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Preview & Chat: Lakers vs. Timberwolves

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The Lakers, after a day off, are back in business tonight against the Timberwolves. We’ve already done this dance once already, so there is somewhat of a blueprint here. That game, on opening night, was a tough loss to swallow, but showed some promise on what could be this season. It seems, though, what has transpired is that the losing of the big lead and the Lakers not recovering was more foreshadowing than the getting the big lead in the first place.

In any event, the Lakers come in 3-18 on the season and if I’m being completely honest, the frustrations — not from the losing, necessarily, but from mechanics of how those losses were achieved — leaves me with little of substance to say.

With that, here is my quick-take-of-little-substance-game-preview*. I hope you enjoy it.

If the Lakers are to win today, they must come out focused and ready to play. They have to be into it from the opening tip. This is a big boy’s league and that means coming to work every day. They cannot be soft. They have to man up. They need to play in a way that makes their coach want to be in a foxhole with them.

These young guys, they haven’t earned the right to come out and not give their all for every minute they’re in the game. Playing in this league is a privilege that is not guaranteed. They need to act like it and perform. While patience is required, now is not the time for patience.

Now go get that win.

Where you can watch: 5:00pm start time on TWC Sportsnet. Also listen on ESPN Radio 710AM.

*I just had to get that off my chest. Enjoy the game tonight, folks. I have a family commitment that will keep me from watching the game live. With this being Kobe’s last game in Minnesota, I expect the crowd — as it has been in recent road games — to be supportive and lively. I hope this translates to an all around good game worth the time we all continue to invest into watching. With that, I’ll be back at it tomorrow. 


Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Fern says

    I can feel the frustration Darius, the last 3 days have been really really hard and i feel at the end of my rope here, some things just make no sense, and im still mad about the season opener…

  6. Craig W. says

    Byron is doing what he did last year – giving a group of guys 5-7 games to see if they could learn to play together, then change things up. We may develop someone like Nance that way, but I don’t see where Williams is going to help the starting unit. I think Byron wants some defense from the front line – aside from Hibbert – and Julius wasn’t giving him much, other than the colorful steal. Perhaps he can get Larry to actually shoot the rock occasionally.

    This is his MO and I doubt all the media/fan screams in the world are going to change it much.

  7. DieTryin says

    Darius- In a word perfect!

    Need to go get my big boy pants on now. Forget that be like Mike stuff Seriously, the only rhyming Byron word I want to hear is firing. As in Fyron Byron.

  8. Anonymous says

    I believe that December 15th is the date that recently signed free agents can be moved. The FO should, as has been noted, move Williams and Bass. I’d ship out Young as well.

    Hibbert should be shopped but he’s got such a big contract that you’d have to take back stuff that carries beyond this year. However, if that team threw in a sweetner (ie a pick or youngster) then I’d do it. The bottom line is teams that are faced with a housecleaning like this aren’t a year away they are much much further.

    The timeline I keep in mind is that it took the Warriors 4 years into the Steph Curry era to make the playoffs. For the Lakers this means we on the outside looking in until 2019/20.

  9. Kareeme says

    Craig,
    The problem is that much of the fan trepidation about Byron before the season was whether he was prepared to embrace the new NBA. He showed he was willing to do so, but only through his own poorly conceived attempts. More 3pt shots? Have our most inefficient 3pt shooter take over 7 per game. Positional versatility? Play Brandon Bass at Center! Developing youngsters, isn’t that his MO? Don’t play ’em down the stretch, especially when they’re playing better.

    Scott is doing a bad job at his job. This roster is limited, but he’s under utilizing its talent. He is prioritizing the vets over in-game success and player development. There was absolutely no reason to cut Russell and Randle’s minutes. There was no reason to play Robert Sacre 16 minutes. We all know what he can do. Sigh…

  10. Robert says

    Kobe Alert: KB turned in a very good all around game against the Raptors with 21, 8, 4, and 2. The 8 defensive rebounds moved him by Maurice Lucas, Kurt Thomas, and PJ Brown and vaulted him into 51st all time. He also has played in his 1298th game which moves him to within 2 games of Ray Allen for 15th all time. His 47,338 minutes leaves him only 281 minutes shy of Reggie Miller for 8th all time (many of you seem to like to track his minutes). Kobe has also moved by the 1900 steal level, which has only been done by 13 others. Just 57 dimes to catch the Logo. There are many types of fans this year. There are Kobe fans, tanking fans, front office critics, Byron critics, and youngster fans. Just remember that no matter what type of fan you are, you root for a team over which – Kobe Rules !

