72 Suburbs in Search of a City: Anthony Davis to Los Angeles Lakers

DannyDarwinism

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How much else do you need him to do when the offense is running through LeBron and AD? He’s shown no fear while stepping into the playoff spotlight. It isn’t like the Lakers are asking him to be their Kemba.....only their Steve Kerr.

I’ve been HUGE fan of Troy Daniels the past few years and waiting for him to find his “Eddie House-role”.......he will be a household name playing off The Big Two.
You’re right, I just more meant it with respect to the thin margins scenario where injuries force him into a bigger role. Though his poor defense will be an issue even when everyone’s healthy.
 

nattysez

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Avery Bradley signing with the Lakers. If Bradley is willing to play a role -- play excellent defense and distribute the ball -- this is a huge get for the Lakers. However, I think the chances that he insists on shooting a lot are high, which would be a problem. And his defense seems to have fallen off for the Clippers last year, so the Lakers really need him to get back to being an above-average defender.
 

PedroKsBambino

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Good signing if they use him right---whether they will is not all that clear to me. As an on-ball defender and spot-up shooter he's a definite asset. But if you want more, you'll be disappointed. This is a situation where Lebron's presence is pretty key, he is not all that likely to end up watching Bradley flail away dribbling all that frequently...
 

BigSoxFan

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Good signing if they use him right---whether they will is not all that clear to me. As an on-ball defender and spot-up shooter he's a definite asset. But if you want more, you'll be disappointed. This is a situation where Lebron's presence is pretty key, he is not all that likely to end up watching Bradley flail away dribbling all that frequently...
LeBron is smart enough to let Bradley run the fast breaks, which is something he is among the best in the business at doing.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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Bradley isn't the defender he once was (and he was a overrated at that) but this is a good signing for the Lakers. These are the sorts of players they should be targeting to fill out their rotation.
 

soxin6

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It just seems like the Lakers are signing a bunch of guys that weren't getting offers elsewhere. When have we seen Frank Vogel be able to put these types of pieces together to have a team play like a championship contender. Considering the coaches of both teams, the Lakers are the second best team in LA and that is not going to sit well with the fans. The pressure on this team will be huge and I won't be shocked if Frank Vogel is fired before the end of November.
 

DannyDarwinism

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As a long-time Avery Bradley truther, this move cracks me up.
Demar Derozan wishes he had Avery Bradley's On-Off numbers.

Seriously though, Derozan had a large negative On-Off again this year (-5.0). So much for the theory that the Raptors' depth was partially to blame for why his teams consistently perform worse when he's on the court. He's been a net negative nine times in a 10 year career. Nine times.

Ok, my yearly Derozan slander aside, as we know, Bradley can’t really defend up a position, but when you’ve got Troy Daniels and Quinn Cook on your roster I suppose it’s good to have someone who can defend a point guard.
 

Captaincoop

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Bradley is a nice complement to Lebron's game. He's best off the.ball on offense, but can score off cuts and hit open threes. Lebron negates his biggest weakness offensively, which is that he isn't a playmaker with the ball in his hands.

And he defends small guards, which they will need someone to do.

Good signing, I'll bet he helps them a ton.
 

PedroKsBambino

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He would have been a pretty perfect addition for Philly---he can do the two things they most need-- though he's a good fit for the Lakers too.
 

Captaincoop

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It just seems like the Lakers are signing a bunch of guys that weren't getting offers elsewhere. When have we seen Frank Vogel be able to put these types of pieces together to have a team play like a championship contender. Considering the coaches of both teams, the Lakers are the second best team in LA and that is not going to sit well with the fans. The pressure on this team will be huge and I won't be shocked if Frank Vogel is fired before the end of November.
When has anyone seen Frank Vogel have pieces like Lebron James and Anthony Davis?
 

Bernie Carbohydrate

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Guys, it's simple. If a player isn't on the Celtics, he's an under-the-radar gem that's about to blossom, perfectly complementing the other parts of his team. If he's on the Celtics, he's overrated, a bad fit, and soon to be exposed as a fraud. Try to keep up.

Damn Kuzma is gonna be pissed that HRB just promoted Troy Daniels into the mythical “third best player on a championship squad” slot.
 

