Forum Blue And Gold

A Lakers Blog. Thoughts, reflections, and the odd rant on the Los Angeles Lakers and the NBA (even the Clippers).

Preview & Chat: Lakers vs. Raptors

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Considering it is all too easy to remain negative and focus on all that is wrong with the Lakers, I will try to avoid that today. Yes, the frustration is real and in dealing with a 3-17 start — and all that has come with it — in a season where I was genuinely feeling excited about the year has been, well, difficult. But, I will try to be better than making the easy joke or focusing too much on all that has gone wrong. There will be plenty of other days for that, I’m sure (that’s the last one, I promise!).

The Lakers are in Toronto tonight, the 5th game of an 8 game roadie that has seen them travel to 6 cities in the past 9 days. They are surely starting to wear down, but they continue to play hard for long stretches and compete to try and make their way back into games even though they do fall behind double digits most contests.

I have been very pleased with the play of the young guys in recent games, with D’Angelo Russell really starting to show more of what he can do on the floor. In his last 10 games his minutes are up to 31 a night and his averages in that stretch are are nearly 13 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists a game. He’s been assertive in looking for his own shot more, has flashed better shot making from all three levels, and has continued to show he can be a next level passer — even if his assist totals do not show it.

There are always things to improve — defense is at the top of the list — but his comfort level on offense is growing. What pleases me most is that he is finding ways to do well even though he plays in a system which does not always maximize what he projects to do well while playing with ball-needy teammates who use up possessions. Finding the right balance is an ongoing process, but I like what I’m seeing.

I have also been very pleased with Julius Randle’s continued progression. In his last 10 games he’s averaging a double-double, averaging 12.4 points and 10 rebounds. His rebounding has been especially encouraging — he is truly becoming a fantastic out of area rebounder who chases down loose balls and contests 50/50 caroms with great tenacity. His shooting still needs work and he would do well to roll to the rim more often after setting screens, but his general feel for how to get baskets — especially in isolation — remains a pleasant part of his overall game.

These young guys (as well as Jordan Clarkson who is also doing some really good things every night) are the future of the team. We may not always agree in how they’re being deployed, but they are getting reps, finding ways to be effective, and learning more and more about themselves as players and how to translate their skills to the league. This is what we should all want. It won’t always be pretty, but as the father of a 4 year old and a 2 year old, I can tell you there were plenty of spills as they learned to walk.

Against the Raptors, there will be lots of things we don’t really like which sully the proceedings. These things will likely be the exact things (or variations of them) which we have all complained about to this point. I predict another loss as the Raptors — with Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, and DeMarre Carroll — will likely offer too much firepower on the perimeter for the Lakers to keep up with.

But as the games go on, the growth in the young players — even with the other variables which can sometimes bump up against it — will be my focus. It won’t always lead to the best results, but the transition is already taking place. It just may not always look how we want it to.


Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. J.T. says

    I’m so frustrated that Kobe seems to think shooting 4-19 and 2-15 in the last two games, hell 29% from the entire season, is okay. I keep thinking that his poor shooting is going to make him go into facilitater mode like he’s capable of doing, but his stubborn a** just won’t do it.

  3. tankyou says

    @desmo, that’s pretty freaking funny!

    For me I just don’t see those 3 guys as being enough, I think its very unlikely any of them become a top 3 player at their position. Hopefully DAR someday can be a top maybe 20-30PG. I’m assuming Clarkson is going to have to be a SG for us, can’t play him with DAR 30mpg otherwise. Randle is the only guy I can see maybe being a top 3-5 guy at his position someday. I honestly don’t know if that’s enough talent to lead the way or not. Clearly none of those 3 guys look to be good defenders, hoping they can be average at some point. But we are going to need a couple elite defenders to really turn the corner and be good. So basically for me we are back to the we need a SF/Center type commentary that was often brought up last year. We have to have guys who can help slow the bleeding on D in the future. It looks like we SHOULD have enough firepower in our 3 young guys as they improve to start being competitive on that end of the floor–but nothing about those 3 guys make me think they are going to be a huge +/over their minuses on many nights. I really don’t see Clarkson/DAR every defending really good PG well, but thats a position where it seems most of the good PG’s seem to toast each other I suppose. I really hope they get a 3&D SF, and another Center that plays D backup PF that is on the larger side and can be a rim protector and shot deterrer.

    So again I await next year for them to blow up the roster, find ways to move Lou Williams, get someone younger and more mobile then Hibbert and of course a New Coach and new System.

  4. tankyou says

    Oh yeah, I’m more then fine with the FO firing itself, or becoming just shareholders with no say in basketball operations.

