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Gold Tinted Lens @lalbb.bsky.social · 7h

Feels so unfair OKC keeps getting these good draft picks. Bad enough they were the best team in the league then you give them the 12th overall pick too 😭. Stupid Clippers haha

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Gold Tinted Lens @lalbb.bsky.social · 7h

I have been very pleased with the effort from Grimes and he does fight through screens pretty well. Curry did bait him into some pretty bad fouls 😭. Although Curry does that to the best of them. That was also an issue with Smart to be fair.

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Gold Tinted Lens @lalbb.bsky.social · 18h

And the official Salary-Adjusted Final is.... LAKERS 98 - WARRIORS 67.5 Lakers win by 30.5 points😭

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Gold Tinted Lens @lalbb.bsky.social · 19h

Trying to find any way to put this in a positive light, best I have is.. Warriors on court tonight: ~$124.8M Lakers on court tonight: ~$67.9M so technically we are overachieving 😭

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Gold Tinted Lens @lalbb.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Adou's athleticism stands out so much on the court. Not just the athleticism but how he uses it to play the game. He is really learning how to apply it to the things that give him an advantage. Rebounding and defense in particular.

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Ion Ugutz Madariaga @ionugutz.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

It’s only first preseason game, against Sacramento, but I really love this roster, the season seems to be very fun.

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Iztok Franko @iztokfranko.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

After months of talking about a new Lakers identity, we finally got a first look. The motor was on from the get-go. If anything, Game 1 only added to the hype. My first preseason observations👇 digginbasketball.substack.com/p/lakers-kin...

digginbasketball.substack.com

Lakers Preseason Observations: Game 1 vs Kings

If anything, the first preseason game made me even more excited about these Lakers

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Gold Tinted Lens @lalbb.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Seeing Rui on the Clippers makes me so sad. And he looks so good

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Iztok Franko @iztokfranko.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

It took like two media sessions for Matisse Thybulle to become my favorite Lakers interview. Him talking about Walker Kessler’s defensive gravity and everyone else orbiting around it is the kind of insight that makes you think, and exactly the kind of basketball stuff I’m here for.

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Gold Tinted Lens @lalbb.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Seeing Kessler's 3 point shooting form and consistency yesterday has me dreaming 😃

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Gold Tinted Lens @lalbb.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Neither Grimes or Mamu project to shoot with the same efficiency of Rui. But Mamu in particular is a textbook example of exactly what you want next to Luka and AR. All of his shots come exactly where they should. Rim or C&S. Grimes is more complicated....

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Gold Tinted Lens @lalbb.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Really fun exercise. Be interesting to see how we do on shooting, no matter what volume will be up 😂

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Ion Ugutz Madariaga @ionugutz.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

A must-read, data based, analysis that is worth your time, specially if you’re a Laker fan.

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Gold Tinted Lens @lalbb.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Based on last season's defensive impact data. These are the players on the roster who rated out as above average on defense. Kessler's data is useless since it was just 5 games, in the previous year it was in the top 90%. As for Reaves, he rated out as just average, as did Jake and Vando.

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Gold Tinted Lens @lalbb.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

I wish that was how it always worked 😂. But it is the right mindset for a coach for sure!

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Edwin Garcia @ecreates88.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Free for all to read. Subscribe so you don't miss any of my Lakers coverage.

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Dillon @dillonnba.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

HAPPY LAKERS MEDIA DAY! #RoadTo18

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Gold Tinted Lens @lalbb.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

It is funny that people are taking so much value in JJ's "it won't be two white players" comment. He was clearly just having fun. His later comments made it pretty clear it will be about fit and play.

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Gold Tinted Lens @lalbb.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Biggest takeaway from the #Lakers presser.. no more optionality 😂. For better or worse this is the team. I think it is going to be fun! Sounds like Adou really has a shot at a substantial role. And do agree with Rob about the price for Kessler, it was the biggest need, you have to pay it.

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Dillon @dillonnba.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

TODAY’S THE DAY! Lakers press conference with Rob Pelinka and JJ Redick will be streaming on Lakers YouTube today at 1:00pm PST. #RoadTo18

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Gold Tinted Lens @lalbb.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

I loved Marcus so much last season, and the numbers show his impact was incredible. The only thing I can think of is that the Lakers felt one semi-healthy season was a “count your blessings” type of situation and didn’t want to bet on it happening again.

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Gold Tinted Lens @lalbb.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

I feel the defensive issues with Mamu are being overblown. He graded out as a good defender in many areas. Raptors defense was extremely good when he was on the floor. He graded out better than Rui in every area except switching onto guards. He was especially good rotating and helping.

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Gold Tinted Lens @lalbb.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Great writeup, Mamu unlocks so many things for everyone. But I think Vando and Manu together in particular can be so effective, especially against second units where that chaos can really be amplified. Sexton, AR, Carr, Vando and Mamu in theory sounds so fun.

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Gold Tinted Lens @lalbb.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

I agree that losing Bron and Smart hurts the playmaking a bit, but at the same time, I still see it offensively as an upgrade. Neither Bron or Smart could shoot. So you could make all the great passes you want and it ends up in a miss. Mamu and Grimes are capable passers who can also shoot.

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Gold Tinted Lens @lalbb.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Jake makes a lot of sense if you want someone who can defend 3's and 4's. But I have to go with Mamu. Mamu does a lot of the things the Lakers wanted Lebron to do last year. Set screens and be that connector piece. Bron was overqualified for that role in an absurd way, but Mamu fits that role well.

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Gold Tinted Lens @lalbb.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

I wouldn't say Miami's scouting was perfect during Eric Amsler's run but a lot of players have NBA Careers based on Miami finding and developing them. The Lakers really need to hit on this element in the coming years.

