Joined: 19 Apr 2003 Posts: 24941 Location: La Jolla, San Diego
Posted: Fri May 09, 2025 12:53 pm Post subject:
MJST wrote:
Halflife wrote:
MJST wrote:
The three-peat Lakers were a few plays from only winning one ring.
The Showtime Lakers were a few plays/injuries from winning 8.
the 3peat lakers were a cheap shot by scott Williams away from winning 4 in a row
And a Karl Malone injury away from winning 5 in a row tbh.
And Kobe was a non-injured Bynum and Ariza away from a second three-peat.
That's how the NBA works sometimes X_X
I don't believe Karl Malone can really swing that series because he wouldn't have changed Kobe's shooting, which was terrible. They clamped him pretty good. I do believe 1989 Lakers would have 3-peated if Magic didn't pull a hammy, something Curry is feeling now. That squad swept everyone in the West. Not only Magic, but they lost Byron Scott too. _________________ "The game is MORE than just one player. Without Luka, DFS would have been more than enough to replace him based on what we've seen," LakersFever714, the greatest casual of all time.
The three-peat Lakers were a few plays from only winning one ring.
The Showtime Lakers were a few plays/injuries from winning 8.
the 3peat lakers were a cheap shot by scott Williams away from winning 4 in a row
And a Karl Malone injury away from winning 5 in a row tbh.
And Kobe was a non-injured Bynum and Ariza away from a second three-peat.
That's how the NBA works sometimes X_X
I don't believe Karl Malone can really swing that series because he wouldn't have changed Kobe's shooting, which was terrible. They clamped him pretty good. I do believe 1989 Lakers would have 3-peated if Magic didn't pull a hammy, something Curry is feeling now. That squad swept everyone in the West. Not only Magic, but they lost Byron Scott too.
Same happened to them in 91 with the Bulls. Nobody talks about that one though. _________________ How NBA 2K18 failed the All-Time Lakers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxMBYm3wwxk
Luka's got a few months off. and then the National Games he plays for his country where he's only going to play a certain amount of games and then those games end a few weeks before training camp. _________________ How NBA 2K18 failed the All-Time Lakers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxMBYm3wwxk
What is he doing right now? Is he hitting the gym or the buffet? Would love to know his level of dedication or laziness. Any insider? _________________ As long as Pelinka is our GM, we will not win another championship.
If the Lakers won a championship by 2028, then I would tattoo "Pelinka is the greatest GM ever" on my left forearm.
Joined: 19 Apr 2003 Posts: 24941 Location: La Jolla, San Diego
Posted: Fri May 09, 2025 6:53 pm Post subject:
MJST wrote:
Luka's got a few months off. and then the National Games he plays for his country where he's only going to play a certain amount of games and then those games end a few weeks before training camp.
No injuries please. _________________ "The game is MORE than just one player. Without Luka, DFS would have been more than enough to replace him based on what we've seen," LakersFever714, the greatest casual of all time.
Joined: 24 Dec 2007 Posts: 37959 Location: Santa Clarita, CA (Hell) ->>>>>Ithaca, NY -≥≥≥≥≥Berkeley, CA
Posted: Fri May 09, 2025 10:39 pm Post subject:
Zillethai wrote:
lakersfever714 wrote:
What is he doing right now? Is he hitting the gym or the buffet? Would love to know his level of dedication or laziness. Any insider?
My mind says gym. My heart says buffet.
Given his high basal metabolic rate and amount of calories expended as an athlete, I wonder what he has to be eating to have a weight problem. He probably has a maintenance threshold of like 4,000 calories. _________________ Damian Lillard shatters Dwight Coward's championship dreams:
Minus the stomach ailment game, Luka wasn't the problem in the Wolves series. He was a positive every second he was on the court based on the on/off metrics. Watching this narrative take shape is wild considering it's not even remotely supported by the numbers. I can tell you the person who was the problem and back it up with numbers, but it would land me in hot water again, so there's no point. _________________ Yi Jianlian Fanboy. Respect The Chair.
Starting anew. I'm retiring my main.
