2019-20 WORLD CHAMPION Los Angeles Lakers Thread

I think it would be ridiculous to say the Lakers aren't better with the moves they've made but I also think the loss of Howard/McGee is going to be felt. The Lakers interior defense during the regular season was so stout because they had so many good defensive big men to alter/change shots. These guys also brought energy and life to the team when they were in. Bringing in an aging/slow Gasol isn't an upgrade in my opinion. The addition of Harrell should hopefully mitigate some of that loss I'm guessing.

Originally posted by Leathaface:

I think it would be ridiculous to say the Lakers aren't better with the moves they've made but I also think the loss of Howard/McGee is going to be felt. The Lakers interior defense during the regular season was so stout because they had so many good defensive big men to alter/change shots. These guys also brought energy and life to the team when they were in. Bringing in an aging/slow Gasol isn't an upgrade in my opinion. The addition of Harrell should hopefully mitigate some of that loss I'm guessing.

Agree

Let me start with - I'm not a fan of defense rating. It's a team stat than an individual one. But, both Gasol and Wes had the best rating on their respective teams.

I think Lakers defense should be fine. Not to mention - Schroder is a clear upgrade over Rondo as a defender and more minutes for Caruso also means better defense.

I think taking it easy during the reg. season is more likely to contribute to worse defensive metrics but they'll kick it back up during the playoffs.

Originally posted by Leathaface:

I think it would be ridiculous to say the Lakers aren't better with the moves they've made but I also think the loss of Howard/McGee is going to be felt. The Lakers interior defense during the regular season was so stout because they had so many good defensive big men to alter/change shots. These guys also brought energy and life to the team when they were in. Bringing in an aging/slow Gasol isn't an upgrade in my opinion. The addition of Harrell should hopefully mitigate some of that loss I'm guessing.

McGee and Howard didn't even play during the finals. Gasol and Harell will most definitely be part of the rotation deep into the year. Who cares about the reg season. We're not the Grizzlies.

Originally posted by DynastyChile:

Originally posted by Leathaface:

I think it would be ridiculous to say the Lakers aren't better with the moves they've made but I also think the loss of Howard/McGee is going to be felt. The Lakers interior defense during the regular season was so stout because they had so many good defensive big men to alter/change shots. These guys also brought energy and life to the team when they were in. Bringing in an aging/slow Gasol isn't an upgrade in my opinion. The addition of Harrell should hopefully mitigate some of that loss I'm guessing.

McGee and Howard didn't even play during the finals. Gasol and Harell will most definitely be part of the rotation deep into the year. Who cares about the reg season. We're not the Grizzlies.

Reg season matters to keep guys fresh. Having guys like McGee or Howard, who play with so much energy, helps the the play on the court and in the locker room. 72 games is still a lot. Gotta keep guys invested but also healthy.

High energy guys are always a good thing, especially during the regular season.

Im sure we will sign another C at some point during the year, or trade for one. You can't just play Gasol at C for 72 games. And Harrell cant fill that C role, or Morris. We need another McGee type C for the regular season at least

McGee played like 16 mins a game. Gasol can definitely handle that.

And Trez can easily handle the energy off the bench position that Howard did. The difference is both gasol and Harrell can score/shoot, which is something that Dwight and McGee couldn't do which is why they didn't play deep in playoffs. I think we got better, not worse up front. But we'll see.

Originally posted by DynastyChile:

McGee played like 16 mins a game. Gasol can definitely handle that.

And Trez can easily handle the energy off the bench position that Howard did. The difference is both gasol and Harrell can score/shoot, which is something that Dwight and McGee couldn't do which is why they didn't play deep in playoffs. I think we got better, not worse up front. But we'll see.

You're looking at this as just a playoff type scenario. I want to keep Gasol, Harrell, Davis, Morris, all fresh and healthy for the playoffs.

Playoffs is obviously the big picture. But how you get there also matters. The less wear and tear those guys have during the regular season, the better. Like you said, regular season doesn't matter. Another big would only help. He doesnt need to be a playoff guy, just another reg season body.

Originally posted by TheGore49er:

Originally posted by DynastyChile:

McGee played like 16 mins a game. Gasol can definitely handle that.

And Trez can easily handle the energy off the bench position that Howard did. The difference is both gasol and Harrell can score/shoot, which is something that Dwight and McGee couldn't do which is why they didn't play deep in playoffs. I think we got better, not worse up front. But we'll see.

You're looking at this as just a playoff type scenario. I want to keep Gasol, Harrell, Davis, Morris, all fresh and healthy for the playoffs.

Playoffs is obviously the big picture. But how you get there also matters. The less wear and tear those guys have during the regular season, the better. Like you said, regular season doesn't matter. Another big would only help. He doesnt need to be a playoff guy, just another reg season body.

Ya good point. Hopefully one of the younger guys like cacok can step up. Not sure what left out there in free agency.

Originally posted by DynastyChile:

Originally posted by TheGore49er:

Originally posted by DynastyChile:

McGee played like 16 mins a game. Gasol can definitely handle that.

And Trez can easily handle the energy off the bench position that Howard did. The difference is both gasol and Harrell can score/shoot, which is something that Dwight and McGee couldn't do which is why they didn't play deep in playoffs. I think we got better, not worse up front. But we'll see.

You're looking at this as just a playoff type scenario. I want to keep Gasol, Harrell, Davis, Morris, all fresh and healthy for the playoffs.

Playoffs is obviously the big picture. But how you get there also matters. The less wear and tear those guys have during the regular season, the better. Like you said, regular season doesn't matter. Another big would only help. He doesnt need to be a playoff guy, just another reg season body.

Ya good point. Hopefully one of the younger guys like cacok can step up. Not sure what left out there in free agency.

Ya Cacok can be a dark horse going into the season. And Giannis's brother. We better have kept him. Especially since Giannis might not sign with the Bucks.

We gotta sign him next year so we can listen to those tears flow like a raging river.

Damn, that was deep.

2 year extension for Bron!!!!

Originally posted by TheGore49er:

2 year extension for Bron!!!!

I wonder if this is going to line up with AD's contract.

Signed just long enough to leave and sign with which team Bronny gets drafted by. Lebrons farewell tour playing with his son in his rookie year