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Post by doakley8 on Nov 4, 2019 10:28:04 GMT -5
On a Lakers note... 5-1, won 5 straight. And I don't think it will be long until Howard moves until the 1st unit. Or they may keep it the same. When Rondo comes back I think he will help with his penetration and lobs/kick outs for 3's.
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Post by eddieeddie on Nov 6, 2019 12:10:13 GMT -5
On the one hand, the Lakers are 6-1 to lead the West, made an awesome rally last night to overcome an 18 point deficit and Lebron is beasting with 3 triple doubles in a row.
On the other hand, needing a rally to beat the woeful Bulls isn't really a good thing; Lebron has played 43, 37 and 35 minutes the last 3 games with heavy heavy usage and not ideal to burn his old man legs this early on and the team is essentially Lebron + AD on offense with not much else. Bradley has looked good on offense but the team really needs Kuz to get into the flow to take some pressure offensively off their duo.
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Post by varsity on Nov 6, 2019 12:25:45 GMT -5
I saw the game and it looked like the Lakers weren't taking the Bulls serious for 3 quarters. AD never really got it going and they seemed to want Kuzma to get some rhythm. I was a little shocked they were down by so much but I still knew they would win the game. Bulls are a disaster and it seemed like the Lakers wanted to coast against them.
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Post by eddieeddie on Nov 6, 2019 13:05:41 GMT -5
On the flip side, it's looking fairly obvious - as myself and others pretty much figured the case would be entering the season - that the best lineup will be Bradley, Green, Lebron, Kuz, AD
For all the shooting the Lakers had accrued over the offseason, early on it's just Bradley and Green doing well from the 3. Even then Bradley is only making 1 a game.
It's early and the Lakers are obviously trying to figure things out with a new coach, new system and a hoard of new players but I can't wait to see the team get things going and tighten the rotation and develop some real chemistry.
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Post by doakley8 on Nov 6, 2019 14:42:04 GMT -5
I still like Kuz as 6th man.
Finishing with AD-Kuz-LBJ-Green however in the final 4 minutes would be what I'd prefer. and 5th being Howard or Bradley depending on the matchups.
They dont seem to trust Javale..he's basically a starter to play 6 minutes in the 1st and 3rd and sprinkle in a couple minutes in the 2nd.
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Post by eddieeddie on Nov 6, 2019 15:05:08 GMT -5
Finishing with AD-Kuz-LBJ-Green however in the final 4 minutes would be what I'd prefer. and 5th being Howard or Bradley depending on the matchups.
I don't know what matchup would necessitate a lineup of Howard, AD, Kuz, LBJ, Green
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Post by eddieeddie on Nov 13, 2019 11:12:57 GMT -5
Via Brad Turner: "After getting X-rays on his ribs (right side) after game Tuesday night that were negative, all signs point to the Lakers holding out Anthony Davis for Wednesday night’s game vs. Warriors at Staples Center, per source. Davis also been dealing with right shoulder issues."
Bruised ribs now and will miss the game today. Sore shoulder that's been lingering since late October and he tweaked a couple days ago. Hurt his thumb in the preseason. AD is awesome obviously but one thing I oft-mentioned about him prior to the Lakers trading for him, and is hardly a secret, is how often the guy gets banged up.
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Post by doakley8 on Nov 15, 2019 12:23:23 GMT -5
Avery Bradley (hairline fracture, non-weight bearing bone of right leg) will be re-evaluated in 1 to 2 weeks.
You may or may not be aware Bradley is injury prone...
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Post by eddieeddie on Nov 15, 2019 12:57:28 GMT -5
Avery Bradley (hairline fracture, non-weight bearing bone of right leg) will be re-evaluated in 1 to 2 weeks. You may or may not be aware Bradley is injury prone...
The list of Laker players who aren't injury prone is shorter.
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Post by doakley8 on Nov 22, 2019 16:51:45 GMT -5
Third-degree harassment charges against Lakers center DeMarcus Cousins have been dropped, his attorney Moshae Donald tells ESPN. The case, filed in a Mobile, Alabama court, has been dismissed.
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Post by eddieeddie on Dec 6, 2019 11:56:07 GMT -5
You guys remember Svia? The sharpshooter from Kansas who the Lakers drafted #47 overall who we touted as an awesome pick and were generally excited about and the team signed to a cheap 3 year deal? Who the Lakers gave him AND a 2nd rd pick away to the Pistons to pointlessly rent Reggie Bullock? He's not having some monstrous season that makes the entire Laker fanbase rue his loss - and at 19-3 doubt many fans are regretting the roster construction anyhow - but fwiw he is shooting 44.8% on threes. Just saying he would have been a nice piece of the current team and at 22 a long term piece, rather than say a Troy Daniels who is 28 and disappointing thus far as a "shooter".