RedOctober3829

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LAS VEGAS — The new-look Los Angeles Lakers are heading into the 2019-20 season with the intention of starting LeBron James at point guard, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
James, 34, will be entering his 17th NBA season and is prepared to become the floor general in an effort to maximize a roster that’s suddenly built to contend for a championship with the addition of All-Star forward Anthony Davis and a few complementary pieces.
James, a four-time league MVP, and newly acquired Danny Green are expected to start in the backcourt, sources said.

https://sports.yahoo.com/sources-lakers-intend-to-start-le-bron-james-at-point-guard-184422305.html
 

DJnVa

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LAS VEGAS — The new-look Los Angeles Lakers are heading into the 2019-20 season with the intention of starting LeBron James at point guard, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
James, 34, will be entering his 17th NBA season and is prepared to become the floor general in an effort to maximize a roster that’s suddenly built to contend for a championship with the addition of All-Star forward Anthony Davis and a few complementary pieces.
James, a four-time league MVP, and newly acquired Danny Green are expected to start in the backcourt, sources said.

https://sports.yahoo.com/sources-lakers-intend-to-start-le-bron-james-at-point-guard-184422305.html
Awesome. Because last season we heard he was ready to NOT be the main ball handler, because it wore him down.
 

benhogan

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In his best years, Avery Bradley's reputation > his production.

Perfect for these Lakers, Pelinka doing what he does best.
 

Eddie Jurak

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LAS VEGAS — The new-look Los Angeles Lakers are heading into the 2019-20 season with the intention of starting LeBron James at point guard, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
James, 34, will be entering his 17th NBA season and is prepared to become the floor general in an effort to maximize a roster that’s suddenly built to contend for a championship with the addition of All-Star forward Anthony Davis and a few complementary pieces.
James, a four-time league MVP, and newly acquired Danny Green are expected to start in the backcourt, sources said.

https://sports.yahoo.com/sources-lakers-intend-to-start-le-bron-james-at-point-guard-184422305.html
Well, that's interesting. At least 2 top teams are loading up with size. Lakers, with James, Cousins, Davis. Sixers, with Embiid, Horford, Simmons. Both teams are going to struggle to shoot it though.
 

HowBoutDemSox

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Well, that's interesting. At least 2 top teams are loading up with size. Lakers, with James, Cousins, Davis. Sixers, with Embiid, Horford, Simmons. Both teams are going to struggle to shoot it though.
To be fair, Horford is was s 36% 3-point shooter last year, adding him will help the 6ers stretch the floor when they go big.
 

Eddie Jurak

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To be fair, Horford is was s 36% 3-point shooter last year, adding him will help the 6ers stretch the floor when they go big.
Horford is elite, but needs to be wide open in his spot. Embiid is less good and Simmons is awful. Richardson and Harris can shoot it, so maybe that is enough.
 

lovegtm

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Horford is elite, but needs to be wide open in his spot. Embiid is less good and Simmons is awful. Richardson and Harris can shoot it, so maybe that is enough.
Yup, we've seen a lot in the playoffs recently that there's a big difference between having a good 3PT% and being able to provide effective spacing by getting your shot off quickly in tight quarters. I'm high on the Sixers D, but pretty skeptical that the spacing will hold up on offense for them. Wouldn't be suprised if they scrounge to find points early and then make moves to add shooting.
 

HomeRunBaker

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Bradley is a nice complement to Lebron's game. He's best off the.ball on offense, but can score off cuts and hit open threes. Lebron negates his biggest weakness offensively, which is that he isn't a playmaker with the ball in his hands.

And he defends small guards, which they will need someone to do.

Good signing, I'll bet he helps them a ton.
Avery is an ideal BJ Armstrong-like complement to LeBron. This is a great signing for the Lakers. I know everyone here loathes Pelinka but he's doing a great job in adding pieces that fit around LeBron/AD with Iggy being the final piece down the road sometime.
 

bosockboy

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Avery is an ideal BJ Armstrong-like complement to LeBron. This is a great signing for the Lakers. I know everyone here loathes Pelinka but he's doing a great job in adding pieces that fit around LeBron/AD with Iggy being the final piece down the road sometime.
Memphis has stated they aren’t buying him out and are going to trade him.
 

cheech13

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Avery is an ideal BJ Armstrong-like complement to LeBron. This is a great signing for the Lakers. I know everyone here loathes Pelinka but he's doing a great job in adding pieces that fit around LeBron/AD with Iggy being the final piece down the road sometime.
Great seems like a stretch, but they've done well under the circumstances and much better overall than last summer. Still light on playmaking after Lebron and Boogie and defense is going to be an issue, but at least this time they've addressed the shooting and depth. Not sure how Vogel is going to mix with this group though. I can see him being the fall guy if they are playing in the .500 range around the All-Star break.
 
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Tony C

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Great is a stretch, but probably about as good as could be expected. I don't want to give Pelinka too much credit -- he gets little/none for LeBron and AD -- but it also seems pretty clear that the chaos/ineptitude was on Magic and that Pelinka is at least semi-competent.

