The end of the Lakers’ 8-game, 12 day road trip is finally here. After nearly two weeks on the road, the Lakers play their 3rd back to back of the trip tonight, in Houston, against the Rockets. The Lakers are 1-6 to this point, with the Spurs pulling away from them in the 2nd half last night, showing the gulf of a difference between the two teams this season.
Not all was bad Friday night, however. D’Angelo Russell had his second consecutive strong scoring game, setting a career high (again) with 24 points. Yes, he also took 23 shots, but several of those were late game misses when the game was out of hand. His early game work was splendid, with his long range touch setting the tone for his attack. He finished 5-10 from behind the arc and is continuing to find that range on that shot – range which eluded him earlier in the year.
As Byron Scott noted after the game, Russell is playing with confidence and it’s showing in his overall approach. He’s not deferring as much within the half court, is looking for his own shot more, and is doing more probing off the dribble in order to draw extra defensive attention. Assists aren’t yet following, but he’s making mostly good reads and is organizing the team well offensively. As Scott said, he’d like to see Russell string together a few more “good” performances, but it’s clear the rookie is improving which is what we’re all looking for.
This brings us to tonight’s game because Russell is facing the best defensive PG he’s seen to this point in the year in the Rocket’s Patrick Beverly. Beverly is an irritant of the highest order, pestering ball handlers full court, clutching and holding off the ball, and playing as physically as he can for every moment he’s on the floor. Russell has been okay against heavy ball pressure this season, but he’s mostly used retreat dribbles and called for screens to help him get free. In recent games, he’s done better work in isolation (his game tying shot against Wiggins in Minnesota is a good example), so I’ll be interested in seeing if Russell looks to create for himself against Beverly or calls in reinforcements in the form of a big man sitting a pick.
Beyond the battle at PG, the other matchups on the perimeter are also worth watching. James Harden has not boasted the same MVP level play from last season, but he’s still an incredible threat. It’s doubtful Jordan Clarkson plays tonight, so that likely means either Lou Williams or Kobe gets the Harden assignment. Harden is as crafty as ever off the dribble and still has a great shooting touch, so there’s really no great way to defend him unless you have quick feet and can avoid reaching in. I don’t anticipate Lou or Kobe being able to stay with him tonight, but it’s also quite possible Harden has a rough night (which he’s had plenty of this year).
As for the rest of the match ups, the battles at PF/C will be interesting. The Rockets have recently gone to a twin-towers lineup that features Clint Capella and Dwight Howard, with both big men patrolling the paint defensively and wreaking havoc on the offensive glass. Randle and Hibbert will find the paint crowded with their counterparts trying to close off the rim, and both would do well for themselves by hitting a couple mid-range jumpers and finding their man early defensively to keep them off the offensive glass.
The Rockets are a much better team than the Lakers and have won 4 of their last 5 games. However, they’re still under .500 on the year and have been very up and down even after their horrid start which cost Kevin McHale his job. I do not expect the Lakers to win this game, but I do think it can be competitive as long as Harden doesn’t get too hot early. If the Lakers can hang around, I’d love for another close crunch time where the young guys can get some additional seasoning.
Where you can watch: 5:00pm start time on TWC Sportsnet. Also listen on ESPN Radio Los Angeles 710AM.
KevTheBold says
Intriguing writeup Darius!
Makes me much more excited to watch the game.
Let’s hope for if not a win, a fun learning experience.
May Randle have a strong comeback game tonight, D’Angelo continue to shine, Kobe remain the sage, and Clarkson return to the fold !
Go Lakers !!
KO says
Team has become the best bad team in NBA. I predicted 1 and 7 trip but keep watching.
Wish I could be fly on wall for meeting in El Segundo Monday.
J C says
KO
you missed your calling as a bookie
22 last night and u said 23
J C says
Re El Segundo
Byron has the look on his face lately of a guy about to walk the plank
He’s gotta know his days are numbered
Only way he makes it to the end of this season is by losing his cell phone and somehow ducking Mitch for the next 4 months
Robert says
Let me know the replacements name : )
If that convo starts with “maybe” or “we will see”, or “for the time being” then we are better off sticking with Byron
KevTheBold says
Competent game so far.
Tim says
So far, the second unit not looking good.
KO says
Randle falling apart with this D league unit. Hope your watching Mitch.
KevTheBold says
2nd unit is lost,..
Kevin T says
2nd unit has more turnovers than points. Yuck
KO says
Name two worse centers then Lakers for $50.
J C says
Robert
Replacement –
Anybody!
You
Me or
KO
It’s hard to imagine anyone doing a worse job.
Kevin T says
I think JR is probably not happy about coming off the bench. Total lack of concentration. He was ok when both he and DR were both coming off the bench but last 2 games since DR has been starting , I don’t know he has been bad.
J C says
$50
I actually think Hibbert is better than Kwame
And….Dwight Howard
Worst hoops IQ ever
DieTryin says
Randle is prone to playing as though he has blinders on. The bull in the china shop description is apt. Kobe has looked good tonight with his assists. And comical how poorly the 2nd unit handled the Rocket’s press
KO says
Raise your hand if you are embarrished to be a Laker fan right now!
