2024 NBA Season

[Questat]

New offensive style as the king Lebron says. What do you say guys if they are now with Westbrook?

--> https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/lebron-james-says-lakers-have-a-whole-new-offensive-system-as-they-integrate-russell-westbrook-newcomers/

IIRC, I had said it once here. They don't need to focus on defense anymore because they have their players back when they won the championship and they added more power to that defensive line with DeAndre Jordan and Rus. You can't mess with these players when their in front of you.
Dwight and Rondo on the other hand will just have to re-enact what they did when they won a championship or make it better.

Offense should be the focus. What's the role of Rus? Will he be on the 2nd team as a lead playmaker or will they let him join Lebron on the floor.
I guess we will just see once the season starts. Frank Vogel is also known for being a good coach to rotate players and look for chemistry so it would be a big challenge for him.

I don't think he will be in the 2nd team or the reserved, the Lakers should make him start and let Rondo lead the 2nd lineup. They have a lot of talent actually, this is a team that would dominate a team that is lacking star players and could match the Nets and defeats the defending champion in case the Nets will again fail this season.

[Baofeng]

New offensive style as the king Lebron says. What do you say guys if they are now with Westbrook?

--> https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/lebron-james-says-lakers-have-a-whole-new-offensive-system-as-they-integrate-russell-westbrook-newcomers/

IIRC, I had said it once here. They don't need to focus on defense anymore because they have their players back when they won the championship and they added more power to that defensive line with DeAndre Jordan and Rus. You can't mess with these players when their in front of you.
Dwight and Rondo on the other hand will just have to re-enact what they did when they won a championship or make it better.

Offense should be the focus. What's the role of Rus? Will he be on the 2nd team as a lead playmaker or will they let him join Lebron on the floor.
I guess we will just see once the season starts. Frank Vogel is also known for being a good coach to rotate players and look for chemistry so it would be a big challenge for him.

Yes, maybe we will see Russ and Lebron together in the game or Russ coming off the bench to lead the second team.

And I agree that Vogel is good as making adjustments and rotating his player. Maybe what we missed is Javale during the championship run, but hey we have DeAndre to cover that up as we might see him showing old glimpse of his dunking prowess when he was still with the lob City.

[freedomgo]

New offensive style as the king Lebron says. What do you say guys if they are now with Westbrook?

--> https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/lebron-james-says-lakers-have-a-whole-new-offensive-system-as-they-integrate-russell-westbrook-newcomers/

IIRC, I had said it once here. They don't need to focus on defense anymore because they have their players back when they won the championship and they added more power to that defensive line with DeAndre Jordan and Rus. You can't mess with these players when their in front of you.
Dwight and Rondo on the other hand will just have to re-enact what they did when they won a championship or make it better.

Offense should be the focus. What's the role of Rus? Will he be on the 2nd team as a lead playmaker or will they let him join Lebron on the floor.
I guess we will just see once the season starts. Frank Vogel is also known for being a good coach to rotate players and look for chemistry so it would be a big challenge for him.

Yes, maybe we will see Russ and Lebron together in the game or Russ coming off the bench to lead the second team.

And I agree that Vogel is good as making adjustments and rotating his player. Maybe what we missed is Javale during the championship run, but hey we have DeAndre to cover that up as we might see him showing old glimpse of his dunking prowess when he was still with the lob City.

Honestly, I don't expect much from DeAndre Jordan, he wasn't that effective with the Nets, so I don't think he will be effective with the Lakers uniform.  Howard is really a big steal here as he can defend any centers in the league, not only defend but he can also frustrate them with his very physical style of defense and that's what the Lakers missed last season.

[Oasisman]

maybe we will see Russ and Lebron together in the game or Russ coming off the bench to lead the second team.

And I agree that Vogel is good as making adjustments and rotating his player. Maybe what we missed is Javale during the championship run, but hey we have DeAndre to cover that up as we might see him showing old glimpse of his dunking prowess when he was still with the lob City.

The Lakers already has their potential starter, I'm not quite sure If they have changed of mind.
PG : Russ
SG : Ellington
SF: Ariza
PF : LeBron
C : AD
Though this starting five looks like not everyone is expected, and I don't want to see AD to play at the Center position. I mean he's so fragile, he might get injured in a couple of games.
Well, let's see this could work If AD remains healthy. Ariza is a good addition to play additional defense and Ellington for additional offense.

[Maslate]

maybe we will see Russ and Lebron together in the game or Russ coming off the bench to lead the second team.

And I agree that Vogel is good as making adjustments and rotating his player. Maybe what we missed is Javale during the championship run, but hey we have DeAndre to cover that up as we might see him showing old glimpse of his dunking prowess when he was still with the lob City.

