Official 2018-2019 training camp thread

Leonard and Layman won't get time in the regular season. The battles for minutes then, and thus the preseason experiments Stotts tries, will be

Harkless vs. Swanigan
Stauskas vs. Turner
Curry vs. Baldwin IV

 

No

 

PG: Baldwin will get 10-12 mpg on a probationary status. If he plays well, he'll get more.
PF/C: Biebs, Biggie, and Jake will battle to see which one gets probationary status.

 

This why you have training camp and preseason games to find out what the early rotation will at the start of the season. There should be some good competition during camp.

 

Stott's usually experiments with combo's for the first half of the season, I actually heard him say so last year on courtside.

 

Yes, that's standard for all coaches. For elite teams, "The regular season is just the preseason of the real season, the playoffs." I only half-believed it, but that's what Laker fans used to brag, way back when they were above .500. I no longer believe those losers were ever above .500.

 

I don't see the Lakers finishing above 500 this year.
They are not that deep and James imo, will impeded the growth of some of the youngsters.

 

I disagree a lot. Heres why, Dame is basically what keeps the Blazers afloat and he got them to 49 wins. Lebron is better than Dame, Lebron is an unreal basketball talent who will eventually slow down but so far hasnt shown signs of it. If he’s motivated to win, they’ll be a playoff team and a good one.

Thats why they play the games though, I genuinely hope you’re right.

 

Yeah, The NBA is FANTASTIC!
Do you think James would have won a Ring with the heat if he didn't have DWade or CB? Im not sure he would have without KLove and KI. He couldn't do it in Cleveland alone with a young team.
Seems he does well surrounded by others stars of course, Im not sure the lakers have those as yet? I don't think he does either. Why would he want to bring in guys like Rhondo, Stevenson & Mcgee? I know they are playoff tested and offer some vet leadership however, unless one of the three youngsters really breaks out with stardom, I think they could be i for surprise, this year.
If their plan had evolved with PG different story in my mind.

 

Well I dont believe hes got a shot at winning a title in LA, but I think he’s good enough to get them to playoffs.
Yes he needed other good players to win (who didnt?), but Id be pretty shocked if he didnt have them in the playoffs.
edit: He may win LA eventually but he’ll need help. As in winning a title.

 

What's really weird is that before LeBron signed with the Lakers, both Paul George and Kawhi Leonard openly expressed their desire to play for the Lakers. After LeBron signed, Paul George re-upped with OKC and Kawhi changed his mind and says the Lakers are no longer on his list of preferred destinations. I thought for sure, LeBron signing with the Lakers would unleash the demons of hell and all the other stars would be rushing to join him there. So far, it seems the exact opposite is happening.

Instead, he's getting guys like Lance Stephenson, Rajon Rondo, JaVale McGee and Michael Beasley (i.e. castoffs joining their 6th team in the last 5 years)..

BNM

 

I feel like I should preface this by saying I really respect Lebron off and on the court.
I just think its very real to NBA players that if you play with Lebron and dont win its because you suck, if you win its because of how good Lebron is.

I think the stuff with Kyrie was weird and Kyrie seems to be in NBA circles a lot Im sure his opinion on playing with Lebron is known amongst players.

 

I personally thought Kyrie pulled a bitch move. He wanted to be "The Man", but before LeBron arrived, CLE didn't do shit with Kyrie as "The Man". They couldn't even sniff the playoffs in the Leastern Conference.

Plus, he fucked over CLE by blindsiding them late in the summer with his trade demand.

But, if he's convincing others not to join LeBron in Los Angeles, he has redeemed himself in my eyes.

BNM

 

Heres my guess! lol lakers 39-43

 

Sad thing is, those "cast offs" are better than anyone on our team outside of Dame, CJ, and Nurk.

 

And, the happy thing is they are better than anyone on their team outside of LeBron.

BNM

 

My theory is that they believe that LeBron is a flake who will leave for another team, and leave them hanging there with a sub-par team. Nobody wants that.

I think this whole LeBron/Lakers marriage is going to backfire for them. And I think the fans are going to be the first to let them know about it.

 

You sir are wrong. LeBron is a leader. He flat out has made players around him better his entire career.

 

Doesn’t mean he’s not a flake. He’s bailed on literally every team he’s been on.

 

So Curry only gets 15 mpg?