Optimism Discussion: The Laker's Sky Is Not Falling

Good test tonight for our wing defenders vs DeRozan and Lavine, both guys averaging over 25 a game

 

From what I've seen on the court so far this year (limited sample size obviously), this would be our starting lineup:
AD/Lebron/Reaves/Westbrook/THT

Backups being Dwight/Melo and then it's an absolute crapshoot on who happens to be hot: Monk/Bradley/Rondo/Ellingtaon

Roster has big problems right now as I'm pretty sold on Reaves and THT (an undrafted rookie, and 3rd year 2nd round pick whose never been a starter) as definite keys to the team. Ariza really needs to get healthy and then somebody like Monk hopefully can figure out how to be consistent. I'm posting this on the optimism end because we haven't really seen the players who've looked the best season be healthy yet together

 

we didn't get blown out

 

We lost but we played hard in the second half. Had a real shot to win for a minute but couldn’t get over the hump.

the effort was there though so I am actually not upset with this one.

THT is legit.

 

He's gooooood

 

Need to see Reaves THT Lebron and AD together. That has me excited for the first time this year you can see a 5 man lineup that can really destoy teams both ways

 

A lot to like in this one...

I was never disillusioned enough to think we were going to beat the Bucks at home with basically everyone back but Lopez. But I was extremely proud of our effort and engagement on offense and defense throughout the game. We had a huge 3rd Q. They'd make a run and we'd hang in there with them. We v pushed the pace more, that's promising.

I wish the refs didn't f*** us 3x down the stretch in the 4th. Let's not even get into the no-call and 1 early when Giannis hit AD on the head. Clear as day.

I think our shooters' legs are spent. We've been playing every other day since the season started and with injuries, everyone is stretching themselves thin. We need a couple days off for our shooters.

THT showed up big time on the national stage. Kid has no fear.

Don't look now but Russ had 15 assists and only 3 TOs against a very pesky Bucks.

 

plus Nunn?

 

I'm a Westbrook hater but it's probably him.

That being said if Ariza can play like he did last year just shoot that AD/Lebron/Ariza/Reaves/THT into my veins

 

That starting unit with Nunn, Melo, Rondo, D12, and Monk seeing some action off the bench is all I want to see on the floor. Maybe Ellington here and there, just maybe, but I don’t trust his defense and he’s a one trick pony on offense.

 

We are on the verge of hitting the 20 games line. We are 8-8. If we end with at least 9-11 is not that bad. I think we win at least 2 until the end of this road trip

Our biggest struggle is not playing all the guys, not having consistent rotations, missing LeBron. Nunn and Ariza haven't played. THT just started this week.

We did had an easy schedule, but record wise we are not that bad.

The quality of the team both on offense and defense has been plain horrible though. That's what is most concerning, but we should be optimistic that we are finding ways to win.

Until mid-Jan we have a soft schedule, not playing many heavy teams and specially not consecutively so I don't imagine us losing 4 in a row until mid-Jan.
Coming January, we should be already good enough if we are meant to contend for a chip so it will be a good test

 

I didn't watch the game agains Milwaukee but judging by stats alone, I would expect a little more optimistm around here. If you told me before the game Giannis would erupt for 47 pts on 18 of 23 FG and at the same time Melo, Ellington and Monk would go 4 of 22 from 3 combined, I would expect like a 30 pts loss. Cheer up my dear internet friends, good times are ahead

 

Today is my 40th Birthday. I am banking on the Lakers beating the C Bags tonight. Otherwise this new decade is off to a horrible start.

 

Happy birthday! Whole new decade for you indeed. That last one way the hell back there. Shirley you can spill the beans on DLO now?

 

We are winning today. I've put money on it

 

Well we still got Reaves and Ariza hoping to come back. They actually defend so might actually make a difference