2024 NBA Season

[autoprt]

Just watched Lakers / Hornets.   Charlotte has pieces but definitely missing Miles Bridges.  If they get Bridges back they will play much better but their center is not that good.   Lakers are basically LeBron and everyone else trying to get through the game. This team is miles away from the Showtime Lakers and also not the Kobe/Shaq teams that were must see tv.  It just looks like Lebron has to try so hard to win and this team could make the play in game but without AD truly healthy they might as well just tank and just start over.

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[Pamadar]

So as early as this time, they really need to get their act together to at least move up in the position wherein they will not get into the play-in because it's going to be a do or die for them. But with Davis out and the rest of the roster are just performing so-so or below expectations, then chances are they will not going to be in the play-in.

With how they are performing now, even reaching play-in still a big question, and AD is now out Lakers needs to have someone who can help them, someone who's a 2-way player that can really help.

Warriors case could be different though, they could be stack up, but they are not clicking, Wiggins and Curry is injured. Their second unit is not as good as last year.

Warriors can be a surprise, once both stars are available the winning chance is better
for them, Curry and Wiggins productions will help lifting them and make some good
winning streak.

[YuginKadoya]

Interesting rumor that Zach LaVine is trying to force his way out of Chicago and into a contract with the Lakers.  I honestly don't see how this would work out with a trade, but it's fun to speculate about.  The crazy thing is that DeRozan wants to be a Laker also.  With the Lakers not having much to offer but Anthony Davis, it seems unlikely that a swap for LaVine would work and this is interesting because the Lakers have been trying to get DeRozan with a trade, and now the Bulls have 2 guys that want to play for the Lakers...  This is going to be one rumor filled trading window.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/nba-rumors-zach-lavine-is-forcing-his-way-to-the-lakers/ar-AA15BD0a

Well Rumor could also be true and with the impending opening windows for a trade I think there is a possibility about it, but right now all we can do is speculate, I think Zach LaVine is a fit addition to the Lakers, but Adding up Demar DeRozan would surely cause a huge problem with the salary pay and having to trade their best players surely Anthony Davis, but I think Anthony Davis is the real key to success for the Lakers, if they want to progress in a higher spot, and make it to the playoffs, they will be needing him, so I think Zach LeVine is a viable trade for now, but if they can get DeRozan without a casualty of handing over their big guns, I think it is a via trade for them and the Los Angeles Lakers could now be a more bigger threat for a lot of teams, which is I highly doubt to happen,

Just watched Lakers / Hornets.   Charlotte has pieces but definitely missing Miles Bridges.  If they get Bridges back they will play much better but their center is not that good.   Lakers are basically LeBron and everyone else trying to get through the game. This team is miles away from the Showtime Lakers and also not the Kobe/Shaq teams that were must see tv.  It just looks like Lebron has to try so hard to win and this team could make the play in game but without AD truly healthy they might as well just tank and just start over.

It was a close game and the Hornets are taking the pace and even got a beautiful spread but surely the Lakers were dominating the rebounds with Thomas Bryant and I think that factor was used against the Hornets and they got exposed with that, the Charlotte Hornets just really need Miles Bridge around, Russell Westbrick got 17 points, Austin Reeves got 20 points and Lebron James stacking 34 points in winning a close game against the Hornets and I think if they got Anthony Davis this game would be more difficult for the Hornets,

[boltz]

Yes! Bulls 3 wins in a row and I have hopes for play-offs spots again! Sure , it will be very hard for them to achieve it during the internal problems they are facing right now but some of the players really put up a hard work and they bring home victories.

Nets are on fire lately! Winning streak and and important victory against Bucks last night and it seems they won't stop anytime soon.

[Hypnosis00]

Yes! Bulls 3 wins in a row and I have hopes for play-offs spots again! Sure , it will be very hard for them to achieve it during the internal problems they are facing right now but some of the players really put up a hard work and they bring home victories.

Nets are on fire lately! Winning streak and and important victory against Bucks last night and it seems they won't stop anytime soon.