Of course I tend to rue the young talent the Lakers gave away for no reason. Like Thomas Bryant - who btw is averaging 13.9ppg 8.5rpg 2.7apg 1.0bpg 54.9fg% this season. And he has made 10 threes. Lakers just basically waived him.
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Post by mark808 on Dec 17, 2019 22:52:07 GMT -5
tough loss in Indy.. I was actually surprised the Lakers kept the game close with no AD and Kuz..
bad Free Throw shooting caught up to them tonight.. that and bad shot selection the final 4 minutes or so.. too much settling for 3pt attempts when they should have worked the ball inside the paint..
well now the Lakers and Bucks will be coming off losses for Thursday's game.. that 79 wins is out the window 😜
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Post by eddieeddie on Dec 18, 2019 11:26:19 GMT -5
Just shows the Lakers only real weakness is their ability to stay healthy (well they could also stand to be better at 3pt and FT shooting). AD is injury prone and has dealt with various ailments already in his short time as a Laker. Kuz has been banged up this year. Howard, Rondo, Bradley, Javale have track records of injuries and are on the older side. Green is relatively durable but is 32. And then there is Lebron who is saying he doesn't want to "load manage" - and fwiw he looks freakin' amazing out there - but at the same time he has a historic level of mileage/usage on his body and is turning 35 in two weeks. It's easy to look fresh and healthy and spry in December. So the risk has been and will always be there and we knew that with this roster.
IF this team is fully healthy come postseason time though - at least their key players - hard to argue that they aren't the top team in the NBA. At worst Top 3 with Milwaukee and Clippers (who have played 20 games without Kawhi or PG and yet are 2nd in the West).
I really really hope teams can avoid major injuries in the postseason because I really want to see the battle of the elite squads, especially come the finals or conference finals. No more of what happened to the Cavs back in 2015 or the Warriors last year or the countless times Chris Paul got hurt (Rockets/Clippers).
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Post by doakley8 on Dec 30, 2019 15:58:09 GMT -5
Who’s your least favorite teammate ever? Jared Dudley: “Least favorite teammate. Wow. I don’t get along with Blake Griffin now. When I was with him I didn’t have a bad relationship with him. That team was the most toxic team. It was weird because it was a bipolar type team. We were somewhat cool off the floor; we weren’t cool on the floor. I just don’t like his personality and attitude. I think he’s a great basketball player and I think you can differentiate the two. It’s easy to be the greatest teammate when you’re winning. How about when you’re losing? How about when you’re down 20? And that’s the biggest thing with that team. It was the biggest front-running team. You’re up 20, everything’s good, throwing lobs. Down 20, people want to fight, bickering.
I don’t want to say my least favorite … That’s a teammate right now that I don’t talk (to), don’t get along (with), words aren’t exchanged on the court, yada yada.”
Wonder who that teammate is...
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Post by varsity on Dec 30, 2019 17:12:40 GMT -5
My initial thought was Rajon Rondo. He's always been a rough personality to get along with. But in the past Dudley has been vocal about wanting to play with Rondo and praised Rondo's leadership. So unless that has changed since playing together, I may rule Rondo out.
Next guess is Dwight Howard.
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Post by eddieeddie on Dec 31, 2019 16:45:09 GMT -5
I thought Cousins but Dudley mentioned stuff "on the court" I thought Howard but from what I've seen Howard has been nothing but a quality teammate and Dudley actually singled out him and KCP for a solid performance last month vs the Spurs I thought Rondo but I actually see Rondo/Dudley getting along because they are alike. Likewise for Green/Bradley in terms of that veteran two-way hard working presence. It's obviously not Lebron and presumably not AD Don't think it's any of the younger players who probably don't have the cache' to rub Dudley this way
So maybe McGee?
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Post by doakley8 on Dec 31, 2019 19:20:56 GMT -5
I would think Kuzma. Kuzma seems more worried about his appearance, hair design and clothes he wears these days. He gets killed on social media for his fashion and his looks. And ironically I just saw he died his hair blonde today. I can see Kuzma standoffish, and I really can't see him them two hanging out. I'd go Kuz
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Post by eddieeddie on Jan 7, 2020 13:19:20 GMT -5
Via HR: "In an Insider-only article for ESPN.com, Kevin Pelton and Bobby Marks explore the Lakers’ trade possibilities, noting that packaging Kuzma with both Quinn Cook and DeMarcus Cousins would be enough for the team to bring back a player earning up to $13.5MM."
