The Summer Lakers were eliminated from the Las Vegas Summer League Playoffs on Wednesday after falling to the Dallas Mavericks 88-86. One would not be wrong to consider the team’s showing in Las Vegas quite disappointing. Be it the Russell turnovers, Randle’s rust, or an overall lack of chemistry, the talented group just wasn’t the cohesive unit we had hoped it would be.
So, given the current uneasiness of Lakers fans, our friend Kurt Helin of Pro Basketball Talk clarified that the team is currently undergoing a rebuild and in such a process, composure is key:
Lakers fans are not exactly renowned for their patience.
Nowhere was that more in evidence than Monday night at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, when after an ugly first quarter — 5 points on 2-of-17 shooting, with seven turnovers — Lakers fans that filled the Thomas & Mack booed their young players.
That may have been the lowlight, but the Lakers’ young stars have had their struggles in Sin City. Through two games Julius Randle is shooting 29.4 percent, and has averaged just 3.5 rebounds a game in 20 minutes a night. D’Angelo Russell is averaging 10 points a night on 33 percent shooting through three games, but the bigger issue he has two turnovers for each assist he has dished out. Jordan Clarkson has looked like a guy who has been through an NBA season and scored 18.3 points a game, but he’s shooting just 40.4 percent overall and 26.7 percent from three. Clarkson and Russell have some work to do on their chemistry.
All these struggles should serve as a reminder to the Lakers organization and their fans:
Rebuilding is a long process. Patience is required.
A similar sentiment of patience was expressed by Zach Harper of CBS Sports as he contextualized the struggles of young players in a Summer League setting and concluded why such performances are completely “OK”:
None of this is the end of the world. Plenty of talented young players, who ended up becoming All-Star or Rookie of the Year winners, struggled in their summer league moments.
When Derrick Rose played just two games in Orlando summer league, he scored 19 total points on 17 total shots, and had eight turnovers to almost neutralize his 11 assists. Michael Carter-Williams shot 27.1 percent from the field and needed 17 shots a game to average 13 points. DeMarcus Cousins put up 14.5 points and 9.8 rebounds per game, but shot 33.3 percent from the field. Even Stephen Curry shot 32.5 percent from the field and needed 16 shots per game to put up 17.4 points.
Russell and Randle may end up having a great end to the summer, and carry it over into big rookie years for each player (Randle is no longer a rookie, but it’s basically his first year playing in the NBA). While fans and some media rush to wonder what is wrong with the young guys on the Lakers, it’s more important to realize they’re players with little-to-no experience trying to get their feet wet in the Nevada desert.
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Continuing with the theme of Summer exhibition, this piece by Keith Schlosser of SB Nation’s Ridiculous Upside examines the inner workings of the NBA Summer League and more specifically, how salaries are doled out to its participants. Upon reading you’ll find that for most free agents, participation doesn’t necessarily result in a contract or monetary compensation, but the takeaway those players receive can often be quite valuable:
Multiple league and team sources have reiterated that free agent Summer League participants do not get paid. Of course, room, board, and transportation is taken care of. What’s more, athletes are also given a per diem to help mitigate food costs.
Of course, Summer League provides experience that is sometimes even more valuable than what a player stands to earn financially. They receive intimate guidance and feedback from NBA coaches and the NBPA, among other things.
One source pointed out to RidiculousUpside.com that some prospects are given partially-guaranteed contracts for the upcoming season with the thought of an “unpaid” Summer League gig in mind. Plenty of players are taken to the training camp with the team they play for during Summer League anyway. Others are simply cut before camp begins (or shortly after), but they still get to take the money along with them.
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In late February, ESPN’s Baxter Holmes published an in-depth article discussing the Lakers’ usage (or lack thereof) of analytical data. There is no need to re-analyze that piece at this time, but for some brief background on how the teams’ analytics operation is viewed around league circles, here is a look:
If the Lakers have indeed truly embraced analytics, those around the league still have one big question: Where’s the evidence?
“It’s hard for me to believe that they’re even close to fixing things right now, not given the results but given the way they’re making decisions,” said Jeff Ma, a predictive analytics expert for ESPN who has worked as an analytics consultant for several NBA teams.
[…]
“There is no evidence that I’m aware of that suggests progressive thought, finding innovative ways to improve or progress the team — either in team construction/composition, or on-court play,” said one NBA analytics official. “If anything, their on-court play is actively counter to more widely accepted analytic insights: in the absence of specific personnel pointing you in another direction, increase pace, attack the paint in transition, shoot more 3s, protect the paint and deny the corners on defense.”
