Optimism Discussion: The Laker's Sky Is Not Falling

Oh. I didn't get past the headline and 1st couple paragraphs.

 

I believe that's called clickbait. Stop reading garbage on the internet and less of these incidents will happen.

 

Just got done watching the introduction interviews and I can't say enough about this group's approach. Polar opposite from last year's additions. There were common key words from each player, meaning it was a big point of emphasis from Rob in his conversation with each of these guys. You heard all of them speak on "sacrifice" and having a "team first" approach. There's no demands or guaranteed starting roles or cluster F of a logjam at the C position to close the year.

It sounds like everyone here knows the single goal and is happy with a fluctuating role. Dwight said it's about being a star in your role. Ellington pointed out that it's a long season and just because it's not your night that night, it doesn't mean it won't be the next game.

I think the fact that guys like Baze and Nunn turned down more money elsewhere for a chance to win here further pushes that narrative.

And finally Trevor brought up a great point regarding this older crew. This is a group of guys who's seen everything. Nothing will surprise them. They know how to prepare for everything you can throw at them, including the rigors of a long season and a deep post season run.

 

I saw the same thing. The only hiccup I noticed that day was this:



But the wording, using the agentless passive ‘is told’ (not mentioning by whom) is still probably not much too worry about like with Drummond being told he’d start.

Overall good vibes this time.

 

He is out best wing defender on paper right now. So big role is expected tbh

 

Carrying water for HOF’ers is a big role.

 

Lmfao

 

I mean, when you are offering a contract to someone you have to explain what you want from them, what are your expectations. It's a job interview in a way.
Bazemore can really have a big role. But it is different to promise one to him, which didn't seemed to happened and I hope never happens again. No way an institution like the Lakers need to promise minutes or roles to anyone.

 

I think he will have a large role, but not large minutes. That goes for everyone not named Bron, Russ, and AD. I don't expect heavy minutes out of any of our signings. He averaged 20 MPG last season, there's no way he has a larger role than that. He is one of the younger vets, so I could see him getting more minutes than a lot of the vets. At the same time, there are 7 other players on the roster who can play a position he can play on the court AND we might not be done filing out our roster.

If I had to guess before camp he's penciled in as Bron's backup at SF for 18 minutes a game. But if it's a bigger wing, Ariza eats into that

 

Brief Sportsnet interviews with Dwight, Ariza and Ellington

 

Literally just got done watching all the intro interviews of our new signings and immediately felt compelled to come to this thread.

Everyone sounds hungry, everyone seems to know their roles and willing to sacrifice. There are a lot of connections between these players that I forget about (for example, Dwight and Ariza playing together in both Orlando and Houston, Bazemore and Melo playing together in Portland).

If this team is healthy, it’s going to be something special.

 

I hope we see LeBron posting up more, hang in the wings/blocks.. he's so hard to defend and massive I really think he'd thrive and stay healthier. Westbrook can find him and A.D. all day long or he can just pull up or finish at the rim himself. I have no idea how you defend these guys in that scenario or prepare for this line up.. Melo is great insurance if someone has an injury, we have a legit scorer who can start some games and score at will.

I'm def hyped.

 

I'm not a player although I do like to ball with friends occasionally. But I wonder if posting up is worse for the body than playing outside. I thinking all that contact at the back, hips and so on doesn't do much good. Anyone knowledgeable on this?

I wonder because I also thought that LeBron would move to a longer interior presence which has not been happening so that question popped up on my mind

 

I think there are plus and minuses. When you post up, you definitely have pressure on your back and hip but when you drive there is the threat of being hit harder. It would depend a little on the evasiveness of the driver but Lebron is not a juke and jiving evasive rim runner. He is a tank, like Shaq was, and will mow you down. That takes a toll.

 

I think even with the Lakers curse factored in, we're going to see it raining 3s this year from our new guys.

 

famous last words.