I’m not sure if maybe what I said was missed in translation. I meant during his MVP season and in Washington, he took those teams to the playoffs off the back of his play. I feel that is indisputable. Last year Washington finished the season 17-5. Those 5 losses were a total of 10 points difference. That means that each loss came down to a single possession game. Russ averaged 25/14/16 for the last two months on 46/34/80 shooting with 3.5 TOs. He was also the most clutch player in the NBA last season and made the most amount of hockey assists. During his MVP season Russ averaged 32/10/11 on 45/34/85. I believe he had the most amount of clutch shots in a single season with a win share of 14 and averaged 38/11/12 in the playoffs. He also had some of the most insane plus minus numbers for when he played versus when he took a breather. OKC were a top 5 team in the league with Russ on the floor and filler and a bottom 5 when he sat. He wasn’t the best player in the NBA but he was the most valuable that season. During his prime, Westbrook and KD came about as close as you can to winning a ring. And I think it can be argued that they were a top 3 team in the league for 5 years in a row before cupcake KD bailed to Golden State. Only reason they didn’t win was because of injuries not because of anything else. And you can’t penalise Westbrook for winning with KD, it’s like penalising Kobe for winning alongside Shaq, or Lebron being successful in any of his teams, you need good players around you to win. Lastly, he never really had a great opportunity after that, Paul George had awful shoulders during his OKC years and was always banged up in the playoffs, Russ tore his quad before the bubble and Washington didn’t have anything outside of him and Beal.
Cool story. For someone who only cares about the front of the jersey, you sure do spend a lot of your time fixated on a single player. I think making the playoffs with an awful team is something commendable. Kobe did it with Smush Parker and also had a legendary run before he blew out his Achilles. And I’m not sure what you’re talking about that making the playoffs isn’t special, we had a good chunk of time where we were in the wilderness as a bottom feeder in this league. It wasn’t cool to be a laker and star players were clowning us. We should get off our high horse as fans, and the players should do the same. Just because we’re the lakers doesn’t guarantee us success. You have to put in the right effort daily.
Six players in the rotation are not taller than 6'4. It's a wings league , you can't play D when you have 2 or 3 midgets on the court during 48 minutes .
especially if you go smaller at C with AD. they planned in the offseason to play him at center more, then stocked the roster with 6'3" guys. yes, technically and theoretically, ariza takes care of a lot of problems, but you needed two arizas. because ariza is old and likely to get hurt.
Ariza isn't just old. He's also not good anymore. It's not like Ariza is anywhere CLOSE to what he was 7 years ago. So even if by some miracle he stayed healthy all season, he still may not be a better option on the wing than our munchkins.
I’m really hoping you are wrong Savory Griddles. Granted I haven’t watched much of Ariza in a few years and he is old but I got the overall impression he wasn’t totally burnt or whatever it was that you said earlier. I guess we’ll find out when he plays.
I disagree. Averaged 10 & 5 in April on 40%3 12 & 5 in May on 36%3 He'll be a key contributer, especially defensively. I don't think it's wise for us to rely so heavily on him being savior though.
Anyone else think its time for billy mac to be replaced by Jon Ireland? Billy Mac is a nice buy, but Ireland is much better IMO. Also, stu's getting old.
Nah. Billy Mac and Stu do a good job, speaking for myself. And Stu is a link who goes way back who I’m fine with and like a lot, though I acknowledge not everyone shares these opinions on each of them. No offense to Ireland who would be good for the TV gig too.
This was my biggest fear and concern. At this stage of his career his is incapable of defending quicker wings. The games I saw him play last year he primarily defended 4’s and small ball 5’s. Since Lebron has came to LA we have progressively decreased the amount of wings on this roster.
most of the quicker guys you can play with smaller defenders. very few guys are incredibly quick and powerful or tall. kd would be an example, of course, but nobody guards him anyway. same with giannis. our problem is guys like tatum go nuts on us routinely, and he CAN be guarded.
i don't mind billy mac. and i think ireland is perfect for radio. very much enjoy listening to him and thompson. i do miss joel meyers though stu is the last remaining link to chick so i hope he keeps doing it until he physically can't anymore
We suck. Trade and fire everyone. THT should go play in Europe. And not like Spain or Italy. I am talking Luxemburg.
