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LA Lakers Thread: Welcome Brandon Ingram! (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter JMon348
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JMon348
Footballguy
Short Corner
Footballguy
JMon348
Footballguy
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Short Corner
Footballguy
timschochet
Footballguy
Does fine mean franchise player? Because that alone would make him worth taking over Okafor.
tommyGunZ
Footballguy
Too early to tell, but the "bones" of a franchise PG are there. He has everything that can't be taught at the position: elite vision, feel, and size. If he's a gym rat the shot will improve, and he's already showing flashes of being able to knock down the 3 - i.e. he ain't Elfrid.
He has to get quicker and stronger. He doesn't have elite explosion, so he'll have to use his superior size and length to defend the Walls and Lillards.
We'll see if he's a franchise guy or just a good PG.
Gr00vus
Footballguy
Yeah Nance and Black should be getting all of Kelly and Bass's minutes. I don't mind Huertas getting some run in spots as he's a very different PG compared to Clarkson and Russell. They should be looking to deal Lou Williams and/or Bass to someone else who can use them. Williams would be a decent guy off the bench for a contender.
It's also possible Metta should be getting most/all of Kobe's minutes at the 3, or they should be splitting it pretty evenly. Kobe's all done. They should just put a rocking chair on the bench for him. It's a crime that he's taking minutes away from Clarkson and Russell. He can't retire soon enough.
It's also possible Metta should be getting most/all of Kobe's minutes at the 3, or they should be splitting it pretty evenly. Kobe's all done. They should just put a rocking chair on the bench for him. It's a crime that he's taking minutes away from Clarkson and Russell. He can't retire soon enough.
JMon348
Footballguy
I hate this offense so much. I just pray that D'Angelo will not make any bad habits or lose confidence playing with this staff.
Kobe looked much better as a playmaker, still shooting terribly, but I'm sure a lot of people are going to wake up this morning and be shocked to see he was an assist and two rebounds away from a triple double. They have already said he won't play tonight in Phoenix.
Kobe looked much better as a playmaker, still shooting terribly, but I'm sure a lot of people are going to wake up this morning and be shocked to see he was an assist and two rebounds away from a triple double. They have already said he won't play tonight in Phoenix.
Gr00vus
Footballguy
Also meant to gloat. I chose the meaningless last game of the season vs. the Jazz tickets back when my friends and I split up our seasons seats this year. I sure hope Kobe can make it to the finish line. I think I'd go, but I imagine the prices for those will appreciate a bit if he's still playing, it'll be tempting to sell them.
ETA: The cheapest tickets for that game in my section are going for $620 each right now on stub hub.
ETA: The cheapest tickets for that game in my section are going for $620 each right now on stub hub.
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JMon348
Footballguy
That's awesome. Hope he's healthy for that final game, that would be specialGr00vus said:Also meant to gloat. I chose the meaningless last game of the season vs. the Jazz tickets back when my friends and I split up our seasons seats this year. I sure hope Kobe can make it to the finish line. I think I'd go, but I imagine the prices for those will appreciate a bit if he's still playing, it'll be tempting to sell them.
ETA: The cheapest tickets for that game in my section are going for $620 each right now on stub hub.
tommyGunZ
Footballguy
I almost bought two lower level tickets to that Jazz game earlier this season for around $300 apiece, knowing that it would likely be Kobe's last game. But I was scared off by the prospect that he'd likely be hurt by then, and not even suit up. Looks like a terrible decision now. Meanwhile, anyone want Chargers/Dophins tix? Ughhhhhh....Gr00vus said:Also meant to gloat. I chose the meaningless last game of the season vs. the Jazz tickets back when my friends and I split up our seasons seats this year. I sure hope Kobe can make it to the finish line. I think I'd go, but I imagine the prices for those will appreciate a bit if he's still playing, it'll be tempting to sell them.
ETA: The cheapest tickets for that game in my section are going for $620 each right now on stub hub.
tommyGunZ
Footballguy
On a better note, DLoading is coming around. Like what I'm seeing lately from the kid. https://vine.co/v/iWMHpimLKMY
Bucky86
Footballguy
tommyGunZ
Footballguy
JMon348
Footballguy
He's playing much better. Can't wait until we run a better offense and get players to fit his style.
In the mean time, I'm hoping for this rotation soon:
PG- Russell - 32 mins, Huertas 10 mins, Clarkson 6 mins
SG- Clarkson- 28 mins, Williams- 20 mins
SF- Kobe- 30 mins, Metta- 10 mins, Anthony Brown or if you want to keep in the DLeague, Nance- 8mins
PF- Randle 28 mins, Nance 20 mins
C- Hibbert 28 mins, Bass/Black 14 mins, Randle 6mins
I really love what Nance is bringing to this team. Team high +13 last night. Really shines on the court, sets great screens, and nobody is out hustling him. Great pick by Mitch. He can definitely be a 8th or 9th rotation guy on a good team.
tommyGunZ
Footballguy
Yeah, Mitch earning his keep with the Nance and Clarkson picks the last two years.
