2019-20 WORLD CHAMPION Los Angeles Lakers Thread

Originally posted by 4ML:

I'm okay with Noah or Dwight. Noah is a better fit but Dwight is a better player (considering both are healthy).

I feel like Dwight hasn't matured so I'd rather have Noah. Plus the rumors that lots of people around the league want nothing to do with Howard is worrying. Don't want that energy.

Originally posted by 1251alex:

Originally posted by 4ML:
I'm okay with Noah or Dwight. Noah is a better fit but Dwight is a better player (considering both are healthy).

I feel like Dwight hasn't matured so I'd rather have Noah. Plus the rumors that lots of people around the league want nothing to do with Howard is worrying. Don't want that energy.

Honestly, I don't pay much attention to what ppl in the league say. They have their biases and motives. I think Lakers should bring both of them in (last I read that they plan to do that) - and speak to them and find out what these guys are looking for. If Dwight is willing to do the dirty work and not demand minutes or the ball - then I feel Dwight is a better player. I think Noah is a better fit because he provides something different from McGee (passing and relentlessness and goes all out on every play). Dwight brings similar skill sets to JaVale offensively. Dwight is a better defender easily even today.

I personally think that there are too many small guards on the team and Lakers should just cut Troy Daniels and sign both Dwight and Noah. Both are injury prone and JaVale has his health issues. Between the 3 of them - Lakers should be able to consistently get 38-40 minutes (while AD plays rest of the remaining few minutes at Center).

Originally posted by TheGore49er:
AD needs to stop with i aint a 5 bs and play the 5.

AD has mostly played at Center last couple years...and I'm sure he will play the 5 when other teams go small. I don't think it's a good idea to have him play Center full time during the regular season. In playoffs - if Lakers are playing against a team without a big center, then I do think AD should and will play big minutes at Center.

Originally posted by 4ML:

Honestly, I don't pay much attention to what ppl in the league say. They have their biases and motives. I think Lakers should bring both of them in (last I read that they plan to do that) - and speak to them and find out what these guys are looking for. If Dwight is willing to do the dirty work and not demand minutes or the ball - then I feel Dwight is a better player. I think Noah is a better fit because he provides something different from McGee (passing and relentlessness and goes all out on every play). Dwight brings similar skill sets to JaVale offensively. Dwight is a better defender easily even today.

Are you kidding me? Every team esp recently has the exact same reaction to Dwight : trade him for anything ASAP or just cut your loses even if its against cap just to rid yourselves of the cancer. Same reaction : locker room is tired of his act and are better off without him. You are gonna pull the "I dont pay much attention to what ppl in league say"? I would start, esp when those ppl are players of like 5 different teams

Originally posted by DynastyChile:

Originally posted by 4ML:

Honestly, I don't pay much attention to what ppl in the league say. They have their biases and motives. I think Lakers should bring both of them in (last I read that they plan to do that) - and speak to them and find out what these guys are looking for. If Dwight is willing to do the dirty work and not demand minutes or the ball - then I feel Dwight is a better player. I think Noah is a better fit because he provides something different from McGee (passing and relentlessness and goes all out on every play). Dwight brings similar skill sets to JaVale offensively. Dwight is a better defender easily even today.

Are you kidding me? Every team esp recently has the exact same reaction to Dwight : trade him for anything ASAP or just cut your loses even if its against cap just to rid yourselves of the cancer. Same reaction : locker room is tired of his act and are better off without him. You are gonna pull the "I dont pay much attention to what ppl in league say"? I would start, esp when those ppl are players of like 5 different teams

So, neither Hornets or Washington traded him ASAP or cut him. In fact, Hornets played him big minutes. And, it's not like Hornets or Wizards are known for making great decisions - so who cares?

Yes, Dwight needs to be managed and neither locker had a player of caliber of Lebron or AD to keep him in line. And, he wasn't on a minimum contract either where he can actually be cut at any point without much thought from the team.

...and yes, I don't pay much attn to what others in the league have to say - especially when it is reported by media rather than direct quotes with names attached to them. Most of them want to see Lakers fail. We just had a summer where ppl slammed Pelinka for not knowing cap rules and other executives apparently told media that he's not respected. In Feb - media reported that front offices around the league didn't think - BI, Kuzma, Hart, Zubac, and multiple first round picks were enough to get AD and now Lakers overpaid (even though they kept Kuzma) and BI and Lonzo will be stars. And in June - Pels owner Gale Benson will never trade AD to Lakers...so...

I'm sorry - I don't trust things reported in media. Lakers should talk to Dwight directly and see where his heart and mind is at. At this stage - he's the best Lakers can do unless they pull off a trade. They should talk to Noah and others too and decide for themselves who is the best fit rather than believe what others have to say.

