2025 NBA Season

[cryptomaniac_xxx]

^^ Really hard to digest what really happen to the Lakers last season and how it become toxic. Although it was really evident that in the beginning, something is not right as even in the pre-season with all eyes on them and high expectations there were already signs that it might not work and that what happen. And then Lebron injured himself and so is AD, Russ games didn't flourish, the supporting cast is not performing as expected etc etc. There is no single point of failure, just a culmination of bad timing and maybe bad decisions.

They don't have good supporting cast because they traded the ones that were really a big piece of the success of the Lakers. Now, they realize that they don't really need another superstar, in fact, Lebron and AD is enough because both have already won a championship together with the Lakers.

Of course they have to trade some of their supporting cast for Westbrook and then build a new one, kept THT and then got a bunch. But still they fell short of even making the playoffs.

I hear some supporters of Westbrook in social media saying that he is now the scape goat of the Lakers so he wanted out.

And after Russ 'divorced' his long time agent, Rich Paul tweet this one:

Rich Paul
@RichPaul4
It’s a cold game !

https://twitter.com/RichPaul4/status/1548146298133458948

[Hypnosis00]

^^ Really hard to digest what really happen to the Lakers last season and how it become toxic. Although it was really evident that in the beginning, something is not right as even in the pre-season with all eyes on them and high expectations there were already signs that it might not work and that what happen. And then Lebron injured himself and so is AD, Russ games didn't flourish, the supporting cast is not performing as expected etc etc. There is no single point of failure, just a culmination of bad timing and maybe bad decisions.

They don't have good supporting cast because they traded the ones that were really a big piece of the success of the Lakers. Now, they realize that they don't really need another superstar, in fact, Lebron and AD is enough because both have already won a championship together with the Lakers.

They should have let go Rondo and Green with them, these two has good impact not just on the regular and playoffs season but they contribute to championship too, their experience is already there. I don't think they need Russ and Anthony on the first place, that was just a show from LeBron I guess, they don't want that championship last season.

Anthony and Russ did not help the Lakers, they are just hype because of their names but the system of the Lakers does not really fit with these two. Imagine, a coach that brough the Lakers a championship was fired because the Lakers are not doing well after, I think the organization made a mistake, they could just trade some players and just keep the system of the Lakers to be effective.

[passwordnow]

Agreed, Lebron encouraged the management to acquire those old superstars in exchange for there young talent and veteran support. He was over confident that he can carry the team even with these broken superstar players.

He's always confident that he can carry the team, he has had that mentality ever since and that's why he's manifesting that mindset into actions and we all saw that.

His pride cause them a lot because they even can’t enter the playoffs even Davis return on crucial matches.

Well, see if they're going to bounce back for this season and I'm sure that he's hungry for that victory that he haven't got last season. He's still one of the best players and he always aim for the ring and not just for a high salary just like the other players that has got huge contracts.

[Russlenat]

Agreed, Lebron encouraged the management to acquire those old superstars in exchange for there young talent and veteran support. He was over confident that he can carry the team even with these broken superstar players.

He's always confident that he can carry the team, he has had that mentality ever since and that's why he's manifesting that mindset into actions and we all saw that.

He thought he really is a great player, his power to demand got bigger when the Lakers won a championship, but actually it was Davis who work hard for that game, without Davis, Lebron would not win a championship. The thing is, the Lakers management sees Lebron as the captain of the ship, so they just give him the freedom to make a decision and that even includes affecting the management decision on who to hire and who to fire.

[jakelyson]

Agreed, Lebron encouraged the management to acquire those old superstars in exchange for there young talent and veteran support. He was over confident that he can carry the team even with these broken superstar players.

He's always confident that he can carry the team, he has had that mentality ever since and that's why he's manifesting that mindset into actions and we all saw that.

If he still thinks he can carry the team alone, he is wrong. He needs not just a superstar with him but a strong set of role players coming from the bench. He cannot carry the Lakers alone anymore. Last season failed horribly because there is no young blood hungry for victory left in the team. They ship them all out.

He thought he really is a great player, his power to demand got bigger when the Lakers won a championship, but actually it was Davis who work hard for that game, without Davis, Lebron would not win a championship. The thing is, the Lakers management sees Lebron as the captain of the ship, so they just give him the freedom to make a decision and that even includes affecting the management decision on who to hire and who to fire.

