Lakers Exiting 'Tank Mode'?

I think all signs are pointing towards a major push towards competitiveness. How many wins can this squad achieve? I think it may be more than some experts are predicting, which may disappointing Magiclakez .

What do you guys think?

I'd say we end up 40-42. Ingram will make major improvements over the next off season by adding even more weight and we're finally back in the playoffs 2017-2018.

Whether intentional or unintentional, this Lakers squad will be in tank mode.

I'd say we end up 40-42. Ingram will make major improvements over the next off season by adding even more weight and we're finally back in the playoffs 2017-2018.

I concur........the tank has been shipped overseas...lol!!!!! Time to get back on the up and up.

Yeah, shipped overseas for a new coat of paint rofl.

Think team will show improvement and play better, just don't think it will show record wise. I say 25-27 wins, Western conference is to strong right now. Think Lakers will be 3rd worst team in nba, behind Nets, 76ers ( now that Simmons is out).

Think team will show improvement and play better, just don't think it will show record wise. I say 25-27 wins, Western conference is to strong right now. Think Lakers will be 3rd worst team in nba, behind Nets, 76ers ( now that Simmons is out).

I agree, the team has not improved that much from last year. Key difference for me is going to be the franchise adapting to a new system both offensively and defensively. These things take time, a lot more time than a summer camp.

I'm looking to see growth, both in the young core and in Walton. The Celtics and Brad Stevens are a great comparison from a few years ago.

With no obvious 1st option on offense and who ever is, is going to be seeing elite defenders on a nightly basis, scoring is going to be tough the first half or so of the season, especially in close games.

It's going to be a fun season despite the losing, I am just hoping for 1 more year of lucky lottery balls.

I think you guys are selling the off season moves a bit short. I say we've significantly improved our SF rotations. I mean come on Deng-Ingram is gonna be a whole lot better than Kobe-Anthony Brown-MWP.

While I thought Huertas did well a PG rotation of Russell-Clarkson-Huertas is much better than whatever we had last year.

I think we'll be more or less the same at the SG position but I say there's also an improvement there by not having Kobe out there.

If you have a team oriented offense you won't need a 1st option but we do have capable one-on-one players in Lou Williams and Jordan Clarkson, and to a certain extent D'Angelo.

I'm not saying we're gonna be a playoff team or a contender but I just don't think you guys are being fair when you say there's not much improvement.

I think you guys are selling the off season moves a bit short. I say we've significantly improved our SF rotations. I mean come on Deng-Ingram is gonna be a whole lot better than Kobe-Anthony Brown-MWP.

While I thought Huertas did well a PG rotation of Russell-Clarkson-Huertas is much better than whatever we had last year.

I think we'll be more or less the same at the SG position but I say there's also an improvement there by not having Kobe out there.

If you have a team oriented offense you won't need a 1st option but we do have capable one-on-one players in Lou Williams and Jordan Clarkson, and to a certain extent D'Angelo.

I'm not saying we're gonna be a playoff team or a contender but I just don't think you guys are being fair when you say there's not much improvement.

Oh I think they have improved, but so has the rest of the league, especially the western conference. Think the key to how much they improve record wise, will be how much they improve from being dead last in defense. Still only see 25-28 wins.

I think if we can be the number 10 team in the west by season's end, that's improvement to me. Then the following year, we can hopefully get to an 8 seed.

Hibbert to Mozgov is not much of an improvement, I said before free agency begin I'd be happy with Mozgov, but not at the price the Lakers ended paying. Bass left to be replaced by Yi. Zubac will not see any minutes so I'm not including him here.

At pf nothing changed. Randle and Nance could have significantly improved but until we see that in games then we just don't know.

Sf they got better, but they lost the focal point of the offense with no player to replace him as #1 option. IMO. Deng is the wrong side of his prime and Ingram is going to take time to adjust to the league.

SG/PG and the bench haven't really improved other than individual improvement from last year's players, similar to pf.

Walton is better than Scott, don't really have to explain that one but quantifying how that translates into wins is not possible.

Rome wasn't built in a day and neither will the Lakers rebuild. That's ok, I'm not expecting much next season, I just want to see growth in all aspects of the franchise.

25-30 wins, not less not more.

Everything will pass through the growth of D'Angelo, I think he can really break out this year.

Moreover, we have to wait a little time Ingram (imho), considering he will face a pair of years of 'growing pains'.

I'm very curious to see the development of Randle, he demonstrated a good work ethic the last offseason, that is not enough, obviously, but definitely we'll have a lot of fun with this group in the next years, just patience and Trust the Process!

So, yes, IMHO the Lakers are really exiting tank mode.

I think all signs are pointing towards a major push towards competitiveness. How many wins can this squad achieve? I think it may be more than some experts are predicting, which may disappointing Magiclakez .

