Optimism Discussion: The Laker's Sky Is Not Falling

It was looking shaky but Luka LeBron and Reaves have gelled and are looking great together with Luka as the clear top dog, AR at 2 and LeBron doing anything else we need on a given night.

That changes a lot of things particularly with how good Luka is.

Roster still lacks but swapping out Gabe for Kennard helped tremendously. I'm still concerned about Ayton, but he's looked better as well. If he can keep it up then we are set to make some noise.

We're in good shape going into the playoffs and have a good shot at getting out of the first round.

 

Gotta be honest, when we lost to Orlando at home a month ago, I basically gave up on our season. Felt like we didn't have the pieces, the defense was nowhere near good enough, and our vibe was in the toilet. I'm so overjoyed with this turnaround. I'm looking forward to games again, and I'm even back to hoping we can make LeBron coming back next season work (only for the right price! . . . stop yelling at me). If we could make a run to the WCF and show some fight, I'd be euphoric.

 

Same here. It's been a loooong time since I last hoped for a win basically every game and expected one in most. I wish this team had more time to really gel, I feel like there's still so much more untapped potential. Either way, it seems the Lakers could make a real run and get to the WCF, which is far, far more than any reasonable fan copuld have hoped for a few weeks ago. Once they're there, anything is possible, but I would certainly be happy with them losing in the WCF in competitive fashion.

 

After Game 1, how is WMC a top thread, but this one is not?! Game 1 gives us reason to be wildly optimistic! Lakers in 4!!!

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Seriously though, Lakers in 6 or 7 is not only possible, but relatively realistic.

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SIX-SEVENNNNNNN

 

it was a lot of fun to see the team come out and embrace the underdog role, play team defense and team offense, and just make shots in a playoff game. i think the reason this thread isn't hopping is because optimism is about the future, and many of us are more skeptical than you are right now, lol.

 

Yeah, really cool to follow the last couple weeks. And great credit to JJ and the whole staff for instilling this winning mentality and not accepting to throw the towel (as I did). Gains a lot of points with the squad and even reputation around the league, which bodes well for future signings

They even got me somewhat hopeful of winning this series. Would have never predicted it 3 weeks ago

 

This thread needs to be LOUD. Who in their right minds had us up 2-0? Yet here we are!

They are expected to win Game 3... but they were also expected to win Game 1, and look what happened... they were expected to win Game 2, and look what happened. So LFG, and let's not only win Game 3, let's...

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Seriously though, Lakers in 6 or 7 is looking reallllyyy good. Maybe even 5?

 

they're definitely on their heels and fraying. so strange to be on this side of that kind of thing as a lakers fan.

 

They need to remained focus

 

I’m optimistic that we’re not too far off from contention. Add a couple more athletic 2-way players and we’re right there.

 

Rob finally getting some help is great.
Now we need to add a couple of guys to the FO that have good relationships with other GMs around the League.

 

I'm going to call it here with my homer glasses on.

Cameron Carr & Adou Thiero are going to be our starting 3 & 4 alongside Luka & Reaves and we'll win a ring with these 4.

Cameron Carr reminds me of a smaller Jaden McDaniels body profile wise. He won't be as good defensively but he has similar insane length that can make him a tertiary rim protector from the weak side. His shot looks goooood, he has elite athleticism to finish, defend and rebound. If he puts on 20 pounds, he can guard 1-3 no problem.

Adou reminds me of OG bodywise. Adou is 6'7, 220, 7ft wingspan and OG is 6'7, 240 with a 7'2 wingspan. Adou slides really well defensively, has super active hands, blocks shots, rebounds well. Athletically he isn't far off the Thompson twins, just needs to slow down a little. His 3pt shooting needs work, but he is an aggressive cutter and can guard 1-4.

If Adou develops his shot, he can be a high end role player in the way OG is, if he doesn't, he can just be a great cutter and defender. Carr already has the shooting and finishing, he just needs to learn how to defend POA.

When you team these guys with Luka & Reaves, everyone gets slotted perfectly on both sides of the ball. We just need a decent 5 and some parts off the bench.

JJ needs to play these guys and Walter needs to get the best development staff available.

 

Team player that I am I’ll be the guy to rescue this sorry thread from half way down page 2.

Rob and Jeanie are like “Are you not entertained!?”

 

I like that we’re younger, not all in contract years, and seem finally cognizant that we’re a Luka team. I’m looking forward to this season more than any recent one.

 

lots to feel positive about

 

Fake. Luka too thin.

 

If Luka Ozempic can stay healthy and not miss 18+ regular season games and the entire playoffs, who knows what could happen.
Same for AR-15 , I give him credit for returning in the playoffs though he clearly wasn't even close to 100%.