Separation - Lakers

[coco]

I hate to say it; but with recent trades/signings, I think the Lakers have created separation between them and the rest of the league.

I just can’t see anyone challenging the Lakers this coming season.

Realistically speaking, do you see anyone challenging?

[libermaniac]

I think the Harrell signing was great for them, but don't forget, they lost some key players:

In:  Harrell, Schroder, Mathews, Gasol
Out: Howard, Rondo, Avery Bradley, Danny Green

Is that a huge improvement? 

Note:  In my opinion Marc Gasol is cooked.  He looked terrible vs. Boston in the playoffs, I cringed whenever they took him out and brought in Ibaka.

[KGs Knee]

I see plenty of teams having a shot this season.

GSW still has Curry/Dray + Wiggins/Oubre/Wiseman - If Wiseman shows out, that's a game changer.  Oubre is solid.

LAC still has Kawhi/George and just added a lethal shooter in Luke Kennard.

BKN has Kyrie/Durant + a lot of solid players who fit a role.

DAL could be a real threat if KP stays healthy.  Luka is that good.

MIL looks reloaded and is still a real threat.  Giannis is that good.

BOS/MIA/PHI all have major talent and are outside contenders.

[liam]

I hate to say it; but with recent trades/signings, I think the Lakers have created separation between them and the rest of the league.

I just can’t see anyone challenging the Lakers this coming season.

Realistically speaking, do you see anyone challenging?

The Celtics.

[GreenFaith1819]

I hate to say it; but with recent trades/signings, I think the Lakers have created separation between them and the rest of the league.

I just can’t see anyone challenging the Lakers this coming season.

Realistically speaking, do you see anyone challenging?

The Celtics.

Chuck Norris approves.

[Moranis]

Milwaukee seems like the only team on their level, but I have doubts about Giannis until he can do it in the post-season.  The last two playoffs have not been good for him or his legacy.

[dannyboy35]

I think the Harrell signing was great for them, but don't forget, they lost some key players:

In:  Harrell, Schroder, Mathews, Gasol
Out: Howard, Rondo, Avery Bradley, Danny Green

Is that a huge improvement? 

Note:  In my opinion Marc Gasol is cooked.  He looked terrible vs. Boston in the playoffs, I cringed whenever they took him out and brought in Ibaka.

  I agree in Gasol. Great career. But he lost weight and he still couldn’t move out there.

[td450]

I think the Harrell signing was great for them, but don't forget, they lost some key players:

In:  Harrell, Schroder, Mathews, Gasol
Out: Howard, Rondo, Avery Bradley, Danny Green

Is that a huge improvement? 

Note:  In my opinion Marc Gasol is cooked.  He looked terrible vs. Boston in the playoffs, I cringed whenever they took him out and brought in Ibaka.

Harrell and Schroder have been better players than Howard and Rondo the last couple of years, yes. But in the playoffs, which is all that matters, the opposite played out. Howard and Rondo were every bit as good, if not better. I don't see much of a bump there.

The other thing is as epic as they are in the frontcourt, they are barely mediocre in the backcourt. Kemba and Jaylen would destroy their backcourt.

[Moranis]

I don't know if Gasol didn't adjust to the bubble well or if he is cooked.  His regular season wasn't that bad, so I think the verdict is out some on him till we see how he looks in say February. 

That said, the Lakers seems pretty clearly the best team in the West. 

Starters - Schroder, Matthews, James, Davis, Gasol
Regular Rotation - Harrell, Kuzma, Morris, KCP, Caruso

That is a pretty deep top 10. 

[KGs Knee]

I don't know if Gasol didn't adjust to the bubble well or if he is cooked.  His regular season wasn't that bad, so I think the verdict is out some on him till we see how he looks in say February. 

That said, the Lakers seems pretty clearly the best team in the West. 

Starters - Schroder, Matthews, James, Davis, Gasol
Regular Rotation - Harrell, Kuzma, Morris, KCP, Caruso

That is a pretty deep top 10.

I don't expect them to get the top seed again, but they are the most dangerous playoff team, sure.

[GreenFaith1819]

Losing Rondo's going to be HUGE for them, just watch.

Unfathomable that they didn't offer him some 2-year deal........

That NINETEEN POINTS he gave them in the closeout game against MIA....incredible but let's be real here THAT'S RONDO........

While they still have a formidable bunch I don't see anyone on that team with that kind of Big-Game Toughness that Rondo has, plain and simple.

[coco]

Losing Rondo's going to be HUGE for them, just watch.

Unfathomable that they didn't offer him some 2-year deal........

That NINETEEN POINTS he gave them in the closeout game against MIA....incredible but let's be real here THAT'S RONDO........

While they still have a formidable bunch I don't see anyone on that team with that kind of Big-Game Toughness that Rondo has, plain and simple.

True.  Although I think Schroeder has a little bit of Rondo in him (without the “big game” Resume....)

[Moranis]

Losing Rondo's going to be HUGE for them, just watch.

Unfathomable that they didn't offer him some 2-year deal........

That NINETEEN POINTS he gave them in the closeout game against MIA....incredible but let's be real here THAT'S RONDO........

While they still have a formidable bunch I don't see anyone on that team with that kind of Big-Game Toughness that Rondo has, plain and simple.

and what about game 5 that the Lakers lost by 3 when Rondo was 1 of 7 and -13 in 18 minutes. 

[GreenFaith1819]

Losing Rondo's going to be HUGE for them, just watch.

Unfathomable that they didn't offer him some 2-year deal........

That NINETEEN POINTS he gave them in the closeout game against MIA....incredible but let's be real here THAT'S RONDO........

While they still have a formidable bunch I don't see anyone on that team with that kind of Big-Game Toughness that Rondo has, plain and simple.

and what about game 5 that the Lakers lost by 3 when Rondo was 1 of 7 and -13 in 18 minutes.

And?

I think THAT GAME was more remembered by most as the game where Danny Green missed that open 3, right? The one that got him death threats from the Laker faithful LOL?

Don't believe most LAL fans will blame THAT GAME on Rondo's stat line.

[SparzWizard]

I don't know if Gasol didn't adjust to the bubble well or if he is cooked.  His regular season wasn't that bad, so I think the verdict is out some on him till we see how he looks in say February. 

That said, the Lakers seems pretty clearly the best team in the West. 

Starters - Schroder, Matthews, James, Davis, Gasol
Regular Rotation - Harrell, Kuzma, Morris, KCP, Caruso

That is a pretty deep top 10.

I don't expect them to get the top seed again, but they are the most dangerous playoff team, sure.

They'll probably be a high 50-win team with the #1 seed. LeBron showing no signs of slowing down. Davis is healthy as ever. Davis only goes out with a season ending injury if he's not playing with the Lakers lol.