Saturday it was reported that D’Angelo Russell was close to a return, with today’s game against the Knicks being a real possibility. Well, Luke Walton offered some good news after this morning’s shootaround:
Luke Walton says D'Angelo Russell felt good at shootaround:
"If all goes accordingly from now until game time, he'll be out there tonight."
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 11, 2016
Assuming nothing goes awry, Russell returning has the chance to offer a real boost to the Lakers’ offense and normalize the team’s rotations. While the former is desperately needed, the latter point cannot be ignored either. After Jose Calderon hurt his hamstring, Luke Walton has turned to Ingram and Clarkson as the “PG” and neither offered a real solution to the team’s woes. Clarkson has not shown to be the passer/playmaker needed at that spot and Ingram, though a fine initiator, is not assertive or threatening enough out of the P&R to really get the defense on its heels.
Russell is likely to be rusty coming back from injury, but his know-how as an offensive creator and as the hub of a productive offense is real. His passing instincts and ability have the defense respect him out to (and above) the 3 point arc helps the team in so many ways that it’s hard to oversell how much the team has missed him.
Against the Knicks, then, it will be great to see Russell back in the fold (should he play). He won’t be the only point guard returning to action, though. Derrick Rose is also scheduled to return tonight after missing time with back issue. Rose has had an up and down year with his new team, but was flashing some of his explosive ability to get to the rim recently (even if he was not finishing at his pre-injury levels).
Against the Lakers, though, that driving ability can be a difference maker as we know. The Lakers continue to have trouble dealing with penetrating guards and the cascading effects of allowing those drives. Kickouts to shooters, offensive rebounding opportunities, and simple drop off passes have killed them recently and if Rose has the right mindset when driving, his ability to get into the lane can be a major key.
Of course, that’s not the only thing the Lakers have to worry about defensively. In Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis, the Knicks have two players of the type who can really hurt the Lakers. Melo’s dynamic scoring ability from the wing will test Luol Deng and the Lakers’ help schemes. Deng and Melo have a long history of battles over the years, but that should not be mistaken as an advantage for the former. I expect Deng to struggle with Melo’s strength in the post and in how he can create in isolation or when working as a deep shooting option in transition or when spotting up.
As for Porzingis, his shooting ability makes for difficult closeouts which will test Julius Randle all night. Expect the Knicks to run a lot of pick and pot, forcing Randle into help positions to contain the dribble and then kicking the ball to Kristaps in space to make Randle closeout on him hard. If Randle doesn’t get there in time, Porzingis can hit the long ball. If Randle runs out at him too hard, Kristaps has the ability to beat a closeout with hard dribbles and then get into the paint where he can finish with power over the top of the defense.
Randle will also have to deal with Porzingis’ length on the other side of the floor, so it’s not as if this matchup eases up when the ball changes ends. Randle should be able to use his strength and short area quickness to get Porzingis off balance, but he’ll also need to show patience and smarts when attacking rather than forcing the action. KP’s long limbs can smother Randle if he tries to take the ball right into him too often.
The other key to this game will be the battle of the benches. The Knicks aren’t incredibly deep, but they do have an interesting back of reserves who can hurt you. Two names to watch for are Brandon Jennings and Lance Thomas, with the former pushing the pace and proving to be a nice playmaker and the latter showing an ability to space the floor if given open looks.
The Lakers, meanwhile, have had one of the best benches in the league. Missing Tarik Black’s ability to roll hard, catch on the move, and finish above the rim will be missed but the hope is that Thomas Robinson can replicate some of that. The bigger onus, though, will be on Lou and Clarkson to continue to be major offensive threats. For his part, Lou has been amazing of late even though the team has been losing. Clarkson has been more up and down, but with this being a home game I am hopeful he can find his range as a shooter to better set up his want to drive.
After losing 5 straight games, it is obvious the Lakers could use a win. But with this game being the final home game before a 7 game road trip, this contest becomes even more important. Yes, the Knicks have been playing better (winning 5 of their last 6) but the Lakers have a chance to get a needed win tonight. Let’s see if they can get it done.
Where you can watch: 6:30pm start time on Spectrum Sportsnet.
Joel_ says
Young back as well.
LKK says
Rose is killing the Lakers.
LKK says
Lakers with a good push to close the half within one, but unless somebody decides to play some defense on Rose, this is going to end badly.
