There’s no question in my mind that the Lakers need to find a third superstar if they want to beat the Nets in the NBA Finals. The problem the Lakers face is a math problem: 3 > 2 and 2 > 1. With just LeBron and AD, the Lakers are going to always have one less superstar on the court all 48 minutes of each game.
That means either Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, or James Harden is going to be defended by someone other than LeBron James or Anthony Davis. How comfortable do you feel about that? Do you think Caruso can stop Harden 1-on-1 or Schroder can stop Kyrie 1-0n-1? How do you think our trapping and rotating defense is going to do when 3 of the 5 players the Nets have on the court are superstars? That’s going to make trapping and doubling hard.
What we need is a third superstar to level the playing field. We also need that third superstar to be a guard because two of the Nets’ three superstars are guards and neither of the two superstars we have now are guards. Yes, LeBron and AD can defend guards like Kyrie and Harden but then who defends Durant? Gasol? Trezz? Kuzma? We need a former All-Defensive player like Victor Oladipo.
Finally, the reason Oladipo is the right move is he can deliver 20+ points per game and take 7 to 8 threes per game. Right now, Kyrie and James average 29 points more than KCP and Dennis average. That’s a point differential that will kill the Lakers unless they make moves to replace KCP and Victor is the best and most affordable two-way option out there.
Put him on the court with LeBron and AD and he will become the player he was when he won MIP, All- NBA, and All-Defensive two years ago. He will thrive as a third option and be the perfect backcourt mate to play with Schroder. It’s a move the Lakers can make. It will cost KCP, Kuzma, and THT but give the Lakers the edge in wininng #18.
Coffin dropped into the ground on their dynasty in 2019. With this, they just put the dirt over the gravesite. It’s over. 2020 Can’t end fast enough. And no lover of competition ever wants to see the competition go out like this. Beat them at their best!
Pacific division is a 3 horse race: Lakers, Clippers, Suns
yup
Sometimes when you get to cocky, karma kicks you in the ass hard. Just a shame that it was Klay in the way. Class guy, wish him well. Saw Boogie give him a Tweet wishing him well. Looking for a Boogie signing tomorrow.
I think by the playoffs, it will be the Lakers running away again but Suns could ‘Eclipse’ the Clippers. Love that phrase, ‘Eclipse’ the Clippers. Inspires me to write an article on that subject. LOL.
Nothing to like here. Makes me wonder if they might use that trade exception they picked up for AI to offer KCP a deal to stay competitive. Can’t tread water on another year of the career’s of Curry and Green AND they found out the 50% plan was rejected today. Bad day to be a Dubs fan…