The OFFICIAL 2023 NBA Season Thread

[RogerGodahell]

I'm surprised Lebron signed an extension. I thought for sure we were going to have "The Decision part 2" where he announced he was taking his talents back to Cleveland to join a very good young team that could carry him to another championship and he'd claim all the glory. He could have spun it like "im going back to where it all started to end my career". Like he wasn't ditching LA to join a better team.

[daeve]

Originally Posted by Kingofkings1281

Did you think he was never going to pass him the ball again?

That's literally what happened with Mitchell + Gobert, so yeah... it's possible.

[jcardstore]

Originally Posted by Dame

They just have too many guards, lol. I don’t know what Pelinka is doing.


But this is the Lakers tax we’re talking about. They wanted a chip and sold the farm for AD and got one, now the Lakers have to pay those interests and penalties lol. This is just like Kobe’s last healthy run with the Lakers, it’s painful and disappointing to watch at times.

The only problem now is that they won't even sniff the lottery for the next 5 years at least. Get ready for a decade of Lakers suck

[Dame]

Originally Posted by JustinVerlander07

I actually think if they just kept their guys (KCP/Kuzma/Caruso) they are a top 4 seed. They still have to fill out bench pieces but I'd have to imagine it would be better guys than what is on this version of the team.

Oh yeah, better depth without a doubt. That additional 1st round pick is huge too.

Too many possibilities I don’t even want to think about.

[Dame]

Originally Posted by jcardstore

The only problem now is that they won't even sniff the lottery for the next 5 years at least. Get ready for a decade of Lakers suck

NOLA owns 2 more picks and the debt is settled. The Lakers can draft a 1st round in 2 years if NOLA forego 2024.

Which is why that Turner and Hield rumor needs to die.


Silver lining however is the Klutch connection. That’s their only hope for now.

[yiguiri2002]

I really wonder how Lakers fans would eventually feel about LeBron if things keep going this way.

Yeah, he won a title and they were the favorites the following year. But right now, it looks like they won't win another playoff series for the next 2 seasons. And if they trade Westbrook for Hield/Turner, it might be for 5.

Before the fanbois come at me, it's super early and they can improve. And I'll be more than happy with a championship and nothing else for a decade...but Lakers fans are a little more demanding than that.

[DontToewsMeBro]

I'll be toiling along with my predicted 41-41 Raptors again this season.
Looking to see if Scottie Barnes can take the next big step.

[jcardstore]

Originally Posted by yiguiri2002

I really wonder how Lakers fans would eventually feel about LeBron if things keep going this way.

Yeah, he won a title and they were the favorites the following year. But right now, it looks like they won't win another playoff series for the next 2 seasons. And if they trade Westbrook for Hield/Turner, it might be for 5.

Before the fanbois come at me, it's super early and they can improve. And I'll be more than happy with a championship and nothing else for a decade...but Lakers fans are a little more demanding than that.

Is this LeBron's fault? I mean, like Dame said... The Lakers went all in and got what they wanted. Outside of that Pelinka has totally failed his position. They've made some really terrible trades/moves that were bad in the moment and even worse in retrospect.

If anyone is to blame it's the FO

[Zedlaw]

The lack of depth on this Lakers squad is startling. Can the NBA really be planning expansion while their glamour franchise can't fill a 12 person team

[daeve]

https://twitter.com/TheNBACentral/st...WzxmPe1LxwVcZw

The American Dream :

TMZ acquired a picture of James Bouknight passed out in his car with a bag of Doritos and a Glock handgun in his lap before he was arrested for DWI

[smalltown]

Originally Posted by Zedlaw

Can the NBA really be planning expansion while their glamour franchise can't fill a 12 person team

That's on the front office. It's got nothing to do with available talent. The lakers painted themselves into a corner and hamstrung their own ability to fill out a roster.

[smalltown]

Originally Posted by daeve

https://twitter.com/TheNBACentral/st...WzxmPe1LxwVcZw

The American Dream :

That team is a hot mess. They need to do better when they're interviewing players before the draft.

[daeve]

It's not just the role guys or Russ...

