After playing a couple of teams who are not likely to be in the playoff mix this upcoming season, the Lakers’ face off against the Blazers in their 4th exhibition game. Portland, of course, was one of the surprise teams last year, turning the loss of LaMarcus Aldridge into a positive where a group of young players, all on the same timeline, found chemistry (and a run to the playoffs) through competition and hard work.
This year they hope to go even farther than their 2nd round run, continuing on the path they started down last year. They bring back almost the same exact team as they did last year, save for FA acquisitions Evan Turner and Festus Ezeli. The latter is out with an injured knee, but the former hopes to be an on ball creator and mid-range scorer who can complement Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum on the perimeter. Turner filled this role well for the Celtics last year, but it remains to be seen if he can do the same with two high usage players.
I say all this about the Blazers to make the point that the Lakers have their toughest match up of the preseason so far. Nothing against the Kings and Nuggets, but they (like the Lakers) are trying to get to where Portland has already been. And while the “it’s only preseason” caveats still apply, this game offers enough intrigue and several things I will be watching for:
- How does Lou Williams deal with CJ McCollum? We’ve already discussed the logic behind Lou Williams starting, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be some issues to sort through. A match up with a gifted scoring guard who gives even the best defenders fits is one of those issues. This is a matchup where you hope Lou can give as well as he receives just to keep the match up net neutral, but that’s probably just wishful thinking.
- Can D’Angelo Russell make it three in a row? Russell lit up the Nuggets in back to back games, but tonight offers a different sort of challenge. For one, Portland is a better defensive team (even if their strategy in the P&R might be similar to the Nuggets). And two, Russell cannot rest on defense at all. Mudiay is a fine young guard, but his lack of outside shooting makes a defensive game plan easier to devise and execute. Lillard offers no such easy escape. Chasing Dame will wear you out and Russell is going to have to find a way to keep his defensive intensity while not losing efficiency on offense. I am interested in seeing if he has it in him.
- Welcome back Luol Deng! After missing two games, Deng is set to return tonight and I am interested in seeing how he does on both ends. In his lone appearance, Deng looked good on defense, but was put in situations where he created most of his own shots offensively. That might work against PF’s where he can beat closeouts with attack dribbles. But against wings, he’s going to struggle when working in isolation. I hope the team can find him more looks off kick-outs and on cuts to the rim.
- Does the rotation change tonight? Last game saw a fair amount of DNP’s by end of the bench guys. Considering that was only two nights ago, I expect some of those guys who did not get run to see action tonight. How that plays out with player combinations does interest me, though.
- It is early, but I feel like the final roster spot will come down to Yi Jianlian vs. Thomas Robinson. The former has yet to show much in the form of shooting and considering his deficiencies defensively and on the glass, that is a problem. Robinson has not be overly impressive, but his rebounding, defense, and interior play on both ends has been better than Yi’s. I’m interested in seeing if both guys get run vs. PDX and, if they do, who plays better. Yi needs to have a good game soon.
- How does Randle play against length? It’s not a coincidence to me that Randle played a better game on Sunday when Kenneth Faried was back in the lineup. Faried cannot challenge Randle’s shot as well and lacks the size to out-muscle him in the paint. Tonight the Blazers will have more length at their disposal which should present a better challenge. I think Randle can manage just fine — especially when in the open court and in attacking the glass. I also liked the patience he showed as a scorer and passer off dribble penetration on Sunday. That said, the scouting report doesn’t change until you force it to. Tonight is another opportunity for Randle to change perception on him.
There are no such things as make or break games in the preseason. If the Lakers do not win tonight, that will be okay. We are looking for incremental progress and small improvements in any number of areas. But their top 10 guys have fallen into roles which they seem comfortable with and it has been producing some good results. I’d like to see that continue and a W to go along with it would be nice.
Clay Bertrand says
Obviously we can’t see behind the closed doors of Laker practices and Luke speaks mostly in glowing positives regarding all of the players even if he does overuse the word “PHENOMENAL”.