Couple this piece with the reports that LaMarcus Aldridge reportedly felt “underwhelmed” by the Lakers’ basketball presentation over the summer and many continue to assert that the Lakers’ Advanced Analytics team simply isn’t quite, well, advanced. Nevertheless, team officials have made multiple efforts to prove that their data department is on par with the rest of the league and according to Bill Oram of the Orange County Register, the Lakers are now plotting a move to “beef up” their analytics department:
Assistant coach and advance scout Clay Moser is expected to transition from the bench to the front office in a sort of liaison position, which previously did not exist within the organization. A team spokesman confirmed Monday that the move is in the works.
The responsibilities of the role have been among those heaped upon assistant coach Mark Madsen. The plan with Moser, however, is to facilitate a pipeline of ideas with a basketball person in the front office.
Moser has been with the Lakers since 2011, when Mike Brown hired him as an advance scout. Before that, he was an assistant coach for the D-Fenders and Reno Bighorns of the Development League, as well as an advance scout for Cleveland, Orlando, Sacramento and Golden State.
What this means going forward for the Lakers is quite intriguing — Perhaps this move is the start of a series of steps taken to strengthen their analytics operation altogether. If so, Oram suggests the team’s efforts could be met with some in-house opposition:
Coach Byron Scott has been especially resistant to analytics.
Madsen provided Scott with a weekly breakdown of advanced statistics, but in the middle of last season Scott said those numbers had never influenced a basketball decision.
He said he listens to the information when its brought to him, but that he is “still just old school.”
The disconnect became apparent in February when Mitch Kupchak told KSPN/710 that analytics are “of most use to a coaching staff.” Scott, however, said he had no use for them.
“I think we’ve got a few guys who believe in them,” he said. “I’m not one of them.”
It will be interesting to see if the traditionally steadfast Scott comes around on this matter, but it is nonetheless encouraging that the team is making moves to adapt to the more statistically-oriented NBA.
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Lastly, and tying into the discussion on analytics, the Roy Hibbert acquisition has been met with almost universal praise, even if only for the reprieve it offered from the team’s free agent failures. But Hibbert should fit well on the court, at least on the defensive side of the ball. We covered some of this ground here at FB&G, but at Grantland, Kirk Goldsberry also dove into the numbers and thinks Hibbert and the Lakers could be just what each other need:
By any measure, the Lakers were a defensive tire fire last season, especially in the paint. Their opponents scored 18.9 field goals per game within 5 feet of the basket, third most in the league. The Pacers allowed only 14.8 field goals per game inside of 5 feet, second fewest in the league.
For years now, Hibbert has been one of the league’s most effective “volume rim protectors.” Out of 40 NBA players who defended at least seven shots per game at the rim last season, Hibbert ranked fourth in opponent field goal percentage (42.6 percent) in those situations. Only Rudy Gobert, Serge Ibaka, and Andrew Bogut were more obstructive.
That’s a crucial upgrade for the Lakers, who largely relied on Jordan Hill for rim protection last season. Hill ranked 38th in this group while allowing opponents to convert 55.4 percent of those shots.
We will see if these skills transfer from Indiana to Los Angeles, but the possibility may help both the Lakers and Hibbert regain some success.
Justin says
It is about time the Lakers leave the stone age. They should have no problem finding someone of the smartest analytical minds being that LA should be a place that they would love to live. The big question is, what does this mean going forward. Will the Lakers next coach be one that really embraces analytics (yes I am assuming Byron coaches out the year and then is fired). Will that change the direction they go in FA. Will the learn to balance analytics with traditional scouts.
Craig W. says
I have been saying the acquisition of Hibbert is a good thing for the Lakers. He fits their needs much better then LMA. Of course LMA has the ‘star’ stature so necessary in Los Angeles. IMO, we would have been better served to say we were targeting him early and taken the PR hit for not trying for the big names.
Todd says
I saw the Hibbert article on Grantland.
While Hibbert does provide a better defensive presence, my concern all along has been the fact that he’s not on the court a lot. He’s never averaged more than 30 minutes a game (25 minutes last year). Nor has he averaged more than 9 rebounds a game (7.1 last year). He’s being paid like a front line center but his stats scream ‘backup’.
