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

Preview & Chat: Lakers vs. Suns

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The Lakers got a rare win against a banged up Grizzlies team playing on the second night of a back to back last night and will try to carry forward some of that momentum against the Suns tonight. This is the same Suns team who handled the Lakers just last week, so even though they, like the Lakers, are a wreck of a team, don’t get any ideas about this game being any sort of a sure thing.

That said, the Suns are down a key cog.

In the last match up between these teams, the Lakers had real issues dealing with Chandler’s dives to the rim in the P&R where he caught lobs for easy finishes in the paint. Chandler also did good work on the offensive glass, tipping balls back out to the perimeter to gain the Suns more possessions. Considering the Lakers’ struggles defensively, these extra chances were big factors in securing the win.

That said, the Lakers may be dealing with their own injury issues. D’Angelo Russell left Tuesday’s game with a bruised shin and is listed as questionable for this game. He traveled to Phoenix, but was limping noticeably after suffering the injury. And while Kobe has said he will play, that too is not yet confirmed. Missing either (or both) would hurt the Lakers’ depth on the wing and require more of Huertas, Williams, and Clarkson offensively than what is already expected of them.

That said, I do expect Kobe to suit up. As has been his m.o. since announcing his retirement at the end of the year, missing the final appearance in any given city is to be avoided. This will be Kobe’s last trip to the Phoenix desert and with that I think he’ll suit up. If only to provide one last chance at adding to some of the great showings he’s had there:

Of course, the injury situations of both teams and will he/won’t he questions about Kobe aren’t the only storyline here. As we wrote in our game preview from the game last week, there are lottery odds implications as well.

The Lakers remain 4 games “ahead” of the Suns for the 2nd worst record in the league. A Suns win tonight almost assures they will not catch the Lakers in the standings. A Lakers’ win, though, makes things interesting over the final 12 games of the year. It would still be a longshot the Lakers surrendered their spot, but it wouldn’t be out of the question either.

So, this game matters on that front as well. In the end, though, I think the bigger picture is that the Lakers have now played 70 games. Their season will be over exactly 3 weeks. There is not much basketball left for the young players this season or for Kobe in his career. Wins and losses still mean something, but the congruence of key players’ careers just starting while a legend’s comes to an end is what interests me the most. It really is the reason I tune in. I’m guessing I’m not alone, either.

Where you can watch: 7:00pm start time on TWC Sportsnet. Also listen on ESPN Radio 710AM Los Angeles.


Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Robert says

    teamn/Mid: Our 17 team could indeed be “interesting” so I am going to go easy on people who use that this year. I will continue to be on the prowl for those who state that we will be “surprising” and my all time favorite: “better than expected”.
    LKK: “stuck in the limbo of mediocrity” Well stated. We do not want to go from 3 years of being horrendous to 5 years of being mediocre, then followed by another 5 years of being the “6th” best team in the league. We need a real plan to get into contention within a Laker type time frame.
    Kobe: Nice to see a 20 point game in a win. I have not forgotten about the Kobe Alerts, but there is really not much left to report. He is too far behind the next guy up in all the categories. He did move up a couple of notches in games and 3 pointers, but there are other categories where he has some younger players gaining on him. His legacy is secure. I will do a season ending (career ending unfortunately) Kobe Alert.

  5. Mid-Wilshire says

    Three minutes into the 4th quarter, the Lakers only have 8 assists vs. 9 TOs. Meanwhile, Phoenix has 27 assists vs. 11 TOs.

    Big difference.

  7. matt says

    Why not draft buddy hield at #3, he’s nba ready, it would lock him in for 4 years, he seems to be a leader,,,
    Get rid of either clarkson ot lou williams

  10. matt says

    How is that whacky, buddy hield is 46% 3pt shooter, a senior, but why draft another youngster, if you fell to #3 and simmons and ingram are off the board, everyone else seems risky, and or developmental.
    The choices are, bender, poeltl, j brown, murray, dunn, and hield. I would choose hield, and get rid of either clarkson or williams.

  11. J C says

    Ok Byron – the tank is pretty much secured.
    Nice work.
    You can start to really try to win now!

  12. Anonymous says

    Clarkson is not tradeable because he is a restricted free agent. Your not spending the #3 pick on a third guard.

  13. Anonymous says

    JC — only a four game lead over Brooklyn. Tank should be in effect until 2nd pick is mathematically secure.

  14. Jimmy says

    I actually agree with Matt. Hield is an NBA-ready player with some scorching shooting skills. Having him and DAR is a more balanced guard rotation than JC and DAR. He’d be the same age as JC and I agree trading JC and/or Lou will net a good return.

  15. matt says

    This is my response to bigcitysid on the last postings,,,,,,
    Buddy hield

    And i understand clarkson is restricted, ideally you trade lou williams, if not, I’d rather pay hield a rookie contract then clarkson an overpaid one, so i would let clarkson walk in this situation.

    Remember damon Lillard was the 6th pick, with senior numbers similar to hield, except ones a pg others a sg, liliard was great right away.
    As for bender he’s not comparable to porzingis, bender avoids contact, no footage of him dunking on anyone, or driving at anyone, red flag

  16. Anonymous says

    Lakers not letting Clarkson walk — they desperately need talent. They may not be thrilled but they’ll pay Jordan. Not going to get better if core pieces walk.

    I think Buddy is late lottery not top three. Lakers need a SF badly not a smallish SG.

  19. Anonymous says

    Sorry not trying to be a jerk.

    I like Brown. I saw him play in person while he was in town with Cal. I like him especially as a wing defender. Deep shot needs work though.

    Look Hield, Bender or Brown comes down to individual workouts and how they handle themselves. The Lakers FO has many faults but they have at least drafted well. I trust Mitch in that regard.

  20. Vasheed says

    The more I watch Jaylen Brown the more I like him. He has an NBA body already, a very good defender, a good rebounder who can then push the ball up the court (great with Randle and Russell), finishes well at the rim, and a capable if not great shooter. At the 3rd slot he would be my pick.

  21. moto says

    It’s going to be close for that 3rd spot. Brooklyn has only 2 winnable games left while the Lakers have 5-6. How far in “front” are we?

  22. J C says

    We’re 4 games ‘ahead’ of Brooklyn in the loss column and 5 games ahead of Phoenix.
    We’ve got 11 games left; Brooklyn 12.
    If we win a couple games and Brooklyn keeps losing it will get interesting.

  23. Mid-Wilshire says

    I don’t expect Brooklyn to go 0-12 over the next 12 games, especially with playoff-bound teams beginning to rest some of their best players. In that scenario, the Mothers of Mercy wouldn’t go 0-12.

    I think the Lakers’ 2nd worst spot is a lock.

    If I were you guys, I’d just relax…until those ping pong balls start bouncing around. Then you’ll really have something to worry about.

  25. Mid-Wilshire says

    Brooklyn, with their victory tonight, is now 20-51. Phoenix is also 20-51. I expect both teams to win more games this season.

    The Lakers will not catch either team. They’re 15-56 and will finish with the 2nd worst record.

    Of course, this may not buy us anything. Just saying.

  26. J C says

    Agree 2nd place seems a lock.
    It’s all about ping pong balls now.

    There’s no way Cleveland beats SA or GS this year.
    Both of the West teams are playing at an extremely high level.

    Lebron may eke out another Eastern Conference title and fail in the finals again. Predict he’ll sign a one year extension in Cleveland, then bolt for greener pastures again. Possibly to form a new super team as has been rumored.