Lebron is still a great player though. No one can deny that but he is not as dominant as before, age is a great factor to that. As great as a player he is, they should not have given him the power of playing GM though. It is the managements fault that they gave Lebron too much power to dictate who to acquire and who to ship out.

Hopefully the Lakers organization learned from that and won't let GM Lebron boss them around this off season as they build the team.

[LogitechMouse]

^^ Really hard to digest what really happen to the Lakers last season and how it become toxic. Although it was really evident that in the beginning, something is not right as even in the pre-season with all eyes on them and high expectations there were already signs that it might not work and that what happen. And then Lebron injured himself and so is AD, Russ games didn't flourish, the supporting cast is not performing as expected etc etc. There is no single point of failure, just a culmination of bad timing and maybe bad decisions.

They don't have good supporting cast because they traded the ones that were really a big piece of the success of the Lakers. Now, they realize that they don't really need another superstar, in fact, Lebron and AD is enough because both have already won a championship together with the Lakers.

The Washington-Lakers trade really is a bad trade if you will ask me, or it really is a bad trade just because of what happened with the Lakers.

The Lakers traded some of their young and best bench players like Kuzma, KCP and Caruso which is one of the best in defense just to get Westbrook. Turns out that it became worse for them. The players who helped the team get a title got traded to different teams just to get a player where they expect that will help the team get another title again, but it didn't happen.

The good thing now is the Lakers are doing some good things, and they started it to get a new coach in Coach Darwin Ham. One thing more is that they got star-studded players like Pippen and O'neal (you know what I mean with this one ). Well, I just hope that the Lakers will make better decisions this off-season and will be better this upcoming season and will not repeat what happened to them last season.

[Yamifoud]

^^ Really hard to digest what really happen to the Lakers last season and how it become toxic. Although it was really evident that in the beginning, something is not right as even in the pre-season with all eyes on them and high expectations there were already signs that it might not work and that what happen. And then Lebron injured himself and so is AD, Russ games didn't flourish, the supporting cast is not performing as expected etc etc. There is no single point of failure, just a culmination of bad timing and maybe bad decisions.

They don't have good supporting cast because they traded the ones that were really a big piece of the success of the Lakers. Now, they realize that they don't really need another superstar, in fact, Lebron and AD is enough because both have already won a championship together with the Lakers.

The Washington-Lakers trade really is a bad trade if you will ask me, or it really is a bad trade just because of what happened with the Lakers.

The Lakers traded some of their young and best bench players like Kuzma, KCP and Caruso which is one of the best in defense just to get Westbrook. Turns out that it became worse for them. The players who helped the team get a title got traded to different teams just to get a player where they expect that will help the team get another title again, but it didn't happen.

The good thing now is the Lakers are doing some good things, and they started it to get a new coach in Coach Darwin Ham. One thing more is that they got star-studded players like Pippen and O'neal (you know what I mean with this one ). Well, I just hope that the Lakers will make better decisions this off-season and will be better this upcoming season and will not repeat what happened to them last season.

They cannot go back anymore, all they have to do is just correct their mistake and I hope with the new coach, things will be different for the Lakers. Injury is still a big problem for the Lakers, as long as Davis is prone to injury, the future of the Lakers is not bright.

In order to acquire Westbrook, the Lakers sent Kyle Kuzma, Montrez Harrell, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to the Wizards (plus their 2021 first-round pick). Harrell and Kuzma are subpar defenders by most metrics, but KCP's contributions on defense and his ability to knock down threes in the Lakers 2020 title run cannot be glossed over.

https://www.si.com/nba/lakers/news/lakers-nba-expert-describes-russell-westbrook-acquisition-as-catastrophic-ee21

I think that's what happened.

[rhomelmabini]

^^ Really hard to digest what really happen to the Lakers last season and how it become toxic. Although it was really evident that in the beginning, something is not right as even in the pre-season with all eyes on them and high expectations there were already signs that it might not work and that what happen. And then Lebron injured himself and so is AD, Russ games didn't flourish, the supporting cast is not performing as expected etc etc. There is no single point of failure, just a culmination of bad timing and maybe bad decisions.

They don't have good supporting cast because they traded the ones that were really a big piece of the success of the Lakers. Now, they realize that they don't really need another superstar, in fact, Lebron and AD is enough because both have already won a championship together with the Lakers.

They should have let go Rondo and Green with them, these two has good impact not just on the regular and playoffs season but they contribute to championship too, their experience is already there. I don't think they need Russ and Anthony on the first place, that was just a show from LeBron I guess, they don't want that championship last season.

