August 5th 2018 EDIT: With the Summer League coming to a conclusion and the Lakers roster probably just about what it's gonna be. Might make a minor addition or two, but in all likelihood the Lakers current roster is what we'll see opening night. Lonzo Ball as well as Kuzma were the stars of Summer League. Yes it's just Summer League, but I see no reason why their skills won't translate to real basketball. Lonzo just looks like a generational type playmaker and point guard. Kuzma looks like a guy who can be that two way stretch PF the Lakers haven't had since Lamar Odom. Then you add in the fact that they upgraded by signing Caldwell Pope and acquiring Brook Lopez. Two definite upgrades at those spots. Two legit starters at the SG and C position. I'm expecting a ten game improvement at least. I expect Lonzo to seriously contend and probably be the favorite to win Rookie of the Year. Kuzma may take Randle's starting spot or at worst push him. Randle looks to be in the best shape of his life so he may just break out. KCP gives us a legit perimeter defender and wing who's also capable of filling it up. Lopez gives this team a legit 20 ppg scorer. Brandon Ingram should continue to develop and progress. In his one game at Summer League looked like a completely different player then the young kid who struggled to find his way as a rookie. Not expecting him to develop into an All Star in Year 2 (although I do see a few ASG appearances in Ingram's future.), however I'm expecting him to progress as a shooter as well as being to fight through contact on both ends of the court. The West is loaded as it always is so making the playoffs is gonna be a very difficult task. Some may think that's out of the question. I am not one of those people. What I've seen from this Lonzo Ball kid and the immediate impact and effect he's had on his teammates, the already established chemistry with Kuzma, getting some legit veteran talent around him, a good coaching staff doing a good utilizing his strengths, and at the end of the day I just see a guy who could very catapult this team to a place they haven't been since Kobe snapped his Achilles. That's the NBA playoffs. I really believe this kid is that special. Maybe he doesn't do it, but at worst he makes this Lakers team exciting again after the last several years of dreadful Lakers basketball and makes them fun to watch again. You can call me crazy, but I'm gonna go ahead and predict the Los Angeles Lakers will return to the playoffs this season as a 7th or 8th seed.
We won 26 last year. I think Ball, Kuzma, Lopez and an improved Ingram are worth 10 - 15. Also, tanking part of the year lowered our win total by a few. I think 40 wins is doable. Obviously, health and good luck play a part. Lastly, how long we hold onto Randle will impact that W total.
Frankly, we were on fire before the injuries last year. Would have preferred a full on young rebuild, but I think 35 is realistic considering injuries.
Assuming as always everyone is relatively healthy, 35. Any major injuries it goes down. Last year I was only off by .5 wins and won the whole thing, so I'm basically a prophet. Ok, ok, I know that doesn't count because I said between 20-30, I'm kidding. I think with the addition of Lopez, KCP, Ball, the almost assured growth of Ingram, and the hopeful growth of Randle, 35 wins is doable. If we really gel and have chemistry right away, have no major injuries, and can play any defense this season though, 40 is not an insane overachievement.
Amazing what a KCP signing and an incredible Summer League can do for all the doom and gloom predictions from a few weeks ago.
The KCP signing was hugely important for me. When I was arguing before that we would be lucky to reach 30 wins, that was with JC starting at SG and Hart probably backing him up. There were no guards of KCP's quality I saw as attainable for us, and we were attached to names like Rondo. Getting a true starting SG that can actually play defense takes us from slightly improved to a more complete team.
Tada's a big baller and coming with 45 again so I'll do the same, hope for health, and do 44. I know .... highly unlikely but what the hell. An awful lot of new and positive developments this year with the roster, FO effect on winning attitude and effort every game, plus the Lonzo effect. And feel the playoffs are definitely not an impossibility. Loving Brook at center. Expect much improved BI and Randle and solid play from Nance, our 2nd "lottery pick", Kuzma and Pope. High octane small ball and bench lineups.
8th seed baby! 45 wins! Big baller style! Speak it into existence!!!! Pray for health and improvement for everyone.
I agree. The Lakers haven't had a legit SG in about four years. They haven't had a perimeter defender as good as KCP probably since Artest in 2010. He's not just a defender either. Capable ball handler, playmaker, great athlete, and improving shooter. Really an excellent pickup for the Lakers. I'm shocked KCP took the one year deal, but thrilled he did so and hopefully he's a Laker more then just one year.
I voted for 36 to 45. If things go right, I can see the Lakers hitting 36. The reason: when a team hustles and plays the right way it seems that positive things just happen. We are still lacking talent but I think this season we won't be lacking heart.
Exactly. A little luck with health. Winning some close games. Most importantly winning games we are suppose to win. We sneak into the playoffs with 42-43 wins!