Minus the stomach ailment game, Luka wasn't the problem in the Wolves series. He was a positive every second he was on the court based on the on/off metrics. Watching this narrative take shape is wild considering it's not even remotely supported by the numbers. I can tell you the person who was the problem and back it up with numbers, but it would land me in hot water again, so there's no point.
People have media companies for a reason. _________________ Trade Bronny East.
How do you finish -53 on a 50-win team?
This game today is a little bit more soft, to call anybody a GOAT nowadays is disrespectful to ... the awards and accolades [MJI and Kobe have won.
Joined: 24 Dec 2007 Posts: 37959 Location: Santa Clarita, CA (Hell) ->>>>>Ithaca, NY -≥≥≥≥≥Berkeley, CA
Posted: Sat May 10, 2025 9:45 pm Post subject:
Runway8 wrote:
MJST wrote:
Halflife wrote:
MJST wrote:
The three-peat Lakers were a few plays from only winning one ring.
The Showtime Lakers were a few plays/injuries from winning 8.
the 3peat lakers were a cheap shot by scott Williams away from winning 4 in a row
And a Karl Malone injury away from winning 5 in a row tbh.
And Kobe was a non-injured Bynum and Ariza away from a second three-peat.
That's how the NBA works sometimes X_X
I don't believe Karl Malone can really swing that series because he wouldn't have changed Kobe's shooting, which was terrible. They clamped him pretty good. I do believe 1989 Lakers would have 3-peated if Magic didn't pull a hammy, something Curry is feeling now. That squad swept everyone in the West. Not only Magic, but they lost Byron Scott too.
Who got injured by Scott Williams that would have made a difference in us getting fourpeat? _________________ Damian Lillard shatters Dwight Coward's championship dreams:
Joined: 19 Apr 2003 Posts: 24941 Location: La Jolla, San Diego
Posted: Sat May 10, 2025 10:24 pm Post subject:
CandyCanes wrote:
Runway8 wrote:
MJST wrote:
Halflife wrote:
MJST wrote:
The three-peat Lakers were a few plays from only winning one ring.
The Showtime Lakers were a few plays/injuries from winning 8.
the 3peat lakers were a cheap shot by scott Williams away from winning 4 in a row
And a Karl Malone injury away from winning 5 in a row tbh.
And Kobe was a non-injured Bynum and Ariza away from a second three-peat.
That's how the NBA works sometimes X_X
I don't believe Karl Malone can really swing that series because he wouldn't have changed Kobe's shooting, which was terrible. They clamped him pretty good. I do believe 1989 Lakers would have 3-peated if Magic didn't pull a hammy, something Curry is feeling now. That squad swept everyone in the West. Not only Magic, but they lost Byron Scott too.
Who got injured by Scott Williams that would have made a difference in us getting fourpeat?
I don't know the play he's talking about. Shaq/Kobe 3-peat Lakers were soundly beat by the San Antonio Spurs, and Scott Williams wasn't there. _________________ "The game is MORE than just one player. Without Luka, DFS would have been more than enough to replace him based on what we've seen," LakersFever714, the greatest casual of all time.
^^^ Halflife is getting confused. The Scott Williams cheapshot is what ruined Karl Malone and the Lakers 2004 season. 2003, we just got beaten
my bad- SAS cheated that year so in reality- we should have had a 5peat. _________________ Trade Bronny East.
How do you finish -53 on a 50-win team?
This game today is a little bit more soft, to call anybody a GOAT nowadays is disrespectful to ... the awards and accolades [MJI and Kobe have won.
Just curious would you guys rank Luka ahead of Anthony Edwards?
Or maybe a better question, if you guys had a choice, would you pick Luka over Anthony Edwards for our team?
Ant is a superstar. But he can be way too complacent at times. So i'd probably pick Luka but it's incredibily close due to Ant being 3 years younger and is basically a two way player at this point in his career.
But Lukas offense is generational. Ant's isn't. Of course the gap has become closer this season. Might get wider next if Luka dominates.
