Where do the Lakers go from here...?

[Shaqdaddy11]

Because you are expecting a 35% improvement in the team's record based on nothing but player improvement. That very rarely occurs.

I know you think that the Lakers young guys are all budding 1st All-NBA players but they need to start playing like that before they start threatening to be a 50 win team.

So let's say the players improve? Just look at the difference between Ingram in year 1 and year 2. Say that happens to Kuz and Ball too. Say Ingram improves too.

Then let's say they won't get injured as much as they did last year.

You're telling me they don't have a chance at the playoffs? I call bullshit

 

[Mecca]

Why not?

Because you aren't better than the teams ahead of you with no additions.

Denver finished 9th.

They are just as young, with better talent.

Even with that albatross contract on Melo, you aren't better than the Thunder with George.

The Jury is out on the Spurs and you are probably better than the Clippers.

You'd still miss the playoffs if the only Teams you leap are the Spurs and Clippers.

 

[Mecca]

So let's say the players improve? Just look at the difference between Ingram in year 1 and year 2. Say that happens to Kuz and Ball too. Say Ingram improves too.

Then let's say they won't get injured as much as they did last year.

You're telling me they don't have a chance at the playoffs? I call bullshit

Of course you have a chance.

Nola and Portland played above their heads.

The young Lakers could do that too.

But, to say you will be 6-8 with no additions doesn't take into account that the teams ahead of you also have young talent that can mature and get better.

 

[Heatles84]

This is Magic and Pelinka's first real off-season. Pretty sure they'll get a pass from most Lakers fans if they strike out (as long as they don't do anything stupid). Heck, there are quite a few Lakers fans who are saying they would prefer to just continue developing the kids.

When you consider that, once Boogie went down, it left 2 guys that the Lakers had any business offering max deals to and both of them have reasons to stay put, it would hardly be a huge upset if they didn't land anyone.

Just because the media and fans want to hype it up, doesn't make it a disaster.

I agree with you. To get this back on track, this was mainly geared towards @Shaqdaddy11 who insinuated that Heat fans shouldn't be talking about disasters for an offseason, considering Heat fans are fully aware that at the very least we're going to be sitting idle and if we are active, it's to dump players; not gain players. I guess my definition of "disaster" is coupled with (potential) disappointment. Not landing the players mentioned earlier in this thread would be a disappointment. But it's no worse than locking yourself up on bad contracts - so we generally are in agreement.

 

[Heatles84]

Of course you have a chance.

Nola and Portland played above their heads.

The young Lakers could do that too.

But, to say you will be 6-8 with no additions doesn't take into account that the teams ahead of you also have young talent that can mature and get better.

I'm trying not to get on Lakers fans as it seems like that's what I've been doing with the potential Leonard trade, Lonzo Ball mess with his dad, etc...

But the Lakers aren't the only team with young players that can get better.

 

[Mecca]

Right.

I was agreeing with you and countering @Shaqdaddy11 who said they would be projected to be the 6-8 seed without adding anybody.

They could make the playoffs in that case, but no way in hell they wouldn't be projected there. Probably projected 10 or 11.

Not a lot of us had Philly as a playoff team in our preseason predictions.

NOBODY had them or Portland top 3.

It's possible the Lakers could make a leap to 6-8.

But, in no way is it probable or even expected without additions.

 

[OutlawImmortal]

Of course you have a chance.

Nola and Portland played above their heads.

The young Lakers could do that too.

But, to say you will be 6-8 with no additions doesn't take into account that the teams ahead of you also have young talent that can mature and get better.

There are a couple players worth gutting the Lakers for. LeBron and Kawhi definitely fit that mold.

 

[Mecca]

I'm trying not to get on Lakers fans as it seems like that's what I've been doing with the potential Leonard trade, Lonzo Ball mess with his dad, etc...

But the Lakers aren't the only team with young players that can get better.

Your team made the playoffs and have a ton of young guys.

Not sure how standing pat can be a disaster when you basically have a new addition in a healthy Waiters.

I agree on the other Western teams young talent.

Before the draft, I had the Lakers young guys behind Philly and Denver only.

Now?

What the Suns did on draft day, I'd take their youngsters in 5 years over the Lakers.

