New look Lakers practicing in Slovenia
I feel like the Lakers have been “new look” every other year since 2019.
Losing LeBron is a pretty major change in look
They got LeBron at home.
LeBron at home.
We have been but this time we actually have long term contracts
Rob “Player Option” Pelinka
That’s one of the issues. No continuation of the squad. All the built up chemistry for nothing cuz roster changes drastically every year
destination cities like LA can pretty much always get the affordable free agents they want so i think that’s why they cycle so many players
Even though it might be true that LA is a destination city, the Lakers are terrible at getting good free agents. Plus players have enough money nowadays that it doesnt really matter where they play during the season. They can still live where they want.
Which teams have been better at getting FA, and who did they get?
2016 honestly
look like an LA fitness team but they’ll be cold
What LA fitness you goin to? Lmao neither of mine look anything like this.
he saw that comment somewhere else so he had copy paste it in every Laker post.
I’d love to see Luka and AR do work against an LA fitness team. That would be hilarious
LA Fitness Lakers is a great moniker
LOL far from it buddy
That’s a wild statement to make. No LA fitness has 7’2 athletic dudes playing with a bunch of +6’5 dudes.
On this sub you can be racist against anyone but black people. It’s interesting
take a joke, dork
I don’t think you understand what racism means
Dang, even Knecht is there.
I had to do a double take but it looks like an insanely in shape Looney too.
Yes he is still trying to knecht with the team
He finally Knechted with a center
Even Kaluma Okereke and Manon are there.
Knecht is in for a big year.
What’s crazy is guaranteed at least one of them is getting cut or traded. Lakers still have 16 signed (that are not two-way)
Bro, remind me of that guy from the previous season Summer league
He was undrafted, made superb plays for Lakers in Summer league, everyone was raving about how guy deserves a spot before Bronny, it was a story back then
Never heard of the guy again
Can anyone figure out who im talking about ?
Quincy Olivari?
Quincy Olivari
Guess it was him, he was good that summer league
YT Highlights
He shot 1-5 from 3 in his 10 nba minutes and 33.8% from 3 in his G-League career. As a 6’2 guard you need to be elite from the perimeter, especially when your defense is lacking like his was. I think Detroit gave him a shot in their training camp, but must not have seen anything they liked either.
Carr is not there, so it’s not guaranteed.
Lowkey think some pressure is off with Bron gone for them
but how will the Lakers thrive without Rich Paul doing podcasts and proposing mock trades about them midseason?
ESPN will pick up the slack
If I’m them im happy. A little less attention on them. Lakers already get so much especially cause of Luka
Everyone seems kinda down on the team, but I think they’ve got a reasonably good shot to be the best Lakers squad since their last chip.
LeBron is crazy good for a 41 year old, but very far off his prime self, and he just didn’t fit that well with the rest of the team.
Kessler fills major needs for them, he’s a huge dude who’s gonna be great in the pick and roll with both Luka and AR, a legit lob threat, a paint protector and rebounder. They really needed a player like him. Mamu will bring hustle and shooting, also needed. Overall it just feels like a roster actually properly built around Luka, they could be really quite good. Something roughly like this:
Luka - Sexton AR - Carr - Bronny Grimes - Thybulle - Knecht LaRavia - Ziaire - Vando Kessler - Mamu - Looney
Guys have clear roles, it makes sense as a team, and I see nothing wrong with a team built around Luka/AR/Kessler and a bunch of pretty decent role players.
Much younger than recent Lakers teams too. They’ve had a lot of old man teams, on this squad Looney is the oldest at 30 and everyone else is in their 20s (Thybulle 29, AR 28, everyone else 27 or younger). Just means they can run/hustle more, and less injury risk.
And now that Denver lost Watson, who else besides OKC and SAS are clearly better than this squad?
I know MIN and HOU are always in the mix, but if the Lakers edge them out in the final standings, I don’t think it’s that shocking. They can reasonably end up at #3 again barring injury.
So Looney is just 30? wtf? I thought this guy is pushing mid 30s. haha
Yeah he’s an old 30 for sure 😆
Grimes Thybulle LaRavia Ziaire will be the downfall of the roster
That certainly looks like the weakest chains in the link, but maybe swap out Grimes for Vando. Grimes has the potential to be a legit 2-way for us.
That’s still missing a starting 4 and a legit backup 5. Meanwhile the big 3 all have injury concerns. It’s a huge risk.
What does this even mean?
They won 53 games last season do you expect much of an improvement?
