Kobe hopes to continue his hot shooting from Sunday tonight against the Jazz.
Tonight, the Lakers look for revenge as they play the Jazz for the second time in 3 days. After losing in the “championship” of the Lakers Shootout, the Lakers will try to play better (especially on defense) and get the win they sought on Sunday. And since we just did this on Sunday, I’m going to keep this preview short and sweet.
The one difference we’ll see is that tonight, it’s been confirmed (right from the horse’s mouth) that Deron Williams will suit up. After missing Sunday’s contest with a strained calf, Williams is anxious to get on the floor but it remains to be seen how much Jerry Sloan uses his all-star point man. However many minutes he plays though, Williams is a difference maker on the floor and the Lakers will be up for an even bigger challenge with him in the lineup. There aren’t enough superlatives to describe Williams’ game so I won’t gush about him here. Just understand that there are few guards more complete than Williams (at least on offense) and with his ability to score inside and outside plus his size/speed/strength combination he’s a tough cover for any Laker.
But that doesn’t mean the Lakers won’t try to shut down Williams with a variety of looks. Fisher (who, historically, has done a decent job on Williams) will likely start out covering him but we’re also sure to see some of Artest and maybe even Barnes take a turn as well. Which ever Laker does defend him needs to know that his deadliest weapon is his ability to change directions quickly with a devastating cross over that sets up his forays into the lane or his step back jumper. So, even though Williams is a capable outside shooter, the best approach is to lay off him some and make him earn his buckets from 18 feet and out.
As for slowing the other Jazz, one key will be better containing penetration and having more awareness of all the off-ball screens and cuts that Utah employs. Kirilenko and Gordon Hayward consistently freed themselves effectively using screens and cutting off the back side so the Lakers will have to be more aware of these actions and defend them without fouling. And speaking of Hayward, I’m interested in seeing if he carries over his strong game into this one. He was beyond excellent on Sunday and I want to see if that’s something we can expect from the rookie. The other key will be marking Al Jefferson in the post and not falling for his myriad of feints and ball fakes. Several times over-anxious Laker big men left their feet when Big Al went into his move and several times he made them look silly by easily scoring on up and under moves or drawing fouls.
On offense, the Lakers need to continue to run their sets, make the extra pass, and be confident and decisive when the ball arrives. The Lakers are looking better on offense, but with several new players getting accustomed to the Triangle and their teammates, you can see the slight hesitation come over when deciding whether to let the ball fly or to move the ball along. Blake and Barnes were especially caught up in over-thinking and it showed in their results (0-7 and 1-4 from the field respectively). As I mentioned after the last game I cut these guys some slack because they’ve already proven to be better than what they showed in that one game (not to mention everyone has a bad game now and again), but I’ll be watching to see if their making quick decisions and/or if they’re hesitating at all.
I’d also like to see the Lakers take better care of the ball. For three straight games now the Lakers have had 18 or more turnovers and while those high totals can be explained away by a variety of reasons, it’s still too high a number. Opening night is exactly one week away and there’s no time better than the present to start playing a more focused and crisp brand of ball.
Where you can watch: 7pm start time at the Honda Center in Anaheim on KCAL. Also listen at ESPN Radio 710am.
Matt R. says
I’ll be at the game tonight. It’s only preseason but I’m excited. I haven’t been to a Laker game since the loss to Houston early last year.
Plus it’s right down the street from my house!
Darius Soriano says
Matt,
If you have any insights from being live at the game, put them in the comments. I always like to hear about the in arena experience vs. watching at home.
Taylor says
Seven days from the opening tip. While I don’t expect we’ll be flying out of the gates, I think these next few games will help the process. As you said, Blake had a letdown game, but I think I, for one, maybe got a bit over-excited in the early going. He will have some struggles with the Triangle, but he should know it well enough by the time we need him to.
