We did get better and we’re not at all full strength either with Vando and Rui out but given that
- Clippers now have Russ - Harden - Kawhi - PG
- Nuggets are nuggets and look like they haven’t really lost anything with Bruce brown and Green leaving
- Celtics are looking scary defensively with White - Jrue - JB - JT - Porzingis
- Bucks have Giannis - Lillard - Middleton - Lopez - Portis
Of course AR will get his groove going, and Dlo is contributing nicely, but does anyone honestly think we can hang with the depth of these roosters?
Our two main guys Lebron and AD can hang with anyone, and are potentially a top 2 duo when everything’s clicking. However, the rest of the starting lineup for these other teams beats our starting lineup on talent and experience alone.
Maybe the work is not done, Pelinka.
The Lakers are definitely not the favorite.
They are a contender, but a 2nd tier one.(However, as this sub is for Lakers/Bron fans, we’ll certainly support them win or lose).
Deeper and deadlier teams include Phoenix, Milwaukee, Boston, Denver, LAC, and even GSW.
I think OP is right by claiming that we might be missing that one final move to become an even more serious contender.