Los Angeles Lakers 2018-2019 Season Thread

[DJ Fieri]

James is averaging 30ppg, 12apg, and 7 rpg the last 3 games.....

 

[Battlelyon]

 

[Battlelyon]

James is averaging 30ppg, 12apg, and 7 rpg the last 3 games.....

He can do that in his sleep

 

[DJ Fieri]

He can do that in his sleep

So he's going through the motions?

Lol. You're a joke.

 

[DJ Fieri]

James and Ingram need to go HAM down the stretch.....fuck Kuz.....that mofo has wilted under the bright lights of the NBA....

 

[Battlelyon]

So he's going through the motions?

Lol. You're a joke.

3-7 in the last 10 games, who is the leader of this team?

 

[wildturkey]

Uh, we were the 4 seed when James got hurt......

That was earlier in the season when A) They played an easier part of their schedule and B) It was deceiving because at that point in the season, like 3rd thru 11th were separated by 2 games or some shit. This has NEVER had a shot at being a top team. It's been flawed from the start. It wasn't just me saying it. Pretty much everyone from the Summer that wasn't just wearing rose colored homer glasses saw it too. They were never 4th in the West good. It was always gonna be how far Lebron could take them because that roster is critically flawed. Had he stayed healthy, they'd be somewhere around 6 to 8, battling it out with the same teams their looking up at. But he got hurt, so they lost a lot of ground because that roster is trash. Then Team Lebron and to an extent, the Lakers themselves, openly tried to trade half the roster which made a bad situation worse.

 

[tomodach10]

That was earlier in the season when A) They played an easier part of their schedule and B) It was deceiving because at that point in the season, like 3rd thru 11th were separated by 2 games or some shit. This has NEVER had a shot at being a top team. It's been flawed from the start. It wasn't just me saying it. Pretty much everyone from the Summer that wasn't just wearing rose colored homer glasses saw it too. They were never 4th in the West good. It was always gonna be how far Lebron could take them because that roster is critically flawed. Had he stayed healthy, they'd be somewhere around 6 to 8, battling it out with the same teams their looking up at. But he got hurt, so they lost a lot of ground because that roster is trash. Then Team Lebron and to an extent, the Lakers themselves, openly tried to trade half the roster which made a bad situation worse.

You are right. I thought building team for defense may work. I was wrong they need shooters and a new coach. Ingram is stepping up, Kuz is not. He is playing like a second round pick lately. Captain Clank (KCP), has to go this offseason. Hart has been a dissapointment as well. Too many holes and a clueless coach.

 

[trojanfan12]

I dont believe for a second, the pels would have traded Davis to the Lakers. It was a non starter IMO. I wish Magic would have said, I am not trading for Davis period. I like my young guys. End of story, no leaks necessary from anyone.

Maybe. Maybe not. Unfortunately, we'll never know because of how it was handled.

There are 2 reasons that I think the trade may very well have happened if it had been handled quietly.

First, the way it happened embarrassed the Pels. There is no good way to tell an organization that it's best player wants out. But doing it publicly, may well be the worst way.

Second, because it was handled publicly, other teams got involved. Pop told Demps directly not to do it, other teams started making offers and the Celtics, knowing they can't do anything until the off-season, started telling the Pels to hold on until summer.

If it's done quietly and a fair offer is made, there's a decent chance that the Pels take it just to get the whole thing over with and move on with their rebuild.

On the bold, I believe that's where the inexperience of Magic and Pelinka bit them in the ass. If you remember, when Short Buss and Mitch were let go, I was hoping that the Lakers would keep Mitch around in an advisory capacity. The AD debacle is why.

When Klutch went public re: AD and things started getting out of control, Magic and Pelinka didn't know how to stop it. If Mitch were around, I don't think it's done publicly and if it were, I think he would have advised Magic and Pelinka to pull out and say basically exactly what you suggest while quietly letting the Pels, Klutch and AD know that he had every intention of revisiting a trade this summer.

