Optimism Discussion: The Laker's Sky Is Not Falling

Even when we were behind I knew we’d make a run and win the game. Haven’t felt like that since the Kobe/Pau years.

 

I was conditioned the past couple seasons to shut off the game after that miserable first few mins going down big but now we actually have a team.

The defense clamped down hard and AD went balls to the wall. What a great game to end this home stand. Big test upcoming on the Texas two step, two very well coached teams and duos of their own.

 

To piggyback...haven't felt this confident in our team's ability to humiliate a team, to comeback and completely change the way the game is going, or to casually flip the switch and punish you and impose their will since Kobe and Shaq.

We aren't settled into an offense, team familiarity hasn't fully clicked, we're still two heavy rotation players away from seeing our team this year and yet our duo's greatness is mowing down anything in front of it right now. And it's a beautiful thing to witness.

 

Small sample size to be sure, but the Lakers are rocking a +11.8 differential, best in the league. I'll take it.

 

More ANALytics. Excellent. I hope more come. Works so well for the Rockets, A's, and especially the Dodgers.

 

Not sure a point differential really counts as analytics since it's the result of 6th grade math and pretty straightforward (i.e. we're beating teams by A LOT). However, it's also one of the best predictors of post-season success. Not all sports math is bad, and I would argue that the Rockets and Dodgers have failed to win championships IN SPITE OF their analytics, not because of it. Strategy can only increase your chances. The players still need to get you there, and you still need a competent coach (e.g. NOT Pringles).

 

not to derail completely, but analytics can only take you half the way. it IS wise to avoid certain shots, but the decontextualized nature of a lot of advanced stats can obscure truths about winning. for example: taking contested midrange shots is undesirable, but having someone who can make them can save playoff games.

analytics would have hated kawhi leonard's big runs in the playoffs wherein he just drove guys to spots and rose over them for 2. INEFFICIENT! well, it's all a good defense might give you, and if you can get it, you win.

because harden has a s*** midrange game, he has more trouble scoring against elite defenses, and his team suffers.

 

I agree. I think you're largely getting at the same thing I was when I said "Strategy can only increase your chances. The players still need to get you there."

 

Something satisfying about having players on the stats leader board. it's early, but hey, we'll take it.

 

Our biggest test since the first game of the season tonight against the Mavs. Fortunately, like in our last 3 wins, they do not have a wing threat to attack one of our biggest weakness. Unfortunately they have a very talented duo in Luka and Porzingas that will likely cause problems for us.

We played Luka well before but that was with Ingram's length. Now we have Bradley, Green and KCP to throw at him. Porzingas is going to be a match up nightmare for any of our bigs not named AD. On the flipside, they don't really have someone to guard Lebron.

Let's hope Vogel doesn't get out coached by Carlisle and we're able to come out with the win while incorporating Kuz into the mix.

 

This would be a very good win tonight if we beat Dallas on the road - it would also put is #1 in the west.

We need that momentum - I'd love to rattle off like 10 in a row or something.

 

I would be very pleasantly surprised by a win.

Winning tonight would pretty much solidify our place in the WC elite, for the time being.

 

Really? I won't be. Dallas is definitely a good team - but this is a game we should win even if it is on the road, hence why we're favored to win by 2.

 

We should win? Why? We needed AD going bananas and getting 27 FTs to win at home against Memphis... I sincerely doubt it's going to repeat. Hence, surprise.

 

if you can't beat Dall you shouldn't be considered title contenders

 

You guys are all awfully cocky for fans of a team that hasn't sniffed anything in 6 years.

Dallas isn't some fodder, they are a fine young team with 2 superstars in the making (Luka moreso, but still). Beating them on the road isn't some trivial feat -- it's gonna
be hard.

And finally, whoever considers any team, 5 games into the season, a title contender, is delusional.

 

then whats the pt of having a team with AD/James on it?

 

To give it a shot. To try.

Getting all cocky after winning against 1 ok team (Jazz) and 2 dumpster fire teams (at home).... while losing to a strong team, is not warranted.

Saying that winning in Dal is to be expected from a title contender - is cocky. Winning on the road in the NBA is always tough, unless the team is an absolute garbage one, which Mavs are not.