While ESPN’s duo offers a few ideas for potential targets, Pelton and Marks agree that Timberwolves forward Robert Covington should be “Option A” for L.A in that scenario."
SF/PF Covington would be solid. Been a fan of his since way back in Philly. He'd be a better fit in a lineup with Lebron, AD, Green + insert 4th player here than Kuzma because of his defense.
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Post by varsity on Jan 7, 2020 16:21:45 GMT -5
I'm not fan of that deal for the Lakers. I don't like the idea of packaging 3 players for the likes of Robert Covington. If Kuzma isn't in L.A. plans anymore and I see the trade rumors are picking up about him then, trade him for his value and not as a throw-in for a player that fits better. I get the idea is to build players around this team that fit AD and LeBron but I'm not a fan of giving up good talent and value just because it's a player somewhere else that may play better with AD and LeBron. Not to mention I see no point of holding him out the AD deal if the idea was to move him in another deal.
I feel like Kuzma can still net a first rounder. Perhaps a late first but I think if he was on the block a team like the Knicks or OKC, whom are loaded with future picks, would send a pick to the Lakers. Plus adding in Cook and Cousins is just overkill to me. I know they are needed for salary purposes but I'm still holding out hope Boogie can contribute in the postseason and though Cook as struggled, I like the cheap depth for the Lakers. You trade those 2 guys and who else is out there to fill out the 2 extra bench spots.
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Post by eddieeddie on Jan 7, 2020 17:32:04 GMT -5
I'm not fan of that deal for the Lakers. I don't like the idea of packaging 3 players for the likes of Robert Covington. If Kuzma isn't in L.A. plans anymore and I see the trade rumors are picking up about him then, trade him for his value and not as a throw-in for a player that fits better. I get the idea is to build players around this team that fit AD and LeBron but I'm not a fan of giving up good talent and value just because it's a player somewhere else that may play better with AD and LeBron. Not to mention I see no point of holding him out the AD deal if the idea was to move him in another deal. I feel like Kuzma can still net a first rounder. Perhaps a late first but I think if he was on the block a team like the Knicks or OKC, whom are loaded with future picks, would send a pick to the Lakers. Plus adding in Cook and Cousins is just overkill to me. I know they are needed for salary purposes but I'm still holding out hope Boogie can contribute in the postseason and though Cook as struggled, I like the cheap depth for the Lakers. You trade those 2 guys and who else is out there to fill out the 2 extra bench spots.
I personally have no issue with trading Cook/Boogie. I don't really see Boogie contributing in the postseason and the Lakers are just fine at C anyhow with McGee, Howard and then sprinkles of AD. I was a fan of the Cook signing but he hasn't amounted to much thus far and is very much expendable in that backcourt. Plus you free up those two roster spots for a buyout candidate and/or to scour the G-League for hidden gems like other teams do. Go out there like the Heat and find the next Kendrick Nunn.
For me this boils down to Covington for Kuzma and to me the former isn't just a player who "fits better" but is an actually better player. At least right now and the Lakers are a team that is thinking "right now". All Kuz has on Covington is the perception that he is a better pure scorer and that may be true from a volume standpoint but Kuz has a career TS% of 54.6% and career 3FG% of 33.7%. Covington is at 55.5% and 35.9% respectively. Covington is no slouch offensively having hovered between 12.4ppg to 13.5ppg in all of his full seasons. He won't be that "3rd scorer" that Kuz is more equipped to fill alongside Lebron/AD but he brings a better all-around game - with the key upgrade being defensively.
For what it's worth:
Cook, Cousins, Kuz for Covington + (Bell or Vonleh) works too. Because Kuz is so much younger, the Lakers could certainly argue for some draft compensation also.
Bell is a forgotten man over in Minnesota but he had solid contributions to Golden State the last two seasons. Vonleh is also not an integral piece over in Minnesota but last year he had a nice season, albeit on the Knicks. Either would be a nice depth piece if needed in the postseason.
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Post by eddieeddie on Jan 7, 2020 17:43:27 GMT -5
Word is the Kings are interested in Kuz.
Lakers will ask for Bogdanovic and likely get rejected. FWIW Kuz + Cook or Cousins for Bjelica works but can't see the Lakers doing that.
Can you imagine if the Lakers traded Kuz/Cook/Boogie for Ariza and a 1st rd pick (with protections)?
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Post by mark808 on Jan 11, 2020 3:36:28 GMT -5
nice win in Dallas down AD..
team had their lapse again with a big lead getting cut to 10 in the 3rd.. good to see the team figure it out though.. man LeBron looked out of it early on.. could tell he was still ill (flu?).. I'm just coming over a case myself since Tuesday and I'm still dragging butt.. these athletes are tough..
