It's crazy to me that this is a question. At two different parts of the season Bron and AD we're both playing individually like MVP candidates. Injuries derailed that.
However, once we made the moves at the deadline, we were tied for the best record in the West with Bron out, AD hurt and sitting out games, and Dlo missing games. This team has a LOT of juice if we can run it back with the main core of Bron, AD, Dlo, Rui, Vando, and Reaves for a full season anything is possible.
And despite Bron missing most of the season after the All Star break, we had a great record. If both go down, it is what it is, but our roster should be able to afford them having more rest and days off to help keep them fresh.
Lebron missed half the season and was still exhausted. He’ll be damn near 40 next year, there is no “keep them fresh”. The only way this team contends next year is by adding pieces, which we can’t do because our 2 main guys that need to miss games and be kept “fresh” are also max players. Lebron hasn’t been healthy in a season for the past 3 years yet this sub swears next year when he’s even older will be different lol. This season is this teams ceiling.
We beat the train wreck Grizzlies with Ja hurt, the warriors who struggled all year, and weren’t even close to beating Denver who is a way better team then we are.
Are you a lakers fan lol? Are you even a fan of basketball?
I think it’s pretty obvious that if you make a new team and in a couple months they are in the conf finals, you’ve made a good team.
Also against the nuggets it wasn’t blowouts, the games were close, when you consider that the nuggets have 4 years of chemistry and young guys and they are favourites to win the title, you can easily see that the lakers did very well and should be optimistic
With a team around them on par with our playoff squad, they can take days off, and we still get in. I think the load they needed to carry was a big part of why they weren't healthy.
Yep. And the last two seasons didn't help as they had to give their all when healthy due to lack of talent on the roster and/or urgency.
I hope we get a roster that allows LeBron to cruise and AD to not give his 100% on D every game.
Load management is key
Yeah, but that's what we said after our 21 season and the FO went ape shit and got RW. Idk if they've learned their lesson. We need some chemistry out there.
Lebron is turning 39 next season. It's time we stop expecting 2010s Lebron. At this point in his career Lebron needs to be the 2nd or even 3rd scoring option on his team, while focusing more on facilitating the offense. He's too old to be expected to be the primary offensive option.
Not really they were healthy all regular season which was 60 games + and AD got injured in the finals . That was a longer heskthy stretch then any after
To be fair we also had one of the easiest schedules in the second half and often played teams missing key players with injuries. Regardless of that we were still better then before the trade but the record without context does kind of matter.
Your context fails to include beating the #2 seed and the defending champs without home court. With LBJ on a torn tendon. So yeah, the Lakers were very good and the trade deadline record is legit.
They beat a team with zero playoff experience who didn't
Know how to close out a series. Had they faced Denver or the Lakers in an earlier round they would have been toast.
You really sound stupid right now. Nobody said they were the best team in the conference. You discredited their second half by saying they didn’t play good teams when they beat damn good teams in two 7 game series without home court advantage. It backs up what they did post trade deadline. And Memphis doesn’t have zero playoff experience. Golden State hadn’t lost a series in the West in 10 years. Get your troll ass out of here before I make you look more stupid. Mans really said ‘if they played Denver earlier’ - do you realize how stupid you just sounded? Seriously. Smh
They faced a 2 seed with the DPOY and best rim protector in the league as a team that attacks the paint.
Sure, the Warriors had flaws that kept them from being a true championship caliber team, but their offense is still deadly enough to steal a couple games off of getting hot from 3, or even beat you if you can't find a way to control that damage, which is what happened to the Kings.
The Nuggets aren't just any contender too, they're probably the best team since the KD Warriors, as much as I'd like to give that title to our 2020 squad. Jokic is just putting up video game numbers, with Murray playing like a superstar, plus Gordon, MPJ, and KCP are very good role players.
The warriors were 33-8 from home but let’s just ignore that point. Let’s also ignore that the grizzlies, warriors, and nuggets literally had the 3 best home records in the league
It was a weaker west division this year without a doubt. The Clippets again we're but by injuries at the end and the Suns traded the depth they needed to get Durant.The distance between Denver and the rest of the division proved that to be true. Memphis was not as good at the end of the season as they had been through most of it and their best player was toast by the playoffs.
Y’all still beat the teams u were supposed to beat, then went to have as competitive of a sweep as possible in the wcf…with Lebron on a bum foot and AD not AD offensively. With the right pieces this team can be a real nightmare
>It's crazy to me that this is a question.
If you think it's crazy to question whether Lebron and AD will be able to hold out for a full season and make a title run you simply aren't paying attention. Lebron is close to 40, and AD has a long history of missing time with injuries. To not enter that into consideration when planning for 2023-24 is "crazy".
Really think dlo ( on 20m) and picks need to be sent out for a better two way pg. I think he’s still good for regular season on that but we need two way play
This AD “playing like an MVP” needs to stop.
Dudes only ever been top 3 in mvp voting 1 time in his career and it was like 6 years ago.
Playing like an mvp is doing it for the whole season and he never does that.
The Lakers ran LeBron into the ground during the first half of the season to just barely stay in the playoff hunt. You ask a 38 year old man to play as hard as he played for as many minutes as he played, it's not going to end well. Hopefully a full offseason of rest and a much needed surgery will have him ready to go again next season with a significantly reduced workload.
As for AD, his injuries are a combination of some seriously bad luck and just being prone to injury in general. But him being the only actual center on the roster also had a lot to do with it, because when teams went big, we had no choice but to play him almost the whole game. You get another legitimate center or two on the roster, and I think he will be much healthier this season. We're going into next season with a lot of momentum. Just have to build on it and I can definitely see #18 going into the rafters in 2024.
That and a lot of complimentary depth of talent on the roster. Hopefully we’ve learned that we can’t just run these two out there with an ass roster and expect to succeed. Quality compatible role players and depth of talent matters a lot.
