AR is someone you need around your team for a very long time. He needs to be a Laker for life.
We all thought the same about Carugoat and they traded him anyway.
We didn't trade Caruso. He got a nice offer that the Lakers refused to match. The main reason they didn't match was that the offer, though low, like 8mil per season, would have cost the Lakers somewhere in the neighborhood of $40mil in luxury taxes or something like that.
Slow day and just been watching AR highlight and for those that say AR is not athletic, they are just wrong. AR might not have the speed or leaping ability, what he does have is very quick reflex and great body control. Which in itself is a sign of a great athlete. His change of speed and pace makes up for his lack of natural speed and leaping ability.
AR is someone you need around your team for a very long time. He needs to be a Laker for life.
We all thought the same about Carugoat and they traded him anyway.
We didn't trade Caruso. He got a nice offer that the Lakers refused to match. The main reason they didn't match was that the offer, though low, like 8mil per season, would have cost the Lakers somewhere in the neighborhood of $40mil in luxury taxes or something like that.
Because they prioritized THT and Westbrook. I just get angry remembering that.
AR is someone you need around your team for a very long time. He needs to be a Laker for life.
We all thought the same about Carugoat and they traded him anyway.
We didn't trade Caruso. He got a nice offer that the Lakers refused to match. The main reason they didn't match was that the offer, though low, like 8mil per season, would have cost the Lakers somewhere in the neighborhood of $40mil in luxury taxes or something like that.
Because they prioritized THT and Westbrook. I just get angry remembering that.
Its crazy. He even gave the Lakers the last shot and was willing to take less than what the Bulls offered. Talk about stupid.
Joined: 19 Nov 2007 Posts: 4839 Location: Lake Nacimiento
Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2025 3:32 pm Post subject:
DLaker wrote:
Slow day and just been watching AR highlight and for those that say AR is not athletic, they are just wrong. AR might not have the speed or leaping ability, what he does have is very quick reflex and great body control. Which in itself is a sign of a great athlete. His change of speed and pace makes up for his lack of natural speed and leaping ability.
Being a 49ers and Lakers fan def. opened my eyes how ignorant/blind/stupid so many people are with their asinine AR/Brock takes over the past few Years. It's like people just can't accept these guys can still be great without elite athletic ability. Both guys are elite at something that is becoming more and more rare imo and that's simple "fire". They're never satisfied and will happily outwork everyone to not only make up for not having elite athleticism but dominate many of those "athletic freaks". That's the reason AR keeps improving is because he's outworking the majority of other NBA players around his age and both guys are sneaky athletic in the right ways. AR is going to absolutely squeeze every tiny bit of ability/skills he can get out of himself so I see him likely always improving throughout his Career much like Kobe where he'd work on certain things in the off Season to just add to his already top of the league arsenal of moves.
Not that Reaves has THAT high of a ceiling but this is a huge reason i'd personally make him nearly untradable as you'll never have to worry about him being content after a big contract like you would so many other players. That inner competitive fire is something you simply can't teach and has caused many other much more highly natural talented players to flame out way faster than they should have.
Not that Reaves has THAT high of a ceiling but this is a huge reason i'd personally make him nearly untradable as you'll never have to worry about him being content after a big contract like you would so many other players.
20/5/6 is about what Jeff Hornacek, Byron Scott & Khris Middleton did in their best years. _________________ On Lakersground, a concern troll is someone who is a fan of another team, but pretends to be a Lakers fan with "concerns".
Joined: 24 Dec 2007 Posts: 37735 Location: Santa Clarita, CA (Hell) ->>>>>Ithaca, NY -≥≥≥≥≥Berkeley, CA
Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2025 6:56 pm Post subject:
32 wrote:
Phil Handy says Austin should be considered for most improved player of the year.
Nah, it will go to some high lottery pick who finally fulfilled his potential, like Cade Cunningham. _________________ Damian Lillard shatters Dwight Coward's championship dreams:
AR is someone you need around your team for a very long time. He needs to be a Laker for life.
We all thought the same about Carugoat and they traded him anyway.
We didn't trade Caruso. He got a nice offer that the Lakers refused to match. The main reason they didn't match was that the offer, though low, like 8mil per season, would have cost the Lakers somewhere in the neighborhood of $40mil in luxury taxes or something like that.