Almost like team is sending a message to Mitch/Jimbo and whats her name.
Joel says
Watching this game with Rockets commentary… It’s like Chinese water torture.
KO says
Nu Laker coach?
Metta World!
Done!
DieTryin says
Borderline astounding that to this day Dwight still experiences so much misadventure at the free throw line.
Joel says
Lakers’ transition defense is an abomination.
Anonymous says
Nice job BS — you’ve ruined Randle’s confidence. He was not the problem and should have been kept in the starting lineup.
Robert says
JC: I see you used the word “imagine” – I will add that to my list next time : ) Unfortunately I must decline your possible coaching offer. I am vying to be the team owner remember? A position for which I am fully qualified other than the fact that I do not have $4 billion to buy the team.
KO says
Robert no problem I will lend it to you.
Will you take a 2 party check from Syria?
rr says
KB is is 8/14 and 23 points, and the Lakers are still down 89-72.
Fern says
Didn’t knew we had a b2b, flooding the good ol’ brain with alcohol I comment tomorrow
KO says
Why does Mitch still have a job.
Name one good pick up not a draft last 2 years.
Now name 8 who are with other teams.
Yep
KevTheBold says
Funny how the oldest guy on the team is suffering no ill affects of the back to back, and is having a great game !
Go Kobe !
KO says
Guess courts must be MUCH BIGGER IN ARGENTINA. GUY HAS MORE TOs THEN POINTS EVER GAME.
Anonymous says
We are on pace for 10 wins. Even by rebuilding standards that is bad. Surely someone on the board has to question the guidance of Jim/Mitch and ask if these guys are the rights ones ro craft a direction out of this mess. How long of a rope does Jim get?
Allan says
KO, if you are talking about Huertas, he’s brazilian.
Guess you know as much about the team as Byron.
Palabra says
Oh hell yeah…looks like the Lakers win streak record is safe 🙂
KO says
Opps. Got me. Was drinking a Malbec from Arg at the time.
LKK says
Finally, the Warriors get beaten. Milwaukee caught them on the 2nd night of a back to back, after 2 overtime periods last night. It didn’t hurt that it was on the final game of a 7 game road trip. Had they won, it would have been the first time in NBA history that a team swept a roadie of 7 or more games. GSW is scary good. The Lakers’ record of winning 33 in a row is safe….for now.
KevTheBold says
Scott will be sitting in front of the FO on Monday, to supposedly explain his core development progress, and plan going forward.
Anyone think it’s an ambush?
KO says
Kev. Sitting next to his agent right now. Sure not asking.
Mid-Wilshire says
I think the Lakers actually missed Jordan Clarkson tonight…not that he would have made a big difference. But I still maintain that he’s the best player on the team this year and this team has such a small margin of error that they can ill afford to lose anyone from the starting line up.
Regarding Monday’s meeting in El Segundo, I actually think anything could happen. Usually, I don’t like it when things are not going well at work and my boss says he wants to meet with me on Monday to “discuss things.” That has always had an ominous ring to it. (I speak from experience.)
We shall see what happens. But with an abysmal 3-21 record (which has taken Mitch by surprise), an admittedly confused and controversial rotation, and the complete disregard of someone such as Tarik Black whom I think Mitch was actually counting on this year and was hoping to groom further as a back up center for the future, Byron could be a relatively thin ice.
If he survives that meeting, then it will only be because the Lakers don’t want too much dead money on the books. We’ll see what happens. But I truly believe it’s 50 / 50.
Anything could happen.
LKK says
The appalling lack of defensive intensity is reason enough to fire Scott. The team simply sucks on the defensive end. Layup after layup from the opposing teams speak to that. The thing about possibly firing Byron is who replaces him? Bad as he is, it is almost to the Lakers’ advantage to ride it out with him and hope he leads them to keeping their pick in next summer’s draft. I would hope, at the least, he is given a directive to play the kids including Brown and Black.
DJ says
The turning point of this season when Lakers lost to Golden St, this shows that BS can’t coach in the NBA, it’s OK to loose 20, 25 points to a very good team, but Lakers was behind 36 points in the third quarter (like D-League team), if you can’t score then you have to have good defense scheme to stop or to slow them down, Denver is a bad team with no big guys , but they did not lost to Golden St like that. After that game, i think Kobe decided that he will retire, because he can’t compete with superstar players in this league any more.
Tonefinder says
If I’m correct, Kobe shot 9 of 16 tonight. That’s OVER 50 percent. This is huge! First time this season? Now if only he wasn’t such a total liability on defense…
LordMo says
Well going to be a long season. This was a real learning experience. A back to back during the Texas Triangle road trip…ouch! The youngsters going home with their tails between their legs. Kobe nice game told you guys he got some game left … teams are stupid not to make a run for him. He is a pro’s pro and showed the young guys how to do it on probably the toughest road trip in the league…invaluable lesson for the youngin’s!
tankyou says
We CAN’T defend. Everything else is window dressing at this point. We have plenty of guys who can score, but most of them are streaky shooters.
