Warriors: vs Blazers - 2016 Playoffs - Western Semifinal Series Thread

[LkrFan]

I'm fine with the hiring - I was just commenting on your "how many guys from GS are coming down" comment. None of them. They, like everyone else, views LA as a joke and I don't think anyone wants to play with snitch II.

You keep saying LA is an attractive destination but they have to prove that - they haven't earned that. At this point, the big FA's have avoided LA at all cost. It's why LA has missed the playoffs for 3 straight years.

I think Kobe played a big role in that, but also management so we will see if cutting off the scab of Kobe does the trick or not. But LA has been a terrible FA draw so you have to prove it.

To quote you, "that doesn't make sense." How many players (including LeHype) have LA homes? Players love LA.

Players go where the money is, period. If cap space is available, they'll flock. Even racist Boston was an attractive FA destination even after they went 22 years between les before they rang in 2008. Their fans even chanted MVP for Kobe - in TD Garden no less - just the year before . Once they got good players, it wasn't hard for them to acquire rang chasers...like the Spurs did with D West, for example.

You are deceiving yourself if you think players don't want to come to LA.

[DPG21920]

To quote you, "that doesn't make sense." How many players (including LeHype) have LA homes? Players love LA.

Players go where the money is, period. If cap space is available, they'll flock. Even racist Boston was an attractive FA destination even after they went 22 years between les before they rang in 2008. Their fans even chanted MVP for Kobe - in TD Garden no less - just the year before . Once they got good players, it wasn't hard for them to acquire rang chasers...like the Spurs did with D West, for example.

You are deceiving yourself if you think players don't want to come to LA.

What? LMA has a home in LA, did he choose LA? No. LA has had money for a while now and people not only take less money to leave LA (Pau & Dwight, despite LA begging with billboards) and FA's have spurned LA to live in San Antonio

[LkrFan]

A good coach can make up for a lack of talent, however. Lakers lack talent, so instead of going out to get a good coach or even a coach who can develop good players, they get a coach who may prove to be neither.

We'll see. There are no good coaches out there that are available other than Blatt. Thibs was a good defensive coach, horrible HC as evidenced by him doing squat in Chicago. He was fired. Ollie, has no NBA HC experience, but Luke does. Luke was part of a coaching staff that just won it all and might repeat. Advantage, Luke.

Luke also won 2 rangs playing for Phil. He also worked on gameplanning with Kerr as an assistant coach for a juggernaut. Kerr played for Phil and Pop. I'm certain Kerr gleaned a ton from them both. My hope is that Luke soaked up knowledge from all 3 and will use it as our coach. Given his high IQ as a player, I think he will be a fine NBA coach.

Remember, he got 5 years, $25M from the Lakers. He could have gotten more elsewhere. He chose us, during a playoff run. Here's hoping FAs with better offers elsewhere do the same.

[LkrFan]

What? LMA has a home in LA, did he choose LA? No. LA has had money for a while now and people not only take less money to leave LA (Pau & Dwight, despite LA begging with billboards) and FA's have spurned LA to live in San Antonio

You're playing checkers again. We were actively tanking. What big-time player wants part of that? We have money, true, but we were given a mandate to not pay luxury taxes these last few years.

And I am not losing sleep over Dwert, LMA or Pau spurning us. Dubs have proven we don't need 20/10 to cut down the nets. Admittedly, with Luke bringing Dub system to LA, I wouldn't mind Pau returning. I think he'd be Bogut on steroids in a system like that.

[DPG21920]

The Dubs have Curry numb nuts! What is wrong with you Luke may try to implement this offense but they don't have Curry/Klay.

So go on record. Who is LA luring to LA this off season since they have money? The only thing that has changed is Luke and Kobe gone. Still the same mediocre young talent and the same inept front office.

[DPG21920]

I'm not saying you should "lose sleep", but you can't just ignore what's happened the past 3 years. You said players love LA and 'go where there is money". Well, I proved that players took less money and turned down even money to not play in LA.

Now you move the goal post and say LA was "fake interviewing" free agents blah blah blah. Fact is LA has to prove it. This is a big off season. If they swing for Durant and end up with DeRozan you will probably spin that as some win too.

