Lakers Thread

[Jackal]

No doubt, I still hoped they would take him because I still want to believe big men and post play matter. Like I said I still want to see Okafor succeed big time, just not Duncan level big time. But at the same time I'm not Knicks fan gonna boo Russell as a pick, I'm sure they did their due dilligence and time will tell if he was the better player to take.

[Bruce]

Magic/Kareem
Kobe/Shaq
D'Angelo/????

Wasn`t it the same for west/chamberlain?

[Bruce]

No doubt, I still hoped they would take him because I still want to believe big men and post play matter. Like I said I still want to see Okafor succeed big time, just not Duncan level big time. But at the same time I'm not Knicks fan gonna boo Russell as a pick, I'm sure they did their due dilligence and time will tell if he was the better player to take.

I think another point of taking Russel over Okafor is that Russel showed more progress the last year or so, whereas Okafor might already be near his peak.

[NovU]

Who can blame fans for buying into hype. It's inevitable every year when entire source says so. Jahlil was consensus #1 until mid season. Later KAT came into a discussion, then Russell. If the Lakers picked Russell at 2, they probably had good reasons to, and you want to believe that especially as a Lakers fan. Most importantly it's very possible.


I bought into Mudiay hype. Just my personal pick.

[Jackal]

Yeah, Jahlil is that guy for me in this years draft. Last year it was Embiid till he started trying to be the funniest guy on Twitterverse.

Now let's hope Julius works out since there was talk about him being top 5 of last year if it wasn't for his foot injuries.

[air gordon]

Who can blame fans for buying into hype. It's inevitable every year when entire source says so. Jahlil was consensus #1 until mid season. Later KAT came into a discussion, then Russell. If the Lakers picked Russell at 2, they probably had good reasons to, and you want to believe that especially as a Lakers fan. Most importantly it's very possible.

No doubt, I still hoped they would take him because I still want to believe big men and post play matter. Like I said I still want to see Okafor succeed big time, just not Duncan level big time. But at the same time I'm not Knicks fan gonna boo Russell as a pick, I'm sure they did their due dilligence and time will tell if he was the better player to take.

Blame the fans. They read some articles, watch some YouTube vids, and poof! Proclamations are made- prospects are labeled as franchise type players or this player stinks.. They'll even argue or discuss it on a message board

There is some hypocrisy there when after their guy isn't picked these same people will say well I trust what the gm does, we aren't there for the workouts anyway

What if indeed the lakers picked okafor?? Will lakers fan still suggest he may have hit his peak?

this is like oprah's book club where you must read the book because... Well Oprah recommended it? And why not hope the player succeeds how you wanted to originally? Why change your mind because he's on another team? You just spent the last how many days telling us how great he's going to be. That's just bitter

[Jackal]

You must not know what hypocrisy means.

Anyways I guess I'm bitter for wanting him to be successful but not at the same level because he isn't part of the franchise I support. Totally nuts.

Hope you find a good read thanks to Oprah, she's a stud. Read it in a scouting report.

[NovU]

It's ok to discuss about prospects and fall in love/hate at a basketball forum. Feelings invested ofc is much bigger if your team is involved. It's ok to speculate shit in excitement. You go back to where your heart belongs at the end of the day when reality check is due. It's part of fun being a fanboi.

Yeah, it's too bad that we can't all be consistent like Knicks fans with their picks.

[air gordon]

Do you buy things from infomercials? This draft hype is what this is

I'm not in the know with what a fanboi is. Is it a free pass to lose perspective during the draft process? Is being excited and being able to think straight mutually exclusive?

I remember for the 2012 draft- Nick Barnsey, a very good contributor to this forum, was so convinced it was the best draft. His argument? It just is

Guess we'll be doing this discussion next year! Maybe next year it will be my turn to drink the kool aid

[NovU]

Why you trying to discourage talking about draft prospects especially during a time when everyone's on vacation?

Ofc Okafor has franchise player potential and so does Mudiay. As did Beasley and Bennett, if you don't think they do, just say so and move on. You're probably right too most of times because they come rare. Who gives a shit tho, it's fun discussing new comers to the league.

[air gordon]

Nah. Carry on please. I'm a bore when it comes to having a conversation to just have a conversation

In other news, Marc Gasol has expressed his non interest in coming to Los Angeles per the LA times.

[NovU]

Media reported Marc didn't like the way the Lakers treated his brother near the end.

Even if it wasn't the case, I doubt he'd leave the Grizzlies.


BTW I never thought I'd say this but Marc imo is the best center in the league atm in terms of skills and impact. DeAndre is nice but his skill sets are kinda limited.

[Bruce]

I blame it on the botched CP3 trade. It's normal that players get traded. But Pau instead was stuck in uncertainty for 2+ seasons.

[Jackal]

Don't think Marc's leaving either way, he's got a good thing going in Memphis.