Not shocking to see DLoading take a little while to adjust. The flashes are there though. And Randle could be turning into a monster. Needs to spend all off season working on the jumper, b/c he has most everything else.
Not shocking to see DLoading take a little while to adjust. The flashes are there though. And Randle could be turning into a monster. Needs to spend all off season working on the jumper, b/c he has most everything else.
Gr00vus
Footballguy
Russell definitely needs more playing time than he's getting. I'm disappointed in his lack of straight line speed compared to the top point guards in the league, but lately I've been very impressed with his agility, particularly in the lane. He makes sudden orthogonal changes of direction seem effortless.
Randle needs to work on what's going on between his ears. He makes too many bad decisions and gets distracted too easily. If he can address that he'll be a solid contributor, everything else is there (given that the jumper could improve as Gunz said).
It'd be nice to see them run any kind of offense, but I don't think that's possible with Bryant out there. There are multiple times a game where its obvious that Bryant and some of the other guys (mainly the younger ones) aren't on the same page. I don't know who's right in those situations, but it doesn't seem to be improving much.
Nance's shot is flat out ugly and needs a rebuild if he wants to be a core guy. I love his hustle and hops, but he's a total liability on offense from beyond 5 feet and he's too small with not enough (any?) post game to spend time in the key.
Randle needs to work on what's going on between his ears. He makes too many bad decisions and gets distracted too easily. If he can address that he'll be a solid contributor, everything else is there (given that the jumper could improve as Gunz said).
It'd be nice to see them run any kind of offense, but I don't think that's possible with Bryant out there. There are multiple times a game where its obvious that Bryant and some of the other guys (mainly the younger ones) aren't on the same page. I don't know who's right in those situations, but it doesn't seem to be improving much.
Nance's shot is flat out ugly and needs a rebuild if he wants to be a core guy. I love his hustle and hops, but he's a total liability on offense from beyond 5 feet and he's too small with not enough (any?) post game to spend time in the key.
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Bucky86
Footballguy
JMon348
Footballguy
Dominated the Bucks last night. Great effort start to finish. Controlled the whole game.
D'Angelo continues to get better, might of had his best overall game last night. His last couple of games have me really excited again, you can just see how good he can be. Julius with another double double in limited minutes.
I think Kobe is getting his legs, he's looked rejuvenated lately. Last 5 games. 18-5-4, 47% 37% on 3's. in 28 mins.
Unfortunately I am already at the part of the season where I cringe a little after a win. Terrible mindset, but it is what it is. Definitely better this season than last watching Russell, Randle, and Clarkson vs just Clarkson.
D'Angelo continues to get better, might of had his best overall game last night. His last couple of games have me really excited again, you can just see how good he can be. Julius with another double double in limited minutes.
I think Kobe is getting his legs, he's looked rejuvenated lately. Last 5 games. 18-5-4, 47% 37% on 3's. in 28 mins.
Unfortunately I am already at the part of the season where I cringe a little after a win. Terrible mindset, but it is what it is. Definitely better this season than last watching Russell, Randle, and Clarkson vs just Clarkson.
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Gr00vus
Footballguy
He's looked like a different person the last couple of weeks. Playing with confidence, making better decisions, getting more accurate with his shot, getting in the lane, staying in good position on D - all stuff that was missing earlier this season. Hopefully he can carry it all forward consistently.
JMon348
Footballguy
Really, really, really happy to see Kobe play like this. It was very hard seeing him struggle so much, him being stubborn and shooting as many times as he was made it worse.
His last six games, he's been fantastic. Basically our dream scenario of around 20-5-5 with around 48-49% shooting.
Was hoping for one of these this year as well!!!! Loved the bench getting a tech from going crazy.
His last six games, he's been fantastic. Basically our dream scenario of around 20-5-5 with around 48-49% shooting.
Was hoping for one of these this year as well!!!! Loved the bench getting a tech from going crazy.
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Short Corner
Footballguy
I think he is developing. He already is an elite rebounder. He just had 15 points and 19 rebounds the other day. He's got a strong motor and toughness. He's an above-average passer. His free throws are decent. His defense is improving, as is his shot, but he needs an offseason of work to make a real leap in those areas.
I also think this team is much better to watch than the past two years. At least there is some hope on the team now. I think Russell and Randle both have what it takes to be top players. Nance can be a starter on winning team. I think those are three key pieces for the Lakers of the future. Clarkson I wouldn't mind trading. Plays too out of control, doesn't shoot well enough and plays no D. I don't see him as a starter on a winning team. Maybe a 6th man top scorer off the bench. It's also nice watching Kobe on the court one last time. Yeah, sometimes it's painful. But then he'll give you moments like this tonight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uMXORJ_BQ0
What could make it better is the Lakers getting rid of the guys like Lou, Bass, Nick and Hibbert. Russell needs to be back in the starting lineup. Would like to see Black starting with Upshaw signed from D-League to backup center.
JMon348
Footballguy
I've seen enough from Russell to think he will continue to improve and become a great player in this league. I'm very excited for his future.