The other side of the equation is that he has lost his way offensively. To quote Grantland: “A player of Hibbert’s size should at least be an above-average scorer near the rim; he’s not, and his post moves remain way too raw for a veteran center making max money. His ability to shoot midrange jumpers is better than most people expect, but his mediocrity close to the basket remains the reddest of flags on his shot chart. It’s like he’s defending himself out there.”
I look at Hibbert and see a mixed bag. I wasn’t excited when we got him because I think he peaked 3 years ago and he’s on a downward slide. Additionally, I don’t think his game is well suited to the pace that many teams want to play at and his offense isn’t at the level that will penalize a team for going with a small ball center.
My fear is that he will put up nice numbers (it is his contract year after all) and the Lakers resign him — only to have him revert to the mean over the life of the extension.
Bottom line, Iike the rest of our veteran pick ups (Williams and Bass) I don’t think Hibbert moves the needle for the Lakers.
Justin says
@ Craig I don’t think people question that Hibbert is a better fit. They question if he is good enough on offense. If LMA is a 9 on offense and an 8 on defense (yes completely made up numbers but go with me), then is it better to get Hibbert if he is a 4 an offense and a 10 of defense? Hibbert is a useful player for sure. He is one of 5 of 6 players that can make a defense move up 10 spots in the defensive rating by himself. But he is not good at offense…at all. And at age 29 I doubt we see an improvement there. Now I know you will say we won’t throw him the ball (but he pouts if you don’t), but teams will play 4 on 5 and double freely off him. Or hide bad defenders on him. You could literally put your worse defender on him even if it is a 6’4 foot SG and not worry too much. And let’s not forget that in a summer where teams where throwing money around like candy, Hibbert opted in despite being told he would be benched. Tells you what he thinks his value is.
Now all that being said, I am really excited about him. Lakers will have a watchable defense with him in there. He will help them make a playoff push And if we get there he will be exposed by a good team, but at least we would have made that much progress).
rr says
Bottom line, Iike the rest of our veteran pick ups (Williams and Bass) I don’t think Hibbert moves the needle for the Lakers
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They don’t. I think they are there to ease the transition for the young guys, and to make Kobe feel, at least initially, like he will not be going out on a team with no shot at doing anything. Also, Williams is movable, and Hibbert is a large expiring contract, which can either be moved or will or coming off the cap.
Keith says
@ Justin: He will help them make a playoff push.
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The Lakers will not make the playoffs. Not even close. They finished 14th in the conference last year — how are they going to jump over 6 teams in the standings? I can think of only 1 team that the Lakers might finish in front of: Sacramento (as they have a good chance of imploding). Other than that I think each team in the conference has a better roster that the Lakers.
Justin says
@Keith I am assuming that don’t have the injury issues they had last year. You can’t ignore that when injuries are by far the biggest thing when it comes to wins. If Curry, Klay, and Draymond miss the amount of games that the Lakers did then they wouldn’t even make the playoffs (think the Thunder and Durant proved it best). And the fact that they have had injury issues for 3 straight years actually gives them really good odds to be healthy this year (in a weird way I know). Only Kobe because of age should be consider an injury risk. So they will make an improvement on that alone. Add in the fact that Portland and the Mavs will be bad teams that previously made the playoffs and it means two teams move up (I think it will be Jazz Thunder, but you never know). And while Hibbert, Lou, and Bass are not world beaters they are light years better than Hill, Price, and Boozer. And that is not even mentioning Randle and Clarkson. Randle should have a decent enough year to be a back up level player. That should make their bench well improved. And if Russell is ready to be a player by Christmas it puts the Lakers in the hunt.
Yes I would have Thunder, Jazz, Suns all ahead of the Lakers in my predictions, but I wouldn’t call any of them to be a lock to be better than the Lakers (unless Durant is definitely healthy). And yes Sacramento is definitely imploding.
Mikey says
I read a quote by Jerry West that it’s harder to get the right coach than assembling the right talent. If that’s true, we’re probably nowhere close to being a playoff team in 2015-2016.
As an optimist, I could see us finishing 10th or so which would be a sizable improvement. I’d like to see Bass start over Randle. We have too many players who constantly need the ball in their hands while Bass seems like someone who can make a contribution playing off of the ball.
tankyou says
@Keith, yep, no way we make the playoffs, not even close. This team we have this year again is no better than the team we trotted out at the beginning of last season–beyond that it has potential upside. Kobe isn’t going to be amazingly better, and certainly not on defense at his age. Hibbert is worse than Jordan Hill in almost every manner–except rim protection. Hibbert shoots worse, is a sloth, struggles to get back on defense against fast teams (which there are a ton–with all this small ball stuff). Even Sacramento has way more established talent then we will have, and it will take epic headcase crap for them to do worse than us–just b/c of superior talent.
