The Lakers continue their Southern California tour as they face off against the Warriors tonight in sunny San Diego. At least I assume it’s sunny. Isn’t it always? Anyways, the Lakers look to erase their two game losing streak against a division foe that, for better or worse, is a team in transition.
The Warriors have always been a team that I’ve enjoyed watching. I like their players, their fans are great (which makes for a great arena experience), and they were always a bit wacky due to the presence of Don Nelson on their bench. But now, some of those things have changed. While the fans are still great, they’ve traded away some of their better role players that I enjoyed watching (Turiaf and Azubuike) and a promising young player (Anthony Randolph) for former Knickerbocker David Lee. And, in even bigger news, they’ve also dumped Nellie in favor of longtime assistant Keith Smart. This is a team that is in the midst of change and that means that the pre-season probably means a bit more to them than to a team like the Lakers.
When looking at the Warriors, they’ve got a nice mix of young talent and established players that know how to play in this league. David Lee, while not a great defender, is a double-double machine that has worked hard to expand his offensive game while keeping his tenacity on the backboards. Monta Ellis, while somewhat inefficient, is a fantastic scoring threat that thrives in the open court and creating off the dribble in the half court. Then there’s prized 2nd year player Steph Curry. Curry blew up last season (finishing 2nd in the ROY race), showing an all around offensive game that many questioned he actually had. He was better off the dribble than expected and showed the savvy and playmaking ability of a true PG that wasn’t always evident while he was at Davidson. That rookie performance carried him into the Summer where he played on Team USA and won gold at the World Championships with Lamar Odom. Though Curry didn’t play that much in a stacked U.S. back court, playing for that team was surely a valuable learning experience.
Other players to watch on this Warriors team are 4th year forward Brandon Wright who is coming off a lost season where he missed the entire year due to injury. Wright’s progress as a rebounder and shot blocker will be a major factor in whatever success the W’s have this year as those are traits that Golden State gave up when trading Turiaf. Also key for the W’s will be Center, Andris Biedrins. Last season saw the Latvian big man suffer lapses of confidence and consistent trips to both the training room and Nellie’s doghouse for under performing. If he can have a bounce back year and Wright can stay injury free, the Dubs suddenly have a long, lean, and athletic front court that will crash the boards and work off the variety of wings that Coach Smart will be able to deploy.
As for the Lakers, they must try to find some of the rhythm that’s been absent lately. Too much one on one play and shoddy execution has meant low shooting percentages and sub par offensive production. It’s been multiple games since both the 1st and 2nd units have played well in the same contest. Tonight, if the Lakers want to take the next step towards preparing for opening night, they need to clean up their offense and get back to the fundamentals of the Triangle. Pass, cut, screen, and shoot when open. If they do those things, we’ll be talking about a victory later on tonight. If they don’t, we’ll still be talking about the same things that we have been since Sunday’s loss to the Jazz.
Defensively, the Lakers have been making strides and with Ebanks and Barnes playing a fair number of minutes in recent games, I’ve been happier with the effort shown on that end of the floor. Against a speedy Warriors team that will look to push the pace, transition defense will be key. So look for the Lakers to sprint back to the paint and then match up with the wings and big men as they trail the play, looking for open jumpers or delayed P&R’s with either Ellis or Curry. If the Lakers can successfully contain these running chances, they’ll only need to focus on P&R’s with Curry/Ellis and one of either Lee/Biedrins as the offensive set to slow down.
Where you can watch: 7pm start time on KCAL. Listen live at ESPN Radio 710am.
jon says
how long before magic is part owner of the pistons?
Darius Soriano says
jon,
Based off a report I read this morning. Magic might be focussing on the pigskin rather than the round ball. Can you say the LA Jaguars?
http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2010/10/21/magic-johnsons-nfl-ownership-interest-could-focus-on-bills-jag/
T. Rogers says
Magic is keeping his cards close to his vest. Even with his ownership in the Lakers sold he is a Laker for life. I wish him well in whichever direction he goes. A lot of people have tried to bring the NFL back to LA. It still hasn’t happened. Maybe the time is finally right. Maybe Magic is the man to do it. We’ll see.
On to tonight’s game. It would be nice to see some prolonged effort out of the Lakers tonight. I really don’t care as much about a win as I do about them playing with a degree of purpose. I know its preseason, but the real thing is right around the corner. They may as well get engine firing now. Some crisp ball movement and some active defense would be a great sight to behold.
It’s time to wake up guys.
DirtySanchez says
I have been trying to watch the preseason games, but something always comes up. Hopefully tonight I will be able to catch my first game. From the reviews of past games the Lakers seem to be an uninterested veteran team that knows that these games simply dont count. No worries here, just happy that the offseason additions are getting game time experience in the triangle.
The news of Odom and Artest playing well is good considering that #24 is struggling with his shot now, if it continues, maybe they will be able to pick up some of the scoring till Kobe gets his game back on track once the season starts.
News of Millers injury in Miami, with an already thin supporting cast, is the main reason it will take all three of the big trio to have all star seasons to make me a believer.
Andreas G. says
Seems like Pau’s shot is improving..
Mark says
Lamar has been nothing but consistent in the pre-season. That’s a feat in itself already.
Andreas G. says
Mark: LO, Ron and ShanWow have impressed me the most. Although we know Pau, Kobe and Fish will be ready when the season starts.
Mark says
Interesting lineup here: Fish, Sasha, Barnes, Artest, and Gasol.
AusPhil says
I would imagine that the Warriors are pretty much the only team we could use this lineup against!
Mark says
Now, Kobe, Barnes, Artest, Gasol, and Bynum pretty much looks good on the paper, darn good defensively.
Darius Soriano says
#9. Phoenix is a candidate as well with their multitude of SF’s.
#10. Indeed, that’s a tough defensive lineup. Against Utah or OKC or Boston (where Kobe defends the PG a lot) I could easily see that line up to defend their wings.
Mark says
My question, is, Darius, will that 5 do good on during games that matter most (e.g. close games)? I would that it would do good, but I’m kinda shaky especially since we’ll be leaving Derek Fisher on the bench, if ever that happens.
Zephid says
Steve Blake is a really good passer. He’s had a couple of looks that seem Magic-esque.
Mark says
I hope (although hoping does not make it so. ;p) that this will be the bench we see during the season, crisp passing and just beautiful ball-movement, if they play like this, the starters will more likely be jealous (in a good way) and will play like this as well. I hope.
Memo to Lakers’ staff: Ratliff is not a good idea against quick teams.
AusPhil says
Darius: Good point. I had forgotten that Phoenix had decided to replace Amare with even more SF/SG types. That would certainly be an option for our random small lineup with 1 big.
Snoopy2006 says
Darius – is there enough ball handling on the floor with that ultimate defensive lineup? Kobe, sure (although with a busted finger he’s no Chris Paul), but neither Barnes nor Artest would hold up well to a pressing defense. I could see that lineup being exploited on the other end.
Darius Soriano says
#16. Snoopy,
That would definitely be a concern. When looking closer, a swap of LO for Bynum might be needed to balance out the offensive needs but that would hurt the defense in a few ways. But, against P&R heavy teams, LO is just as much a defensive asset as Bynum is against post heavy teams that rely on big men to score down low in isolation situations.
Billk says
Congratulations to the Machine, who got engaged to Maria Sharapova.
Simonoid says
Bilk,
I’m sure most people are wondering… How?!
Darius Soriano says
Game recap is up.
http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2010/10/21/lakerswarriors-thoughts/