re: 2021 Lakers Thread

Would be nice if they tanked the game against the Wizards for us.

The Wizards likely won't be favored in another game. They are the ones I'm most worried about staying ahead of the Lakers. I feel better about both the Spurs and the Knicks.

quote:

---

Brian Windhorst, who has covered James since his high school days in Akron, Ohio, had some harsh commentary while on ESPN’s “Get Up” about how the four-time MVP seems to end his stints with each team he plays for.

quote:

---

“LeBron’s career operates in four-year increments. He wears his team out. I call it organizational fatigue,” Windhorst said. “It happened the first time in Cleveland. They ran out of draft picks, they had a bunch of guys in their mid-30s. Shaq close to the finish line, Antawn Jamison.

“He goes to Miami, four years, great run, they run out of draft picks. In his last game, three guys retired after the game. He goes to Cleveland, four years, great run. They run out of draft picks. They got old guys. Here we are in L.A., fourth year. The oldest team we’ve seen in NBA history, they’re out of draft picks, they’re exhausted.”

---

...But according to Windhorst, Lakers fans need not worry about James hightailing it out of Southern California.

quote:

---

“I don’t think he wants to move. He wants to have his cake and eat it, too,” said Windhorst.

---

---

LINK

I hope he stays until our draft swaps are done. He is on the Kobe trajectory now. Will run the franchise and dominate the team, putting up huge scoring numbers in losing seasons. He needs to sign a Westbrook / Wall type contract so when he finally breaks down, the Lakers are fricked.

This is what we need but I don’t think it is what we get.

What is more likely to happen is that he bolts while they bottom out with Westbrick and Street Clothes on the roster while not controlling their picks.


They are in shite shape right now and it ain’t getting any better because no one wants Westbrick, Davis is worth a fraction of what they paid for him, and all their other assets aren’t significant due to trading off their near term picks and guys like THT not being good enough.

quote:

---

Knicks still play Orlando. Should be a win.

---

Should be, but Orlando has actually been a tough out lately, same with Detroit.
You get towards the end of the season and these teams that are tanking start playing better b/c they have so many guys out there busting their arse trying to impress someone to make a team next year. Hustle like that keeps you in games, and if a few timely shots fall, you might lose to a team you should have no business losing to.


The Knicks are 3 games up over the Lakers, they aren't falling below them.
The Wizards will be fortunate to win 1 more game this year. They play 5 playoff teams who are still needing to win and NYK. I think if they win one more they'll be ok, but we absolutely have to beat the Lakers.

The Spurs are about to be tied with them and probably have 3 more wins in them.


I can't see the Lakers winning more than 3 games at the most to close the season out, and as we all know, it's critical we beat them.

LeFranchiseKiller has a timing issue though...
he's got one more year on his contract with the lakers, but his son isnt draft eligible for two more years

putting aside the galactic hubris of the idea that he will just be welcomed by any team stupid enough to draft his son, he would have to sign a one-year deal after 2023 season "somewhere"...the only team that would do that (if they even would) would be the lakers

he's gonna have some come to jesus issues soon, i belive

I could see LeBron leaving the Lakers and going to the Knicks. You know he won't go to a small market, and the Warriors and Clippers don't need him. Doubt he goes back to Miami, and Chicago is fine without him. The Knicks would be the only team stupid enough to get him.

Worth keeping in mind:

- Zach Lavine has not committed himself to Chicago

- Chicago has struggled down the stretch and looks to have another less than stellar finish

- Zach dropped his agent recently and signed with Klutch

- Zach is a UFA

- If Zach is unwilling to recommit to Chicago, Chicago's best bet may be to try and facilitate an AD for Lavine swap that allows all party's(except beta bitch AD who will no doubt cry that his dom is breaking up with him) can argue helped the respective teams build more balanced rosters.


Put the odds low, and still dont think that makes the Lakers true contenders, but they would be better due to street clothes not missing half a season

if we are discussing probable outcomes, a lavine for AD sign/trade is pretty far down the list. if chicago wants to trade for davis they can make a good offer without lavine.

much more likely that CHI offers lavine the 5 year max, with a 5th yr player option, and lavine signs that in about 3 nanoseconds