[Game] 05/82: Kings @ Bulls 29 OCT 2025, 5pm PT/8pm ET

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TheMobb said:
These are the narratives that constantly get repeated that I don’t understand. Do you want a scorer as good as LaVine with no flaws? Because that’s a top 5 player in the league.
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Your mileage obviously varies, but I'd rather have a player who was 70 percent of the scorer LaVine is, but played both sides of the ball. Is that also a "top 5 player in the league"?
 
dude12 said:
Based on what I’m seeing, Doug Christie is a bad bad coach
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The Christie/Perry power structure is off to a rough start. Like mind-blowingly bad.

Again, I've never thought this core was some world-beater contender. But the Perry additions (Dennis/Russ/Eubanks) trading Jval for Saric and then Christie honestly looking like he has no freaking clue on how to balance his rotation. Gives the keys to the offense to Russ. Has an opportunity to let IJ/Maxime/Cardwell maybe carve out a rotation spot, especially while we're struggling with lack of size and they're all glued to the bench. IJ did "something" and lost his rotation spot because Russ has to play 28 MPG now and start at the 4.

I think this is worse than the Kenny Natt era. Didn't know that was possible
 
TheMobb said:
These are the narratives that constantly get repeated that I don’t understand. Do you want a scorer as good as LaVine with no flaws? Because that’s a top 5 player in the league.
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I've been watching him play basketball since he was 18 years old. It may be a narrative to you but to me it's just reality. If we're talking about a hypothetical player who scores the ball like LaVine and also puts in effort on defense, then sure -- I want that player on my team. If we're talking about a hypothetical player who is a poor defender but actually cares, I might want that player on my team if he's a good enough scorer and does something useful like crash the boards or set good picks the rest of the time. Personally, when I watch LaVine I see a player who hurts his team more often than not even when he's putting up numbers. The threat of his shot impacts the game positively on offense but other than that I don't have a single good thing to say about his style of basketball. And it's particularly infuriating to me that really good basketball players who aren't elite shooters have to go find jobs overseas right now because the number of available roster slots is so limited while LaVine is making $47 million this year in the NBA and all he does is make his teams worse.
 
Mr. S£im Citrus said:
Your mileage obviously varies, but I'd rather have a player who was 70 percent of the scorer LaVine is, but played both sides of the ball. Is that also a "top 5 player in the league"?
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I get that and yes two-way players are more valuable overall. But most “70% scorers who play both sides” aren’t actually doing that efficiently at LaVine’s volume. LaVine on a better-structured team with defensive anchors would be ideal and his scoring impact outweighs his defensive flaws.
 
hrdboild said:
I've been watching him play basketball since he was 18 years old. It may be a narrative to you but to me it's just reality. If we're talking about a hypothetical player who scores the ball like LaVine and also puts in effort on defense, then sure -- I want that player on my team. If we're talking about a hypothetical player who is a poor defender but actually cares, I might want that player on my team if he's a good enough scorer and does something useful like crash the boards or set good picks the rest of the time. Personally, when I watch LaVine I see a player who hurts his team more often than not even when he's putting up numbers. The threat of his shot impacts the game positively on offense but other than that I don't have a single good thing to say about his style of basketball. And it's particularly infuriating to me that really good basketball players who aren't elite shooters have to go find jobs overseas right now because the number of available roster slots is so limited while LaVine is making $47 million this year in the NBA and all he does is make his teams worse.
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I get where you’re coming from. He definitely has defensive lapses and tunnel vision moments. But I think “hurts his team more often than not” is too far. LaVine’s efficiency, spacing gravity, and shot creation from all 3 levels are elite skills that most teams need. The problem with this team is more about roster construction. If he’s on the Nuggets with Jokic, Aaron Gordon and Cam Johnson his flaws don’t sink you.
 
TheMobb said:
I get that and yes two-way players are more valuable overall. But most “70% scorers who play both sides” aren’t actually doing that efficiently at LaVine’s volume. LaVine on a better-structured team with defensive anchors would be ideal and his scoring impact outweighs his defensive flaws.
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Nothing can outweigh playing 4 on 5 on defense every single possession. I'm telling you, watch the games like a scout and only focus in on watching LaVine every second he's on the floor and then tell me after even one game if you still want this guy on the team anymore. I think the answer will be no.
 
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