[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 Tonight was by far the most aggressive I’ve seen him this year. Scored 21 points in 2nd half, including an incredibly tough runner to send the game into OT, all coincidentally or not with Kobe on the bench. He was getting to the rim, drawing fouls, and shooting the ball with confidence. I know they lost the game but I was still very encouraged by what I saw.

I know a lot of people have already thrown around the "bust" label in regards to Russell which I think is ridiculous. While I admit that he hasn’t been great so far I don’t think you can say he’s been terrible either and he hasn’t exactly been playing in an optimal situation either. If you watch as many Lakers games as I do, you can tell he is gaining confidence and I have a feeling he will continue to get better and better as the year goes on. Im still not sure if he’s ultimately going to be a franchise level guy, but I have few doubts that he will be a very solid player in the league for a long time.

 

[circumlocution75Participant]

 I think he has great leadership potential & very good skills…. But he needs the ball in his hands…. Next year after Kobe has retired, Russell will  flourish….

 It will be a couple years before we know who the top player from the 2015 Draft is….. But I have felt all along that each of the top 4 guys could be future stars….. But they are so young, just let them develop……

 Russell will be a great piece for the Lakers & I know I’ll get killed for this but Simmons needs the ball to be effective (just like Russell) I think the Lakers would be better off w/ Labisierre or Brown….. 

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 I actually agree completely. Simmons is probably the best all-around player in the draft but he’d be a terrible fit if the Lakers plan on building around Russell and randle. I don’t really see how a Simmons-randle frontcourt would work. I’d prefer that they took skal, who I believe could be an ideal fit. That’s if they keep their pick of course.

[Gold Chain]

 Lakers made that mistake this year, in not drafting BP’sAvailable because of Randle.

Now you want them to do it again because Russell made Kevin Martin look like … Kevin Martin.

 

[Hype Machine]

 Beat me to it.

Absurd logic.

How many generational players do you guys plan on handing to rival teams because you already have Randle and Russell…neither of which are frankly even that good.

 

 

[Hype Machine]

 Beat me to it.

Absurd logic.

How many generational players do you guys plan on handing to rival teams because you already have Randle and Russell…neither of which are frankly even that good.

 

 

[Gold Chain]

 Lakers made that mistake this year, in not drafting BP’sAvailable because of Randle.

Now you want them to do it again because Russell made Kevin Martin look like … Kevin Martin.

 

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 I actually agree completely. Simmons is probably the best all-around player in the draft but he’d be a terrible fit if the Lakers plan on building around Russell and randle. I don’t really see how a Simmons-randle frontcourt would work. I’d prefer that they took skal, who I believe could be an ideal fit. That’s if they keep their pick of course.

[Bankroll PJParticipant]

 Not going to kill you, but the Lakers would be better off selecting the best player and as if now it’s clearly Simmons. They don’t have enough talent to be picky and I think Ben Simmons and Russell would be fine together but Julius Randle would have to find a new role. 

[Bankroll PJParticipant]

 Not going to kill you, but the Lakers would be better off selecting the best player and as if now it’s clearly Simmons. They don’t have enough talent to be picky and I think Ben Simmons and Russell would be fine together but Julius Randle would have to find a new role. 

[circumlocution75Participant]

 I think he has great leadership potential & very good skills…. But he needs the ball in his hands…. Next year after Kobe has retired, Russell will  flourish….

 It will be a couple years before we know who the top player from the 2015 Draft is….. But I have felt all along that each of the top 4 guys could be future stars….. But they are so young, just let them develop……

 Russell will be a great piece for the Lakers & I know I’ll get killed for this but Simmons needs the ball to be effective (just like Russell) I think the Lakers would be better off w/ Labisierre or Brown….. 

[Hype Machine]

 The moment a team gets that #1 pick…everyone on the roster becomes expendable. 

Simmons is an absolute monster. Build the team around him. If any of the pieces dont fit….trade them. 

 

[Hype Machine]

 The moment a team gets that #1 pick…everyone on the roster becomes expendable. 

Simmons is an absolute monster. Build the team around him. If any of the pieces dont fit….trade them. 

 

[I CALLED GAMEParticipant]

Russell & Randle looked like they where playing mad & or upset because they have to come off the bench. There trying to prove to Byron Scott that there not bench players, & nothing better to show that then just going out and balling out night in and night out.

[I CALLED GAMEParticipant]

Russell & Randle looked like they where playing mad & or upset because they have to come off the bench. There trying to prove to Byron Scott that there not bench players, & nothing better to show that then just going out and balling out night in and night out.

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 BPA always.  Especially on a roster with such little talent.  