Agreed, Lebron encouraged the management to acquire those old superstars in exchange for there young talent and veteran support. He was over confident that he can carry the team even with these broken superstar players. His pride cause them a lot because they even can’t enter the playoffs even Davis return on crucial matches.

I mean Davis can be a great help during the regular season if he was just that healthy but I guess the blame was on Russ with how he played. As a point guard he should have done better. I say bad decisions over the trades they shouldn't have done and players they shouldn't have let go. Anthony and Westbrook seems to can't carry a team, historically even when they aren't yet in Lakers, their personal stats may be that good but it's just solely on that.

[Sanitough]

^^ Really hard to digest what really happen to the Lakers last season and how it become toxic. Although it was really evident that in the beginning, something is not right as even in the pre-season with all eyes on them and high expectations there were already signs that it might not work and that what happen. And then Lebron injured himself and so is AD, Russ games didn't flourish, the supporting cast is not performing as expected etc etc. There is no single point of failure, just a culmination of bad timing and maybe bad decisions.

They don't have good supporting cast because they traded the ones that were really a big piece of the success of the Lakers. Now, they realize that they don't really need another superstar, in fact, Lebron and AD is enough because both have already won a championship together with the Lakers.

They should have let go Rondo and Green with them, these two has good impact not just on the regular and playoffs season but they contribute to championship too, their experience is already there. I don't think they need Russ and Anthony on the first place, that was just a show from LeBron I guess, they don't want that championship last season.

Agreed, Lebron encouraged the management to acquire those old superstars in exchange for there young talent and veteran support. He was over confident that he can carry the team even with these broken superstar players. His pride cause them a lot because they even can’t enter the playoffs even Davis return on crucial matches.

I mean Davis can be a great help during the regular season if he was just that healthy but I guess the blame was on Russ with how he played. As a point guard he should have done better. I say bad decisions over the trades they shouldn't have done and players they shouldn't have let go. Anthony and Westbrook seems to can't carry a team, historically even when they aren't yet in Lakers, their personal stats may be that good but it's just solely on that.

Westbrook cannot be an effective point guard because Lebron James is the real point guard for the Lakers. Maybe that's one of the reasons why Westbrook was struggling because he is adjusting to his new role, he has been playing as PG in his past teams and join the Lakers for a new system.

Lakers have a big job of making sure Westbrook will fit, and they have to do that this season if they want to keep him.

[Pamadar]

Agreed, Lebron encouraged the management to acquire those old superstars in exchange for there young talent and veteran support. He was over confident that he can carry the team even with these broken superstar players.

He's always confident that he can carry the team, he has had that mentality ever since and that's why he's manifesting that mindset into actions and we all saw that.

He thought he really is a great player, his power to demand got bigger when the Lakers won a championship, but actually it was Davis who work hard for that game, without Davis, Lebron would not win a championship. The thing is, the Lakers management sees Lebron as the captain of the ship, so they just give him the freedom to make a decision and that even includes affecting the management decision on who to hire and who to fire.

It's a bond between Lakers and LeBron after they've got him from the east side, he got that privilege

to pick who are those players to surround him, they've got a good run during the bubble because of AD's healthy season
but we have seen the impact after he got another serious injury.

Last season was a joke, putting old superstars are not a good decision from the Lakers management they can't run against
the younger and stronger new sets of stars.

[Reid]

https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1547755783248482305?s=20&t=BJx3Cg9s-Jix5VKziSl-ow

Free agent guard Austin Rivers has agreed on a one-year deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves, his agents Dave  Spahn and Aaron Mintz of CAA Sports tell ESPN. Rivers played 67 games for Denver a year ago, where new president Tim Connelly signed him in consecutive seasons.

Okay.
Not much of an impact offensively during his Nuggets years. But offense is not a problem in Timberwolves with KAT, DLo, and Edwards, they need defenders in their prime or veterans who could provide help in the defensive end so I guess he is a good choice for them.
Just curious about the different approach of the Twolves now, last year was Patrick Beverley but he became part of the box office trade for Rudy Gobert.
It's like they are focusing on defensive players.

[rhomelmabini]

^^ Really hard to digest what really happen to the Lakers last season and how it become toxic. Although it was really evident that in the beginning, something is not right as even in the pre-season with all eyes on them and high expectations there were already signs that it might not work and that what happen. And then Lebron injured himself and so is AD, Russ games didn't flourish, the supporting cast is not performing as expected etc etc. There is no single point of failure, just a culmination of bad timing and maybe bad decisions.