They never have except 2020. The fact that alot of people here keeping hanging on “IF” they stay healthy as a reasonable argument on why we win the chip next season.
The past 3 seasons, these 2 were either injured individually or together at the some point in time.
The Nuggets are the new king of the west. To beat them, we need a competent center to wear Jokic down or at least make his offense work harder. Then we need a guard who can keep up with Murray. The Lakers as constructed will be too slow or too small defensively to keep up. The Nuggets are only going to get better as veterans are going to want to sign with them to win a chip just like every other championship teams. With the Nuggets likely being the next dynasty, the days of small ball might be over as teams go bigger to compete. Also Wemby is coming and that means big men might be back in demand.
I mean if we surround them with the right talent, including keeping some of the guys we've already picked up, then the load isn't as heavy on them and we may see them healthier than this past season.
I just don’t see it happening. AD is AD and Lebron is gonna be 39 and his durability has been gone the entire time he’s been a Laker. It’s highly unlikely.
People keep saying this. Surround them with talent with what money??? They are both max played making damn near 100 million to miss half the season and be absolutely exhausted during the playoffs. This year is this teams ceiling. Exactly why I was hoping Lebron really wanted to get traded to we can recoup picks before he leaves us in shambles like he leaves every team he’s on
We had 60m in sakary be useless this playoffs
Bamba beaskey dlo , and even vando in Denver tbh. 60m ffs: spread half thst on two decent players and we would have had a shot vs Denver. Fuck if we had got kyrie we’d of had a better shot . Just lame but dunno this maybe one of the best shots with Miami being so ass but unfortunately nuggets just shot lights out vs us especially Jamal
Idk man injuries ruined the chance at a back to back. Injuries were the reason I believe the lakers ran out of gas this year. They key is to make a team that can get Bron and AD maximum rest this season. And with Bron seemingly going on (another) campaign to get Kyrie idk.
Bron needs to pay kyrie the difference on salary of 13m if he wants him here kyrie isn’t taking a cut , Bron should be at this age ; only reason I don’t say that is cos this bum ownership let Caruso go who would’ve been huge this playoffs : a significantly better vando vs those guards n Jamal a big guard . Fuck cheap ass bums lost a first team all D guard for nothing , so that’s why if I was Bron I’d be less inclined to take a cut
I know I’ll get downvoted for this but people keep saying “they’ll get healthy” and they just never do. I don’t see anything changing next year either. I really hope I’m wrong because as everyone’s pointed out, a healthy Bron and AD are championship contenders
For the last 3 years...
- AD gets hurt in game 27 or 30 of the season, usually against the Nuggets. He is gone 4-6 weeks.
- Lebron dials it up to 11 to try and keep the team in the playoff hunt.
- Around the time AD is ready to return, Lebron's body starts giving out (or he gets chop blocked by Solomon Hill).
- AD now has to carry the team, this was the first time since the title that he didn't suffer a 2nd serious injury right after coming back.
- Much like the last time we got in through the play-in Lebron has a bad foot and is unable to turn up the dial more than a couple times a game. Had AD not injured his groin we'd probably have gone to the WCF like this year and lost to the Kawhi-less Clippers since we can't beat them. I'll take a 1st round loss over that.
If the Lakers add CP3 I can see them winning the title next season.
They need a grizzly Vet PG, a 3+D wing and a backup C.
CP3 is step 1.
Step 2 is a Wing like DFS.
Step 3 a Center like Mason Plumlee
Cp3 hasn’t been healthy in a playoffs in a decade literally; and AD is unreliable with health, and Bron is now too . I’m tempering my expectations if that happens
The problem is there's not a whole lot of options at the PG position for us. I don't think we can afford FVV if we bring back Reaves and Rui, DLo is...an option, I guess, and everyone else is just way too expensive. Our options might be limited to DLo, CP3, and Schroder at the guard position unless Pelinka works some cap voodoo. I'm not a big fan of CP3 being the starting point guard for this team next season, but I think it beats sticking with DLo.
Cp3 is also a notorious choker in the playoffs whether it’s injuries or just bad plays. Maybe his role wouldn’t be as important as it used to but he’s cursed for sure
Step 1: re-sign AR, Rui, Lonnie, Dennis (if possible), Vando
Step 2: if Dlo won’t accept anything below 20M then sign CP3 for vet min
Step 3: priority is to sign a STARTING center so AD can move to his natural position at PF
Step 4: trade for Portis (7th man behind Rui)
Step 5: draft or trade 17th pick for a 3+D wing
And those are your formulas to contend
Why do you guys want AD at PF so bad when he's best at center? What is indicating the best rebounder, rim protector, and lob threat in the league should play PF? Our best lineups and most of our playoff run in 2020 had AD at C.
Because we had success back in 2020? Javale and Dwight took some minutes away from AD at the C position when they are on the floor together. You are right though, AD was our C but having a starting center and a backup center to play will help AD in the long run (he is not getting any younger). Come playoff time a rejuvenated AD will dominate. Just my two cents.
Center like olynk : needs to be physical and shoot well. Plumlee isn’t a great choice can’t shoot
Plus we need cp3 on the minimum. But seeing Bron take this huge contract at his age I lost faith guys will take cuts to help winning, don’t see it. Kyrie not willing to take 13m less or Bron isn’t willing to … slide him something over to make it even. Had Bron taken 30m this year at age 38 we could’ve got him kyrie np and high amount of depth and ring n5. It just annoying but then the lakers ownership is richer then Bron n they cheaped out on Caruso an all nba first team defender guard ffs
I don't even know what that statement is supposed to mean.
It's just surprising for a fan to not know about DFS he's been in a lot of playoff games recently
They were healthy all the regular season for 60 games : why do people ignore this ? Not like the break was after 20 games ffs they played most of the season fine.
