How far can these Lakers go...?

[logic]

I say they finish 5th in the west behind the clippers, denver, rockets, and utah (in no particular order) and lose in the first round.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Realistically this team could win it all.

At 100% full health the Lakers are the best team in the league.

Doesn't mean it's going to happen though.

So full health doesn't include Cousins, correct? He wont see the floor

 

[dtgold88]

How far COULD they go? I'd be reluctant to bet heavily against playoff Lebron so a title is at least a realistic possibility.

 

[msgkings322]

Yeah the slapdick makes a thread and doesn't even predict.

If the Lakers can stay healthy the sky is the limit. I really like their pieces that can play multiple positions, defend and shoot the 3. Kuzma, Bradley and Green are very nice pieces and Cook was a good pickup too.

Green is an underappreciated pickup. He's a solid 3 and D guy, basically 65-70% of what Klay Thompson can give you.

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

So full health doesn't include Cousins, correct? He wont see the floor

I included him when I said if this team were 100% healthy that they'd be the best team in the league.

I think a healthy Cousins would make a world of difference.

 

[Black Adam]

Yeah the slapdick makes a thread and doesn't even predict.

If the Lakers can stay healthy the sky is the limit. I really like their pieces that can play multiple positions, defend and shoot the 3. Kuzma, Bradley and Green are very nice pieces and Cook was a good pickup too.

I predicted...






















..."slapdick..."

 

[Shanemansj13]

I included him when I said if this team were 100% healthy that they'd be the best team in the league.

I think a healthy Cousins would make a world of difference.

Ohh yeah absolutely but it might be another scenario where he could play in the playoffs so I wouldn't even include him on this team...I think they will fine without him though.

If injuries start piling up for their bigs, it could get rough though but that's why I said having Bradley and Green really helps. AD to center, Lebron to PF and Green and Bradley, even Pope can all play the 2 or 3. The versatility helps a lot imo

 

[lebron23james]

I have them not making the playoffs

If they do i see them losing in the 1st round tbh

They had a ton of problems last year and i don't think AD makes them that much better, with the loss of Ball and Ingram...I see a ton of problems early

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

...I don't think AD makes them that much better, with the loss of Ball and Ingram...I see a ton of problems early

 

[Shanemansj13]

I have them not making the playoffs

If they do i see them losing in the 1st round tbh

They had a ton of problems last year and i don't think AD makes them that much better, with the loss of Ball and Ingram...I see a ton of problems early

 

[Black Adam]

I have them not making the playoffs

If they do i see them losing in the 1st round tbh

They had a ton of problems last year and i don't think AD makes them that much better, with the loss of Ball and Ingram...I see a ton of problems early

horrible player, that AD...

think maybe we can trade him for draft picks...?

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

horrible player, that AD...

think maybe we can trade him for draft picks...?

A late 2nd rounder if we get lucky

 

[Black Adam]

I have them not making the playoffs

If they do i see them losing in the 1st round tbh

They had a ton of problems last year and i don't think AD makes them that much better, with the loss of Ball and Ingram...I see a ton of problems early

they'll make it...






























...just to piss YOU off...

 

[Shanemansj13]

In most leagues AD was picked ahead of Lebron lol

 

[Inimical]

its gonna be decide opening night

 

[ericd7633]

I think they finally end their drought of not making the playoffs for the first time since 2013.

 

[Sparhawk]

Realistically this team could win it all.

At 100% full health the Lakers are the best team in the league.

 

[trojanfan12]

So full health doesn't include Cousins, correct? He wont see the floor

No, he's done for the year. They were missing Kuzma and Rondo last night. Their bench got killed. The Clips bench outscored them 60-19.

If I remember correctly, Kuzma is expected to come off the bench. If they had Kuz and Rondo, they probably still lose the bench battle, but I doubt they lose it by 41 points.

 

[trojanfan12]

At 100% full health the Lakers are the best team in the league.

I don't think I'd go that far. But they're in the convo.

 

[shopson67]

No, he's done for the year. They were missing Kuzma and Rondo last night. Their bench got killed. The Clips bench outscored them 60-19.

If I remember correctly, Kuzma is expected to come off the bench. If they had Kuz and Rondo, they probably still lose the bench battle, but I doubt they lose it by 41 points.

They still need to iron out their substitution patterns and get used to playing together. This roster is pretty new to each other still, including the coaching staff. Lebron had some costly turnovers trying to force the ball into AD, who I think they wore out a bit with high usage this early in the season. The Clips were much more cohesive even without George last night, at least once they dipped into their bench.

I can't remember the last time I saw the Lakers run plays that had quality picks/screens being set for a mid-range shooter like the Clips repeatedly did for Kawhi. Very effective.