They’re still the lakers but maybe people will care a little less about them now that bron is gone and it surely cant hurt having less 14 year old stephen a fans whining about how everyone on the team is trash
Instead the Luka fans will be whining about how everyone on the team is trash
You are in for a rude awakening lmao
I expect all teams to struggle more tbh now that we won’t have basically 33% of the league tanking
At least the family pressure is out from the locker room. No more awkwardness where Bronny doesn’t want to do taco tuesday and LeBron thinks he hates him now and quietly cries in the shower, while everyone pretends they heard nothing
Look that only happened once it’s nbd
I’m guessing this sounded funny in your head.
Pressures more on. They HAVE to succeed and soon with Luka or they’re gonna be torn apart
ah yes because Lakers fans are pretty reasonable when it comes to expectations.
The pressure is way higher because if they aren’t top contenders Luka is gone - tf he going to do against OKC and Wemby for the next 10 years? Bron leaving was a given by either retirement or ring chasing. Unless they can get Jokic or another All-NBA player on a sweetheart deal that team is stuck with Walker Kessler and AR.
The Thunder & Spurs are going to have to start paying guys soon. What are you smoking that makes you think they are going to be a lock for 10 years?
Actually the pressure will be on for Luka and AR. Bron is not there to bail them out when they make mistakes or get hurt, and he isn’t the scapegoat for the Lakers’ bad defense anymore.
Unless that team chemistry bonus really hits, I don’t see how the Lakers improved enough defensively to be a finals team.
Yow, we have 2 ARs
Was confused for a second lol thought I was seeing doubles
4 krustys?
Luka got sued 50 million and hasn’t ate since. He looks sophomore year lean all jokes aside
what a breakup can do for a man!
The cycle continues
Nah, he hasnt been like this since Rookie year. Unless he eats a pig daily he aint getting fat during the season.
I mean we’ll see, hard to keep a diet going when you’re flying every couple days
Everyone is talking about the weight, but holy hair i just wanna smell it.
Least sexual r/nba comment
That’s crazy
that hair is about to make me act up
Nah thats rookie Luka. He was already thick in his 2nd yr.
Luka got home court advantage
Putting the house on Luka MVP He may average 35/10/10
I read this comment and was like “no way that’s happening” and then I realized he averaged 34/10/9 a couple years ago fat and out of shape. 35/10/10 is easily in Luka’s ballpark
Yeah I’ve been a huge Luka fan since he was 17 Wanted the suns to draft him thought we were we even hired one of his coaches and then draft ayton 🤦
He has never looked better to me and this team is built around him specifically in a way like the mavs were when he went to the finals and no one thought they would. Lakers gonna be scary
I feel like this team a perfect regular season team around Luka. They will go for no. 1 seed but during the playoffs they will encounter match up problems with the likes of San Antonio/OKC even Denver.
This is the biggest issue of current Lakers. Besides Luka and a little bit of Reaves, none of the other guys are playoff proven/trusted enough. Kuminga for better or worse has shown ability to score 20+ in playoff atmosphere.
Which is fine, no one expects the Lakers to be real contenders after that much of an overhaul.
But after a year of seasoning and another offseason, the Lakers themselves expect to be in the “contender” mix, presumably with the starting-4 and backup-5 solidified.
I promise you Kuminga is not putting you over the top in the playoffs.
what are you on he wasn’t out of shape that season
But that’s the issue, he got similar numbers 2 times, but the same guys who vote were like “idk man is he better than Jaylen Brown, he is 2nd team for me”. The supporting cast is obviously way behind Spurs and OKC, so the seeding issue will be a problem yet again. To win by just numbers, he would need to average like 40/10/10 and get a top 4 seed at worst
I mean with all the discourse this year its actually possible that he could win it if the Lakers finish top 3, which is very possible.
Most people are writting them off and they lost LeBron so Luka should have the narrative on his side, which is what usually secures that first MVP for players
Doesn’t matter what his numbers are, I think it’s more about if he can carry this team to a top2/3 seed throughout the year. He had a very strong March but people were already decided who were contenders for mvp. So, a good start of the season can help a lot
Same thing back in 2023-2024, Mavs were mid until the post trade deadline and made a push from play-ins to almost 4th seed. Averaged 34-9-9 throughout the year but voters have already decided months before end of season..
I’ll bet 5 racks with you that he won’t.
I’ll take you up on that
set a remindme
u/remindmebot 180 days
u/RemindMeBot 59 days
This mf really betting an equal odds 5k bet on Luka while the other dude gets to take the field lmaooooo
Ill bet 5 racks the lakers have a better reg season record than the Knicks
Knicks fans are delusional now and quickly forget that last season was a fluke.
