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Lakers Set For Future Success, Rui vs Vando, Is An NBA Championship In The Cards?



The moves the Lakers made this summer have them as one of the winners of free agency but what we haven’t talked enough about is how well set up they are for future success, even in a post-LeBron world. Additionally, Trevor Lane takes a look at the debate between starting Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt as well as whether or not these Lakers are truly a championship-caliber team….

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47 Comments

  1. Can Lakers win west champs…. NO…. Denver now better with Joker & coach Ham dull knife in playoff.

  2. The Lakers have been hitting up McDonald's for years. This year they bought their own groceries to try and make a dinner at home

  3. THis team really has almost everything, and they are young yet experienced at the same time. they are set on the wings, PG, and in the frontcourt. A stretch 5 would really complete them but not needed. They even have talented wings like Reddish, Lewis, and even Hayes that have the talent to really make a mark on this team in a small role.

  4. Vando is a minutes eater for the regular season, and like last seasons playoffs he will be phased out to no mins. Prince, cam reddish, max christie all can do what Vando does on top of scoring, which vando can’t do. Rui will start, our bench is too deep. Lebron probably averages 25 mins per game with all the scoring we have now

  5. AR/LBJ/AD are loc(k)ed in as Starters however, I think that PG Role us up for grabs along with that other Forward Position.

    Personally, I think Rui will start however, I think they are molding Rui to take over for LBJ when He leaves so, I think Rui will play the majority of His minutes when LBJ is off the Court and Vando will play the majority of His minutes with LBJ.

  6. AR/LBJ/AD are loc(k)ed in as Starters however, I think that PG Role us up for grabs along with that other Forward Position.

    Personally, I think Rui will start however, I think they are molding Rui to take over for LBJ when He leaves so, I think Rui will play the majority of His minutes when LBJ is off the Court and Vando will play the majority of His minutes with LBJ.

  7. AR/LBJ/AD are loc(k)ed in as Starters however, I think that PG Role us up for grabs along with that other Forward Position.

    Personally, I think Rui will start however, I think they are molding Rui to take over for LBJ when He leaves so, I think Rui will play the majority of His minutes when LBJ is off the Court and Vando will play the majority of His minutes with LBJ.

  8. I cant believe why any of laker nation not mentioning a possiblr damian lilard trade, blazers will gladly take Ar15 over tyler hero and add to that max christie and the 17th rookie pick, plus unprotected 3 first round picks, add dlo to make salries match, a starting 5 of damian lilard, prince,lebron,rui hachi and AD will be favorites in the west, we need to go all in it might be lebron last chance at a championship.

  9. You guys don't get it.
    If AD is defending the 4, that means LeBron has to defend 3. And in all likelihood that means they will only have two shooters on the court.

  10. If only Vando could get a reliable 3-point shot he could be another Big shot Bob Robert Horry!

  11. Trevor, why do you continue to push the narrative of signing AD to an extension based on his happiness? This is a business and the organization has to make calculated decisions that's in the best interest of the franchise. If he starts pouting because he didn't get a contract extension offer, then he can take his talents somewhere else. The Lakers should be in no rush to extend him before the season. Let's see if he can come into camp in better shape, since the 2020 season, with a hunger mindset to dominate every single night and not disappear. He already has the label of not being reliable based on injuries and a shaky mindset and you want to just give him a bunch of money and 5 more years? No Thank you! They can extend him at any time during the season if necessary.

    Everyone keeps saying we don't know have anyone to guard Jokic but we do. His name is AD. He's given all the bigs the business in the past, – (Emid, Giannis and Joker). He had 40 points, 10 rebounds and 3 blocks in game 1 of the WCF against Joker. What happened the rest of the way though, especially in Game 4? Disappeared, no hunger or desire and was out of shape compared to his opponent. Also don't compare Lebron signing his extension because you know what you are getting each and every night.

  12. Lakers need to add WOOD !!!! Ad Will go down like usual. Having wood and that guy from pelicans , lakers will be alright. Lebron will be alright. Reeves. Rui. Max playing big minutes instead of vando or Dlo. Lakers will be alright.

  13. Nooooo. Rui is getting paid 16 mill. He’s starting. Fuck that. Vando can come in as a d stopper and clutch d situations. That’s it. Dude can’t shoot.

  14. Yes, the Lakers are definitely a championship caliber team, but whether or not it becomes one will depend on how much effort they make, how bad do they want it. They have the depth, they have the defense, and they have two quality stars. We have yet to see the level of their offensive capabilities, especially outside shooting. If they have that, they will be virtually unstoppable. One way to maintain AD is to get another big man that can do what he does. Otherwise, injuries may also prevent success.

  15. Also, I'm still sad they let Lonnie walk, but I guess that is what you are supposed to let a Walker do! 😢

  16. I do not want Rui to start. Having Vando and Hayes off of the bench together sounds like a disaster.

  17. sign and trade for wood on the minimum salary to get his birth rights for a second rounder and we can resign him if it works next summer

  18. I keep hearing Wood referred to as a big man for a center at 6'9" 214lb small fraem. The average center in the west is 6'11 260lbs. Joker is 280lbs.

  19. From a Bron fan perspective. I dont think or know why people are stuck on this timeline of he's instantly going to go play with his son for one season and just retire. Depending on how good he looks this season i can easily see him re-signing with the Lakers or another team being the 3rd man on a deal to compete for another championship. And then go and play and retire along side his son. Thats the best outcome from a Bron fan.

  20. Trade DLo for Ben Simmons trust me (if you know you know) we have enough scoring, his defense 1-5 his play making and rebounding plus 6’11 240 pnd frame would compliment our squad now and after bron retires. All the people crying ben cant shoot just stop before you start.

  21. I don't care who starts, It's about who ends the game. It's surely AR, AD and Bron plus Gabe, Prince or Dlo depending who's hot,
    And Vando, Rui or Jax depending on the match up.

  22. No Championship is going to have starting lineups based on matchups. The opponent needs to adjust to the Lakers.

  23. I believe the missing piece for this roster is a big, strong, rebounder and shot-blocker at Center. We should be pretty good as is but we would be able to match up with any team.

  24. Trevor!!! Lebron is following his son. AD is following his agent. Which is not the lakers.

  25. The thing that can make the Lakers a championship team will be their second team which can make their mark as a great defensive team.

  26. Cleveland draft brony Jr, trade LeBron for Donovan mitchell. No extension for ad without championship game appearance. Vando start.

  27. The Lakers front office claiming that they prioritized talent over fit is simply not true. If it was so, then they should have drafted Cam over Jalen. Given he has behavioral issues, was it that extreme they do not trust Ham and LBJ's influence together with the battery of assistant coaches to somehow change that? Cam is the more talented, with higher ceiling, more athletic and clearly the bigger player and as fast if not even faster than Jalen. Now if it so happens it doesn't really work, you still have Max Lewis as an insurance wing.

  28. When you lose in a 4-0 sweep during the Western Conference Finals, the 2025 season is not important. Win now mode, NBA Championship or Bust.

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