Whose rebuild is better? BOS vs LAL

[cb8883]

Typical homer answers. Have to love it.

It's the Lakers and its not close. Unless of course the nets picks all are in the top 3 every year. Randle is better than anyone on this team. And there is zero chance a guy like Banks 2.0 or Rozier can touch Russell's ceiling. Never going to happen. Plus lets face it Boston is a second class place in regards to attracting free agents it's more or less the NBA's version of Siberia. The Lakers are in one of three premier markets around the league provided of course that management knows what they are doing. The Knicks only struck out because they are screw ups. I think the front office is comprised of the only individuals who could screw up a TV dinner. With LaMarcus the guy was going to go to the Spurs no matter what. The Lakers and Miami...90% of the time if they want a free agent it's over. Why would you ever choose Boston over markets like that?!

Boston needs to just hope Amir and Lee can be traded soon in order to do a proper tank like they should have done last year. Could have had Winslow or better...instead we are stuck over rating Rozier and Mickey. I'll give Ainge one thing. Hunter looks like a player but he's going to end up as a gunner off the bench for the next decade. He's not a guy to build around.

[Eddie20]

With LaMarcus the guy was going to go to the Spurs no matter what. The Lakers and Miami...90% of the time if they want a free agent it's over. Why would you ever choose Boston over markets like that?!

I guess the Lakers didn't want to re-sign Gasol and Howard. And their recruiting visits with Aldridge (you know the one that was reported as being awful), Melo, Monroe, DeAndre, etc. were all somehow just for show, since apparently if the Lakers want someone "it's over". Hey, but they did snag Lou Williams and Bass! I'm sure those are the real guys they were targeting

Hey CB883, it's almost 2016. You seem to be trapped in the past where you believe the Lakers are the marquee team in LA and constantly refer to Smart as Banks 2.0, an attempt at humor even though their games aren't similar, and you only do so because their first name happens to be "Marcus". Crazy things have happened while you were away. The Sox won the world series 3 times, 2003 Banks draftee has since retired, the internet has taken off, there are cell phones that can do everything, social media allows you to connect with a mass audience, and so on.

[jpotter33]

I'd trade IT for Randle without blinking. 

Thomas is a very good backup.   Randle should be a long-term starter at the very least.

Interesting choice of words. Does this mean you consider Dragic a very good backup too? Just because a guy comes off the bench, like Thomas, doesn't mean he doesn't have the ability to be a starter. Because by your definition it would make Havlicek and McHale very good backups too.

13-14

Thomas (age 24) - Dragic (age 27)
MPG 34.7 - 35.1
PPG 20.3 - 20.3
APG 6.3 - 5.9
SPG 1.3 - 1.4
TOV 3.0 - 2.8
3PT Made 127 - 122
FG% 45.3 - 50.5
FT% 85.0 - 76.0
3PT% 34.9 - 40.8
PER 20.5 - 21.4

14-15

Thomas (age 25) - Dragic (age 28)
MPG 25.8 - 33.8
PPG 16.4 - 16.3
APG 4.2 - 4.5
SPG 0.9 - 1.0
TOV 2.1 - 2.2
3PT Made 129 - 90
FG% 42.0 - 50.1
FT% 86.8 - 77.4
3PT% 37.3 - 34.7
PER 20.6 - 17.4

Aint a GM in the league that wouldn't trade Thomas for Randle.

You think Danny would trade IT for Randle straight up right now?

[Celtics4ever]

Rozier can touch Russell's ceiling

I will take that bet if you want to make it.   I think Russell is going to underperform for where he is drafted.   Every year ESPN gets a few story guys that they over hype.

http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3136776/dangelo-russell

That seems like an unrealistically low estimation of what their value is. Several reports indicated the 76ers were pushing to acquire the No. 2 pick from the Lakers to draft Russell, but Los Angeles stuck with the highly-projected guard from Ohio State. His preseason has been rocky, taking a hard fall that forced him out forcing him to adjust to different roles since returning. Still, he's been moving the ball well while averaging 15.3 minutes per game, accounting for 52.8 percent of the assists that occur while he's on the court, well above the rest of his teammates (aside from Huertas, who's played one game).

Rozier as produced better in less minutes and does not have the bad team that he can throw shots up on.

http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2015/10/19/9568743/la-lakers-dangelo-russell-value-rookie-espn-report

Randle, I thought would be better than Sullinger because he is fit and in shape and more athletic.  He also played at a better program and competition in the SEC.

They also have Kobe showing them the ropes, which is like having an egomaniac, teaching them.

One more thing to ponder.

Russell has a 15.2 percent chance of becoming a superstar, while his bust potential is 40.9 percent, according to a formula that assigns percentages to players.

