CelticsStrong
Around the League => Around the NBA => Topic started by: perks-a-beast on October 03, 2018, 08:06:32 PM
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as much as i despise the Lakers, i can't wait to se the stunning basketball these two are going to play with each other. Both are dudes who do things on the court that i've never seen anyone else replicate. Although they're in their thirties now (so surreal), i think the Lakers will be a force in the west with these two at the helm.
However, Rondo has been known to coast in the regular season, which may have gotten even worse with age. That lackluster style may not fly with LeBron. A lot of the Lakers success is going to depend on if some of the young guys - Ingram, Ball, Kuzma - can step up to the plate and hit shots when it counts. James certainly doesn't have the 3 point weapons to space the floor that he had in Cleveland which could be an issue. Rondo certainly isn't going to help in the regard.
Overall, how do you see these two playing together.
P.s. i wouldn't be as excited if i thought the Lakers were a legitimate title threat, because LA simply can not tie the celtics all time title record, but i think they'll do well enough to say that this whole experiment won't be a waste.
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Overall, how do you see these two (LeBron and Rondo) playing together?
Based on the very early returns, the ball movement is going to be exquisite. They're making Javale McGee look like an All-Star for crying out loud.
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Overall, how do you see these two (LeBron and Rondo) playing together?
Based on the very early returns, the ball movement is going to be exquisite. They're making Javale McGee look like an All-Star for crying out loud.
I have this small hope that Javale does make it, purely for my amusement.
However, LeBron has been one of the laziest defenders in the league over the last 1-2 years, and Rondo prefers to act like a defensive quarterback almost in telling others what to do, and then gambles to get steals and the like. Could be some defensive problems next to Ingram, who is merely passable, and Ball, who isn’t great either
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Overall, how do you see these two (LeBron and Rondo) playing together?
Based on the very early returns, the ball movement is going to be exquisite. They're making Javale McGee look like an All-Star for crying out loud.
I have this small hope that Javale does make it, purely for my amusement.
However, LeBron has been one of the laziest defenders in the league over the last 1-2 years, and Rondo prefers to act like a defensive quarterback almost in telling others what to do, and then gambles to get steals and the like. Could be some defensive problems next to Ingram, who is merely passable, and Ball, who isn’t great either
Yeah, defense could very well be their undoing. I don't see anyone on that roster that is really an elite defender, and yes, both LeBron and Rondo have become very inconsistent with their effort on that side of the ball.
On another note, I'm very interested to see how the Rondo/Ball story line plays out. I'm kind of hoping it blows up in their face and LaVar goes nuts if/when Lonzo cannot take the starting job from Rondo.
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maybe at first for awhile but eventually... BOOM! :)
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Overall, how do you see these two (LeBron and Rondo) playing together?
Based on the very early returns, the ball movement is going to be exquisite. They're making Javale McGee look like an All-Star for crying out loud.
I have this small hope that Javale does make it, purely for my amusement.
However, LeBron has been one of the laziest defenders in the league over the last 1-2 years, and Rondo prefers to act like a defensive quarterback almost in telling others what to do, and then gambles to get steals and the like. Could be some defensive problems next to Ingram, who is merely passable, and Ball, who isn’t great either
Yeah, defense could very well be their undoing. I don't see anyone on that roster that is really an elite defender, and yes, both LeBron and Rondo have become very inconsistent with their effort on that side of the ball.
On another note, I'm very interested to see how the Rondo/Ball story line plays out. I'm kind of hoping it blows up in their face and LaVar goes nuts if/when Lonzo cannot take the starting job from Rondo.
I would like nothing more than to see LaVar make the LAL locker room implode
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some diva is going to have his feeling hurt
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No
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mediocre regular season....excellent team in the playoffs
I predict 7th or 8th seed in West, and 7 game series loss to Warriors in 1st or 2cnd round...
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LBJ can do a lot with a little. They wont be terrible but they aren't going anywhere in the playoffs. I wouldn't be shocked if they win a round in the playoffs but that's about it. Like, I could see them getting 4/5 seed and winning.
Who knows, they may play hard early and that could help them to a solid seeding because other teams will be trying to get clicking after AS break and pace themselves early.
