Admittedly, I didn’t watch a large chunk of this game. Got home late in the third due to Los Angeles’ unforgiving traffic and didn’t finish eating until mid-way through the fourth. In reality, this isn’t a game I should be recapping. But with Darius receiving a DNP (Family Time) and Kobe playing well down the stretch to help seal the Lakers fourth victory of the season, I’ll drop in a few highlights and all you guys to enjoy a rare victory.
Before we get into the highlights, there were a few things that stood out while watching the game down the stretch:
- Despite the win, the Lakers sets down the stretch were still very much a problem. There was very little movement off the ball, and even less ball movement. Of the Lakers eight made shots in the fourth quarter, four of them were assisted. Of the six missed shots that I was able to watch live (and I’ll have to officially go back and check film later), five of them came out of isolation sets. Much of this has to do with the players on the floor. To close things out, Bryant, Williams, Clarkson, and Randle shared the floor with Bass. Four guys who are shoot-first and a guy who isn’t on the floor to create for others. This is nit-picky considering the win, but problematic nonetheless considering it’s a trend we’ve seen all season.
- Speaking of Brandon Bass, he came up with a huge block with just under 90 seconds left to play. Kobe extended the lead to five after knocking down a pair of free throws, and Bass prevented the Nuggets to cutting things back down to a single-possession game. The Lakers would maintain at least a five-point lead for the remainder of the game until Darrell Arthur put in a meaningless 3-pointer with the clock expiring and the game already on ice.
- I suppose we can jump into the highlights by beginning with the end. Kobe reached his season high on a bucket that put the Lakers up seven with 30 seconds left to play. The free-throw game would ensue, but this is essentially the shot that sealed the win.
Larry Nance got up for a filthy dunk over Nuggets center Joffrey Lauvergne
This D’Angelo Russell pass tho
Kobe also dropped a few dimes
Kobe’s old man trot was pretty hilarious
But he was able to turn back the clock with this classic baseline jumper. Looks the same way it did 10 years ago.
While the win was fun, the Lakers won’t have much time for celebration. They’re back on the road tonight as they head out to Oklahoma City for a rematch with the Thunder for their second game of this back-to-back.
[Vine videos courtesy of Basketball Breakdown, Silver Screen and Roll, Lakers Nation and the Lakers official account.]
Simonoid says
Loving the old man trot.
That was a sick floor game that Kobe played today. Very in control.
Jim C. says
Don’t get me wrong. I’m happy about the win. But I’m not thrilled with the playcalling down the stretch.
Isolation post up after isolation post up for Kobe. Setting aside that our offense was predictable as hell down the stretch, this just isn’t in the Lakers best interests right now. Now, granted, it ended up working. But at some point the offense needs to have a different focal point. Kobe is gone after this year. Even if it means a couple more losses, somebody else needs to start getting those crunch time opportunities down the stretch of close games this year.
Craig W. says
Like Fern said, we need to take the wins where we can find them.
The first half wasn’t pretty and showcased all the offensive problems the Lakers have – leading IMO to worse defense.
The fact that Kobe both bailed us out and set an example for how to play the game – going on 20 years in the league – simply points out just how extraordinary he is. I certainly don’t expect this every game, but man he can still bring it. Kobe does not excuse the really poor offense shown most of the night – when Kobe wasn’t assisting. My guess is that the younger players may learn from Kobe’s example, but they certainly aren’t learning much about the ‘system’ the team runs – yes, I used that word with trepidation.
Fern says
The game is in Staples mister lol, i cracked up when i saw the old man trut
KevTheBold says
Fantastic game and lessons from the grand master assassin !
There is another story line going on behind the scenes however.
Two of the core are being caged and dunked in water, and will either give in, and give up their pride and confidence, or continue to rebel.
I hope they simply break the system and return to playing their game.
Otherwise Scott retains the upper hand.
P. Ami says
Uhm… D’ARs assist to Young… What the hell? Please lord, please let us find a coach who can develop talent, or maybe create a viable game plan, or make smart adjustments, or can get along with players. At this point I’ll settle for, like two of those qualities.
Anonymous says
FIFTH win of the season… 5 Alive! F-I-V-E Five!
Not Fourth.