And the defense may/may not be an issue. AD and McGee are plus by defensive metrics, Danny Green, too. LeBron turns it on/off but at least in the playoffs will be very good. And if healthy Bradley I think is very good and Kuzma isn't quite as bad as his rep. Part of his poor #s is due to being played out of position quite often -- not that he's great, but he's improved some. Not sure why they re-signed Rondo, but presumably those will be limited minutes for negative D guys like him and Daniels. Overall, they seem like an average or a bit better than avg defensive team.
 

nighthob

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I like their closing lineup of

PG - Lebron
SG - Pope/Bradley depending on matchups
SF - Green
PF - Kuzma
C - AD
I think, going the numbered position route, that it's going to be

1- Bradley
2- Pope/Green
3- Kuzma
4- LBJ
5- Unibrower

And they'll still struggle getting stops.
 

cheech13

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I didn't see much of Avery Bradley the last two years but my impression from the numbers and NBA twitter was that he was totally washed. If he's on the court to close games the Lakers are in more trouble than I thought. Honestly if Lebron and Green are truly starting in the backcourt, I'd think he'd end up around fifth in minutes after those two, Caldwell-Pope and Rondo. Even Caruso has more upside.
 

Gunfighter 09

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The big question with this team and what the end of game line up is which Boogie they are getting.

If they are getting the Boogie who was unplayable in the Finals I think the above line ups make sense and this team is a 50 win, out in the second round team.

If they get the end of the regular season with the Warriors Boogie, I think they win in the high 50’s and could win the title. That team plays gigantic with Boogie/AD/LeBron/Green and Kuz or Bradley depending on how Kuz develops. I think the defensive risk of asking AD to cover wings is worth the offensive and rebounding domination.
 

nighthob

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On the other hand Kemba Waker might score 30 points, in the fourth quarter, getting defended by any of those guys.
 

BigMike

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They have to say that to negotiate anything for him and feel they can get a 2nd but I’m not sure sure.
it also depends on what it will cost to buy himout, if he is demanding most of his 15 mil, they should make him play
 

benhogan

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Why would they want Iggy to play for them? What purpose would that serve?
They'll probably buy him out at some point this Summer.

But what's the downside for starting/playing Iggy? Have him put up #s and deal him around Dec 15th when teams will have plenty of contract filler & draft stock to deal for a proven playoff performer
 

JCizzle

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To get draft pick compensation when some needy team comes knocking at the deadline

If they are only going to save $1-2M on a buyout it seems like a no brainer.
I think having a three time champion and finals MVP around to mentor the young kids is probably a benefit in itself too. I agree that they shouldn't just buy him out, at least not at this moment.
 

lexrageorge

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Memphis should extract the highest value they can from a guy like Iguodala. It makes zero sense for them to buy him out and get nothing in return; they don't need the cap space.
 

Jimbodandy

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Memphis should extract the highest value they can from a guy like Iguodala. It makes zero sense for them to buy him out and get nothing in return; they don't need the cap space.
Yes. I doubt that Iggy is going to put their tank at risk. Someone will pay in chits for a quality player with championship pedigree.

Why do people seem to abide by the "help the Lakers" groupthink? Memphis will do what's best for Memphis.
 

Captaincoop

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I didn't see much of Avery Bradley the last two years but my impression from the numbers and NBA twitter was that he was totally washed. If he's on the court to close games the Lakers are in more trouble than I thought. Honestly if Lebron and Green are truly starting in the backcourt, I'd think he'd end up around fifth in minutes after those two, Caldwell-Pope and Rondo. Even Caruso has more upside.
How many 28 year olds (who haven't been crushing lines of coke for years) are truly washed up? He's not 35. My guess is you can get plenty of mileage out of Avery if you use him right.
 

Devizier

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How many 28 year olds (who haven't been crushing lines of coke for years) are truly washed up? He's not 35. My guess is you can get plenty of mileage out of Avery if you use him right.
Bradley should be fine, but it’s worth pointing out that he was never as good as Celtics fans thought he was.
 

Captaincoop

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Bradley should be fine, but it’s worth pointing out that he was never as good as Celtics fans thought he was.
I was never a huge Bradley fan because his game is so limited. He was never going to be a core guy that you build around. But as a role player who can defend guards and hit open shots - he's in a good spot.
 

ElUno20

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The biggest AB thing i saw in Detroit and his wretched time with the clipps (where doc continued to give him playing time over better options) is how slow footed he's gotten. He's really slow
 

cheech13

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How many 28 year olds (who haven't been crushing lines of coke for years) are truly washed up? He's not 35. My guess is you can get plenty of mileage out of Avery if you use him right.
It's not that weird. A lot of below average players wash out of the league by their late 20s and Bradley has profiled as a below-average player the last couple of years. He could carve out a useful role with the Lakers, but it's equally as likely that he's just a bench guy that never really contributes much.
 

HomeRunBaker

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To get draft pick compensation when some needy team comes knocking at the deadline

If they are only going to save $1-2M on a buyout it seems like a no brainer.
Teams stopped treating veterans like this year’s ago. Power brokers control movement in this league and the Grizzlies would be foolish to do something so negligent to a player of Iguodala’s stature if he demands to me bought out or moved. I can’t imagine it happening.