Official 2018 NBA Preseason Thread - Jimmy Butler Does Things

[nick.]

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/23974327/orders-lebron-james-lakers-jerseys-spike

The top markets for sales of LeBron's Lakers jersey were Los Angeles, New York, Oakland/San Francisco and Cleveland.

You're telling me cities with the highest populations bought the most jerseys?

Wow, I expected Omaha, Nebraska to be on that list.

 

[WASPS ANDD ASPS]

Sooooo....they staying with Luke Walton?

 

[theregothatman]

This makes GS's path to a championship even easier. Lakers team has no chance whatsoever against the Warriors.

No chance is a big exaggeration. Lakers have young talent and Bron did decent for having no squad last year.

 

[EddieDoyers]

After thinking on it I'm ok with LA not trading for Kawhi before the season. I know it's a PG-esque risk but having all these young core guys + Kawhi is a real chip contender after next season. But I'm also ok if they do a reasonable deal for him now. Thanks Bron for taking all the Spurs leverage away.

We will see if Spurs accept Randle on a sign and trade

 

[junglejim]

You're telling me cities with the highest populations bought the most jerseys?

Wow, I expected Omaha, Nebraska to be on that list.

All im saying is I dont see Chicago and Houston on that list. All I see in is a bunch of cities near LA, the 48th largest city in the US, and NY. The lakers accept your delegation nick.

But Omaha has a larger population that Cleveland and Oakland.

 

[frshstunna]

Do the Lakers really have the 2nd best title odds?

Just Veags trying to capitalize on the excitement from Bron picking the Lakers...they know dudes are gonna run straight to place down a bet on LA once they heard the news

 

[Vincent Van Goat]

Actually Lebby going west weirdly makes it easier for the west conference winner to face a tougher opponent in Boston

Cleveland was on fumes and lucky Boston wasn’t healthy

Boston just has to stay healthy and get past philly

 

[Moheezy]

After thinking on it I'm ok with LA not trading for Kawhi before the season. I know it's a PG-esque risk but having all these young core guys + Kawhi is a real chip contender after next season. But I'm also ok if they do a reasonable deal for him now. Thanks Bron for taking all the Spurs leverage away.

If nothing happens with Kawhi, what do you expect of them this year?

Javale/ Zubac
Kuz
LBJ
Ingram/ Stephenson
Ball/ Hart

Randle I would assume is most likely out.

Man...I'm sorry but that's not a good team. There has to be further trades happening this year, this at best is a first-round exit.

 

[Clyde Frog]

Bron and Lance is kinda like Kobe and Artest. Lance has a motor and if LeBron can tap into the potential we know Lance has we could see some entertaining stuff. Lakers already potentially have one very good role piece for a championship team. Throw Kawhi on KD. Let Stephenson loose on Curry.

Wait, Lance could be their counter to Dray. Lance gonna be doing what he did to LeBron to Curry. Dray and Lance who will 100% cross each other is gonna be gold.

 

[EddieDoyers]

Actually Lebby going west weirdly makes it easier for the west conference winner to face a tougher opponent in Boston

Cleveland was on fumes and lucky Boston wasn’t healthy

Boston just has to stay healthy and get past philly

Boston would have made the finals if it weren’t for Kyrie getting hurt
Their ceiling will be crazy the upcoming season

 

[frshstunna]

Aaron Gordon back with the Magic.

Isaac, Gordon and Bamba will make one hell of a defensive lineup.

I think with this lineup, it's worth a Gamble on Isiah Thomas. That's just me being a big IT fan.

Orlando might as well throw 1 year deals to to all the free agents guards, they need like 3 of em at least

 

[QU!K]

FYI I will be pulling receipts all summer

 

[Moheezy]

Actually Lebby going west weirdly makes it easier for the west conference winner to face a tougher opponent in Boston

Cleveland was on fumes and lucky Boston wasn’t healthy

Boston just has to stay healthy and get past philly

I just realized that Masai was probably betting on LeBron leaving so he did not push the reset button. That's actually a smart bet. Right now, the east contenders are:

1. Boston as heavy favorites
2. Toronto
3. Philly (until they prove they can improve this year which is very likely)

 

[junglejim]

FYI I will be pulling receipts all summer

I call next. I've fully make the lamekilla turn and have zero shame about it.