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/238149/Study-Finds-DAngelo-Russell-As-Having-Highest-Chance-Of-Both-Superstar-Bust

The big assest they have over us are Hollywood, weather and it is a major media center.   This can't be underestimated this impact.   Time and time again they have reloaded, and I suspect this will be the case once Kobe ( no one likes him or wants to play with him, free-agent wise) leaves.

I hope the Clippers take over that town.

[Moranis]

I wouldn't call the SEC better competition than the Big Ten.  Kentucky is no doubt the best program in the country right now, but the SEC is pretty p--- poor outside of Kentucky.

[chambers]

Typical homer answers. Have to love it.

It's the Lakers and its not close. Unless of course the nets picks all are in the top 3 every year. Randle is better than anyone on this team. And there is zero chance a guy like Banks 2.0 or Rozier can touch Russell's ceiling. Never going to happen. Plus lets face it Boston is a second class place in regards to attracting free agents it's more or less the NBA's version of Siberia. The Lakers are in one of three premier markets around the league provided of course that management knows what they are doing. The Knicks only struck out because they are screw ups. I think the front office is comprised of the only individuals who could screw up a TV dinner. With LaMarcus the guy was going to go to the Spurs no matter what. The Lakers and Miami...90% of the time if they want a free agent it's over. Why would you ever choose Boston over markets like that?!

Boston needs to just hope Amir and Lee can be traded soon in order to do a proper tank like they should have done last year. Could have had Winslow or better...instead we are stuck over rating Rozier and Mickey. I'll give Ainge one thing. Hunter looks like a player but he's going to end up as a gunner off the bench for the next decade. He's not a guy to build around.

Loving your optimism!

[GC003332]

Typical homer answers. Have to love it.

It's the Lakers and its not close. Unless of course the nets picks all are in the top 3 every year. Randle is better than anyone on this team. And there is zero chance a guy like Banks 2.0 or Rozier can touch Russell's ceiling. Never going to happen. Plus lets face it Boston is a second class place in regards to attracting free agents it's more or less the NBA's version of Siberia. The Lakers are in one of three premier markets around the league provided of course that management knows what they are doing. The Knicks only struck out because they are screw ups. I think the front office is comprised of the only individuals who could screw up a TV dinner. With LaMarcus the guy was going to go to the Spurs no matter what. The Lakers and Miami...90% of the time if they want a free agent it's over. Why would you ever choose Boston over markets like that?!

Boston needs to just hope Amir and Lee can be traded soon in order to do a proper tank like they should have done last year. Could have had Winslow or better...instead we are stuck over rating Rozier and Mickey. I'll give Ainge one thing. Hunter looks like a player but he's going to end up as a gunner off the bench for the next decade. He's not a guy to build around.

Even if the Nets picks are in the top 3 each year it won't make any difference because they will just leave after their rookie deals are up like Monroe left the Pistons, why would they want to play in Siberia after all.
Only hope for the Celtics is for the owners to wise up at relocate the team to a city that free agents will line up to play.Perhaps they should look into Las Vegas.

[jpotter33]

Typical homer answers. Have to love it.

It's the Lakers and its not close. Unless of course the nets picks all are in the top 3 every year. Randle is better than anyone on this team. And there is zero chance a guy like Banks 2.0 or Rozier can touch Russell's ceiling. Never going to happen. Plus lets face it Boston is a second class place in regards to attracting free agents it's more or less the NBA's version of Siberia. The Lakers are in one of three premier markets around the league provided of course that management knows what they are doing. The Knicks only struck out because they are screw ups. I think the front office is comprised of the only individuals who could screw up a TV dinner. With LaMarcus the guy was going to go to the Spurs no matter what. The Lakers and Miami...90% of the time if they want a free agent it's over. Why would you ever choose Boston over markets like that?!

Boston needs to just hope Amir and Lee can be traded soon in order to do a proper tank like they should have done last year. Could have had Winslow or better...instead we are stuck over rating Rozier and Mickey. I'll give Ainge one thing. Hunter looks like a player but he's going to end up as a gunner off the bench for the next decade. He's not a guy to build around.

The season hasn't even started yet... How in the hell can people already be clamoring about tanking?!

[Donoghus]

The season hasn't even started yet... How in the hell can people already be clamoring about tanking?!

It's the poster's tiresome schtick.  One trick pony stuff.

[fairweatherfan]

We need a term that's the opposite of "homer" for people who are wildly, irrationally pessimistic about the team and optimistic for everybody else.  I'm thinking "roader" but I'm open to alternatives.

[Celtics4ever]

I wouldn't call the SEC better competition than the Big Ten.  Kentucky is no doubt the best program in the country right now, but the SEC is pretty p--- poor outside of Kentucky.

Really, Not in recent memory, my friend.   Florida, Kentucky have won more basketball titles than the Big Ten in recent memory.  That may have been the case in the past not presently.

