The Lakers, after a somewhat surprising win over the Clippers last night, are back in action this evening. Starting the season with a back to back is never easy, but traveling to Golden State to play a very good Warriors team in t heir home opener adds variables that make this match up even more difficult. The Warriors are sure to have an energy to them and their crowd will be frothing to beat the visiting Lakers who, to be fair, have had and will continue to have a fair amount of support from the crowd in the Bay Area).
The Warriors are a familiar opponent from the preseason so we will see if that changes the dynamics of this contest at all. This will be the fourth time these teams have faced off in a month, so there’s likely to be some familiarity between the players and the coaches, not to mention some bad blood starting to form. After all, you play the same guys this much in a relatively short period of time and there’s a contempt that starts to develop. Add in the fact that these teams share a division and that, like the other teams in California, the Warriors have had to live in the shadow of the more successful Lakers for a long time, and there’s a rivalry that starts to build up naturally.
This is even more true now that the Warriors are considered to be the better team. Like the Clippers last night, Golden State is picked to finish ahead of the Lakers in the standings are a big favorite to win this game tonight. Also like the Clippers, the Warriors now carry that burden of expectations to not only win this game, but to build on the success of last season and compete for something more than just a playoff entry – they want to win a championship. That doesn’t happen, though, if you can’t beat teams like this version of the Lakers consistently.
Considering all of this, the Lakers have a unique opportunity in front of them this evening. They’re not expected to win. The Warriors are fresher, are excited about playing their first game of the season, and will be playing in front of one of the best crowds in the league. But as the Lakers showed last night, they have a roster of capable players who, when their games are on, can impact both sides of the floor and create an environment through tempo and an attack mentality that is uncomfortable for their opponent.
This will be especially important tonight, considering what the Warriors bring to the table in terms of overall talent and scheme. As we saw in the preseason, the Dubs start a big lineup that will surely give the smaller unit the Lakers went with last night some issues. Two key match ups to watch out of the gate are Shawne Williams guarding David Lee and Steve Blake defending Klay Thompson. Both Lakers are at distinct size disadvantages and are facing very skilled offensive players.
Lee has the ability to face up Williams out to 20 feet and will use his jumper to set up his quick first step, then using his strength advantage to move Williams out of position to get off his shot in the paint. Williams must remain strong in the post, but must also use his quickness to defend Lee closely enough that he doesn’t cede open jumpers (Lee, unlike Blake Griffin last night, will knock those shots down) while still being able to slide with him when he puts the ball on the ground. As for Blake, he must simply play his typical scrappy style, get into the Thompson’s body as much as possible, and challenge shots the best way he can. Hopefully Thompson is bothered enough that he misses shots he’ll normally make.
The other key defensively will be closing out possessions with rebounds. Last night the team did well in keeping Griffin off the glass and was okay in containing DeAndre Jordan – at least when his man wasn’t forced to help on penetration. Tonight, with Andrew Bogut and Lee attacking the glass, Williams, Pau, Hill, and Kaman will need to be just as good (if not better), by corralling rebounds in their area while the guards and wings help down from the arc to snare the long caroms. Controlling the glass is especially important tonight since the Warriors have such great shooters spacing the floor; you don’t want to give this team open threes off kick-out passes stemming from OREB chances because they’ll make them at an amazing rate.
Offensively the Lakers must continue to find their identity by using their different units to their advantage. In the first group, the Lakers must go through Pau Gasol and utilize his ability to score from all over the floor to anchor their offense. They can run P&R’s with him and let him pop into open space, but they must also get him to the mid and low post on the left side and let him go to work. Bogut will offer good D, but Pau should be able to create good looks for himself and for teammates when isolated. This first group can also work to get the ball into the hands of Nick Young and Shawne Williams off quick ball reversals initiated out of the P&R. If Steve Nash plays (and I think he will considering he didn’t play a heavy workload last night), hopefully he can find ways to free himself a bit more off screens and create some better shots for himself and his ‘mates.
The second unit, meanwhile, must push the tempo and try to create a frantic feel on both sides of the floor. If they can pressure the ball and create steals or force long misses, they can turn those plays into open court chances that allow them to get easy baskets. In the half court, they need to continue their effort from last night to attack in isolation when given space and to move the ball onto the open man when they’re tightly covered. I know that this group will also fire up some shots too quickly – frustrating us in the process – but if they also move the ball enough, they should be able to establish the rhythm and flow that they’ll need to in order to compete.
Tonight’s game, like the one against the Clippers, is one where the individual match ups definitely tilt in the opponent’s favor. Curry, Lee, and Iguodala are all-star caliber players. Thompson and Harrison Barnes are up and coming prospects who are both very skilled. Add in Bogut and a nice bench and the Lakers will have their hands full. That said, last night showed that this group of Lakers has the ability to play above their individual heads and provide an output that’s greater than the sum of their parts. They’ll need more of that tonight if they hope to win.
Where you can watch: 7:30pm start on TWC Sportsnet locally and NBA TV nationally. Also listen on ESPN Radio 710 AM.
Treylake says
Andrew Bynum plays and looking good in second quarter.
OK. Now beyond good. Bynum is baby beasting already!
Just like Farmar, a Bynum return to Lakers would be welcomed …
Aaron says
He is a giant skilled big man. So he will always look okay. But Bynum (as everyone would predict after his knees officially shutdown on him last year) looks like an old man. He is half the athlete he was his last season for the lakers and 25 percent of the athlete he was before his first injury.
