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    Jamie Sweet wrote a new post

    Another road game, another loss. 5-11 on the road (not counting the IST in Vegas) and the Lakers couldn’t look more different than the team we saw raise the inaugural cup in Vegas. Worse, the excuses, er, reasons are piling up now.

    1) Excuse #1: Were not healthy. Oh, really? Welcome to pro sports. Perhaps this was maybe-kinda-sorta true when we were missing 1/3!of the team. Now? That excuse rings hollow. If someone who should be playing isn’t that’s on the coach.
    2) Excuse #2: Were not familiar with one another. Outside of Vando everyone played in camp and preseason, they had a Vegas mini camp together, and have played over 1/3 of the season. If the issue is the rotations that excuse sounds like a very thinly veiled knock on the coach.
    3) Excuse #3: The Coach is blowing it. Up until the trade, and now again this season, many fans wondered openly big Ham has the chops to coach bay this level. While I think he does, my issue is that he seems slow to adapt. One glaring example is the Taurean Prince minutes imbalance. I cannot figure out what has created this wealth of trust the staff has in TP that isn’t shared amongst proven playoff players Rui or Vando. I’m not saying any of these are all that much better than the other. But Vando and his defense were a huge component of us even making the playin last season. Rui showed he can rise to the moment. Prince has been fine. Streaky, as all shooters are, and generally not really up to the task on D. The other semi-concerning issue with Ham is that he’s parroting the “we need guys back” excuse. That dog will never hunt, your whole job is to figure out a way to win given the resources at hand. It is a shitty job but you took it. So get to it. Also ditch the 5 out sets unless you can talk shooters into either getting back in D, matching up in transition and crashing the glass when the shot goes up. We’re getting killed because mall our guys are standing at the three point line for some dumb reason.
    4) AD is balking out. This is the best I’ve seen Davis play in years and since he took the second half off against Denver I think he’s been pretty consistently great. We’re seeing him pop for some jumpers and his three ball is coming around.
    5) Feels like a trade is inevitable. I just don’t see the inherent inconsistencies that some guys bring going away. DLo is perfectly content to be an after thought on offense, Rui’s scoring vacillates wildly from game to game, and we’re not going to waste LeBron and AD’s best season since The Bubble Banner. So whether it happens sooner or later it feels almost certain something will change.

    5 Things: Excuses mount, wins do not

    Another road game, another loss. 5-11 on the road (not counting the IST in Vegas) and the Lakers couldn’t look more different than the team we saw raise the inaugural cup in Vegas. Worse, the excuses, er, reasons are piling up now.

    1) Excuse #1: Were not healthy. Oh, really? Welcome to pro sports. Perhaps this was maybe-kinda-sorta true when we were missing 1/3!of the team. Now? That excuse rings hollow. If someone who should be playing isn’t that’s on the coach.
    2) Excuse #2: Were not familiar with one another. Outside of Vando everyone played in camp and preseason, they had a Vegas mini camp together, and have played over 1/3 of the season. If the issue is the rotations that excuse sounds like a very thinly veiled knock on the coach.
    3) Excuse #3: The Coach is blowing it. Up until the trade, and now again this season, many fans wondered openly big Ham has the chops to coach bay this level. While I think he does, my issue is that he seems slow to adapt. One glaring example is the Taurean Prince minutes imbalance. I cannot figure out what has created this wealth of trust the staff has in TP that isn’t shared amongst proven playoff players Rui or Vando. I’m not saying any of these are all that much better than the other. But Vando and his defense were a huge component of us even making the playin last season. Rui showed he can rise to the moment. Prince has been fine. Streaky, as all shooters are, and generally not really up to the task on D. The other semi-concerning issue with Ham is that he’s parroting the “we need guys back” excuse. That dog will never hunt, your whole job is to figure out a way to win given the resources at hand. It is a shitty job but you took it. So get to it. Also ditch the 5 out sets unless you can talk shooters into either getting back in D, matching up in transition and crashing the glass when the shot goes up. We’re getting killed because mall our guys are standing at the three point line for some dumb reason.
    4) AD is balking out. This is the best I’ve seen Davis play in years and since he took the second half off against Denver I think he’s been pretty consistently great. We’re seeing him pop for some jumpers and his three ball is coming around.
    5) Feels like a trade is inevitable. I just don’t see the inherent inconsistencies that some guys bring going away. DLo is perfectly content to be an after thought on offense, Rui’s scoring vacillates wildly from game to game, and we’re not going to waste LeBron and AD’s best season since The Bubble Banner. So whether it happens sooner or later it feels almost certain something will change.

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    • Great fiver, Jamie. Not a single thing I disagree with you. Need to move DLo ASAP. If we can swap him for Rozier without giving up a pick, I’d do that in a flash. D’Angelo needs fresh start and Lakers need him to be gone. Rozier’s speed and volume 3-ball are better fits for Lakers thanDLo..

      That might give us enough time to wait until Jan 15 to trade for a second big to start next to and back up Davis at center although I’d try right away to see if we could get Gafford or Olynyk as that second big.

    • I understand how you feel, Jamie. I am more frustrated than anybody on this blog about the state of the Lakers. The Lakers’ inconsistency can be mentally exhausting, especially when it seems like just when the team is getting it together, a new issue arises. It’s frustrating to see a team with such potential struggle to find consistency. I agree there has to be some kind of trade if the team is to overcome these challenges soon.