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2015/03/15_greatest_sec_basketball_pla.html#0

http://basketball.realgm.com/ncaa/conferences/Big-Ten-Conference/2/nba-players

http://basketball.realgm.com/ncaa/conferences/Southeastern-Conference/8/nba-players

Big ten has who Magic?   Hondo?  It really is not close in terms of pros produced.

36 Pros in the NBA right now from Big Ten
54 Pros in the NBA from the SEC

I live in Big Ten land however, I am not brain washed by it.  They did well in the tourney last year but they do not produce as  many pros.

[Eddie20]

From SI an NBA scout on the Lakers and their "stars" Russell and Randle...

"They're still going to be really, really bad. I don't see Roy Hibbert, Brandon Bass and Lou Williams as game-changers. The Lakers are in an identity crisis... Their focus should be on their young guys. That means D'Angelo Russell, Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson are the priorities. I'm worried that Byron Scott will ride the veterans instead and it goes down as a lost year. Scott has a lot of loyalty to Kobe Bryant and the organization... Kobe's presence and knack for scoring and the attention he draws still make him a plus player, even if his stats have fallen off a bit. Nobody else on that roster strikes fear in your heart... My main question with Russell is whether he can make decisions at this level. There's a big difference between being a good highlight passer and really running an entire offense. You need to know the playbook and understand when to involve your big guys, when to step forward yourself... Williams only makes their picture cloudier. He's good enough to take minutes from Clarkson, and that harms the long term while not adding a ton in the short term... Randle is the biggest question. People saw a lefty who has a knack for scoring on the block, and they wanted to call him Zach Randolph. But Randle hasn't done anything yet to say he's headed in that direction. There's some real bust potential. He needs to become a good scorer in isolation because he can't shoot three-pointers or make plays for others, and he's not a defensive lockdown guy... I don't see a single plus defender on the roster besides Hibbert."

[Moranis]

I wouldn't call the SEC better competition than the Big Ten.  Kentucky is no doubt the best program in the country right now, but the SEC is pretty p--- poor outside of Kentucky.

Really, Not in recent memory, my friend.   Florida, Kentucky have won more basketball titles than the Big Ten in recent memory.  That may have been the case in the past not presently.

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2015/03/15_greatest_sec_basketball_pla.html#0

http://basketball.realgm.com/ncaa/conferences/Big-Ten-Conference/2/nba-players

http://basketball.realgm.com/ncaa/conferences/Southeastern-Conference/8/nba-players

Big ten has who Magic?   Hondo?  It really is not close in terms of pros produced.

36 Pros in the NBA right now from Big Ten
54 Pros in the NBA from the SEC

I live in Big Ten land however, I am not brain washed by it.  They did well in the tourney last year but they do not produce as  many pros.

I was referring more to NCAA bids

2015: 7 to 5
2014: 6 to 3
2013: 7 to 3
2012: 6 to 4

And remember, I did say aside from Kentucky, which is 1 of those bids in each of those years.  The Big Ten has more overall depth and quality play than the SEC right now and it isn't close.  Kentucky is a monster, but that is all the SEC has right now (it has been 9 years since Florida's last title).  Since Florida beat Ohio State in the 2007 championship, the Big Ten has had 3 different teams reach the championship game and 4 other Final Four appearances.  The SEC has had 2 championship game appearances (both by Kentucky, 1 win and 1 loss) and 3 other final four appearances (2 by Kentucky, 1 by Florida).   If you take Kentucky out of the equation (which you would if you were talking about competition for Kentucky players), it is no contest right now.  The Big Ten is currently a vastly superior conference to the SEC. 

[loco_91]

If everything breaks for the Lakers they can turn it around in a few years. If their young guys hit their upside, I could see a core of Russell, a high draft pick from this year, and Randle/Clarkson being enough to attract a top FA down the road. Then they'd be in a good position, though even then they may only be the 3rd or 5th best team in the West.

On the other hand, the C's could be in the ECF as soon as this year. This team doesn't look like a contender on paper, but the fact is that they were GOOD post-ASB last year, they will only be better this year, and the only team in the East that will certainly beat us in 7 games is Cleveland. We have a long way to go before we have a shot at a banner, but we're way closer than the pessimists on this forum realize, even before looking at our embarrassment of draft picks.

[Eddie20]

If everything breaks for the Lakers they can turn it around in a few years. If their young guys hit their upside, I could see a core of Russell, a high draft pick from this year, and Randle/Clarkson being enough to attract a top FA down the road. Then they'd be in a good position, though even then they may only be the 3rd or 5th best team in the West.

It better be really high because....

2016 first round draft pick to Philadelphia
L.A. Lakers' 1st round pick to Philadelphia (via Phoenix) protected for selections 1-3 in 2016 and 1-3 in 2017 and unprotected in 2018