And I know you don't really know this but the Luxury tax has absolutely nothing to do with LA's situation and had nothing to do with them whiffing.

[LkrFan]

The Dubs have Curry numb nuts! What is wrong with you Luke may try to implement this offense but they don't have Curry/Klay.

So go on record. Who is LA luring to LA this off season since they have money? The only thing that has changed is Luke and Kobe gone. Still the same mediocre young talent and the same inept front office.

They won 2.5 games without Curry (including a closeout game). They're 1-0 vs g tlongII's, without Curry. It's the system just as much as it is about having Curry.

I told ya, I'll go on record after I see what coach we get (Luke), what coaching staff he assembles, what lotto pick HD wants, and what FAs are coming.

I can't predict who is coming son. I'm not Ms. Cleon

[mudyez]

Maybe I'm spiled by Spurs play, but Blazers just seemed not to have any offensiv system, other than maybe a highscreen. Would have made Houston proud.

[DPG21920]

They won 2.5 games without Curry (including a closeout game). They're 1-0 vs g tlongII's, without Curry. It's the system just as much as it is about having Curry.

I told ya, I'll go on record after I see what coach we get (Luke), what coaching staff he assembles, what lotto pick HD wants, and what FAs are coming.

I can't predict who is coming son. I'm not Ms. Cleon

That is so cowardly! You talk about how great LA is and how players want to come there. I showed you the facts and you moved the goal posts. Now you refuse to take a stand.

Do you think LA will get one of the top 3 FAs? Forget who, but you say LA has the money now, they aren't tanking now and they have the coach. List the top 3 FA's and if LA will get them.

If LA doesn't get them, do you see that as a failure?

[LkrFan]

I'm not saying you should "lose sleep", but you can't just ignore what's happened the past 3 years. You said players love LA and 'go where there is money". Well, I proved that players took less money and turned down even money to not play in LA.

Stop right there. What vet rang chasers want one come to a team mandated to tank? None. Spurs and Chicago represented a better opportunity to win for players like D West and MVPau.

Now you move the goal post and say LA was "fake interviewing" free agents blah blah blah. Fact is LA has to prove it. This is a big off season. If they swing for Durant and end up with DeRozan you will probably spin that as some win too.

You don't think they discussed roster moves with potential FAs? I do. We told LMA (6'11" player) he would play center. He balked at the idea (among other factors) and signed with the Spurs. And no, I do NOT want DeRozan. He sucks. I'd root for and defend him of course if we signed with us (name on the front, not necessarily the name on the back).

And I know you don't really know this but the Luxury tax has absolutely nothing to do with LA's situation and had nothing to do with them whiffing.

Lakers weren't going to sign players that were not worth the salary cap ramifications. LMA would have been one of them. He didn't sign with us. We'll be fine.

[LkrFan]

That is so cowardly! You talk about how great LA is and how players want to come there. I showed you the facts and you moved the goal posts. Now you refuse to take a stand.

Do you think LA will get one of the top 3 FAs? Forget who, but you say LA has the money now, they aren't tanking now and they have the coach. List the top 3 FA's and if LA will get them.

If LA doesn't get them, do you see that as a failure?

Not cowardly son I want to make an informed decision, not a blind guess.

We do have the coach. We do have the cap space. I don't know the "top 3" FAs, let along what players Luke wants. Just because a "name" is available doesn't mean he's a good fit. For example, I highly doubt Luke would want Drummond if he could be had. He's a dominant all star, but he's a horrible passer and he can't shoot outside of 5 feet (which kills spacing) - not to mention his freebies

Capiche?

[DPG21920]

So you ignore facts, move goal posts and set it up to where you basically can never be wrong. Pretty nice life you live my man

[DPG21920]

So if LA whiffs on Durant, Lebron, Conley and end up with DeRozan, Whiteside or whomever it's because it's part of Master Luke's plan and he just didn't want those other All Stars

[LkrFan]

So you ignore facts, move goal posts and set it up to where you basically can never be wrong. Pretty nice life you live my man

[LkrFan]

So if LA whiffs on Durant, Lebron, Conley and end up with DeRozan, Whiteside or whomever it's because it's part of Master Luke's plan and he just didn't want those other All Stars

Don't want Conley - especially in Dubs system. He can't shoot. I do want Durant and Whiteside though.

