Roster

[Killakobe81]

Serioulsy dumb franchise. There is such immense pressure on Ingram to be a star now. If he does not make a huge jump to an all-star, they may end up never making a finals with Lebron because they didn’t take a bird in the hand (2 superstars in Kawhi / PG).

Uggh. Stop bringing up PG. He is vastly overrated.
I'll buy this argument for Kawhi ...if he proves healthy.
Otherwise all Ingram has to do is take another step.
He went from 8pts to 16 pts between years one and two.
I dont expect the trend to continue to 24 pts but remember he is only 20 years old. Even with Lebron getting the lion's share of touches. I think Ingram averages at least 20-21 ...

IF he does that and we feel that he is not the star best suited to support Lebron you can still flip him for a star. HE will still only be 21 and a 20 point scorer making a rookie salary.
But I think he will be even better than that and glad he was not sacrificed for PG.

KL has to show me he is healthy. IF he is I would consider dealing Ingram at deadline but the best case is to wait for FA. It's a gamble, sure but a smart one if you believe in Ingram which I do.

Look I get where you stand on this but tough to say any franchise is dumb when you just gave up a top 3 player for for an older Top 15 at best player who makes more money than KL.

Magic has exeeded every expectation as Team PResident so far. Everyone thought he would fail on this board even some Laker fans.

[buujness]

For the opening day lineup, I suspect Pop will start with a more familiar alignment:

Murray/Mills
DeRozan/White
Gay/Manu or Belinelli
Aldridge/Bertans
Gasol/Poeltl

And integrate the young guys more as the season progresses (I think that Walker will get more minutes sooner rather than later)

Murray/Mills
White/Walker
DeRozan/Manu or Belinelli
Gay/Bertans
Aldridge/Poeltl

Or, mad scientist Pop does mad scientist things. Like an all '90s were the best; get off my lawn; mid-range and offensive rebounding lineup:

Murray
DeRozan
Gay
Aldridge
Poeltl

I'd laugh, at least.

[DPG21920]

Uggh. Stop bringing up PG. He is vastly overrated.
I'll buy this argument for Kawhi ...if he proves healthy.
Otherwise all Ingram has to do is take another step.
He went from 8pts to 16 pts between years one and two.
I dont expect the trend to continue to 24 pts but remember he is only 20 years old. Even with Lebron getting the lion's share of touches. I think Ingram averages at least 20-21 ...

IF he does that and we feel that he is not the star best suited to support Lebron you can still flip him for a star. HE will still only be 21 and a 20 point scorer making a rookie salary.
But I think he will be even better than that and glad he was not sacrificed for PG.

KL has to show me he is healthy. IF he is I would consider dealing Ingram at deadline but the best case is to wait for FA. It's a gamble, sure but a smart one if you believe in Ingram which I do.

Look I get where you stand on this but tough to say any franchise is dumb when you just gave up a top 3 player for for an older Top 15 at best player who makes more money than KL.

It’s not like SA had a happy Kawhi and did something dumb. It’s not apples-to-apples.

Like it or not, PG is better and will be better than Ingram or Kuz ever will be. Its not just about points. Plenty of guys can score points but I’m talking about legit impact.

Kawhi is a true superstar. PG is a star. But they are both worlds better than what La has now or could get and Ingram if he hits his ceiling might be as good as PG.

[J_Paco]

As is, DeRozan starts at the 3. .
Hes 6'7" 220 lbs.

Im convinced he'll see most of his minutes there.

White or Marco will start at the 2. Imo.

Im amazed at how many fans here are sleeping on Derrick White.

Gay & Bertans will see most of their minutes at the 4 imo.

Pop talked about developing Poeltl further -- which means he'll be behind Pau at back up 5 even though I think Purtle is better imo.

Lol at Pau starting at 38 yrs old.

Pop went away from that the 2nd half of the season with good reason.

Demar isn't a true 6'7", though. He was measured at 6'6.25" during the draft combine in 2009 (source: http://www.nbadraft.net/2009-nba-dra...r-measurements).

Much like the Spurs fudged Timmy's true height (6'11" w/o shoes & 7' with shoes) and Oklahoma City/Golden State have with Kevin Durant (he's 6'11" or 7' but "officially" listed at only 6'9") the Raptors exaggerated Derozan's height.

The Spurs have just one player that can effectively play the 3 with a logjam at guard even with Green gone and Manu (possibly) retired. Pop/RC are blind if they don't see the huge need for someone, anyone else at the SF position.

[KDKSpurs24]

Demar isn't a true 6'7", though. He was measured at 6'6.25" during the draft combine in 2009 (source: http://www.nbadraft.net/2009-nba-dra...r-measurements).

