LeBron James

[Derek]

Funny how you keep talking about how they’re missing Ingram and Rondo when I think they’re better without them.

 

[col63onel]

By entitled i mean you guys think every big FA wants to go there simply because its LA.and the Lakers history. We have been hearing for the last 10 years that every FA is going to the Lakers. The funny thing is they never go there. K. Love, George, numerous others. Their fans just expect it,,,entitled.

Hell, some are so entitled they don't even think game 7 vs Sacto was fixed

 

[cavsfever]

And to be quite honest with you, from my perspective, it seems as though some of the responses I’ve gotten here have been fairly inconsistent. On one hand, you have people saying that the Lakers young core are at best average, so he’s lugging around a bunch of half scrubs (btw, he’s playing right now with second unit guys as starters as Rondo, Ingram, and McGee are all out. All starters).

On the other, you’re telling me that he’s got all this talent around him and 52 wins in the parity driven, grueling Western Conference isn’t an accomplishment.

I'm not responsible for what other people are saying. If these Lakers get to 50-52 wins in the West with no further personnel changes then you're damn right I think it's a big accomplishment for Lebron. I think he's the greatest or second greatest player of all time and his ability to drag mediocre supporting casts to winning records and playoff success is a big reason why. What I'm telling you is that I've watched LBJ for a long time and if your squad wins 50 games with him then that shouldn't lead you to believe that Ball, Ingram, Kuzma are great players, because 50 wins is like the bare minimum for a Lebron team. It's been over ten years since a Lebron James team didn't win 50+ games in a full season.

 

[cavsfever]

In addition, I would say that I have watched the really good Lebron supporting casts -- the 2014-15 Cavs squad after the trade and before the Love/Kyrie injuries, the Heat team that won 27 games in a row -- and this Lakers team is not looking like one of them. Definitely better than last year's Cavs team without Kyrie, but that's not saying much.

 

[GTL]

I'm not responsible for what other people are saying. If these Lakers get to 50-52 wins in the West with no further personnel changes then you're damn right I think it's a big accomplishment for Lebron. I think he's the greatest or second greatest player of all time and his ability to drag mediocre supporting casts to winning records and playoff success is a big reason why. What I'm telling you is that I've watched LBJ for a long time and if your squad wins 50 games with him then that shouldn't lead you to believe that Ball, Ingram, Kuzma are great players, because 50 wins is like the bare minimum for a Lebron team. It's been over ten years since a Lebron James team didn't win 50+ games in a full season.

Then we agree for the most part. Where I disagree is this idea that Ball and Kuzma aren't playing well...they actually had solid rookie seasons, and are only in their second season. Ingram is in his third, and he's already shown improvement with his ball handling and shooting when he's actually healthy and on the court. Ball and LeBron seem to play well off each other. Both had a triple double against Charlotte. LeBron seemed genuinely happy for Lonzo. These young guys are relishing the idea of playing alongside him. This current team as constructed could have been first in the West right now if it weren't for injuries. Missing three starters right now in Ingram, Rondo, and our starting center in McGee. Try winning games missing 3 key starters. If LeBron leads this team to 50+ wins in the current Western conference, it would be one of his greatest accomplishments to date. More impressive then winning 55+ games in the depleted and weak Eastern Conference, with all due respect. I also understand that playoff LeBron is a different animal, so I wouldn't put it past the Lakers, if and when healthy, to get fairly deep into the playoffs assuming they can avoid GS long enough, lol.

Also, on a side note, I would argue that Shaq in his absolute prime was at least top 3 in terms of most impactful player of all time.

 

[GTL]

Funny how you keep talking about how they’re missing Ingram and Rondo when I think they’re better without them.

The Lakers are 4-4 without Ingram...and are sorely missing Rondo's grit.

 

[GTL]

In addition, I would say that I have watched the really good Lebron supporting casts -- the 2014-15 Cavs squad after the trade and before the Love/Kyrie injuries, the Heat team that won 27 games in a row -- and this Lakers team is not looking like one of them. Definitely better than last year's Cavs team without Kyrie, but that's not saying much.

There were 3 50+ win teams in the East in the 14-15 season. The 8th seed was 38-44.

There were 7 50+ win teams in the West that season, with the 8th seed at 45-37. Oklahoma missed the post season with a record of 45-37.

LeBron is playing in a tougher conference this season then he was in the 14-15 season in the East. So I will stand by my belief that if the Lakers win 50-52 games, then it will be one of his greatest accomplishments to date.

 

[Cavatt]

Which Lakers are shooting better than Nance from 3 right now?

 

[GTL]

Which Lakers are shooting better than Nance from 3 right now?

I love Larry Nance Jr. Wish him nothing but success.

But you make a solid point, Lakers lack consistent 3 point shooting, which is why I'm an advocate for nabbing Klay away from GS next summer. Understand it's a long shot, but according to inside sources, Rob and Jeannie have him high on their list. KCP is a decent 3 point shot, as are Kuzma and Ball...Hart has been inconsistent. Of course, LBJ is our top 3 point shooter with 2 makes per nearly 6 attempts at close to 37%.