It was great to see Kobe shoot well in the 3rd quarter last game. I don’t need him to do that again, but I don’t want to see anymore 1-10 games before the season starts. I’d like him closer to 80% than 50% health.
As with Blake and my over-excitedness, I still have it for LO. I’m expecting him to come out every game like his has thus far. (Wishful thinking?) And Ron Ron’s hot hand. I know it’s been a while since real Laker basketball, but I’m ready to roll. Just keep the injury bug from more bites.
Seattle Basketball says
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James says
i know we have to love Fish but I am not going to enjoy watch him shoot bricks for another year
Mark says
You really have to wonder how the heck LA has managed to time and time again sneak away from what works best.
AusPhil says
Is there anyone else who is a little apprehensive when the lineup features Ron as the guy who would be leading the offense? I know we won’t see it in the regular season (well, I would imagine that we wouldn’t), but that lineup for the last minute of the 1st quarter is not one I really like.
Mark says
I don’t understand why Phil would suddenly not let Ebanks play. He’s been money on the court, Sir Eleven Rings.
Darius Soriano says
From what I’ve seen of the game so far, the Lakers look pretty bad. The poor shooting has carried over from Sunday and so has their disinterest in defense. I’m not really concerned, but more disappointed that they’re not playing better after an average effort against this same team just two days ago.
Mark says
Thank you, Lamar.
I find it hard to think what would happen when Walton jives in with Lamar, Blake, Barnes/Brown, and Ratliff/Bynum. That would be a 2nd unit to watch, athleticism (minus Walton/Ratliff of course), speed, bball IQ that would be too much to see for a 2nd unit.
Darius Soriano says
It seems that Blake’s technical foul after having that scuffle with Elson has woken up the Lakers. They’re playing with more energy on both sides of the ball and shots are starting to fall.
Matt R. says
The Lakers can’t buy a bucket tonight. They’re rushing a lot of shots and looking a little confused on offense, but they’re also just missing shots.
The Jazz are some grabby bastards under the basket.
AusPhil says
Things do click more with LO and Blake on the floor at the same time. I know it’s been mentioned in this space previously, but it’s looking like a decent little 2nd unit combo between them. Could make the link between 1st & 2nd unit smoother in the early (pre-Drew) season also.
Matt R. says
The Lakers tonight ran two of the worst fast breaks I’ve ever seen. No fluidity on offense. Sloppy on defense. And I paid money for this. 😉
J-M says
Ugly game so far.
Big Al is a beast. It looks like he shed some weight. Gasol can’t even cover him.
I like Trey Johnson, but the Lakers won’t be signing him. At least he got a chance to showcase his skills.
Matt R. says
Our guard play has been pretty atrocious tonight.
Great thing about my nosebleed vantage is being able to see the Lakers spacing. The spacing with the starters is superb. The rest, not so much.
Darius Soriano says
Game recap will be up tomorrow, everyone. I need to sleep on this one. I think it’s obvious that the Lakers didn’t come to play tonight (at least the starters didn’t) and the team simply got outplayed by Utah. Again, I’m not concerned but it’d be nice to see it all come together at some point before the season starts.
Dave M says
I didn’t catch the game but kept the box score running while I was working. The difference between starters and the bench seemed pretty stark, at least per stats. The numbers don’t give a lot of context though, I’ll be interested to read more comments and the various breakdowns.
Jane says
The highlight of this game for me was talking to Mitch Kupchak at the water fountain next to the men’s restroom.
Snoopy2006 says
Jane – You lie! We all know Mitch Kupchak doesn’t drink water. He just has to plug into the wall to recharge in between quarters.
Start the Deron Williams to Lakers drum. I don’t know why, but I have an easier time imagining him in the purple and gold than other players. I actually like Paul better, but he just doesn’t seem like our type of player. Too bad Williams hates the Lakers.
jodial says
Jefferson’s clearly a tough cover for Pau. On the other hand, I remember Andrew owning Jefferson when he was on Minnesota the last couple of years.