[DPG21920]

I think they obviously pursue Durant & Lebron (though he's not likely to leave). Whiteside is probably another target then maybe Horford. We will see who they get but I think LA should consider trading their pick for a star.

[DPG21920]

Don't want Conley - especially in Dubs system. He can't shoot. I do want Durant and Whiteside though.

It's not about who you want or even the results. It's about who does LA chase and who do they get. They could get lucky and strike out on some guys and maybe end up with a decent team. That wouldn't be good GM'ing - it's just luck. But if they go after the main 3 stars and they not only get shut down, but they leave their current teams? That shows what a failure LA has become.

[LkrFan]

I think they obviously pursue Durant & Lebron (though he's not likely to leave). Whiteside is probably another target then maybe Horford. We will see who they get but I think LA should consider trading their pick for a star.

I'm not so sure about them trading our pick. Cavs are lucky they made more moves to compensate, but I am 100% sure they would take back the Wiggins/Love trade. Especially with how Thompson has emerged.

What if either Buddy, Ingram or Simmons are the real deal? No use on selling your soul for a quick fix. But then again, these are my Lakers.

[LkrFan]

It's not about who you want or even the results. It's about who does LA chase and who do they get. They could get lucky and strike out on some guys and maybe end up with a decent team. That wouldn't be good GM'ing - it's just luck. But if they go after the main 3 stars and they not only get shut down, but they leave their current teams? That shows what a failure LA has become.

We'll agree to disagree son. If we "strikeout" on a big name doesn't mean we failed. Dubs built their squad through the draft: Steph, Klay, Barnes and Dr. Dray. Then they signed key roll players like Bogut, Iggy, Livingston and Speights to compliment their nucleus.

They didn't sign a top FA to build their contending roster. Did they fail? Of course not.

[LkrFan]

A dream offseason for me is for us to sign Durant and Whiteside. Then sign "Dub system friendly players" to add to add to Russell, Randle, and Clarkson.

[DPG21920]

We'll agree to disagree son. If we "strikeout" on a big name doesn't mean we failed. Dubs built their squad through the draft: Steph, Klay, Barnes and Dr. Dray. Then they signed key roll players like Bogut, Iggy, Livingston and Speights to compliment their nucleus.

They didn't sign a top FA to build their contending roster. Did they fail? Of course not.

They weren't spouting how "LA is the best place to play" and "we are an attractive free agent destination" and "players go where the money is and LA".

That's you. That's your franchise saying that. So it stands to reason that if you are saying LA is an attractive place to play and LA whiffs on their big targets for 4 years in a row, then yes, you have failed and have literally 0 argument to back up your assertion that LA is a desirable free agent destination.

How do you not understand this? Honestly.

[DPG21920]

If La has a plan and gets shut down, but happens to get stuck signing players that doesn't mean they did a great job. It means they probably lucked into doing things the right way vs chasing big names only.

[Kawhitstorm]

Klay Thompson has been rolling these playoffs going up against the ty defense of HOU/Blazers... hopefully he will get rude awakening next round and resume his choking tradition ....

The Rockets are a joke & Lillard/CJ ain't quite like Smart/Bradley. (He usually feasts on transition baskets & the pace has been favorable)

[apalisoc_9]

Really hoping they finish this team in 5 or less. Same with the spurs. If we can get GSW minus curry for one game and the rest at 80% we shoulf be able to take that series.

Hopefully when he gets reevaluated we get another 1 break off.

[Spurs 4 The Win]

Really hoping they finish this team in 5 or less. Same with the spurs. If we can get GSW minus curry for one game and the rest at 80% we shoulf be able to take that series.

Hopefully when he gets reevaluated we get another 1 break off.

He said he wants to return for Game 3 of that series. By doing so I am fairly certain that either he will reinjure himself or be about 80% for the rest of the playoffs. Tbh, if the Spurs play like they did in Game 1 vs OKC we probably beat Golden State in 5.