Not true, since they decided to give THT the exact same contract. Easily could have let THT walk and keep Caruso. Or not take on the extra money in the WB trade. There were a lot of things that could have been done that wouldn't result in that outcome. Caruso would have stayed on any deal that was above 2 years. All Pelinka did was offer 2 years.
Difference in Caruso and Reaves. Reaves is an impact player on offense. We value that a lot more than what Caruso brings. Pelinka values guards who create on offense way more than he does defense. Which isn't always the wrong move, you can't have one without the other if you want to win. So long as you replace the defense, it's fine. At the time Pelinka justified it with "We have a great coach who can teach defense". Meanwhile went out and signed a lot of 1 way offense players (Melo, Monk etc).
Look at how much better the team has been since they moved DLO for DFS. DLO's guard skills and ability to create are 10 fold that of DFS. Yet, we've been winning way more since we moved on from DLO. Why? DLO/Reaves didn't give us enough balance of defense/offense. Without DLO, Reaves has become even better it seems.
AR is someone you need around your team for a very long time. He needs to be a Laker for life.
We all thought the same about Carugoat and they traded him anyway.
We didn't trade Caruso. He got a nice offer that the Lakers refused to match. The main reason they didn't match was that the offer, though low, like 8mil per season, would have cost the Lakers somewhere in the neighborhood of $40mil in luxury taxes or something like that.
Not true, since they decided to give THT the exact same contract. Easily could have let THT walk and keep Caruso. Or not take on the extra money in the WB trade. There were a lot of things that could have been done that wouldn't result in that outcome. Caruso would have stayed on any deal that was above 2 years. All Pelinka did was offer 2 years.
Difference in Caruso and Reaves. Reaves is an impact player on offense. We value that a lot more than what Caruso brings. Pelinka values guards who create on offense way more than he does defense. Which isn't always the wrong move, you can't have one without the other if you want to win. So long as you replace the defense, it's fine. At the time Pelinka justified it with "We have a great coach who can teach defense". Meanwhile went out and signed a lot of 1 way offense players (Melo, Monk etc).
Look at how much better the team has been since they moved DLO for DFS. DLO's guard skills and ability to create are 10 fold that of DFS. Yet, we've been winning way more since we moved on from DLO. Why? DLO/Reaves didn't give us enough balance of defense/offense. Without DLO, Reaves has become even better.
Reaves is also more durable and as of late plays significantly more minutes. _________________ KOBE
^
Personally, I was on the split DLO/Reaves wagon since post-Nuggets series in 2023. Was calling for us to move DLO for some size to battle Joker/Nuggets. Many bought in the kool aid of that core, but to me I didn't. Never liked the fit on offense or defense.
Reaves has been much better without DLO. Certainly helps that JJ believes in him in a way Ham never did. Ham was a legit problem for players like Rui, Reaves, Max even. JJ actually gave them consistency with role and minutes. Not only did we upgrade in coach, we upgraded in the roster's roles. Now having Luka instead of AD, seems to have given Reaves even more spacing to play his game. Real happy for Reaves, great story, great dude.
^
Personally, I was on the split DLO/Reaves wagon since post-Nuggets series in 2023. Was calling for us to move DLO for some size to battle Joker/Nuggets. Many bought in the kool aid of that core, but to me I didn't. Never liked the fit on offense or defense.
Reaves has been much better without DLO. Certainly helps that JJ believes in him in a way Ham never did. Ham was a legit problem for players like Rui, Reaves, Max even. JJ actually gave them consistency with role and minutes. Not only did we upgrade in coach, we upgraded in the roster's roles. Now having Luka instead of AD, seems to have given Reaves even more spacing to play his game. Real happy for Reaves, great story, great dude.
Every team he's been on is better without DLO. _________________ On Lakersground, a concern troll is someone who is a fan of another team, but pretends to be a Lakers fan with "concerns".
Joined: 24 Dec 2007 Posts: 37735 Location: Santa Clarita, CA (Hell) ->>>>>Ithaca, NY -≥≥≥≥≥Berkeley, CA
Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2025 12:06 pm Post subject:
Dr. Laker wrote:
wolfpaclaker wrote:
^
Personally, I was on the split DLO/Reaves wagon since post-Nuggets series in 2023. Was calling for us to move DLO for some size to battle Joker/Nuggets. Many bought in the kool aid of that core, but to me I didn't. Never liked the fit on offense or defense.
