Official Wmc Thread: Um Those Too Many W's! Fix The Tank!

I understand the anti-tanking last year because it wasn't like getting a top 3 pick was the be-all end-all, and ending up with a 6-10 pick would still be really nice. This year though, dang... it's an all-or-nothing scenario. We either make the playoffs or try to keep the pick, no in between. As much as it'd be AMAZING to see Kobe lead this team to 40 something wins, losing the pick AND missing the playoffs wouldn't be worth it to me. If we make the playoffs and lose to pick only to be annihilated by the 1 seed, I'd be okay with that because you just never know. I have a terrible feeling that we'll win 30 or so games and end up giving phoenix our #7 or 8 pick.

 

Yeah, we are not sniffing 30 wins this year, IMO. At best, we're looking at mid to high 20's tops. That's without Kobe getting hurt or playing a little less as Real mentioned. Kobe's legs are already spent and it's only December; he'll miss time one way or another and that will increase our chances of keeping our pick.

 

No way we can out tank Phi, Min, Det and probably NY and Cha. Damn you PHX.

 

The east is so bad, we can end up with the worst record out west and still not be in the top 5 for draft picks.

And yes the lottery process is probably shady/rigged, Cavs have had a top 5 pick every year for the past 4 or 5 years.

And the playoff format should definitely change, take the best 16 teams. Don't know how the playoff tree would look but it's a start.

 

I think this game for me is the straw that broke the camel's back. Idiotic coaching, Kobe again reverting to hero ball when he hasn't been effective doing so, and completley leaving his teammates out of the picture. Boozer not giving any type of effort on the defensive end. More idiotic coaching. WHO THE HELL TAKES OUT HIS BENCH WHEN THEY"RE THE REASON THEY GOT YOU A TEN POINT LEAD WITH A GREAT SCORER ON FIRE!? (Young)

 

don't know about ya'll but the ending was so bad that i legit busted out laughing for a good minute

 

The game was not as bad as the + - reveals. However agonizing and perverse coaching decisions, took us out of the game when we had a genuine chance. The 1st q was ok/fine. The Kobe knock, subbing out of Swaggy, the vanishing of Hill, and BOozer becoming our rim (tank) protector violently took us out of the game. Lin conceeding three point plays hooked the crowd (previously seemingly a Laker/Kobe crowd) back into the game. I know Wall and Beal have an extra gear most nba players don't have but, it just feels like we have an arsonist in charge of the fire brigade. We actually competed for a good portion of the game. It hurts to play with effort and still come up shorter than Derek Fisher in a dunk contest.

 

not philly, but I think the lakers are capable of out-tanking everyone else, if things broke right (wrong?). I think svg the gm will eventually make a trade to help svg the coach win a few games in det. I also think charlotte can right the ship in the east. ny is just as bad as the lakers, and minny is having bad luck injury-wise, so maybe those are tougher.

I'm guessing the lakers have a some more injuries coming their way, too.

all this said, I saw a poll on another forum asking fans to choose between keeping the pick and making the playoffs as an 8 seed. as pro-tank as I am this year, I'd totally rather make the playoffs. hell, I'd rather even finish just short, as it would mean the team made some real progress and would be more attractive to FAs next summer. but I just don't see that as a possibility. if the likelihood is 35 wins, I really want fewer than 25. if the likelihood was closer to .500, my heart would be in it.

oh, and since this is the wmc thread, i'll reiterate a point I made in the lin thread: it's fine if kobe wants to facilitate, but we can't have him playing pg, for several reasons. one of which is that he's not good at it.

 

Not going to win many games when you shoot 38%.

Especially if Lin is going 0 and Kobe makes 1 FG after the 1st quarter.

 

We were up like 14 at one one point if im not mistaken with Kobe without a FG if not one in the first half.

 

I don't mind losing. Didn't expect a great deal this year especially when Randal went down but this type of ish kills me. Watching Sacre and Boozer shooting hurts my soul. Byron letting Kobe play when we are down by 700 points is plain stupid as hell.