TempleOfJamesWorthy says
While the win was nice (if only to keep some hopes up during this tough season), I don’t think we should read too much into it.
Denver was missing several key players, Jameer Nelson played despite being sick, and if Kobe shoots his more typical 6-22 instead of 10-22, it’s another addition to the “L” column.
It’s great to see Kobe can still play the way he did against Denver. I just hope he chooses to continue to play that way.
And the D’Angelo Russell pass was just sick. Plays like that are why I am so happy the Lakers drafted him instead of Okafor or Porzingis.
rr says
TOJW,
Kobe has been shooting around 47% overall for the last 7-8 games now. It may or may not continue, but if you are going to toss out hypothetical shooting numbers, then you should probably provide that information.
I don’t think many people are reading much into it; they are just enjoying it. Lakers fans who don’t enjoy Kobe would not have enjoyed it much, however.
tankyou says
Nice to see Kobe look like the best offensive player on the team again. Since he looked like the worst offensive player on the team up till recently. Perhaps Kobe will sign a 1 year deal to be a 6th man on a contender next year? I wouldn’t mind seeing that, just as long as the Lakers are moving forward after this year.
Lakers are blowing away the 76ers, looks like 2 or 3rd worst is the “best” we can do. Randle’s offense isn’t impressing me much, but at least he seems like a very good rebounder. Wake me up when next summer is here and hopefully we have a handful of solid new players and a new Coach.
Baylor Fan says
Kobe has been shooting around 47% over the last 7-8 games. That means in the worst loss of the season Kobe was shooting well. The Lakers folded against an aggressive Houston 4th quarter defense with Kobe on the floor and shooting well. Individual achievement is great over the course of a career but all things considered I would rather see the team do well. Following Kobe’s lead, the Lakers should be taking even more iso’s and jacking up even more contested 3’s.
All that said, it was quite a change to have Denver fans chanting Kobe’s name in a good way.
Vasheed says
Love seeing Kobe being Kobe. Nance dunks are a sight to behold. 🙂
TempleOfJamesWorthy says
Reply to rr:
If Kobe can deliver this sort of performance most nights, I’ll be perfectly happy. While the numbers may not necessarily show it (2-9 from 3pt, only 5 assists, etc.), by the “eye test” the Denver game was one of Kobe’s best of the year. He played good defense, he looked to hit the open man (who didn’t always make the shot), and he minimized the number of bad shots he took.
My long time beef with Kobe is this mode of play is NOT his default. His default is “Oh, look! Things aren’t going perfectly. I need to shoot more!” And the game against the 76ers was just ridiculous. That was the Kobe Bryant Retirement Shooting Exhibtion and Clown Show. Thankfully, I think even Kobe realized it (or his teammates finally got in his grille about it), and he’s played much better since then.
I’ll take what Kobe gave us in Denver last night every game. Let’s hope he can sustain it.
rr says
tank,
As I and many others have said, the Lakers are probably pretty much locked into second-worst record, no matter how Scott runs things. Brooklyn is not that bad (unless they dump a bunch of guys) and of course traded their pick to Boston, thus removing incentive to lose. New Orleans has Davis. Sacto or Denver might have a fire sale, but I doubt it.
harold says
At this point, any gem, any win is reason for celebration except that it prolongs Byron’s career and Jim and Mitch’s.
While there are signs that the Lakers are embracing new tech and stats, we are still lacking a blueprint, something that the players can buy into in addition to our brand.
For starters, I think the Lakers should really pitch player safety a la San Antonio and pitch high tech injury prevention like the Suns, and really get a coach who can and will stick to prescribed minute limits. We have an opportunity here to distinguish ourselves from the other owners and franchises as being a player-first, win-win type of franchise that really, really takes care of the players (for 20 years!) so that players can not only come here for the paycheck, weather, market, win, but also for their longevity.
We’ll see what happens tho.
nimble says
Go Kobe!
Robert says
Jim C: “Isolation post up after isolation post up for Kobe.” Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.
Kev: If things turn out well, Byron has 2 1/2 yrs left at 4 million per. If they go poorly, he gets basically $8 million for 1/ a year. So no matter what happens – Byron has the upper hand.