What do you guys think?

Lol. I think we have been accustomed to seeing the same signs for the last four seasons. They however yielded three top 10 picks in a row(including two #2 picks). Even the imposing core of Durant/harden/Westbrook/ green struggled in the first couple of seasons to win 20+ games. This is technically the first real season of rebuilding without Kobe. Number of wins is immaterial as the growth of the core and the rookie head coach is paramount.

We orchestrated a midnight pre-emptive strike during free agency which lead to the acquisition of Mozgov (a lateral move with hibbert) and a washed up injury prone SF. Then you have a disfunctional front office insisting on the youngsters earning their stripes by coming off the bench. In this archaic set up, growth can only be hoped for.

It will be fun watching the youngsters play together for one another, however expectations need to be tempered based on past experiences. Kkennon was being kind when he suggested that we might end up being the third worst team in the NBA. I see another top two on the horizon...which is not necessarily a bad thing....LOL.

Therefore for all intents and purposes, there might still be some "gas left in the tank."

I am standing by my insane prediction that we'll squeak into the playoffs. You read it here first!

I am standing by my insane prediction that we'll squeak into the playoffs. You read it here first!

So which of the young core is going to carry the franchise?

So which of the young core is going to carry the franchise?

If we play team ball we won't necessarily need any one player to carry the team.

If we play team ball we won't necessarily need any one player to carry the team.

Theoretically yes sure, but in close games someone needs to step up. GSW had Curry/Thompson, Spurs have Leonard/Aldridge. These are teams that share Walton's philosophy of team ball but they still had a go to guy or guys.

Theoretically yes sure, but in close games someone needs to step up. GSW had Curry/Thompson, Spurs have Leonard/Aldridge. These are teams that share Walton's philosophy of team ball but they still had a go to guy or guys.

I'd say if utilized correctly, any of the three kids will be able to carry the team every so often depending on the match ups. They won't be at the level to do it 82 games and it remains to be seen if any of them will be able to ever get to that level, but for now I think any one or two of the three sharing "team carrying" duties is what we need.

You also got Lou who is a good enough scorer that can get you a bucket when you need it and maybe win us some games like he did last season.

I think that type of player that can carry a team is what you need to go from a playoff team to contender. Since we're not a playoff team yet I don't think we need to worry about having the player that can carry the team on his back.

Fot the sake of argument, I think D'Angelo will be that guy once he figures it all out.

My initial response was to Baad who said they were going to be a playoff team, Kobe in his prime could barely carry the franchise into the playoffs. Which was my point, who of the young core is going to carry the team to that level.

So which of the young core is going to carry the franchise?

Luke Walton knows the secret. He learned it at Golden State.

Luke will lead the franchise using Russell and eventually Ingram (keeping him out avoids the Simmons/Griffin/Embid/Randle rookie injury jinx) will lead this team to BARELY make the playoffs.

You make Luke appear like Yoda who is preparing his namesake (Luke Skywalker) take on the empire....LOL. Even the jedi required some pre-requisite preparation/training/failures before taking on the dark side. hahaha. May the force be with you Baad. Cheers

Learned the secret? Lol come on now, GS were making noise when Jackson was there. Kerr and Walton didn't take over a franchise that were dwindling at the bottom of the rankings.

It's a process that takes years, unless a legitimate all star/superstar breaks out or is signed. The Lakers don't have that yet.

My initial response was to Baad who said they were going to be a playoff team, Kobe in his prime could barely carry the franchise into the playoffs. Which was my point, who of the young core is going to carry the team to that level.

Yeah, Kobe couldn't carry a Smush Parker team on his back; yet he still made the playoffs, Smush and all. This team has some potential stars, some legit players and potential players. I stand by my crazy prediction.

Yeah, Kobe couldn't carry a Smush Parker team on his back; yet he still made the playoffs, Smush and all. This team has some potential stars, some legit players and potential players. I stand by my crazy prediction.

Yes, they do have some potential stars but none of them are breaking out this year.

Yeah, Kobe couldn't carry a Smush Parker team on his back; yet he still made the playoffs, Smush and all. This team has some potential stars, some legit players and potential players. I stand by my crazy prediction.

Baad it would be great if your prediction came true, I'm tired of riding on team tank. Having said that, I fully expect to be jumping on the Tank one more year!!!

^^^

Nah the tank is over with. Only blue skies to look forward too.....lol.

Yes, they do have some potential stars but none of them are breaking out this year.

I don't know about that one. I can see JC and D-Lo steeping to the forefront this year.....IMO.

I don't know about that one. I can see JC and D-Lo steeping to the forefront this year.....IMO.

They will have games where they will light it up but they won't be consistent. Which all Stars are. D-lo is going to see elite defenders once the season starts, something he has yet to encounter. That and double teams but he certainly looks promising