Ballers Wanna Ball, Rollers Wanna Roll, But We're Taking All--The Official 2017-2018 Lakers Thread

[Dwight Howard]

That's the fukking problem though. I appreciate how Randle has played and think he's doing well, this dumb fukk wants him to completely change how he's being utilized because he's doing well and instead give him a role he's sucked at. On top of that, instead of crediting Walton for utilizing properly, he instead bashes Walton for not playing him enough. That shyt is worthy.

he plays welll against starters and bench players. it dont matter. He closed the last 2 games against starters, pelicans game, wizards, blazers, etc...you dudes just seeing what you want to. but thats fine cause the numbers dont lie.

 

[threattonature]

My biggest beef with the Lakers is Brook Lopez. We already know he's soft on the boards. There was a few times where he was close to offensive rebounds and didn't even jump or try to tap it in but just stayed back boxing his man out. My biggest frustration with him though is on defense and how content he is hanging on the perimeter. I saw a few examples last night where he switched off to a small man leaving KCP on one play, Ball on another, and I think Clarkson on another guarding a center. When the opportunity arose with the ball on the other side of the floor, you'd see the smaller guy trying to get Lopez to switch back and he flat missed it and stayed out on the perimeter instead of rescuing the guards.

 

[threattonature]

So brehs...Julius Randle - is he just raising his value as trade bait? Or do we need to reinsert him in to our young core (Zo, Kuz, B.I.) and figure out a way to keep him next offseason?

I admit he has been playing mostly very well since preseason. I’m wondering if the Lakers are giving up on him too soon...He probably will never be a star, but he’s been a very valuable player so far this season.

I see him as a piece to build around depending on how much money he commands this offseason. I still think the Lakers should just play out the year with him and let him hit restricted free agency while they try and sign the big name free agents. If they strike out on free agents then go ahead and match whatever he gets. If they hit on a free agent or two and need the cap room then renounce him at that time. The team is already young enough so another late round 1st (the best I could see them getting for Randle) isn't something the team really needs as they're already so young.

 

[Dwight Howard]

Anyone with half a brain can understand why he's having a better season and it isn't because he's gotten 10x better, but rather how he's being used. He's being used properly and you won't to use him improperly and fukk our whole team up for your single minded agenda.

Using Embiid performance is corny? Did you even watch the game? They just attacked Randle over and over not because Embiid was having a great game, but because it was laughably obvious how Randle cannot guard him at all. Last 2 games were against the Bulls and the shorthanded Nuggets, but fukk it lets ignore context. Lopez didn't even have a poor game and that's Randle's only future, as a 5, unless you're dumb enough to want Randle starting over Kuzma.

There's something fundamentally wrong with you when you can't grasp the fact that he's being utilized properly now and we're doing well because of it and you want to put him in a role he's done fukking awful at. Don't think anyone forgot that all you did last year even as he continued to play piss poor was defend him because he put up empty numbers in blowout games.

breh the majority of the league cant guard Embiid at all. he 7'3 260 foh with that. thats a weak argument. what does him being utilized properly have to do with defensive intensity and improved finishing around the rim????....thats where your argument falls apart. he didnt go to the bench and magically became a better defender and finisher...he worked on those things in the offseason. give credit where its due.

 

[Dwight Howard]

hmm...

 

[KOBE]

I have credited Randle with improving while crediting Walton for utilizing him properly. You're the one failing to give credit to a coach that's coaching properly.:shrugkobe:

 

[Dwight Howard]

I have credited Randle with improving while crediting Walton for utilizing him properly. You're the one failing to give credit to a coach that's coaching properly.:shrugkobe:

Its hard to give credit when Luke himself cant even explain his decision

https://www.google.com/amp/s/clutch...t-why-julius-randle-excels-in-bench-role/amp/

 

[KOBE]

Its hard to give credit when Luke himself cant even explain his decision

https://www.google.com/amp/s/clutch...t-why-julius-randle-excels-in-bench-role/amp/

Youre honestly an idiot if you think a coach is going to give anything about his gameplay or actual strategy away to the media.

 

[O.T.I.S.]

nikkas have had 3 years of Julius starting and now that hes doing something OFF THE BENCH, they acting like his game has improved at all

This is possibly his ceiling imo. He's playing for a check now... Let someone else give it to him

 

[ALonelyDad]

I wouldn’t mind having him back as a backup C. That is the role where he thrives at, and nothing wrong with being a 6 man. Our bench is one of the strongest and I want to keep it that way. But if he is asking for a big time check, we have to let him go.

 

[Dwight Howard]

nikkas have had 3 years of Julius starting and now that hes doing something OFF THE BENCH, they acting like his game has improved at all

This is possibly his ceiling imo. He's playing for a check now... Let someone else give it to him

Do you not understand the concept of progression?...most players get better throughout their careers. Analyzing a player based off his first few years in the league is pointless. I cant believe this is yalls actual argument. "But but we saw him start at 20 and 21....yea he better now at 22, but who cares"...smh

Dude is 22 years old, im willing to be this isnt his ceiling. And if you believe julius game hasnt improved you just arent watching the games. He has improved in every aspect from the eye test to stats.

 

[B...]

So brehs...Julius Randle - is he just raising his value as trade bait? Or do we need to reinsert him in to our young core (Zo, Kuz, B.I.) and figure out a way to keep him next offseason?

I admit he has been playing mostly very well since preseason. I’m wondering if the Lakers are giving up on him too soon...He probably will never be a star, but he’s been a very valuable player so far this season.

I would love to keep him but if we can miraculously manage to get Deng off the books via trade & he’s apart of that deal.. so be it

 

["It Was Always Jerry"]

Do you not understand the concept of progression?...most players get better throughout their careers. Analyzing a player based off his first few years in the league is pointless. I cant believe this is yalls actual argument. "But but we saw him start at 20 and 21....yea he better now at 22, but who cares"...smh

Dude is 22 years old, im willing to be this isnt his ceiling. And if you believe julius game hasnt improved you just arent watching the games. He has improved in every aspect from the eye test to stats.

I agree. We should keep our young guys and let them grow together.

 

[O.T.I.S.]

Do you not understand the concept of progression?...most players get better throughout their careers. Analyzing a player based off his first few years in the league is pointless. I cant believe this is yalls actual argument. "But but we saw him start at 20 and 21....yea he better now at 22, but who cares"...smh

Dude is 22 years old, im willing to be this isnt his ceiling. And if you believe julius game hasnt improved you just arent watching the games. He has improved in every aspect from the eye test to stats.

And Randle has not gotten better, he's just not starting

Do you understand the concept of not playing majority against starters?

I'm not overanylyzing anything against Randle. His switch to backup center has made a world of difference, thats really it.

 

[O.T.I.S.]

I wouldn’t mind having him back as a backup C. That is the role where he thrives at, and nothing wrong with being a 6 man. Our bench is one of the strongest and I want to keep it that way. But if he is asking for a big time check, we have to let him go.

This is basically the end of discussion

He is playing for a check this year... Dude does not care about winning. Once he gets it then I personally think...

I said before he went to the bench that he shouldn't be starting and that I liked him better off the bench and thats really it.

If he is cool for limited minutes I'm down to keep him if he's not expensive. Lakers need shooters, people with high IQ, and NOT ball stoppers.

Luke said he has been working with everyone to make sure they make a move and if they don't have anything to move the ball... No holding it, no one on ones, no bull in the china shop, no dribble dribbling. Basically how Kuzma AND Lonzo play now.