TOJW: “I’ll take what Kobe gave us in Denver last night every game.” Gee – really. He would probably be 1st team all NBA if he did that daily – so yea – I guess so : )
KevTheBold says
@ Harold, I agree & add that the Busses, despite shortcomings, are at least loyal and kind hearted souls, to a fault I know, yet they stood by, and opened doors to many, who imo, didn’t or don’t deserve it.
Chris J says
Someone who knows please remind me of this answer…
If the Lakers do end up with a Top Three pick in next spring’s lottery, I know that means they keep it.
But what becomes of the final draft pick owed to Philadelphia (by way of Phoenix in the Nash deal)? Do the Sixers automatically keep the Lakers’ first-round pick in 2017 since the Top 5/Top 3 protections in place for 2015 and 2016, respectively, will have expired? They’re still owed a first rounder, all that’s in question is in what year, right?
Chearn says
I’m always astonished at how people continuously call Kobe out for what they perceive as his shortcomings after 20 years and too many accolades for me to post here. Meanwhile, there’s no mention of the lack of energy, lackadaisical cuts, lethargic and weak defense, and lackluster learning arc from the draft picks numbers 2 and 7. Oh, that’s right, they’re showing the coach their disdain for being benched. During all of my years in and around basketball, that’s not how you get promoted back to the starting lineup. Demoted players punish the opposition’s bench just to prove that they’re starters. Every player that I’ve ever seen that accepts that downgrade via rebellion they weren’t starters in the first place and their careers plateaued as role players. I guess playing from the bench wasn’t a successful career move for James Harden, right?
Two types of players get their coaches fired: 1) NBA champions, see Magic Johnson; and 2) Proverbial complainers and excuse makers, see Dwight Howard.
Larry Nance should spend the off-season in the gym shooting 1,000 jumpers a day both 2’s and 3’s.
Let’s make an effort tonight Lakers!
Anonymous says
I agree & add that the Busses, despite shortcomings, are at least loyal and kind hearted souls, to a fault I know, yet they stood by, and opened doors to many, who imo, didn’t or don’t deserve it.
—
Wow!
rr says
Chris J,
If they keep it this year, it is 1-3 protected again in 2017 and unprotected in 2018. They also still owe a pick to Orlando. Here is a link that explains:
http://basketball.realgm.com/nba/draft/future_drafts/detailed
rr says
TOJW,
If you are going to talk numbers, then you would be better-served not to cherry-pick the bad ones and look at the overall ones. You also neglected to mention that he 1 TO last night along with the five dimes. But no need to take my word for it. DS posted this on his Twitter feed today:
In his last 5 games, Kobe is averaging 22.4 points on 60% True Shooting, 5.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and a PER of 29.0. Well, then.
rr says
Baylor fan,
You neglect to mention that in the one game Kobe missed recently, the Lakers lost by 40.
rr says
TOJW,
From DS:
In his last 5 games, Kobe is averaging 22.4 points on 60% True Shooting, 5.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and a PER of 29.0. Well, then.
—
Also, KB had 1 TO last night.
LKK says
All I know is that it is a damn shame when a team’s best player is 37 years old and regaining his form after a series of injuries. We all hope that the young guys pan out, but Kobe can only do so much nurturing. If R&R are all that, it will manifest itself.
KevTheBold says
@Chearn, these are kids we are talking about, not seasoned pros with an agenda. They are not trying to get anyone fired; only standing up for themselves.
And this is Scott, a coach who blames all responsibility for losses on his “pathetic, scared” rookies. A coach who only communicates to his players via the media, thus it only seems natural that the team respond back via that same channel.
As for their play of late, seems to me they lack confidence and motivation, which one would think is a coach’s job to handle, especially for rookies.
Chris J says
Thanks, rr.
So we’re still on the hook for Nash and Dwight. Awesome.
Delete WeChat Account says
I am with Kobe making it. When looking at honors, All-NBA teams are the real factors. This is just a bunch of the greatest people in the sport playing. If Bledsoe or Cousins get left off, they will get in next year. It lets Kobe enjoy his last year and makes the younger players work harder. Glad the fans get to choose at least the starters. And remember, each team has a number of spots for players! Once Duncan and Dirk announce the end of their careers, I think they should get to play too (with Duncan, we may never know). Kobe deserves it. Congrats Kobe! I respect your game and it will never be the same without you! – Mavericks fan