  12. Ryan P says

    The latest tweet from medina….

    How can Byron not even talk with Kobe?
    Isn’t that the most important quality of a coach? Communicating with players?!?!?

    Is this all some Machaviellian plot to have the team rise up against the coach as a team? Ugh…

  13. Anonymous says

    From Kevin Pelton’s article about Jerry Colangelo’s presence could mean for the 76ers. Reading the piece, you could easily see where the Lakers are not that far from where Philly is.

    Scenario 1: The public face of the process
    The lack of a spokesperson to explain what the organization is attempting to do has been an issue for Philadelphia. Hinkie is by nature disinclined to seek the spotlight, a trait that has made it easier for critics to portray him as a calculating villain seeking to pull one over on the 76ers’ players and the rest of the league.

    Scenario 2: The takeover
    It’s certainly possible Colangelo’s arrival is the beginning of the end of Hinkie’s tenure with the 76ers. While ownership backed his plan to strip down the team of its veteran assets in favor of building through the draft, frustration with the lack of progress over the last two seasons is understandable. At this point, all Philadelphia has to show for two seasons in the depths of the lottery are question marks.

    Scenario 3: Wait and see
    We’ll know a lot more about where the 76ers are headed this summer. If Philadelphia lands two top-five picks, from among the team’s own pick, its swap rights with Sacramento and a top-three protected pick from the Los Angeles Lakers, another lost season will look a lot more palatable.
    ___

    Leadership matters and the longer the Lakers appear rudderless the more pressure will fall on Jeanie to act.

  15. Anonymous says

    This is his MO and I doubt all the media/fan screams in the world are going to change it much.

    —

    The fans and media, no. However, one would think that his bosses should be able to get his attention.

  22. Robert says

    Moto: Never asked you to start posting here. So give yourself a break and keep it to yourself.

  28. Gene says

    Hibbert is getting worse each game…doesn’t do anything…Sacre is better… Russell only 8 minutes…Randle only 9 minutes…Randle should be in and Hibbert out…

  29. Fern says

    Now Byron is going to say that benching DAR and Randle is a good idea because we scored 57 points. DAR is struggling with this bech role…

  31. KevTheBold says

    Agree Fern.

    Russell is struggling with Huertas being given ball handling duties, and since Russell is feeding Randle and Randle is a shoot first player, Russell has little chance to get his offence warmed up.

    For anyone saying that benching Randle was to keep Russell from getting angry,..the opposite is more likely, because Randle’s position and shoot now mindset, make it irrelevant if he starts or not.

    Russell’s stats are going to dive, unless he cuts down his passing to Randle.

  36. LKK says

    If Byron gives R&R major minutes in the 4th, the Lakers will have a great shot at winning. The younguns are balling.

  37. Gene says

    Kobe and Roy with the highest minus…Young with the most Plus…. Randle is a stud…The 3 kids will be good in the future..

  40. LKK says

    DAR has his hands full with Martin… This is where he can benefit from some post game instructions. But BS doesn’t like to communicate.

  41. Fern says

    Kobe is benched?could it be that BS was looking for a way to get Kobe out of there and the kids provide it? Or im giving too much credit to him? lol

  44. vhan says

    I really don’t care if we lose, I just watched these 3 young guns in this Lakers shine this season.

  45. Fern says

    @LKK when Martin is that hot anyone in the league has his hands full, deadly shooter when hot, and DAR has hit him back…

  56. sam says

    NOW regardless of winning or losing this particular game, THAT is what we lakers fans been expecting and waiting for!

    learning sessions for the kids, NOT sitting sessions!!!

    pretty cool to have JR and DAR to lead the team in REB and Points… doing alright as “busts”…

    go lakers!

  61. LKK says

    DAR & Juice with a clear message to their coach tonight. That drive where JR failed to finish at the 34 second mark of OT points up the need for him to develop that right hand.

  63. Kbj says

    Clarkson is still sitting. No Brown or Black. Still too much Lou and Young. Hope they increased their trade value.

  64. KevTheBold says

    Randle, Russell, in crunch is how it should have been set up since game one, but let’s hope Scott has learned something today.

  70. vhan says

    It should have been nice if Russell hits that last shot. But its ok, fun to watch some young talents today.

