So not only do we have the best duo in our starting lineup, we have the best duo on our bench as well. Nice. Glad I won't be hearing bspn with their nonsense about our depth this year.
The other thing will he be good about sitting against certain matchups. none of the Lakers roleplayers b****ed or moaned last year when they had to sit. Harrell wasn't exactly great about this last year.
Bron's assist numbers are about to go up with Trez as another lob threat. Shame that 'Do is leaving. He could get a nice assist boost with lobs and the P&R.
I also dont like that they're messing with a winning formula. Howard's defense was an essential piece of playoff success and they've replaced it with someone who's very limited in that regard. Our other center is a defensive liability as well so we'll depend on ADs defense in the playoffs. Team sports is not just about getting the most talent possible together but rather how that talent fits.
Harell is someone you may not be able to play in 4th quarter of playoff games. -The Lakers had terrific defensive verstality -If you don't add someone to replace Howard on defense, you lose that as McGee as everyone saw became unplayable in the playoffs. Harrell got destroyed by Jokic last year so Denver as an example -when you put AD at the 5, you typically want a shooter at the 5. That's why Morris was so good for the Lakers, he was able to stretch the floor. Harrell can't do that. -In the last Laker games, clearly the Lakers hunted him down as well. He is going to be terrific with Schroeder in the regular season but last year's Lakers team was built for the playoffs and getting Schroeder and Matthews fit that. But with Harell getting the full MLE, the team may cost itself Howard, KCP. That's not a good swap IMO. (If the Lakers get Gasol and re-sign KCP I'd like this move much better)
Howard didn't play in an entire series, and in the series that he did play only averaged ~15 minutes a game. I think how essential he was to our championship has been a little overstated because the narrative of his redemption was so fun to cheer for. Maybe we should put a little trust in the man who just assembled a talented roster that fit together excellently en route to a championship?
The main advantage we have over opponents is playing Bron and AD at the 4 and the 5 . I had the same comment about Ibaka potentially getting MLE . And yes Harrell bad defense was exposed in the playoffs . Might get better with Vogel though. I get the deal for saving Lebron's legs but it's an average use of the MLE roster construction wise ( still no wing defender )
He had by far the worst +/- against Denver. Not only couldn't he stop Joker but he also wasn't able to score efficiently in the PnR as defenses got better. If you can't defend one one, can't rebound, and can't stretch the floor: stuff doesn't work in the playoffs. Resign KCP and get Gasol and this signing makes a lot of sense but if the Lakers don't they'll look great in the regular season but come playoff time I'm going to be concerned
But Howard was key for one series (Denver) and a difference maker in another (Heat). Another way to think about this it's not just Howard, facing the hard cap if the Lakers signing means you've lost Howard, possibly KCP, and possibly Morris is well that's not a move that I like. Off season isn't over and if the Lakers sign Gasol and resign KCP then my concerns become mute
