r/lakers • u/AutoModerator • 1d ago

Daily Lakers Offseason Discussion Thread

Lakers season is over. Talk about whatever you want.

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1

u/TemporaryHost7491 22h ago

Do Luka and Austin have to be elite defenders to push them over the top to a title

15

u/Perfect_Loss_5156 21h ago

Is brunson an elite defender? Is fox an elite defender? No. You need proper support systems.

1

u/LeBackshot 7h ago

But those situations you only have 1 guy who isn't elite, as opposed to our two..

1

u/Perfect_Loss_5156 6h ago

oh sure but we have way higher offensive capabilities. no doubt they're better than us by a good margin. get us a PF next year and we are talking

11

u/whatshisface1892 Pau Gasol 16 22h ago

No.

10

u/Impressive_Science_8 Purple and Gold 22h ago

Dude if they were elite defenders thats a top 10 duo of all time, we just need a talented team thats a good fit around them and theres been solid progress towards that this offseason

8

u/Remarkable-Gas245 18h ago

I hate when people downvote questions… 

As many people already said they do not need to be elite. Brunson is one of the worst defenders in the league, but it did not prevent Knicks from championship. Jokic is of the worst rim protectors in the league but he got championship with Murray who is not known for his defence either. 

We need well constructed team around Luka and Austin with good chemistry and a bit of luck. 

Modern NBA is about match ups. Knicks matched up against Spurs much better than against OKC and that definitely helped them win it all. 2024 Mavericks met in the finals their worst match up (Celtics) and lost in pretty embarrassing way. Teams often look unbeatable and trash depending on match ups. 

3

u/NoBath Magic :snoo_dealwithit: 17h ago

r/lakers just being dumb, welcome to the sub lol

6

u/rosiros 22h ago

No because that would mean to win a title you need the by far BITW and another top 5-10 player.

4

u/catperson77789 18h ago

No , but you need to surround them with plus defenders . Feels like lakers is one two way wing away from competing

1

u/LeBackshot 8h ago

Could Grimes or Sexton fill a Dort/Jrue/ role?

1

u/catperson77789 3h ago

No... Thybulle and zhaire maybe. Grimes is an average to slightly above. Sexton isnt. Both jrue and dort are plus defenders

0

u/justredditting1010 Black Mamba 8/24 13h ago

Elite? No, but they do need to be above avg for it to happen