Luka on the other hand.. man is he whiny or what?!? every play he's looking for a call.. come on just keep playing.. it was nice seeing him go for 1 for 5 from the line causing him to Hulk Hogan his jersey.. hahaha.. dude needs to stop worrying about the fouls and go lift more and stop flopping!!!
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Post by doakley8 on Jan 11, 2020 8:05:50 GMT -5
Agree on Luka..he complains....a lot He admitted so a few weeks ago I read with his complaining to officials, but he clearly hasn't controlled it.
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Post by YoungThundercat on Jan 11, 2020 11:03:46 GMT -5
Complaining to the officials really isn't that new, though. It's part of gamesmanship.
Hell, I lost count over the years of how many 5 on 4 breaks the Lakers gave up because Kobe was still on the opposite baseline bitching to an official.
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Post by eddieeddie on Jan 11, 2020 13:59:29 GMT -5
nice win in Dallas down AD..
The Mavs were down Porzingis so I hoped the Lakers would beat them. For as awesome as Luka is, a starting lineup with Tim Hardaway Jr, Dwight Powell, Dorian Finney-Smith and Delon Wright isn't going to scare most teams. For all the talk the Lakers need a "3rd guy", I think the Mavs need one desperately more because their talent takes a huge dive after Luka/Porzingis and while solid, that duo is not on par with Lebron/AD by any stretch.
Good win nonetheless. Solid to see them dominate early on.
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Post by varsity on Jan 11, 2020 14:38:39 GMT -5
Mavs need more toughness upfront and another strong wing player to compliment Luka in order to become a real threat in my opinion. They have way too many players who hover along the wing. Hardaway is a volume shooter and while Finney-Smith and Wright have shown flashes, they aren't reliable yet.
In terms of bangers, whatever happened to Kenneth Faried? I thought he played solid for Houston and he's only 30 years old. He's a guy a team like the Mavs or Portland could use, in my opinion.
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Post by mark808 on Jan 11, 2020 21:09:22 GMT -5
it's like the Manimal is black listed or something.. he definitely showed flashes of his old self with the Rockets last year..
meanwhile down AD, LeBron and Danny G and the Lakers are up huge in OKC?!?
shocked.. and nice to see Kuz take advantage of this last 2 games to get his shoot going.. hopefully they don't let the Thunder creep back in the 2nd half..
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Post by eddieeddie on Jan 12, 2020 11:56:21 GMT -5
Mavs need more toughness upfront and another strong wing player to compliment Luka in order to become a real threat in my opinion. They have way too many players who hover along the wing. Hardaway is a volume shooter and while Finney-Smith and Wright have shown flashes, they aren't reliable yet. In terms of bangers, whatever happened to Kenneth Faried? I thought he played solid for Houston and he's only 30 years old. He's a guy a team like the Mavs or Portland could use, in my opinion.
If/when the Pelicans and Suns decide to become sellers, I can see Favors and Baynes appealing to the Mavs. Porzingis/Kleber/Powell/Boban is a decent frontcourt rotation but agree on needing some toughness.
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Post by eddieeddie on Jan 12, 2020 12:08:22 GMT -5
it's like the Manimal is black listed or something.. he definitely showed flashes of his old self with the Rockets last year..
I wonder if teams, in this era of small ball, just don't see a need for a guy Faried unless truly desperate - or you have a younger option.
Denver went away from him despite several years of solid production.
Brooklyn simply waived him after Denver salary dumped him. Rockets signed him and used him when Capela was out but then went away from him when Capela came back and didn't bring him back.
I mean, the fact that he was so productive when given a big role should suggest he easily warrants at least a roster spot.
Maybe he refused to take the veterans minimum and that's why he went unsigned by an NBA team this past offseason? A Chinese team offered him 2M and he said no and then only ultimately signed there for 4.4M. Obviously no NBA team was going to offer that. Then he was released by that Chinese team last month and replaced by Miles Plumlee, so who knows what is going on.
Wouldn't surprise me if he resurfaced as a midseason addition.
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Post by eddieeddie on Jan 14, 2020 11:57:13 GMT -5
Heavy.com did a fairly interesting article about how the Lakers could acquire Iguodala First trade Cousins, Cook, Daniels + cash to Cha for MKG and Willy Hernangomez (Charlotte frees up a 9.5M trade exception and the cash sweetens the pot)Then trade MKG + 2nd rd picks to Memphis for Iggy (In the absence of better offers, Memphis may settle on a young player plus multiple 2nd rd picks)
Longshot but it is a pathway.
Imagine a lineup with Bradley, Green, Iguodala, Lebron, AD I mean, this lineup would have been better 5 years ago obviously but still stout at this stage
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