Rumblings about a 4 year 80 million deal for Aldridge. Seems a bit odd since I think I read he doesn't like playing the 5 position. Lakers are also on Jordan's list of places he'll visit during FA. Hope LA manages to sign some decent players and don't strike out like last season. Then again striking out on Carmelo isn't too bad of a thing.

Any ideas what the Lakers could look like next season? Realistically that is.

[Kevin]

Realistically? A bunch of (role payers) bigs who were only there because no star wanted to go to Los Angeles.

[Bruce]

Don't think Marc's leaving either way, he's got a good thing going in Memphis.

Rumblings about a 4 year 80 million deal for Aldridge. Seems a bit odd since I think I read he doesn't like playing the 5 position. Lakers are also on Jordan's list of places he'll visit during FA. Hope LA manages to sign some decent players and don't strike out like last season. Then again striking out on Carmelo isn't too bad of a thing.

Any ideas what the Lakers could look like next season? Realistically that is.

I wouldn't think it is odd if the Lakers wanted Aldridge. Both men manning the 4 position last season (Boozer and Davis) are likely gone. And the Lakers have been trying hard to convert Randle into a SF or at least a stretch PF. I do not know though if the Lakers are done with that experiment. Worst case scenario I think for the Lakers at 5 is to keep hill, which might not be the worst thing.

[Jackal]

If Hill works on his conditioning and can play longer stretches without getting winded by exerting the amount of effort that he does, I wouldn't mind him being back.

Medina reporting Butler wants to play for the Lakers on a 1 year deal but the Bulls would easily match that.

If Jordan signs with Dallas that leaves Chandler on the market I would think. Also is Scott's contract coming to an end after this season? Thibs will probably sit this season out, I think. Thoughts on him as our next HC?

[Kevin]

Would be a huge improvement over Scott. Actually surprised he's not gone yet.

[Bruce]

Medina reporting Butler wants to play for the Lakers on a 1 year deal but the Bulls would easily match that.

If Jordan signs with Dallas that leaves Chandler on the market I would think. Also is Scott's contract coming to an end after this season? Thibs will probably sit this season out, I think. Thoughts on him as our next HC?

It would be kind of dumb for the Bulls not to try everything they could to keep Butler. Butler is probably one if not the best 2 guard that will be available at least until next in free agency.

I wouldn't mind Tyson Chandler in purple and gold if acquired at the right price. Having Tyson would be nice if the Lakers were already winning. Otherwise, I'd rather the Lakers keep cap flexibility to grab pieces that the Lakers can use long term.

Thibs as next HC? I'm not sure that will sit well with Kobe. Unless the Lakers boot out Kobe and Scott at the same time.

[NovU]

I think possible high profile candidates are as follows:

Aldridge
Love
Brook Lopez
Wade
Brandon Knight
Dragic
Green
Hibbert
Monroe
Millsap
Tobias
Chandler
Deng
Josh Smith
Rondo

I think the Lakers have little to some chance on these free agents. That chance could double 'if' Kobe sends out a proper love call.

I thought the Lakers would sign Rondo to 1 year deal if drafted Okafor and possibly Tobias, Green, Deng, or Josh to fill the SF spot to immediately test out the build and to compete on Kobe's last breathe. But I don't think Rondo's a realistic goal for the Lakers now. They'll probably continue proceeding with rebuilding plan and sign someone whoever is fine with playing under Kobe's shade until he's out of equation.

[Bruce]

^^ nice list, I think it is safe to say aron aflalo an angelino from birth to his 4 yrs of college, who recently opted out of his contract is a possibility if the Lakers called.

[air gordon]

It would be kind of dumb for the Bulls not to try everything they could to keep Butler. Butler is probably one if not the best 2 guard that will be available at least until next in free agency.

I wouldn't mind Tyson Chandler in purple and gold if acquired at the right price. Having Tyson would be nice if the Lakers were already winning. Otherwise, I'd rather the Lakers keep cap flexibility to grab pieces that the Lakers can use long term.

Thibs as next HC? I'm not sure that will sit well with Kobe. Unless the Lakers boot out Kobe and Scott at the same time.

And piggy backing off of Kevin's post- I doubt it happens the lakers miss out on a "big"name guy. It's LA. Say by chance someone like Hobert or Chandler is the last remaining of the big guys left. What is the right price for these guys? Or do you even bother with them and save the $ for a salary cap type trade and/or use it next year?

[Jackal]

Save the money, resign Davis and sport a line up of Davis/Randle/SF/Kobe/Russell-Clarkson, let them develop.

Edit: the Lakers have informed Hill they won't be picking up his 9 million team option.

Wonder if Robert Upshaw shows something in the summer league to get him an invite to training camp.

[[Q]]

I'd love to see them get Jimmy Butler, but that's probably not happening. I could see a PF/C and a SF being signed, like Aldridge & Harris.

[Kevin]

Lakers might pick up Lopez and give him a 20M deal since they overpay every fucking "superstar" that they can find