POLL How far will these misfit Lakers go?

[DJ Fieri]

And I think LaVar has a heart attack when Rondo starts. But, I think the mpg will be 50-50 pretty much. 24mpg for each player. And neither plays 82 games.

 

[gordontrue]

I get that LeBron needs to understand that this is the West he is dealing with now.

But the West also needs to understand that this is LeBron they are dealing with now.

 

[shopson67]

And I think LaVar has a heart attack when Rondo starts. But, I think the mpg will be 50-50 pretty much. 24mpg for each player. And neither plays 82 games.

I don't think it will be that even, but Rondo will get solid minutes (20-ish).

 

[flyerhawk]

I get that LeBron needs to understand that this is the West he is dealing with now.

But the West also needs to understand that this is LeBron they are dealing with now.

Do you think that this Lakers team is noticeably more talented than the Cavs team from last year?

 

[gordontrue]

Do you think that this Lakers team is noticeably more talented than the Cavs team from last year?

No, probably not. Way more potential for sure, but as of this moment, no I wouldn't say they are.

Defensively, I would say so, though.

 

[DJ Fieri]

I don't think it will be that even, but Rondo will get solid minutes (20-ish).

Maybe.

 

[DJ Fieri]

I get that LeBron needs to understand that this is the West he is dealing with now.

But the West also needs to understand that this is LeBron they are dealing with now.

Yeah.

 

[flyerhawk]

No, probably not. Way more potential for sure, but as of this moment, no I wouldn't say they are.

Defensively, I would say so, though.

Yeah they are better defensively for sure. But they are significantly weaker offensively. Unless Ingram/Ball/Kuzma take pretty huge strides forward.

Last year's Cav's team was a 4 seed in the East and could have EASILY lost in the 1st round of the playoffs. The Lakers are likely going to wind up with a 1st round matchup facing the Jazz or Pelicans or Thunder. The Pacers are under rated,IMO, but they aren't on the same level as the Jazz or Thunder.

 

[trojanfan12]

But they are significantly weaker offensively.

Aside from Randle...who did they lose that makes them significantly weaker offensively? Especially with the addition of Lebron?

 

[flyerhawk]

Aside from Randle...who did they lose that makes them significantly weaker offensively? Especially with the addition of Lebron?

We were comparing this Lakers squad with the Cavs squad from last year. Unless Ingram really steps up, the Lakers don't have a high quality 2nd scorer or an elite perimeter shooter.

 

[trojanfan12]

We were comparing this Lakers squad with the Cavs squad from last year. Unless Ingram really steps up, the Lakers don't have a high quality 2nd scorer or an elite perimeter shooter.

Okay, I misunderstood. I thought you were saying that the Lakers got weaker offensively. My bad.

 

[Logicallylethal]

What I gather from all of the responses on this thread so far is that most people have not really watched Brandon Ingram play. I mean, actually watch him play and dissect his game. Because I'm fine with disagreement as long as you provide actual critique of the player's game or insight on why he won't continue to grow.

Back and forth discourse is always welcomed. But aside from a few Laker fans, no one has actually broke down Brandon Ingram's game.

 

[trojanfan12]

Because I'm fine with disagreement as long as you provide actual critique of the player's game or insight on why he won't continue to grow.

To be fair, I don't think anyone is saying he won't continue to grow. I think the only real differences of opinion are on how good he is right now and how high his ceiling actually is.

 

[Logicallylethal]

As for Lonzo. I know Jason Kidd is a first ballot hall of famer. I'm not saying Lonzo is going to be a hall of famer. Right now he is fighting for a starting job. But I don't think the comparison is that far fetched. Lonzo is 6'5, Kidd is 6'4. Both are great passers, rebounders, and shoots a low percentage.

Jason Kidd's rookie season
- 11.7 ppg 5.4 reb 7.7 ast (38.5 % FG and 27.2 % 3pt)

Lonzo's rookie season
- 10.2 ppg 6.9 reb 7.2 ast (36.0 % FG and 30.5 % 3pt)

 

[Logicallylethal]

I get that LeBron needs to understand that this is the West he is dealing with now.

But the West also needs to understand that this is LeBron they are dealing with now.

Welcome to The LAnd!

 

[WiggyRuss]

And I think LaVar has a heart attack when Rondo starts. But, I think the mpg will be 50-50 pretty much. 24mpg for each player. And neither plays 82 games.

I want to see Ball and rondo on the court together. lol.

 

[DJ Fieri]

I want to see Ball and rondo on the court together. lol.

I want to see Nance and TT on the court together.

 

[DJ Fieri]

As for Lonzo. I know Jason Kidd is a first ballot hall of famer. I'm not saying Lonzo is going to be a hall of famer. Right now he is fighting for a starting job. But I don't think the comparison is that far fetched. Lonzo is 6'5, Kidd is 6'4. Both are great passers, rebounders, and shoots a low percentage.

Jason Kidd's rookie season
- 11.7 ppg 5.4 reb 7.7 ast (38.5 % FG and 27.2 % 3pt)

Lonzo's rookie season
- 10.2 ppg 6.9 reb 7.2 ast (36.0 % FG and 30.5 % 3pt)

BOOM.

Been saying that's a valid comparison since he was drafted.

 

[Indrid Cold]

This is exactly where they are headed...

 

[ANGELAKERAMS]

This question really boils down to how much you think LeBron helps the team.

Last years team wasn't as bad as their record indicates. They lost 28 games by 10 pts or less. The biggest thing the young Lakers lacked was a go to guy to close out games and make things happen.

They have that now with LeBron.

So, how many of those 28 games do they win this year with LeBron, not to mention the continued growth of the young players that will continue to improve with LeBron and his style of play.

Guys will have more open looks than last year with teams focused on stopping LeBron.

If you go conservative and say half those games end in W's, the Lakers are a 49 win team and a 3 or 4 seed in the West.

Plus, their defense will be even better with the addition of LeBron, so they will score more and their defense will be better.

They won't beat the Warriors, but they could beat any of the other teams.