 

[trojanfan12]

She is Georgia Frontiere all over again

lol

Not even close. That snake eating bitch Georgia intentionally destroyed a team that was arguably 1 or 2 players (or hell, just a couple of breaks) away from being in the Super Bowl, just so she could move the team to her hometown.

She ruined the team and then, when fans didn't want to pay to see a team go 3-13, she cried "lack of support" to the NFL to get them to approve the move. Intentionally ruining a team and then blaming the fans is about as low as it gets.

Jeanie, on the other hand, is trying to clean up the huge mess that her brother made of things before she shitcanned him.

The fact that she has things cleaned up enough that the Lakers could get Lebron, is a minor miracle, imo.

 

[trojanfan12]

I cringe every time I hear a Lakers fan says this, it is a long season teams look good and bad at various parts. Just because at some point in a long season you were the 4th seed for a little bit of time, does not mean you are the 4th best team in the West until James got hurt. Just stop. You were not the 4th best team as you are not the 10th best team

That was earlier in the season when A) They played an easier part of their schedule and B) It was deceiving because at that point in the season, like 3rd thru 11th were separated by 2 games or some shit. This has NEVER had a shot at being a top team. It's been flawed from the start. It wasn't just me saying it. Pretty much everyone from the Summer that wasn't just wearing rose colored homer glasses saw it too. They were never 4th in the West good. It was always gonna be how far Lebron could take them because that roster is critically flawed. Had he stayed healthy, they'd be somewhere around 6 to 8, battling it out with the same teams their looking up at. But he got hurt, so they lost a lot of ground because that roster is trash. Then Team Lebron and to an extent, the Lakers themselves, openly tried to trade half the roster which made a bad situation worse.

Both posts are true.

However, had the Lakers not lost Lebron and Rondo, they likely don't go 6-12 in the 18 games without him. So, while they likely wouldn't have held on to the 4th seed, they also likely aren't sitting in the 10th spot either. Considering that making the playoffs was the goal, that would have been fine.

Losing Lonzo has hurt as well. The drop in defensive efficiency since he has been out is undeniable and while the Lkaers are still scoring enough to win games, the offense doesn't have the flow to it that it did when Lonzo was playing. Especially early in games when they are trying to get off to a good start and late in games when they are trying to close.

I think that the attempt to bully the Pels into trading AD, was a bit of a panic move, moreso by Klutch than the Lakers, because they saw things weren't going well with Lebron out. I really wish that they had just stayed quiet or not even bothered to try for a trade yet, because I think the kids may have adjusted and done a little better (maybe 9-9) had they just let things stand and concentrated on rehabbing Lebron and Rondo.

 

[trojanfan12]

At this rate......we're losing to all the bad teams and gonna have to beat all the good ones to get into the playoffs.....

Fortunately, they've played better against the good teams than the bad ones. lol

 

[trojanfan12]

3-7 in the last 10 games, who is the leader of this team?

I don't think the issue is Lebron mailing it in as much as it is that he is out of shape.

I have seen several comments on here and heard several commentators during Lakers games and on sportstalk radio talking about how Lebron looks heavy.

One guy said that Lebron looks like he's at about 280 when his usual playing weight is what? 260? 265? He said that Lebron has never had an injury that has caused him to miss any significant time and therefore, didn't have a backup plan to help him stay in shape while he was out.

After I heard that, I watched him a little closer and watched a couple replays of games and he definitely doesn't have the same "explosiveness" on his drives to the basket and when he attacks the rim, especially late in the game.

He still looks good when he gets open lanes to the basket, but when he has to drive on someone, it's very noticeable.

 

[Battlelyon]

What the hell is talk about Ty Lue taking over for Walton? Looks like a lateral move.

 

[DJ Fieri]

Fortunately, they've played better against the good teams than the bad ones. lol

Starting to think we may not make the playoffs and it may be better.....we have our first rounder. We could use that in a trade in the off-season.

