Optimism Discussion: The Laker's Sky Is Not Falling

Said it before and I’ll say it again, but these Lakers are really making me excited and proud to be a Lakers fan once again. They have had a brutal schedule. They’ve faced some of the best teams in basketball. Warriors 2x, Rockets 2x, C Bags and Cavaliers each once and only got blown out one of those games. Won a big game last night ending Houston’s 14 game win streak.

What was most impressive to me was they blew a huge lead of over 20 points. Houston looked like they were about to take control, but these young Lakers never backed down. They kept competing and fighting. They swarmed Harden and really made him earn everything and really the only reason he had such a big night was all the free throws from ridiculous calls.

Kuzma was rolling, but really most of those shots came within the flow of the offense. Loved the pace we played with. When you get stops and you get out in transition that’s what can happen. Ball movement and overall pace was fantastic. Didn’t hold the ball. Made quick moves to the basket, getting penetration, and making the extra pass.

I’m really excited for what this team could be a year from now. They probably won’t be a playoff team this year, but I expect them to stay in contention for a large portion of the season. Paul George signing here is looking more and more likely especially with him being wasted in OKC playing with two ball stoppers in Carmelo and Westbrook.

Kuzma looks like a future star. He’s looking like Klay Thompson out there with the way he’s shooting the basketball. He doesn’t take many bad shots either. He’s gonna continue to progress defensively. He’s improving our spacing and ability to play fast. Great fit with Lonzo.

Speaking of Lonzo he’s coming along nicely. Love the game he played last night especially defensively. Minus the shooting he’s just a tremendous young player and even with those shooting issues I feel like when he gets his feet set and doesn’t rush the process he’s pretty efficient. Had a nice mid range jumper. Along with a couple of rhythm three’s. He’s getting there.

Brandon didn’t have his best game last night, but when they let him play the point I thought he made some really nice plays. A couple of drives he forced, but for the most part he is doing a good job reading the defense, collapsing and forcing them to react and making good plays. He is just a special player on both ends of the court. He still ball watches too much, but once he starts to get more consistent he’s gonna be scary.

Very exciting young players and an exciting young team at this point. We’re seeing things out of these Lakers we haven’t seen in years. Much improved defensive team. More assists and unselfishness. Playing more as one.

 

Didn't even noticed we started 3 rookies, holy crap. That's major props to the scouting department. A group of young guns just beat the hottest team in the league.

 

This team is better than their record shows and i'll stand by that. With all the injuries to the bottom half of the west, we still have a shot at 8 seed surprisingly. We just need to survive this tough stretch (eff you league!) and I think we can make up some ground in January.

Also, I wouldn't mind Lopez being out the entire year...we play much better without him

 

.... for the great optimism that I share myself for our roster even this year. But even more for the .....

"Chris Paul flopping and flailing" smack. It's true. And he and Haren and his beard all deserve each other for when it (hopefully) all implodes again in the early rounds of the playoffs in 2018. F*** em both!!

 

Damn. Why did you reverse the orders? Makes that twice as hard to compare.

:Randallconfused:

 

so we're not losing as badly this year.....



"that's no big deal"

 

We're only 4 games behind the #5 seed (3 in the loss column) & we're getting better every game.. With the toughest stretch of our schedule almost behind us..

 

That's just depressing. Lakers have lost 5 games they had due to free throws and luke not drawing up a damn play that works in the crunch.

 

Thanks. See how much more sense that makes now? Appreciated. You're the best! In spite of what sirron PMs me about you.

 

Need at least 3 more wins in December, but it would be really helpful to take the home games against POR and MIN. If we can close out the year 4-2 then we’ll have a legit shot at being in the mix for the 8 seed. Probably on the outside looking in, but close enough to make the games count all year.