Optimism Discussion: The Laker's Sky Is Not Falling

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

  1. alam1108

    alam1108 - Lakers Legend -

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    Reading half the posts here in LB you'd think the sky was falling.

    I'm far from the biggest Lebron fan but I'm ecstatic he's here. Him here guarantees you at least the playoffs. Considering his age, you have maybe a 2-3 year window for a championship. The moves we made since then reflects that. It's going to be a tough first year, especially with cupcake Boogie if he recovers, but we've strategically set ourselves up to get Lebron some all-star help next season with a bigger free agency class. Hopefully Kawhi comes at some point and maybe AD get's a little disgruntled?

    Anyways, I feel like I'm in the minority here loving the additions of Rondo, Stephenson, McGee and resigning KCP. Sure, there were possibly a feel casualties and missed opportunities along the way but it's not so black and white as some make it out to be. Our pups may or may not take a big enough step to go the distance and we're going to need some gamers come playoff time. We desperately needed a veteran point guard and Rondo was the best available, he played big time in the playoffs last season and he will definitely help Lonzo develop. Stephenson gives us that toughness this team needs. McGee is the most athletic center we've had in a long time and a rim protector too, Rondo/Lonzo/Lebron/Ingram are going to feed him with lobs. We know what we have with KCP, theres less need for him to play "hero/selfish" ball out there, we just need him to play good defense and hit the open three.

    We were never going to beat the Warriors by outscoring them, but we will definitely be hounding the opponent on the defensive side. Don't forget, most of these guys are on one year deals, our cap situation is very fluid for next season. These vets who've been through the fire will teach our kids and we'll all be better for it when it's their turn to take over the team.
     
  2. Savory Griddles

    Savory Griddles Moderator Staff Member

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    I think what's clearly evident here is the credo of Pelinka where he said he wants to be able to have sustained success. Rondo is the player they want Lonzo to be. Hart can pick up some tricks from Stephenson and KCP. Ingram can watch and learn from Lebron. This season is as much about coaching the kids as it is competing for a ring. They are seemingly bringing in prototypes. They are also bringing in some salty-a** dudes. Our kids will learn from these veterans and hopefully grow up a ton.

    Kawhi is not coming this year, guys. He's just not. I think Magic, Pelinka and Lebron are totally cool with that. They are setting up this team to allow Kawhi to come in next season to pair with Lebron and a Year Four Ingram who could very well be as good as Paul George by then. Kuzma to be instant offense off the bench. Ball to conduct the offense. Hart to be a d*** off the bench. I see what they're doing. Not going to lose sleep over Cousins because we weren't winning it this year anyway. And Cousins isn't going to resign with the Warriors again. So the Warriors bulldoze the league this season, but then the transition begins.

    Trading for Kawhi is a bad idea to be honest. Kawhi, Ball and an aging Lebron doesn't beat the Warriors and we won't be able to sign much of anyone else to help. Our only shot is to get Lebron, then get Kawhi with cap space and hope 2 of the kids turn into stars.

    Yes, the rebuild is over. Jumping from a rebuild into contention doesn't happen. Shaq and Kobe needed 3 years together before they won a ring.
     
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  3. Punk-101

    Punk-101 - Lakers Starter -

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    [​IMG]
     
  4. OX1947

    OX1947 - Lakers MVP -

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    This Cousins thing changed everything again. Lakers are gonna need to keep everyone and get their second super star next year.
     
  5. LaVarBallsDad

    LaVarBallsDad - Lakers Legend -

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    Optimism: We'll be a top 4 seed next season.
     
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  6. alam1108

    alam1108 - Lakers Legend -

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  7. Savory Griddles

    Savory Griddles Moderator Staff Member

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    I do agree with Stephenson. Not sure why we went after him and then Rondo when Tyreke was available.
     
  8. OX1947

    OX1947 - Lakers MVP -

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    One year deals.
     
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  9. Savory Griddles

    Savory Griddles Moderator Staff Member

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    Tyreke would have likely taken a one year deal of 10 million, then we could have tried to go after Rondo with the Room Exception we used on Lance. Rondo seems like the kind of guy that is looking for basketball fit more than cash. He just seems like a basketball junkie more than anyone in the league.
     
  10. alam1108

    alam1108 - Lakers Legend -

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    Tyreke just had his best season since his rookie year, more likely he'd take advantage of that for a big/long term contract.
     
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  11. Savory Griddles

    Savory Griddles Moderator Staff Member

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    Except he's still a free agent and no one has cap space left. If we offered him 10-12 million for a season, he might have taken it. All that's really left out there is the Atlanta Hawks and MLEs.
     
  12. lakerjones

    lakerjones Moderator Staff Member

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    Great post Savory Griddles.
     
  13. Azndude2190

    Azndude2190 - Lakers 6th Man -

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    Here's something to happy about: We're going to have a Laker in All Star game this year. Probably going to be the top vote getter too.
     
  14. Azndude2190

    Azndude2190 - Lakers 6th Man -

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    Also, the special edition for this year's NBA2K19 will be Lebron. The little things to be happy about. I still have the one Kobe was on a few years ago.
     
  15. Weezy

    Weezy Moderator Staff Member

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    We’re going to go into every game we play next regular season with a legit chance to win. Our kids get a year to mature playing next to the best player in the league and to learn how to think the game even smarter from him and yes, Rondo. Heck, Brook Lopez was a good influence on our guys last season in that regard and won us some games by stepping up, imagine that with LeBron. We will be in the playoffs, we won’t be losing close to 50 games again, we’ll be winning 50 games, and it will be FUN to be a fan again. I can’t wait, sign Lopez back for as much as we can give him, seek out a shooter via the vet minimum, and let’s go.
     
  16. SamsonMiodek

    SamsonMiodek - Lakers 6th Man -

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    This post actually made me feel better, thank you. Right now it hurts as hell to lose Julius, but I'm a very optimistic person and should get over it sooner or later... Hopefully the remaining kids show great progress this upcoming season.
     
  17. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    At any given moment we should have one of the Top 5 passers in the game on the floor. Last season LeBron James averaged 9.1 assists per game, Rajon Rondo averaged 8.2, and Lonzo averaged 7.2; that's good for 2nd, 4th, and 8th in the entire league per game. Between the three of them, Lonzo is the low man with "only" an AST% of 29.2 while Rondo and LeBron are 42.4% and 44.4% respectively. That's just... insanity.



     
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  18. alam1108

    alam1108 - Lakers Legend -

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    Whats the turnover ratio for those theee?
     
  19. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    Rondo- 3.53 assists/turnovers
    Lonzo- 2.77 assists/turnovers
    LeBron- 2.15 assists/turnovers
     
  20. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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