Call me crazy for thinking that Simmons and Randle could play together in a small ball lineup as long as the 3 other guys can shoot.  

Simmons is tailor made for small ball.  Once that jumper inevitably comes along he will be a nightmare.  Picking defenses apart off the dribble and making passes.

If its not Simmons I like Brown with the Lakers pick.  Love Skals offensive game but he’s kind of slow footed and he needs at least 30 lbs on him.  

 

 

 

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 BPA always.  Especially on a roster with such little talent.  

Call me crazy for thinking that Simmons and Randle could play together in a small ball lineup as long as the 3 other guys can shoot.  

Simmons is tailor made for small ball.  Once that jumper inevitably comes along he will be a nightmare.  Picking defenses apart off the dribble and making passes.

If its not Simmons I like Brown with the Lakers pick.  Love Skals offensive game but he’s kind of slow footed and he needs at least 30 lbs on him.  

 

 

 

[Reptilian MonkParticipant]

 Alot of people have hated on Russell but if you watch the games he is very passive and tries to run to offense deffering to Kobe/ Clarkson/ Lou. When he is the guy with the ball and agressive you can expect more of how he played tonight. As far as Russell and Simmons they played together in high school at Monteverde, thye played well together and could both figure it out

[Reptilian MonkParticipant]

 Alot of people have hated on Russell but if you watch the games he is very passive and tries to run to offense deffering to Kobe/ Clarkson/ Lou. When he is the guy with the ball and agressive you can expect more of how he played tonight. As far as Russell and Simmons they played together in high school at Monteverde, thye played well together and could both figure it out

[Hype Machine]

Theres also a misconception that Simmons can’t play off the ball.

He’s not a full-time point guard at LSU and never has been.

Just look at his shot chart when he lit North Florida up for 43.

It was all post-ups in deep positions and alley-oops.

Him and D’Angelo Russell won 2 National HS championships on the same team. They can play together.

However Randle & Simmons isn’t perfect…

But Randle has great trade value. You could get a starter at any position in exchange.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Hype Machine]

Theres also a misconception that Simmons can’t play off the ball.

He’s not a full-time point guard at LSU and never has been.

Just look at his shot chart when he lit North Florida up for 43.

It was all post-ups in deep positions and alley-oops.

Him and D’Angelo Russell won 2 National HS championships on the same team. They can play together.

However Randle & Simmons isn’t perfect…

But Randle has great trade value. You could get a starter at any position in exchange.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[IlladelphParticipant]

I think the Lakers missed out last year at #2.  I think a lot of people do too.  When you have a top 5 pick, you should always go for BPA.  After that, then draft for need.  Simmons, of course should be taken if he is still ont he board.

No GM will have the balls to pass on Simmons next summer.  Passing on Simmons to "draft for need", will not cut it.  That will get a GM fired.  Besides the fact that Simmons is potentially a superstar player, the hype is now building to Wiggins level hysteria.  

[IlladelphParticipant]

I think the Lakers missed out last year at #2.  I think a lot of people do too.  When you have a top 5 pick, you should always go for BPA.  After that, then draft for need.  Simmons, of course should be taken if he is still ont he board.

No GM will have the balls to pass on Simmons next summer.  Passing on Simmons to "draft for need", will not cut it.  That will get a GM fired.  Besides the fact that Simmons is potentially a superstar player, the hype is now building to Wiggins level hysteria.  

[UncledrewParticipant]

Russell will be fine. He’s average 11 ppg 3 apg and 4.5 rpg and a stl in only 27 minutes as a 19 yr old. Not to mention he’s playing with a crew of chuckers (kobe, Lou, Young). When kobe retires and he gets more control of the team and some more seasoning he will really begin to live up to being the 2nd pick. Not a lakers fan but wouldn’t mind seeing Simmons join him in LA. Russell is the point guard of the future though.

[UncledrewParticipant]

Russell will be fine. He’s average 11 ppg 3 apg and 4.5 rpg and a stl in only 27 minutes as a 19 yr old. Not to mention he’s playing with a crew of chuckers (kobe, Lou, Young). When kobe retires and he gets more control of the team and some more seasoning he will really begin to live up to being the 2nd pick. Not a lakers fan but wouldn’t mind seeing Simmons join him in LA. Russell is the point guard of the future though.

[Ahkasi ClayParticipant]

Amazing how much better the Lakers looked today, keep Kobe onder 35 minutes , and 15 shots, this team looks better,  

still think the only reason Swaggy P is not getting more time is because he said Kobbe is a ball hog who shoots to much.