 

[Lovetohate3000]

Y'all really talking about the Cavs roster like it was good

now the narrative is Cleveland had a squad. Lol.

 

[MVP]

If nothing happens with Kawhi, what do you expect of them this year?

Javale/ Zubac
Kuz
LBJ
Ingram/ Stephenson
Ball/ Hart

Randle I would assume is most likely out.

Man...I'm sorry but that's not a good team. There has to be further trades happening this year, this at best is a first-round exit.

1st rd exit? The team as currently constructed is better or as good as every team in the West outside of HOU and GS.

Maybe instead of going all in on Kawhi. They swing a deal for Kemba which wouldn't require near the amount of assets.

Brook and Juju back on a QO (likely at this point) and adding nothing solidifies them as 3rd best in the West.

 

[Moheezy]

Orlando might as well throw 1 year deals to to all the free agents guards, they need like 3 of em at least

A healthy IT with that lineup is actually a good look. If Isiah really wants to get paid, I think he is going to bet on himself this year on a one year prove it deal for a better market next year.

 

[EddieDoyers]

now the narrative is Cleveland had a squad. Lol.

They are a fringe playoff team if they don’t trade Kevin love
Keyword trade

 

[QU!K]

I call next. I've fully make the lamekilla turn and have zero shame about it.

@lamekilla has done a complete 360

 

[nick.]

The lakers accept your delegation nick.

 

[DCAllAfrican]

I woke up thinking this was a bad dream. I turn on ESPN only to see the slob job even worst than what I remember seeing yesterday. Lebron James running away from his hometown again but this time to the most storied franchise in NBA history. The Chosen Bum. What a hack.



It’s all a front. He wanted a competent front office to point the finger at when he loses since his cover of being the real GM in Cleveland had been blown and the acquisition of teammates and losses fell on his shoulders. Lebron has an inferiority complex. He so afraid of losing that he looks for more excuses to shield him from losing rather than find ways to win. 2011 Finals ruined his psyche and this season when he fails to not only win a championship but fails to make it to the finals along with Lakers fans and Lakers legends questioning his motor, it’ll completely break his psyche. The minute Steph gets that 4th ring, he will take Lebron’s spot in my top 5.



That family narrative is a thinly veiled and honestly a pathetic excuse. With all the money and resources Lebron has why is he always throwing his family into the equation as if they’re financially struggling or in unfavorable situations. This ***** think he’s James Evans or some ****. You got a private jet, you can live any lifestyle you want without compromising your job. How do you disrespect your hometown twice? The people that loved you and supported when the rest of the world heard the name Lebron and attributed to some ghetto baby nonsense. He thinks one championship is enough of a payment for the village that raised him? The clown doesn’t want to retire and leave his legacy gracefully and would rather make a fool out of himself by shouldering the weight of the most storied franchise in the NBA while heading to age 34 in his 16th season and thinking he’s immune to a major injury. Can’t wait to watch this

Damn that was a deep psychoanalysis of the situation. I see how you feel

 

[N41D]

They are a fringe playoff team if they don’t trade Kevin love
Keyword trade

No they're not. They're a solid lock for the Lottery.

 

[Bert.]

Actually Lebby going west weirdly makes it easier for the west conference winner to face a tougher opponent in Boston

Cleveland was on fumes and lucky Boston wasn’t healthy

Boston just has to stay healthy and get past philly

Boston can get past philly without Kylie or GH

Boston will be just fine. No offense to soxera fans, teams great but it’s not like they jumped up to top team in the east now

 

[dman14]

we need that type of shenanigans in the nba. that pistons/pacers brawl
i think it would stop a lot of the fake woofing from guys

 

[Moheezy]

1st rd exit? The team as currently constructed is better or as good as every team in the West outside of HOU and GS.

Maybe instead of going all in on Kawhi. They swing a deal for Kemba which wouldn't require near the amount of assets.

The team without LeBron was a lottery team, none of the players move the needle. I mean it's still very realistic all the youngsters improve next year, but judging from last year's performance, it's hard to see this team achieving anything. Heck, even Luke hasn't done much since joining the Lakers.

Kemba will be a good look, and the more the Hornets wait, the cheaper he gets. But you would basically be giving up one of the young assets which I don't think is a good look for someone in Kemba's caliber. Especially since Ball is there.

I wonder if a player like CJ will be available for cap relief.