2021 NBA Offseason Thread

[LeeBuckeye]

That Lakers team will get headlines, but they don't run on Bron, they run on AD. And AD isn't something to be confident in running on.

I think what people are missing here isn't the "fit" with Russ but simply surviving the regular season. The Lakers dropped from the #2 seed to almost out of the playoffs without their two guys (who probably came back earlier than they wanted).

People thinking less of the Lakers because they lost KCP, Caruso and Kuzma is pretty funny when most had them as the only team capable of competitng with the Nets because of LeBron and AD alone. AD didn't play well and was hurt all last season, while he was all time efficient in the bubble and was their most important player in their title run. It's all about AD being healthy and LeBron avoiding setbacks or having enough recovery time which is why the Russ move is actually brilliant IMHO.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

I think what people are missing here isn't the "fit" with Russ but simply surviving the regular season. The Lakers dropped from the #2 seed to almost out of the playoffs without their two guys (who probably came back earlier than they wanted).

People thinking less of the Lakers because they lost KCP, Caruso and Kuzma is pretty funny when most had them as the only team capable of competitng with the Nets because of LeBron and AD alone. AD didn't play well and was hurt all last season, while he was all time efficient in the bubble and was their most important player in their title run. It's all about AD being healthy and LeBron avoiding setbacks or having enough recovery time which is why the Russ move is actually brilliant IMHO.

If the Lakers' primary goal was to avoid the rather small possibility they'd miss the playoffs, then this was a smart move. If their goal was to go as far as possible in the playoffs it was a dumb move.

 

[ryanf]

If the Lakers' primary goal was to avoid the rather small possibility they'd miss the playoffs, then this was a smart move. If their goal was to go as far as possible in the playoffs it was a dumb move.

I think they hope AD and LBJ will be 100% in the playoffs and ride them hard once they get there

 

[bigfoot5415]

 

[kriegs]

How can I watch the Summer League this season?

Cleveland Cavaliers Summer League schedule and dates​

Date and Time	Match	TV
Sunday, 8/8/21, 8:00 PM ET	Cleveland Cavaliers vs Houston Rockets	ESPN2
Wednesday, 8/11/21, 6:00 PM ET	Cleveland Cavaliers vs Orlando Magic	ESPN2
Friday, 8/13/21, 6:00 PM ET	Cleveland Cavaliers vs New Orleans Pelicans	NBA TV
Wednesday, 8/14/21, 8:00 PM ET	Cleveland Cavaliers vs New York Knicks	ESPN2

 

[LeeBuckeye]

If the Lakers' primary goal was to avoid the rather small possibility they'd miss the playoffs, then this was a smart move. If their goal was to go as far as possible in the playoffs it was a dumb move.

They believe a healthy AD/Bron is enough to win and lessening the load with the regular season all-time great in Russ will help achieve that. I don't think they will win but it's not a bad bet. The alternative would've been for Schroeder to accept the 4 year $84m deal he declined (yikes).

 

[Lee]

If the Lakers' primary goal was to avoid the rather small possibility they'd miss the playoffs, then this was a smart move. If their goal was to go as far as possible in the playoffs it was a dumb move.

Honestly I think those rooting against the Lakers will be disappointed. Its not a great fit, but Westbrook is very Wade like and Lebron will figure a way to make it work,. Westbrook's defense will help, and the old bunch they just signed up are going to fit better than we would hope.

Things are just different for Lebron and the Lakers, put the 2 together and the rules are completely different. Lakers are serious title contenders, load management and health are the only major concerns.

They even got some younger players to take a ton less to play there, not sure if Lebron is handing them bags of cash or endorsement deals or they just really want to play with Lebron and ring chase in their mid 20's.

 

[LeeBuckeye]

3pt shooting acquired

Malik Monk - 40.1% on 5.0 attempts [ 23 years old ]
Kendrick Nunn - 38.1% on 5.7 attempts [ 26 years old + was better than Herro ]
Wayne Ellington - 42.2% on 6.0 attempts
Carmelo Anthony - 40.9% on 4.7 attempts
Trevor Ariza - 35.0% on 4.8 attempts
Kent Bazemore - 40.8% on 2.7 attempts

Howard has been pretty good during his 2nd act as an energy big as a replaces a lethargic and often disengaged Drummond, who's willing to punch and elbow his teammates to get rebounds because priorities. I think they're good enough to come out of the West but they're losing to the Nets.

 

[Lee]

3pt shooting acquired

Malik Monk - 40.1% on 5.0 attempts [ 23 years old ]
Kendrick Nunn - 38.1% on 5.7 attempts [ 26 years old + was better than Herro ]
Wayne Ellington - 42.2% on 6.0 attempts
Carmelo Anthony - 40.9% on 4.7 attempts
Trevor Ariza - 35.0% on 4.8 attempts
Kent Bazemore - 40.8% on 2.7 attempts

Howard has been pretty good during his 2nd act as an energy big as a replaces a lethargic and often disengaged Drummond, who's willing to punch and elbow his teammates to get rebounds because priorities. I think they're good enough to come out of the West but they're losing to the Nets.

Only 1 of the big 3 in NJ can defend and Durant is only ok, all 3 of Lakers big 3 can defend including a DPOY type in AD...Lebron only defends in playoffs, but that is all they need.

The Monk and Nunn additions is a bit disheartening because they will both be very good for the Lakers. Ariza and Bazemore are also good, Ellington can shoot, but does he defend anymore and I always hated Melo's game.

Just the 6 above along with Howard coming back as a defensive big off the bench seems better than most want to admit yet. They will sign a few more too.

 

[Steve_424]

Exactly. There is no team where if their clear cut best two players are out, they are going to be fine.

The point was more that if those two stay healthy (big if) they're absolutely a championship contender. That's not true of every team's top two.

 

[MirORich]

The point was more that if those two stay healthy (big if) they're absolutely a championship contender. That's not true of every team's top two.

Oh I agree.

I saw a lot of people compare this rendition of the Lakers to the Cavs 2017-2018 roster but regardless of how many new pieces there are, the biggest difference between the 2021-2022 Lakers and the 2017-2018 Cavs is that AD and Russ are far superior to whoever the Cavs 2nd and 3rd best players were that year.

So yeah, IF they manage to maintain full health throughout the second half of the year and the playoffs, then I absolutely see them as one of a few favorites in the West.

 

[Cavatt]

Looks like a team that can compete, but that Lebron will leave in one year.

 

[Randolphkeys]

Paschall reunited with Donovan Mitchell for half a doughnut.

 

[cavsfever]

Amazing the Lakers were able to get Nunn and Monk at a discount, definitely helps with shooting. Caruso and Kuzma are big defensive losses though

just remain skeptical about Westbrook. He really does not have an adaptable game and tends to put a ceiling on the offensive efficiency of teams he is on.

 

[Ohioplayer00]

3pt shooting acquired

Malik Monk - 40.1% on 5.0 attempts [ 23 years old ]
Kendrick Nunn - 38.1% on 5.7 attempts [ 26 years old + was better than Herro ]
Wayne Ellington - 42.2% on 6.0 attempts
Carmelo Anthony - 40.9% on 4.7 attempts
Trevor Ariza - 35.0% on 4.8 attempts
Kent Bazemore - 40.8% on 2.7 attempts

Howard has been pretty good during his 2nd act as an energy big as a replaces a lethargic and often disengaged Drummond, who's willing to punch and elbow his teammates to get rebounds because priorities. I think they're good enough to come out of the West but they're losing to the Nets.

Great shooting stats but with the exception of Ariza the rest are revolving doors on defense