  72. Fern says

    Dammmnnnn!!!! It’s ok, I LOVED what i saw from Dar and Julius, if Julius shoot better from the ft line we won this, this is DAR breakthrough game what a bust huh?, excellent effort, this a game we can build on…

  76. ceartas says

    So before he was benched for truth telling, Nick got 2 blocks in a game, and after the 2nd one my wife (Clipper fan) yells, “Swaggy D!!” She’s loved him ever since he was ” the answer” lol for the Clipps. Nice to see him making the effort lately. Based on last seasons performance, I don’t think BS is motivating him. I’m betting Ron-Ron been pokin’ him in the ribs.

    Glad to see Kobe’s minutes limited, just don’t wanna see another season ending injury.

    Great effort tonight from R&R, and a fun game to watch!

  77. LKK says

    @Fern…..
    True Martin was blue hot. My critique had to do with the fact that DAR was letting him catch the ball too easily. Russ and Clark can help themselves immensely by improving on D. Then again, so can the rest of the team.

  79. rubenowski says

    That was very encouraging to see from Russell. Liked it a lot. Randle beasting it on the boards, like he should. He leads all second year players with 10 double doubles.

    I had a dream a few days back where Russell scored 42. I woke up and was disappointed. But I can totally see Russell having a couple of 30 point games this season.

  80. LKK says

    Hmmm..

    Follow
    Mark Medina ?@MarkG_Medina
    Byron said Kobe volunteered to sit out to let young guys play
    11:07 PM – 9 Dec 2015

  81. Mid-Wilshire says

    I was VERY encouraged by tonight’s performance by Russell and Randle. They showed grit and poise beyond their years. My only regret is that Clarkson was (because of a tweaked ankle) unable to play late in the game.

    We often point to certain aspects of their game that the “kids” can work on, perimeter defense being the key issue for Russell and Clarkson. For Randle, in addition to his mid-range shot and improved use of his off-hand, I’d like to see him improve his free throw shooting. Tonight he was 6-11 from the FT line and, of course, missed a big FT late in the game. He’ll probably feel pretty bad about that tonight. But with his style of play, I feel confident that if he improves his FT shooting, he’ll help himself immensely. It’s crucial that Randle work on his FT shooting as, say, Karl Malone, did before him.

    All in all, an outstanding performance from the young players. Maybe there’s a light at the end of the tunnel after all.

  82. DieTryin says

    Saw Kobe’s comment that he told Byron to let the kids finish. Sounds about right since BS has always chosen to have them watch from the bench. Is this a sign that even Kobe is trying to distance himself from our “coach”?

  83. LKK says

    More from Twitter…

    Mike Bresnahan
    Mike Bresnahan – Verified account ?@Mike_Bresnahan

    No Kobe in the 4th could be pattern as season progress. Byron: “Eventually, it’s going to be like this anyway. Just so these guys can grow.”
    8:11 PM – 9 Dec 2015

    Coming on the heels of Kupchak’s recent comments assessing the team, it may very well be that Byron has received some new directives from his employers.

  84. Harold says

    Was at the game today. Kmart was just way too hot and seemed like everything was going in. Kobe was bricking a ton during warm ups to the point it was embarrassing but nailed 3-4 threes in a row and started the game strong… But overall it looked as if he didn’t have the legs to play the whole game.

    Overall it was good except I wanted to see Kobe more; but it became quickly obvious that he wouldn’t play the fourth. Hibbert plain stinks and was very timid… Can’t believe this guy was once almost franchise level…

  85. Fern says

    How Miudiay looks now? Who’s the bust? Miudiay numbers are horrendous and i think they did a disservice to him throwing him to the wolves like that, DAR is the best player by a country mile. Big of Kobe stepping aside and let the kids go, i believe he didn’t agree with their benching, and his demeanor after the game was relaxed, he dont give a crap about being there in the fourth anymore, I really doubt every game is going to be like that but he seems more willing to let the kids play, more than BS obviously…

  86. J C says

    Robert
    I actually really enjoy the Kobe alerts.
    It’s always cool to see what new threshold he has passed and I love the references to
    players from yesteryear I’d forgotten about. Sometimes they are obscure records, like defensive rebounds – that even makes it more interesting.
    Keep it up!

  87. J C says

    I cannot believe what I just watched (late, on DVR).
    Hats off to Byron for sticking with the 5 guys that kept them in the game.
    This is kind of courageous move that good coaches make. I’ve been so hard on Byron this year, it’s only fair to give him props when he does something right
    So, I’m in shock. And Kobe on the bench?? Wow.
    IN fact I really appreciated seeing Kobe actually excited at Russell’s big 4th quarter. One of the few times KB has shown genuine joy on the bench and it was great to see that.