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mediocre regular season....excellent team in the playoffs
I predict 7th or 8th seed in West, and 7 game series loss to Warriors in 1st or 2cnd round...
I called them an excellent playoff team. I think I was underrating them for the regular season. They are young enough to get the 3rd or 4th seed behind GS and Houston, and possibly Utah.
I think the Lakers are not just better than last year's Cavs, but MUCH better. They are young, deep and talented. Scary. Golden state will need a fully healthy team to beat a healthy Lakers team...
Their only weakness is depth and defense at center...
As great as Houston is, I think the Lakers will have the energy to take them out...
Rondo, Ball, Hart, Stephenson
Ball, Stephenson, Pope, Hart
Ingram, James, Stephenson, Pope
James, Kuzma, Wagner
McGee, Kuzma, James, Wagner, Zubac
Rondo will get a lot of rest in the regular season...then orchestrate with James in the playoffs...
They should trade Pope and Zubac for a better big man to pair with McGee...(does Pope have any value.? was injured?), someone with girth and/or grit who rebounds...
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mediocre regular season....excellent team in the playoffs
I predict 7th or 8th seed in West, and 7 game series loss to Warriors in 1st or 2cnd round...
I called them an excellent playoff team. I think I was underrating them for the regular season. They are young enough to get the 3rd or 4th seed behind GS and Houston, and possibly Utah.
I think the Lakers are not just better than last year's Cavs, but MUCH better. They are young, deep and talented. Scary. Golden state will need a fully healthy team to beat a healthy Lakers team...
Their only weakness is depth and defense at center...
As great as Houston is, I think the Lakers will have the energy to take them out...
Rondo, Ball, Hart, Stephenson
Ball, Stephenson, Pope, Hart
Ingram, James, Stephenson, Pope
James, Kuzma, Wagner
McGee, Kuzma, James, Wagner, Zubac
Rondo will get a lot of rest in the regular season...then orchestrate with James in the playoffs...
They should trade Pope and Zubac for a better big man to pair with McGee...(does Pope have any value.? was injured?), someone with girth and/or grit who rebounds...
I think you’re overlooking their most significant weaknesses IMO, in their lack of shooting and terrible guard defence. I still have them behind Houston, GSW, Utah, and on the same level as SAS and OKC
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mediocre regular season....excellent team in the playoffs
I predict 7th or 8th seed in West, and 7 game series loss to Warriors in 1st or 2cnd round...
I called them an excellent playoff team. I think I was underrating them for the regular season. They are young enough to get the 3rd or 4th seed behind GS and Houston, and possibly Utah.
I think the Lakers are not just better than last year's Cavs, but MUCH better. They are young, deep and talented. Scary. Golden state will need a fully healthy team to beat a healthy Lakers team...
Their only weakness is depth and defense at center...
As great as Houston is, I think the Lakers will have the energy to take them out...
Rondo,
Ball, Stephenson,
Ingram,
James, Kuzma,
McGee,
Rondo will get a lot of rest in the regular season...then orchestrate with James in the playoffs...
They should trade Pope and Zubac for a better big man to pair with McGee...(does Pope have any value.? was injured?), someone with girth and/or grit who rebounds...
first gouki81 brings up important points that need to addressed about the lakers.
next, i removed the the duplicate players from your list above (e.g. stephensen and james mentioned three times, etc.) as well as marginal/questionable players (zubac for one. in 2 seasons he has averaged 5.5 points and 3.5 rebounds).
now the lineups above dont look so deep or impressive. Mcgee? not afraid. how will this team play defense? rondo looks to be the most fearsome defender, and he no longer is a good defender on a consistent basis.
nor do i see much real depth there. james will drag this team to the playoffs, i have no doubt. but they are a seriously flawed team.
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mediocre regular season....excellent team in the playoffs
I predict 7th or 8th seed in West, and 7 game series loss to Warriors in 1st or 2cnd round...
I called them an excellent playoff team. I think I was underrating them for the regular season. They are young enough to get the 3rd or 4th seed behind GS and Houston, and possibly Utah.
I think the Lakers are not just better than last year's Cavs, but MUCH better. They are young, deep and talented. Scary. Golden state will need a fully healthy team to beat a healthy Lakers team...