Much like the Spurs fudged Timmy's true height (6'11" w/o shoes & 7' with shoes) and Oklahoma City/Golden State have with Kevin Durant (he's 6'11" or 7' but "officially" listed at only 6'9") the Raptors exaggerated Derozan's height.

The Spurs have just one player that can effectively play the 3 with a logjam at guard even with Green gone and Manu (possibly) retired. Pop/RC are blind if they don't see the huge need for someone, anyone else at the SF position.

Exaggerations are possibly but why are you acting like those guys weren’t 18 years old at their draft combine and didn’t have a chance to grow a bit more after that?

[J_Paco]

Exaggerations are possibly but why are you acting like those guys weren’t 18 years old at their draft combine and didn’t have a chance to grow a bit more after that?

Highly unlikely, but possible. He still isn't a true SF and is better suited playing the SG (where he can use his strength & athleticism advantage more).

Also, he doesn't have a ton of length (only 6'9" wingspan) which is needed against the Kawhi's, Durant's & Giannis' of the NBA.

[Dex]

Demar isn't a true 6'7", though. He was measured at 6'6.25" during the draft combine in 2009 (source: http://www.nbadraft.net/2009-nba-dra...r-measurements).

Much like the Spurs fudged Timmy's true height (6'11" w/o shoes & 7' with shoes) and Oklahoma City/Golden State have with Kevin Durant (he's 6'11" or 7' but "officially" listed at only 6'9") the Raptors exaggerated Derozan's height.

The Spurs have just one player that can effectively play the 3 with a logjam at guard even with Green gone and Manu (possibly) retired. Pop/RC are blind if they don't see the huge need for someone, anyone else at the SF position.

I'm sure they realize it, but they pretty much got caught behind the eight ball on that one. As little as two months ago, we thought we had a superstar SF that would eat up 30-35 minutes at that spot for the foreseeable future, and even more in the playoffs.

They had to get whatever they could in return for Kawhi and, unfortunately, the best asset was another guard. After that, there really isn't a whole lot of money to work with...although they probably could've given Forbes money to someone else.

[Killakobe81]

It’s not like SA had a happy Kawhi and did something dumb. It’s not apples-to-apples.

Like it or not, PG is better and will be better than Ingram or Kuz ever will be. Its not just about points. Plenty of guys can score points but I’m talking about legit impact.

Kawhi is a true superstar. PG is a star. But they are both worlds better than what La has now or could get and Ingram if he hits his ceiling might be as good as PG.

PG is a star. Who flamed out in the payoffs. Had a horrific injury and has never been the same.
BEfore injuries struck Cousins etc. He was NOT making the all-star team last year.
HE probably never makes another all NBA team again.
yes he is better than a 20 year old Ingram. What a BIG freaking accomplishment for a dude 8 years older making a $100 plus million more, I would hope he would.

Kawhi is a true superstar ... when healthy ...when not ing around your franchise. Abso-freaking-lutely. I wouls trade Ingram for KAwhi if he is healthy. But to say it's dumb not to take a chance you can have both is knee-jerk. Lakers team with Lebron/Kawhi and Lonzo/Rondo is not beating state. A team with Lebron/KAwhi/Ingram/Rondo/Lonzo has a much better shot. It's gamble but a smart one. What happened with PG doesnt "scare me" because PG was never worth the max anyways.

Deeps is doing what many accuse the Lakers of living in the past.
PG used to have great impact now he gets torched by donovan Mitc and disappears in elimination games. he is still a good (not great) defender and can hit some 3's but Im so glad he chose to stay in OKC and even more glad we never gave up Ingram for him.

[SpursDynasty85]

Belli is a wash with Anderson. Offensively Anderson just did not fit well with our lack of shooting, especially this year, but his defense will be missed even though he was so slow footed. DeRozan will be a great upgrade over obviously the "nothing" we got from Kawhi. Murray plus Whote upgrade. A full year of healthy Gay. Poeltl upgrade over Lauvergne. All this should provide a boost into 50+ wins easily. Will be an interesting training camp for sure.

[sananspursfan21]

I hope Lonnie can skip some of the rookie treatment. I think he can contribute decently now

[TimDunkem]

I hope Lonnie can skip some of the rookie treatment. I think he can contribute decently now

Same. It won't happen, but he could certainly provide useful minutes as the end of the bench guy in his first season. You can always use slashers/shot creaters.

Too bad Poop is stubborn. Lonnie would have to show flashes of superstar potential to get off the bench this year.

[DPG21920]

Also, I get that Manu is a legend and it’s gut wrenching for him to decide, but SA has moves to make as well and decisions to make based on his.

