Optimism Discussion: The Laker's Sky Is Not Falling

We're the ninth rated must watch team this year. But is that to see a potential implosion?

https://www.espn.ph/nba/story/_/id/34784783/lowe-league-pass-rankings-top-10-watch-teams-season

9. LOS ANGELES LAKERS (35.5)
The Lakers ranked No. 2 last season, but the idea of them -- How will Russell Westbrook fit? -- turned out to be way more interesting than the experience.

The Lakers played fast, but they were boring -- unorganized, dispirited, lacking any cohesive identity. LeBron James remains the ultimate chessmaster, but there's little reason to suspect the overall product will be much different. (Darvin Ham said this week he's considering starting Anthony Davis at center, and leaning there would boost L.A.'s watchability. You can't play Westbrook, LeBron, Anthony Davis, and a traditional center -- even one with decent range like Thomas Bryant or Damian Jones. Don't sleep on Jones' passing!)

They scored this high only because of their art -- including the league's prettiest court -- and the comedy category. Are Beverley and Westbrook really friends? Like, really? Or will latent tension boil over? Comedy can become pathos, and we reached that point with Westbrook last season when the Sacramento Kings' blared "Cold as Ice!" on every bonked jumper and layup.

Will James engage pout mode once he breaks the scoring record if the Lakers are toast? James achieved peak eye-rolling sulkiness ahead of the 2018 trade deadline, when he realized the Cavs were dead barring a roster shake-up. It was bizarrely enthralling.

Thumbs up to these white throwbacks -- replicas of the jerseys the team wore in their first-ever game, per league officials. They even have faux belt loops! Powder blue is always welcome.

Lonnie Walker IV has untapped upside, and he's going to careen into 1-on-4 attacks that will aggravate James. Stand up, Juan Toscano-Anderson hive!

 

We'll be good once Trevor Ariza is back.

 

Only up from here right?… right??!!

 

Optimism: I'm going to go eat a cheese cake.

 

No one else can get hurt during pre-season. That's all I can come up with.

 

Optimism: Once the Season starts.. It's that much closer to being over...

 

We haven't even flipped the switch yet and look how well .... errrr ... uhhh ..... never mind.

 

westbrook's injury makes him coming off the bench more natural, and having both him and schroder out early will definitely clear up the back court logjam for a while!

but missing our only two guys with real experience as nba pgs will hurt.

i got nothing. AD being hurt before the season starts again, paired with us continuing to be a bad defensive team spells doom.

oh wait, yeah, optimism...we took on luxury tax to use our 15th spot!

 

I guess I'm glad I didn't watch. Again.

 

Season starts today! That's positive

 

Yay!!! but we gonna be ..............

 

82-0!

 

81-1

 

Indiana trade makes so much sense for this team. Get two guys who can shoot with one being a great shooter. Turner let's AD move to the 4 which helps the negate the wing issue significantly. Nunn, Reaves etc all fit better

 

The whole off-season seems to have been made with this trade being completed. Just f***ing weird if they don't make a big move. Why get Beverly and not move Nunn, etc etc if you aren't prepared to move him. You even get a coach who comes from a system that loves a rim protecting 5 who can shoot with a freaky long and athletic 4. Plus no shooters except Matt Rayn!!

It's not any move this team was built for it was built for like this Indiana move should have already have happened

 

indy move didn't happen because it's an insane ask on their part. they won't get that deal elsewhere, and we can't be desperate. desperation mozdengs you. lebron extended, rob is extended. we need to be patient and understand we weren't going to contend this year under pretty much any circumstance.