Their only weakness is depth and defense at center...
As great as Houston is, I think the Lakers will have the energy to take them out...
Rondo,
Ball, Stephenson,
Ingram,
James, Kuzma,
McGee,
Rondo will get a lot of rest in the regular season...then orchestrate with James in the playoffs...
They should trade Pope and Zubac for a better big man to pair with McGee...(does Pope have any value.? was injured?), someone with girth and/or grit who rebounds...
first gouki81 brings up important points that need to addressed about the lakers.
next, i removed the the duplicate players from your list above (e.g. stephensen and james mentioned three times, etc.) as well as marginal/questionable players (zubac for one. in 2 seasons he has averaged 5.5 points and 3.5 rebounds).
now the lineups above dont look so deep or impressive. Mcgee? not afraid. how will this team play defense? rondo looks to be the most fearsome defender, and he no longer is a good defender on a consistent basis.
nor do i see much real depth there. james will drag this team to the playoffs, i have no doubt. but they are a seriously flawed team.
TP, completely agree. The lineup that they play with Kuzma at the small ball 5 will get them into lots of trouble against some teams I believe, like New Orleans, Golden State, Denver and maybe Minny.
Upon reflection, I probably like New Orleans' team more than LA actually
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mediocre regular season....excellent team in the playoffs
I predict 7th or 8th seed in West, and 7 game series loss to Warriors in 1st or 2cnd round...
I called them an excellent playoff team. I think I was underrating them for the regular season. They are young enough to get the 3rd or 4th seed behind GS and Houston, and possibly Utah.
I think the Lakers are not just better than last year's Cavs, but MUCH better. They are young, deep and talented. Scary. Golden state will need a fully healthy team to beat a healthy Lakers team...
Their only weakness is depth and defense at center...
As great as Houston is, I think the Lakers will have the energy to take them out...
Rondo,
Ball, Stephenson,
Ingram,
James, Kuzma,
McGee,
Rondo will get a lot of rest in the regular season...then orchestrate with James in the playoffs...
They should trade Pope and Zubac for a better big man to pair with McGee...(does Pope have any value.? was injured?), someone with girth and/or grit who rebounds...
first gouki81 brings up important points that need to addressed about the lakers.
next, i removed the the duplicate players from your list above (e.g. stephensen and james mentioned three times, etc.) as well as marginal/questionable players (zubac for one. in 2 seasons he has averaged 5.5 points and 3.5 rebounds).
now the lineups above dont look so deep or impressive. Mcgee? not afraid. how will this team play defense? rondo looks to be the most fearsome defender, and he no longer is a good defender on a consistent basis.
nor do i see much real depth there. james will drag this team to the playoffs, i have no doubt. but they are a seriously flawed team.
They look better than I thought they would but young teams in preseason usually play very hard and look OK. The shooting and defense look to be problems, but they also probably average 40 free throws a game.
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Ball in the mix should be interesting too.
The LeBallDo Experience!!!
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I am guessing no, he will run out of gas as he is getting older every year from now on. No way they beat GS this year. He missed more dunks than I have ever seen him.
Plus no young player has ever developed next to him. he is so ball dominant it will kill their player development.
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I am guessing no, he will run out of gas as he is getting older every year from now on. No way they beat GS this year. He missed more dunks than I have ever seen him.
Plus no young player has ever developed next to him. he is so ball dominant it will kill their player development.
Your second point is particularly important. All the so-called experts rave about how good LBJ will be for the young guys, but I can’t think of any young guy he’s helped better his game more than expected.
I think his ball doninance will be particularly bad for Ingram, who was playing well as the ballhandler at then end of last season
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I am guessing no, he will run out of gas as he is getting older every year from now on. No way they beat GS this year. He missed more dunks than I have ever seen him.
Plus no young player has ever developed next to him. he is so ball dominant it will kill their player development.
The last part is just silly. Plenty of young players have developed playing next to him, including the Celtics current PG, who became a lot better once James ended up in Cleveland.
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I am guessing no, he will run out of gas as he is getting older every year from now on. No way they beat GS this year. He missed more dunks than I have ever seen him.
