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Preview & Chat: Lakers vs. Warriors

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First things first, we do not yet know who will be available for the Lakers today. Jordan Clarkson and Kobe Bryant could both sit out as both are banged up. If both sit and with Anthony Brown and Lou Williams already out, the Lakers wing rotation will be in shambles with only D’Angelo Russell, Nick Young, Metta, and Marcelo Huertas available to soak up the PG/SG/SF minutes. That’s not enough bodies and against the Warriors, specifically, is a devastating blow.

Even if Kobe and Clarkson do play, though, it’s not likely to matter much in terms of the result. The Warriors are a historically great team. They are 55-5 and haven’t lost a game all season in which they have lead at the half. Counter that with a team like the Thunder — who are a fantastic team for this season — who have lost 9 games when leading going into the 4th quarter this season and you get a sense of how dominant the Warriors are; how they simply know how to close games and turn what could be an L into a W.

Of course, the hope is that Kobe and Clarkson do play. For Kobe, this will be his last game against the Warriors ever. His last game against reigning MVP Steph Curry, his last game against a group of players who form the most dominant team since at least the early 2000 Lakers who won 3 titles in a row (though, to be fair, this Warriors team is above even that team in terms of regular season dominance). I would like to see Kobe face these guys one last time, see him do battle agains the best even if it’s not going to result in his team coming out on top.

As for Clarkson, this game offers less meaning and if he’s feeling any residual soreness or pain, sitting out is the best course of action. But if he’s good to go, getting him on the floor against such good perimeter players is a fantastic challenge that can serve as another learning experience for the young guard. Because of Clarkson’s steadiness and consistency this year, it can be easy to forget he’s only a 2nd year player who still can learn and grow so much as a player. This would only be one game, but when going against the league’s best, there are lessons to takeaway regardless of the sample size.

In terms of the rest of the matchups, many will surely be focusing on Russell vs. Curry. Russell is coming off a bad game against the Hawks on Friday and asking for a bounce back against the league’s MVP is asking too much. That said, him showing he’s capable of hanging in or, at the very least, competing hard and showing flashes of what he is capable of would be a nice consolation. I’m hopeful he can hit some shots, make good decisions, and focus in on defense — even if it might not lead to getting stops; Curry is that good.

The Julius Randle/Draymond Green matchup is the other battle worth our time. Randle was good against Paul Millsap on Friday and Green offers a similar opponent in terms of versatility on both ends of the floor. Green is the better player overall and is more of playmaker on offense, however, so Randle will have his hands full tracking him defensively and trying to score on the other end. Still, though, Randle has the tools and if he’s able to hit a few jumpers he can then use his first step and strength to get into the paint.

Lastly, expect a buzz in the arena today — especially if Kobe plays. Hopefully that energy translates into a good game for both sides and, of course, the fans.

Where you can watch: 12:30pm start time on ABC. Also listen on ESPN Radio 710AM Los Angeles.


Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. J C says

    I’ll be there.
    Seeing Curry is always a delight but I really hope Kobe plays today.
    I knows he’s banged up in fact it’s probably worse than he’s letting on. But he must sense that the Warriors are a team of destiny right now and giving the fans 15-20 minutes today must appeal to his sense of history.
    And yes – Russell vs Curry should be entertaining.

    Here’s to a competitive first half at least!

  5. Clay Bertrand says

    Agree w Fern…….Kobe is probably only playing because its an ABC national game……COMPLETE waste. He should be addressing the crowd in a suit or his warm ups NOT gimping along 10 steps behind “playing” useless minutes against the most dominant team in the last 20 years!!!!!

    Anon, yeah Archie Griffin…..Good thing we have Metta, Ryan Kelly, and Sacre hogging our roster spots…….smh

  7. Hale says

    Since it has been declared that Clarkson’s ceiling is maybe the 6th man/combo guard of a good team, playing him more shouldn’t effect that predetermination. He stayed in school too long and is above 11 years old so his upside is very easily estimated by the eye test. If he floats, he’s made of wood and therefore is a witch.

    Randle weighs more than a duck and has a short wing span –though longer than an unladen swallow. He would be better served to be an aggressive one on one defender using his non-duck-like girth and lateral movement than one who is patterned to fall back in support. A defensive scheme that serves his strength mid post to perimeter would allow him to turn some opponents into newts. During rapidly approaching off-season any alteration to his offensive game will help him continue building his confidence.