Right now we have no idea honestly if Randle will even be better defensively than Boozer, who was pretty horrible. And clearly Boozer is far superior offensively than Randle at this stage anyway. I don’t view Lou Williams as an upgrade b/c Jeremy Lin is a better all around player then him and could get us going with passing as well as scoring, and he played better D than williams. Brandon Bass is definitely an uprgrade, assuming we strart him rather than Randle.
Honestly this team is all about future hope, I don’t know how anyone can honestly look at this roster if they really know these new players and say playoffs, or even 40 wins? I thought my 30-35 wins was being pretty generous honestly, but that was b/c I hope that Russel/Randle will improve and make a difference by the 2nd half of the season, and Kobe might shoot a bit better with his shoulder better and not being played into the ground.
Craig W. says
Justin,
I posit that you can say Oakfor doesn’t have enough defense and is simply the reverse of Hibbert, though younger and signed for 4 years. The argument could be made either way, depending on your POV.
As to why he opted in = $ (money), pure and simple. His image has taken a horrible hit from his attitude and the media. No owner was going to pay him $15M over any number of years, therefore it was a sound business decision to opt in and force a trade – where he would at least get his $15M and a chance to show better than he could in Indy. The Lakers are an almost perfect landing spot for him and I think he is excited. Win – win for both sides, IMO.
PurpleBlood says
The Lakers are an almost perfect landing spot for him and I think he is excited. Win – win for both sides, IMO.
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Yes, I agree – Hib may feel he´s got some things to prove as well; hoping, as pure & simple incentive, that it´ll light a fire uder him. Playing with Mamba won´t hurt either in that regard!
Lastly, nice piece Myles; & good board so far everyone
Dom says
Loved the article and the telling point to me is Byron Scott’s refusal to acknowledge there is a place for analytics in any forward thinking organization. The fact that LMA was “underwhelmed” and then lauded the Spurs for their vision speaks volumes about whats wrong with this organization. It starts at the top with Jim and Jeannie a ship cant have two captains. One or the other needs to go. (we all know which one (jim) it should be). Mitch has done what he can. He orchestrated the Pau trade, he did the CP3 trade that Stern vetoed, He did flip D12 for a breaking down Bynum. He had Phil coming back in place until Jimmy B pulled the rug out from under him. I think he has shown given a free hand he is very effective. Byron Scott is family like Jim is family, he should be welcome at family function but lets get real, He was worse than D”antoni and Mike Brown. We need to find a young coach and commit to him long term. The triangle and Princeton offenses require a certain type of player with a high basketball IQ. Like quarterbacks that run the spread option in college, these one and done’s arent equipped to come into the pros and execute the system without years of practice and familiarity. This is where consistency, continuity, and advanced analytics come into play. We keep putting the “championship’s horse” before the foundational cart that is not in place yet. Until the head gets fixed the body will continue to suffer.
14.1 says
Does anyone know if the Lakers game today will be televised and what time? I live in the bay area so I don’t have TW, but I do have nba league pass NBA TV. Wouldn’t mind catching one more game before another 2 month drought.
Kevin says
I saw the following article on the web and thought to share it. The Website was called PointAfter, I had never heard of them before. The article gave each team a grade for their off-season activity. PointAfter describes itself as a sports analysis site that provides breaking stats, charts, scores and articles.
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http://nba-teams.pointafter.com/stories/5076/offseason-grades-nba-teams-deandre-jordan-lamarcus-aldridge
Los Angeles Lakers
Arrivals: Lou Williams, Brandon Bass, Roy Hibbert
Departures: Jeremy Lin, Wesley Johnson, Ed Davis, Wayne Ellington, Carlos Boozer*
Retained: N/A
After coming up empty on recruiting Jimmy Butler and LaMarcus Aldridge, the Lakers were forced to deviate. They ended up with Lou Williams and Brandon Bass—each a homeless man’s version of the bigger names.
To be fair, Williams (reigning Sixth Man of the Year) and Bass are both solid role players. But they’d be better fits as guys to round out a contender, not as backup plans for a losing team trying desperately to return to prominence as soon as possible.
The Hibbert trade could prove fruitful for the Lakeshow. As they say, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. But making the playoffs in the Western Conference will be a very tall task, and winding up at No. 7-10 in the standings is the last place you want to be as a franchise. As long as Lakerland is a loser, it will have lost its luster among free agents (how’s that for alliteration?).
