Optimism Discussion: The Laker's Sky Is Not Falling

“That” horrendous shooting from most everyone can though. Yikes!

 

Lakers need a third scorer. They will have to do a deal. Otherwise they will run Lebron into the ground by playoffs.

 

Cranjis broke down on a recent podcast just how unfavorable the schedule has been. We've consistently been at rest disadvantages and missing multiple rotation guys, but we're something like 7-1 or 8-1 when we're missing less than two rotation guys. There is definitely still a lot of work to do to figure out our best lineups and who shouldn't and shouldn't be playing with whom, but with the team mostly healthy last night we saw that defensive identity that carried us in the first two rounds of the playoffs back again.

I feel pretty good at 13-9. The team is clearly better than it was a few weeks ago. LeBron looks like he did before the ankle injury last season and AD looks good physically and isn't going down awkwardly 5 times a game like he seemingly had been the last couple of seasons. With Rui and Vando back we can put out lineups that have a size advantage against most teams and enough skill to get by offensively. The key to the season will be how much we can improve the halfcourt offense while still keeping size out on the floor. I'm not sure there's going to be a trade out there that makes sense to help with this, so it may just be a matter of building continuity and getting creative with our sets, lineups and rotation.

 

We

We had one from the deadline moves last year in Beasley who’s shooting AGAIN on high volume over mid 40% from deep for the Bucks now, but you know how that always goes in a Lakers uniform.

 

We have a third scorer that can give you 18 - 20 a night if put in the right position. We simply have too stupid of a "coach" to utilize HIM.

 

I think Denver is a tough matchup for us but I wouldn't rule out beating them. As has been mentioned ad nauseum, all 4 of those games were close. A healthier LeBron that can be a little better scoring in isolation and a little more effective at creating decent looks for role players in the halfcourt could have swung multiple games. It's also not a given that Denver is able to hit the level they reached last playoffs again. The Warriors were completely unbeatable in 2017 and were nearly beaten in 2018. The Spurs stomped the Heat in 2014 and lost in the first round in 2015. We swept the Kings in 01 and they took us to overtime of Game 7 in 02. We think of the Nuggets as this young team just starting their run, but the Jokic/Murray/Porter/Malone core of the team has been together for as long as LeBron/AD have. Things can change quickly in this league. If we can be even just a little better than last season, and they're just a little bit worse, that could make all the difference.

 

Yeah but the nice part is we saw what was happening without these guys and now when we have them back together, I am thinking the differences will be much easier to understand.

Bottom line is, we are a very good defensive team, with a so-so offense. But, in the playoffs, defense wins games.
And we are up to 4th place in the Western Conference.

 

Well, as Cookie would say, you got your wish!!! LOL

 

How bout a shout out to our medical staff and trainers, considering all the crap they get because people here don't like how long some rehab is taking or know the facts of what they're dealing with ..... for looks like so far having Vando back to "full speed" on defense from heel bursitis which just isn't something conducive to playing basketball the way he plays it at his size? Well done! Still has to get his conditioning all the way back but of course that's normal. And Cam with a tricky groin injury, although not out nearly as long, looks quick and effective again.

 

i was half right, but wrong on the bad half! had we coughed up the ball and gave up a three to durant, i'd have nailed it!

i'm glad we've won a couple games on the strength of defense and some clutch shot making. this is our only path to contention. we can't outscore teams, but we can, in theory, stop lots of them.

 

This is what I think and frankly, I am tired of everyone crying about our lousy offense. We will ONLY go as far as our defense will take us and THAT is what we should be talking about and hanging our hats on.

 

yep. accept that we're going to shoot 30% from three or worse and figure out how to win anyway. defend! take care of the ball! play to your strengths.

 

If we can do the same at the end of the season tournament...

 

LeBron James has averaged 28.8 points, 9.5 rebounds and 9.5 assists in 4 games vs Zion Williamson in his career. 4 W- 0 L.
Make it 5-0 .

 

6-0 and.....STILL UNDEFEATED IN THE IN SEASON TOURNAMENT!!!

What a nice comfortable win. T Prince actually can hit corner 3's!

Onto the Pacers!

 

As long as our role guys can hit their shots, we are going to be lethal.

 

We ARE a talented and Deep team after all after getting 4 of our important rotation players back …. even without Vincent, especially with LeBron playing at an MVP / best player in the league level. I think we ROLL the Pacers. No jinx worries. This team with our guys back is starting to jell like the 2019-2020 title team was looking right before the covid shutdown.