Nets are becoming the team we hope they will, they are a super team and they are showing that to us. With a winning streak continuing, I would not be surprise if they will be in the number 1 spot in the East. Also, we have to noticed the 7ers as well, they are also in a winning streak with 7 wins already.

[danherbias07]

Funny to say, but we might see one of them out from the Bulls jersey. I can understand your point with DeRozan as he is old, and he really wanted to have that ring but moving to Lakers?

I'm not sure if how he can help if the trade will be for Davis. Thinking about seeing him,WB and LeBron all
are players who need to hold the ball and create space to make a good basket. I can't see any good chemistry
playing them all together.

Yeah, you might be right, those guys take a lot of time ball-hogging before they decide what play it will be. Isolation or if they cannot force it a kick-out pass that leads to a high turnover chance.
I would not recommend it too but I think the Lakers' management knows what they need.
Shooters, real ones, Zach Lavine actually is a good choice but I would not be risking a Davis trade for it, it's a stupid plan.

So for now, I would say that it's out of the talks for now, both could remain a Bull for the next year or so, unfortunately.

That might be the ending of this rumor. I just don't see it happening, for now. Let's see first the next rumor on who are the possible players that would be an interest to the Bulls.

[Sanitough]

Funny to say, but we might see one of them out from the Bulls jersey. I can understand your point with DeRozan as he is old, and he really wanted to have that ring but moving to Lakers?

I'm not sure if how he can help if the trade will be for Davis. Thinking about seeing him,WB and LeBron all
are players who need to hold the ball and create space to make a good basket. I can't see any good chemistry
playing them all together.

That would not help if it will be Davis that will be traded for him, Lakers are struggling without Davis, so you can tell that Davis is really the most important player on the team. If the trade will be on Westbrook, then for sure that will make the Lakers the championship team, and hopefully Westbrook will fit well with the Chicago Bulls.

[Cryptmuster]

The Lakers were supposed to beat the Hornets at home, but a bad game in the third quarter did not allow them to correct the situation until the end of the game, this is the third defeat in a row, I expected them to win this game. And Philadelphia continues its win streak, after defeating the Clippers, it is seven games won in a row, this is, if I'm not mistaken, the longest streak since the beginning of the season.

[Japinat]

The Lakers were supposed to beat the Hornets at home, but a bad game in the third quarter did not allow them to correct the situation until the end of the game, this is the third defeat in a row, I expected them to win this game. And Philadelphia continues its win streak, after defeating the Clippers, it is seven games won in a row, this is, if I'm not mistaken, the longest streak since the beginning of the season.

But it was still a close game though, Lakers just don't execute well in the last quarter that's why they suffer another Loss. This is the old Lakers that continues to struggle once they missed Davis, so he is a big factor in the success of the team, not Lebron James or Westbrook.

About the 76ers, Embiid is a beast in that win, and their win streak proved that they have the right chemistry already, but of course, it's necessary that Embiid will remain healthy.

[inthelongrun]

Alright! Waiting for the games after Christmas. Merry Christmas everyone. I hope my Philadelphia and Dallas bets will win. I need a sign of a better start after having no luck in the last months.

Meanwhile, western teams are once again nearing to match the best win-loss record of the east. Generally, the current standings are still close with only 1 to 2 wins and losses that set them apart from the next rank. This might be one of the most competitive regular seasons in the NBA.

[xzone]

Yes! Bulls 3 wins in a row and I have hopes for play-offs spots again! Sure , it will be very hard for them to achieve it during the internal problems they are facing right now but some of the players really put up a hard work and they bring home victories.

Nets are on fire lately! Winning streak and and important victory against Bucks last night and it seems they won't stop anytime soon.

The Brooklyn Nets have been doing really well in the last games. They have a very important winning streak, they have not lost for 8 matches. Moreover, there were some very strong teams among these matches.
After their legendary performances against the Golden State Warriors, they also managed to beat the Bucks. Next up is the Cleveland Cavaliers, and if they manage to beat them, they'll continue a great streak

[Yamifoud]

Yes! Bulls 3 wins in a row and I have hopes for play-offs spots again! Sure , it will be very hard for them to achieve it during the internal problems they are facing right now but some of the players really put up a hard work and they bring home victories.

