Randle can't defender LBJ... come on now. If they leave Randle on LBJ without help, he gonna average 40+ a game.
Biggest issue for Randle is going to be defending the 3 and then not having LBJ blow right by him. He just doesn't have that athleticism or skills defensively to match up against LBJ.
In fact, I think LBJ is going to be the MVP in this series. He's a horrible matchup for Minny.
You're right Randle is not a good defender on the perimeter but he's strong enough to offer resistance if LeBron is trying to post and back him down.
Joined: 19 Apr 2003 Posts: 24687 Location: La Jolla, San Diego
Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2025 4:56 pm Post subject:
LakerLanny wrote:
I was a little surprised by the point spread for Game 1, I would have expected more like Lakers -7.
That said, the TWolves have talent and the Lakers cooled off some after the initial hot streak following the Luka trade.
We should win, but need a sense of urgency right from the jump. I know Redick knows this.
Ant-Man hype taking the next step in media may have played a role? Whatever the case may be, I like that it's closer. Should keep the Lakers focused, not that they should be looking at odds to see how much they should focus. _________________ "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.
I was a little surprised by the point spread for Game 1, I would have expected more like Lakers -7.
That said, the TWolves have talent and the Lakers cooled off some after the initial hot streak following the Luka trade.
We should win, but need a sense of urgency right from the jump. I know Redick knows this.
Ant-Man hype taking the next step in media may have played a role? Whatever the case may be, I like that it's closer. Should keep the Lakers focused, not that they should be looking at odds to see how much they should focus.
Not just hype but the fact Ant came out and stunned phoenix last year when they were dogs. Vegas is covering itself
Joined: 27 May 2010 Posts: 55340 Location: LA to the Bay
Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2025 9:12 pm Post subject:
First Round Schedule (and for Spectrum folks YES - most of the first round will be covered by Spectrum as well (I think the ABC games won't be, but don't quote me)
I was a little surprised by the point spread for Game 1, I would have expected more like Lakers -7.
That said, the TWolves have talent and the Lakers cooled off some after the initial hot streak following the Luka trade.
We should win, but need a sense of urgency right from the jump. I know Redick knows this.
Ant-Man hype taking the next step in media may have played a role? Whatever the case may be, I like that it's closer. Should keep the Lakers focused, not that they should be looking at odds to see how much they should focus.
Never bet until the injury report is posted. _________________ On Lakersground, a concern troll is someone who is a fan of another team, but pretends to be a Lakers fan with "concerns".
I remember when the Lakers beat the Wolves to start the season, Rui said something like "we knew he [Randle] wasn't going to be watching off ball"
Hope this remains true, we need the low IQ Randle
That's why I said he's an enigma. I've followed Randle a bit since he left LA. He's improved in some areas big time, but he has the same flaws. He can be a superstar in some stretches and then completely non impact for another. If his 3 ball gets going, he'll be a load. However there's just as much a chance that he'll be non impact as there is he'll be elite. You can get either one.
Physically though, I think they are a very tough team. The refs will be important. They can't allow us to get fouled. We're not going to be able to be as physical with them.
I remember when the Lakers beat the Wolves to start the season, Rui said something like "we knew he [Randle] wasn't going to be watching off ball"
Hope this remains true, we need the low IQ Randle
This is why the Wolves can't survive the series by putting him on LeBron. I saw some debate earlier in the thread about whether Randle can guard LeBron. Even if you think Randle can keep Lebron in front of him when LeBron initiates from the three point line, that isn't the challenge. The real issue for Randle is when LeBron is used on the weakside as an option when Luka or Reaves has the ball. Randle is a ball watcher who loses his man. Expect back cuts and stampede cuts from LeBron. And if Randle has to help at all in the main action, he won't be able to close out to LeBron effectively, and if he does, he will get blown by.
I also think when Lebron does have the ball he can challenge Randle to defend in the pick and roll. And if LeBron is the screen setter for Austin or Luka, then Randle is screwed on a switch and if Randle blitzes or even hard hedges LeBron will catch the ball on the short roll in a 4 on 3 situation.
All of the same principles also apply to Randle guarding Rui, although Rui is obviously less dangerous. I think the only people Randle can reasonably guard will be Hayes, Vando, or DFS. But since most Lakers lineups only have one of those guys out there, the Wolves will have trouble playing Randle with another big who will also have nowhere to hide.
initially i felt really good about this series. but as the days have past, I'm beginning to think this is going to be way harder than anybody really thinks. I have literally not seen a single expert pick the wolves in this series. Personally, I am leaning Lakers in 7 right now. It'll come down to how well we can manage the others and if we can frustrate Ant early _________________ He's my GOAT
initially i felt really good about this series. but as the days have past, I'm beginning to think this is going to be way harder than anybody really thinks. I have literally not seen a single expert pick the wolves in this series. Personally, I am leaning Lakers in 7 right now. It'll come down to how well we can manage the others and if we can frustrate Ant early
Why do you suppose that is the case? _________________ On Lakersground, a concern troll is someone who is a fan of another team, but pretends to be a Lakers fan with "concerns".