Also, not sure if you read the quote from LeBron that the Lakers getting Anthony Davis would be amazing. Word through the grapevine was that NO would accept nothing short of Kuzma, Ball, Ingram, and a couple future first round picks, maybe even Mo Wagner, for AD straight up. Assuming Wagner isn't included, this is the Lakers lineup:

Bron/Hart
AD/Wagner
Javale/Chandler
Pope/Hart
Rondo/Stephenson

I do believe New Orleans makes that trade, with first rounders included. Not sure I would, but I understand the argument for getting a top 5 player. Doing the math, the Lakers may even need to add KCP to make it work. I just don't want to gut the team and have no depth and still no clear path through Golden State. However as SAS said, AD may be our only option right now. To some it's an obvious trade you make right away, to others you wait until this coming summer...

The Pelicans will get all of the Lakers top picks if Ingram, Kuzma, and Ball are headed there, with a top pick (or two) included. They already have Julius Randle.

 

[Cavatt]

I love Larry Nance Jr. Wish him nothing but success.

But you make a solid point, Lakers lack consistent 3 point shooting, which is why I'm an advocate for nabbing Klay away from GS next summer. Understand it's a long shot, but according to inside sources, Rob and Jeannie have him high on their list. KCP is a decent 3 point shot, as are Kuzma and Ball...Hart has been inconsistent. Of course, LBJ is our top 3 point shooter with 2 makes per nearly 6 attempts at close to 37%.

Also, not sure if you read the quote from LeBron that the Lakers getting Anthony Davis would be amazing. Word through the grapevine was that NO would accept nothing short of Kuzma, Ball, Ingram, and a couple future first round picks, maybe even Mo Wagner, for AD straight up. Assuming Wagner isn't included, this is the Lakers lineup:

Bron/Hart
AD/Wagner
Javale/Chandler
Pope/Hart
Rondo/Stephenson

I do believe New Orleans makes that trade, with first rounders included. Not sure I would, but I understand the argument for getting a top 5 player. Doing the math, the Lakers may even need to add KCP to make it work. I just don't want to gut the team and have no depth and still no clear path through Golden State. However as SAS said, AD may be our only option right now. To some it's an obvious trade you make right away, to others you wait until this coming summer...

The Pelicans will get all of the Lakers top picks if Ingram, Kuzma, and Ball are headed there, with a top pick (or two) included. They already have Julius Randle.

Why would Klay leave a team that could 4peat for the first time to go play for the Lakers?

If you had a chance to have AD on your team, you should trade everything to get him. No way they have cap space in 2020 and with Lebron and AD you could literally fill the rest of the team with minimum and buy out guys and actually make a run this year.

It also makes it more likely to get a star in the summer. Even a Tobias Harris or Kemba would be a serious contending team if Lebron and AD are there.

Cavs were deep last year and got swept by GS. You need a real #1 #2 and #3 to beat them

 

[Sir'Dom Pointer]

Which Lakers are shooting better than Nance from 3 right now?

Moritz Wagner. He is a terrific shooter. I like him a lot. His PnR defense though is an issue.

 

[GTL]

Why would Klay leave a team that could 4peat for the first time to go play for the Lakers?

If you had a chance to have AD on your team, you should trade everything to get him. No way they have cap space in 2020 and with Lebron and AD you could literally fill the rest of the team with minimum and buy out guys and actually make a run this year.

It also makes it more likely to get a star in the summer. Even a Tobias Harris or Kemba would be a serious contending team if Lebron and AD are there.

Cavs were deep last year and got swept by GS. You need a real #1 #2 and #3 to beat them

Why would Klay leave? Depends on what KD does...I doubt both leave, or either for that matter, but anything is possible in today's NBA. Loyalty to one team doesn't seem to be a thing unless you're Steph Curry.

I'm pretty sure that if the Lakers trade for AD, the 2019 cap space is gone, as they would have to extend him. So unless Kemba is willing to sign for the MLE, which he won't, not happening. LA can shed salary, but it would be an entire gutting and reconstruction of the team.

You also need role players who can score. Having LBJ is AD is fine and dandy to get to the WCF, but once you have to potentially face a starting 5 of Curry, Klay, Durant, Green and Cousins, it's game over.

 

[Cavatt]

Moritz Wagner. He is a terrific shooter. I like him a lot. His PnR defense though is an issue.

Is he the one that lit it up in that summer league game? he is a rookie? I like him too. He was terrific on the move

 

[Sir'Dom Pointer]

Is he the one that lit it up in that summer league game? he is a rookie? I like him too. He was terrific on the move

Yeah, was great in the SL. He is a rookie. He played at Michigan.

 

[Cavatt]

Why would Klay leave? Depends on what KD does...I doubt both leave, or either for that matter, but anything is possible in today's NBA. Loyalty to one team doesn't seem to be a thing unless you're Steph Curry.

I'm pretty sure that if the Lakers trade for AD, the 2019 cap space is gone, as they would have to extend him. So unless Kemba is willing to sign for the MLE, which he won't, not happening. LA can shed salary, but it would be an entire gutting and reconstruction of the team.

You also need role players who can score. Having LBJ is AD is fine and dandy to get to the WCF, but once you have to potentially face a starting 5 of Curry, Klay, Durant, Green and Cousins, it's game over.

Which of their current starters wins the matchup? Lebron and who else? Depth doesn't do anything against GS.

Mcgee would be your 2nd best player and that is why you need to trade all of your young talent for someone else.

Personally I don't think AD gets traded and the Lakers missed their shot at Kawhi. I think there was a chance of keeping him if they had gotten him in the summer.