Reaves has been much better without DLO. Certainly helps that JJ believes in him in a way Ham never did. Ham was a legit problem for players like Rui, Reaves, Max even. JJ actually gave them consistency with role and minutes. Not only did we upgrade in coach, we upgraded in the roster's roles. Now having Luka instead of AD, seems to have given Reaves even more spacing to play his game. Real happy for Reaves, great story, great dude.
Every team he's been on is better without DLO.
It’s amazing just how bad Westbrook is. Going from Westbrook to a perennial loser like DLO was the difference between missing the playoffs and making the WCF. _________________ Damian Lillard shatters Dwight Coward's championship dreams:
^
Personally, I was on the split DLO/Reaves wagon since post-Nuggets series in 2023. Was calling for us to move DLO for some size to battle Joker/Nuggets. Many bought in the kool aid of that core, but to me I didn't. Never liked the fit on offense or defense.
Reaves has been much better without DLO. Certainly helps that JJ believes in him in a way Ham never did. Ham was a legit problem for players like Rui, Reaves, Max even. JJ actually gave them consistency with role and minutes. Not only did we upgrade in coach, we upgraded in the roster's roles. Now having Luka instead of AD, seems to have given Reaves even more spacing to play his game. Real happy for Reaves, great story, great dude.
Every team he's been on is better without DLO.
It’s amazing just how bad Westbrook is. Going from Westbrook to a perennial loser like DLO was the difference between missing the playoffs and making the WCF.
You're being completely unfair to WB. I hope Russ goes to Boston next year and shows you naysayers who he really is! _________________ On Lakersground, a concern troll is someone who is a fan of another team, but pretends to be a Lakers fan with "concerns".
Joined: 15 Sep 2012 Posts: 31125 Location: La La Land
Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2025 12:27 pm Post subject:
At AR's price point. $13-15M / year . He's just as valuable to us winning games as Bron and Luka are. I can't image trading him.
When he starts taking up more of the cap in a couple years. I'd consider trading him. But its gonna be for an allstar level player coming back. _________________ When the world grows. Grow with it.
Last edited by kikanga on Fri Apr 18, 2025 3:51 pm; edited 1 time in total
AR is someone you need around your team for a very long time. He needs to be a Laker for life.
We all thought the same about Carugoat and they traded him anyway.
We didn't trade Caruso. He got a nice offer that the Lakers refused to match. The main reason they didn't match was that the offer, though low, like 8mil per season, would have cost the Lakers somewhere in the neighborhood of $40mil in luxury taxes or something like that.
Because they prioritized THT and Westbrook. I just get angry remembering that.
Its crazy. He even gave the Lakers the last shot and was willing to take less than what the Bulls offered. Talk about stupid.
To be clear, he was willing to take less in terms of overall money, but more on a per year basis. So instead of 3/30, it would have been 2/24 or something like that. Which would have been more in terms of luxury tax. Lakers didn’t want longer term deals because of the stupid 3 star (bleep) they were obsessed with that has since been shown to be a horrible way to try to build a team now under the new CBA unless you get insanely lucky and get a star with a cost controlled contract since it leaves the rest of the team too bare. Still dumb to have let him walk.
Joined: 24 Dec 2007 Posts: 37735 Location: Santa Clarita, CA (Hell) ->>>>>Ithaca, NY -≥≥≥≥≥Berkeley, CA
Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2025 3:50 pm Post subject:
Dr. Laker wrote:
CandyCanes wrote:
Dr. Laker wrote:
wolfpaclaker wrote:
^
Personally, I was on the split DLO/Reaves wagon since post-Nuggets series in 2023. Was calling for us to move DLO for some size to battle Joker/Nuggets. Many bought in the kool aid of that core, but to me I didn't. Never liked the fit on offense or defense.
Reaves has been much better without DLO. Certainly helps that JJ believes in him in a way Ham never did. Ham was a legit problem for players like Rui, Reaves, Max even. JJ actually gave them consistency with role and minutes. Not only did we upgrade in coach, we upgraded in the roster's roles. Now having Luka instead of AD, seems to have given Reaves even more spacing to play his game. Real happy for Reaves, great story, great dude.