* If Giles gets healthy, I'm giving Sacto a long look too*

Does that mean the Suns are leaping into the postseason next Season?

That they will have a better record than the Lakers?

Hell no.

Just means they have a ton of potential and should get better every year.

Ditto for the Lakers.

Baby steps.

 

[tlance]

Because you aren't better than the teams ahead of you with no additions.

Denver finished 9th.

They are just as young, with better talent.

Even with that albatross contract on Melo, you aren't better than the Thunder with George.

The Jury is out on the Spurs and you are probably better than the Clippers.

You'd still miss the playoffs if the only Teams you leap are the Spurs and Clippers.

The Spurs still won like 47 games last year without Kawhi.

Difficult to imagine them dropping out of the playoff hunt completely.

 

[Mecca]

There are a couple players worth gutting the Lakers for. LeBron and Kawhi definitely fit that mold.

Agree 100%

You do it and you don't think twice.

Ingram is the guy on that roster with the most Star potential...imo.

LeBron is a generational talent.

Kawhi is a top 5 player healthy.

You don't pass on that to keep a guy because he has "potential '.

 

[Mecca]

The Spurs still won like 47 games last year without Kawhi.

Difficult to imagine them dropping out of the playoff hunt completely.

Agree.

Unless they blow it up.

There is a chance that they won't have Parker, Ginobli or Danny Green.

Sounds like Pau will be on the block as well.

That's why I said they are up in the air.

 

[bksballer89]

Because you aren't better than the teams ahead of you with no additions.

Denver finished 9th.

They are just as young, with better talent.

Even with that albatross contract on Melo, you aren't better than the Thunder with George.

The Jury is out on the Spurs and you are probably better than the Clippers.

You'd still miss the playoffs if the only Teams you leap are the Spurs and Clippers.

If the Spurs somehow find a way to mend things with Kawhi, Lakers are not close to be better than them.

I can see the Lakers win total improving even if they don't get any stars/superstars to come to LA but making the playoffs would be a long shot still IMO

 

[bksballer89]

Also Lakers were not the only team with injuries.

Kawhi missed 73 games, Butler missed most of the 2nd half following the AS Break, Milsap missed more than half of the year, and etc.

 

[Mecca]

If the Spurs somehow find a way to mend things with Kawhi, Lakers are not close to be better than them.

I can see the Lakers win total improving even if they don't get any stars/superstars to come to LA but making the playoffs would be a long shot still IMO

The Spurs are still a playoff team, with or without Kawhi.

He only played 9 games.

It's the other guys that can leave.

Gay, Green, Parker, Ginobili...

I'm not sure they can survive the loss of more than 2 of those guys without a good replacement and still make the playoffs.

Lonnie Walker helps...

...and you can never count out a Popovich team.

 

[Mecca]

Shit, I forgot about Dallas.

If Doncic turns out to be as good as advertised....

DSJ, Barnes, Doncic, Jalen Brunson, Greek Freak 3.0...

Not bad.

 

[bksballer89]

Shit, I forgot about Dallas.

If Doncic turns out to be as good as advertised....

DSJ, Barnes, Doncic, Jalen Brunson, Greek Freak 3.0...

Not bad.

And if they sign Cousins.....

 

[flyerhawk]

Not a lot of us had Philly as a playoff team in our preseason predictions.

NOBODY had them or Portland top 3.

It's possible the Lakers could make a leap to 6-8.

But, in no way is it probable or even expected without additions.

Philly got exceptionally good play from a rookie and added a significant piece in Reddick that dramatically improved the team..

Even if Simmons, Embiid and Saric significant improve their games next year, the Sixers aren't wing 60+ games next year without a major addition.

 

[flyerhawk]

You're telling me they don't have a chance at the playoffs? I call bullshit

Once again you move the goal posts. You start off saying that the Lakers are probably a 6-8 seed team next year. I challenge that and you move the goal posts to me claiming that they have no chance which I never came close to saying.

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

Once again you move the goal posts. You start off saying that the Lakers are probably a 6-8 seed team next year. I challenge that and you move the goal posts to me claiming that they have no chance which I never came close to saying.

My opinion. Take it any way you like

 

[flyerhawk]

My opinion. Take it any way you like

It's fine that you have an opinion. Don't assign me opinions I don't hold as an out.