Originally posted by 4ML:
So, neither Hornets or Washington traded him ASAP or cut him. In fact, Hornets played him big minutes. And, it's not like Hornets or Wizards are known for making great decisions - so who cares?

Yes, Dwight needs to be managed and neither locker had a player of caliber of Lebron or AD to keep him in line. And, he wasn't on a minimum contract either where he can actually be cut at any point without much thought from the team.

...and yes, I don't pay much attn to what others in the league have to say - especially when it is reported by media rather than direct quotes with names attached to them. Most of them want to see Lakers fail. We just had a summer where ppl slammed Pelinka for not knowing cap rules and other executives apparently told media that he's not respected. In Feb - media reported that front offices around the league didn't think - BI, Kuzma, Hart, Zubac, and multiple first round picks were enough to get AD and now Lakers overpaid (even though they kept Kuzma) and BI and Lonzo will be stars. And in June - Pels owner Gale Benson will never trade AD to Lakers...so...

I'm sorry - I don't trust things reported in media. Lakers should talk to Dwight directly and see where his heart and mind is at. At this stage - he's the best Lakers can do unless they pull off a trade. They should talk to Noah and others too and decide for themselves who is the best fit rather than believe what others have to say.

So because unnamed sources try and grab headlines for the biggest franchise during slow news cycles, you put zero stock into what teams and beat reporters with real insider info have said about a now journeyman Dwight howard? I don't know how you conflate the two, they are even close to the same.

I am aware this was years before you even knew the lakers existed, but I read stories about Dwight constantly during his brief stint here. They were brutal. Stories about team trips, his behavior in the locker room – he is a child.

So the Hawks, after signing him to a huge contract in a city where free agents don't go, traded him after 1 season? Neither the hornets or the Wizards? The Hornets traded him exactly a year later after playing him big minutes..I'd consider that ASAP no?
I am sorry, the wizards did trade him, but it wasn't in a year so I guess you could say that isn't IMMEDIATELY. and now he is a free agent telling teams (ala the lakers) he wants another chance…

The guy has been on 6 teams since 2012 – that's considered a journeyman, at best. He's a scrub. I'd possibly take him on a minimum contract and put him in a bubble.

Back to more relevant things -

https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1164568661924950016?s=20 - Kuzmas new form on display vs Australia. First thing I thought - his high slow release kind of reminds me of Rasheed a bit. And the more I watched it, with the toe tap and balance, reminds me of Big Shot Bob! Either way, absolutely love what I am seeing.

Originally posted by DynastyChile:

Back to more relevant things -

We see you with that form, @kylekuzma 👀 pic.twitter.com/NmDmnbG5lu

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) August 22, 2019

- Kuzmas new form on display vs Australia. First thing I thought - his high slow release kind of reminds me of Rasheed a bit. And the more I watched it, with the toe tap and balance, reminds me of Big Shot Bob! Either way, absolutely love what I am seeing.

Man, if he can maintain that form and consistency, he's gonna be fire for the Lakers this season.

Originally posted by StOnEy333:

Originally posted by DynastyChile:

Back to more relevant things -

We see you with that form, @kylekuzma 👀 pic.twitter.com/NmDmnbG5lu

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) August 22, 2019

- Kuzmas new form on display vs Australia. First thing I thought - his high slow release kind of reminds me of Rasheed a bit. And the more I watched it, with the toe tap and balance, reminds me of Big Shot Bob! Either way, absolutely love what I am seeing.

Man, if he can maintain that form and consistency, he's gonna be fire for the Lakers this season.

Definitely more relevant. After Cousins injury - Kuz is the X factor for the Lakers. He has to be able to hit 3pt shots at above 35-36% and be a better defender.

Definitely see the high release we have seen this summer from him. Thing that sticks out after that is how balanced he is shooting that shot. Even before catching the ball he's doing little things to get quickly squared...and making sure legs are not too close or too far.

Like the jump stops too...and no hesitation.

Shot looks good. Everything in good rhythm, not super complicated and looks repeatable.

He had a good rookie year and the media expected an even better 2nd year. Since he didnt live up the "hype" hes been an afterthought this offseason. Hes about to make some noise this year, cant wait.

Yes, it's Australia...but Kuz played pretty good D.

Yea, good close out. Those are effort plays, and Kuzma always has shown great effort. My problem with him is his understanding of leverage and angles. He gets too upright and gets beaten badly on the block (actually perfect example at the 20 second mark in this video above). He got burned, and in the NBA thats 2 points. Frankly on all of those second half on the block D plays he gave up a lot of ground and the guy basically just missed the shot lol. Thats why he is not suited for 5s or even big 4s. Al Horford, Draymond are not tall at all and are ELITE defenders bc they understand leverage. Kuz also might just need to mature his body and hit the weight room as well. I never expected Kuzma to be an elite defender, but he needs to grow this part of his game if he wants to become anything more than a good NBA role player.

Dwight to the Lakers.