I wonder if they have a good understanding of how he is leaning or if they truly don’t know. The way they are joking around and how Manu seemingly crammed in a lifetime of vacations this off season makes me believe he is coming back.

[Mugen]

Demarre Caroll for Pau + and some picks makes a lot of sense tbh. Too much sense that I doubt RC has even thought about it

[beirmeistr]

When you look at this roster, it's a big upgrade from last season, tbh...

Kawhi didn't play much at all, so DeRozan is just a great upgrade. We have a much better team/off-the-ball player and shooter in Beli replacing the Green/Kyle combo.

Murray, Bertans and Forbes will have another year under their belts, which is part of the progression.

White looked good, even though it's early to overrate him. Poetl is intriguing when Pau start showing some menopause. Cunningham is probably the guy that doesn't move the needle, but if Manu doesn't come back, he's another vet to mentor the kids.

I know the biggest 'issue' will be defense, but in all honesty, last season's team was already pretty horrible in that aspect (once you start playing Mills, Pau, Forbes, you're automatically giving up a hole in your D), and this roster makes a lot more sense to win by outscoring opponents. There's younger legs, players that know how to move without the ball and can make you pay for it, another guy that can create his own shot so the onus isn't all on LMA...

In this league with the current rules, it has become so difficult to stop the 3 point ball or dominant scorers like KD, you almost gotta keep up with them scoring-wise.

I'm a guy that always has been defense-first, but in all honesty, I don't think I can even list 2 guys that can consistently stop guys like KD or Harden from scoring at will. There's no more grabbing, pushing, getting into the player's head. Even an attempt at reaching gets whistled like crazy these days.

solid post

[DPG21920]

Demarre Caroll for Pau + and some picks makes a lot of sense tbh. Too much sense that I doubt RC has even thought about it

I texted RC

[YoungbuckMurray]

Caroll for Pau + pick would be a great deal actually. Relieves cap space for next summer in the case Butler or Harris reach FA.

[BackHome]

PG is a star. Who flamed out in the payoffs. Had a horrific injury and has never been the same.
BEfore injuries struck Cousins etc. He was NOT making the all-star team last year.
HE probably never makes another all NBA team again.
yes he is better than a 20 year old Ingram. What a BIG freaking accomplishment for a dude 8 years older making a $100 plus million more, I would hope he would.

healthy ...when not ing around your franchise. Abso-freaking-lutely. I wouls trade Ingram for KAwhi if he is healthy. But to say it's dumb not to take a chance you can have both is knee-jerk. Lakers team with Lebron/Kawhi and Lonzo/Rondo is not beating state. A team with Lebron/KAwhi/Ingram/Rondo/Lonzo has a much better shot. It's gamble but a smart one. What happened with PG doesnt "scare me" because PG was never worth the max anyways.

Deeps is doing what many accuse the Lakers of living in the past.
PG used to have great impact now he gets torched by donovan Mitc and disappears in elimination games. he is still a good (not great) defender and can hit some 3's but Im so glad he chose to stay in OKC and even more glad we never gave up Ingram for him.

STILL THE UGLY STEP SISTER IN LA LA LAND........

[r0drig0lac]

I texted RC

so done deal

[Killakobe81]

STILL THE UGLY STEP SISTER IN LA LA LAND........

what? Nah bruh. We run L.A. even Jerry west admits that by saying signing Lebron for us was "easy".

[dbestpro]

Bertans has always played SF and DeRozan has always played SG. So why does everyone want them to play out of position? Bertans to SF go get a third big and move on into the season.

[Em-City]

Unfortunately, it feels like return to the era between about 2008 and 2012 when the Spurs desperately needed a long, defensive-minded, three-point shooting small forward to balance the roster.

Ughhh. That was a painful time. I shudder at the thought of guys like bogans, rj and the like in a spurs uniform

[DAF86]

Didn’t david Aldridge say the spurs were gonna trade for another allstar if kawhi committed but went haywire. What was that trade, is it still available? Lma, derozan and some allstar, go for it

It probably would have took Green to make it happen.

[DAF86]

Bertans has always played SF and DeRozan has always played SG. So why does everyone want them to play out of position? Bertans to SF go get a third big and move on into the season.

I don't think I have ever seen Bertans play SF since he got to SA, tbh.

[DAF86]

Ughhh. That was a painful time. I shudder at the thought of guys like bogans, rj and the like in a spurs uniform

Some were so desperate that even hyped Udoka.

[SpursDynasty85]

Bertans has always played SF and DeRozan has always played SG. So why does everyone want them to play out of position? Bertans to SF go get a third big and move on into the season.

Wrong. DeRozan finished most games at sf the past 2 seasons. Cory Joseph and fred van fleet was playing with Lowry in the back court in crunch time and a good portion of important games.