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Gold Tinted Lens @lalbb.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

LeBron turned Austin into a highly specialized guard screener almost by necessity, and Luka inherited him at exactly the point where Austin has mastered it. It’s a funny developmental accident. But makes AR such a valuable Robin. He sets amazing screens for a guard and has so many reps doing it.

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Gold Tinted Lens @lalbb.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Awesome breakdown! I think this will be more his strength than as a PNR partner, at least at the start. Hopefully can develop into a nice PNR partner over time but this is something he can do well right away.

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Gold Tinted Lens @lalbb.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Clippers: This never happened!! Kawhi: So sorry this happened. 😂😭

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Gold Tinted Lens @lalbb.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

One thing stands out to me watching these games, and that he is a natural 4. Small ball 5 can work, but he fits so well as a 4. And I love his passing and reads in general. Not saying he is overall better than Rui, but that aspect of his game can ignite the entire offense. Being that connector

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Gold Tinted Lens @lalbb.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

I guess it depends on the expectations. This is year 1 one of the Luka build. I think a reasonable expectation is around the 6th seed. Since we were the 3rd seed last year, I could see that being disappointing but with that much roster change I feel it is a fair expectation. Step 1 to a bigger goal

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Gold Tinted Lens @lalbb.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

IMO people are really sleeping on Jake LaRavia as a fit next to Luka, AR, Grimes and Kessler. The things that lineup needs are some of Jake’s best traits: defense, connective play, cutting and doing damage without the ball. His career shooting also gives you reason to believe the spacing can work.

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Gold Tinted Lens @lalbb.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Probably for the best. I keep saying this, but if you told me 5 years from now that Jake LaRavia ends up having a better career than Kuminga, I would not be surprised at all.

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Gold Tinted Lens @lalbb.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

My biggest worry about a Kuminga contract is that we already know it won't have much value to start out. Could it turn into a valuable contract later, possibly, but right now teams don't really want him. Especially teams that just had him.

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Gold Tinted Lens @lalbb.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

More I read about Iger, I am actually pretty excited. Sucks he was a Clippers fan haha, but a lot of the things he did at Disney I appreciate the process.

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Gold Tinted Lens @lalbb.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

I feel it is best for Bronny to not be on Bron's team. It was nice they got to play with each other, especially in a playoff game they helped win but Bronny wants to pave his own path. As he should. I think he is going to have a nice NBA career of his own.

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Gold Tinted Lens @lalbb.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Maxi, VJ, Brown, Bron and Embiid is a fun roster for sure. Fit wise I love it. Plus, no worries about legacy or having to reminisce after every game. I see all 4 of Maxi, Brown, Bron and Embiid getting similar touches and usage if healthy. Perfect for Bron at this stage.

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Gold Tinted Lens @lalbb.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Sad they didn't win it all but such a fun Summer League from the Lakers. Rough last game for Manon and Carr, but overall, they were great. Adou was amazing in Vegas period. He is the highlight reel.

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Gold Tinted Lens @lalbb.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Really loving the entire Lakers SL roster. All three of Manon, Carr and Adou look ready for some NBA run. Not big minutes but earn it level minutes. Between Bronny, Manon, Carr and Adou I feel at least one of them will hit this year. But I could easily see all 4 of them earning rotation minutes.

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Gold Tinted Lens @lalbb.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

This is so fun! Nance and Zubac had the best relationship in sports when they were on the Lakers

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Gold Tinted Lens @lalbb.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Vando grades so well when it comes to on ball defense, really wish JJ could just figure out a way to make it work. A net positive most of his career. Rebounding and defense are his two elite skills and also two of the biggest needs on this roster. AR, Grimes, Luka, Vando and Kessler isn't so bad

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Gold Tinted Lens @lalbb.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

I wouldn't be against Kaminga as a target, but I also don't think it really makes sense based on the roster moves so far. Lakers seem to be targeting guys who process the game well. They do definitely need a wing and athleticism so he fits in that regard, but not the processing part.

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Gold Tinted Lens @lalbb.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

I did think Smart and Rui fit a Luka build well, but at the same time I feel Kessler, Mamu and Grimes fit that build even better in many ways. We will have to see how it plays out but I am excited. Very new team but I do like the idea of the build so far.

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Gold Tinted Lens @lalbb.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Damn. I will miss this guy in Purple and Gold. He developed so much while playing for the Lakers. Thank you for everything Rui, sadly I can't cheer for anyone in a Clippers jersey, but I hope you get traded soon

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Iztok Franko @iztokfranko.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Four deals in 30 minutes. All-in investment(s) and a completely new direction for the Lakers. My first attempt to decipher the vision behind Rob Pelinka's boldest offseason yet. digginbasketball.substack.com/p/30-minutes...

digginbasketball.substack.com

Lakers Offseason Series: The 30 Minutes That Will Define the Luka Era

First impressions of the retrofitted Los Angeles Lakers.

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Gold Tinted Lens @lalbb.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Luka, AR, Grimes, Mamu and Kessler is such a fun lineup. In theory all 5 guys can spread the floor. Huge front court with both Mamu and Kessler. Everyone outside of Kessler can handle the ball. It is going to be a very fun season

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Gold Tinted Lens @lalbb.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Anyhow, Kessler was always kind of a dream pairing for me with Luka. So I am excited! Let's go

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Gold Tinted Lens @lalbb.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

AR/Sexton Grimes/Bronny/Carr Luka/Jake/Adou Mamu/Vando Kessler/Ayton Offensively, I have to admit, that is a fire lineup. Defensively, Kessler better be blocking everything lol. But I don't think the math works, must be other deals we haven't seen

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Gold Tinted Lens @lalbb.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Wow!!! Let's go!! A lot to give up but I love the fit

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