    I will miss viewing the Lakers’ Nth consecutive game due to time fracture. Too bad because I’m going to miss the Huertas, Peace, Young, Hibbert, Russell line up that I’ve been championing all season.

    Ni

  12. matt says

    Not to be pessimistic but a couple days after russell scored 39 on Brooklyn, mudiay scored 26 on them
    it’s exciting to see russell trying post moves, and attacking the basket more, if he scores over 25 against the warriors i will be shocked

  13. Fern says

    Is not a matter that they “want to” its a matter of what’s best for the team. I would give them the extra rest but is a national televised game so i understant the rationale…

  14. Fern says

    Did i just heard Clarkson being referred as an “excellent defender”? Nah must be my tv…

  15. Tim says

    @ Hale, do you mean an African or European swallow? You get a nice shrubbery for your post.

  16. Fern says

    What was the talk when “The Bust” scored 39? Aahh yeah “The Nets are barely an NBA team” He has 15 agaisnt the Warrios so far, another barely NBA level team. Man did the Lakers blew that pick or what?

  18. Mid-Wilshire says

    Halftime: Lakers 60, GS 49.

    Who are those guys in the purple and gold anyway?

  19. Tim says

    Possibly the Lakers best half of the season. Hoping that third quarter Steph Curry does not show up.

  20. Fern says

    Not possibly, it was the best half the Lakers have played the last 2 or 3 seasons, by now i expected them to be down by 25…

  21. bleedpurplegold says

    Competitive game so far….hoping curry wont take over again…

    #Let’sGoLakers

  23. Fern says

    Funny, the Lakers are playing their best game of the season and the negative crew is silent as they always do when the Lakers are doing something right. Leading after three but for a team like the Dubs an 11 point deficit is nothing. If we pull this one off it will do wonders for our kid’s confidence and even if we lose its a monumental morale boost…

  26. Baylor Fan says

    Where has this team been all season? Now, just keep up the pressure and the pace! Also, Nance stop thinking and react instead.

  27. Joel says

    The Lakers are doing an amazing job contesting 3s. I know the Warriors have missed some good looks but still. Can’t believe what I’m watching right now.

  29. Fern says

    Huertas >Curry lol. That's the problem with jumpshoting teams, when the shots don't fall the whole thing falls apart. A cautionary tale for the Warriors, anything can happen on the playoffs…

  34. Fern says

    Is there any doubt Huertas belongs in the NBA? for me that question was answered today, for me the champs are the ultimate measuring stick…

  36. Fern says

    Wow im so happy for being so wrong about the massacre remark. Well there was a massacre all right, UNBELIEVABLE…

  37. rr says

    Funny, the Lakers are playing their best game of the season and the negative crew is silent as they always do when the Lakers are doing something right.

    —

    Heh. Given how you clammed up after Russell went 3/16, this might not be your best talking point.

    No team plays badly every game, and even a bad team has its moments in an 82-game schedule. Phoenix is up double-digits in Memphis, for example, and the Lakers beat Golden State last year, too. Also, GS came into this game playing seven games ahead of their PYTH record, so they were due. And GS is 3/29 from the arc. But the Lakers played well and came out and took it, so sure, give them credit. They are now 13-51. I am a big-picture guy. You can react intensely to every game if you like; we all choose our own fandom.

    An, actual, more serious thing:

    Serious questions for everybody who has spent the entire year killing Byron: do these people think that Russell’s recent good play has happened in spite of Byron, partially because of Byron, or that there is no connection between the two? My own opinions remain unchanged: Byron is not a very good coach, but that will not stop the young guys if they have what it takes. The team has obviously not quit; should Byron get credit for that, or not? Not snark–actual questions.

  39. R says

    Fern the Warriors are still on pace to win 74 games, not bad for a “jump shooting team”.

  40. Fern says

    @R, i know the Warriors are historically good, but they are still a jumpshooting team and if they have a flaw, that is it. The shots don’t fall and they are hard pressed to win. If the shots aren’t falling go inside, specially since their bigs are better than ours. Varejao, Bogut and Dreymond?19 points combined. That is a flaw that someone will exploit. That being said it’s not happening this year.