However, IF what we have seen from him is indicative of what he brings and we see no drastic improvement in the next few games, would the Lakers keep Jianlan over Thomas Robinson or another young player due to:
1.) His larger than average guaranteed money?
2.) His huge potential marketing impact via interest from the Chinese market??
In the past, the Lakers have been said to be fairly frugal with their finances. Though that certainly has not extended to coaches whether paying them to coach or paying them to leave.
Would the Lakers keep a player of lesser talent and fit because of his large guarantee??? I would hope not.
The other night at Staples, the loudest single cheers for players seemed to be for Yi. While he was in, every time he touched the ball you could hear his delighted fan base gasp. That was merely his L.A. fan base. The Chinese media covering the team has increased dramatically because of him so clearly this translates into Laker visibility in China as would be expected.
Would the Lakers keep a player of lesser talent and fit because of the huge marketing upside???
Would the fact that the players are so close in how little they impact the roster lead the Lakers to keep the guy with the bigger International cache and fan following??? Very possible.
fern16 says
That Chinese market importance to the Lakers can’t be overstated. Kobe was the biggest atlethe in China. You bring a chinese player you are going to keep that revenue stream coming in. They will keep Jianlian even if he sucks in my opinion. That was a financial move. The money they will get from selling his merchandise in China will pay for his contract and then some.
fern16 says
I wonder if the people that had said that Mozgov is Hibbert 2.0 ever saw Roy run the floor like that. Mizgov is faster than he looks thats a really pleasant surprise . And having a gifted passer like DAR is a hell of a motivator because if you hustle he will find you…
Joel_ says
All this defensive effort is starting to creep me out…
fern16 says
Weird huh? Lol
Mid Wilshire says
To my eyes, Jordan Clarkson looks like the best player on the court not named Damian Lillard.
Joel_ says
Randle feeling himself a bit too much with the dribbling.
KenNewport says
I like this team. Either better due to coach or due to Kobe gone. Going to Vegas to stop green on over 27 wins and watch game. I see 35 to 40 wins
Jokr says
Okay fine Mozgov is a little better than Hibbert. Still, 2 rebounds. That ain’t gonna get it done.
If Lakers win 35 games, I’m going to win the lottery.
A Horse With No Name says
DLO psyched himself out tonight. Tasked with the impossible in guarding Lillard, he could never find his rhythm offensively. The team really needed Clarkson’s quickness on the perimeter. He should have started the game and guarded Lillard. Fact is DLO isn’t quick enough to guard Lillard, and it’s unreasonable to expect that he can. Walton has to come to terms with the fact that DLO needs Clarkson in the backcourt with him. Calderon and Nick Young can be the back up backcourt.
Vasheed says
A Horse With No Name
So we need Clarkson’s defense in the starting lineup? Wow, what a difference a summer makes!
BigCitySid10552 says
Team needs Russell to get those assist numbers up. Not impressive over 4 games.
Renato Afonso says
I can’ watch preseason games, so I won’t comment on who needs to improve on what but I can look at a shot chart.
http://www.espn.com/nba/game?gameId=400889802
The Lakers didn’t shoot below 45º and didn’t shoot from the top of the key. Is this designed by the offense (meaning that the current shooters are terrible from the corners) or did the Blazers deny that and forced these shots? When this type of shot chart happens it usually means that you’re either rushing shots or the defense is sagging off you… Can someone tell me what happened?
JeffT_ says
Renato Afonso Interesting observation. Looking at the shot charts from the other games shows a similar pattern. I am guessing that this is because the players you would expect to be shooting the corner 3’s (Deng, Ingram, A.Brown) have either not been playing much or just not shooting much. The other shooters (Russell, Clarkson, Williams, and Young) do not linger around the corners. I would guess that Walton is looking at the same charts and will work to adjust the offense.
FredP says
Renato Afonso The players in the corners are not making enough effort to provide a passing lane when they are open. It will improve with time.