    And D. Russell?
    Sweeeet game.
    Not surprised.
    He has this sort of production in him, no question.
    Too bad he slipped on that last possession and kinda rushed the shot.
    He and Randle both had excellent outings
    How many rookies have scored over 20 points in a half this year?

    Even though Clarkson sat out with his ankle, his play has been surprisingly steady.
    Our “big 3” young guns are just warming up.

  88. KO says

    Sorry JC. Kobe was coaching. He told BS to stay with lineup. Otherwise he would be out there bricking. He missed his last 7 shots.

    Cred to kB not BS.

  89. bleedpurplegold says

    I have to admit, i was soooo wrong on DAR. I expected his ceiling to be a starting PG at best, but he even showed flashes of potential i never anticipated in him. That pull up three with a hand in his face was a thing of beauty and even reminded me of curry. I wont say he will be as good as him (to me steph is the best player in the league right now), but man was i wrong about russell. All-star potential written all over him.

    Where i was right though is randle. He is a beast, if he does things like he is doing right now in his rookie year (i dont count last season), one can only imagine what he could be one day.

    Clarkson is a straight baller, love his demeanor and especially the way he developed his mid range game. We didnt see as much from 15-17ft last year, but his pullup is a tging of beauty, u can not see it coming whatsoever…..

    Can u imagine a lineup dar-jc-simmons?!? As he said, catch him on the lakers next year :):)

    GO LAKERS!!

  90. BigCitySid says

    -As the Los Angeles Lakers played a tight game against the Minnesota Timberwolves into the fourth quarter, Bryant told coach Byron Scott to “let the kids play.”

    -I’m giving an assist to Kevin Garnett, Kobe sees what’s going on in Minny.

    – Loved how the young guys stepped up. Hoping to see a lot more of the kids finishing the games w/ the Kob on the bench.

    -We have to see how well these guys can fly.

  91. teamn says

    Great game, some good signs all around.

    Robert — you may need to add “coaching decision” to the Kobe alert!

  92. Kbj says

    I hope Kobe reconsiders being a coach. He has so much knowledge to give to players. We saw Kobe teaching the young guys, especially Russell, what to do and how to do it. He would make a great assistant coach.

  93. Jack says

    If Simmons is your goal, this is the type of loss you want. The kids played well. I don’t know how the FO feels about keeping the pick but I think fans could live with losses as long as the kids are developing.

    Williams and Young had 25% of our points last night. Games are likely not as close without them. However, they are not part of the long term plan. I say trade them, Bass and Hibbert.

    The worst thing the FO can do is look at last night and say, ‘we’re close, we just need to add a few more vets’. No, the future is still years away. Use Kobe for cover and rack up the losses and try and get Simmons — then the franchise is set for the next 20 years.

  94. Anonymous says

    Nice call on the kids last night by Kobe.

    Maybe Kobe changes his mind about coaching and will succeed Byron next year. The FO wins as Kobe is still part of the ‘team’ and the fans win because the kids will get to play.

    If Kobe wants to own a team then learning the game as a coach, then moving up to the FO would be a great way to understand ‘that’ side of the business. The only problem is that the Buss kids would never sell the Lakers so we’d see Kobe owning the 76ers or some team like that.

  95. KevTheBold says

    So the leash was finally taken off of D’Angelo and it was due to Kobe, not Scott.

    Thank you Kobe !

    I believe, or at least hope this was a breakthrough for all three, especially Kobe.

    He can play a pivotal role this year in instilling his skills, insights, and killer instinct into our young core, thereby insuring that our Laker future is bright.

    This would be the perfect final achievemment to his awesome career.

  96. JeffT says

    It looked to me like Kobe was drawing up all of the plays at the end there. I really enjoy seeing Kobe engaged with the development of young Mr.Russell. We talked a lot at the beginning of the season about the mentorship with Metta/Randle, but it sure looks like the Kobe/Russell relationship is much stronger and more important. As an aside, Russell needs to start working on his post game interviews, as he sounds very much like the 19 year old kid that he is.

  97. PurpleBlood says

    Robert — you may need to add “coaching decision” to the Kobe alert!
    ___
    hahaha, great suggestion

  98. KO says

    Final Truth!

    If Kobe retired pre-season.
    Team would have increased ball movement, and faster development based in last nights performance.

