Yes Karacha. Several teams could beat us, because they have the right balance of wings, bigs, and shooters. Utah included. The only ones that are most likely to beat us are the Clips, Sixers, and Nets. Probably only the Nets actually favored. I was saying what you are - playing CP3/Book then Dame/CJ or Joker with no Murray is perhaps the best of all roads for us, with Utah perhaps beating the Clips and the Nets or Sixers emerging after a tough Eastern Conference gauntlet, instead of those scrimmages that Bron often had (very different with Harden, Russ, KD in the East now (and Giannis, Jimmy, and Embiid having emerged)).
That... was the worst showing of the season. Now, I'm not saying we had to win that game. But that effort...
Dumpster fire... last game wasn't much better, had to hail mary a 45ft shot to win. Team is not playing well at all.
Yeah. That was a stinker in all phases of basketball. Complete no shows by most of the team. AD just looked lifeless out there. Terrible. no place to go but up from that.
I'm not going to overreact because the Clippers lost, Bucks almost lost to the Heat, C Bags were really close with the Nets for the majority of the game, Wizards almost beat the Sixers, and Portland beat the Nuggets. But there are very glaring issues with the Lakers that have been all too common. #1, AD playing way too soft. #2, Vogel's rotations sucks balls. Great defensive coach but he's got to get the offense rolling. If anything, let J.Kidd take over the offense and you just worry about the defense like they do in football. #3, Our shooting is horrendous. Outside of KCP, I don't know who on the Lakers can shoot. And that's not saying much considering KCP is streaky. #4, the role players are not stepping up. THT is still too young, IMO. Kuzma has been missing since he was injured and out for a few games. Wesley makes some good plays here and there but we need consistency for the entire game. Where is Markieff? And I don't know what's up with Trezz but this dude used to be much better defensively. Seems like a lot of his hustle disappeared. I still think the Lakers will win but I am less confident in this team to win as the season dwindles. Last season, I knew the Lakers would win especially if they got past the Clippers. This season, even if we get past the Suns, it is no guarantee the Lakers can beat the Blazers/Nuggets and then the Jazz/Clippers... and then the Bucks, Heat, Sixers, or Nets.
I don't think losing game 1 is significant. I think the way certain matchups played out in game 1 are concerning. CP3 was a shell of himself at best, and losing to them while he's hobbled & while the team was confused seemed like a missed opportunity. The Suns shifting the focus of their offense to Booker might be a strategic gain for them to be honest. It really depends on what CP3 can offer here on out. On the Lakers side of things I expect Vogel to make a lot of adjustments and for the Lakers to just makes more shots in general. AD will have at least 1 good half if not a killer game.
CP3 doing the exact same stunt to Bron when he was with Houston. I have no problem with him going up and fighting for the rebound, it’s the hooking of the arm and pulling back down that’s the issue.
LeBron tried to help his best friend forever CP3 when he was writhing on the floor, doing the trout dance. This is how CP3 repays him, by yanking down on LeBron's own shoulder on a lane violation foul.
the crazy part is that CP3 is Bron's children godfather... imagine if he wasnt. Rondo was right. CP3 is totally fake. if I am lebron, I am confronting and telling him to cut that b/s or else he will do it to CP3 next time himself
yeah, my friends wouldn't do that to me, nor would i do that to them. play hard, within the rules, and with some honor.
Losing Game 1 isn't significant , Vogel not understanding only Gasol and AD have to play the 5 for us in the playoffs is . We won't win the West regardless of others parameters as long as Vogel doesn't sit Drummond and Trez ( or if they only play 7-8 miutes a game). Not thrilled in watching games going forward with Drummond starting , regardless of the result
Yeah championship teams win a lot of games by punching 1st as we did last season . Despite our impressive defense , comebacks are tough because we don't make 3s more often than not