Nets are on fire lately! Winning streak and and important victory against Bucks last night and it seems they won't stop anytime soon.

The Brooklyn Nets have been doing really well in the last games. They have a very important winning streak, they have not lost for 8 matches. Moreover, there were some very strong teams among these matches.
After their legendary performances against the Golden State Warriors, they also managed to beat the Bucks. Next up is the Cleveland Cavaliers, and if they manage to beat them, they'll continue a great streak

They beat good teams in their previous games, which tells that this team is already legit. Seemed like firing Steve Nash was the right decision as they are playing like a team to beat this season. I am now convince that they are the top contender to win the championship this season, and as long as Durant and Irving are healthy, their chances is really huge.

[Oasisman]

The Lakers were supposed to beat the Hornets at home, but a bad game in the third quarter did not allow them to correct the situation until the end of the game, this is the third defeat in a row, I expected them to win this game. And Philadelphia continues its win streak, after defeating the Clippers, it is seven games won in a row, this is, if I'm not mistaken, the longest streak since the beginning of the season.

Too many bad endings for the Lakers, a lot of missed opportunities to  seal and win the game. The worst thing was, they don't only have one opportunity to win those games, but a multiple wasted and missed possession.
Tonight the first opportunity was when Austin Reeves stole the ball that's supposed to give them a lead as they have a 3-2 advantage in transition and then turn it over. The 2nd one was with Schroeder's 3 point shot that supposed to win the game.

[freedomgo]

Concluding that Boston Celtics have a serious problem because of that losing streak is a big slap for those teams who beat them.

Orlando Magic beats the Boston Celtics in a close game twice in a row. Might be surprising to others as the Celtics are currently sitting at the top spot while Magic is in the bottom spot but instead of talking about related to the Celtics, we should instead talk about the performance of Orlando Magic in those 2 games where they were able to make an upset win.

Still, in a series match, the Celtics will own the Magic. Season games playing levels can't be compared when it comes to playoff games, especially for experienced teams that always get a playoff spot every year.

That's a tough one to answer, I know your point but the Boston Celtics also came from the Orlando Magic's situation few years back. No playoff or play-in exposure because their team just can't make it. It's just best for now to give the Orlando Magic some credits for defeating the Celtics in a back to back game because that's a tough one to pull as even the tough teams are struggling to do that yet the Magic made a way to make it possible.

[mirakal]

Yes, LeBron James Jr. (Bronny) will be eligible for the 2024 Draft.

Initially, NBA Draft Room predicted Bronny being drafted no. 34 overall in the 2024 NBA Draft

Source: https://www.thefocus.news/sports/nba/when-will-bronny-james-be-drafted-in-the-nba/

Regarding to your 2nd question, yes, it will be the first time in the NBA History to see a father-and-son duo. As we all know, LeBron have said that he will be spending his final years in the NBA playing with his son, so it's safe to say that he will do whatever it takes to get into that team where Bronny will be drafted.

Wow, I confess I didn't know that! Thank you for this information
I even imagine this could happen...
I speculate that LeBron James will retire on his hometown team (Cavs) and he will do anything to get Bronny drafted to the Cavaliers after that, maybe 1 or 2 seasons playing together (LJ + Bronny), possibly LeBron will retire.
And I also don't doubt that by then Bryce will also be drafted to the NBA, lately he's been performing very well and he's grown a lot lately.
Well, this is just speculation on my part.

Changing the topic of conversation...

Unfortunately AD was injured again, and will be away for a indetermined time...
Guys, what do you think about this? Even without AD, will the Lakers have a chance to stand out in the regular season and go to the playoffs?

Lakers will face the Hornets, I believe it will be an easy game for the Lakers, but I have no doubt that AD will be greatly absence for his team

That is indeed possible, we all know that LeBron will have the liberty by that time to force a trade and finish his contract somewhere else like the Cavaliers for example where he got drafted and where his home team is, and most importantly to the team where his son, Bronny, will get drafted. That will be a history and the Cavs will surely want that to happen on their team.