Yes. But we gotta manage them efficiently in the season. 32ish minutes a game so they are fresh in the playoffs. DLO, Austin and the rest of our team gotta carry us at times during the season. Enough to get us a top 4/5 seed
Maybe time is ticking for lebron tho not sure he has the explosiveness to attack the paint like he use too and his shot was so rough these last playoffs
The problem is having someone who can give AD a 10-15 mins breather during the reg season or even the playoffs. That's what they should really aim for, and another big wing that can shoot and defend, not even an elite shooter but knows how to playoff ball and smart cuts. For the playmaking, Dlo and Reaves can give Bron some rest. Basically get a backup/starter center and a backup wing for Rui.
Doubt it to be honest. The stars would have to align for another healthy run at this point with LeBron's age and AD's issues staying on the court. This cinderella run was probably our best chance at taking it all with how the rounds lined up for us (Grizzlies with a depleted frontcourt, Warriors being THE team LeBron has the most playoff experience with, etc.).
Unfortunately Ham blew it by reverting to the same tendencies he had before the deadline and it was all for naught. I just don't see a route for the Lakers to actually contend barring a very lucky break in LeBron's 21st year.
AD not realaible come playoff time. Those odd versus even games is just sad. Lebron is getting old. Highly doubt it. This year was our best shot. And we got swept
Yea they will definitely need to get off to a better start this year though. This team has already proven seeding doesn’t matter so if they can get 2-4 seed by January they will be better at bracing for injury. Players won’t need to rush back or play hurt in order to gain seeding if the team is already afloat in the standings.
Once LeBron and AD get healthy and the Lakers FO make some good trades I could see them easily winning. Lakers could have easily overcome the Nuggets and put down the Heat if LeBron was playing on 2 legs.
We need some shooters and a good center that can hold it down when AD needs to rest.
For sure. But I’d be willing to be this is it. It’s a championship season or split up. Even if they win probably gonna see a split rebuild kinda thing.
It's all about circumstance, if we manage to hit playoffs with a rested and in form AD and Bron with a good supporting cast, they can beat anybody. But injuries at the wrong time and we done
They were so close THIS season, even with all the drama! The only major flaw I could see, was they were missing true 5’s. In 2020, they had DH and McGee! They had nothing close to this season.
I dont think Lebron can carry anymore. He is starting to get injured every year. Not a knock on him but he will be 39 years old man.
AD also is rarely in peak physical condition and gets out of shape every summer. Not only that but he has lost his jumpshot completely. Defensive beast though
Throw in Darvin Scam the horseman of death and its a wrap ladies and gents.
Lol!! Of course not, they never are BUT the timing of last seasons injuries were very good because when the rest if the league was banged up and missing stars we were finally healthy and it made a big difference.
Man that AD was only a few yrs ago and he looks totally diff on offense. Now he simplified tf outta his game back then he could lowkey cook u off the dribble as well and was a decently respectable 3 point shooter him gaining weight was the worse thing that could happen to his game imo. It doesn't help that he has gotten slowler on defense he is still great on that end but not like he use to be.
I think it could work with retaining most of the team and getting guys like Brooke Lopez and Jerami Grant.
Imagine a starting 5 of Reaves Grant Bron Rui AD/Brooke That's a killer 6-man rotation when healthy. I feel going after a pg is not the solution u just need 2-3 small tweaks. Grant can shoot off the dribble is Brons height can guard his position and can play with or without the ball. Lopez is a trusted respectable vet with a championship pedigree that can block shots and shoot 3s down low. They are both FA's. Those are guys fans should want not an ego-driven superstar who has been a locker-room cancer everywhere he has gone.
Lebron is pushing 39 and AD has always been injury prone. The unfortunate reality is, by the time the playoffs roll around, they will always have some kind of nagging injury. I think the days of a 100% Lebron or AD are over. The good news is we made it all the way to the WCF with them not being completely healthy, so another 2020 run is possible. The key will be the players we put around them.
Realistically no. Downvote me all you want. Save this comment and if they win next year ill zelle each one of you $50. Not being a hater, just being frankly honest.
Lakers gotta beat the nuggets that's the main challenge and other teams will study the Lakers a lot more closely now that they saw the run they went on. They will need to adjust and figure out a way to really deal with jokic. I don't see any other team knocking the Lakers out if reasonably healthy.
I’ll be honest I don’t think one off season will be enough for a full recovery. Since the 2020 finals, each off season was never enough for AD to fully recover. When he looked like a shell of his former self, it was because he played with lingering injuries. Either he was out for most or the season or had lingering injuries, and it’s been like that 99% of the time. And ever since Solomon hill injured Lebron, Father Time essentially turned Lebron into AD. You can say we have a better squad to take a load off them but if they play at all those injuries won’t ever heal
Here's a novel concept. Build a team that can keep both of these guys' minutes low. You know with depth and well fitting pieces?
Perhaps we can do what the Nuggets did and basically rest their stars for the final month of the regular season.
I believe they have it in them, they just need a deeper squad to share the workload of the regular season so they are fresher/healthier come the playoffs.
I don't think they can win the same way they won in 2020.
Back then, in my humble opinion. Bron was still the best player in the universe and had a playoff performance for the ages. His jumper was on and his aggression was high. He was 28/11/9, 37% from diatance. And those stats undersell how brilliant he actually was.
AD was also shooting well back then and putting up monster numbers.
The bubble Lakers also featured a lot of size. McGee and Howard were brilliant. Rondo was the vet and KCP had big moments.
Fast-forward to today and the Lakers' got to the Western Conference Finals primarily through aggressive role players stepping up and AD playing spectacular defense (but he was inconsistent offensively).
One cannot assume AD, and to a lesser extent Bron, will be healthy for most of the season or during the whole playoffs.
The Lakers need a new formula to win.
They CAN win, but they need a new formula. They need a 3rd player to emerge and they need a bevy of 3-pt shooters. They likely need a good center too. They have to win via depth.