Nice game from Kobe, he definitely is taking better shots lately. Hopefully he can keep this up and not go out looking hideous. But as far as the team goes, what Kobe does this year is meaningless. Pretty much no one on this team playing defense at a high level. But of course its likely half the team might be gone again next year anyway. But we aren’t going to win in the west unless we have more guys that play serious defense, but there is a good chance those defensive guys aren’t on our roster yet.
Anonymous says
Let’s just ride this thing out and ensure that we keep our pick. That should be our mantra. I don’t want to see ANY changes that jeopardize the pick. Please.
BigCitySid says
-Howard, 18 & 12 vs the Lakers. Anyone else noticing opponents continue to have their best games of the season vs the Lakers?
BigCitySid says
– Without question, the most disappointing Laker season of my fandom…and that covers 50 years.
Fulofunk says
KB looked like a HFr. DR looked good for 3Q. LN’s hustle was nice. JR was just OK. Missed JC. 19 TOs for LA, 9 HR w/ TPs add up to a HR BO. Oh…and found out about TB…LO the TS….THANKS KO (Kaptain Obvious)
Fulofunk says
Not FB&G’s KO btw………
J C says
Very nice game by Kobe.
Obviously if he could play with these stats and share-the-rock approach all year, he wouldn’t need to retire…
Looked like Randle and Russell went out and drank too much wine the night before this game.
As promising as Huertas looked pre-season — hate to say it — he doesn’t belong in the NBA.
Way too many turnovers and a defensive liability on top of it.
He’d be a great player at the local Rec league. Maybe.
Good luck in your meeting Byron!
George Best says
Who cares if we win 10 20 or 30 games. It’s a bad season with a bad team. There needs to be goals and that is letting the young guys play and keeping the pick. If we get Ben Simmons none of this horrible playing matters.
J C says
Trivia time. Most of you already know this, but for the young fans among us…
Warriors beaten by the Milwaukee Giant-killers after starting the year 24-0.
This means they failed to beat the 1971-72 Lakers all-time record 33-0 win streak. What NBA team stopped the Lakers’ historic streak way back when?
The same Milwaukee Bucks, headlined by a guy who had recently changed his name from Lew Alcindor to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
KevTheBold says
That’s right J C,..and when Kareem, was Lew Alcindor.
Regarding Scott’s meeting, imo, the front office is either caught between a rock and a hard place, and fears looking foolish by firing Scott, or were using Scott as their fall guy since day, one of a tank season.
As for Kobe, it looks like he’s found who he is now, versus who he thought he was, and is learning to make the best of it.
This is the Kobe I hoped for, and can root for.
Randle seems lost, and what I suspect, is that Scott and the FO are wondering if he will ever learn to keep his mind, tied to his prodigious athleticism. The term: Beast, is apt, but a thinking beast is what will allow him to reach his amazing potential.
I believe he will find his way, because his will to win is second to none; and he should start over Nance, who I believe the FO wanted Scott to test run.
Dar seemed to regress into his previous role of pass and hide. I don’t know if it was Scott or not, but I hope it gets fixed because Huertas was a mistake.
rr says
Randle’s and Kobe’s numbers had a lot to with the opponent(s) the last couple of games. Kobe is also toning it down, but the opponent plays a big role.
Chearn says
Regarding Huertas, since the point guard position in the NBA evolved athletically beyond the capabilities of the real Steve Nash that once was an MVP in the league. How the front office ever convince themselves that a similarly aged imitation of Nash that never played in this league was a viable option is the real conundrum.
LordMo says
KB 24 can still score on anyone one on one but now in different ways has nothing to do with the opposition as much as KB24 coming to grips with where he is in his career and what he can still do at an high level. KB24 can straight out shoot so that alone could keep him the league another 2 yrs as a specialist if he chose to do so. My guess is a couple big money years in Italy to cap off his stellar career is what we will see next. Regarding Randle he will be fine as long as Byron finds him someone to work on his game…because BScott doesn’t really seem to know what to do with bigs in his offensive scheme. What we don’t want is BScott in this kids head and the kid getting all frustrated and ending up in the doghouse. I see it coming because we know the team knows and Randle knows he should be starting and going the rigors and load that an NBA starter must learn to endure….health issues? Maybe they want to make sure the kid is 100 percent healthy…keeping it on the low and just manage his minutes over the course of a season might be best.
KO says
Lord Mo
Are you serious? Kobe has a production business up and running here in Newport. Goung to be orodycing films etc.
Makes $ millions from shoe deals and products in China.
No way he is going to Italy. They pay pennies. Only tie to BB would be as owner.
After Olympics we won’t see BB in his hands.
Chearn. Yep terrible pick up. No minutes in D Keague. Lakers gave a guy on Defenders who been putting up big numbers. Release the guy and bring in guy who can shoot and play D.
karen says
I can see lakers bringing in a new coach now. Someone from outside … they will never get free agents for next yr with scott around.
matt says
Lakers looked terrible in this game the rockets were a physical looking group of guys, with harden well beyond any other player out there, harden is a master at the bump/push off shot