2021 NBA Offseason Thread

[cavsfever]

Overreaction take...hard to see a healthy Clippers losing a seven game series to anyone. Such a good combo of length, grit, athleticism. They’re clearly more athletic and well rounded then Lakers without PG even

The Clippers added Kawhi Leonard and Paul George to a playoff team that took two games from last year's Warriors when the Dubs had a fully operational Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson. The Clippers lost nobody important from that team. I don't see why they haven't always been a prohibitive favorite to win the title. I should have put some money down. Arguably last year's Clippers *before* adding Kawhi and PGIII were at least as good as the Raptors *with* Kawhi since I don't see the Raptors winning more than two games (at most) against a fully healthy Warriors team. People are sleeping on the Clippers juggernaut potential.

They are also overestimating the Lakers. I said multiple times here that the Lakers won't make the WCF and I still believe that. Lebron and AD are a great duo so they will show a lot of flashes but they are too old and lack depth. Lebron would need to be at peak to carry them and he's just not any more. He needs to get a lot of rest during the season because he will need his superman cape in the post season for sure.

 

[Alec]

It was really time for LeBron to make the transition to full time PF given his gas tank. Instead he’s still playing perimeter offense. His play on offense suffered late because he was gassed playing defense. In a perfect world, LeBron is a PF, Davis is a versatile center but he refuses to play center. LeBron can run offense from down low with his incredible vision. And bully/out quick guys depending on the matchup. This would require good shooters around him and someone who can handle the ball + shoot at PG. by the way, LeBron is HUGE right now.

It’s an imperfect roster currently with pieces that don’t seem to fit. Someone mentioned it earlier, but production needs to come easier. Davis was getting killed and fighting for every single point. There were few easy baskets after the 1st quarter.

 

[cavsfever]

The expectation level means this could be an ugly season for the Lakers. Remember that AD can leave next year if he decides he's not having fun,

+1 that Lebron needs to be a full time point power forward, but AD doesn't seem to want to play center.

 

[Alec]

The expectation level means this could be an ugly season for the Lakers. Remember that AD can leave next year if he decides he's not having fun,

+1 that Lebron needs to be a full time point power forward, but AD doesn't seem to want to playcenter.

Agree on all counts. LeBron wasn’t able to finish Around the hoop which for me made his inefficient fuck you three pointers seem particularly bad.

In that conference, the Lakers are one injury away from missing the playoffs. They aren’t going to play hard in the season. I’m expecting a 6-8 seed.

 

[ACisKING]

I think the Lakers are a flawed team but they are better than they looked last night. The Clippers are hands down the best team in the NBA. Their combination of perimeter defense and unstoppable wing scoring reminds me of the 90s Chicago Bulls. They are going to make a lot of teams look bad this year.

 

[InBoobieWeTrust]

The Lakers getting a big fat 0 from KCP is hilarious. Man that guy has straight stolen a lot of money just because he picked Klutch as his representation at the right time when they needed an inside guy in L.A. so Rich and Magic could openly tamper during Bron's last season here,

 

[pinoycavsfan]

I think Rondo will help the Lakers a lot. Rondo/Bradley/Green/LBJ/Davis is a great line up as long as LBJ allows Rondo to handle the ball. LBJ is not as fast as he was but still strong and can be a very effective PF in the league.

 

[Derek]

I think Rondo will help the Lakers a lot. Rondo/Bradley/Green/LBJ/Davis is a great line up as long as LBJ allows Rondo to handle the ball. LBJ is not as fast as he was but still strong and can be a very effective PF in the league.

Rondo still has the occasional highlight-filled game in him, but he's pretty washed at this point. He was brutal to watch last season.

 

[pinoycavsfan]

Rondo still has the occasional highlight-filled game in him, but he's pretty washed at this point. He was brutal to watch last season.

I feel the lakers is one decent point guard away from really maximizing LBJ and AD. Rondo is not that great anymore, but he's all they got. Beggars cant be choosers.

 

[Sir'Dom Pointer]

Rondo can only help by leading the bench. Him and LEbron should not share the floor unless Lebron decides to play off the ball.

Lakers need a PG that can break down the defense.

 

[cavsfever]

After Pelicans heisted them in the AD trade the Lakers have zero resources to get anyone else. Unless they want to trade Kuzma for a PG or something.

Interesting that Griffin at the Pelicans and Ty Lue at the Clippers are both having a little hand in ruining the end of LBJ's career, they must enjoy it.

 

[Derek]

After Pelicans heisted them in the AD trade the Lakers have zero resources to get anyone else. Unless they want to trade Kuzma for a PG or something.

Interesting that Griffin at the Pelicans and Ty Lue at the Clippers are both having a little hand in ruining the end of LBJ's career, they must enjoy it.

The list of PG's they could get for Kuzma is pretty underwhelming.

 

[InBoobieWeTrust]

Rondo still has the occasional highlight-filled game in him, but he's pretty washed at this point. He was brutal to watch last season.

The Lakers tended to get absolutely blown off the floor with LeBron and Rondo sharing the court, so I'm not sure he's any help for them at all. LeBron needs a guard that can do 2 things: Be a secondary ball handler/creator, and shoot spot up threes. Wade was the exception but he also is one of the greatest off-ball cutters in the history of the league and was a defensive dynamo in the early Heatles years. Rondo isn't very good at any of these things including defense now.

The Lakers need a trade. But they're pretty much out of assets.

Also, LeBron is quite clearly unable to muster enough effort/energy to be effective defensively on a regular basis anymore. I will watch closely to see if that ends up causing any frustraton between him and Davis. I'm not sure AD will be okay with the LeBron rolling his eyes/pointing at everyone else when it was clearly his fault the entire play broke down.

I do think maybe they could muster an effective 2nd unit with a Rondo/AD/Danny Green trio. Throw Kuzma in there for some effective 2nd option scoring from the outside. Rondo and AD have some history of effective play together. But Rondo and LeBron mix like oil and water.

 

[cavsfever]

Maybe Alex Caruso will learn how to be a creator and break down the defense lol.

 

[Sir'Dom Pointer]

Maybe Alex Caruso will learn how to be a creator and break down the defense lol.

Alex Carossyo ass.