Joined: 17 Nov 2007 Posts: 72434 Location: In a world where admitting to not knowing something is considered a great way to learn.
Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2025 11:28 am Post subject:
TDRock wrote:
First Round Schedule (and for Spectrum folks YES - most of the first round will be covered by Spectrum as well (I think the ABC games won't be, but don't quote me)
No worries. Nitro TV, my IPTV provider, has all sports and games, e.g., football, baseball, hockey, tennis, Spectrum, NBA LEAGUE PASS, and more. They broadcast all 30 NBA teams' home and away games in the Sports queue. _________________ Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.
America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be
because we destroyed ourselves.
Joined: 19 Apr 2003 Posts: 24687 Location: La Jolla, San Diego
Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2025 4:43 pm Post subject:
miggz23 wrote:
anth2000 wrote:
Halflife wrote:
Unfortunately, I think its Wolves in 5.
I love your humor sometimes….
You’re kidding, right?
Why do you pick the Wolves?
Lakers are the better team.
You must not be familiar with op and his agenda.
So he can have his I told you so moment that Luka and Lebron pairing does not work. Which he was pretty loud about when the Luka trade went down.
I can actually respect haters who stick to their script. Unlike LakersRever714, who's trying to have his cake and eat it too. Bash trade and Luka during low times, celebrate with the rest during high times.. as if he never said anything. _________________ "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.
so annoying that whenever Randle plays against the lakers after we traded him, all of sudden he becomes this highly efficient scorer and playmaker.
Well he's actually all-star caliber in the regular season. The playoffs are where he fizzles out. _________________ Yi Jianlian Fanboy. Respect The Chair.
Starting anew. I'm retiring my main.
Steven A Smith said that Ant man will go off against the lakers. Him and Barkley are such Laker haters, you can insert any sorry arse team in place of TWolves, those two idiots still gonna pick they team over the lakers.
Steven A Smith said that Ant man will go off against the lakers. Him and Barkley are such Laker haters, you can insert any sorry arse team in place of TWolves, those two idiots still gonna pick they team over the lakers.
They both despise LeBron let alone Barkley hating on JJ a few months ago for whatever that was all about. Not sure their thoughts about Luka though can't imagine any glowing feelings either.
First Round Schedule (and for Spectrum folks YES - most of the first round will be covered by Spectrum as well (I think the ABC games won't be, but don't quote me)
Steven A Smith said that Ant man will go off against the lakers. Him and Barkley are such Laker haters, you can insert any sorry arse team in place of TWolves, those two idiots still gonna pick they team over the lakers.
I think Stephen A is just trying to do the anti jinx. He loves the Lakers.
Joined: 27 May 2010 Posts: 55340 Location: LA to the Bay
Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2025 9:19 pm Post subject:
Treble Clef wrote:
SGV-Laker fan wrote:
Steven A Smith said that Ant man will go off against the lakers. Him and Barkley are such Laker haters, you can insert any sorry arse team in place of TWolves, those two idiots still gonna pick they team over the lakers.
I think Stephen A is just trying to do the anti jinx. He loves the Lakers.
Well he might not be feeling us anymore since he's got that beef going with LeBron
Steven A Smith said that Ant man will go off against the lakers. Him and Barkley are such Laker haters, you can insert any sorry arse team in place of TWolves, those two idiots still gonna pick they team over the lakers.
I think Stephen A is just trying to do the anti jinx. He loves the Lakers.
I think both things are true yet wrong.
With the way Luka outplayed him last year there will be a game or two Ant will go all out and show out. He wouldn’t be Ant if he didn’t go hard at Luka and Bron with all the lights and Hollywood watching
I still say lakers win though, but I do expect him to show up and out
Joined: 24 Dec 2007 Posts: 37735 Location: Santa Clarita, CA (Hell) ->>>>>Ithaca, NY -≥≥≥≥≥Berkeley, CA
Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2025 12:51 am Post subject:
TDRock wrote:
Treble Clef wrote:
SGV-Laker fan wrote:
Steven A Smith said that Ant man will go off against the lakers. Him and Barkley are such Laker haters, you can insert any sorry arse team in place of TWolves, those two idiots still gonna pick they team over the lakers.
I think Stephen A is just trying to do the anti jinx. He loves the Lakers.
Well he might not be feeling us anymore since he's got that beef going with LeBron
He said yesterday morning that LeBron is the best Robin in the league. _________________ Damian Lillard shatters Dwight Coward's championship dreams:
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