At worst I think Clarkson could be a great 6th man/energy guy. However I think he has that fire and will keep improving year after year. I think a lot of people, including myself, still label him as the 2nd rounder with a limited ceiling, but I'm beginning to come around and think he could be a difference maker. Like Shrugs said, his next step is defense. If he can work hard and turn into a Danny Green type player on defense then the sky's the limit.
I love Julius Randle's hustle, but I'm really scared of his future in today's NBA. It's looking like you need at least 4 shooters on the floor now and if he stays stagnant with his shot he's going to have a hard time finding minutes. I don't think he's big enough to be the only big on the floor and isn't the defensive player Draymond Green is for GS. This is his "rookie year" so he can definitely improve on his shot and defense. If we get lucky and get Ben Simmons I think our offense might be a spacing nightmare with them at the 4 and 5. If we are lucky enough to get Ingram from Duke, it would be a much better fit with our current nucleus, but that nucleus can change with a few FA signings or trades.
Hopefully we stay at the current standings, get lucky, and keep a top two pick this year and add Simmons or Ingram. We have the most money this offseason, and could potentially have enough for 3 max slots. Add a better coaching staff and 2017 could be a lot of fun.
At worst I think Clarkson could be a great 6th man/energy guy. However I think he has that fire and will keep improving year after year. I think a lot of people, including myself, still label him as the 2nd rounder with a limited ceiling, but I'm beginning to come around and think he could be a difference maker. Like Shrugs said, his next step is defense. If he can work hard and turn into a Danny Green type player on defense then the sky's the limit.
I love Julius Randle's hustle, but I'm really scared of his future in today's NBA. It's looking like you need at least 4 shooters on the floor now and if he stays stagnant with his shot he's going to have a hard time finding minutes. I don't think he's big enough to be the only big on the floor and isn't the defensive player Draymond Green is for GS. This is his "rookie year" so he can definitely improve on his shot and defense. If we get lucky and get Ben Simmons I think our offense might be a spacing nightmare with them at the 4 and 5. If we are lucky enough to get Ingram from Duke, it would be a much better fit with our current nucleus, but that nucleus can change with a few FA signings or trades.
Hopefully we stay at the current standings, get lucky, and keep a top two pick this year and add Simmons or Ingram. We have the most money this offseason, and could potentially have enough for 3 max slots. Add a better coaching staff and 2017 could be a lot of fun.
If the Lakers get Simmons, I see him and Randle being a 3-4 combo. My opinion of Clarkson has nothing to do with him being a second rounder. It's more that I haven't seen any improvement whatsoever from him this season. I don't think he has it in him to ever be close to a Danny Green-type player. More like a Jamal Crawford. I think Draymond is a good comparison for Randle. Draymond learned to be a better shooter. As you said, Randle is basically a rookie and I think he's already shown some improvement shooting during the season. I'm confident he can get to a Draymond level in shooting. He'll probably never reach a Draymond level in defense and passing, but I think he has what it takes to get close to them in those areas. While Draymond will never be the rebounder Randle is. I think Randle deserves more credit for already being an elite rebounder. There's not many guys who can put up multiple 19-rebound games in their first year in the NBA. He's already a double-double machine, and he's shown signs of having what it takes to improve in other areas. I agree with you on Russell. He needs to improve and be more consistent, but he's shown me enough to think he can be an elite passer, shooter, dribbler, rebounder for a point guard and defender. I think he's a player who will be able to do it all well. Time will tell who Russell stacks up against Porzingis, but I think the Lakers nailed these two picks and their late first-rounder on Nance, while the second rounders on Clarkson and Brown also look good.
Gr00vus
Footballguy
Randle just looks totally lost/clueless out there too often. It's like either they're not coaching him and have no idea how to fit him into a game plan, or he's not learning/listening.
I wouldn't be so quick to get rid of Clarkson. He can score from all over the place, with the ball, without the ball. The defense will come if they can get a staff in there that can teach it. He strikes me as a very coachable player.
I wouldn't be so quick to get rid of Clarkson. He can score from all over the place, with the ball, without the ball. The defense will come if they can get a staff in there that can teach it. He strikes me as a very coachable player.
The Kansas Comet
Footballguy
They're just waiting for him to deliver a bottom two finish so we can keep the pick. Then he better be shown the door.
Short Corner
Footballguy
Just this one. If they can get the pick and add Simmons, Ingram or Dunn to Randle and Russell, you know they are going to attract some free agents with that 60+ million available. Leaving alone the pipe dream of Durant, I think Derozan and Whiteside would fit well with the core youngsters. I think that would be around a .500 team in 2016-17 and go up from there.
Short Corner
Footballguy
A lot of teams will have cap space, will lead to a lot of players getting overpaid. Whiteside is a trainwreck, ie McGee 2.0. 2017 is the wrong draft to sit out if you have to choose.
Gr00vus
Footballguy
I don't think you can keep tanking and expect to develop the younger players effectively. Ultimately you start entrenching a culture of failure early on in the developmental portion of these guys' careers that will be hard to shake later on.