This is like comparing a better scoring version of Magic who isn't quite as good at playmaking with a better shooting version of Jordan who isn't as mentally tough nor as good at defense.
If Ant becomes mentally tougher then the league is in trouble just as the league would be in trouble if Luka went back to his Real Madrid weight.
Just curious would you guys rank Luka ahead of Anthony Edwards?
Or maybe a better question, if you guys had a choice, would you pick Luka over Anthony Edwards for our team?
Luka to me is one of those players whose offensive prowess warps the gravity of the team. But you also need to cover for him defensively, which is what separates him from the Kobes and LeBrons of the past.
Ant reminds me much more of Tatum. I don't think he makes as advanced reads which paralyzes defenses in the same way. Ant did have that defense warping effect on the Lakers but imo that's a function of the Lakers not having any backline support for ISOs more than Ant's game per se. In the Warriors series he has: 23 points/ 2 assists, 20 points / 5 assists, 36 points/ 4 assists. Minus game 3 those are some pedestrian offensive impact numbers, especially considering this is an inflated stats era.
Compare to Luka minus his sick game: 37 & 1, 31 & 9, 38 & 2, 28 & 9. It's basically nearly 40 points being created by scoring/ assisting every game, despite the Lakers basically only averaging 100 ppg in the series
^^^ Halflife is getting confused. The Scott Williams cheapshot is what ruined Karl Malone and the Lakers 2004 season. 2003, we just got beaten
my bad- SAS cheated that year so in reality- we should have had a 5peat.
As Chick would say, Horry couldn't throw a pea in the ocean that series against the Spurs. 0-18 from 3 against the Spurs and combined 2-38 from 3 overall in the playoffs. _________________ KOBE
Joined: 19 Apr 2003 Posts: 24941 Location: La Jolla, San Diego
Posted: Sun May 11, 2025 5:14 pm Post subject:
jonnybravo wrote:
Halflife wrote:
1995Lakers wrote:
^^^ Halflife is getting confused. The Scott Williams cheapshot is what ruined Karl Malone and the Lakers 2004 season. 2003, we just got beaten
my bad- SAS cheated that year so in reality- we should have had a 5peat.
As Chick would say, Horry couldn't throw a pea in the ocean that series against the Spurs. 0-18 from 3 against the Spurs and combined 2-38 from 3 overall in the playoffs.
Exactly. I've watched this game long enough to know you can analyze all you want, at the end of the day, it's a make or miss league. Of all the cliches, this is the most truthful. Horry was done, finished. But guess what? Lo and behold, Horry is not done after all. He makes some clutch threes for the Spurs in 2005. All of a sudden, he's Horry again, and all the talk was about how he was such an important additon for the Spurs. Make or miss league. _________________ "The game is MORE than just one player. Without Luka, DFS would have been more than enough to replace him based on what we've seen," LakersFever714, the greatest casual of all time.
^^^ Halflife is getting confused. The Scott Williams cheapshot is what ruined Karl Malone and the Lakers 2004 season. 2003, we just got beaten
my bad- SAS cheated that year so in reality- we should have had a 5peat.
As Chick would say, Horry couldn't throw a pea in the ocean that series against the Spurs. 0-18 from 3 against the Spurs and combined 2-38 from 3 overall in the playoffs.
Exactly. I've watched this game long enough to know you can analyze all you want, at the end of the day, it's a make or miss league. Of all the cliches, this is the most truthful. Horry was done, finished. But guess what? Lo and behold, Horry is not done after all. He makes some clutch threes for the Spurs in 2005. All of a sudden, he's Horry again, and all the talk was about how he was such an important additon for the Spurs. Make or miss league.
Seems we forgot this message after the '21 playoffs with Caruso and KCP shooting 9-36. Huh, what's that you said about sample size?
Minus the stomach ailment game, Luka wasn't the problem in the Wolves series. He was a positive every second he was on the court based on the on/off metrics. Watching this narrative take shape is wild considering it's not even remotely supported by the numbers. I can tell you the person who was the problem and back it up with numbers, but it would land me in hot water again, so there's no point.
