Optimism Discussion: The Laker's Sky Is Not Falling

This is true, we match up well with them, or anyone featuring wing scorers now. We just, uh... need to get there first. The hole is DEEEEEP.

 

Regarding our chances of making the playoffs now, it will indeed be a tall order, but I do think you have to factor in like Windhorst was saying in a clip I posted in the Westbrook thread, the boost this team will get from having him gone. The weight lifted. Look at this for example (the source is almost for sure Phil Handy by the way haha)

 

The intention I would imagine is to vent because Westbrook was a dark cloud over our team for over year. Him not being traded in the off-season can now be argued to have been the smart move, but it also likely cost us this season. I know he and LeBron are (or were?) friends, but you could SEE the weight and frustration a lot of the time on LeBron playing with him, he won us some games for sure, but he cost us a LOT of them as well. But yes, it’s not a great look to go torching him like this, even if I do find it funny. Like I said I’d have to think it’s Handy, he doesn’t hold back on how he feels as far as I can tell, and they clearly did not get along.

 

LOL

 

We’re definitely near the top of the list for the deadline, probably only Phoenix made a bigger move, though the Clippers made really solid ones too. Improved roster for sure though

 

I'm feeling very happy. We no longer have the likes of Pat BevMo or Russ Westbrook. That's huge addition by subtraction for me as a fan. I couldn't stand Bev particularly so I'm just relieved not to even have to look at that guy in the P and G. And Russ was a mess and had to go.

I don't love DLo but I'll give him another shot as a fan. He's a much better fit than Russ and a legit starting PG. Beasley is also a legit starting SG so that's solid. Mo Bamba is a nice pickup as well and could possibly start alongside AD. Or we could go with Rui at three. We have plenty of options now and thankfully no more three or 4 PG lineups as a possibility for Ham. The bench looks solid.

On the one hand I was hoping for one of the Bogdanovich's for more shooting but I'm glad at least that we still have that 29 FRP. Could come in handy later for sure. And I don't hate Lonnie Walker at all, in fact I like him. We are a bit heavy in the SG department but I think that will get sorted out in the summer. Not the worst problem to have at all.

 

In case you're wondering about the suspension:

Three players have been suspended following Friday's fight between the Orlando Magic and Minnesota Timberwolves, the NBA announced Saturday. Mo Bamba has been suspended four games and Austin Rivers has been suspended three. The altercation began when Rivers walked off the court toward players on the Magic sideline. Bamba then got up off the bench and threw a punch toward Rivers as they locked arms and stumbled onto the court. It looked like Rivers also threw punches in Bamba's direction as he was dragged to the floor. Multiple players from both teams then engaged in the altercation, which resulted in the ejections.

It is difficult to throw punches at Bamba, because his wingspan is nearly 8 feet.