Optimism Discussion: The Laker's Sky Is Not Falling

Ummm .... mid season grade Judy Seto

A+

 

It’s a beautiful thang. Sheeeoooot!!!


https://www.google.com/search?q=nba...QX5RSXFwSWJeSmZeenFi1h585ISFYphfABVR8_ncgAAAA

 

After 55 games, we’re only 9 games ahead of the OKC Thunder SMH

 

A close competitive game like that for nearly the whole 48 (as soon as that 11 point lead evaporated) against the franchise's rival is great playoff preparation. Big win.

 

http://www.tankathon.com/remaining_schedule_strength

We have one of the easier schedules remaining. Hopefully we can solidify the #1 seed for the West and give LeBron+AD+Dwight+Rondo some recovery time.

 

I think this game showed the importance of just having another big body out there in Morris.
Without the Kemba they double teams on Tatum were effective but that won't be so easy with him in the lineup.
The good news is that even a mediocre/poor defender in Kuzma did a decent job on Tatum just because he has enough size to match up better. Morris even though he's not a great defender gives the Lakers another body along those lines as well.

 

If Kemba plays, he would've just taken the shots that Tatum had. We won't see Tatum take his game to the next level if Kemba's there. There just isn't enough possessions for him to split with Hayward, Kemba, Brown, and Smart. C Bags are one very good center from being a really scary team.

 

Expecting Big boost to the Lakers efforts to win a ring this season from Markieff Morris. Hopefully that starts tonight.

 

I expect nothing, but will be pleasantly surprised if we get anything of value. Life seems better that way.

Expect nothing = no disappointment

Expect something and get nothing = disappointment

 

With regards to adding Morris that makes .....

 

we'll see, but either way, I won't be disappointed

If he was that great, no team would buy him out

my expectations are tempered, and if he provides a lift, fantastic

 

He's "likes to fight guy" ..... what were you looking for?

 

Faith in honesty and courage affirmation for the day.

 

Now you’re just trying to start stuff


You are not supposed to flame other posters.

 

I'm not. That was hilarious.

 

Aaaaand you're trying to stir on stuff @sirronstuff ...

 

We're 44-12, 5 games ahead of Denver, basically 7 games ahead of LAC.......and have had some nice wins after that HOU loss at home.

We're rounding into form here as we go into the final stretch of the season - after we face GS, NOP and MEM, we have a VERY tough stretch coming up facing:

Sixers, Bucks, Clippers, Nets, Rockets, Nuggets, Jazz, Jazz.

If we can come out of that at least 4-4, or 5-3, that's HUGE. But honestly, int hat stretch, we need to beat the Sixers, Bucks and Clippers. We can lose the other 5 games if we at least beat those 3 teams. I'd like a win against Houston too to stop all this small ball talk...

I believe after that stretch only tough games we have left are Raptors (in late march) and Clippers (in april). We have Indy and OKC as well but both are home games so I think we'll be fine. So 15 games with 2 really tough ones and 2 kinda tough ones...the other 11 games should be easy wins.

Assuming we go 2-1 against GS/NOP/MEM, and we go 4-4 in that tough 8 game stretch, and then we go 11-4 to finish the season, we'll end up at 17-9 to end the year which is 61-21 on the season - should be good for #1 seed (Denver for perspective is already at 18 losses, and LAC is at 19 losses, and neither of those teams are going to go on a crazy run to end the season).

Hopefully we can load manage a bit too...should have ample opportunities towards end of the season to do that.

 

I really hope the Pelicans don't get that 8th seed. They're a much better team than an 8th seed and Zion's physicality is going to make AD try harder than he really should for a first-rounder. Ideally, I hope Memphis grinds it out and keeps the 8th.

 

yeah, it's sorta bs that we're going to play well all year only to face a red-hot team full of our former players and a superstar they added midseason or a red-hot team that employs damian lillard. i mean, i'd like to believe memphis can hang on, but i strongly doubt it.