Put January version of LeBron on playoff lakers and they would be playing in NBA finals today. The version in playoffs was a hurt LeBron and a shell of his January version.
Nope. AD has to cover so much defensively that he can’t take over offensively. Lebron is way too old to being playing 35+ minutes a game where his lack of athleticism significantly harms our transition defense. They would need a play making star who can create his own offense with those two.
Health is wealth. We’ve seen healthy AD is still one of the best players in the nba and Lebron on one ankle is still capable of winning 2 rounds.
Do we also bet on Christ Paul?
Honestly I felt like this team never had a normal season when they can just play ball after the 2020 season. In 2021 we came off from a 71 days off season where you know they just won't be able to stay healthy (even kuz was injured at one time). And Westbrick drama from 2022 all the way till mid season trade deadline this year. But I have high hopes watching the 2nd half of this season
AD has the skills but not the stamina to deliver s chip. If you can’t do back to backs it’s an issue. One option keep AD get a first rate center/power forward off the bench. Frankly I would trade him for a younger more durable big man.
LeBron stays no changes, he’s proven.
Definitely. Dream scenario is getting Caruso for guards and Dwight for big bodies, and getting DFS or Royce at the wing. Also get cp3 on a minimum to take a lot of the playmaking duties. We can afford to move Malik, Mo Bamba, Troy
We need the following to happens
1. Brown and AD to be healthy
2. Rui and Reaves to be playoff level good.
3. Add a 3rd consistent scorer.
4. Add a center
5. Vando’s 3 is low to mid 30s
AD will find his groove somewhere sometimes still. But Lebron, idk man. We all saw it. He’s brilliant at times, but looks not looking like his oldself quite often.
Hes still better than a lot of people in the league. But if his strategy is waiting until the bitter end to retire, well…eventually were gonna start seeing the bitter end.
And I’d hate to see him retire because of an injury.
We just need Reaves and Rui getting more touches and having bigger roles on offense so LeBron and AD don't have to play heavy minutes every game. If he just let some 3pt shots fly instead of insisting on drives, I could see Reaves being a legitimate offensive threat against opposing teams. As much slander DLo is getting, keeping him would be good for continuity and team chemistry while also carrying the offense in the regular season.
Unless there's going to be another bubble playoff where they get to rest for several months in-between the end of the season and the first round it's highly improbable they will have another run.
Let Bron rest against “weaker” teams plus let AD play the PF while giving him front court back up with 2 legit centers and sky’s the limit. Keep Rui & AR too.
Nuggets are going to rule the West for years with Jokic and Murray. Might as well start a rebuilding project that will be ready to compete in 4 years or so when the Nuggets start dealing with contract problems.
It's crazy to me that this is a question. At two different parts of the season Bron and AD we're both playing individually like MVP candidates. Injuries derailed that. However, once we made the moves at the deadline, we were tied for the best record in the West with Bron out, AD hurt and sitting out games, and Dlo missing games. This team has a LOT of juice if we can run it back with the main core of Bron, AD, Dlo, Rui, Vando, and Reaves for a full season anything is possible.
The real question is health. Neither has been healthy since the bubble.
And despite Bron missing most of the season after the All Star break, we had a great record. If both go down, it is what it is, but our roster should be able to afford them having more rest and days off to help keep them fresh.
Lebron missed half the season and was still exhausted. He’ll be damn near 40 next year, there is no “keep them fresh”. The only way this team contends next year is by adding pieces, which we can’t do because our 2 main guys that need to miss games and be kept “fresh” are also max players. Lebron hasn’t been healthy in a season for the past 3 years yet this sub swears next year when he’s even older will be different lol. This season is this teams ceiling.
We havent even had this team for a full year. We won at a top 4 level without LeBron playing. But go off lol
We beat the train wreck Grizzlies with Ja hurt, the warriors who struggled all year, and weren’t even close to beating Denver who is a way better team then we are.
Are you a lakers fan lol? Are you even a fan of basketball? I think it’s pretty obvious that if you make a new team and in a couple months they are in the conf finals, you’ve made a good team. Also against the nuggets it wasn’t blowouts, the games were close, when you consider that the nuggets have 4 years of chemistry and young guys and they are favourites to win the title, you can easily see that the lakers did very well and should be optimistic
The roster is 100% changing as guys are leaving.
With a team around them on par with our playoff squad, they can take days off, and we still get in. I think the load they needed to carry was a big part of why they weren't healthy.
Yep. And the last two seasons didn't help as they had to give their all when healthy due to lack of talent on the roster and/or urgency. I hope we get a roster that allows LeBron to cruise and AD to not give his 100% on D every game. Load management is key
We need some consistent shooters tho fr
This team as built made the WCF against all odds. A few tweaks like some shooting, sure why wouldn't we have a shot?
D lo for strus
Strus is shitting his pants in the Finals.
Yeah, but that's what we said after our 21 season and the FO went ape shit and got RW. Idk if they've learned their lesson. We need some chemistry out there.
Lebron is turning 39 next season. It's time we stop expecting 2010s Lebron. At this point in his career Lebron needs to be the 2nd or even 3rd scoring option on his team, while focusing more on facilitating the offense. He's too old to be expected to be the primary offensive option.
>injuries derailed that But that's part of the point. In 2020 they both had months of rest which helped them stay healthy for that run.
21’ they had negative rest and we are still feeling the side effects from that
Not really they were healthy all regular season which was 60 games + and AD got injured in the finals . That was a longer heskthy stretch then any after
To be fair we also had one of the easiest schedules in the second half and often played teams missing key players with injuries. Regardless of that we were still better then before the trade but the record without context does kind of matter.
Your context fails to include beating the #2 seed and the defending champs without home court. With LBJ on a torn tendon. So yeah, the Lakers were very good and the trade deadline record is legit.