The Lakers already has their potential starter, I'm not quite sure If they have changed of mind.
PG : Russ
SG : Ellington
SF: Ariza
PF : LeBron
C : AD
Though this starting five looks like not everyone is expected, and I don't want to see AD to play at the Center position. I mean he's so fragile, he might get injured in a couple of games.
Well, let's see this could work If AD remains healthy. Ariza is a good addition to play additional defense and Ellington for additional offense.

Same here, I like him to score more and not be forced to take the rebound because he is the center. I guess you can replace him with Dwight Howard as the starter and give AD another position, and I guess it will not affect the speed of the team but they will be more defensive at the same time as well.

This time, the Lakers can't afford to see Davis get injured again, they know the effect of that.

[Ziskinberg]

This time, the Lakers can't afford to see Davis get injured again, they know the effect of that.

Every team that Davis played suffers when he gets injured, it's a gamble for the Lakers to sign Davis but there's nothing to prove anymore about his worth because he has already delivered a championship for the Lakers that Lebron can't do it himself. It's Davis' 3rd season with the Lakers, and they are once again aiming to win back the championship and to make the chance higher, they added more veteran players and the biggest addition is Russell Westbrook.

[Reid]

The Lakers already has their potential starter, I'm not quite sure If they have changed of mind.
PG : Russ
SG : Ellington
SF: Ariza
PF : LeBron
C : AD
Though this starting five looks like not everyone is expected, and I don't want to see AD to play at the Center position. I mean he's so fragile, he might get injured in a couple of games.
Well, let's see this could work If AD remains healthy. Ariza is a good addition to play additional defense and Ellington for additional offense.

I think they'll change it. Preserving the energy of Davis will be a factor to win each game.
Move him to the forward position since they have 2 big men in their roster. Howard and DeAndre Jordan.
All they need is to rotate the SG and SF position, Lebron, THT, Ariza, Ellington looking for a combination that would best spread the floor.
Davis cannot run both the offensive and defensive end or he will get exhausted and will take more rest on the bench than to play.
If I am Frank Vogel I would maximize the strength of my bench players as much as possible.

[carlisle1]

I think they'll change it. Preserving the energy of Davis will be a factor to win each game.
Move him to the forward position since they have 2 big men in their roster. Howard and DeAndre Jordan.
All they need is to rotate the SG and SF position, Lebron, THT, Ariza, Ellington looking for a combination that would best spread the floor.
Davis cannot run both the offensive and defensive end or he will get exhausted and will take more rest on the bench than to play.
If I am Frank Vogel I would maximize the strength of my bench players as much as possible.

With that so many combinations that Coach Vogel has, changes in starters are more likely possible.

Davis should not play as Center, they already have Howard and if you noticed good changes from his game, Lakers should use him more now.

They've got LeBron, Russ and Melo who can play alternatively. I would like to see more from Rondo instead of letting Nunn to bring the ball,

the kid had a talent but experienced, wise Rondo still a better choice for that position.

[BALIK]

This time, the Lakers can't afford to see Davis get injured again, they know the effect of that.

Every team that Davis played suffers when he gets injured, it's a gamble for the Lakers to sign Davis but there's nothing to prove anymore about his worth because he has already delivered a championship for the Lakers that Lebron can't do it himself. It's Davis' 3rd season with the Lakers, and they are once again aiming to win back the championship and to make the chance higher, they added more veteran players and the biggest addition is Russell Westbrook.

Davis has been a player who is very injury-prone throughout his entire career which is kind of sad. A very talented player like him being this much injury prone is very sad, to be honest. So the coach needs to play him very carefully and utilize every minute from him. He needs to be rotated regularly otherwise he will get injured again. I just hope that Davis can hold onto his form and doesn't get injured again.

[DanWalker]

I think they'll change it. Preserving the energy of Davis will be a factor to win each game.
Move him to the forward position since they have 2 big men in their roster. Howard and DeAndre Jordan.
All they need is to rotate the SG and SF position, Lebron, THT, Ariza, Ellington looking for a combination that would best spread the floor.
Davis cannot run both the offensive and defensive end or he will get exhausted and will take more rest on the bench than to play.
If I am Frank Vogel I would maximize the strength of my bench players as much as possible.

With that so many combinations that Coach Vogel has, changes in starters are more likely possible.
Davis should not play as Center, they already have Howard and if you noticed good changes from his game, Lakers should use him more now.
They've got LeBron, Russ and Melo who can play alternatively. I would like to see more from Rondo instead of letting Nunn to bring the ball,
the kid had a talent but experienced, wise Rondo still a better choice for that position.

