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Lakers season is over. Talk about the other playoff series, what offseason moves we should make or whatever you want.

Percentage of games below 20 point scored in the playoffs:

KD: 8.2%

Luka: 9.1%

Lebron: 10.6%

Jokic: 14.6%

Steph: 20.7%

Giannis: 21.4%

A.Edwards 24.2%

Tatum: 31.1%

Harden: 42.2%

Question - my fiance and I are watching ‘Shooting Guards’ on Netflix and we’re at the part where Javaris Crittenton is talking about his time as a Laker and how him not getting playing time really impacted his game & mental health. What was the general consensus around him at the time for those who were there?

I don't necessarily think we should've "ran it back" but I felt like there was a major ideological error. We did not win because we had a great offense. It was a functional offense that became a great offense when Kuzma, KCP or AD was shooting well or when LeBron was going off. The 2020 Lakers were special defensively because of Anthony Davis, KCP, LeBron and especially Alex Caruso. Caruso was the third best player on the team. When LeBron was engaged there's not an offense in the league I'd favor over us, even today. All that with Frank Vogel directing things from the sidelines. We had an identity. The next offseason we got Dennis and Marc Gasol but also brought in Montrezl. That was the first sign we were valuing offense too much because Trez can't defend. Once again, we started off great because of our defense. Injuries happened but we still maintained an identity. We lose in 6 to the suns and the offense fell off a cliff. Instead of noticing our two best offensive players were hurt, LeBron and Rob decide "trade for westbrook". That was when we completely lost the plot. Losing KCP and Caruso turned our only competitive advantage into a weakness. Had we doubled down on our strengths and gotten someone like Miles Turner and kept Caruso we would've been fine because LeBron and AD are a more dominant DEFENSIVE duo than they are offensive. That's the problem. Since day one we were obsessed with maximizing them offensively

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I took a look at the free agent guards, and there are several defensive minded guards that could help us. Lets say that we have the MLE.

NAW - the most popular option, but after his playoff run with the Wolves, we may be outpriced here. He also may have become a bit overrated because of it. Would be a good option, but I don't think it is a very likley signing.

Matisse Thybulle - he has a player option and he may definitely refuse it and sign a longer deal. He is a fantastic defender and a stock machine. I think he is my favorite candidate. MLE is probably his ceiling.

Bruce Brown - he hasn't played much in the last 2 years due to injuries and has become forgotten. However, not long ago he was a very important part of Nuggets' championship run and is still only 28. He is a great low cost high upside option. Should be available for at most TPMLE

Gary Payton II - great defender at the guard spot. Isn't going to play much, but should be good enough for 15-20 minutes here and there. Overall, a positive player. Should be cheap.

Edit:

De'Anthony Melton - should be a good option, as a 3&D guard.

Ben Simmons - the ultimate buy low candidate. Likely to miss the whole season, but if his back is ok for even 15 minutes a night, he would be an absolute steal for the minimum.

Dante Exum - really good player, but another injury risk. Still would be a good signing.

I can’t wait to see what happens when we build around Luka. I can’t ever picture Luka disappearing in a series like some of these cats are.

Is what it is. They talking shit because they’re lowkey all scared!!

Besides LeBron and Luka which players do you hope are still here next season? Like which players do you hope the front office actually decides to keep?

I’m in my 30’s. When the Lakers threepeated in the early 2000’s, I was a kid, and my parents weren’t willing to drive to LA.

In 2009 + 2010, I was working and attending college. I was too broke to drive myself out that way.

In 2020, there wasn’t a parade due to Covid restrictions.

I want to attend one in the future (hopefully next year? 🤞🏽)

For those of you who have gone, how was it? Did you feel it was worth the long wait to see your favorite team in that parade style?

I’ve watched many NBA championship parades on TV & YouTube over the years. It seems like fun, but I wonder if it’s worth the long hours of wait, the massive traffic on the way to the parade and back home, being around all those people in a relatively tight space, etc…

I’m not going to sit here and act like I’ve watched Nic Claxton a ton. I know he’s a long defender that moves his feet pretty well as I’ve watched him defend the few games I’ve seen him play. My question is does he do anything offensively?

Is he good on the short roll? Any left hook, right hook if he isn’t allowed to dunk or lay the ball up? Floater? Dribble hand offs?

I can watch highlights but all I see is dunks and block lol