what happens.

I agree, the Lakers look wiped

 

[fightinfunbags]

If you consider a few dozen supermax players are the only ones realizing the American Dream, you should be able to see the problem.

What? When did I say they were the only people realizing the American Dream? I don’t have the problem. You’re older than dog shit and like most old people when change comes you don’t like it. It’s not novel. It’s not unique. It’s a trope. Old man screams at clouds. You know how I know you’re older than dog shit? You can’t just not like something and leave it alone. It bothers you that other people like something so you have to tell them about it. Let’s also be real about how this played out. In the 90s the Bulls were great with Jordan. Now it’s a garbage organization and not worth investing any energy in. Your team fell apart and that’s why you bailed. You’re just making up reasons after the fact.

 

[DJ Fieri]

I think there are a few things that have led to this.

First and foremost...Denver is a very good team and has played virtually flawless basketball. It's not like the Lakers are the only asses they've kicked during this run.

Also, the Lakers have been in playoff mode since the All Star break which has meant extended minutes for Lebron since then.

It's hard to play with that level of intensity for that long...especially at 38.

I said at the start of the playoffs that I didn't think they could get to the finals this season and that the WCF was their ceiling, but they'd most likely be out in the 2nd round...so I'm not going to complain.

Hopefully, they can re-sign most of this roster with a couple of tweaks, then go into next season with a full training camp and see what happens.

James playing waaaaaaay too many mpg and let him get his foot surgery....

 

[trojanfan12]

I agree, the Lakers look wiped

Yeah, especially Lebron. I think that is why we have seen more missed layups, turnovers and 3 point shots late in games from him. That and I think his foot may be more of an issue than he and the Lakers have let on.

The pace that the Nuggets play at doesn't help either. As good as the Lakers defense has been since the trade deadline...their transition defense has been bad all season long and that is where the Nuggets are attacking them. Especially when they go on runs.

 

[trojanfan12]

If you consider a few dozen supermax players are the only ones realizing the American Dream, you should be able to see the problem.

lol

Seriously?!?

The minimum salary in the NBA for this season was $1,017,781. I'd say that if you make it to the NBA...you're realizing the American Dream.

 

[DJ Fieri]

lol

Seriously?!?

The minimum salary in the NBA for this season was $1,017,781. I'd say that if you make it to the NBA...you're realizing the American Dream.

Exactly.

 

[raptorlife4]

 

[Wamu]

still around. Not too far from downtown but likely could find something much closer.

Oopps, I thought Little Italy was downtown.

 

[Wamu]

I think there are a few things that have led to this.

First and foremost...Denver is a very good team and has played virtually flawless basketball. It's not like the Lakers are the only asses they've kicked during this run.

Also, the Lakers have been in playoff mode since the All Star break which has meant extended minutes for Lebron since then.

It's hard to play with that level of intensity for that long...especially at 38.

I said at the start of the playoffs that I didn't think they could get to the finals this season and that the WCF was their ceiling, but they'd most likely be out in the 2nd round...so I'm not going to complain.

Hopefully, they can re-sign most of this roster with a couple of tweaks, then go into next season with a full training camp and see what happens.

Austin Reaves, I like that kid's story about how he got to the league. What's his contract situation?

 

[trojanfan12]

James playing waaaaaaay too many mpg and let him get his foot surgery....

Yeah, it was a real Catch-22.

They had to play him extended minutes prior to the trade deadline just to stay within striking distance of the playoffs.

Then they had to play him extended minutes after the trade deadline because of the ground they had to make up.

So, don't play him extended minutes and likely miss the playoffs...

Or play him extended minutes knowing there's a good chance he's going to run out of gas during the playoffs.

 

[trojanfan12]

Austin Reaves, I like that kid's story about how he got to the league. What's his contract situation?

He's an RFA. So the Lakers can match any offer he receives.

The problem is that he has no doubt earned himself a big fat raise. Especially since he has continued to play at a high level in the playoffs.

He is likely going to get a pretty good size offer from someone and the Lakers will likely want to match it.

But, there is a point where they simply wouldn't be able to retain him because they would hardcap themselves.

So, it's really going to come down to how much he's offered vs. how much they can pay him without hardcapping themselves or limiting who else they can bring back/bring in vs. how much less, if any, he'd be willing to take to stay with the Lakers.

In short...it's going to be very interesting to watch it play out.

 

[Sportsguy9695]

Didn’t the cavs come back from down 0-3 with James? So it’s still possible if you ask me cause the lakers got james

 

[trojanfan12]

Didn’t the cavs come back from down 0-3 with James? So it’s still possible if you ask me cause the lakers got james

No.

He's come back from 0-2, twice I believe.

No team has ever come back from 0-3 in the NBA.

 

[tlance]

No.

He's come back from 0-2, twice I believe.

No team has ever come back from 0-3 in the NBA.

It will happen eventually.

But probably not this year.

 

[PPhan]

Didn’t the cavs come back from down 0-3 with James? So it’s still possible if you ask me cause the lakers got james

The closest a team has gone back from winning down 0-3 that I can remember was the Portland Trailblazers against the Mavs. They came back to tie the series and in Game 7, they were actually leading 52-39 at Halftime iirc before the Mavs came back and won.

 

[PPhan]

2003 NBA Western Conference First Round - Trail Blazers vs. Mavericks | Basketball-Reference.com

Summary and statistics for the 2003 NBA Western Conference First Round - Trail Blazers vs. Mavericks

www.basketball-reference.com

 

[Wamu]

He's an RFA. So the Lakers can match any offer he receives.

The problem is that he has no doubt earned himself a big fat raise. Especially since he has continued to play at a high level in the playoffs.

He is likely going to get a pretty good size offer from someone and the Lakers will likely want to match it.

But, there is a point where they simply wouldn't be able to retain him because they would hardcap themselves.

So, it's really going to come down to how much he's offered vs. how much they can pay him without hardcapping themselves or limiting who else they can bring back/bring in vs. how much less, if any, he'd be willing to take to stay with the Lakers.

In short...it's going to be very interesting to watch it play out.

Thanks for the explanation.