Davis would be a key player from them and needs to be played very carefully as he is very injury prone as @Balik said.  Maybe WB, Monk, and Rondo can be rotated for the PG position and as you said, playing Davis as a Center is not a good idea as they have 2 huge guys for that position (Jordan and  Howard), Lebron can be rotated from PF and SF position depending on if Davis is on the bench or not and maybe Carmelo Anthony can also play a good part in the rotations as he can be played as both PF and SF and maybe SG if needed.

[stadus]

I think they'll change it. Preserving the energy of Davis will be a factor to win each game.
Move him to the forward position since they have 2 big men in their roster. Howard and DeAndre Jordan.
All they need is to rotate the SG and SF position, Lebron, THT, Ariza, Ellington looking for a combination that would best spread the floor.
Davis cannot run both the offensive and defensive end or he will get exhausted and will take more rest on the bench than to play.
If I am Frank Vogel I would maximize the strength of my bench players as much as possible.

With that so many combinations that Coach Vogel has, changes in starters are more likely possible.
Davis should not play as Center, they already have Howard and if you noticed good changes from his game, Lakers should use him more now.
They've got LeBron, Russ and Melo who can play alternatively. I would like to see more from Rondo instead of letting Nunn to bring the ball,
the kid had a talent but experienced, wise Rondo still a better choice for that position.

Davis would be a key player from them and needs to be played very carefully as he is very injury prone as @Balik said.  Maybe WB, Monk, and Rondo can be rotated for the PG position and as you said, playing Davis as a Center is not a good idea as they have 2 huge guys for that position (Jordan and  Howard), Lebron can be rotated from PF and SF position depending on if Davis is on the bench or not and maybe Carmelo Anthony can also play a good part in the rotations as he can be played as both PF and SF and maybe SG if needed.

Lebron can also play as Center though, but you are right, Davis should not be in the Center position anymore, they have legit big guys who are healthy this season, Jordan and Howard are both dominant big men, besides, it's not necessary that big man will score, with the big 3 of the Lakers (WB, Lebron, and Davis), it's already enough for them to win against any team with the condition that they should remain healthy.

[harizen]

Lebron can also play as Center though, but you are right, Davis should not be in the Center position anymore, they have legit big guys who are healthy this season, Jordan and Howard are both dominant big men, besides, it's not necessary that big man will score, with the big 3 of the Lakers (WB, Lebron, and Davis), it's already enough for them to win against any team with the condition that they should remain healthy.

That's the best thing to do but as far as Coach Vogel's lineup is concerned, he's not relying too much on big men. Since he handled the Los Angeles Lakers, his routine operation was mostly composed of Forwards to Power Forwards since LBJ can be a Point Guard. It makes it easy for him to adjust lineups because LeBron almost can handle all the positions. Back when Howard was there in the NBA bubble, he hasn't used much. DeAndre Jordan is also not seeing having good minutes even back when he first traded from the Los Angeles Clippers.

About Anthony Davis, it's already confirmed by him that he will play as a Center and he's prepared for that. But of course, we can expect it will be changed along the way depends on the situation.

[btc_angela]

maybe we will see Russ and Lebron together in the game or Russ coming off the bench to lead the second team.

And I agree that Vogel is good as making adjustments and rotating his player. Maybe what we missed is Javale during the championship run, but hey we have DeAndre to cover that up as we might see him showing old glimpse of his dunking prowess when he was still with the lob City.

The Lakers already has their potential starter, I'm not quite sure If they have changed of mind.
PG : Russ
SG : Ellington
SF: Ariza
PF : LeBron
C : AD
Though this starting five looks like not everyone is expected, and I don't want to see AD to play at the Center position. I mean he's so fragile, he might get injured in a couple of games.
Well, let's see this could work If AD remains healthy. Ariza is a good addition to play additional defense and Ellington for additional offense.

Maybe this is what coach Frank wants, a super fast starting five with AD at the centre. For sure they are going to run with WB as PG, all of them have the potential to run with WB including AD. So it make sense for AD to be the starting centre.

Let's not talk about him being injured as a centre, injuries is unavoidable in any sport, even if he plays PF he still has the same chance if we are talking about injuries in the league.

[chaser15]

maybe we will see Russ and Lebron together in the game or Russ coming off the bench to lead the second team.

And I agree that Vogel is good as making adjustments and rotating his player. Maybe what we missed is Javale during the championship run, but hey we have DeAndre to cover that up as we might see him showing old glimpse of his dunking prowess when he was still with the lob City.

The Lakers already has their potential starter, I'm not quite sure If they have changed of mind.
PG : Russ
SG : Ellington
SF: Ariza
PF : LeBron
C : AD
Though this starting five looks like not everyone is expected, and I don't want to see AD to play at the Center position. I mean he's so fragile, he might get injured in a couple of games.
Well, let's see this could work If AD remains healthy. Ariza is a good addition to play additional defense and Ellington for additional offense.