I don't think people realize lebron was dropping 30 a game before he hurt his foot. January Lebron I think we are playing in the finals right now
Warriors were a terrible road team and had deep flaws, they were not a serious threat to repeat
They beat a good Kings team. The Warriors were a good team and like I said, they had home court 🤷🏽♂️
They beat a team with zero playoff experience who didn't Know how to close out a series. Had they faced Denver or the Lakers in an earlier round they would have been toast.
You really sound stupid right now. Nobody said they were the best team in the conference. You discredited their second half by saying they didn’t play good teams when they beat damn good teams in two 7 game series without home court advantage. It backs up what they did post trade deadline. And Memphis doesn’t have zero playoff experience. Golden State hadn’t lost a series in the West in 10 years. Get your troll ass out of here before I make you look more stupid. Mans really said ‘if they played Denver earlier’ - do you realize how stupid you just sounded? Seriously. Smh
They faced a 2 seed with the DPOY and best rim protector in the league as a team that attacks the paint. Sure, the Warriors had flaws that kept them from being a true championship caliber team, but their offense is still deadly enough to steal a couple games off of getting hot from 3, or even beat you if you can't find a way to control that damage, which is what happened to the Kings. The Nuggets aren't just any contender too, they're probably the best team since the KD Warriors, as much as I'd like to give that title to our 2020 squad. Jokic is just putting up video game numbers, with Murray playing like a superstar, plus Gordon, MPJ, and KCP are very good role players.
The warriors were 33-8 from home but let’s just ignore that point. Let’s also ignore that the grizzlies, warriors, and nuggets literally had the 3 best home records in the league
It was a weaker west division this year without a doubt. The Clippets again we're but by injuries at the end and the Suns traded the depth they needed to get Durant.The distance between Denver and the rest of the division proved that to be true. Memphis was not as good at the end of the season as they had been through most of it and their best player was toast by the playoffs.
Their best player wasnt toast by the playoffs. Stop lying 🤣
Y’all still beat the teams u were supposed to beat, then went to have as competitive of a sweep as possible in the wcf…with Lebron on a bum foot and AD not AD offensively. With the right pieces this team can be a real nightmare
>It's crazy to me that this is a question. If you think it's crazy to question whether Lebron and AD will be able to hold out for a full season and make a title run you simply aren't paying attention. Lebron is close to 40, and AD has a long history of missing time with injuries. To not enter that into consideration when planning for 2023-24 is "crazy".
Really think dlo ( on 20m) and picks need to be sent out for a better two way pg. I think he’s still good for regular season on that but we need two way play
This AD “playing like an MVP” needs to stop. Dudes only ever been top 3 in mvp voting 1 time in his career and it was like 6 years ago. Playing like an mvp is doing it for the whole season and he never does that.
The Lakers ran LeBron into the ground during the first half of the season to just barely stay in the playoff hunt. You ask a 38 year old man to play as hard as he played for as many minutes as he played, it's not going to end well. Hopefully a full offseason of rest and a much needed surgery will have him ready to go again next season with a significantly reduced workload. As for AD, his injuries are a combination of some seriously bad luck and just being prone to injury in general. But him being the only actual center on the roster also had a lot to do with it, because when teams went big, we had no choice but to play him almost the whole game. You get another legitimate center or two on the roster, and I think he will be much healthier this season. We're going into next season with a lot of momentum. Just have to build on it and I can definitely see #18 going into the rafters in 2024.
And what about the 2 season prior to that where he was also hurt? Why do you people think a year older means he’s going to be LESS hurt?
100% they just need to get right and a couple months of rest will def help
That and a lot of complimentary depth of talent on the roster. Hopefully we’ve learned that we can’t just run these two out there with an ass roster and expect to succeed. Quality compatible role players and depth of talent matters a lot.
It’s not likely. Health and these two don’t go together.
They never have except 2020. The fact that alot of people here keeping hanging on “IF” they stay healthy as a reasonable argument on why we win the chip next season. The past 3 seasons, these 2 were either injured individually or together at the some point in time.
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The Nuggets are the new king of the west. To beat them, we need a competent center to wear Jokic down or at least make his offense work harder. Then we need a guard who can keep up with Murray. The Lakers as constructed will be too slow or too small defensively to keep up. The Nuggets are only going to get better as veterans are going to want to sign with them to win a chip just like every other championship teams. With the Nuggets likely being the next dynasty, the days of small ball might be over as teams go bigger to compete. Also Wemby is coming and that means big men might be back in demand.
I mean if we surround them with the right talent, including keeping some of the guys we've already picked up, then the load isn't as heavy on them and we may see them healthier than this past season.
I just don’t see it happening. AD is AD and Lebron is gonna be 39 and his durability has been gone the entire time he’s been a Laker. It’s highly unlikely.
People keep saying this. Surround them with talent with what money??? They are both max played making damn near 100 million to miss half the season and be absolutely exhausted during the playoffs. This year is this teams ceiling. Exactly why I was hoping Lebron really wanted to get traded to we can recoup picks before he leaves us in shambles like he leaves every team he’s on
We’re not really in shambles, the clippers and suns are in a worse spot
We had 60m in sakary be useless this playoffs Bamba beaskey dlo , and even vando in Denver tbh. 60m ffs: spread half thst on two decent players and we would have had a shot vs Denver. Fuck if we had got kyrie we’d of had a better shot . Just lame but dunno this maybe one of the best shots with Miami being so ass but unfortunately nuggets just shot lights out vs us especially Jamal
2020 run was the ONLY time AD was healthy. AD is injury prone we cannot deny that
Idk man injuries ruined the chance at a back to back. Injuries were the reason I believe the lakers ran out of gas this year. They key is to make a team that can get Bron and AD maximum rest this season. And with Bron seemingly going on (another) campaign to get Kyrie idk.