Kinda reminds me of the GS Boston finals More talent but lost
Boston was the better team but still too young and learned some lessons then won the next year. Can see the spurs doing that now
Fluke how? Odds are we won’t repeat, but we had the best playoff point differential in NBA history. If that’s a fluke, what do we call it when an old team gets a 3 month break to get healthy before the playoffs and then wins at fucking Disney World but loses in the first round of the playoffs the next year as soon as things go back to normal?
You mean the team that played on a completely neutral court with zero home games as a top seed and had to play into October? That team?
You can call the bubble ring a fluke if you want. My only point is the Knicks have been a joke franchise forever which is why we all rooted for you guys but now you’re acting like you have a dynasty lol. I bet you the lakers do better than the Knicks next year.
I wouldn’t, voters simply hate the guy, he was bringing a terribly constructed roster to a top 3-4 seed last season averaging like 33/8/8, all the guy got was shit on for not doing more. Wemby is an easy lock, he has the narrative, he has the supporting cast to win games
(he’s also the better player)
I disagree but who cares
I just want to see him healthy going into the playoffs seeded, Lakers should scare your squad if this is the case
That might be a good bet. Haven’t seen him that skinny since his rookie season.
Right. He is around 6⁄1 or 7⁄1. Only behind Wemby and Shai.
Lakers organization couldn’t afford Rudy Gobert’s editor
That video was so clean.
which one
That video
Send da video
which one?
Thank you, Oda
Gobert should spend that money on a trainer teaching him how to catch a basic pass
People like to mock Gobert, but he’s clearly one of the hardest working players in the NBA. He’s not especially coordinated but out-trains and outworks just about everyone.
Edit: Anyone arguing against this must not even follow the NBA. This isn’t a hot take. It’s well known by everyone but a couple redditors apparently.
Source: your ass
If you’ve never heard that about Gobert, you just aren’t paying attention to the NBA. That’s as cold of a take as saying Steph Curry is a great shooter or Brunson has a big head.
Source: Still your ass
name a starting Center whose a bigger ironman and gives as much effort for the entire game as Gobert. Other teams get their centers and backup centers gassed whike that frenchman is still running up and down as if hes Josh Hart and not a 6’11 giant.
blud got outrebounded by a rookie center in the Mavs series
got outscored by Bismack Biyombo and Luke Kornet in elimination game of Spurs series
Jaxson Hayes’ hometown
Meanwhile poor Kawhi has to hang out all alone in China because he didn’t know which teammates to invite.
That time of year where Luka looks lean af
He looked lean asf all last season tbf
[removed]
sex robot sex robot
When know u know? Why use many words when few do trick
Whitest Kids U Know
I thought of the common acronym ‘When You Know You Know’ which I think is more prevalent. Love the Whitest Kids You Know but haven’t seen a lot recently since outside of just after Trevor’s death
ur right it is, think they were just commenting on the many white players on the Lakers.
Side note: I think Zach Cregger has alluded to the fact that his movie Weapons was based around Trevor’s death
Man I was so fucking bummed when Trevor died. I’ll have to check it out
That would be wykyk
Yes which is why I said ‘When Know You Know’ in my original comment. I thought they missed a letter and was making an Office reference
The Newtah Jazz
we got Luke Donovan over here in the headband
Luka body transformation is kinda insane
We need Headband Luka this season. Remember the last time he wore headband in games?
Kessler looks good out there.
Ayo
3pt specialist vando season incoming
Season can’t start fast enough
I am fully erect
Headband Luka?!
I genuinely couldn’t tell reaves and luka a part for a min lmao
Grimes handles look panicked even in practice lol. Dude is a nightmare to watch with the ball in his hands.
Boutta be a long ass season
Glad I’m not the only one that thinks so. I’m just not confident in this team, I pray they prove me wrong but I just need to see it.
The LA Quakers
Where Brony?
Wow Doncic is very slim. Is Bronnie still on the team? If I’m not mistaken…
oof this is gonna be so bad…
How many of these guys are in Slovenia on a work visa?
Its wild to see no flopping for once
Hopefully they do better now LeBron is gone
Lebron carried an Luka-less and mostly AR-less Lakers to a series win just this past season. I’m trying to understand how he possibly held them back and how the Lakers should somehow be better with him gone.
LeBron isn’t a team player he thinks he’s the main character
He literally played the 3rd option when Luka and AR were healthy
They will. He got his numbers but provided nothing on defense
Getting conditioned to be shipped overseas
They finally found a league that squad can dominate.