  42. rr says

    The Warriors’ actual flaw is ball security: they are 17th in TOV ratio, and turn the ball over about as much they force their opponents to do so.

  43. Fern says

    @rr I didn’t “clammed up” i felt asleep before the game was over lol, and didn’t comment for a couple of days like i do from time to time. So shoot me. It’s been a while since i feel so much pride on this team.

  44. matt says

    Didn’t get to see game , i will watch it after work, sounds weird after the hawks killed them.

  45. rr says

    matt,

    Indeed. This goes to show why those old cliches about how you just never know, etc. are still around. And it is not like the Lakers won 107-106 on a long 3 at the buzzer with Curry injured; they beat GS by 17 points. Iguodala was out, but still.

    So props to the players and the coaches.

  46. Fern says

    @rr they are a high turnover rate team, but when you get 30+ points from beyond the arc every single game, that offsets the high number of turnovers. They win games despite the turnovers, if the shots don’t fall you get today. I don’t mean to disparage the Warriors who are historically good and could be a dynasty if they stay healthy.

  48. rr says

    hey are a high turnover rate team, but when you get 30+ points from beyond the arc every single game, that offsets the high number of turnovers
    —

    Of course. They are shooting 42% on 3s as a team and average 13 made 3s a game.

  49. Anonymous says

    Don’t “challenge their manhood” too many more times this season B, we need that pick…

  50. Vasheed says

    Lakers hit 3’s and warriors didn’t. Would have never seen that coming. Nice game from all of our young guys.

  51. Fern says

    Biggest upset in NBA regular season history. There is something to remember about this crapfest of a season.Kobe themed magic socks are the answer.

  56. Kbj says

    That’s great that Phx won. Laker fans can rest easy. Onward to the number 2 overall pick.

  58. Teamn says

    rr,

    In response to your question, I think Russel, like Clarkson last year, found himself to a degree. Since I don’t know what is being said in private, I have to assume some of this is the coaching, but much more is on the player himself. Perhaps a better coach or system gets more out of Russel earlier? Regardless, both players improved.

    Another reason why I think it is more the player: Randle. He’s in the same situation and while improving some, has not seemed to turn the same corner. Coach is the same for all three, but Randle perhaps does not have the same drive, skill, whatever missing ingredient?

    I would still look for another coach, one that will help these guys grow and challenge them at the same time. Assuming Lakers keep the pick, we could be looking at a really young starting five next year, albeit one holding serious promise. Keep Bass, Williams, maybe Young for vet presence and move forward. Two years to compete for playoffs?

  59. bluehill says

    Fun game!

    rr – interesting question about DLOs improvement. I don’t know but I would guess that it’s a number of things coming together. DLO has some talent to begin with. He’s been coming up the learning curve even if it doesn’t seem like it every night. We’ve played the Warriors several times now. Byron put in a new set.

    Could DLO have been even further along this year? I don’t know. I look at JC and think he’s turning into a pretty good player under Byron so maybe Byron should get some credit.

  60. Mid-Wilshire says

    Well…I didn’t see this coming. But I couldn’t be more happy — for the whole team certainly but especially for the kids. I thought Clarkson, Russell, and Randle all looked excellent (as did Bass and Huertas). They even played, on occasion, some nice, swarming, heads-up defense. And they did it against first rate competition.

    I consider wins like this to be “growth victories.” These aren’t just wins but games that can lead to the growing confidence of young players. Now, if the Lakers kids can do this another 4 or 5 (or more) times this season, then they could really start to believe in themselves. I think Kobe said it best (the following is a quote from a post-game interview):

    “‘We executed the game plan very well. We paid attention to detail very well,’ Bryant said. ‘For the young guys, it’s extremely important to see the results of it. As they grow, they start trusting that more and more, they start trusting the process more and more. From that aspect, it was a big game.'”

    Now the big question is this: how will this impact their confidence for NEXT year? Of course, it’s impossible to tell right now. But games like this can have major ripple effects down the line in the best possible sense.

    Only time will tell.

    But so far, despite our record, I actually like what I see.

    Clarkson, Russell, and Randle. They’re all ours. Do you think any prospective Free Agents are noticing?

  61. Mid-Wilshire says

    Off-topic (but relevant): tonight Hassaan Whiteside had 14 points (4-11 shooting), 13 rebounds, 1 assist, and 7 blocks. Miami defeated Philly 103-98.

