Great start

[GoldenRam]

Old man LePussy out, 3 games in and Luka now out, Hayes out. These guys are literally made from spun sugar. Bron needs to retire and release that money so the Lakers can sign players. Luka, after all the better shape shit, still goes down after 2 games, and figures to miss the next 4. This is not a team that can sustain those two guys being out, because they have SO much wrapped up in these dudes they can't buy a bench

[GoldenRam]

High five to AR .. 51/10/9 game .. Lakers pull one out

[GlendoraRam]

[GoldenRam]

Nice to see him get the 50 game. Kid has some holes, but most do, but can't fault his effort. He is definitely in it to win it whenever he steps on that floor. Also just tries to work with his team. Heard Ayton was saying that AR has been dissecting his game in practice. Then today, he works some offense to Ayton. Did the same with Bron, AD, Monk. Seems to realize understanding the games of his guys makes him more valuable and helps get more out of everyone. He's there when they need him, I recall a late season game last year when Vando was losing it on an opposing player, Reaves walked in, grabbed Vando and marched his ass out of the confrontation just before JJ came out to cool him down. Just literally bear hugged him and moved him away.

I suspect that at some point, he'll be elsewhere, but I like the kid.

[GoldenRam]

Damn, kid had another game. Not crazy about 8 turnovers, but when you literally have NOBODY else who can create and handle the rock, you are going to end up with turnovers. Right now, the only other guy who can handle the rock is Bronny and he is giving you NOTHING on the floor. 41 points, on efficient shooting while essentially being the ONLY threat out there. Every game he plays without Luka/Bron is a monster.

Raise your hands all of you who though AR would be leading the league in points scored even after 4 games, while shooting 57%, 40+ from 3 and a true shooting % of 73, while picking up 7 boards and 8 assists a game. Problem with assists is that they require some ELSE to do the heavy lifting, i.e. MAKING a shot and right now, especially from 3, Lakers have damn few people who can DO that and 2 of them are not playing.

No way this continues, especially once Luka and eventually, Bron return to the lineup and opportunities for shots, handling move elsewhere, but it shows the kid has the skills. Also shows we don't want this kid on ANY Western Conference team if we move him

[GoldenRam]

Well, not the best shooting game but AR with another big game, 28, 16 assists, just 3 turnovers and the game winner. They are wearing this guy out. They have nobody else who can create right now, and the fact that he's doing this as the FOCUS of the opposing defense is nuts. This guy is not a role player, he is a borderline to flat out star at this point. Numbers will go down when Luka and LeCramps are back, but he's putting money in his future bag right now

Lakers improve to 3-2, 2-1 minus Luka and LBJ. Could maybe have won the Portland game if they had ANYTHING on the bench and another shot creator for when AR sat, but is what it is.

Very nice offensive game from LaRavia, I think he improves as he gets more comfortable with these guys, same with Ayton, though Ayton is playing pretty well. Vanderbilt with a good job on the offensive glass as well.

One thing that seems to stand out is pretty much all the guys seem to genuinely like AR, even the newer ones.

[GoldenRam]

Apparently, right now, it makes no difference who plays or doesn't play for the Lakers in any specific game. No Bron, No Luka, No AR, No problem. Rui steps up for 28, Ayton steps up for 29 and Nick Smith Jr steps up off the bench for 25, and the beat goes on. Lakers up to 6-2 without Bron, 3-1 without Luka and 1-0 without AR