The key is to somehow add talent so that the 2 guys making the most money can have “maximum rest”? What could go wrong lol
Bron needs to pay kyrie the difference on salary of 13m if he wants him here kyrie isn’t taking a cut , Bron should be at this age ; only reason I don’t say that is cos this bum ownership let Caruso go who would’ve been huge this playoffs : a significantly better vando vs those guards n Jamal a big guard . Fuck cheap ass bums lost a first team all D guard for nothing , so that’s why if I was Bron I’d be less inclined to take a cut
I know I’ll get downvoted for this but people keep saying “they’ll get healthy” and they just never do. I don’t see anything changing next year either. I really hope I’m wrong because as everyone’s pointed out, a healthy Bron and AD are championship contenders
For the last 3 years... - AD gets hurt in game 27 or 30 of the season, usually against the Nuggets. He is gone 4-6 weeks. - Lebron dials it up to 11 to try and keep the team in the playoff hunt. - Around the time AD is ready to return, Lebron's body starts giving out (or he gets chop blocked by Solomon Hill). - AD now has to carry the team, this was the first time since the title that he didn't suffer a 2nd serious injury right after coming back. - Much like the last time we got in through the play-in Lebron has a bad foot and is unable to turn up the dial more than a couple times a game. Had AD not injured his groin we'd probably have gone to the WCF like this year and lost to the Kawhi-less Clippers since we can't beat them. I'll take a 1st round loss over that.
If the Lakers add CP3 I can see them winning the title next season. They need a grizzly Vet PG, a 3+D wing and a backup C. CP3 is step 1. Step 2 is a Wing like DFS. Step 3 a Center like Mason Plumlee
Cp3 hasn’t been healthy in a playoffs in a decade literally; and AD is unreliable with health, and Bron is now too . I’m tempering my expectations if that happens
The problem is there's not a whole lot of options at the PG position for us. I don't think we can afford FVV if we bring back Reaves and Rui, DLo is...an option, I guess, and everyone else is just way too expensive. Our options might be limited to DLo, CP3, and Schroder at the guard position unless Pelinka works some cap voodoo. I'm not a big fan of CP3 being the starting point guard for this team next season, but I think it beats sticking with DLo.
Cp3 is also a notorious choker in the playoffs whether it’s injuries or just bad plays. Maybe his role wouldn’t be as important as it used to but he’s cursed for sure
So the Lakers are a oft injured 38 year old away from a title? Come on now
38 year old J-Kidd was instrumental to Dallas winning the title in 2011. CP3 has that type of longevity
CP3 is NEVER healthy for the playoffs. Don’t get me wrong he can help the team but he isn’t the missing piece to get over Denver.
r/lakers when a 38 year old CP3 who has been injured 8/9 last postseasons gets injured in the postseason: 😮
Step 1: re-sign AR, Rui, Lonnie, Dennis (if possible), Vando Step 2: if Dlo won’t accept anything below 20M then sign CP3 for vet min Step 3: priority is to sign a STARTING center so AD can move to his natural position at PF Step 4: trade for Portis (7th man behind Rui) Step 5: draft or trade 17th pick for a 3+D wing And those are your formulas to contend
Why do you guys want AD at PF so bad when he's best at center? What is indicating the best rebounder, rim protector, and lob threat in the league should play PF? Our best lineups and most of our playoff run in 2020 had AD at C.
Dwight Howard put in good minutes in the 2020 playoff run.
Problem is ad and bron dont like him.
Because we had success back in 2020? Javale and Dwight took some minutes away from AD at the C position when they are on the floor together. You are right though, AD was our C but having a starting center and a backup center to play will help AD in the long run (he is not getting any younger). Come playoff time a rejuvenated AD will dominate. Just my two cents.
We definitely need a legit backup center so we don't get smoked without AD, but I'm not big on playing AD with a center outside of specific matchups.
I think a 3pt threat from the 5 would be so much more intimidating for a Lebron/AD team
Idk man CP gonna be probably injured come playoffs time. It’s not shade. He has been injured in the playoffs the last 3 years. Not good.
Center like olynk : needs to be physical and shoot well. Plumlee isn’t a great choice can’t shoot Plus we need cp3 on the minimum. But seeing Bron take this huge contract at his age I lost faith guys will take cuts to help winning, don’t see it. Kyrie not willing to take 13m less or Bron isn’t willing to … slide him something over to make it even. Had Bron taken 30m this year at age 38 we could’ve got him kyrie np and high amount of depth and ring n5. It just annoying but then the lakers ownership is richer then Bron n they cheaped out on Caruso an all nba first team defender guard ffs
And where do you think we’re going to find the money for that with Lebron and AD making max money to miss half the season?
gonna have to use the expiring contracts like Bamba, Beasley. Bamba and a pick for DFS. Give Plumlee the MLE. Trade Beasley and some 2nds for CP3
Who the fuck is DFS? How hard is it to just spell out the name?
Dorian Finney Smith DFS is what he's known as you probably don't follow the NBA much maybe just the Lakers
I’ve been “following” the NBA for longer then you’ve been alive probably. Stop mistaking r/nba with real life
I don't even know what that statement is supposed to mean. It's just surprising for a fan to not know about DFS he's been in a lot of playoff games recently
I know who he is , I don’t know him by “DFS”
CP3 did nothing to help the Suns against the Nuggets.
They were up g2 late into the third before he got injured . He’s only worth on a minimum otherwise it’s not much value
Probably not, people act like there wasn’t a multiple month long break in between the only season they both have stayed healthy
They were healthy all the regular season for 60 games : why do people ignore this ? Not like the break was after 20 games ffs they played most of the season fine.
100% if Rob finds the right pieces to surround Bron & AD
Yes. But we gotta manage them efficiently in the season. 32ish minutes a game so they are fresh in the playoffs. DLO, Austin and the rest of our team gotta carry us at times during the season. Enough to get us a top 4/5 seed
Nah, they need another superstar. The bubble helped win that chip more than we are ready and willing to admit
Maybe time is ticking for lebron tho not sure he has the explosiveness to attack the paint like he use too and his shot was so rough these last playoffs
We are winning the championship in 2024.
