Optimism Discussion: The Laker's Sky Is Not Falling

Discussion in 'Lakers Discussion' started by therealdeal, Jun 20, 2016.

  1. KareemtheGreat33

    KareemtheGreat33 - Lakers MVP -

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    lol you never know with this team but at least have semblance of pride and beat tanking teams
     
  2. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    Before the 9 game losing streak:

    11-18

    After 9 game losing streak:

    10-4

    Keep in mind that 9 game losing streak included 6 against Western Conference playoff teams (Warriors, Rockets, Blazers, Thunder, Wolves x2) who today have a combined record of: 172-96 (64%).

    Last season at 52 games: 17 wins.
    This season at 52 games: 21 wins.

    Blow out losses (20 or more) at this point last season: 10
    Blow out losses so far this season: 4

    NBA DRating last season: 30th
    NBA DRating this season: 12th

    PACE last season: 6th
    PACE this season: 1st

    We've got wins now over Houston, Oklahoma, San Antonio, Boston, and have lost three games to Golden State by a combined 13 points with two of those games going to Overtime.

    We're on a solid track right now. I'm not sold on them as a viable future contender, but I'm certainly sold on them being a competent team. I think we're showing that this group can play very good defense and can win games, but they still lack a proven go-to player who can score 40 if they need it. When that player comes here or emerges from our own ranks, we'll be ready to take the next step.
     
  3. PGinLA

    PGinLA - Rookie -

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    Now this is what we call OPTIMISM Thread at its optimum.



    Sent from my E6533 using Tapatalk
     
  4. gcclaker

    gcclaker Moderator Staff Member

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    ...Paul George would've been that player on top of being a good defender as well. Honestly, it will be surprising if he comes on board next season. As of now, everything is by committee with no lead dog.
     
  5. gcclaker

    gcclaker Moderator Staff Member

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    Denver's in town tonight... I hope they don't get too comfy at home still savoring that win against OKC.
     
  6. fabfourlakers

    fabfourlakers - Lakers Starter -

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    Agreed. We cannot lose this game. It's just inexcusable.

    Yes, we made up for the Magic loss by beating OKC on the road but still...those are games we have to win no matter what.

    I really REALLY hate that Booker is out tonight...we better CRUSH these fools tonight.
     
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  7. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    He'd be nearly perfect to lead the group if he wants it, but that's up to him. The way the Lakers are built with everyone chipping in are rarely contenders. Most champions need someone they can rely on when the offense breaks down and they can go get their own shot. The way we're built now in a couple years we could be a .500 team and be pretty good and beat the bad teams, but we won't be contenders. We'll be this year's Nuggets or Blazers or Wizards. Not bad, but just not quite good enough. It's possible that Ingram or Kuzma takes on that role, but I'm not quite that optimistic.
     
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  8. alam1108

    alam1108 - Lakers Legend -

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    You looking for a job Fizdale? We can make an opening for you next to Luke.



    Also, tampering... probably.
     
  9. LTLakerFan

    LTLakerFan - Lakers Legend -

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    Maybe he's lobbying for Luke's job while thinking of his LBJ connection.
     
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  10. Khmrp

    Khmrp - Lakers Legend -

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    tampering!
     
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  11. alam1108

    alam1108 - Lakers Legend -

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  12. LTLakerFan

    LTLakerFan - Lakers Legend -

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    Well if he's not lobbying for Luke's job it's nice to read those comments of his about the team for sure.
     
  13. JohnnyComeLately2k6

    JohnnyComeLately2k6 - Lakers 6th Man -

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  14. gcclaker

    gcclaker Moderator Staff Member

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    ...won tonight, best team in the East lost. All's good. Then there's Thursday. :)
     
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  15. Weezy

    Weezy Moderator Staff Member

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    Impressive


    Solid point, I agree

     
  16. lakerjones

    lakerjones Moderator Staff Member

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    Impressive win tonight - not that the competition was all that good, but they were fighting us hard. We really took it to them in the fourth quarter and finished them off with a demonstrative victory. Great to see.
     
  17. alam1108

    alam1108 - Lakers Legend -

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    Took care of business as we should have. On to the next. 3 game win streak, 7-3 in last 10.
     
  18. gcclaker

    gcclaker Moderator Staff Member

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    Scanned the box score...balanced scoring with Clarkson not this season's customary production tonight.
     
  19. Weezy

    Weezy Moderator Staff Member

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    23-26 free throws for us tonight. More of that please. Tonight making free throws was big for us, and missing them was big for Phoenix. We have to stop costing ourselves games with free throws, this could have been one of those, but instead we helped ourselves out big time at the line.
     
  20. Alcindor

    Alcindor - Lakers Starter -

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    Here are the win-loss ratios going back exactly one month:

    HOU 12-3
    LAL 11-4
    IND 11-6
    GSW 10-5
    LAC 10-5
    TOR 10-6
    MIN 10-6
    MIL 10-6
    UTA 9-5
    OKC 9-7
    NOP 9-7
    POR 9-7
    CHA 8-7
    WAS 8-7
    DEN 8-8
    MIA 8-8
    BOS 7-6
    PHI 7-6
    SAS 7-8
    ATL 7-9
    MEM 6-8
    DET 6-9
    CLE 5-9
    ORL 5-9
    NYK 5-11
    SAC 5-11
    CHI 4-10
    DAL 4-10
    BRK 4-13
    PHO 3-11

    Some stats for any that think it was because of an easy schedule:

    We had our (arguably) #1 player, Ball, for 5 of those 15 games (4 wins and 1 loss vs. CHA where he played limited rust-removal minutes returning from injury)
    We had 8 road games vs 7 home games. We went 4-4 on the road. 7-0 at home.
    7 Western Conference games vs 8 Eastern Conference
    We played 6 games vs playoff teams and went 4-2 vs them.
    #1 on this list Houston - Only 6 home losses this year one of which was vs us (12/20 with Ball). I just bring that up for spite.

    If we were to continue for the next 15 games as the last 15 our record would be 33-35. Nearly .500 and probably vying for the 8th slot as the Pelicans are likely to start dropping off without Boogie. We are likely to have Ball back soon as the AS break is in a week. For the next 15 games our road vs home ratio is close to the same 9-6 Home/Road vs 8-7 but Western vs Eastern games are 11-4 vs 8-7. vs playoff teams is the same, 6. Really there are many winnable games, despite the Western/Eastern disparity the schedule doesn't look harder to me. About the same really, and after that we close the season with 8-6 home vs road games.

    Overall, 14 home vs 15 road games left
    21 Western vs 8 Eastern teams remain.
    .276 of the teams remaining are Eastern compared to .366, the season average
    Only 9 playoff teams but we have a good win ratio vs playoff teams anyways

    Magic and Rob are faced with tough choices now and I don't see them letting any of our talent go this week (any of which would probably go for next to nothing) unless they have some guarantee from players for this summer. Not without great backlash from fans and even media so like I said, unless they know something we don't.

    But who knows, Magic & Rob may have racked up that 550k in tampering fines for good reason.
     
    Last edited: Feb 7, 2018
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