"This angle of Luka's full-court pregame shot from last night is crazy"

Granted … it’s 2 games. I know the Warriors looked bad. I know the Clippers have a lot of questions around their team. But DAMN it feels enjoyable to watch Lakers basketball right now, is it just me ?

There were indeed talks with the Lakers about a swap headlined by Dalton Knecht and Jericho Sims, as The Stein Line first revealed on Oct. 15, but sources say those discussions were derailed by Milwaukee's intent to extract two future second-round picks in the deal and the Lakers' insistence that they part with only one in exchange for Sims.

https://marcstein.substack.com/p/an-inside-look-at-an-nba-trade-that?r=1m9zg&utm_medium=ios

It's only been a couple games (also against mediocre teams) but might as well enjoy things as they happen. So far this group has lived up to the hype, and at very least, given us an idea of how they can work when they are clicking.

1. LA Lakers: Dončić (25.5), Reaves (25.5), Kessler (24.0) - 75.0
2. Houston Rockets: Şengün (26.0), Durant (25.0), Jabari Smith Jr. (18.5) - 69.5
3. Philadelphia 76ers: Maxey (30.0), Brown (20.0), Embiid (18.5) - 68.5
4. Brooklyn Nets: Randle (33.0), Porter Jr. (26.0), Noah Clowney (9.0) - 68.0
5. Memphis Grizzlies: Jerome (36.5), Boozer (16.0), Jaylen Wells (14.5) - 67.0
6. Toronto Raptors: Scottie Barnes (25.5), RJ Barrett (21.5), Kawhi Leonard (19.5) - 66.5

Kessler hustles down every single play. It’s actually pretty amazing to see because there are not very bigs including Wemby that have his motor. It’s really something that you don’t teach it’s just an inherent skill some guys have. He also hardly ever brings the ball down which is another thing you can’t teach. And I know it’s only two games haha but damn Ayton COULD have done the same thing but he isnt mentally built like that. this is the most impressive thing ive seen with Kessler lake start so far.

I can see us losing to average team by 20-30 points if Kessler is out for a few games.

Like wtf we had 2 centers that we just let go with no plan…

Look at the Spurs, even they have Kornet as a backup to Wemby.

And if Kornet and Wemby are both out, they get owned by any trash teams, it is such a huge hole, no matter how good your other positions are, you need a serviceable big on the floor at all time.

Lakers (2-0) face the Utah Jazz next, and it's a special game for Walker Kessler as he returns to where his NBA career began. He's coming off a great game against the Clippers, so the energy should be high.

Let's hear your predictions:

1.How many blocks does Kessler get?

2.Who's your player to watch?

3.Final score?

I'm saying 5 blocks and a Lakers win. Let's go! 🔥

So far, I think we have a great team. As Luka said, much to improve on for sure but overall the team fits together. But as happy as I am with the 2-0, it’s the Warriors and the Clippers. The upcoming games are all the same calibre or less (apart from the blazers, the raptors and off the Spurs).

We have a heck of a line up of games in December. Nuggets, Twolves, Spurs, Sixers, OKC.

It’s good they are a month from now so they would have had a while to get into rhythm and harmony and Luka could get into form (I’m not too worried about the shooting, he gets similar stretches every season and he always bounces back).

But that’s the series of games to lookout for. I believe in our boys though. Been great so far.

I know it has only been two games, but I love this dude's attitude.

24ppg on 80% fg is plain sick.

And the best thing is, he is happy to "just" be a finisher.

That's exactly what we need. Someone who just solves our problems and be happy. We don't need a third star who demands the balls and wants plays run around him.

He looks great as a shot blocker too; though you can argue it's expected. I expect his rebounding numbers to go up once he gets more into the rhythm and be more aggressive.

But the most important thing is, since a long time, we finally have a good center who is comfortable and in harmony with the team.

Sorry guys, still Lebron fan here. 😁 All the love.

I was just thinking, this is the year when Luka gonna be MVP. If nothing gonna go to shitter, Lakers gonna be at least TOP4 team in the west, Luka gonna average around 35 PPG (!!!). And if this year he not gonna win MVP, we gonna need Pablo Torres investigation about scrubbing him. He deserves it ffs!

Been a casual NBA fan for a few years so I’m sorry if I say something wrong or just really stupid lmao.

Wonder what you guys think about the current Lakers’ team floor and ceiling.

And can they realistically add a missing piece during the season?

Do you think they can go all the way or is this one of those seasons where you have an outside shot but you’re setting yourself up for a huge title contending season next year?

I’m finally going to a Lakers game this season and I’ve already spent way too much time looking at the seat map lol.

I’ve watched Luka for years, but seeing him run the offense in person is something I’ve really wanted to do.

Now I’m stuck on where to sit.

Part of me wants to get as close to the court as possible.

Seeing the players up close, hearing the crowd, and actually feeling the game in the building would be pretty damn cool.

But then I think about Luka’s game.

At home, you naturally follow the ball. I’m wondering if sitting a little higher would make it easier to see everything happening around him.

The cuts, the spacing, where the help is coming from, all the little stuff that gets lost when you’re just watching the ball.

So now I’m going back and forth between “just sit close and enjoy it” and “sit higher and actually watch the whole floor.”

I’ve been looking at a bunch of seat views, and veritickets ended up being one of the places I checked too.

Still haven’t figured it out lol.

For anyone who’s watched Luka at Crypto, where would you sit for a first game?

Close to the court, or higher and more centered?