  5. Dr Mike says

    I thought for a minute, Kobe would take on more of a facilitator role after the Washington game. My thinking was that Kobe wanted to show rookies that he is still capable of something special on the court. Once he showed that, he would be free to play a more team oriented style. Sadly, that hasn’t been the case. I’m still hoping to see something resembling consistent professional basketball before end of the season

  6. Fern says

    What is this crap about BS saying that Russell and Randle coming off the bench “for the 5 to 10 games”, has he lost his mind?

  8. KO says

    FO is concerned that Russell and Randle might actually play well and win a game.

    Not in accordance with instructions to play to lose not win.

    Shame on you if you spend money to go to games.

  9. Snarky George says

    What is this crap about BS saying that Russell and Randle coming off the bench “for the 5 to 10 games”, has he lost his mind?

    —

    The FO and coach are crossing over from ‘ineptitude’ to sheer ‘lunacy’. The problem, ‘Kobe’, is staring them in the face yet they can’t see what we all can see.

    Good managers ‘manage’ the problem not ignore it.

  14. rubenowski says

    Oh man, this can’t get any more tragic. As soon as Darius congratulates the play of Russell and Randle Scott decides to bench them. Hey Scott, are you a fan of the site?

  17. tankyou says

    Kobe played 8 mins without jacking up a few threes, so that’s a big success. Maybe he doesn’t want his shooting percentage to be laughable his final year and he is going to try and swear off 3 pointers–which pretty much is single handedly destroying his offensive efficiency.

  18. LKK says

    The most consistent problem for the Lakers is poor defense. Lowry is killing them from 3 and Ross got off in the first quarter, too. If Clarkson and Russell are serious about their futures, they’ve got to show improvement on defense. Good team defense starts on the perimeter.

  22. Mid-Wilshire says

    Karen,

    Nick did not get suspended. He may be in the doghouse a bit. But he did not get suspended.

    P.S. Neither did Tarik Black.

  25. LKK says

    Russell showing nicely on his drives. Good to see his aggression. Early 4th Lakers with a large rebounding advantage and have not allowed a 3 in the 2nd half. Lakers bench also outscoring Toronto’s bench.

  27. LKK says

    Kev,
    Agree about Huertas/Russell. In my world, Huertas is out of the rotation and Anthony Brown is in.

  28. LKK says

    Would have liked to have seen Russel and Randle closing in the fourt as opposed to Nance and Williams.

  32. Vhan says

    BS trying to lose this game. DAR and JR were playing well why the hell did he subbed them out. This game is winnable.

  35. KO says

    If anyone can explan why Randle was pulled with 5 minutes left please speak up, even Toronto announcer was amazed.

  37. Chibi says

    Byron: I need you to shoot less. Shoot fewer threes.
    Kobe: OK, but take Randle and Russell out of the starting lineup. Cut their minutes.
    Byron: Deal.

  38. Kbj says

    So Kobe plays efficiently and Lakers still lose. The Lakers are just a bad team with a bad coach. Doesn’t matter if Kobe plays or not. Doesn’t matter if Randle or Russell plays from bench. Doesn’t matter if Nick Young plays. They just suck.

  39. Mid-Wilshire says

    Tonight, at least, was a competitive game with Kobe enjoying his best outing of the year. However, below are a few observations / conclusions:

    1) Robert Sacre played 16:37 and had 3 pts. (0-3 shooting), 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 TOs; under no circumstances, IMO, should Sacre EVER play 16:37 in a game; he’s strictly an end-of-the-bench guy and an emergency, 3rd-string, back up center;

    2) Brandon Bass, surprisingly, did not play; but there was still no sighting of Tarik Black; apparently, he remains in exile;

    3) Julius Randle was in full beast mode — 15 pts., 11 rebounds (7 offensive), tons of energy in only 20:45; it’s unfortunate that he didn’t get more burn considering his level of play tonight;

    4) The Lakers had 14 assists vs. 15 TOs; a team should aim for at least a 2 : 1 ratio; obviously they did not achieve that.

    I, for one, am not at all convinced that Byron Scott’s new lineup is the answer to the Lakers’ ills. He’s simply taking playing time away from Randle and Russell, playing time that the Lakers desperately could have used in tonight’s game.

    Finally, as mentioned above, Kobe played well. But it may soon be time to rest him for a game or two to ensure that he lasts the entire season. Tonight Kobe played 31:49 — perilously close to being absolutely excessive for a 37-year old veteran. The minutes continue to pile up which concerns me greatly. If and when he does rest, that might be a good time to see what Anthony Brown can do.

    But let us not hold our breath for that.

  40. Fulofunk says

    The mystery of “Where Is Tarik Black” continues. Our 2 bigs in foul trouble and no mention of TB. From anyone….I did se AB in uniform 2 games ago, but TB isn’t even in the building for the last 4 or 5 games. What’s goin’ on?

  41. Josh says

    There is no love for Byron Scott in my heart. Where there was Showtime instead is a plea to Luke Walton. Can we do something right and hire him in the off-season?