Grade: C+
Darius Soriano says
14.1,
The Lakers don’t play today. They play tomorrow. I believe they’ll play at 2pm, but will need to check.
Robert says
I sat directly behind Clay Moser at a game last year and spoke to him for about 10-15 minutes. He is a good guy and seems very knowledgeable. He also laughed at my jokes which was good. Byron and he had almost no interaction during the game or the huddles so hopefully that relationship will get closer. I do not envy Clay Moser in that he is now tasked with being a statistical bridge between Jim Buss and Byron Scott . You got to hand to this guy. He was hired by Mike Brown, survived the MD period, and now is being hired into the FO in spite of the fact that he is not related to anyone owns the team or is on the legends wall. Let’s see if this helps.
Anonymous says
Ethan Strauss @SherwoodStrauss
Kevon Looney’s quietly looked like a lottery pick these past 3 games
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Looney was on the board when the Lakers picked Nash. As a Bruin fan I know how good he is. I think the Lakers will regret passing on him. I mean Looney led the nation in double-doubles and we let him go.
Nash would have been there at 34.
Todd says
Anonymous: It’s Nance not Nash. And I agree with you on Looney. We Bruin fans have to stick together.
Looney is only 19 and will probably grow into a 6’10” 235 pound forward. He would have given the Lakers more upside because he has a legitimate offensive game. At Golden State, I think he’ll eventually make Harrison Barnes expendable.
While I like Nance’s energy I beleive he’s a rotational piece and not a starter. I think Looney starts by year three. So, yeah, this was a miss by the Lakers.
AusPhil says
Have to agree on Looney as well. I am a fan of Nance’s hustle, but Looney has a lot of upside in my opinion.
Anon says
Glad to hear the Lakers will embrace a more analytical approach going forward. Sadly (well, to the one or two people here who seem to blindly support B Scott), this may signal the FO’s desire to part ways with B Scott at the end of the year.
Robert says
Kevon topped the list of “any one of 5 guys” we could have drafted instead Nance. Either way the pick was “Looney”. I would have preferred the literal rather than the figurative.
Scott: Yes – his days were always going to be short lived. However if he makes it through this year, which is likely, he will be the longest tenured coach of this FO’s tenure.
wilt207 says
In 2008, Derrick Rose was selected number one, and Russell Westbrook was selected number 4 , who played in the NBA Finals ? you knew the answer.
Craig W. says
As a matter of fact, people thought Kevin Love – Westbrook’s teammate – would be drafted first. Most of the NBA thought the Thunder ‘jumped the shark’ by drafting Westbrook that high.
It is a little early to try and judge who should have been drafted where, in this last draft.
rr says
As a matter of fact, people thought Kevin Love – Westbrook’s teammate – would be drafted first.
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No. Most mocks had Rose or Beasley at 1.
Many people did think Westbrook was a reach at 4; that is true. Here is an article from the Seattle Times:
http://old.seattletimes.com/html/nba/2008020313_soni27.html
Mid-Wilshire says
“It is a little early to try and judge who should have been drafted where, in this last draft.”
This is very true. In fact, we won’t really be able to judge this draft, in all likelihood, for several years. Any claims that the Lakers blew the draft (or nailed it) are, at this point, simply premature. This is especially true when one’s speaking of 19 year olds.
Mid-Wilshire says
BTW, for those who are insisting the Mudiay is clearly superior to Russell (and is the player whom the Lakers should have chosen), tonight his numbers were as follows from the Las Vegas SL game between Denver and Atlanta:
8 points
3 rebounds
1 assist
7 turnovers
It seems as if such numbers are fairly typical of 19 year-old point guards trying to establish themselves in the NBA.
Hale says
Yes. People thought Kevin Love would be drafted 1st of the UCLA guys. There’s no dispute that Rose or Beasley were slated to go 1-2 or 1-3.
rr says
Yes. People thought Kevin Love would be drafted 1st of the UCLA guys
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If that is what he meant, sure, Love was ahead of Westbook in most mocks. But people were also focused on Seattle passing on Lopez, so it wasn’t just about Love vs. Westbrook, and Westbrook was moving up as the draft approached.
Craig W. says
rr,
You just can’t quit.
It wasn’t very far from obvious that I meant that Kevin Love was expected to be drafted before Westbrook and that Westbrook was drafted much higher than expected. I really wasn’t talking about who was drafted #1 that year.