Plus no young player has ever developed next to him. he is so ball dominant it will kill their player development.
The last part is just silly. Plenty of young players have developed playing next to him, including the Celtics current PG, who became a lot better once James ended up in Cleveland.
Yeah I agree. I don't think he'll hurt the Lakers Young players. I think they're going to play hard as heck trying to impress him. The Laker's young guys just got out of the prison of suckitude....and will be fired up about that. I think the most underrated aspect of the new Lakers team is Lebron himself. Until we see him look slow old and weak, he's not slow old and weak. Basically I just see a far superior supporting cast to Cleveland's. Kevin Love was it. Lebron's got much more now.
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It could go smoothly or it could go terribly. Rondo has a giant ego and butts heads nearly everywhere he goes.
I just don’t think they have enough shooting, especially if you play Ball and Rondo together. If you play one of the other, eventually Rondo or Lavar will cause a problem.
Of course Luke will be the first one to get blamed, and he’ll get canned.
They will fight for the 6-7-8 seeds and probably get eliminated quickly if they do make it.
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Rondo is very hardheaded..LeBron thinks he never make mistakes..they be fighting in January and coach james will tell lakers to release Rondo..i really feel sorry for luke walton
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I am guessing no, he will run out of gas as he is getting older every year from now on. No way they beat GS this year. He missed more dunks than I have ever seen him.
Plus no young player has ever developed next to him. he is so ball dominant it will kill their player development.
The last part is just silly. Plenty of young players have developed playing next to him, including the Celtics current PG, who became a lot better once James ended up in Cleveland.
It's similar to the "Danny Ainge can't draft" argument of a few years ago. In general, young players haven't developed much next to Lebron because his team's have been too good to 1. get high picks and 2. focus on development instead of winning. It's not like Lebron has been playing with tons of top picks that never developed
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I am guessing no, he will run out of gas as he is getting older every year from now on. No way they beat GS this year. He missed more dunks than I have ever seen him.
Plus no young player has ever developed next to him. he is so ball dominant it will kill their player development.
The last part is just silly. Plenty of young players have developed playing next to him, including the Celtics current PG, who became a lot better once James ended up in Cleveland.
What young player developed at a surprising level / grew to exceed expectations under LeBron? I can’t think of any
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All I know is that I feel sorry for the victim(s) that will face The Lakers in the playoffs next season.
Playoff Rondo - even at his current age - is a sight to behold. Ask Isaiah Thomas and BOS during the 2016-17 playoffs.
Mix THAT with Playoff LeBron? And the young and talented core they have right now?
They aren't beating BOSTON anytime soon but they are set to do damage with their current team.
PLEASE, Kyrie - don't let LeBron, Rondo and the Lakers beat us.
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I am guessing no, he will run out of gas as he is getting older every year from now on. No way they beat GS this year. He missed more dunks than I have ever seen him.
Plus no young player has ever developed next to him. he is so ball dominant it will kill their player development.
The last part is just silly. Plenty of young players have developed playing next to him, including the Celtics current PG, who became a lot better once James ended up in Cleveland.
What young player developed at a surprising level / grew to exceed expectations under LeBron? I can’t think of any
well to bitterjim's point it isn't like James has ever really played with any high picks, other than Irving and Thompson who both developed a ton while he was there. More recently Cedi Osman, looked awful good playing with James last year as a rookie. Mario Chalmers had a decade long career because he was blessed to play and grow under James. Anderson Varejao, Sasha Pavlovic, Boobie Gibson, etc. all seemed to develop fine playing in James' shadow (though James was fairly young himself with all those guys). JJ Hickson came along later in James' first stint in Cleveland and did just fine in the growth department. Miami had like 1, first round pick when he was there, that was Norris Cole at 28, who managed to get a 2nd contract pretty much only because he played with James.
But you see that is the thing, late 1st round picks or 2nd round picks (which all those guys are) is all you are going to end up with when you have Lebron James. In addition, teams with Lebron James tend to trade draft picks and young players for win now players to maximize the Lebron James window. That is what happens when you have contenders.
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No
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know Zo hurt . But stiil...
Lebron don't trust him
Rondo was killing Zo s training