    Result: 25 to 30 wins and zero chance of 1st round draft.

    With Kobe shooting 32%, 31 min a game and 20 shots PG, limited ball movement, terrible defense very bad team.

    Result: 12 to 15 wins a game and 40% chance of 1st rounder.

    So you choice. A or B

  99. KevTheBold says

    KO, 12 -15 wins and we give our pick to Philly anyway.

    If they refuse to intentionally tank, our best bet is to devote our full attention into development of our talented trio, which would include all the tools Kobe can provide.

    If we do that, build around them, and hire a new young coach, I believe we can make a go at the playoffs in 2017.

  100. Anonymous says

    If we do that, build around them, and hire a new young coach, I believe we can make a go at the playoffs in 2017.
    __

    If the Lakers score big in free agency in the summer of 2017 then the playoffs are a real possibility during the 2017/18 season.

    If it’s all on the kids then the playoffs would be more likely during 2018/19 season. Remember the kids Randle, Clarkson, Russell and Nance are only 4 of 10 potential rotational spots needed to really compete. No one, other than the kids, projects to be on the team in two or three years. The FO still has a lot of work to do to get this team in the playoffs.

  101. rr says

    Since people are talking about it all the time, just a reminder. If as seems likely the Lakers finish with the second-worst record:

    Chances of #1 pick: 19.9%
    Chances of #2 pick: 18.8%
    Chances of #3 pick: 17.1%

    So as noted, if they stay where they are, then they have a 55% chance of keeping the pick, and presuming that Ben Simmons, is, at it appears, going to be a consensus #1, a 19.9% chance of getting him. Also, if they keep the pick this year, it is again Top 3 protected in 2017–so we will be doing this all over again. It is unprotected in 2018.

    Here is how the pick still owed to Orlando works as per RealGM.com:

    2018 first round draft pick to Orlando
    If at least two years after the L.A. Lakers conveyed a 1st round pick to Philadelphia, then the L.A. Lakers’ 1st round pick to Orlando protected for selections 1-5 in 2018 and unprotected in 2019; if the L.A. Lakers have not conveyed a 1st round pick to Philadelphia by 2017, then the L.A. Lakers will instead convey their 2017 2nd round pick and 2018 2nd round pick to Orlando [L.A. Lakers-Orlando, 8/10/2012]

  102. barty says

    I wonder if Kobe really told Byron to leave the kids in or that was some kind of post hoc spin?

    At any rate, it’s what we’ve been clamoring for. Excellent loss 🙂

  103. KevTheBold says

    Barty, it’s a fact. D’Angelo even commented and thanked Kobe for the deed.

    Seems Kobe has some coach in him despite his claims never to put on the monkey suit.

  104. KevTheBold says

    Thanks rr.

    Interesting that the number 2 and 3 picks have a lower chance percentage. One would think it to be the opposite.

  105. BigCitySid says

    – Give the credit about allowing the kids to finish the game to whoever makes you feel good, for whatever reason you want to believe…I’m just glad “the change” finally started.

    – Hoping it becomes the norm rather than the exception…I’m getting excited again about Laker b-ball

  108. Fern says

    Again, people making definite statements about playoffs in 2 or 3 years, i think this team could be in the playoffs as early as next season, we have a young core in place unlike last summer and the summer before that, and as much as 68 million in cap space , and before somebody say “the cap is going up for everyone” the Lakers are the only team with all that space, some teams are close but the Lakers are the team with the most, space, after Kobe’s contract is off the books the highest salary is Lou with 7 million, and like i been saying the Lakers are entering a new era and a wide open Lakers team the NBA marquee franchise with tons of capspace and young talent in place is a very interesting proposition for FAs, if everything breaks right we could have a nice team next season some things need to change and we all know what they are, i know it’s too early but instead of dreaming a bout maybe getting another draft pick i think the Lakers are positioning themselves in a way better situation for next summer than before and turn those draft dreams academic…

  109. david h says

    Darius: we give credence to your tough love preview to yesterday’s game versus timberwolves. Sometimes a psychic transference is needed and pays off in ways that causes one to pause: hey, did that just happen? Thanks to self, even old school Scott must have come to some realization. Trust the kids, play the kids; get kobe’s permission.

    Which brings us to Friday’s game. Should be a true test up to this point in the season as to where the team stands against a no nonsense team coached by one greg popavich.

    Rinse and repeat: Trust the kids, play the kids, get kobe’s permission. It’s that simple.

    Go Lakers