Trevor Ariza will be a bench player, I'm sure of that. The starters are those who are actively young and prime.

Anthony Davis is also like playing as a Center. I think no problem with him for that position. Last year, he was mostly used as their big guy on the floor. No difference at all if he played at Center. It's just a position after all and won't affect his performance as an original Power Forward.

[dwyane36]

Trevor Ariza will be a bench player, I'm sure of that. The starters are those who are actively young and prime.

It's worth noting that Ariza has a problem with his right ankle, and he will probably miss the beginning of this season ( at least 8 weeks). So it's obvious that Ariza will play as a bench player after returning. Maybe Bazemore and THT will be a good alternative to him.

[Jating]

Trevor Ariza will be a bench player, I'm sure of that. The starters are those who are actively young and prime.

It's worth noting that Ariza has a problem with his right ankle, and he will probably miss the beginning of this season ( at least 8 weeks). So it's obvious that Ariza will play as a bench player after returning. Maybe Bazemore and THT will be a good alternative to him.

I will with THT as the first option here, I think this kid just need more confidence to become a great players. He already shown signs last year that's why Lakers didn't trade him and instead opt for Kuzma.

And I think he will be a good complement to Russ as well, the running game of Russ will surely benefit younger legs like Nunn and THT. And even if Ariza is healthy, he might not be a starter, his main task for the Lakers is not to be offensive, but focus more on defense, and THT too can play good defense if needed.

[freedomgo]

Trevor Ariza will be a bench player, I'm sure of that. The starters are those who are actively young and prime.

It's worth noting that Ariza has a problem with his right ankle, and he will probably miss the beginning of this season ( at least 8 weeks). So it's obvious that Ariza will play as a bench player after returning. Maybe Bazemore and THT will be a good alternative to him.

I will with THT as the first option here, I think this kid just need more confidence to become a great players. He already shown signs last year that's why Lakers didn't trade him and instead opt for Kuzma.

And I think he will be a good complement to Russ as well, the running game of Russ will surely benefit younger legs like Nunn and THT. And even if Ariza is healthy, he might not be a starter, his main task for the Lakers is not to be offensive, but focus more on defense, and THT too can play good defense if needed.

This kid has a lot to contribute to the team, at least he is consistent unlike Kuzma who is very inconsistent and he doesn't produce much when it's needed the most. The Lakers gave Kuzma at least one season but he failed the team and it's a good thing that when he departed to the team, the Lakers were able to acquire more players that has a better experience and were more mature than Kuzma when it comes to their responsibility to the team.

[danherbias07]

Is Westbrook really that bad for the chemistry of the Lakers? Is he rusty or is this all a trap for defenders to loosen their guard when the regular season starts.
Could it all be an act? What do you think?

According to the commentators in game Lebron even stretched out the possibility to increase their chemistry by organizing a special training camp in Las Vegas before the real training camp begin. It is said he did it before (2019) and they won the championship, that's why he is trying to repeat it. Sounds like a ritual to me.
But with what we witness today, it seems like it didn't work, yet.

[Yamifoud]

Is Westbrook really that bad for the chemistry of the Lakers? Is he rusty or is this all a trap for defenders to loosen their guard when the regular season starts.
Could it all be an act? What do you think?

According to the commentators in game Lebron even stretched out the possibility to increase their chemistry by organizing a special training camp in Las Vegas before the real training camp begin. It is said he did it before (2019) and they won the championship, that's why he is trying to repeat it. Sounds like a ritual to me.
But with what we witness today, it seems like it didn't work, yet.

Westbrook was a triple-double guy, we didn't see him produce that kind of stats so far with the Lakers. yes, it's just preseason but at least he could tally some decent numbers, not the total scores he made in the last 2 games. I hope if there is a special training camp it would help Westbrook to fit in, I think Lebron is not hard to play with as Davis already won a championship with the Lakers in his first year.

[cryptomaniac_xxx]

In other news: Kyrie Irving returns to practice as coach Steve Nash acknowledges Brooklyn Nets will face games without him.

"We recognize he's not playing in home games," Nash told reporters after Irving practiced with the team in Brooklyn for the first time this preseason. "We are going to have to for sure play without him this year. So it just depends on when, where and how much."

So it's gonna be a lot of headache for coach Nash, as he constantly needs to shuffle his squad if Irving still insists on not taking the vaccine. So that's half of the 80+ regular seasons game, he will indefinitely out. But what if they made the playoffs? For sure, there is the homecourt advantage but if one of your superstar are not going to play then there are no advantage to Nets.