Lakers . Really need to work on their 3 point shooting. Once they fell behind at the end of 3rd, it was over. Impressive by Trailblazers.

comment by Nickasaurus (U9257)
posted 1 hour, 9 minutes ago
Red

You see those back to backs from lebron?such a beast
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Yep. Phenomenal.

I don't know what Oscar was smoking tbh. Admittedly, it was a bad shooting night but this team has no shooters. Brandon Ingram is ok and Kuzma has his moments but that is a glaring flaw in this set-up.

One of the reasons why one feels LBJ has to get off the ball in his 16th season (for the most part, as his Bball IQ is nonpareil).

Lakers have so many useless players without the ball in their hands: Lonzo, Rajon Rondo, Lance Stevenson, KCP; these cats need the ball to be effective. So LBJ has to be less ball dominant and more in the post ( tbf, he did a bit of that last night and most of the preseason).

Lakers need shooters man. Watching last night, Imagine what they could do with a Lillard or CJ.

yeah I think your going to see some trades, not sure on korvers contract situation but wouldn't be suprised if him or someone similar comes into LA

Again highlights that it was such a stupid decision from a basketballing POV to join the lakers

meh, nobody is beating the warriors for me, and his teams always start off slow. western conference finals would be a huge success imo.

Dunno, like we said in the summer. Send him to the 76ers & get them to sign a shooter. Breeze the East, then in a 7 game series in the finals they can beat the GSW provided someone does a hatchet job on one of the GSW stars like they have done to every team that has faced them in the playoffs.

Also, I know they will get better, but just dont think they will be competitive enough, don't see them getting past the semi's personally.

Don't think LA have won in Portland for quite a few years? Only caught the highlights, so can't comment too much on the game. Agree with the lack of shooters on display for the Lakers last night though.

I see both sides of the argument and I said and maintained that it was not a great basketballing decision to go to LA and whilst I still maintain that position ( my position has thawed a little).

My main gripe is this year is a wasted year in LBJ's career. It is ok, if he was a decade younger ( like AD wasting his prime with the pelicans) but in year 16/17, it has to be about winning and winning now. LA is a team in transition.

Still, he seems happy and if they get one or two main guys next year - which is no guarantee- then sure. But tbh, it is not looking good.

I will say this now, bar some seismic shift ( KD leaving Warriors end of season/ injuries/Celtics breaking up/ etc) then LBJ will not be champion for two years and then year 3 of the 4-year contract, he will be 36 going on 37 and he will have waned.

Anyhow, it will be a ride for sure.

Portland 18 wins at home in a row and 16 wins over lakers in a row home and away? Impressive

Tbh the league table don’t really mean anything, Lakers will make the play offs comfortably and then it’s cup competition, and if Lebron can take a awful cava team to the final i’m sure he’ll take a good team like the lakers far, especially as when they’ve settled down and moulded and got in that flow over the next 6 months they’ll be even better, got a lot of potential throughout and early signs are good

Must work on 3 pointers tho, missed like 15 in a row?

West>East

comment by Edinspur (U1109)
posted 22 minutes ago
West>East

===================

Yep. There is a reason why it is called the 'L-east-ern conference'

Oscar is a lakers fan first and foremost so ofc there is bias. I still think lakers would make playoffs too and LBJ's greatness gives you that chance t but there is no guarantee and this Lakers team has a lot of flaws.

Flaws that are not easily remedied, no easy fixes and in this conference, well...The Lakers front office have to get another star, ideally two in the next year or two unless this whole LBJ to Lakers would be a failure.

And father time will get to LBJ eventually.

Oscar has called it wrong for years though tbf. Frequently with regards to IT Celtics. Reminds me of Saint Mal getting all the playoff calls wrong all those years back on this site.

yeah the IT thing is funny

Na I’m a bulls fan just like the lakers

Good win for Heat last night away to Wizards, Wizards never really kicked on like they should have last cuppa years, just stalled and stale

True TRC but Cavs had a hell of a lot more flaws, they were so bad without Lebron, Lakers just need to get that blend right with attack & defence, even last year they scored heavy a lot but they are just so open and give away so much needlessly

i’ve had a few rare touches tho Ed and Nick, Lakers and over 230 away to rockets at 33s was sweet last season, and that Grizzlies away to Minnesota but yeh I do need to start thinking the opposite of my original thought

Be interesting if Lakers get Kawhi next summer, could elevate them to being able to seriously complete with GSW, Lebron probably has 2-3 seasons including this one at insane level

Would be such a weird team if they got Kawhi though. Maybe LBJ would become a post player as a result.

Orlando are such a force at home just so poor on the road

Very interested to see how Denver get on this season

Big season for Pelicans too, think this will be their best chance of a very very good season

any tips for tonight's games?, so far got:

Orlando +2 : 10/11
Raptors vs Boston, over 203.5 points: 4/7
Bucks moneyline: 4/6

£10 returns almost £50

I’ll have a look at what I fancy then do the opposite

Timberwolves to beat Cavs
Magic to beat Hornets
Pelicans to beat kings
Thunder/Clippers over 215.5
Knicks/Nets over 218.5

10/1

£10 returns 0

Betting on basketball is usually better value/more reliable than Football. Right?