Lakers

[84Cat]

I'm speechless. Now the Lakers have someone to build on for the future. Luka is only 25. They've been playing pretty good lately too

[dovecanyoncat]

Lakers looked good tonight. Wonder how LBJ feels about being kept in the dark.

[EastCoastCat]

Wow, nobody saw that coming. Loved AD but this was totally about the transition once LeBron is done (although from his performance last night it looks like he could play at least 5 more years).

Dallas with some interesting comments about the reason for the trade - you win with defense, concerns about Luca’s commitment to staying in shape. One thing nobody is mentioning is AD is ALWAYS injured - he’s sort of fragile especially his feet and lower legs.

Short term this looks to be a better move for the Mavs, but now the Lakers will have a MVP type player to build around. LA though is now in need of a big man that’s for sure so they might not be done.

[CatsbyAZ]

^^^This.

My first reaction was - what are the Mavs thinking?!?!

LA loses Davis for a superstar, but not just in the immediacy. At 25, Luka Doncic gives the Lakers identity and direction post-Lebron.

[TheCat]

This is only good for the Laker's if they can resign him.

[Alieberman]

I hope this fucks both franchises

[dovecanyoncat]

Let the bending of the truth begin:

Lakers Trade Pitch Lands LeBron James, Bronny James With Warriors

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/ ... 1407&ei=18

[Chicat]

I know speculation is fun but why exactly would Golden State do that?

[EastCoastCat]

I’m still in shock. But the weird thing is we can’t watch both these players with their new teams because of injuries.

[Merkin]

I know speculation is fun but why exactly would Golden State do that?

Saw a blurb that Curry is talking a lot more about retirement. Play one more year with LeBron. The final year of the LeBron contract (not sure when) is player's choice, so Lakers might not get anything.

Apparently they got along well at the Olympics.

[Merkin]

[JMarkJohns]

Legitimately the most shocked I have ever been in my life was being awake in real time when the news broke.

[Chicat]

Damn, Luka crying his eyes out at this introduction in Dallas.

He wanted to be a Mav for life. I will never understand why they traded him.

[EastCoastCat]

Then he drops 45 on his old team. Nasty.

Luca magic (part 2) going to get us back fighting for ‘ships!

[JMarkJohns]

Damn, Luka crying his eyes out at this introduction in Dallas.

He wanted to be a Mav for life. I will never understand why they traded him.

I legit got emotional watching him get emotional. Too often we view players through the lens of Transactions. That man wanted to play his entire career for Mavs, is a top-3 player in the League, and just got them to a Finals. I’ve been absolutely floored and crushed by outward decisions in my own life a few times, but never had reached those levels of accomplishment. No way he ever thought he was going anywhere. Said it at the trade, it was a wholly complete betrayal.

[dovecanyoncat]

Lakers getting waxed by the Wolves right now.

[EastCoastCat]

That was unimpressive to say the least.

[JMarkJohns]

Series are different. They are a title fight. Each game a round. Time enough for momentum to be halted, reversed, halted and revered again. Lakers have plenty of talent to make this interesting, but I will say this is a bad matchup for them. From
Big Men of Minnesota to length and athleticism on D of Minnesota to multiple positional facilitators of Minnesota, they can attack LA in ways LA can’t really remedy.

So they will need to catch fire and push tempo and outscore them.

[EastCoastCat]

How about starting with not leaving them wide open three’s?

The rebounding is worrying me.

[JMarkJohns]

How about starting with not leaving them wide open three’s?

The rebounding is worrying me.

Here is the thing, Gobert, Randle, Reid can all score on the block in various ways on solo coverage so Lakers gotta double so there’s gonna be lots of 3s unless they go straight up and let Minnesota bigs feast. Maybe that’s a strategy. But that also empowers rebounding, and Minnesota will dominate the boards.

[EastCoastCat]

Ugly, chippy game but a much needed win by the Lakeshow.

Much better defense but the offense is still struggling. Luka is amazing but too many sets with him trying to embarrass Gobert. Reaves and Rui need to step up more.

[Chicat]

But he’s really really good at embarrassing Gobert. Feels like Rudy said something about Luka’s mom or something.

[EastCoastCat]

But he’s really really good at embarrassing Gobert. Feels like Rudy said something about Luka’s mom or something.

He was also pointing at the Timberwolves bench. Didn't realize how much shit Luka likes to dole out during games. Always bitching at the refs too.

[dovecanyoncat]

LBJ is somethin' at 40.

[EastCoastCat]

Somebody poisoned Luka’s Carniolan Sausage.

(Yeah, had to look up Slovenian dishes)

[Chicat]

Somebody poisoned Luka’s Carniolan Sausage.

(Yeah, had to look up Slovenian dishes)

+3 rep

[dovecanyoncat]

Luka is just amazing: crafty, productive, omni-perceptive. But with the ball on his planet, he's like Gargantua, he swallows time.

[84Cat]

It's going to be near impossible to win 3 straight. Work hard all season to get a 3 seed and still can't win a series

[JMarkJohns]

It's going to be near impossible to win 3 straight. Work hard all season to get a 3 seed and still can't win a series

It’s an incredibly flawed roster construction. Reminds me of a slightly better version of what the recent Suns tried with Booker/Durant/Beal but no real depth, no big men of worth, and no actual point guards. LeBron/Luka/Reaves are 18-15. The Pre-Luka lakers were 32-20.

Not sure who they can get for Reaves, but they need a bench guard and an athletic statting C. They have Reaves, Knecht, 1st. Not sure that is enough for all they need.

[UAEebs86]

Did Reddick really not substitute the entire 2nd half?

Bold strategy Cotton.

[84Cat]

Did Reddick really not substitute the entire 2nd half?

Bold strategy Cotton.

LBJ & Luka played 46 minutes each yesterday. Pretty crazy

[JMarkJohns]

On short rest. They were the late game Friday and mid-day game Sunday. Luka was coming off food poisoning previous game.

Very curious.

[dovecanyoncat]

Lakers dying on the boards.

[84Cat]

Lakers dying on the boards.

46 to 33. This game shouldnt be this close

[UAEebs86]

Peace out Lake Show

[dovecanyoncat]

That last O board on Randle's FT was embllematic of the game.

[84Cat]

They knew they needed a center after AD left but waited too long to get anyone that was any good. Killed their season in the end

[JMarkJohns]

Bad rosters are generally bad. Post Luka they are now 18-16, which is worse than the Suns under Vogel and Timberwolves swept their ass, so, at least they stole a win and were competitive in another couple.

Reaves is done. He’s their only real asset. He’s gotta bring in an athletic Center. Ironically I think both Lakers and Mavs would benefit from a Gafford/Naji for Reaves/filler, but I doubt it happens.

Athletic bigs don’t just grow on trees.

Reaves/Knecht for Wendell Carter Jr/Anthony Black? That is interesting for both.