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    LakerTom wrote a new post

    #5 Bojan Bogdanovic
    #4 John Konchar
    #3 Alex Caruso
    #2 DeMar DeRozan
    #1 Zach LaVine

    5 players who could wear Purple & Gold before trade deadline

    #5 Bojan Bogdanovic
    #4 John Konchar
    #3 Alex Caruso
    #2 DeMar DeRozan
    #1 Zach LaVine

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    LakerTom wrote a new post

    #5. Austin Reaves’ breakout season
    #4. Can Darvin Ham capitalize on his good start?
    #3. The Lakers’ 3-point shooting could make or break their season
    #2. Kyrie Irving or another big name joins ahead of the trade deadline
    #1. The health of superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis

    5 narratives that may dictate Lakers 2023-24 season

    #5. Austin Reaves’ breakout season
    #4. Can Darvin Ham capitalize on his good start?
    #3. The Lakers’ 3-point shooting could make or break their season
    #2. Kyrie Irving or another big name joins ahead of the trade deadline
    #1. The health of superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis

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    LakerTom wrote a new post

    #1 – Lakers give up Russell Westbrook and 2027 and 2029 first-round picks.

    #2 – Trade two picks only for Turner.

    #3– Find a third team to add to the trade.

    3 potential Myles Turner to LA Lakers trade scenarios

    #1 – Lakers give up Russell Westbrook and 2027 and 2029 first-round picks.

    #2 – Trade two picks only for Turner.

    #3– Find a third team to add to the trade.

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    • If the Lakers want to get Turner, they can do it with Russ’ expiring contract and picks or with Beverley and Nunn’s expiring contracts and picks, keeping Russ or flipping him to another team for more players. Like maybe to Hornets for Rozier and Hayward just for Charlotte to dump contracts.

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    LakerTom wrote a new post

    #1 Indiana Pacers Receive:
    -G Russell Westbrook
    -2027 First-Round Pick (LAL)
    -2029 First-Round Pick (LAL)

    Los Angeles Lakers Receive:
    -C Myles Turner
    -G/F Buddy Hield

    #2 Washington Wizards Receive:
    -G Russell Westbrook
    -2027 First-Round Pick (LAL)
    -2029 First-Round Pick (LAL)

    Los Angeles Lakers Receive:
    -F/C Kristaps Porzingis
    -F Kyle Kuzma

    #3 Utah Jazz Receive:
    -G Russell Westbrook
    -2023 First-Round Pick (NYK)
    -2023 First-Round Pick (DAL via NYK)
    -2025 First-Round Pick (NYK)
    -2027 First-Round Pick (NYK)
    -2027 First-Round Pick (LAL)
    -2029 First-Round Pick (LAL)

    New York Knicks Receive:
    -G Donovan Mitchell

    Los Angeles Lakers Receive:
    -F/C Julius Randle
    -G Mike Conley

    3 Trades For Lakers Using Both Future 1st Round Picks

    #1 Indiana Pacers Receive:
    -G Russell Westbrook
    -2027 First-Round Pick (LAL)
    -2029 First-Round Pick (LAL)

    Los Angeles Lakers Receive:
    -C Myles Turner
    -G/F Buddy Hield

    #2 Washington Wizards Receive:
    -G Russell Westbrook
    -2027 First-Round Pick (LAL)
    -2029 First-Round Pick (LAL)

    Los Angeles Lakers Receive:
    -F/C Kristaps Porzingis
    -F Kyle Kuzma

    #3 Utah Jazz Receive:
    -G Russell Westbrook
    -2023 First-Round Pick (NYK)
    -2023 First-Round Pick (DAL via NYK)
    -2025 First-Round Pick (NYK)
    -2027 First-Round Pick (NYK)
    -2027 First-Round Pick (LAL)
    -2029 First-Round Pick (LAL)

    New York Knicks Receive:
    -G Donovan Mitchell

    Los Angeles Lakers Receive:
    -F/C Julius Randle
    -G Mike Conley

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    Magicman wrote a new post

    Longest tenured HC in the NBA

    1. Gregg Popovich (SAS)
    2. Erik Spoelstra (MIA)
    3. Steve Kerr (GSW)
    4. Quin Snyder (UTH)
    5. Michael Malone (DEN)

    Rick Carlisle was #3

    Longest tenured Head coaches

    Longest tenured HC in the NBA

    1. Gregg Popovich (SAS)
    2. Erik Spoelstra (MIA)
    3. Steve Kerr (GSW)
    4. Quin Snyder (UTH)
    5. Michael Malone (DEN)

    Rick Carlisle was #3

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    • Those top 3 names will retire or resign or die. Not likely any of them are fired. I’d say Quin is a lifer as long as he wants. ..

    • Man..I’ve been totally unimpressed by Snyder in this series. Just haven’t seen a whole lotta adjustments..lets just chuck 3’s and hope for the best. And the Clipps were actually seeking out the DPOY with iso ball off those switches on the perimeter. Gotta do better..

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    LakerTom wrote a new post

    #5 Dominance against the Phoeninx Suns before AD’s injury
    #4 Winning culture
    #3 Rest for the LA Lakers’ stars
    #2 Frank Vogel’s defensive system
    #1 LeBron James’ pre-injury form

    5 Positives Lakers can take from disappointing 2020-21 campaign

    #5 Dominance against the Phoeninx Suns before AD’s injury
    #4 Winning culture
    #3 Rest for the LA Lakers’ stars
    #2 Frank Vogel’s defensive system
    #1 LeBron James’ pre-injury form

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