#FreeSwaggyP

 

 

[Ahkasi ClayParticipant]

Amazing how much better the Lakers looked today, keep Kobe onder 35 minutes , and 15 shots, this team looks better,  

still think the only reason Swaggy P is not getting more time is because he said Kobbe is a ball hog who shoots to much.

#FreeSwaggyP

 

 

[Memphisboy14Participant]

I’m not gonna lie. I’ve always been skeptical of how good he could be in the NBA. But against the Timberwolves he looked really, really good. He just is having a hard time playing with 4 other guys who are ball dominant also and, since he’s the rookie he’s kind of lost on how to play with them.

[Memphisboy14Participant]

I’m not gonna lie. I’ve always been skeptical of how good he could be in the NBA. But against the Timberwolves he looked really, really good. He just is having a hard time playing with 4 other guys who are ball dominant also and, since he’s the rookie he’s kind of lost on how to play with them.

[ropeParticipant]

 Kobe as a teenage rookie= 7.6 / 1.9 / 1.3 on 42% shooting.  This doesn’t mean D-Angelo is any better or worse, but it does show that a middling performer as a rookie can absolutely develop into a star.  

[ropeParticipant]

 Kobe as a teenage rookie= 7.6 / 1.9 / 1.3 on 42% shooting.  This doesn’t mean D-Angelo is any better or worse, but it does show that a middling performer as a rookie can absolutely develop into a star.  

[PulseGlazerParticipant]

 He looked incredible, but Brandon Jennings had 50 his first week (and was a top prospect hurt by his decision to play in China).  I want to see how Russell looks with a real offensive system around him, especially over he has to run, and I want to see if he can cover anyone on a real defense. Just a reminder- Byron Scott is a joke.

[PulseGlazerParticipant]

 He looked incredible, but Brandon Jennings had 50 his first week (and was a top prospect hurt by his decision to play in China).  I want to see how Russell looks with a real offensive system around him, especially over he has to run, and I want to see if he can cover anyone on a real defense. Just a reminder- Byron Scott is a joke.

[HitsterParticipant]

Simmons and Russell could play together IMO, if they brought in another guy who needed the ball in his hand then there would be an issue with 3 on a team but 2 can work together.

Randle is a PF so it didn’t effect the Lakers taking Okafor if they had wanted to and Porz could have played around Randle and certainly been developed into a C if they had wanted to.

Russell and Jaylen Brown would be an interesting combo to figure out, Ingram would be a lovely fit for the Lakers. Given his wingspan, a year spent under Coach K and then going to LA and possibly having Metta World Peace to mentor him would seem a good fit.

Skal’s shooting range would help spread the play and give Randle and Russell better shooting options too.

Poeltl may not be the sort of superstar the Lakers would be after and I’d struggle at this moment to put him into the top 3 in my potential mock but he has great size, runs the floor well and could be the defensive anchor a team like the Lakers needs.

[HitsterParticipant]

Simmons and Russell could play together IMO, if they brought in another guy who needed the ball in his hand then there would be an issue with 3 on a team but 2 can work together.

Randle is a PF so it didn’t effect the Lakers taking Okafor if they had wanted to and Porz could have played around Randle and certainly been developed into a C if they had wanted to.

Russell and Jaylen Brown would be an interesting combo to figure out, Ingram would be a lovely fit for the Lakers. Given his wingspan, a year spent under Coach K and then going to LA and possibly having Metta World Peace to mentor him would seem a good fit.

Skal’s shooting range would help spread the play and give Randle and Russell better shooting options too.

Poeltl may not be the sort of superstar the Lakers would be after and I’d struggle at this moment to put him into the top 3 in my potential mock but he has great size, runs the floor well and could be the defensive anchor a team like the Lakers needs.

[Gold Chain]

 here’s his highlights from last night

 http://www.youtube.com/watch

Wolves bench is just about the worst in the league. Their record would be much better with a better bench. LaVine and Muhammad suck at d, and cost them tons of games.

Also note that even in his career best game, Russell still had a negative +/-.

Still nice to see him show that he was possibly worth a first round pick.

 

 

 

 

 

[Gold Chain]

 here’s his highlights from last night

 http://www.youtube.com/watch

Wolves bench is just about the worst in the league. Their record would be much better with a better bench. LaVine and Muhammad suck at d, and cost them tons of games.

Also note that even in his career best game, Russell still had a negative +/-.

Still nice to see him show that he was possibly worth a first round pick.

 

 

 

 

 

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 Do you understand how +/- works?  If you play around 35 minutes and your team loses, you’re most likely going to have a negative +/-.  

If you play 16 minutes against bench units and your team is quite good…well.think KO effect.

