Are the Lakers and Lebron done for the foreseeable future? Are they joined at the hip, while also not seeing eye to eye on how to move forward, making it impossible for either to see success for many more years?
More rumbling from LA, as the franchise craters around Lebron. He's getting impatient and is demanding they do what it takes to become a winner, now, to make THIS season's team good. But they are so bad, and so bereft of assets. Westbrook has been better as a backup, but he's still very much a net negative on the court, contractually, and as a trade chip. The front office is leery of investing more of the future into a trade for somewhat-better pieces for this year, that still will be unlikely to add enough to make them a contender.
And Lebron and AD aren't going to get any better in future years, as age begins to erode their gifts and brings even more injuries.
The only help on the horizon is a 2023 draft pick that is currently about 18, and less-than-max money in 2023 to add a few new players of varying ability. But it's very questionable if that will be enough to move the needle.
If you're not a fan of LAL or Lebron, you probably have lots of feel-good times ahead.
(11-10-2022, 08:42 PM)F Gump Wrote: [ -> ]Are the Lakers and Lebron done for the foreseeable future? Are they joined at the hip, while also not seeing eye to eye on how to move forward, making it impossible for either to see success for many more years?
More rumbling from LA, as the franchise craters around Lebron. He's getting impatient and is demanding they do what it takes to become a winner, now, to make THIS season's team good. But they are so bad, and so bereft of assets. Westbrook has been better as a backup, but he's still very much a net negative on the court, contractually, and as a trade chip. The front office is leery of investing more of the future into a trade for somewhat-better pieces for this year, that still will be unlikely to add enough to make them a contender.
And Lebron and AD aren't going to get any better in future years, as age begins to erode their gifts and brings even more injuries.
The only help on the horizon is a 2023 draft pick that is currently about 18, and less-than-max money in 2023 to add a few new players of varying ability. But it's very questionable if that will be enough to move the needle.
If you're not a fan of LAL or Lebron, you probably have lots of feel-good times ahead.
The problem is Davis. He just isn’t the top five player everyone in the league thought he was on his way to becoming when the Lakers traded for him. If he was the dominant force he should have become everything else there would look significantly better.
Lebron needs to force a trade to Dallas.
(11-10-2022, 08:50 PM)RoyTarpleysGhost Wrote: [ -> ]Lebron needs to force a trade to Dallas.
I wonder…would Lebron/Luka even work?
I think on some levels it would help a lot. This team obviously needs some leadership to replace Brunson, and who better than Lebron? But I don’t know, I worry about the fit, offensively.
(11-10-2022, 09:29 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: [ -> ]I wonder…would Lebron/Luka even work?
No. Luka needs a 6'10" big who can handle a little, shoot the three really well, set picks and either roll or pop, and get some buckets in the post when needed.
If only the Mavs had that player on their team. Oh wait........
(11-10-2022, 09:31 PM)Kammrath Wrote: [ -> ]No. Luka needs a 6'10" big who can handle a little, shoot the three really well, set picks and either roll or pop, and get some buckets in the post when needed.
If only the Mavs had that player on their team. Oh wait........
You're right, they HAD that player on their roster. Unless things drastically change, I'm taking bets Wood walks after the season.
(11-11-2022, 03:54 AM)HoosierDaddyKid Wrote: [ -> ]You're right, they HAD that player on their roster. Unless things drastically change, I'm taking bets Wood walks after the season.
Let's see...
Wood wants to be an All-Star. And yet Kidd by his actions doesn't see Wood as an All-Star. Maybe doesn't even see him as the second best player on the team.
Wood is in a contract year where playing time matters as well as good stats. And yet Kidd isn't helping him with both.
Wood is being singled out for lapses in D when THJ, Luka, SD and even RB has time and again, were far worse.
Much as I like Wood, I agree, he would walk away.
Mavs better trade him.
And find a way to get Turner instead.
(11-11-2022, 04:14 AM)dirkfansince1998 Wrote: [ -> ]DSJ and Brunson having the best seasons of their career when the Mavs are desperate for another playmaker.
Looks like DSJ is slowly getting his bounce back. First step looks better as well.
Someone probably doesn't want to sign-off for any of them.
My guess is, it's not Dirk.
(11-11-2022, 04:14 AM)dirkfansince1998 Wrote: [ -> ]DSJ and Brunson having the best seasons of their career when the Mavs are desperate for another playmaker.
https://twitter.com/ClutchPointsApp/stat...1309381633
https://twitter.com/ClutchPointsApp/stat...9794119680
Looks like DSJ is slowly getting his bounce back. First step looks better as well.
Nice move by DSJ. We will see what happens to his playing time once everyone is back. But he is certainly taking advantage of his opp. For a guy who was real close being out of the league, he is positioning himself to get a multi year contract this offseason.
While they wouldn't have replaced Jalen, in retrospect Goran and maybe DSJ would of least gave us options. We will see if Facu provides any on court value.
(11-11-2022, 09:01 AM)BolsDamols Wrote: [ -> ]DSJ routinely did that dunk in his rookie year, but man, the Hornets commentator made it so much better
The bottom line, some of the teams that he was on (Knicks, Detroit, Portland) weren't going to secure a roster spot for him due to teams being invested financially in other players, or teams didn't think he was worthy of a roster spot. Charlotte took a chance and believed in him, and it's paying off. Even when Ball returns, he's cemented himself as the backup PG. I'm happy for him. It's quite ironic that Charlotte did the same last year for Isiah Thomas, but they didn't re-sign him.
I know no one is saying give him a long term deal...but DSJ is exactly the player I worry the Mavs go after. Almost out of the league...matures a little...gets lucky and finds himself in a situation and excels right before another contract....and Mavs take the risk and get stuck with him for 3 years and it doesnt work out.
(11-10-2022, 09:29 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: [ -> ]I wonder…would Lebron/Luka even work?
I think on some levels it would help a lot. This team obviously needs some leadership to replace Brunson, and who better than Lebron? But I don’t know, I worry about the fit, offensively.
Not gonna waste time on this. I was kinda joking.
But I have no doubts it would work. Lebron is so ready to give over the reigns to someone. Secondary playmaker. Elite bball IQ. Loves Luka. If he’s playing the four, I think he’s a good enough shooter to space the floor. I mean I bet his career three point numbers are better than Dinwiddie. Don’t even need to google it.
He’s carrying a huge load at age 38 on a shit team with no chance at the playoffs. He’s just jacking up shots to pass Kareem.
(11-10-2022, 11:09 AM)StrandedOnBeauboisHill Wrote: [ -> ]Unfazed by Rick's short leash.
Rick's a good coach. Skins on the wall. Won an NBA championship.
His style isn't everyone's cup of tea, but he's effective and proven.
(11-11-2022, 01:03 PM)DallasMaverick Wrote: [ -> ]Rick's a good coach. Skins on the wall. Won an NBA championship.
His style isn't everyone's cup of tea, but he's effective and proven.
Interesting thing is that he embraced the rebuild. Something that he wasn´t willing to do or allowed (might be more about Cuban refusing to tank) in Dallas.
It´s super strange to see RC with one of the youngest teams in the league.
Might not be the most popular coach among players but it´s not like he never developed young talent. Looking at the current Mavs rotation his development projects (DFS, Powell, Kleber) are still core pieces.
What a weird season, the Magic are beating the suns pretty good tonight minus Banchero.