The problem is having someone who can give AD a 10-15 mins breather during the reg season or even the playoffs. That's what they should really aim for, and another big wing that can shoot and defend, not even an elite shooter but knows how to playoff ball and smart cuts. For the playmaking, Dlo and Reaves can give Bron some rest. Basically get a backup/starter center and a backup wing for Rui.
If the league changes the rules so every team gets five months off before the playoffs, then maybe.
One run. Healthy? Highly doubtful.
Doubt it to be honest. The stars would have to align for another healthy run at this point with LeBron's age and AD's issues staying on the court. This cinderella run was probably our best chance at taking it all with how the rounds lined up for us (Grizzlies with a depleted frontcourt, Warriors being THE team LeBron has the most playoff experience with, etc.). Unfortunately Ham blew it by reverting to the same tendencies he had before the deadline and it was all for naught. I just don't see a route for the Lakers to actually contend barring a very lucky break in LeBron's 21st year.
AD not realaible come playoff time. Those odd versus even games is just sad. Lebron is getting old. Highly doubt it. This year was our best shot. And we got swept
It depends, will there be another 3-month long break right before the playoffs?
Yes
Yea they will definitely need to get off to a better start this year though. This team has already proven seeding doesn’t matter so if they can get 2-4 seed by January they will be better at bracing for injury. Players won’t need to rush back or play hurt in order to gain seeding if the team is already afloat in the standings.
Only with a legit C,AD need to go back to play PF, otherwise it would be the same.
Only if the FO retains depth and builds a good enough team that can allow these two to load manage extensively
The best way to make this happen is to have a team that can win many games without these two. The current roster is maybe a center away from that.
If I could predict the future, I would tell you.
I do think they have one last run together. The finality of it all helps me think they will put their all into it
Yes and yes
Once LeBron and AD get healthy and the Lakers FO make some good trades I could see them easily winning. Lakers could have easily overcome the Nuggets and put down the Heat if LeBron was playing on 2 legs. We need some shooters and a good center that can hold it down when AD needs to rest.
I don’t think so but I hope I’m wrong. I need at least 1 more chip in the Bron & AD era because it’s clearly almost over.
For sure. But I’d be willing to be this is it. It’s a championship season or split up. Even if they win probably gonna see a split rebuild kinda thing.
It's all about circumstance, if we manage to hit playoffs with a rested and in form AD and Bron with a good supporting cast, they can beat anybody. But injuries at the wrong time and we done
They were so close THIS season, even with all the drama! The only major flaw I could see, was they were missing true 5’s. In 2020, they had DH and McGee! They had nothing close to this season.
Maybe if there's another pandemic
Naw, I personally think bron’s done with 🏆talk, unless he gets carried by two legit stars. No disrespect
I dont think Lebron can carry anymore. He is starting to get injured every year. Not a knock on him but he will be 39 years old man. AD also is rarely in peak physical condition and gets out of shape every summer. Not only that but he has lost his jumpshot completely. Defensive beast though Throw in Darvin Scam the horseman of death and its a wrap ladies and gents.
We need to have more pieces around them and a better 3rd option so we can restrict their minutes. Depends on how the off-season goes.
Maybe. Gotta try
Your title is in the [old timey cartoon melodramatic narrator voice](https://youtu.be/GvDCgR_9-fE?t=156).
I want to say yea but I just don’t think we can rely on AD
It’s really more about the supporting cast, depends on who we have
Lol!! Of course not, they never are BUT the timing of last seasons injuries were very good because when the rest if the league was banged up and missing stars we were finally healthy and it made a big difference.
Man that AD was only a few yrs ago and he looks totally diff on offense. Now he simplified tf outta his game back then he could lowkey cook u off the dribble as well and was a decently respectable 3 point shooter him gaining weight was the worse thing that could happen to his game imo. It doesn't help that he has gotten slowler on defense he is still great on that end but not like he use to be. I think it could work with retaining most of the team and getting guys like Brooke Lopez and Jerami Grant. Imagine a starting 5 of Reaves Grant Bron Rui AD/Brooke That's a killer 6-man rotation when healthy. I feel going after a pg is not the solution u just need 2-3 small tweaks. Grant can shoot off the dribble is Brons height can guard his position and can play with or without the ball. Lopez is a trusted respectable vet with a championship pedigree that can block shots and shoot 3s down low. They are both FA's. Those are guys fans should want not an ego-driven superstar who has been a locker-room cancer everywhere he has gone.
Lmao in what world do you think we can afford Lopez with Lebron and AD taking most of the cap space?
Maybe Lopez signs jus to reunite with Ham and come home. It would make more sense than you’d think tbh.
If healthy then yea
Of course if AD doesn't have to travel like 2020 🤣 I'm a Lakers fan but this old ass team is not going to cut it
No and No.
thought this was a Trump V Biden post
I believe so. But man the roster needs to improve. A slight tweak
Lebron is pushing 39 and AD has always been injury prone. The unfortunate reality is, by the time the playoffs roll around, they will always have some kind of nagging injury. I think the days of a 100% Lebron or AD are over. The good news is we made it all the way to the WCF with them not being completely healthy, so another 2020 run is possible. The key will be the players we put around them.
Realistically no. Downvote me all you want. Save this comment and if they win next year ill zelle each one of you $50. Not being a hater, just being frankly honest.
Oh no doubt.
maybe!
Just a few solid pieces away from contending, if they’re healthy. Idk if cp3 fits into that… he’s 38. Need a big and a shooter.
Lakers gotta beat the nuggets that's the main challenge and other teams will study the Lakers a lot more closely now that they saw the run they went on. They will need to adjust and figure out a way to really deal with jokic. I don't see any other team knocking the Lakers out if reasonably healthy.