Meanwhile the Nuggets have a four game (0-4) losing streak to the Lakers since Luka joined
I wish you luck on making it through the play ins. It will be nice to have bbq chicken in round one, we’re gonna need a series off tbh.
So you agree the Nuggets are a playin team?
I said the lakers are the play in team because we would meet in round 1. Are you jealous of the diff in Cleveland?
Anyway, nuggets are going to be statistical beasts and have a great regular season record because they have dog water on the bench. They will have the #1 offense in the league again and break down physically like they have the past 2 times out.
If we have a soft opponent like the 26-27 lakers we then have an easy sweep and a week off. It will take some luck for the lakers to make the playin but like I said, I’m hopeful for you 👍
Yall couldn’t even beat the lower seeded Twolves’ 3^rd stringers last year in the first round, and you think you’re going to win a first round series this year after making no moves? Okay lol. Just another year older and a worse team. The window is closed. Lakers swept you in the regular season last year, they’ll probably sweep you again this year.
Please use your reading eyes. The wolves are a physical team, the clippers and then okc the year before were also physical. I specifically said if we had a _SOFT_ opponent it would be ideal for where the nuggets will be at that time of the year. Lakers fit that bill perfectly. Good luck brother!
After Jordan there was a while when everyone played like him. Jordan had an aesthetically pleasing game so it wasn’t bad. Now everyone plays like Harden…….
Cool. Stay there
All these teams trying to bond this summer just because the knicks won through the power of friendship lol
Getting a lot of looks at the upcoming 7 seed power house lmao
This is like when the nfl does hard knocks for the dolphins and then they go 4-12
Was Melania there? Fucking Trump ass team would 1000% visit the White House if they somehow won the title.
Didn’t your owner just say he is accepting the invitation for the Knicks to go to the white house?
I think two things can be true. They’re going to be a ton of fun to watch and they’re not really going to be serious contenders as currently constructed
I see a Luka Joker team up coming. I’m just not sure which team it’s going to be
(Not the nuggets, lol)
IMO, obviously they have tons of talent, but Luka and Jokic are not a good pairing. Luka needs a defensive big. Not to mention both of their massive contracts and I don’t think either is actually leaving anytime soon despite what some journalists would suggest.
I think these guys would rather play with their friends and depend on their talent to take them over the top. That’s why people like you and I can’t understand. I doubt they give a shit what some analyst in Milwaukee thinks
They look awfully pastey
Gonna be pretty clear how much of a loss Bron was reeeeal quick
Sold 7th seed
So when they’re a top 4 seed for the third year in a row will you still be calling them a play in team?
Not happening. All it takes is one Luka injury and they are finished. Probably not even making the playoffs.
Sure bud
Absolutely a new bad ass look now that we finally got rid of overrated bums like Rui Kusomuri! Gonna be a great year!
Looks weird seeing them not flopping and complaining to the refs
“New lakers look”
*First round exit*
The Luka PR machine is working overtime. A lot of teams have been holding little camps in different spots traveling together and posting about it on socials but it’s kept to their team subs lol this Luka hosting the team in Slovenia thing has been pushed for months now even before it happened we heard about it multiple times and now everything they do is posted on the main sub. So weird lol
Because they are a popular team. It’s not that weird.
The Luka PR machine is working overtime. A lot of teams have been holding little camps in different spots
Then maybe those PR teams should post it, and their fans can upvote it instead of bitching all the time.
“working overtime” and it’s just a couple posts on r/nba
Fans are posting something on NBA subreddit about the most popular team in the league? (Non fans also farming likes by posting about Lakers). You are right it must be Luka PR machine, lol
I never see you all complaining when people post repetitive negative posts about Lakers that usually are not posted that frequently about smaller teams. You find it weird only when posts are not negative.
its only because this sub is r/lakers
Y’all have posted them riding a boat. Visiting an old basketball court. Riding bikes. Getting off a bus.
How much more laker propaganda do we need man
It’s all coming up Disney.
You know these dudes are so stoked to have dead weight LeBron off the team
“Dead weight” that took them to the 2nd round while their franchise player sat courtside
delusional
They’re worse without him lol they got no one else on the team aside from luka that can do what he provided
Thunder flair iq on display
Says the one who’s calling Lebron dead weight on any team. Just say you’re a jordan glazer
Jordan played half as much as LeBron and achieved twice as much lmaooo. Mald
plumbers and mailmen
Wild cope