Unfortunately AD was injured again, and will be away for a indetermined time...
Guys, what do you think about this? Even without AD, will the Lakers have a chance to stand out in the regular season and go to the playoffs?

Lakers will face the Hornets, I believe it will be an easy game for the Lakers, but I have no doubt that AD will be greatly absence for his team

Yes, Anthony Davis will be away indefinitely for now because of the injury he sustained. Yet the people aren't surprised by it because he's just too prone to expect that he will be healthy all year long without any injury on the process. Might be possible, but the chances are just slim. And just like what I've thought, the Lakers fell short again because of their inconsistency.

[stadus]

Yes, it does seem within the realm of possibility that the Bulls will blow up their roster.  I don't see them wanting a piece like Anthony Davis to build around though.  It's too much of a risk.  Just after reading the article about Zach LaVine, there's another one about DeRozan wanting out...

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/demar-derozan-considering-massive-trade-request-from-chicago-bulls/ar-AA15AlbM

The crazy part is that they seem to be disagreeing how they should play together, but they both want to go to the Lakers...  I think we may see a bit of a pissing contest on who will be able to get to the Lakers.  It would be a bit funny if they both ended up being teammates there again...

Dejavu Kyrie and KD drama.   Same issue, both want out. Could it be the coaching staff or the management?
DeRozan is getting older, he wants that championship badly and as fast as he can, but in LaVine's case is hard to understand. He had become the face of the Chicago Bulls and it's going to be difficult to see him in new jersey.
I thought the Bulls were doing great with so many good roleplayers addition. But after their guard Lonzo Ball is injured every piece of the puzzle seems to be falling. Still no timeline for his return.
This might become a 3 way team deal if ever the Lakers do want AD to be traded while another team wants to rebuild using him.

Funny to say, but we might see one of them out from the Bulls jersey. I can understand your point with DeRozan as he is old, and he really wanted to have that ring but moving to Lakers?

I'm not sure if how he can help if the trade will be for Davis. Thinking about seeing him,WB and LeBron all
are players who need to hold the ball and create space to make a good basket. I can't see any good chemistry
playing them all together.

Agreed! That will be an expensive mistake for the Lakers if they will have DeRozan as part of the Davis trade because that's not what they need. I know it's too early to tell but I think we can already what would happen once that deal will push through. Adding another old superstar? Really? What they need is a young center that will be reliable to the team for years and a sniper that is consistent. But that's quite too much to ask

[LogitechMouse]

Interesting rumor that Zach LaVine is trying to force his way out of Chicago and into a contract with the Lakers.  I honestly don't see how this would work out with a trade, but it's fun to speculate about.  The crazy thing is that DeRozan wants to be a Laker also.  With the Lakers not having much to offer but Anthony Davis, it seems unlikely that a swap for LaVine would work and this is interesting because the Lakers have been trying to get DeRozan with a trade, and now the Bulls have 2 guys that want to play for the Lakers...  This is going to be one rumor filled trading window.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/nba-rumors-zach-lavine-is-forcing-his-way-to-the-lakers/ar-AA15BD0a

Yeah, read that rumors as well, I was really surprised that Lavine wanted out of the Bulls, since he was being made to be the face of the franchise. But it looks like he was frustrated on how the teams are turning specially last season when they got DeRozan because they expecting that they will make a final push.

They do good in the beginning, but when injuries keeps piling up, barely made it to the playoff last year and then exited on the first round.

And this season, it's worst for them.

Yes, it does seem within the realm of possibility that the Bulls will blow up their roster.  I don't see them wanting a piece like Anthony Davis to build around though.  It's too much of a risk.  Just after reading the article about Zach LaVine, there's another one about DeRozan wanting out...

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/demar-derozan-considering-massive-trade-request-from-chicago-bulls/ar-AA15AlbM

The crazy part is that they seem to be disagreeing how they should play together, but they both want to go to the Lakers...  I think we may see a bit of a pissing contest on who will be able to get to the Lakers.  It would be a bit funny if they both ended up being teammates there again...

