DEN-HOU-LAL-MIN are all basically tied or within 1 game of each other for the 3-6 seeds. That race and back-and-forth could end up being huge with how the playoffs can do depending on the matchups in the first few rounds.
I might be in the minority but MIN is a team that I think can be a big threat and maybe even make the WCF. They kind of remind me of us in the early 2020s where they'd be a bit bored in the regular season but then lock in and make a deep run in the playoffs, and MIN has come close a few times in recent years to reaching the Finals. Watch out for them.
With the exception of the LA Lakers, I think any of 5 other top 6 seeds in the West are capable of winning the conference and going to the NBA Finals.
OKC
SAS
DEN
MIN
HOU
5 contenders in the West.
Not that I think the Lakers will do anything, but Luka took a worse team to the Finals not that long ago. Beating the Thunder and Wolves on the way to the Finals. Obviously those teams are different now (though I'm not sure the Wolves are better), but I do think a Lakers team with Luka, Reaves, and Lebron could cause significant offensive problems for teams. Their defense isn't good, but it would not surprise me if they won a whole bunch of playoff games 125-122.
Yeah. I expected more from them. That is a good trio. I am with you there. I just haven't seen enough out of the Lakers thus far to consider them a threat in the post-season.
I don't think their supporting cast is working out.
Smart has been a disaster for them. A large net negative. They got rid of Gabe Vincent (who wasn't great) which means Bronny or Nick Smith Jr are the next guards up on the depth chart.
The loss of DFS in the off-season has hurt. Vanderbilt is too limited - good defensively but atrocious offensively. Hachimura is the only dependable role player. Actually, strike that, Jake LaRavia as well. Both are bigger slower forwards like LeBron & Luka (defensively at least). Not great for team speed / matching up defensively.
Ayton has been okay but lukewarm. There isn't much help there beyond their Big 3. Their role players don't contribute enough. And their team defense isn't good enough either.
I expect them to have a tough time in the playoffs.
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I forget who it was. I was listening to someone around the trade deadline. Maybe Legler. Maybe Jason Timpf. Whoever it was they were talking about the Lakers picking up Kennard. They were much higher on the pickup than I was. Their reasoning was that the Lakers lack so much in 3pt shooting in their role players. They don't have enough spot up shooting to take advantage of all the playmaking of Luka, LeBron and A Reaves.
They were saying Hachimura is their only dependable spot up shooter. He is making 1.8 threes per game on 44.5%. Smart takes 3s but he is shooting only 33%. Vanderbilt can't shoot. LaRavia only makes 1.1 threes per game at 33%. Gabe Vincent was okay but they lost him to get Kennard. Neither of their centers can shoot 3s. It is really just Hachimura and Kennard as quality three point shooters.
They were pointing out that LAL just do not have the right personnel in their supporting cast. Luka needs shooters around him. LeBron needs shooters. A Reaves. Those guys create so many open looks for people. Most of LAL's players are reluctant to even shoot the 3 when it is created for them. Only Hachimura and Kennard can shoot it with good volume & accuracy. It is not enough.
