LAKERS OFFSEASON UNDERRATED? Plus, LeBron’s Next Milestone (and a crazy Kareem record)!
The Lakers are in an interesting spot. On the one hand, they were dumped rather unceremoniously from the playoffs by the Timberwolves last spring. The perception, at least in some circles, is that they didn’t make any big swings in the offseason. Nothing glamorous, managing only to acquire a couple of distressed assets (Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart) while a big piece (Dorian Finney-Smith) went to Houston.
On the other hand, while the new guys might not be All Stars, even with some of the shine off their proverbial apples, those two still fill critical holes the Lakers played with in the postseason, and represent significant upgrades.
Meanwhile, they have a top five guy in Luka Dončić and a top 10 guy in LeBron James.
And they won 50 games last year, finishing as a three-seed in a brutally competitive Western Conference.
So are they paying a “Lakers Tax” when it comes to perception? Both of the team’s offseason, and its standing in the West?
And finally, LeBron is up for (yet another) extremely cool milestone this year.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: Are the Lakers being overrated or underrated?
SEGMENT 2: Let’s be fair to Deandre Ayton
SEGMENT 3: LeBron and Kareem records.
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29 Comments
That 2pt FG record is a thing that makes no sense. You cannot even try to exclude 3pt FG when each 3pt FG actually contains a 2pt FG. 😏 So every 3pt FG is by default a 2pt FG as well. Hence you just go for the FG record. 😏👋
Definitely underrated in my opinion…But they do need to make one more move to guarantee the finals. Maybe,Holiday if he's bought out.🤷
No one believes this roster can win a championship.. not enough defense.. LeBron doesn't seem excited either 🤷♂️
Every journalist who hates the lakers for Klicks forgets that Marcus smart is one year younger than DFS ! He dishes more assists and can lead a team and he is still a great defender ! We got ayton and Laravia for DFS ! I would do that 10/10 times ! Luka fit 💪 Kleber and vando injury free offseason ! AR and Rui in contract years ! LeBron wants to win a ring ! Adou Thiero great athlete and DK will knock down the three ball and we still can trade at the deadline ! The lakers will be great this season when injury free ! But this counts for every NBA team ! Offseason at least B plus when not A Minus 🎉
Go Lakers
upgraded Center √ added bench scoring √ added a pesky defender √
the Lakers didn't make Big Moves like other teams this summer ?? Ummm.. Los Angeles snagged Luka Doncic from Dallas … that's a pretty big move
The Lakers had Luka, Lebron, Austin and mediocre players no center and still won 50 games! Luka only played in 28 games as a Laker. Now we still have Luka, Lebron, Austin and a young athletic center, defensive juggernaut Marcus Smart, better shooters, much better athletes if were healthy at the minimum were in the Wcf
Perspective-
We were only 3rd last year because of tie-breakers. We could win the same amount of games this year and finish 7 8 or 9 and easily be the team that "fell off the most in the west" this year.
We could actually be better, win more games against the bad teams than we did last year but lose a few more games against the good teams, many who have improved more than us, and on tie-breakers alone be the biggest faller
I still feel we are a Wiggins and a dark horse away from a championship…
Luka, Smart, Wiggins, Bron, Ayton. With Austin as 6th man of the year screams championship. Vando and Adou off the bench with intensity. JJ needs to work his ass off and toughen up for real instead playing tough…
I remember the game Kareem made that corner three. He was really excited running down the floor after that make.
The Lakers, The Yankees and The Cowboys have that same "Hate them or Love them" phenomenon…. most popular franchises in sports
How is Jake LaRavia adding name power? Haha! Come on man. That is literally an example of the point we’re all making. Don’t get me wrong, Jake is a great young player… but how is he a name acquisition? Most big media members only know him because he’s a laker now.
Ayton is highly skilled center, has been mismanaged, but also has a little attitude problem. This is the time for him to fully redeem himself self. Luka will bring the best in him, and I expect Ayton to be the second best player on the team this season. Same thing for Smart, who seem very happy to be a Laker and very pleased that Luka personally wanted him . The one variable about a championship or bust this season is LeBron. If he chooses to kind of sabotage the team , and try to divert the attention on him with silly stunts, Lakers are going nowhere.
Giving Luka a whole offseason to get to know his team and teammates is the biggest move the Lakers will get this offseason
At least 50,000 nBA players have been able to dunk. Only one had the Sky Hook, the ultimate unstoppable shot
Lakers improved point blank. Now will they be favorites to win? No- because the west is a bloodbath. But their additions were good without really letting go of their few assets. Further a team who make a big change midseason rarely makes any dent. Most recent example is Kyrie moving to Dallas. They have a shot but definitely not favorites but its asanine to place them 20th on the offseason moves
I tried to watch a couple episodes of Locked on NBA & just couldn't do it. There's just so much Lakers hate on that show.
Just here for the David Aldridge and Cap glazing 🤝
Defense is key. Smart and Year 2 of Bronny helps. At least WC Finals.
Hey Andy nobody laughed lebron has more points bozo
Everything Brian said in the first 3.5/4 minutes times 10 with regards to LeBron specifically. The combination of the Lakers and LeBron make the dynamic even more tenuous. For 20+ years LeBron has moved the NBA needle like no one else; the league/analysts have made spectacular revenue/income from his effect on the league, yet many show an obvious disdain for having no to cover him or give him any significant credit.
David Aldridge has always been a Lakers hater.
I'm not asking much from the season, I'd be happy if Ayton shows he is the best player in his draft class. 😀
Im very happy with the moves we've made
Getting a better center was a good deal. The rest was meh.
Marcus smart is great vs ones why do they keep saying 2 and 3
Off season hasn't been slept on. My Lakes are the least athletic team in the West and have no long viable perimeter defenders. Some teams have 3 or 4.
gifted Luka doncic? 😹 the Anthony Davis slander is out of control