There are so many holes in +/- it’s ridiculous.  Yet you routinely slap the pud to that stat.  

 

 

 

 

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 Do you understand how +/- works?  If you play around 35 minutes and your team loses, you’re most likely going to have a negative +/-.  

If you play 16 minutes against bench units and your team is quite good…well.think KO effect.

There are so many holes in +/- it’s ridiculous.  Yet you routinely slap the pud to that stat.  

 

 

 

 

[Gold Chain]

He sucks on D, and will never be good on defense. If he ever stumbles upon a good +/-, it will be because of his teammates.

He couldn’t even put up a positive +/- in the game of his life against the 2nd or third worst bench in the NBA.

Good players can affect the +/- when they have the game of their lives against a terrible bench, even if they play on bad teams.

 

 

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 "If he ever stumbles upon a good +/-, it will be because of his teammates."

You do know that’s how +/- works right?  If you’re going to be spouting off a statistic every 20 seconds you should at least know how it works.  I would suggest taking a look at the formula, but I have a feeling that will go way over your head.

Since a player is always on the court with 4 other teammates, their performance will have a direct impact on someone elses +/-.  Which is why your boy James Young can go +15 while going 0-1 from the floor.  Because he was on the floor when his team was hot, and off the floor when they were not.  Would you imply his play during that span was a game changer?  Just to list one of many examples that happen every night… in just about every game.  I figured maybe you could relate to that one a bit?

One situation where it may stick out on an individual level is if you have a highly successful team, that wins alot… yet one player routinely posts a negative +/-.  That would tell you something.

When your whole team sucks, and when you lose a ton.  Guess what happens?  Let’s see if you are smart enough to make that connection without me spelling it out for you.

+/- is best served to tell you how certain lineups and combinations work together.  And is less of an individual stat as you would want to make it.  

So until 1 player decides to be a true ground breaker and play the game 1 on 5.  It’s always going to be more reflective of the lineups on the court.

I don’t really care what articles you read that tell you otherwise.  Or maybe because it’s the only "advanced" (hint, it’s not that advanced) stat that shows up in the box scores you routinely check every night before blasting people for pointing out fantasy stats.  As if to show you are somehow analytical enough to understand most advanced metrics? (We know you’re not).  

I would encourage you not to read other peoples work.  You obviously care a lot about basketball.  Figure out how these things work.  Understand the statistics and the weight they carry.  I think that you will find some enjoyment in it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Gold Chain]

 you missed the part where D’Angelo Russell sucks on defense. James Young is a much better defender. Being a good, versatile defender is how Young got on the court for big meaningful minutes the last two games.

It took him a year + to get better at defense and more mentally consistent, but he had the base line athleticism and Blake Griffin level length at SG/SF to have the potential to be a + defender, which he looks like he’s emerging as.

Russell will always be a big liability defensively, which means he’ll always give up roughly what he’s able to produce on offense any given night.

I know how +/- works, and I know how the leaugue’s worst athlete at guard negatively affects every game he’s in on that end of the court.

That’s why Lou Williams is starting over him now. Better defense (lol) and better offense.

Keep making excuses, and keep pretending Russell and Randle are future impact players on a decent team.

Maybe off the bench. 

 

[ZachAttackParticipant]

 James Young gets 7.7 mpg. If he was as good as you think he is on defense, he’d for sure be playing a lot more time. Like RHJ was. So… I guess he’s not that good.

[ZachAttackParticipant]

 James Young gets 7.7 mpg. If he was as good as you think he is on defense, he’d for sure be playing a lot more time. Like RHJ was. So… I guess he’s not that good.

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 Yes Zach, but he’s a Celtic.

It doesn’t matter that his offense is as bad as Russells defense.

 

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 Yes Zach, but he’s a Celtic.

It doesn’t matter that his offense is as bad as Russells defense.

 

[Gold Chain]

 Young was drafted 17th, not 2nd over Porzingis, Okafor, etc, etc, etc.

 

[Gold Chain]

 Young was drafted 17th, not 2nd over Porzingis, Okafor, etc, etc, etc.

 

[Gold Chain]

 you missed the part where D’Angelo Russell sucks on defense. James Young is a much better defender. Being a good, versatile defender is how Young got on the court for big meaningful minutes the last two games.

It took him a year + to get better at defense and more mentally consistent, but he had the base line athleticism and Blake Griffin level length at SG/SF to have the potential to be a + defender, which he looks like he’s emerging as.

Russell will always be a big liability defensively, which means he’ll always give up roughly what he’s able to produce on offense any given night.

I know how +/- works, and I know how the leaugue’s worst athlete at guard negatively affects every game he’s in on that end of the court.

