Thought it might be a fun time during the slow season to play a little "Buy or Sell" Lakers Edition. The rules are simple: the poster before you lays down an opinion about a particular player or the team for the upcoming season. You either Buy or Sell their opinion, state why, then offer up your own opinion. I'll start us off: KOBE BRYANT WILL START AND FINISH 55 GAMES THIS SEASON.
Buy- I think Byron knows he's part of the Lakers future and will want him to be the starter. Bring in Bass for stability and a vet at times. By the end of this season, Clarkson will turn out to be the best player of Clarkson, Russell, Randal
Buy, since I don't know who Randal is. Just kidding, still buy. Byron will be replaced when his contract expires.
Sell. I think they are off the coach merry go round for a while. First Byron / Swagy meltdown by game 20.
Sell, I think with more veterans (Bass, Williams, Hibbert) and Kobe still playing by game 20, he won't be in the dog house that early. Russell averages 5apg through the first 20 games?
sell- I think Russell starts slow, finishes strong Upshaw gets the call up to the 15 man roster before the All-Star break.
Buy- I think the talent is there and undeniable. If we don't call him up, some other team will if he keeps his nose clean. Huertas closes games at the PG spot for the first half of the season
Sell. If anything, I think you see a Clarkson/Kobe backcourt, and then slide Nick to the 3 to close games out. Buy or sell Hibbert leading this team to crack into the top 15 in defensive efficiency this upcoming season?
Sell- Although Hibbert's on a contract year and Clarkson/Russell/Randle have defensive potential, top 15 is tough. I can see top 18 possibly Byron Scott will run a functional, non-stagnant offense this season with deliberate motion instead of motion that accomplishes nothing
Sell. Scott has been bailed out by having superstar PGs. If our offense becomes cohesive and free flowing, it'll be because of Kobe, JC, or Russell. But I don't think that'll happen overnight either. I think there will be bumps and growing pains early while those three figure out ball handling distribution and while they create a short hand with one another. All I'm asking for from Scott is to get a handle on minutes distribution and to make consistent proper/intelligent rotations of our players. Buy/sell: Kobe has another 50 point game left in him for his farewell tour
Sell. Last was Feb '09 albeit a 61 pt game (Knicks) and all of the ensuing 6+ years have been on a body north of 30 years old with a badly torn achilles and torn rotator cuff. He had a 48 Jan '12 but that was pre-injuries too. I think Kobe realizes he needs to settle into a less body-abusing role though I think some 40pt games could happen if he gets his groove and stays healthy. Russell starts every game (in which he is fully healthy and able to play for any reason) @ the point.
He had a 40 point game last year, but I do agree w/you. On the topic of Russell, he won't start every game this season. I think he'll be brought along slowly similar to how we brought Clarkson along last year. Kobe plays 65 games this year.
Sell. 50+, I can see. But not 65. I think he will rest a lot this season. We will be able to attract Durant or Westbrook next year.
Sell. They're going to be healthy and make a run. Won't break up. Lakers reach >.500 at some point on the season.
Buy. But I say that with hesitation because I think a lot of our ability to land KD is going to be strongly on how well we play this year. We gotta be fighting for that 8th seed at least. Buy/Sell: Sweet Lou will be a top 2 candidate for 6th Man of the Year.
Definitely Buy. Our schedule starts off really well and we likely could start out 6-0 *Look at my Buy/Sell above in my previous post*
Buy. He's really good off the bench. I expect him to be better than Swag, and I actually like Young. Lou is more focused. Kobe will score 20+ ppg.
Sell. Kobe is likely to play 25-28 minutes a night and I think most nights he's not going to force it as much and will look to get others more opportunities. With that said I do expect the ball to be in Clarkson and Russell's hands more which is another reason why I sell it. I think he avg. 15-18 ppg. Buy/Sell: Russell will make 1st team all-rookie.
