Pre-Game Lakers

dbrown4 wrote:You are welcome 112288!  Thanks for the heads up on the trade deadline in a few days as well.  That will become bigger and bigger as that day gets closer and what Danny is or isn't going to do.  

The losing streak records going into the game tonight are LAL 0-2 and BOS 0-1.  Lakers are going to be playing like it's Game 7 of the Finals.  It's gut check time in Boston.

db  

dboss wrote:db

The Celtics vs Lakers is usually competitive.

I do not think the Celtics have established an everyday lineup yet.

The Lakers have been playing with a big lineup  (Gasol, Davis and James with C-Pope and Schroder in the backcourt)

I think we should play some zone against them.  We could also consider starting Semi at PF but mainly to match up with James.  Or perhaps brad goes with his two center lineup and brings Marcus off the bench.

I think the Lakers should be more concerned with matching up against us because they have to decide who checks Jaylen and who checks Jayson.  Those two have elevated their games to the point where they cannot be guarded one on one.  Help defense will be needed and that should open up opportunities for guys to catch and shoot.

You would think that all their size would translate into being a top 5 rebounding team.  But they are still better then us but not by that much.  Were 21st and they are #18.

They like to get out and run and they shoot the 3 ball well at a 38.8 clip.  

The Lakers have been one of the better defensive teams all year.  A Saturday night game against the defending World Champions should be more than enough motivation to bring forth the A game.

I see a big win for the Celtics in blow out fashions.

dboss wrote:Things are close enough whereby a win kicks you up in the standing and a loss knocks you down.

I really do not like to hype up games beyond reason but make no doubt about it.  This is a huge matchup.  ABC will broadcast the event nationally and those still using rabbit ears or have just basic cable can tune in.  Saturdays have changed.  People are spending countless hour at home.  Even the casual fan probably understands the folk lore behind a Celtics vs Lakers game.

I do not know if any new revelation will reveal itself.  We have a team in search of a more perfect game.  Fans continue to lust over a pocket full of TPE's in hopes that Danny Boy will turn his pocket inside out.  Danny continues to play the long game and is indifferent to the moment before us at this very second.  But we want a winner now.  The 5 year plan looks more like a refi with added years in return for an equity spending shopping trip.  What exactly do we need to beat every team in the NBA?  If you believe that we have enough offensive weapons to match point for point, the focus must turn toward our defense and what piece or positional need will improve it.  If you think that the addition of another excellent offensive player will put us over the top who might that be?  Who goes, who stays?  We've have beaten this theme like a worn out rug that is showing signs of fraying around the edges.  We have reached a plateau where we have 2 elite level players so it seems reasonable that  a tweak here or there could make us invincible.  Do we move a healthy Kemba Walker to realize an improvement in our defense?  Do we move recently acquired Tristian Thompson for a better center?  Do we bundle together a collection of underdeveloped youngsters along with a pick or two to add a guy who will be a top 7 or 8 guy on this team?  Or do we stand pack with the hand that was dealt us and simply call?

One game as big as this one is will not likely to trigger some major move.  Whatever weaknesses exist must manifest themselves so that they are not mistaken for an injury or protocol.

112288 wrote:bBrown

True to your word, thanks for starting the tread.  

I think this game will measure the overall makeup of this team from a personnel standpoint and give Danny an overall assessment of what he needs to fix this team.  

Thompson has been playing poorly since entering the team, and I am not the only one saying it.  All the Boston major media sites have noted this as well.  A bad showing tonight may lead to him being packaged in a deal for a true BIG.

We have a week and a half before the trading deadline, and Danny needs to use the trade exemption cap space to land a good player, $28.5 million to be exact.  Meaning the Celtics can absorb a player making up to that amount without sending a penny of salary out in the deal.

112288