[Kirk Goldsberry] Anthony Davis is the least efficient jump shooter in the NBA over the last 2+ seasons. Among 178 players that have attempted at least 500 jump shots since the beginning of the 2020-21 season, Davis has logged the lowest eFG% on those shots at 35.99 - no other player is below 40

I have no idea how AD is getting by unscathed in all this... oh wait, yeah I do - people are inve$ted

[JustinVerlander07]

Originally Posted by daeve

It's not just the role guys or Russ...



I have no idea how AD is getting by unscathed in all this... oh wait, yeah I do - people are inve$ted

I was told AD couldn't shoot because he was injured for most of last year!!

[Dame]

From what I read, that was his 3rd offense too...this year alone.


3 reckless driving citations and now a DUI.

Harrell
Miles
Bouknight


Year 3 of the Lamelo era and Charlotte already in shambles. MJ needs a veteran goon in that locker room. These kids play too much.

[Zedlaw]

Originally Posted by smalltown

That's on the front office. It's got nothing to do with available talent. The lakers painted themselves into a corner and hamstrung their own ability to fill out a roster.

I agree. I just find the image amusing of the league bursting with talent while the Lakers are floundering.

[yiguiri2002]

Originally Posted by jcardstore

Is this LeBron's fault? I mean, like Dame said... The Lakers went all in and got what they wanted. Outside of that Pelinka has totally failed his position. They've made some really terrible trades/moves that were bad in the moment and even worse in retrospect.

If anyone is to blame it's the FO

I don't think it's his fault but eventually it's his era. And given that he's had some influence in the decisions (THT extension), he's gonna be hold at least partially responsible, fair or not.

[PKIPP]

Originally Posted by daeve

That's literally what happened with Mitchell + Gobert, so yeah... it's possible.

A bit different.. Gobert has bricks for hands, Mitchell not passing to him unless wide open was a smart thing. Guy has the coordination of a 5 year old.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[rhigh2390]

Originally Posted by yiguiri2002

I don't think it's his fault but eventually it's his era. And given that he's had some influence in the decisions (THT extension), he's gonna be hold at least partially responsible, fair or not.

The Lakers front office didn't want to do the Westbrook deal... That was lebron's call. He also had LA mortgage their future for a guy that is known to be injured a lot.

If KD is going to get crucified for wanting Kyrie, how are people going to let lebron off the hook for wanting Westbrook?

[Above the Rim]

Jeez, the Lakers bench - ouch. Definitely not sold on Pelinka.

3 things: Pelinka was the one who poked at Magic first, Magic didn't like the way Pelinka treated him and walked. Also Pelinka bowed down to LeBron (and AD) over acquiring Westbrook. And Pelinka, although somewhat handicapped from salary cap, has done poor job assembling bench and role players.

Jeanie Buss sure isn't near as savvy as her dad, Jerry Buss.

[mfw13]

Originally Posted by Dame

They just have too many guards, lol. I don’t know what Pelinka is doing.

Whatever Lebron tells him to.....you don't think that he actually gets to make any decisions, do you?

There's no way Pelinka would have traded three solid rotation players for Westbrick if LeBron hadn't insisted on it....

[cms11]

Originally Posted by RogerGodahell

I'm surprised Lebron signed an extension. I thought for sure we were going to have "The Decision part 2" where he announced he was taking his talents back to Cleveland to join a very good young team that could carry him to another championship and he'd claim all the glory. He could have spun it like "im going back to where it all started to end my career". Like he wasn't ditching LA to join a better team.

LeBron is going to stay with the Lakers until Bronny gets drafted and then play for whichever teams drafts him.

[indyguy]

No Zach Lavine tonight it looks like. Out because of his knee.

[rhigh2390]

Originally Posted by indyguy

No Zach Lavine tonight it looks like. Out because of his knee.

Probably going to be a long year of what ifs for myself and other Bulls fans. Don't know if they will ever be healthy.

[cms11]

Originally Posted by yiguiri2002

I really wonder how Lakers fans would eventually feel about LeBron if things keep going this way.

Yeah, he won a title and they were the favorites the following year. But right now, it looks like they won't win another playoff series for the next 2 seasons. And if they trade Westbrook for Hield/Turner, it might be for 5.

Before the fanbois come at me, it's super early and they can improve. And I'll be more than happy with a championship and nothing else for a decade...but Lakers fans are a little more demanding than that.

How'd they feel when Kobe didn't make the playoffs his final 3 seasons?