Derozan is 33 years old. Lavine is 27 years old. A bit younger but the problem is that their supposed big three isn't working for them.
The supposed big three of the Bulls which consists of Derozan, Lavine and Vucevic isn't working. Also include those role players that aren't doing much for the team to win. At least the Bulls are now in a 3-game winning streak but still, they are in the 11th spot.

If the Bulls do not play well this season, we will expect these 2 players to be traded and find another team. What makes me curious is that, of all the teams out there, why they want to be a Laker. It doesn't make sense because Lebron might retire after his 2-year contract with the Lakers or might play with another team. Wesbrook and Davis might get traded after this season especially Westbrook who will be a RFA and they don't have any draft picks.

[dwyane36]

This is the old Lakers that continues to struggle once they missed Davis, so he is a big factor in the success of the team, not Lebron James or Westbrook.

Davis and LeBron are both important because the Lakers' success depends only on them. However, neither of these guys can win a game alone if other teammates don't help them enough. Honestly, I think LeBron played well against the Hornets, scoring 34 points. In addition, he could have tied the game at the end, but he was unlucky at the most crucial moment as he lost his shoe with 4 seconds left in the 4th quarter.

[Slow death]

Los Angeles Lakers 130 - 134 Charlotte Hornets

 

usually I don't have the habit of watching the entire NBA game due to the time difference, when the games are on in my country it's 2 am, and a time when everyone, including me, is sleeping, but this was a game that happened at a time when I could watch it and as I like the Lakers it was something fantastic, I confess that in the first period when they won I was very optimistic that they would win that game, the second period came and they won once again , then came the third period when they started to destroy everything they had achieved in the first 2 periods, they lost with a difference of 10 points in the 3rd period

so I said to myself in the fourth quarter that I would bet on them because they could win, I bet on them, honestly every minute I watched the game the more I got irritated with them, it looked like they were doing sabotage to lose, it wasn't normal their behavior in the 4 periods, the only one who seemed to be on the field was LeBron James who with his triple shots managed to reduce the points difference, what we saw in the last 4 minutes was something disastrous

[autoprt]

Los Angeles Lakers 130 - 134 Charlotte Hornets

 

usually I don't have the habit of watching the entire NBA game due to the time difference, when the games are on in my country it's 2 am, and a time when everyone, including me, is sleeping, but this was a game that happened at a time when I could watch it and as I like the Lakers it was something fantastic, I confess that in the first period when they won I was very optimistic that they would win that game, the second period came and they won once again , then came the third period when they started to destroy everything they had achieved in the first 2 periods, they lost with a difference of 10 points in the 3rd period

so I said to myself in the fourth quarter that I would bet on them because they could win, I bet on them, honestly every minute I watched the game the more I got irritated with them, it looked like they were doing sabotage to lose, it wasn't normal their behavior in the 4 periods, the only one who seemed to be on the field was LeBron James who with his triple shots managed to reduce the points difference, what we saw in the last 4 minutes was something disastrous

https://i.imgur.com/apK7wNe.png

yes it does seem that way but i'm thinking its due to fact most of the players that aren't hurt are role players or young in the league so they will do unpredictable things. this team due to what it cost to have Lebron and AD are top heavy in talent with role players to help them do what they do. the championship they did get was won during the pandemic in the bubble which helped both AD and Lebron there was no travel and they were able to rest and recover after games which is hard to do during a regular season.  At this point in AD career hate to say it but if he keeps playing it will be on a team where he comes off bench and does limited minutes.  He is going down the Yao Ming road a ton of talent but constant foot issues understandably with all the height and weight on feet body isn't meant to handle that.  Lakers with what their tickets cost per game really don't want to rebuild right now because that will hurt ticket sales but unless they patch together and add some high talent names like they did the year when Malone and GP, who played with Shaq and Kobe (which almost worked), they are due for a rebuild in another year or so.   

People also forget Jerry West was a big part of the championship teams the Lakers had.  He had an awesome eye for talent and was good at building teams.  Kupchak was ok but most of times he made moves after consulting with Jerry West.   As West got older and went to Grizzlies he kind of lost a step with the younger players and didn't do as well in building teams even though Grizzlies did manage to put a few good teams together after he got there.