Aaron says
In the very good news department Wade is not playing tonight (resting his knee)
Kenny T says
It’ll be interesting to observe the dynamic Bynum and Mike Brown as things move forward. They certainly didn’t see eye to eye in LA.
Tra says
In agreement with Aaron, because the only thing that looked good about Drew in the 1st half (since he hasn’t played at all thus far in the 2nd half) is the amount of weight that he’s lost.
Fern says
Tough game tonight on the road on opening night with a young and fast team, Nash wont play so i hope Farmar gets the nod tonight. We need some of last night explosiveness to pull this one off.
Fern says
I would not want Bynum back in the Lakers under no circunstances we got what, 7 years out of him? We dont need anymore, the countdown started for the next time his knees crap out on him.He looks stiff
Warren Wee Lim says
I just look at Mike Brown’s team and its just painful to watch on offense. Nothing’s changed.
Warren Wee Lim says
Kyrie Irving will just have to tone down that dribble dribble dribble dribble desperation pass/shot.
Warren Wee Lim says
And oh I miss Earl Clark. He would’ve filled that spot Shawne Williams is taking.
vhanz says
Oh WoW, on the other game, rookie Michael Carter Williams debut. 19pts 7rebs 12asts 9 stls?!
Kidding me?! first game in the NBA.
Keno says
Meeks on clay
Blake on curry
Ouch
Rather see Jordan and Johnson. Play the player not the position Mike.
Craig W. says
I would rather see Farmar with the 2nd unit. He is better with the faster team. We lose some of his value if the game has to slow down because of the veterans. The 2nd team is going to be the speed-up team for us – that’s why I would like to see Kobe take over at PG for the starters and leave Blake at the 2, when he returns.
Keno says
Craig remember Clay posting up Meeks last year 6 times on a row. So Mike starts him tonight.
Go figure
.
Seems like Johnson or Henry are bigger and more athletic.
Look for Thompson to have a big 1st quarter.
Radius says
Strategy is to keep the very successful second unit together and keep X and Farmar together. I have no problem with that choice.
Guest says
Anyone who saw Farmar play last night shouldn’t be surprised but more so remember what kind of player he was during his first stint with us.
Kevin_ says
With the new added depth feeling much more comfortable with Lakers keeping pace with the Warriors. With that said need a solid game on both ends from Blake and Meeks not to fall asleep guarding Klay. Think Young improves tonight too.
KenOak says
What’s with the extended introductions?
Fern says
Cant run with the Dubs with this lineup, Pau need to set himself down low, Shawne is a non factor
Keno says
Could be a beating if Blake, Meeks Williams are left in.
Keno says
Like I said putting Meeks on Thompson is a bad joke. Meeks is a ghost out there.
JD says
Can’t buy a bucket in the first. Let’s see how they can respond. I’d love to see a Gasol-Hill combo upfront when Lee and Bogut are back in. This is something I don’t think we saw last night.
KenOak says
That Thompson guy isn’t bad…
Fern says
Cant score at all ugh just missing shots, nothing special in the Dubs D, the ball just dont want to go in.
Keno says
That Jerry West guy isn ‘t bad.
KenOak says
Down to earth.
Fern says
I think i seen enough
Keno says
Reality Bites.
Can we play Clippers again?
Fern says
Meeks is having a pretty good game as a matter of fact he is the only one scoring so you guys need to chill
Gary says
Golden State is just better than the Lakers. Better talent, better skill and a better coach.
Glove says
Lakers couldn’t throw a pea in the ocean tonight.
Kevin_ says
Really up to the bench to provide the same energy from yesterday, if not Lakes won’t get back in this one.
Keno says
Gary
You forgot better FO. Mr. West
GS is a top 3 in the West. By the way Blake in 2 games has been bad. Lakers won’t score 75 points tonight. It’s ok still beat Clips!
KenOak says
I think that this will be the norm for this team until Kobe comes back. Unless the bench is running and hitting 3’s, it will be difficult to score. Gonna need to out-hustle and out-run the competition.
God I hate watching these games with local announcers.
Kevin_ says
Williams and Young 5-21 through 6 quarters.
PurpleBlood says
Thompson´s headed for a 50 point night-
our shooting percenatges are terrible,
steep slope to climb in the 2nd half
Pgunn says
Can’t shoot, so the Lakers have to figre out a way for to get easier shots. D’Antoni, though, thinks that most players can shoot 3s.
LakerFanatic says
So we don’t run Pick and ROLLS anymore…is everything pick and pop or pick and just space? We have to have some inside out whether its drive and kick, posting or pick and roll action…playing keep away on the perimeter isn’t going to get any scoring at all..
Keno says
Someone else has to take Thompson. Meeks had no chance.
Oh I said that at 7 pm. Never mind. Meeks is terrible on D
Gary says
I guess D’antoni still doesn’t realize that Meeks can’t guard Thompson.
Keno says
Looks like idiot using other names is back. Not my comment on Boston.
I quit.
Good night
Kevin_ says
What offense are the Lakers running?
vhanz says
Guys are off tonight, geez. Can’t even buy a shot in short distance.
On to the next one.
KenOak says
I’m so glad that I couldn’t go to this game tonight. I would have been ticked if I had paid money to watch this game.
vhanz says
Darius, someone again is copying commenters name in this board. Not my post at 9:28 after KenOak…
Kevin_ says
Saw that Lakers didn’t have a shootaround today. They don’t even look prepared to play tonight. Some blame on the coach?