The Lakers are now above .500 after they beat a very game Phoenix Suns squad, 119-108. They are now 3-0 at Staples Center.
The game wasn’t exactly pretty throughout. The Suns started out of sync as they had 11 turnovers in the first half. But the Lakers were also giving the ball away and ended with 13 of those in the first 24 minutes. Still, the Lakers’ switching and rotating defense gave the Suns fits early. Phoenix only had 15 points in the first quarter and the Lakers carried a double digit lead entering the second half.
In the stretches where they did play good ball, it was a very beautiful sight. Sometimes, you just sit and smile at the Lakers’ passing. You see guys like Lou Williams and Jordan Clarkson finding open guys at the last second. And then you see that pretty forward pass by Julius Randle to Timofey Mozgov for the slam. The ball movement is what makes this team go and coach Luke Walton has done a very good job instilling this type of culture.
What’s great about this Laker team is that everyone can contribute (the Lakers bench outscored the Suns, 47-9). Nick Young started out with a steal, a basket, and an offensive board. He ended with 22 points and had that aforementioned big four-point play. Russell (11-5-6 but 2 for 11 FG) struggled with his shot again but he came up big in the fourth with a three and some good defense. Jordan Clarkson and Lou Williams (veteran presence!) combined for 32 points off the bench. Julius Randle continues to play excellent ball (18 points, 5 rebounds). Timofey Mozgov (14 points, 8 boards) put in 22 quality minutes with some cuts to the basket, good passes, and hustle on the glass. And Brandon Ingram and Tarik Black contributed a few good plays.
Still, the Lakers had a tough time stopping T.J. Warren (22 points) and especially Devin Booker (39 points). Booker is going to be a stud and, really, he helped keep the Suns in the game. They cut the lead to 93-92 before the Lakers scored 9 straight. In that middle of that run was a huge four-point play by Nick Young after D’Angelo Russell ripped the ball off of Warren’s hands. Booker was scoreless for nearly six minutes after Walton put Nick Young and Jordan Clarkson on him.
The play of the game was definitely right after Randle got into it with Tyson Chandler. The Suns were within striking distance at 104-97 with 1:38 left. Nearly the entire building was looking forward to a Randle/Chandler one-on-one battle but once Booker cheated off the wing, Randle whipped the pass to an open Clarkson for the clinching three-pointer. It was a clever move by Randle; veteran move, really. I also want to note that the Lakers outboarded the Suns, 51-40, and I noted the hustle of Mozgov. Seven Lakers had five or more boards in this game. That is some scrappiness by the team.
Meanwhile, all the positive vibes and thoughts to Larry Nance, Jr. He bumped his head on the floor in a scrum in the first half. Nance was diagnosed with a concussion; he never returned to the game and is out for their next game on Tuesday.
These baby Lakers are so fun right now and I’m not sure if anyone expected a three-game winning streak this early in the season. They have the chance to extend that winning streak against Dallas, who just won their first game earlier in the night.
It’s easy to love basketball when you’re having fun AND winning, right?
Busboys4me says
This the definition of a team. No superstars, just hard working baskerball players!!! They are really fun to watch!!
Vasheed says
I really did love that play where Randle appears to go iso vs Chandler. He had been jawing with Chandler just before and it looked like Randle was going take it 1 on 1 vs Chandler. Instead the Suns fell asleep watching Randle and he whipped it to Clarkson for the three. I thought it epitomized the Lakers season so far of unselfish team ball.
Incidentally, I thought Randle had a great game. Good defense and even a few mid range shots hit.
BigCitySid10552 says
Another team positive: FT shooting. Except for Nance (.667) & Metta (.500) no one else under 78%. Team ranks 10th in FT% in https://twitter.com/NBA. Exceptional stat for young players performing under pressure.
Lakers Future says
I really like this team. I like what they convey on the floor. I root for them because they are Lakers. But I’d probably root for this group even if they were another team. This collection of guys from the coaching staff down to the last man on the bench is easy to root for. They play hard. They work together. They communicate with each other. And they generally like seeing one another succeed.
I also love that they are not easily intimidated. That’s one silver lining to losing so much over the last couple of years. There is no need to be afraid. The worst has already happened.
And we can debate who the “leader” of the team will be. But one thing is clear. The heart of this team is Julius Randle.
Clay Bertrand says
BigCitySid10552
Agreed. FT shooting was really looking like a team wide problem that wasn’t being focused on in the Preseason. Even the better shooters were missing a lot of free throws. They seem to have righted that issue.
Clay Bertrand says
Lakers Future
Seeing the guys on the bench just erupt when the guys on the floor make plays speaks volumes about the culture and chemistry being built. Randle is growing…….. Helluva nice RIGHT HANDED off the dribble assist to Mozgov and he hit a jumper.
Randle is the most demonstratively emotional player on the team. I hate to keep the comparison going, but he’s much like Draymond Green in this respect. He plays on edge somewhat and needs to be careful going after refs and responding to foul calls so he doesn’t get a bad reputation with the officials. But his passion can’t be taught and it is infectious for sure!!!!!!!!!!!!! He is learning to try to harness his energy and put it into his game. When he is feeling confident, the whole team looks meaner!!!
david__h says
thx rey: larry nance jr is the glue guy in the laker rotation. he brings solid defensive effort and pass first mentality to the offense. with larry, you know what you getting and this bodes well for the lakers. another keen insight into what luke is developing going forward. they’re both exceeding my expectations. great job guys.
Go baby Lakers !
lalaker14 says
It is so refreshing to see other teams come into Staples and leave with their azz handed to them in a pooper scooper.
A Horse With No Name says
Lakers Future I have been perhaps the most vociferous Randle defender since he was drafted. Argued endlessly with posters here who didn’t see the special unformed clay that gave him such potential: an unholy combination of speed, quickness, power and perimeter skills (handle) that evoked (to me) more raw LeBron than Draymond. We are seeing it now, as the 20 year old has worked very hard to realize his potential. What I didn’t see however, is his emerging leadership and alpha dog persona. Very exciting. I’m not ready to say his the heart of the team; but he has one of the strongest beating hearts (along with JC).
fern16 says
Absolutely loved this article. Really worth a read. http://www.si.com/nba/2016/11/07/lakers-dangelo-russell-luke-walton-brandon-ingram-julius-randle
fern16 says
Some interesting stats: 4th in points off tos. Fourh in second chance points, top 10 in points in the paint. Fourth in ppg. Third highest pace in the league and 10th in offensive efficiency. Also de Lakers are like 15th in defensive efficiency not confirmed but i read it sonewhere. Oh and the highest scoring and more efficient bench in the entire league by a mile. There are some other stats not that flattering but you get the idea, typical of a young team. These spikes in production and efficiency are just unbelievable. They might even out as the season progreses but i think is reasonable to expect a vast improvement in most of the areas the Lakers flat out stank last season. Just amazing…
fern16 says
Darius, would be nice if you make a breakdown of what the team is doing good and what it’s doing bad by the numbers. Just a sugestion.