Are The Lakers A Legitimate Threat To Win The West And NBA Title?(2nd In The West Right Now)

[Buckeye Fever]

They could win the West but they’re gonna have to deal with whatever monster comes out of the East and they probably wouldn’t win against them

Finals would get ugly vs Cavs or Celtics

 

[Big Boss]

 

[Gil Scott-Heroin]

I don't think the Lakers will be a serious threat until they address their frontcourt issues. This postseason they'll be able to get some valuable time together as a unit (for a series or two), and then hope to run it back next season with a more balanced squad.

Yes, we are.

The whole “not having a premier center” aspect was overstated. As I've mentioned before you don't need an all-time big man just to win a championship if all the other pieces are clicking, you just need a serviceable big who can do the “nooks and crannies” on offense and defense, which Hayes has proven he can do that.

Outside of the Bucks, Nuggets, and Celtics, seven of the last ten NBA champions did not have elite big men. Boston might not even count in that regard as having an elite big because KP was pretty much injured for most of that Postseason run.

The only real threat in the West is OKC. Denver is a sleeper, but this isn't the same Nugget team as the previous two seasons that invoked fear, while Houston and Memphis aren't trustworthy come playoff time because of their youth and inexperience.

Warriors, Clippers, Kings, and T-Wolves aren't even in the picture in terms of being someone to watch out for in the Postseason. Dallas might not even make it, depending on Kyrie, who now might be out for the rest of the season.

Still think not having a legitimate center (and frontcourt) is overstated?

A premier center isn't needed, but you need something better than Jaxson muh'fukken Hayes.

OKC doesn't have an elite big man (yet), but they've got Chet, who's on the brink of becoming one, and one of the best center role players, in Hartenstein. That's infinitely better than whatever the Lakers have at their disposal. Truth be told, the Lakers will struggle against most teams in the West who have a proper frontcourt.

 

[Da King]

Still think not having a legitimate center (and frontcourt) is overstated?

A premier center isn't needed, but you need something better than Jaxson muh'fukken Hayes.

OKC doesn't have an elite big man (yet), but they've got Chet, who's on the brink of becoming one, and one of the best center role players, in Hartenstein. That's infinitely better than whatever the Lakers have at their disposal. Truth be told, the Lakers will struggle against most teams in the West who have a proper frontcourt.

‘tism y’all

 

[god shamgod]

These mf’s were down 30 at home to the bulls

The lakers were never contenders and won’t be until lebalco retires

 

[Street Knowledge]

Bump

 

[Gil Scott-Heroin]

Still think not having a legitimate center (and frontcourt) is overstated?

A premier center isn't needed, but you need something better than Jaxson muh'fukken Hayes.

OKC doesn't have an elite big man (yet), but they've got Chet, who's on the brink of becoming one, and one of the best center role players, in Hartenstein. That's infinitely better than whatever the Lakers have at their disposal. Truth be told, the Lakers will struggle against most teams in the West who have a proper frontcourt.

@Unbothered

 

[Gil Scott-Heroin]

Here's what I said during the regular season @ghostwriterx -

I don't think the Lakers will be a serious threat until they address their frontcourt issues. This postseason they'll be able to get some valuable time together as a unit (for a series or two), and then hope to run it back next season with a more balanced squad.

Still think not having a legitimate center (and frontcourt) is overstated?

A premier center isn't needed, but you need something better than Jaxson muh'fukken Hayes.

OKC doesn't have an elite big man (yet), but they've got Chet, who's on the brink of becoming one, and one of the best center role players, in Hartenstein. That's infinitely better than whatever the Lakers have at their disposal. Truth be told, the Lakers will struggle against most teams in the West who have a proper frontcourt.

Further emphasizing my point around it doesn't matter what subs the Lakers do, they were always going to end up in this position.

Playing the bench more is only putting a bandaid on it, it doesn't address the wound.