  62. Robert says

    Great win – Byron gets the Coach of the Day Award for sure (Kerr had a dumfounded expression on his face the whole game)

  63. dxmanners says

    You could see Huertas could play during the preseason, even though he came in late. Sees the floor like no other Laker. He was benched so they could keep their draft pick. Better sit him down again.

  64. Fern says

    For us it was a great win and a great learning experience for the kids, for the Warriors is like “meh, crap happens”. I remember in 09 when we won 65 games and the championship we went to play a pretty bad Sacto team on their gym and lost by 37 points. I doubt anyone will stop that Dubs juggernaut this season…

  65. Fern says

    @bluehill in my opinion of all the things that Byron Scott has done that should get him fired, his handling of DAR is not one of them. But that’s just me, i know a lot of people here disagree…

  66. Baylor Fan says

    I would give an honorable mention Coach of the Day award to whichever assistant coach convinced Commander Scott to defend the 3’s and let the Lakers take them. It is fun to watch Huertas go to work on a defense. I like his two hands over the head passes. He gets the ball moving and to the right players.

  68. rr says

    The Lakers are actually 12th in 3PA; the problem is that they can’t hit them. They are 30th in 3P%, and of course a lot of that is Kobe. He takes 8.7/36M and his % is .274. On D, the Lakers are 18th in OPP 3PA and 14th in OPP 3P% (.351). The Lakers take 25 3s a game and hit 8. Opponents take 24.2 and hit 8.5.

    Where the Lakers actually get killed is on 2s. Opponents hit 52% of 2s; the Lakers hit 45%. Both figures are league-worst.

  69. Anon says

    To attribute the win to just one of those nights, as rr seems to be doing with his examples, misses the mark. What we saw was the growing individual and team intelligence of the young players. It’s been on display in recent games: the good shots taken by Russell, fewer and fewer bonehead drives by Randall, better on the ball defense from Clarkson. In this game though, the team defense rose to another level. Fueled by the bigs relentless showing and trapping, and very good on the ball challenges by the guards, the lakers surprised the complacent
    Warriors and they could never get on track. Give Byron credit here: that
    was a very good game plan. So many guys contributed: Huertas and
    Bass, Nick, Larry, Roy and so on. For me, Clarkson really stood out, as he showed great defensive awareness and anticipation. This exactly where he needs to grow to be the two-way player that the lakers need him to be. I don’t think it’s coincidence that the team played their best defense of the season with Lou Williams out. Will Byron connect the dots?

  70. bluehill says

    I came into this season not expecting this team to do well. One reason was the team was inexperienced playing in the NBA, playing in the Princeton, playing with each other. We were like an expansion team. My hope was that by the end of the year the games would be closer; we would still have a chance to win in the 4th; and we would win a few against other bad teams.

    This game was an obvious outlier, but the margin of victory, the players that were contributing are good signs that the team is improving. Remember the game in Philadelphia? This team has come a long way from there.

  71. rr says

    To attribute the win to just one of those nights, as rr seems to be doing with his examples, misses the mark.
    —
    GS was 4-30 on 3s. Their average is ~ 13/31. In the linked piece the SSR guy being the SSR guy predictably gave Scott’s game- planning/coaching little credit for this. While I disagree with that sort of one-way faux-analysis, I also disagree with making it all about the Lakers and not at all about the opponent/statistical probability etc. Again: GS going into today was beating their point differential by seven full games. They have been due to have a couple of games in which the 3s don’t find the net.

    And the Lakers lost 106-77 at home in their last game prior to this one.

    Does this mean the GS game means nothing? No. Every game means something as part of the bigger picture; yet all games have context and no game is the definitive measure of a team. Basically, I would say this: the Atlanta game and Golden State game both have meaning and neither defines where the team is.

    As to Lou Williams, it is unwise to put too much of that on Byron. Williams came here as a known quantity, and it was a questionable signing by the FO for reasons now gone over many times. Still could work out, but right now, it looks like a net negative.

    As to the young guys: they played well and have definite plusses. I like many elements of DAR’s game, think that he can be very good, and I enjoy watching him. There is disagreement on the site as to how good they really are and may someday be. I will say that outside a subset of the fanbase, observers generally don’t seem to be that impressed by the Lakers’ young players. Perhaps they will be proven wrong. I hope so.

