Grain of salt for preseason and Maccabi Haifa, but the guys are looking better and better. Chemistry on the court is increasing as they get used to playing with eachother. Also, Kobe looked great.
First, it was great to get a win, even if it was against a non-NBA team. Second, it did my heart good to see Kobe knocking down those threes tonight. Lastly, I loved watching Russell with that second squad just hitting all the open shooters and Black on the dive cuts. That was just beautiful to see. Russell makes it look so easy though it's not. That squad was fun!!
Optimism- 1. In football (maybe other sports I don't know) this is called "the tune up game". You bring in a crap opponent and you let the guys go have some fun and gain some confidence. The other team goes back to their sub-par conference and play better after playing against some top-level competition and you feel a little better now that you've got a win under your belt. Nice. 2. Randle, Clarkson, Hibbert, and Russell all looked great. Plenty of room to grow, but they looked great nonetheless. 3. Kobe looked really good. Defensively he's going to be hard to watch most nights, but he looks great offensively and his effort is a great tone setter. 4. That second group with Black/Kelly was actually pretty dynamic. I liked what they could do offensively with Young, Williams, Kelly, and Russell to go with Black being active inside. Spread floor, shooters everywhere, hustle inside. I liked it.
I loved that second unit, realdeal. Russell was so smooth out there running the show. Black was great, cutting to the hoop, playing hard. Man, they were fun to watch!
Then you've got Kelly spacing the floor up top? It worked really well even though it was against a sub-NBA team. I think it could work against NBA competition too.
Kelly has surprisingly been good, he fits well with Bass or Black. Unfortunately I don't think the Bass and Black combo works well though.
We are a much more balanced & deeper team than anyone is giving us credit for... We have two players at every position that I'm cool with being on the floor.. It's been a long time since I've been able to say that. It's a pretty versatile line up too.. We can play big or small & we have an even blend of Vets & Youth. I'm gonna temper my expectations, but I think we're gonna surprise some folks. I think a lot of analysts are looking at our individual additions & thinking "Lakers didn't really add anyone significant" What I think they're all overlooking is the balance of this squad.. I really like the make up of this team. Russell/Huertas Clarkson/Williams Kobe/Swaggy/Metta Randle/Bass Hibbert/Black
We just beat the world champs with no Kobe or Bass or Black and had Sacre in the game a whole quarter. ERGO .......68 wins.... b a b y ! :magicsmile:
Randle is shaping up to be the one to lead the young guns to the next level. Him and Clarkson actually. What's impressed me the most about Randle so far this preseason? His work ethic. It clearly shows on how much he's improved since summer league. Totally different player. Way more under control, especially around the rim. Clarkson too just has a good feel for the game and compliments Randle very well. Russell may need a year or two to get up to speed but he'll get there. This young trio is gonna be amazing!
Optimistic points: 1. The fight. More even then the fact we won, I was so impressed with how we went AT them. No easy buckets around the rim, not getting shaken up by Curry's ridiculousness, when they hit a shot we get a shot right back at them. Randle saying "he can't guard me" to an All-NBA FIRST TEAM DEFENDER! That's some legitimate swagger. Russell taking shots right back and forth with Curry (even if he didn't make them). I loved it and that's the kind of attitude you want from a Championship developing team. 2. Randle. This kid is starting to look like a monster at 20 years old. 3. Huertas. This dude is going to change everything for our team. 4. Brown, Upshaw, Russell, and Larry Nance Jr. looked a lot better. 5. Ryan Kelly is officially a keeper to me.
Huertas Williams Young Bass/Kelly Black/Upshaw Would be a really solid bench on even a championship caliber team.
It's still way to early to predict the outcomes of our youngsters, but for gits and shiggles, how's about some updated ceiling vs realistic predictions after seeing some real promise these past few games? Ceiling/Realistic (barring catastrophic injury) Clarkson: Kevin Johnson/Monta Ellis Russell: Bigger Chris Paul/Rubio with a jumpshot Randle: Bigger, stronger, but less explosive Barkley/Stronger more aggressive Odom Nance: Matrix/a better Josh McRoberts A Brown: Pile of poo/flaming pile of poo
:snicker: :ShaqOh: Hell yeah to all the rest. McBob actually did jump into my head in the last 30 minutes, thinking about Nance, before you posted this. How's Aaron Gordon looking these days athletically compared to Nancy? Skills wise?
Trying hard to stay level headed since it's just preseason and it was our first win against an NBA team, but we look good. Individually, our young core looks like they have the physical gifts, skill set, and attitude to become very good players. As a team, we have a good mesh of youth and veterans. And I also think we have the right composition of players that might be able to minimize Scott's weaknesses ... especially since some of the young guys seem to have the attitude to actually respond well to Scott's hard nosed coaching.
