Call it bull crap if you want, but the Lakers can't just become the Sixers and tank every year. How is that working out for them? You can't create a losing culture. Well we've had one the last few years and we desperately need to get out of it. It's not good for the young kids, not good for anyone. Even if you get Simmons you likely have to trade either Russell, Clarkson, or Randle. You're not gonna build around four guys. The CBA won't allow that. That's why OKC had to break up Ibaka, Harden, Durant, and Westbrook. The Lakers have some winnable games coming up on the schedule. With how they played most of the game last night they can string together some wins. They've got Atlanta on Friday who isn't playing near the level as last season, Toronto got off to a great start and came back to Earth, Detroit who they beat soundly already, Minnesota who they should've beat, Houston probably the most dissapointing team in the league so far, and then San Antonio which is probably a loss but the other five are all winnable. We go 3-3 in that stretch and we're 6-18.
To be fair the Lakers will go into the luxury to pay for whoever they have to. The reason OKC broke up was because their owner is notoriously cheap. But I agree with everything else you said though.
I truly believe that Simmons is better than our young 3 combined. The kid is once in a decade special. You're right about the CBA, which is why we shouldn't just throw big contracts at average FAs when we have to resign our own guys in 2-3 years.
Better than all three? I don't buy that. I'm sure Simmons will be terrific, but I think you're overrating him a bit. He's not Kobe or Magic, but the actual odds of getting him aren't all that high. At some point you have to start adding some talent that fit around these guys. We need some more shooting. Push the basketball, play more uptempo, that pace and space game everyone else seems to be playing, spread the floor so we can run high screen and rolls effectively with the three young guys.
I think he could play a Draymond Green type of role for us and play at center when we go small. Here's the video of the 43 points performance.
I'd feel so much more confident about him fitting in with our youngsters... if he made a single jump shot in that game. I'm not sure if I've seen a highlight video of his in college where he makes a jumper.
Simmons is by far the superior ball handler and passer. I think he's got LeBron-esque vision for a man his size. He's built like LeBron and Magic with a large frame, tall kid, long arms but with the game of a 70s/80s era PG. He's got some decent post moves. On the other hand Gordon is a better defender definitely and frankly Gordon might be a little more athletic even.
i'll have to watch more. Gordon's ball skills are underrated, imo, and he can pass. he's just not a great shooter. simmons looks a little more fluid, but not as strong. I certainly don't see LeBron there, but again, I've seen very little and reserve the right to change my mind.
If Simmons is clearly the best prospect, then it's no longer at the "How bad do we have to be to keep our pick?" level. It's at the "How bad do we have to be to get the #1 overall pick?" level. The difference between those questions is staggering. Question 1: Worst record: 64% Second worst record: 56% Third worst record: 47% Question 2: Worst: 25% Second worst: 20% Third worst: 16% In other words, everyone on the planet should bet against getting the #1 pick. EVERYONE. The talk of Simmons is, on other words, patently irrational.
Obviously it's hard to compare a kid to the best player for the last few years, but I can see the comparisons. I don't think he's as explosive as LeBron and certainly not as strong (roids help). He's just built in that mold. He's a heck of a lot better than Gordon is today let alone a year ago when Gordon was a rook. I like Gordon, but Simmons is better.
Agreed. The gap between Simmons and the field is pretty wide in my opinion. Labisierre hasn't impressed me much. I like Bender, but I'm not sure he's a great fit and I'm not sure he's the next Porzingod. Jaylen Brown and Brandon Ingram look like really good prospects, but not game changers their rookie year. If we get #2 or #3, I'll bet my farm it's traded.
The gap between Simmons and the rest of the prospects is definitely wide. I've seen some good performances from the other guys but nothing like Simmons. And I would also say Simmons is much better than Gordon.
Anybody know what happens to our pick next year if we lose this year's pick? Does it go to Orlando (top 5 protected) or do we get to keep it no matter what?