  72. KO says

    Stop it Anon. 70% of team was out till at least 2 last night. Many sightings. It was single worst 3 point night this year for number 1 shooting team.

    Laker defense was bartender and bottle service. Took me 3 calls to some of my accounts to figure that one.

  73. Anon says

    KO: with all due respect, I take zero stock in your unverfiable claims–or anyone else’s for that matter.

  74. Chris J says

    The team has obviously not quit; should Byron get credit for that, or not? Not snark–actual questions.
    ———-

    I asked myself a couple of days ago a similar question, in that both Clarkson and Russell have clearly shown something different in the latter portion of their rookie seasons. I’ll give Byron and staff some credit for that, though it’s impossible to know what he and the staff did versus what other factors were in play. Some could be due to growth in experience, confidence, comfort level and so on. But yes, I’ll give the coaches some credit here.

    On the flip side, the change in offense and PG responsibilities that have recently come about have been beneficial, but to me that’s a knock on Byron & Co., unless you buy into the “stealth tank” theory. If the coaches had any idea earlier in the year that this style of play would bring out such improvement in Russell — hell, even Huertas — then shame on them for not seeing that sooner. How many more games might the team have won with those two guys playing as they have in recent games? It’s academic now, but we can wonder…

    I’ve ripped Huertas as much as anyone on this board, but he looks like a passable NBA player recently. I suspect that’s largely due to him being more comfortable in the current system. If that skill set has been lurking all season — and at his age/experience level, there’s no reason to suggest it hasn’t — then shame on these coaches for now implementing earlier a system that would let him play his game, and more importantly, let Russell play in a manner in which he can thrive.

    That aside, the Lakers’ seasonlong absence of an attempt at NBA-level defense is unforgivable, even with the poor defenders on the roster. I don’t think the post-All-Star improvements warrant keeping the staff around for a third year. We’ll see what Mitch & Co. decide in a few weeks.

    As to Teamn’s comments on Randle, I’m not sure what more you are expecting from the kid. He’s averaging 11 points and nearly 10 boards per game in what’s effectively his rookie season, and he plays hard when he’s on the floor. I don’t at all perceive him as one who lacks drive or some “missing ingredient.” He just needs to develop his jump shot, but that can come with more work over the summer.

  75. Craig W. says

    I have lost a lot of faith in Byron over the course of the last couple of years, but I think he does have a way with guards and these two years have been no exception. There have been too many talented guards that he has coached up into really successful NBA players over the entirety of his career. Sure, the talent has to be there – that is true for any coach – but his approach has been consistently successful over the years, frustrating as it may be to see youngsters sitting on the bench.

    With all that said, he also has never really seemed to coach up bigger players in anywhere near the same proportion. While the NBA may be trending smaller, athletic 6’7″-6’10” players are still required for success and the occasional 7’er is a nice thing to have on the team.

    I do wish we could retain Byron to continue to coach the guards, but think his overall game/club management should be enough to let him go after this year.

  76. Anonymous says

    Game Plan folks!

    An excellent game plan and the blue print to beat GS. Who is very beatable if you have the perimeter players to match up and control the tempo. Pickup their shooters at half court and your bigs have to step up in the lane to stop any dribble penetrating. Byron did a masterful job and I give the kids credit they executed at a high level the whole game. We have roasted BScott but whatever he has been teaching them the light was on for this game. Fun to watch and boy I love it when DAR goes to the 2. Even Randle played well for my liking… He made the best pro move I have seen him make since he has been in the league. Strong move in the paint absorbed the contact then extended to finish… Bucket! Clarkson is a Laker baby! Never trade this kid never! He is tough and determined…. He got a chip on his shoulder and I like it! He wanted to take it to them and all by actions kid is a silent warrior!!! Marcelo u r da man!!!!

    Loved exposing Green who is definitely the most overrated player in the league. Bass was all over him at both ends and his trash talking does not phase a vet like Bass. Green is average and is made to look much better than he is due to the ridiculous amount of spacing that Golden State has with 3 Deadeye’s on the floor. If he was that guy… Then he would have went for 30 on a 6′ 7″ Bass. Also, surprised Kerr didn’t have any answers or adjustments …. Hmmm stay tuned because the Golden State is the greatest team ever coronation might get derailed in the playoffs.

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