Optimism Discussion: The Laker's Sky Is Not Falling

Discussion in 'Lakers Discussion' started by therealdeal, Jun 20, 2016.

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  1. gcclaker

    gcclaker Moderator Staff Member

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    We should be right there...close but not yet maybe a slot or two down. Why? Our young core will still require to develop some cohesiveness amongst themselves and there will be games where inexperience will cost us. We do not have that closer to lean when things are in the balance. We don't even know who that is. Randle? Russell? Larry David?

    The things I demand this coming season is that we look like a unit most of the time, that we are competitive in all games...in all aspects and not lay down like pooches. There will be some lopsided losses but it should not be as disturbingly numerous.
     
    gcclaker, Jul 2, 2016
    #81
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  2. gcclaker

    gcclaker Moderator Staff Member

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    ...of course. I would like to be surprised and an obvious big middle finger response to the dips that have been clowning us the last few seasons.
     
    gcclaker, Jul 2, 2016
    #82
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  3. southbaylakers72

    southbaylakers72 - Rookie -

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    Was just thinking this myself. Wes Johnson (ugh). Since this is the place for optimism - here is mine for the moment.

    Lakers now have the workings of a balanced team for the first time since 2011. And the promise of a great coaching staff (Walton and B. Shaw) who know how to win - Phil's way. We still have room to add another small piece to this team. Who can we get for the Vet's minimum? Or should we sign Meta again ...

    D'Russ (PG)
    JC (SG)
    Mosgov (C)
    Randle (PF)
    Deng (SF)
    -----------
    Williams (SG)
    Nance (SF)
    Black (C)
    Ingram (SG/SF/G)
    Huertas (PG)
    ???
    ???

    Looks like we need a Power Forward or a Vet or two....Luke Richard Mbah Moute? If we could somehow squeeze him in.

    Pre-Season 2016-2017 Western Conference Power Rankings (assuming Durant stays in OKC)

    1. Warriors
    2. OKC
    3 Spurs
    4. Crippers :(
    5. Memphis
    6. Portland
    7. ????
    8. ????

    Non-playoff teams Teams on the rise - Wolves, Lakers, Sacto, Phx.

    Playoff teams on decline: HOU, DAL...

    Lakers are realistically at best 10th. Possibly as high as 8/9.
     
    southbaylakers72, Jul 2, 2016
    #83
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  4. LTLakerFan

    LTLakerFan - Lakers Legend -

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    We're going to be capable of running random teams out of games due to shots falling enough and the athleticism and size of our roster 1- 12 (??) Seems that way to me.
     
    LTLakerFan, Jul 5, 2016
    #84
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  5. LTLakerFan

    LTLakerFan - Lakers Legend -

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    The 7-foot-3 wingspan of Brandon Ingram had caught Russell off guard.

    "I was curious if he blocked it," Russell said after Summer League practice on Wednesday. "He was like, 'Yeah, I blocked it.' I was like, 'You were nowhere near me!'"

    Deja vu with Kobe talking about playing against Durant last year. "I forgot how long the (sucker) is". Something like that.
     
    LTLakerFan, Jul 6, 2016
    #85
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  6. trodgers

    trodgers Administrator Staff Member

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    In the days leading up to Free Agency, I made a list of things I thought the team still needed, from a personnel POV. Here it is.

    Starting Center
    Depth at G/Wing
    Defense
    Outside Shooting
    Facilitator
    Shooting at the 5
    Defense at Wing
    Veterans

    Honestly, we have not just addressed but, in my view fixed, all of these issues except defense at the wing. Now, maybe Ingram and Brown can deliver; maybe they can't. Ticking nearly every box on the list, however, is amazing. Kudos, Mitch. Calderon also adds 16 games, 8 starts, and 500 minutes in the playoffs.
     
    trodgers, Jul 6, 2016
    #86
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  7. Toklat

    Toklat - Lakers 6th Man -

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    I'm staying away from that WMC thread..lol the kind of off season we have had, I would feel very unappreciative trying to scrape up something to complain about. Good job Mitch.
     
    Toklat, Jul 7, 2016
    #87
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  8. Doc Brown

    Doc Brown - Lakers Starter -

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    Who would have thought Ater Majok would have so much trade value? Calderon and 2 second round picks.....

    Majok (trade value) >>>>>>> Dwight or Pau. Great pick Mitch!!!!
     
    Doc Brown, Jul 7, 2016
    #88
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  9. lakerjones

    lakerjones Moderator Staff Member

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    I'm optimistic that we can double our win totals from last year. Win somewhere between 32-35 and we are back on the right track. Even 30 wins would be huge progress, but I think we can do a little better than that. If we can add a superstar like Westbrook to that mix the following year we could really make some noise to get back to contention sooner than later depending on how quickly Ingram, in particular, develops.
     
    lakerjones, Jul 7, 2016
    #89
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  10. gcclaker

    gcclaker Moderator Staff Member

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    Doubling down 2016's record is what I am reasonably expecting as well. The last two years have been throwaways to build a new foundation.
     
    gcclaker, Jul 7, 2016
    #90
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  11. Daloyalfan18-Brandon

    Daloyalfan18-Brandon - Rookie -

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    I was VERY optimistic about our team every year going back to the disaster of 12-13 and every year I was disappointed so I'm keeping my expectations down. However, I do believe that if everything goes well for us this team could win as many as 45 and sneak into the playoffs.
     
    Daloyalfan18-Brandon, Jul 8, 2016
    #91
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  12. gcclaker

    gcclaker Moderator Staff Member

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    Brandon Ingram...
     
    gcclaker, Jul 8, 2016
    #92
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  13. abeer3

    abeer3 - Lakers Legend -

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    folks seem excited to be here.

    zoobs (obviously), but timo, luol, jose, ingram, JC on the re-sign, people seem like they want to be playing for the lakers. i think luke has a lot to do with this. in any case, yay.
     
    abeer3, Jul 8, 2016
    #93
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  14. Doc Brown

    Doc Brown - Lakers Starter -

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    I love our draft picks. That is all.
     
    Doc Brown, Jul 8, 2016
    #94
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  15. OX1947

    OX1947 - Lakers All Star -

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    In the next 3 years, when Ingram fills out and grows another inch or so, he will be nasty good. That kid can ball man. You can see it. Between him and Simmons, those two might have a shot at being the new lebron and durant of the future.
     
    OX1947, Jul 8, 2016
    #95
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  16. alam1108

    alam1108 - Lakers Legend -

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    2017 Champs.
     
    alam1108, Jul 8, 2016
    #96
  17. gcclaker

    gcclaker Moderator Staff Member

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    Liking the camaraderie and chemistry between the young ones. We did not even have Clarkson and Randle there. They still have to learn to play together after being relegated to observers during the 24 Farewell Tour. It will be clunky though they are an intelligent, focused quintet who should figure it out.
     
    gcclaker, Jul 8, 2016
    #97
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  18. KareemtheGreat33

    KareemtheGreat33 - Lakers MVP -

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    Nice nice, we deserve it after three years of crap and enduring the worst coach in the history of western civilization
     
    KareemtheGreat33, Jul 9, 2016
    #98
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  19. sirronstuff

    sirronstuff - Lakers Legend -

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    The kids looked pretty interesting last night.... but we appear to have the Center position manned with 3 capable bodies. Veddy Nice.

    [​IMG] [​IMG] :Block:[​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jul 9, 2016
    sirronstuff, Jul 9, 2016
    #99
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  20. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    [​IMG]
     
    therealdeal, Jul 9, 2016
    #100
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