Optimism Discussion: The Laker's Sky Is Not Falling

Mom's hair? Seriously?

 

I believe he said UCLA would win the NCAA championships. Didn't happen.

but there were the white guys to blame lol

 

Yeah that theory kind of got worked by Lakers summer league roster.

 

here's my optimism

 

That's like improving at all 5 starting positions! (Assuming Randle improves of course)

 

Gonna be one hell of a scrappy team next season.

Really would like to round out the bench with a ball moving PG so that ball doesn't stop with Clarkson every play. Set up Nance and Kuzma and Zu as well.

The Top 4 of the West are

1. GS
2. Hou
3. SA
4. OKC

Barring injury, they are a lock for the playoffs.

Then we have a bit of a mixed bag.

The Clippers and Utah lost their centerpieces, and will probably drop out of the playoffs. They both have a lot of talent, but no number one option and go to player.

Memphis, Portland are teams that really haven't changed much, but were playoff teams last year.

Denver was on the cusp last year and added Paul Milsap who had a good season last year.

Minnesota will probably make the biggest jump with their talent, it'll be interesting to see how it all comes together there with Thibs.

The Pelicans added Rondo, but aren't deep after AD and Boogie.

Dallas for some reason had our number last year, but we should be better than them as well as Sacramento and Phoenix.

So the teams that will be battling for the last 4 spots will be (ranked in toughest matchup for us):

5. Memphis
6. Minnesota
7. Portland
8. Denver
9. Pelicans
10. Clippers
11. Utah
12. Dallas

We have every reason to be able to compete with these teams night in and night out with the type of talent we have.

 

I am actually curious how good defensively this team can be. Ball is underrated there and long. Playing with KCP is gonna make everyone better. BI is already a big problem for offenses with those arms. With KCP pressuring their top guards into passing and BI and Ball's long arms to bust up those passes, should be interesting. Lopez can concentrate on guarding the rim, blocking shots and let Jules get the bulk of the boards. We lose some D in the second unit but who doesn't? And it's not that bad, Kuzma has shown some lateral quickness on D in spurts and then there's Zu's shot blocking and Nance's energy, reach and mobility is good on PFs. Clarkson has been disappointing here but he brings scoring in that second unit. If this team plays great defense, combined with that passing game of Ball's we could see a lot of improvement potentially. The lack of big scoring stars is somewhat offset by the ball movement. Still could use a shooter or 2.

 

I believe it will take a late season surge if a playoff berth does happen. It will take the new guys some time to adjust to their new teammates and Luke's system.

 

I nominate for best use of purple and gold in a graphic and best optimistic post of 2017. One picture is worth how many words here?

 

We're a mismatch to a lot of teams.

1. Ball, his size will be an issue for opposing pgs, and of course he'll cause chaos offensively.
2. Ingrams length and speed will be an issue for opposing sfs, not to mention a very underrated passer.
3. Julius, his speed and strength plus elite ball handling for a pf is rare, if he truly improved his jump shot and defense, look out.
4. Lopez, 7'2 with 3 point range, imagine DeAndre Jordan type player that's all about rebounding and interior defense having to guard Lopez outside leaving the inside open for chaos.

Bench:

Last year our bench was number 1 who's to say we're not even better and defensively as well.

Jc, brewer, kuz, Nance, Zu that's speed and athleticism everywhere

 

Just seeing how well the Summer League team was able to operate so well with Lonzo and Luke's system in the few games makes me believe that the guys we got will adjust quicker than we probably think.

Offensively, we will be very dangerous. I think most of the work will have to be on the defensive end. Luckily, we got Pope and Ingram on the perimeter to do the brunt of the work in the area, we'll see how well Brooke can anchor, which he doesn't seem too inept.

 

Come All Star voting time this year with LonzoMania happening .... "hold our beers"

 

You find the real fans at Summer League and Preseason, when we could afford the tickets lol

 

Come on bro...just adding to the stereotype haters use against us

 

I hope Zu doesn't sit on the crapper too long. He needs to live on the treadmill for the next 4 months.

 

I love sitting on the crapper sometimes and reading my sports news until your legs start to go numb. Then i flush and walk it out. Its quite a skill.