Sure, if you look at offense. He's always going to be ++++ on offense. Now have a look at the defensive side of things.
The number of times Luka's man, or Luka gave up points, blow bys etc.
That also is part of the game. So no, I don't agree. In both Boston Finals series and this Wolves series, Luka's defense was a major problem for his team.
This is one of the main things that really currently distinguishes Luka in my eyes from the all time greats like Kobe, Lebron, Jordan etc. Similar to prime James Harden the numbers and impact on offense look on par if not better than Kobe. Morey would have had you believe Harden surpassed Kobe, even. Just based on stats. But when you look at how much his defense hurts his team, his lack of physical dominance, athleticism etc. then I think you start to see why he's not on that tier. I'm not saying Luka is a Harden 2.0, but he's not on the Kobe/Lebron/Jordan tier, mainly because he really weakens a team on defense.
Our best hope is that we end up with a Joker type situation eventually. Meaning we find the right pieces around him, Luka evolves, and he is so valuable on offense than it completely off sets any defensive issues. The thing with Joker though he's exposed in some defensive situations, but at least he's a good at some defensive areas. Clearly Jokic can't do drop coverage and move his feet great on switches, but he's quite solid on post man defense, boards, and even tactically does some good things to disrupt you on pick and rolls. Luka's defense, I have a hard time being able see what role he could play for a team. The other thing is, there are just not that many great bigs in the league. Not nearly as many perimeter players. Luka's not a big, so he'll always tend to find himself having to face some really great perimeter teams. Those teams will keep looking for those situations where they get their best players on Luka in 1 on 1. Everyone says "we need a big". Ok, get the big. Even then, once your defense is constantly giving up dribble penetration or your big is being asked to help too much, if you face a team with an opposing big that can also do damage, your big is constantly leaving him to give help. So now it's about that 2nd helper, who helps and rotates to position where your big left to help out on Luka. That's why I say, value speed and athleticism> bigs right now. To built a title level team, it's take a great defensive big + great athleticism around Luka.
As I said many times, if you put a great defenders around him and Luka goes MVP mode on offense it can work. But we've got to put some high level athletes and defenders around him. Rob Pelinka didn't show me a lot of promise with that failed Williams trade but lets see what he cooks in the offseason. I feel we should prioritise athleticism and speed, defensive IQ/skill, vs "get a big".
^
What I mean by that last post is that I read a lot of stuff where basically we upgrade marginally/or get a big body (who is slow footed) and people think just the greatness of that will go a long way. Dallas is often used as a reference as Luka makes all bigs better (yet somehow Hayes was MIA in the playoffs).
Dallas had some really good defense, and help the big, defenders. Nico did one thing really well around Luka and that was build a really strong defensive foundation around him.
Ex: Lively/Gaff help out on penetration given up, but then you'd have some quality athleticism with Derrick Jones Jr. and PJ Washington to help them out.
In particular DJJ was a really valuable defender that was overlooked on that Mavs team. You take into account their athleticism and ability to defend, that was a big part of what made them a contender that 23-24 season, IMO. Rob Pelinka has to start thinking this way, too. Value POA defense, value man defense, athletic speed that can move, value bigs that protect the rim and move their feet.
I am curious what metrics LaRusso can kick up to elevate Luka tho. Cause no matter how many cranes you want to use to lift Luka’s stats up, fact is, his +/- does not reflect him being “a positive every second he was on the court.”
Game 1: -12
Game 2: +12
Game 3: -16
Game 4: -3
Game 5: -5
Btw, I do have an issue in putting a lot of emphasis entirely in on/off stats cause imho it doesn’t tell the complete story as to how that player impacted the entire game. I’m sure we all agree that it’s far more nuanced than that. But there are just so many more metrics revealing that Luka did have his struggles during this series and it did play a part in negating his contributions overall.
In fact, if @D_R is trying to make this yet another Luka vs Bron thing again (although I have no idea why folks want to continue pushing that narrative), BPM numbers for these playoffs show an entirely different story, where Bron drop kicks Luka quite convincingly.
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