Every team he's been on is better without DLO.
It’s amazing just how bad Westbrook is. Going from Westbrook to a perennial loser like DLO was the difference between missing the playoffs and making the WCF.
You're being completely unfair to WB. I hope Russ goes to Boston next year and shows you naysayers who he really is!
Yeah or makes a hero’s return to OKC for a farewell tour. That young team could use his veteran leadership. _________________ Damian Lillard shatters Dwight Coward's championship dreams:
AR is someone you need around your team for a very long time. He needs to be a Laker for life.
We all thought the same about Carugoat and they traded him anyway.
We didn't trade Caruso. He got a nice offer that the Lakers refused to match. The main reason they didn't match was that the offer, though low, like 8mil per season, would have cost the Lakers somewhere in the neighborhood of $40mil in luxury taxes or something like that.
Not true, since they decided to give THT the exact same contract. Easily could have let THT walk and keep Caruso. Or not take on the extra money in the WB trade. There were a lot of things that could have been done that wouldn't result in that outcome. Caruso would have stayed on any deal that was above 2 years. All Pelinka did was offer 2 years.
Difference in Caruso and Reaves. Reaves is an impact player on offense. We value that a lot more than what Caruso brings. Pelinka values guards who create on offense way more than he does defense. Which isn't always the wrong move, you can't have one without the other if you want to win. So long as you replace the defense, it's fine. At the time Pelinka justified it with "We have a great coach who can teach defense". Meanwhile went out and signed a lot of 1 way offense players (Melo, Monk etc).
Look at how much better the team has been since they moved DLO for DFS. DLO's guard skills and ability to create are 10 fold that of DFS. Yet, we've been winning way more since we moved on from DLO. Why? DLO/Reaves didn't give us enough balance of defense/offense. Without DLO, Reaves has become even better it seems.
The Lakers were dealing with their own version of real life, too. After building out their roster in the offseason, they took on $44 million in luxury tax, the fifth highest tax bill in the league. Adding Caruso would have driven that number higher. According to salary cap expert Danny Leroux, if Caruso had agreed to the Lakers offer, the franchise would have owed an additional $17.5 million in luxury tax, a fact the Lakers hoped would resonate with Caruso
Yep, I got the figures wrong. The $40mil plus in luxury tax was before potentially signing Caruso, not after. Got it.
AR is someone you need around your team for a very long time. He needs to be a Laker for life.
We all thought the same about Carugoat and they traded him anyway.
We didn't trade Caruso. He got a nice offer that the Lakers refused to match. The main reason they didn't match was that the offer, though low, like 8mil per season, would have cost the Lakers somewhere in the neighborhood of $40mil in luxury taxes or something like that.
Because they prioritized THT and Westbrook. I just get angry remembering that.
Its crazy. He even gave the Lakers the last shot and was willing to take less than what the Bulls offered. Talk about stupid.
To be clear, he was willing to take less in terms of overall money, but more on a per year basis. So instead of 3/30, it would have been 2/24 or something like that. Which would have been more in terms of luxury tax. Lakers didn’t want longer term deals because of the stupid 3 star (bleep) they were obsessed with that has since been shown to be a horrible way to try to build a team now under the new CBA unless you get insanely lucky and get a star with a cost controlled contract since it leaves the rest of the team too bare. Still dumb to have let him walk.
Looked tentative to start the game. Picked it up more as the game went on. Hopefully he learned from his mistakes this one and he gets back to being the AR we know.
This is Reaves first Playoff series as a true third option.
He can't afford to wait around in case the 3rd has a bad game, he IS the 3rd now. He needs to be aggressive. _________________ How NBA 2K18 failed the All-Time Lakers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxMBYm3wwxk
JJ needs to cuss him out a little bit and question his want to. His effort majority of the game was pathetic. Min played aggressive on him but AR just accepted it and didn’t even fight. Barely drove, shot timidly.
It's harsh after having such a good season, but the Lakers probably have to move him this off-season if they're going to make drastic moves.
He's a pending FA after next season, an unrestricted FA.
There's really no time to sit and evaluate him anymore before he starts to lose value. He's going to have next to no value at next trade deadline when teams will only have him for about 30 games.
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