L.Z Hunter

Lakers medical staff so damn good even other players get a boost to their health when the Lakers come to town.

I’m really glad Adou has been able to put together a good stretch of healthy games. There was a point where it felt like every NBA appearance was followed by a couple weeks on the sideline. Hopefully he’s finally past that because you can see the talent.

@CanyonDriver @LockedOnLakers As much as we like to pretend otherwise, we’re not asset starved. If this experiment doesn’t work long term, Reaves alone will still carry significant trade value as long as he doesn’t completely fall off, and I don’t see that happening.

@_OfficialProta @LockedOnLakers More like, just closer to the finished product. I think it has to be closer if you've run out of options this off-season and traded away future assets to make optionality in trades too. Kessler alone is a drop cover big. The entire team creates a defensive identity.

And while I don’t agree with how they executed this offseason, I do think it’s fair to say they had a plan. We knew there was no realistic way to fix every hole in one summer. I’d at least like to see how this group looks through the trade deadline before deciding whether the plan failed.

I get it, bro. I just think you’re looking at this roster like it’s supposed to be the finished product, and I don’t think that’s the case. Kessler gives them a legitimate defensive identity. The recent @LockedOnLakers pod was also much higher on Grimes defensively than I expected, and they’re clearly betting on internal development from the young guys, plus Kuminga if they land him. If those bets pay off, now you’re talking about needing one more impact defender at the deadline instead of three or four. That’s a much easier problem to solve.

@_OfficialProta I just especially get frustrated with the idea of defensive schemes to boost the Lakers when they lack defensive talent compared to the top teams. Imho it's the defensive talent allowing a wider variety of defensive schemes executed at a much higher level, not the other way.

@CanyonDriver But we can’t do that anymore this offseason, all the cap space has been spent. Not sure how you tackle that until next trade deadline

@_OfficialProta I think when the expectation is the 2nd round and the clear gap to championship level is defense, I'd rather address defense much more immediately.

@_OfficialProta He's trying to figure out how the team is going to defend.

Is Kaluma ever gonna miss again?

@CanyonDriver Winning 50 games and being a legitimate championship contender aren’t the same thing imo. We’ve already learned that lesson twice. Just put yourself in a valuable enough position to make the next neccessary move at the deadline is my thought process

@_OfficialProta I'll worry about the playoffs coming off of 2, 50+ win seasons despite injuries. So, I think the urgency should definitely be there.

Mañon is for sure gonna use all of his two way eligible time this upcoming season.

@CanyonDriver Oh wow, well you see how much G-league I watch. Makes more sense why they’ve been beating everyone’s ass.

@_OfficialProta Mañon, Adou, Kaluma, Hickey, Goode, Watson...

There’s no way this Lakers summer league team is this damn close already lmaooo, this is amazing.

@CanyonDriver I’ll worry about the playoffs when I think this team is actually good enough to win a championship. Right now we’re still a few pieces, or a couple of major leaps from our young players, away. Just give me a fun regular season and hit me with a surprise at the trade deadline.

@_OfficialProta Competent regular season defense, sure. Playoff defense?

@CanyonDriver All of them? Damn, I knew Mañon and Adou, I thought everyone else was new

@_OfficialProta It's the G League squad. So yeah.

It’s gonna change his life, I promise.

Brother looks stressed and the season hasn’t even started!?!

@24Dparks Thank God, that’s why I was so unimpressed with the signing initially lmaooooo. Now I have to do my research

@_OfficialProta No worries there ain’t nobody giving this Zaire a real contract lol

Zaire Smith still being this bad considering how many years he has into this is pathetic. Might be time to find a real job

I’m genuinely fascinated by how LeBron in Philly would work. Last year’s issue was Maxey and VJ wanting to play fast while Embiid couldn’t. Now you add LeBron, who also isn’t covering much ground defensively next to Embiid, plus Jaylen Brown, who probably thinks he’s the best player on the roster, and he might not even be wrong. That’s a lot of personalities and conflicting play styles. It’ll be interesting to see how it all comes together.

@24Dparks Thankfully he plays on a team that won’t be needing him to handle that pressure for a few years. He’s perfect for what the Lakers need right now.

Other than strength the biggest thing he needs is to improve the handle. Can’t handle ball pressure

And 1 for Carr, nice.