That’s why Lou Williams is starting over him now. Better defense (lol) and better offense.

Keep making excuses, and keep pretending Russell and Randle are future impact players on a decent team.

Maybe off the bench. 

 

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 "If he ever stumbles upon a good +/-, it will be because of his teammates."

You do know that’s how +/- works right?  If you’re going to be spouting off a statistic every 20 seconds you should at least know how it works.  I would suggest taking a look at the formula, but I have a feeling that will go way over your head.

Since a player is always on the court with 4 other teammates, their performance will have a direct impact on someone elses +/-.  Which is why your boy James Young can go +15 while going 0-1 from the floor.  Because he was on the floor when his team was hot, and off the floor when they were not.  Would you imply his play during that span was a game changer?  Just to list one of many examples that happen every night… in just about every game.  I figured maybe you could relate to that one a bit?

One situation where it may stick out on an individual level is if you have a highly successful team, that wins alot… yet one player routinely posts a negative +/-.  That would tell you something.

When your whole team sucks, and when you lose a ton.  Guess what happens?  Let’s see if you are smart enough to make that connection without me spelling it out for you.

+/- is best served to tell you how certain lineups and combinations work together.  And is less of an individual stat as you would want to make it.  

So until 1 player decides to be a true ground breaker and play the game 1 on 5.  It’s always going to be more reflective of the lineups on the court.

I don’t really care what articles you read that tell you otherwise.  Or maybe because it’s the only "advanced" (hint, it’s not that advanced) stat that shows up in the box scores you routinely check every night before blasting people for pointing out fantasy stats.  As if to show you are somehow analytical enough to understand most advanced metrics? (We know you’re not).  

I would encourage you not to read other peoples work.  You obviously care a lot about basketball.  Figure out how these things work.  Understand the statistics and the weight they carry.  I think that you will find some enjoyment in it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 Furthermore… no he will never be great, or maybe even good on defense.  However, you need to look no further than someone on your favorite team.  Look at the impact I.T has on the celtics.  Who sucks on D more than him?  Very few people.

But what he does do, he does it well.  And he impacts the game with it.  

That’s not to negate defense.  But since I.T has some ball hawks around him.  It works.  

You only seem to fail to grasp this when talking about Russell.  I’m not quite sure what he did to you but I wish I knew… it must be a good story.

So much out of the way hate from you on him.. Didn’t you call him like D’Immobile or something like that?  That’s not even a good nickname man.  D’Angeslow is the obvious play there.

Even your trolling is getting weak.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Gold Chain]

 So desperate you’re trying to compare Russell to the Allen Iverson-quick Isaiah Thomas.

Just delusional.

Thomas’ shortcoming on defense is that he can be posted up by bigger guards. But that doesn’t happen often.

Russell’s defensive shortcoming is that he makes every other guard in the league look like Iverson/IT. 

Guess which defensive weakness gets exploited 8-10 times a game, and which weakness gets exploited 1-3 times a game?

Never mind, don’t even bother guessing. You’ll just guess wrong and get mad at me.

 

 

[Gold Chain]

 So desperate you’re trying to compare Russell to the Allen Iverson-quick Isaiah Thomas.

Just delusional.

Thomas’ shortcoming on defense is that he can be posted up by bigger guards. But that doesn’t happen often.

Russell’s defensive shortcoming is that he makes every other guard in the league look like Iverson/IT. 

Guess which defensive weakness gets exploited 8-10 times a game, and which weakness gets exploited 1-3 times a game?

Never mind, don’t even bother guessing. You’ll just guess wrong and get mad at me.

 

 

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 Furthermore… no he will never be great, or maybe even good on defense.  However, you need to look no further than someone on your favorite team.  Look at the impact I.T has on the celtics.  Who sucks on D more than him?  Very few people.

But what he does do, he does it well.  And he impacts the game with it.  

That’s not to negate defense.  But since I.T has some ball hawks around him.  It works.  

You only seem to fail to grasp this when talking about Russell.  I’m not quite sure what he did to you but I wish I knew… it must be a good story.

So much out of the way hate from you on him.. Didn’t you call him like D’Immobile or something like that?  That’s not even a good nickname man.  D’Angeslow is the obvious play there.

Even your trolling is getting weak.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Gold Chain]

He sucks on D, and will never be good on defense. If he ever stumbles upon a good +/-, it will be because of his teammates.

He couldn’t even put up a positive +/- in the game of his life against the 2nd or third worst bench in the NBA.

Good players can affect the +/- when they have the game of their lives against a terrible bench, even if they play on bad teams.

 

 

[Author]

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