Second Half of the Season March-April Regular Season Discussion

[ggsimmonds]

I can't really subscribe to Minnesota being a uniquely bad matchup for the Lakers.

If Minnesota is a bad matchup for them, every playoff team is.
But I especially need to call bull on this:
"And as good as Shai is he’s more of a get to his spots type, Ant is just so aggressive"
Bro Shai led the league in drives to the basket, Ant led the league in 3 pt attempts. Its not close to who was more aggressive.

"They can’t match Minnesota’s size and their small ball isn’t athletic enough to match them either. Just a horrible combo."
That is likely true with every potential playoff matchup sans the Warriors

[Vni]

Hayes isn't a playoffs rotation center. He shoudn't be the 7th or 8th best player of your team, he isn't impactful and his BBIQ is just super low. He can be some sort of insurance in case your center is down.

I'am over Reaves as a starter, he performs significantly worse in the playoffs every year and you can't always make excuses for him. When the defense gets tight and the game gets physical he disapears. I'd like him to become our Ginobili off the bench or used in a trade to improve the roster.

I think Turner would be great to sign but I'am not sure the Lakers can make it work even if Bron takes a significant paycut. Adebayo would be an amazing fit and with the way Miami imploded he could be available. Again we can't offer that nice of a package in exchange especially if they are going for the rebuild. Our most reasonable target would be Gafford in my opinion. Chemistry with Luka, very athletic.

Would be a good time to move on from Lebron also.

[illwill10]

Quote: Originally Posted by ojandpizza

Giannis and Wemby would be wild lol.

Quote: Originally Posted by georgiafan

That’s a good call on them and clearly makes sense If you are the spurs. They could also add Fox in the deal so a Fringe all star and young rookie plush draft picks is a good starting point

Could also do Fox and Barnes and a ton of picks. Only real benefit of Bucks doing that is that both players are on expiring deals and could clear out a ton of cap for 26-27. But, Castle, Vassell, and Johnson is a near match for Giannis. It gives the ROY and young wings to work with. They could have 2 lottery picks. Ideally could draft the Duke Center Maluach and best available player. Could have a good young nucleus and future picks


Giannis and Wemby could be nasty duo. Defensively, that's obvious and doesn't need any explanation. Wemby isn't a good rebounder especially for his size, so Giannis would clean that up. Less pressure on Fox defensively. Offensively, I think they could mesh well since they don't operate in the same spots. Wemby is going to year 3, so I could see them wanting to make a splash


But if Giannis leaves the East, whew lol.

[ojandpizza]

Quote: Originally Posted by ggsimmonds

I can't really subscribe to Minnesota being a uniquely bad matchup for the Lakers. If Minnesota is a bad matchup for them, every playoff team is. But I especially need to call bull on this: "And as good as Shai is he’s more of a get to his spots type, Ant is just so aggressive" Bro Shai led the league in drives to the basket, Ant led the league in 3 pt attempts. Its not close to who was more aggressive. "They can’t match Minnesota’s size and their small ball isn’t athletic enough to match them either. Just a horrible combo." That is likely true with every potential playoff matchup sans the Warriors

He leads the league in drives with the MO being to get a foul or get to a spot.. I feel like Ant just bullies guys. Takes it to their chest, forces help, makes the kick. Yes he takes more threes, a lot of which he sets up by getting his defender going backwards because he's taken it at their chest the 2 possessions prior.

[J_Posse]

Quote: Originally Posted by Vni

Hayes isn't a playoffs rotation center. He shoudn't be the 7th or 8th best player of your team, he isn't impactful and his BBIQ is just super low. He can be some sort of insurance in case your center is down.

He might not be a rotation guy deeper in the playoffs or if you have better options, but the Lakers don't so they should've given him some time.

Lakers got killed on the glass and interior scoring, both things Hayes can help with even in spot minutes.





Sent from my Pixel 7 using Tapatalk

[ojandpizza]

Quote: Originally Posted by J_Posse

He might not be a rotation guy deeper in the playoffs or if you have better options, but the Lakers don't so they should've given him some time. Lakers got killed with on the glass and with interior scoring, both things Hayes can help with even in spot minutes. Sent from my Pixel 7 using Tapatalk

I think my issue is basically JJ said there is a trade off because then they can't score... Which I get, but they aren't getting much scoring from DFS or Vando either. So like you said why not make that trade-off in some spot minutes to stop the bleeding? If they swap Naz for Rudy then make your swap back to Vando/DFS.

[ggsimmonds]

Quote: Originally Posted by ojandpizza

He leads the league in drives with the MO being to get a foul or get to a spot.. I feel like Ant just bullies guys. Takes it to their chest, forces help, makes the kick. Yes he takes more threes, a lot of which he sets up by getting his defender going backwards because he's taken it at their chest the 2 possessions prior.

Points in the paint per game:
Shai: 13.8
Ant: 8.2

% of FGA that are 3s:
Shai: 26.3
Ant: 50.3

FTA per game (if Ant "bullies" guys and takes it to their chest I'd expect these numbers to be different)
Shai: 8.8
Ant: 6.3

APG (I don't need to include these figures, its just in reply to your statement that Ant draws the help then kicks it as if Shai hasn't driven OKC to the #1 seed by doing exactly that)
Shai: 6.4
Ant: 4.5

OJ I shouldn't even need to pull out stats on this one. When Shai gets the ball he is looking to either get to the rim or get to the line, everyone knows that. It doesn't get more aggressive than that.

Beyond that comparison, OKC is just head and shoulders the better team than the Lakers and a series between them would end in a likely sweep. If you are genuinely suggesting that the Lakers struggled against Minnesota more than they would against OKC no one is buying what you are selling man