Look at the +/- of Luka, LeBron & friends in the starter lineup vs the Lakers’ bench. 

…vs…

They talked about the scoring of Luka & LeBron, but holy shit that bench totally won that game. 

The starters had their asses handed to them. 

Edited March 1, 20251 yr by Napoleon

1 hour ago, Napoleon said:

 

Look at the +/- of Luka, LeBron & friends in the starter lineup vs the Lakers’ bench. 

…vs…

They talked about the scoring of Luka & LeBron, but holy shit that bench totally won that game. 

The starters had their asses handed to them. 

Reaves leaving early combined with Rui out for at least a week contributed to those numbers for the starters. Still it’s good to see the bench perform well.

Luka allows James to rest a bit on offense and *gasp* does this let him play defense too?

I’m starting to believe that having this husky Slovenian on the team might be a net positive.  He seems like he can put 30 on the board in his sleep.

On 3/1/2025 at 6:48 AM, Im_smarter_then_you said:

Luka allows James to rest a bit on offense and *gasp* does this let him play defense too?

 

LeBron is one point away from 50k combined regular season and playoffs. Let it be a lob from Luka on the opening possession tonight.

And Luka gets the assist on the triple from James. Fun bit of history to be part of.

Luka was +37 last night

Well he's the best player in the world, so...

Man how do we thank the Mavs for Luka?  Do they want a ptbnl?  A California Roll?

This team needs a shot blocker

I just realized this thread existed.  Lakes have a legit shot at the title.  What a major turnaround.

 

Lakers almost beat the nuggets without Bron and Luka.   

You know what we need? An athletic big.  Maybe two.   
 

Question is if you move someone like Reeves for the above, could Dalton Knecht be 70% as good as Reaves

On 3/9/2025 at 9:19 PM, Sbbruin said:

I just realized this thread existed.  Lakes have a legit shot at the title.  What a major turnaround.

Do they?

1 hour ago, ztejas said:

Do they?

Not sure there’s a guy worth a big contract in 2026 but 2027 has Giannis and joker.  

Curious if LeBron is ever gonna play for the Lakers again

From Will Lee

 

The Los Angeles Lakers should SERIOUSLY consider trading Austin Reaves before the trade deadline this season. And here's the logic behind my thoughts. 

A. He is a Unrestricted Free Agent after this season who will be looking for a salary north of 45 million per season. And the Lakers will once again be cash strapped between two Max players (Luka/Reaves) and they run the risk of losing him for NOTHING. 

B. Th CAUTIONARY TALE of BRADLEY BEAL
Austin Reaves age 27 is a very good player similarly to Bradley Beal age 27 who was coming off two back to back 30+ seasons. When he signed a 5 year 241 million contract just 3 seasons ago. He now averaging 8ppg (Let that sink in) 

C. Rob Pelinka should take advantage of the poor management groups that run the Wizards * Nets * Pelicans who are perennial bottom feeders. Who will be drafting high in this upcoming draft which is LOADED. 

D. The 2026 NBA Draft has the potential to mention as one of the ALL-TIME great draft classes. So Lakers Nation may be upset with losing an opportunity to possibly win this year but who are we kidding (The OKC Thunder are the Class of the NBA) and will be for while. So increasing your chances to draft a GENERATIONAL TALENT like Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, AJ Dybantsa, Caleb Wilson, Koa Peat, Mikel Brown Jr is worth it and saves them MILLIONS in cap room as its highly unlikely Lebron will be back at a number remotely even close to what he's being paid now. 

E. Cap Room and Flexibility is VITALLY important for the Summer of 2027 with players like Giannis Nikola Jokic, Anthony Davis, Steph Curry, Donovan Mitchell, Trae Young, Karl Anthony Towns all being either UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS or have Player Options. 

Though I work with many of these NBA players this post is in no way a reflection of their thoughts nor do I represent or have any affiliation with any NBA franchise.  These are simply my thoughts.

I like AR but I think you need someone who can play better D for the playoffs.  

RIP Elden Campbell.  Way too young.  

I think he’s adjusting:

 

On 12/3/2025 at 3:31 AM, Carl Spackler said:

RIP Elden Campbell.  Way too young.  

He was a member of my favorite Laker team. It was the 92-93 Lakers that would’ve beaten Phoenix in Game 5 if not for a Barkley offensive goaltending that wasn’t called. That team had Big Game James on his last legs and a young Vlade. Sad that Elden lost his life the way he did. He always came across as a gentle giant. RIP.

Jaxson Hayes…

Luka dropping 26/11/11 on the wizards. In one half

Great hire here. Bennett knows defense and talent. Lakers will have Luka, Reeves, and 50 million in cap space next year

Purple reign

Luka is starting. To exhaust me.

I would say the Lakers fans inability to understand what Luka is, is what's exhausting.

10 hours ago, Drew said:

I would say the Lakers fans inability to understand what Luka is, is what's exhausting.

Explain?