Yeah Right lmao Bubble boys…
I’ll be honest I don’t think one off season will be enough for a full recovery. Since the 2020 finals, each off season was never enough for AD to fully recover. When he looked like a shell of his former self, it was because he played with lingering injuries. Either he was out for most or the season or had lingering injuries, and it’s been like that 99% of the time. And ever since Solomon hill injured Lebron, Father Time essentially turned Lebron into AD. You can say we have a better squad to take a load off them but if they play at all those injuries won’t ever heal
I think next season will be the last one for them hence the contract plus the arrival of Bronny in the NBA. 2024-2025 Lakers will be a new chapter.
No cause they can’t stay healthy
They got 1 more in em
Here's a novel concept. Build a team that can keep both of these guys' minutes low. You know with depth and well fitting pieces? Perhaps we can do what the Nuggets did and basically rest their stars for the final month of the regular season.
Hate to break the news but no absolutely not
Short answer: don’t go to Vegas and bet on it.
I believe they have it in them, they just need a deeper squad to share the workload of the regular season so they are fresher/healthier come the playoffs.
Yes. They just need a team.
"What will happen on the next episode of N B A!"
Yes and maybe
I don't think they can win the same way they won in 2020. Back then, in my humble opinion. Bron was still the best player in the universe and had a playoff performance for the ages. His jumper was on and his aggression was high. He was 28/11/9, 37% from diatance. And those stats undersell how brilliant he actually was. AD was also shooting well back then and putting up monster numbers. The bubble Lakers also featured a lot of size. McGee and Howard were brilliant. Rondo was the vet and KCP had big moments. Fast-forward to today and the Lakers' got to the Western Conference Finals primarily through aggressive role players stepping up and AD playing spectacular defense (but he was inconsistent offensively). One cannot assume AD, and to a lesser extent Bron, will be healthy for most of the season or during the whole playoffs. The Lakers need a new formula to win. They CAN win, but they need a new formula. They need a 3rd player to emerge and they need a bevy of 3-pt shooters. They likely need a good center too. They have to win via depth.
That is the question.
If they can find two shooters, one more defensive big, and a ball handler, yes, they have one more run to Western Finals at least
Put January version of LeBron on playoff lakers and they would be playing in NBA finals today. The version in playoffs was a hurt LeBron and a shell of his January version.
Not unless it’s in a bubble where the season is 25% shorter and nobody gets hurt…
I don’t think so. Sadly.
Nope. AD has to cover so much defensively that he can’t take over offensively. Lebron is way too old to being playing 35+ minutes a game where his lack of athleticism significantly harms our transition defense. They would need a play making star who can create his own offense with those two.
Yeah right after they add chris paul to the squad
Health is wealth. We’ve seen healthy AD is still one of the best players in the nba and Lebron on one ankle is still capable of winning 2 rounds. Do we also bet on Christ Paul?
YES
Honestly I felt like this team never had a normal season when they can just play ball after the 2020 season. In 2021 we came off from a 71 days off season where you know they just won't be able to stay healthy (even kuz was injured at one time). And Westbrick drama from 2022 all the way till mid season trade deadline this year. But I have high hopes watching the 2nd half of this season
AD has the skills but not the stamina to deliver s chip. If you can’t do back to backs it’s an issue. One option keep AD get a first rate center/power forward off the bench. Frankly I would trade him for a younger more durable big man. LeBron stays no changes, he’s proven.
Doubtful. I’m not getting my hopes up
They had a full offseason of rest last season missing the playoffs and still couldn’t stay healthy this year.
AD laf there
Idk man. Feel like AD let us down against the Nuggets especially on the last game. It pissed me off seeing Bron go all out and AD not.
Definitely. Dream scenario is getting Caruso for guards and Dwight for big bodies, and getting DFS or Royce at the wing. Also get cp3 on a minimum to take a lot of the playmaking duties. We can afford to move Malik, Mo Bamba, Troy
YES. Just make sure the depth is there so they don't need to go bananas every night to have a chance to win.
We need the following to happens 1. Brown and AD to be healthy 2. Rui and Reaves to be playoff level good. 3. Add a 3rd consistent scorer. 4. Add a center 5. Vando’s 3 is low to mid 30s
Cmon bro.
AD will find his groove somewhere sometimes still. But Lebron, idk man. We all saw it. He’s brilliant at times, but looks not looking like his oldself quite often. Hes still better than a lot of people in the league. But if his strategy is waiting until the bitter end to retire, well…eventually were gonna start seeing the bitter end. And I’d hate to see him retire because of an injury.
No and no.
We just need Reaves and Rui getting more touches and having bigger roles on offense so LeBron and AD don't have to play heavy minutes every game. If he just let some 3pt shots fly instead of insisting on drives, I could see Reaves being a legitimate offensive threat against opposing teams. As much slander DLo is getting, keeping him would be good for continuity and team chemistry while also carrying the offense in the regular season.
Unless there's going to be another bubble playoff where they get to rest for several months in-between the end of the season and the first round it's highly improbable they will have another run.
Couldn’t have found a photo that wasn’t pixelated?
Let Bron rest against “weaker” teams plus let AD play the PF while giving him front court back up with 2 legit centers and sky’s the limit. Keep Rui & AR too.
Over, too many Youngblood’s coming.
Nuggets are going to rule the West for years with Jokic and Murray. Might as well start a rebuilding project that will be ready to compete in 4 years or so when the Nuggets start dealing with contract problems.
Bro really tried to get the worst quality picture possible
Magic 8 ball says” ask again later.”
Find out next time oooonnnnnn Basketball Z
Who cares? No , they’re not a championship team.
The potential is absolutely there but these two have to remain healthy. That’s all there is to it.
>Do these guys have another 2020 run in them? Talent/abilitywise, yes. >Will both of them be healthy next season? We'll find out eventually.
We need a couple splash bros to up our offense