2018-19 NBA Thread

Yup. And in addition to the season and post-season, throw in a couple of trips to the Olympics as well.

There is no way the Lakers signed LBJ while thinking they'd continue the building process they started with hiring Walton, that's for sure. Unless Magic is that naive.

 

There's no way to judge the Lakers fairly until we see who's on the roster at the start of next season.

The LeBron plan was always to get one or preferably two stars to play next to him along with the young guys developing. That was never going to happen this season, which is why most of the roster is on one-year deals. The only real glitch in that plan so far is that the young guys aren't really developing much. Lonzo is better than people want to give him credit for, but the other guys are never going to be star players.

They need to add really good players this off-season. They should be in a position to do it. If they do, the plan worked.

 

I do think, though, that the Lakers expected Lonzo to be better than he has been. Ingram as well. With them being nothing really special, I think it’s hampering LAL’s ability to trade for a star to play with LeBron, which I’d imagine is preferable to biting your nails on June 30.

 

Yeah, it's weird - I don't think the Lakers have had an obvious "bust" draft pick. All of them are average players at the least, including some of the guys they used second round picks on, which are usually throwaway picks. But right now, I don't think any of the guys they've drafted will make an all-star team either.

 

So LeBron came back after missing about 1/4of the season to play the 8th place Clippers. And then promptly sat out a game 2 days later against the 1st place Warriors. There was no reason he couldnt have sat out 1 more game and come back against GS. But it’s better to beat on the weak than struggle against the strong. Jordan never tanked or ducked the Celtics, Lakers,Pacers,...anyone. Bird didn’t, Malone didn’t, Magic didn’t, Kareem didn’t.

Popovich perfected the art of tactical tanking games. Gregg doesnt try and win every game he plays. Only the last game.

LeBron? It’s not tactical tanking, he just didn’t want to play against GS last night. You’d think the 3 rings and 4 MVP trophies would sufficiently stroke his godlike ego. Apparently not.

 

Figured they were going to lose to the Warriors anyway and they could beat the Clippers if he played. Very tactical. Also very lame.

 

Jesus. The guy missed several weeks with a serious groin injury and in his first game back they played him 40 minutes in an overtime game. I'd be impressed if he could even walk the next day.

I'll never understand what it is about LeBron that makes people just completely lose their minds.

 

It's almost as if they've made The Decision to hate him.

 

I keep waiting for someone to create one of those stupid "games" they do on sports talk shows - GOAT , Overrated or Sucks.

 

C'mon. He sat out the biggest game of the week on national TV. It's pretty understandable.

 

Having a bunch of second round NBA draft picks is pretty much like being a billionaire, but in Confederate dollars, isn't it?

 

He's Lebron James playing for the Lakers. I don't think "national TV" is such a thrill that's he's going to play through a sore groin that kept him out for a month.

I don't live in Los Angeles. I've watched at least 20 Laker games this year.