2 hours ago, Im_smarter_then_you said:

Explain?

Explain why he’s “exhausting” you when he’s having maybe his best season so far.

None of these games really matter yet. I used to enjoy regular season basketball, but the product is, well, questionable at best during large stretches of the regular season. I will tune in once the playoffs begin and hope this is it for LeBron and his son in LA. Luka needs a supporting cast around him paying a 41 year old like he’s in his prime does nothing to help Luka long-term.

7 hours ago, Drew said:

Explain why he’s “exhausting” you when he’s having maybe his best season so far.

Screams at ref after every play

Not making his teammates better

No defense

Looks out of shape again

All of rhe above had happened for years but now he’s on my team. We expected him to change and he hasn’t. We have to sign him to the max but we’re unsure how to build this roster around him

You expected him to be different than he’s always been? Why?

Also the screaming is overstated. Same shit a ton of played do but isn’t harped on.

He’s not out of shape tight now. Dude is playing great. You’re just not used to him.

He’s not a great defender but you’re listening to podcasts and TV people tell you he’s “the worse defender ever” when he’s just below average.

Not sure what lakers fans expected. Your team is not good around him and yall knew that. Luka needs a specific team. He had it in Dallas. It’ll take a little bit to get there.

But hey, I’d happily take him back

11 hours ago, Drew said:

You expected him to be different than he’s always been? Why?

Also the screaming is overstated. Same shit a ton of played do but isn’t harped on.

He’s not out of shape tight now. Dude is playing great. You’re just not used to him.

He’s not a great defender but you’re listening to podcasts and TV people tell you he’s “the worse defender ever” when he’s just below average.

Not sure what lakers fans expected. Your team is not good around him and yall knew that. Luka needs a specific team. He had it in Dallas. It’ll take a little bit to get there.

But hey, I’d happily take him back

I’m fine with who he is so it’s not all of us. I think most Laker fans are content with him as he can do some ridiculously cool stuff every single night with the ball in his hands. Magic was never a great defender. He turned out okay I think. Luka needs guys that can run the floor and play a style this team just can’t do with LeBron out there. Ten years ago LeBron could do it, but not the on his last legs version who has to reserve energy. The upcoming off-season should hopefully help change the roster enough to get Luka at least a player or two that fits better next to him.

I think that it’s clear that getting Luka has made us the best team in Los Angeles and that’s not nothing. We play our cards right and we’re looking at possibly winning 5 or 6 games in the playoffs in LBJ’s last rodeo.

I watched some of the 4th quarter today while I was swimming and fishing and man the entire group of players in Rockets uniforms are just so incredibly dumb. That foul on Smart on the three while up six points was one of the dumbest non-JR Smith playoffs plays I have ever seen. What a low basketball IQ group of guys outside of Durant. Their coach is a moron as well and apparently doesn’t coach them on just basic basketball situations. This Lakers group outside of James and Smart isn’t exactly a bunch of basketball Einsteins, but good God the Rockets are in dire need of a coaching overhaul. I can’t imagine having to watch that 82 times a year. The Lakers aren’t winning anything this year, but beating Udoka is fun.

This is what you bring in Marcus Smart for. That foul is an all-time playoff boner.

Lol Kushner bought the Lakers after the FIFA attempt fell through

15 minutes ago, Captainant said:

Lol Kushner bought the Lakers after the FIFA attempt fell through

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/lakers-sold-josh-kushner-bob-iger/

Wolters made 2b in a year

1 hour ago, Im_smarter_then_you said:

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/lakers-sold-josh-kushner-bob-iger/

Wolters made 2b in a year

i'd bet he's about to sell the dodgers and skip the country. the federal investigation can go away with one 'donation' but the state investigation will hopefully get him

Aand just my luck someone with ties to Don is part of the ownership group

2 minutes ago, Im_smarter_then_you said:

Aand just my luck someone with ties to Don is part of the ownership group

Mark Walter's timeline as Lakers owner:

•June 2025: Buys team from Buss family for $10B

•July 2026: Feds reportedly probing $16B in undisclosed loans tied to his empire

•August 2026: Sells to Josh Kushner & Bob Iger for record $12.5Bp

1 hour ago, Im_smarter_then_you said:

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/lakers-sold-josh-kushner-bob-iger/

Wolters made 2b in a year

Well, at least the Dodgers can keep spending like drunken sailors!

Jared better NEVER show his face at Crypto.

reports are that it only cost Kushner and Iger about $3bn more for a storied franchise worth a ton of money than what the new Vegas franchise is going for

7 minutes ago, Sbbruin said:

Well, at least the Dodgers can keep spending like drunken sailors!

Jared better NEVER show his face at Crypto.

bernie madoff : mets

mark walter : dodgers

2 hours ago, Im_smarter_then_you said:

Aand just my luck someone with ties to Don is part of the ownership group

I wonder what the Hollywood crowd, who clamor for courtside seats, are going to do now.