They don't have good supporting cast because they traded the ones that were really a big piece of the success of the Lakers. Now, they realize that they don't really need another superstar, in fact, Lebron and AD is enough because both have already won a championship together with the Lakers.

They should have let go Rondo and Green with them, these two has good impact not just on the regular and playoffs season but they contribute to championship too, their experience is already there. I don't think they need Russ and Anthony on the first place, that was just a show from LeBron I guess, they don't want that championship last season.

Agreed, Lebron encouraged the management to acquire those old superstars in exchange for there young talent and veteran support. He was over confident that he can carry the team even with these broken superstar players. His pride cause them a lot because they even can’t enter the playoffs even Davis return on crucial matches.

I mean Davis can be a great help during the regular season if he was just that healthy but I guess the blame was on Russ with how he played. As a point guard he should have done better. I say bad decisions over the trades they shouldn't have done and players they shouldn't have let go. Anthony and Westbrook seems to can't carry a team, historically even when they aren't yet in Lakers, their personal stats may be that good but it's just solely on that.

Westbrook cannot be an effective point guard because Lebron James is the real point guard for the Lakers. Maybe that's one of the reasons why Westbrook was struggling because he is adjusting to his new role, he has been playing as PG in his past teams and join the Lakers for a new system.

Lakers have a big job of making sure Westbrook will fit, and they have to do that this season if they want to keep him.

Then that's really a bad move when he wants Russ to be on the Lakers in the first place if that has been the case. I think it will be a good trade and will benefit both parties if the Lakers agree on the Westbrook-Irving trade, but of course we may never know what the BKN will want to get this done.

[dwyane36]

Westbrook cannot be an effective point guard because Lebron James is the real point guard for the Lakers. Maybe that's one of the reasons why Westbrook was struggling because he is adjusting to his new role, he has been playing as PG in his past teams and join the Lakers for a new system.

Lakers have a big job of making sure Westbrook will fit, and they have to do that this season if they want to keep him.

It seems to me LeBron wasn't the cause of Westbrook's poor efficiency last season. Westbrook has had a whole season to adapt his style of play to his new teammates. However, I wouldn't say Russ even tried to improve his performance as he didn't care at all about turnovers and missing shots. I mean, it was pretty common for him to have 7 or more turnovers per game both at the beginning and end of the season, and that's just unacceptable for a true point guard.

[dezoel]

It was always known 100% beforehand that Westbrook would be a horrible fit, they knew it but they took a dice anyway for some reason. No idea why they did that, and why they picked Westbrook to play with them. Don't get me wrong, I still think westbrook would be a great player where he is the main ball handler, but he can't be the guy who you pass out to, and that's what they used him as, which was a horrible idea.

The team Lakers had with like Rondo and Caruso, and so forth, along with Monk and THT, that would be very good if they had Lebron and AD and nobody else. Now, they have to hope that they could tradeaway WB for something, anything, just so they could get better.

[goinmerry]

The Lakers traded some of their young and best bench players like Kuzma, KCP and Caruso which is one of the best in defense just to get Westbrook. Turns out that it became worse for them. The players who helped the team get a title got traded to different teams just to get a player where they expect that will help the team get another title again, but it didn't happen.

Kyle Kuzma is a joke so trading him is good. He even claimed he's the number 3 behind LBJ and AD but what happened. He is very consistent from being always an off-night player. He explodes but only a few times. There are lots of games where LBJ and AD are sidelined and he was expecting to step up but still a failed one. His fellow co-teammate on Lakers, Brandon Ingram is much better than him. That's the mistake that the Lakers did in a package that sent Davis to them.

But I can't apply the same case with Kuzma and KCP as these players are surely worth keeping but the Lakers decided to trade them.

Instead of blaming the game, they just have to do everything to make a better team. And Lakers management is not that shit to be influenced by Lebron. Who told others that it's Lebron the reason why Westbrook was signed by the Lakers.

[harizen]

Ouch, anyway, it is what it is, so I guess we can say that we won't see Westbrook in Lakers uniform. Probably the same toxic environment as what Kyrie's situation in the Nets right now. And even though there is an assurance from their new coach that he will be in the starting lineup, Russ still wanted out of the Lakers. So, is he going to Rich Paul? 

