The Playoffs.

We're playing this well and right there in every game despite way too many turnovers and way too many missed open shots. Both of those things almost certainly will improve. Given health, I'll think we're a 35-40 win team, maybe more...

 

i know most on this forum disagree with me, but i'd love to get my hands on wes matthews for this team. if dallas continues to tank (and that looks likely), he might be available. never thought i'd be saying this, but nick young's play may actually cool my interest in this move.

anyway, relevant to the thread title: i think not. i mean, boron's lakers beat the dubs at home, too. still, super excited about how the team has started. really competing every night.

 

We have some good, soon to be great, young players, team chemistry, bench is one of the best so far, coach is making the right moves, we have depth to help offset any injuries and our wins have not been flukes. I know people don't like getting their hopes up but I don't think talking playoffs is premature at all. What gives me hope is seeing the team start to play team defense. They are getting a taste of winning and they want more. The stench of the nameless one is all but gone. I'm going to be thinking playoffs and if I have to suffer disappointment later so be it. Plus on top of all that we have Uncle P... No other team can say that..lol

 

i think it's reasonable to hope for a 10th/11th place finish, which means relinquishing a late lotto pick (instead of a top 5 pick in a stacked draft!) and having something to sell FAs next year. playoffs...i just can't fathom it, even on the high of last night's great win.

 

Yeah, best thing about making the playoffs would be giving philly a late teens pick.

 

If we could trade deng for wes straight up, id do it . wes is even performi g worse than deng but at least hes a lil younger and expires sooner

 

Check. my. signature.

 

I am not sure if I'd bet actual money on us making the playoffs. I do know however that I absolutely wouldn't bet against it. This team just looks so much better than one year ago and should only get better, barring serious injuries. It doesn't make much sense to make predictions based on last season.

 

I agree. I think many posters are too hung up on last year's record. So much has changed over the summer that there's little to no relevance to what's happening today. I mean.... need I say more than Nick Young?

Just take a honest look at our first 6 games. We went 3-3 against 6 playoff teams, and it doesn't seem like a fluke. To me, we look like a playoff team.

 

Couldn't agree more. And Nick is just one of the many examples, even if he's probably the most extreme one. Everybody seems to be excelling and most of our players have so much more room to grow. They will also get better as they get to know the system better. It seems to me that even though the start has been much better than anticipated, almost all elements from players individual play, through team play to the coaching staff, should only get better as the season goes by.

 

Well..... there are a few steps and tests to go thru before betting money on the Lakers making the playoffs but they are on the right track. I think the hustle and buy in to the new staff is getting some results and paying huge dividends right now . Right now it's about some of the intangibles like being consistent thru long stretches of time with that effort.... if they do that it will put their talent and potential in position to push for a spot late round in the West. I think they do have to worry about how they come out in their next game after a win like the other night, these are the nights it can test that consistency with effort and energy. Another test and step in the process of building that playoff feel.

I like some of the rotational moves and how Walton's worked the bench ....... using Ingram in ball handling forward is an interesting way to get as much as possible while he still learns the game. We will see how teams adjust but the rotation and use has them not dropping off too much when Walton goes to his bench. They are testing the resolve of other teams and it's barring some fruit already.

 

Everyone seems to agree will be in contention atleast even if not. Let's get this W tonight and go over .500, 3 in a row, and really get the discussion going lol.