 

[trojanfan12]

What the hell is talk about Ty Lue taking over for Walton? Looks like a lateral move.

Some of this is media speculation based on Lebron apparently liking him, the Cavs getting to the finals with him and the fact that he apparently isn't afraid to tell Lebron to stfu. He also is a former Laker.

Add to that the Lakers media (and a good chunk of the fanbase) are bunch of "Chicken Littles" and you get what you get.

Reports have been that Luke isn't going anywhere until after the season is over at the soonest and that the Lakers have had no internal discussions re: his job security.

That may just be the Lakers trying to stop some of the distractions and keep the players from thinking they are playing for a lame duck coach...but at this point, that's what has been reported out here.

I'm a Luke apologist (so take the rest of this as you will) and think that if the Lakers just leave him the hell alone, he'll be fine. When media and fans start complaining about things like "substitution patterns" on a team with the number of injuries the Lakers have had, you know they are just looking for a scapegoat rather than basing it on anything real.

Having said that, if Luke does get fired. Lue may not be a bad replacement. As a former Laker, he knows the hysteria that Lakers media and fans are capable of. Also, if Lebron likes him and Lue is able to get in his face a little, that may be a good thing for the team.

Other FA's knowing that the Lakers have a guy who can "reel Lebron in" a little, may help the Lakers get one?

 

[trojanfan12]

Starting to think we may not make the playoffs and it may be better.....we have our first rounder. We could use that in a trade in the off-season.

While I want the Lakers to make the playoffs (partly because I want you to win your bet) because I think it will be good for the kids...

When you consider the mileage on Lebron, not making the playoffs wouldn't be the worst thing.

Checked a couple of mock drafts and they seem to have the Lakers picking 12th or 13th if they are in the lottery and taking Romeo Langford (a 2 guard from Indiana), Rui Hachimura (a 4 from Gonzaga), or Jaxon Hayes (a 5 from Texas).

The Lakers may also be able to use the pick as part of a package to trade for AD, or Beal or someone.

 

[DJ Fieri]

While I want the Lakers to make the playoffs (partly because I want you to win your bet) because I think it will be good for the kids...

When you consider the mileage on Lebron, not making the playoffs wouldn't be the worst thing.

Checked a couple of mock drafts and they seem to have the Lakers picking 12th or 13th if they are in the lottery and taking Romeo Langford (a 2 guard from Indiana), Rui Hachimura (a 4 from Gonzaga), or Jaxon Hayes (a 5 from Texas).

The Lakers may also be able to use the pick as part of a package to trade for AD, or Beal or someone.

I agree......trust me.....I want to win that fucking bet.....he'll never stop LOL if we miss it.

 

[DJ Fieri]

I agree with using the pick to trade for another player....

 

[tomodach10]

Maybe. Maybe not. Unfortunately, we'll never know because of how it was handled.

There are 2 reasons that I think the trade may very well have happened if it had been handled quietly.

First, the way it happened embarrassed the Pels. There is no good way to tell an organization that it's best player wants out. But doing it publicly, may well be the worst way.

Second, because it was handled publicly, other teams got involved. Pop told Demps directly not to do it, other teams started making offers and the Celtics, knowing they can't do anything until the off-season, started telling the Pels to hold on until summer.

If it's done quietly and a fair offer is made, there's a decent chance that the Pels take it just to get the whole thing over with and move on with their rebuild.

On the bold, I believe that's where the inexperience of Magic and Pelinka bit them in the ass. If you remember, when Short Buss and Mitch were let go, I was hoping that the Lakers would keep Mitch around in an advisory capacity. The AD debacle is why.

When Klutch went public re: AD and things started getting out of control, Magic and Pelinka didn't know how to stop it. If Mitch were around, I don't think it's done publicly and if it were, I think he would have advised Magic and Pelinka to pull out and say basically exactly what you suggest while quietly letting the Pels, Klutch and AD know that he had every intention of revisiting a trade this summer.

On point!