Not much detail is released to the public that's why we are ended up in speculations

The term "'irreconcilable differences'' does have many possible answers and if they tend to keep behind the doors, we have to leave it that way

Regardless if Westbrook will be traded or not, the Lakers are still Lakers. It's even better for me that WB will stay and do the experiment one more season as I'm sure WB is already used to playing with the Lakers even if it's just one season.

New acquired players, new coach, new system - they don't need another for it as chemistry will be in question again.

[btc_angela]

It was always known 100% beforehand that Westbrook would be a horrible fit, they knew it but they took a dice anyway for some reason. No idea why they did that, and why they picked Westbrook to play with them. Don't get me wrong, I still think westbrook would be a great player where he is the main ball handler, but he can't be the guy who you pass out to, and that's what they used him as, which was a horrible idea.

If you look at Westbrook version with the Washington, he was still somewhat a great player, although he has injury history with the Wizards, still him and Beal make a good combo and bring them to the playoff for the first time it years. So maybe that's what the Lakers is holding that time.

The team Lakers had with like Rondo and Caruso, and so forth, along with Monk and THT, that would be very good if they had Lebron and AD and nobody else. Now, they have to hope that they could tradeaway WB for something, anything, just so they could get better.

They can't match Caruso, so obviously they had to left them go to Chicago. And then didn't shift THT, I think they are banking that he will be a good contributor. Actually he was really playing really good, that's why the chooses Kuzma and others in the trade with Westbrook. Unfortunately, this year THT performance went on a spiral.

[OgNasty]

LeBron really tore it up in the Drew League today.  Putting up 42 and 16 against the mostly amateur competition.  Pretty amazing that he's still able to dominate like this at his age.  Looking like if he can stay healthy next year will be another big one.

In Kyrie/Lakers news...  It seems the Nets are still unimpressed by the trade packages that the Lakers are offering them for Kyrie.  I'm not sure if I want Kyrie to go to the Lakers or not, but it would be one hell of a move for them to get Kyrie and lose Russell's contract with one move.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/nba-rumors-nets-turn-down-lakers-offer-for-kyrie-irving-hit-them-with-counter-offer/ar-AAZEaP8?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=b934cc85136a400ebaee88c91ab8a80b

[Baofeng]

Ouch, anyway, it is what it is, so I guess we can say that we won't see Westbrook in Lakers uniform. Probably the same toxic environment as what Kyrie's situation in the Nets right now. And even though there is an assurance from their new coach that he will be in the starting lineup, Russ still wanted out of the Lakers. So, is he going to Rich Paul? 

Not much detail is released to the public that's why we are ended up in speculations

The term "'irreconcilable differences'' does have many possible answers and if they tend to keep behind the doors, we have to leave it that way

Regardless if Westbrook will be traded or not, the Lakers are still Lakers. It's even better for me that WB will stay and do the experiment one more season as I'm sure WB is already used to playing with the Lakers even if it's just one season.

New acquired players, new coach, new system - they don't need another for it as chemistry will be in question again.

True, it's all speculation right now, him and his agent has been working together ever since WB joined the NBA if I'm not mistaken, but it is what it is. Maybe we really don't know what's the real reason behind, but it was just shocking news.

For sure we want him to stay with the Lakers and see how it goes with the new system. And who knows, maybe it will work, maybe not.

LeBron really tore it up in the Drew League today.  Putting up 42 and 16 against the mostly amateur competition.  Pretty amazing that he's still able to dominate like this at his age.  Looking like if he can stay healthy next year will be another big one.

In other news, 



https://twitter.com/RealSkipBayless/status/1548509555033681922

[danherbias07]

LeBron really tore it up in the Drew League today.  Putting up 42 and 16 against the mostly amateur competition.  Pretty amazing that he's still able to dominate like this at his age.  Looking like if he can stay healthy next year will be another big one.

In other news, 



https://twitter.com/RealSkipBayless/status/1548509555033681922

That's Skip, he always looks at the dark side. This is why I don't like reading his content.
Give the 37-year-old superstar a break. I bet Skip cannot even make a layup anymore at that age. 
Anyway, most of the article also focuses on Kyrie not attending the invite but they are optimistic he will come today.

Just finished talking to a friend who is a big fan of Blake Griffin. Told him he is a free agent now.
What team do you think this 2009 number 1 draft pick will end up to?
He is just 33 years old, may not be a strong impact on the offensive end but he may be able to still help defensively.