Joel_ says
Is it 2011 again or something? Geez.
Joel_ says
Russell looks extremely rusty. Can’t buy a basket and committing some ludicrous turnovers.
30twhite40 says
Joel_ Just as long as Russell does not reach ludicrous speed he will be fine.
Joel_ says
Who is this guy and what has he done with Luol Deng?
LKK says
What’s so frustrating is that the Lakers are right there. A little better defense, a few less turnovers and this is a win. The Lakers desperately need to find someone who can play defense against the point guards of the league. Every game they get beaten at the point of attack and it’s been that way for years. Rose and Jennings just had their way, and it is not an aberration…it happens all the time.
Mid Wilshire says
LKK offers a valid point. The Lakers are almost “right there.” There’s really not much difference separating the Knicks who are now 14-10 from the Lakers who are 10-16.
Some problem areas tonight, as LKK noted, are the Lakers’ inability to contain Rose and Jennings who together had 47 points on 17-27 shooting. With this in mind, I actually think the Lakers miss Tarik Black who, though not a rim-protector in the classic sense, is very active in challenging guards who like to attack the basket. He makes them think twice about doing so. But tonight there was no deterrence.
Another issue is the Lakers’ defense of the 3-point line. The Lakers have been getting scorched by 3-point shooters lately and tonight was no exception. (The Knicks shot 45.5%; the Lakers shot 35.7% from 3 — a big difference in a close game)
Finally, the Lakers must take care of the ball better. Tonight they had 14 TOs (4 by Russell who was expectedly rusty tonight and 5 by Lou Williams). Now, 14 is not a horrible number but the Knicks only had 10 TOs. In a close game, you always want to win the turnover battle. And the Lakers this season have consistently been on the losing end of that all-important stat. (Imagine if they had had only 9 TOs tonight; it might have been a very different result.)
On a positive note, Deng looked excellent (22 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals), Randle had another double-double (17 and 10), Nick Young played well enough in his return (15 points and 4 rebounds), and both Lou and Clarkson played well offensively off the bench (26 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists for Lou and a very much in-control game by Clarkson –14 points on 6-10 shooting, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, zero TOs).
Now, if the Lakers can just find a cure for their few but significant ills and get Tarik Black back into the lineup, I think they could start winning again.
As LKK says, they’re right there.
LKK says
@Mid Wiltshire…
I hope our young Lakers stay the course and don’t let the current adversity they’re facing unravel them as a team. You’re absolutely right in pointing out the improvement in Deng as well as many other positives. It’s a long season and there is certainly room for improvement, if they continue to work hard and work together. This team is very fragile in the sense that it needs all its members healthy and contributing. They aren’t good enough to withstand key rotation players being out for extended periods. Few teams are.
Vasheed says
The Lakers second unit seems mobile enough to stop perimeter penetration when healthy (Black and Nance). The perimeter defense in the first unit is porous. Either our perimeter players need to pick things up, change the scheme to get around picks, or play a centerless defensive line up like the second unit. Unfortunately we don’t have a Black clone.
LT Mitchell says
The Knicks winning percentages in Phil Jackson’s first three full seasons. Granted, this season still has a ways to go, but the Knicks have quietly increased their wins by nearly 20% every year under Phil:
2015 – 21%
2016 – 39%
2017 – 58%
The Lakers winning percentages in Jimbo’s last four seasons. That’s a 5% increase in win percentage in FOUR years:
2014 – 33%
2015 – 26%
2016 – 21%
2017 – 38%
the other Stephen says
Already looking forward do the Laker Film Room podcast, Darius! Can’t think of a better pairing.
_ Robert _ says
Wow – depressing facts indeed
Vasheed says
LT Mitchell
It is something but, in the East if you string 5 guys together with a pulse you wind up with a winning record.
Vasheed says
LT Mitchell
The Knicks are built exactly how Lakers fans decry building the Lakers. Old nearing the end of their careers high paid all-stars who are injury prone with the exception of Porzingis. The Knicks are riding Rose’s aching back. It’s an unsustainable win now model.
_ Robert _ says
Vasheed LT Mitchell I agree and I do not like the Knicks position with Rose. Porzingis on the other hand is probably the most valuable asset on either team at this moment (can change obviously). And with regard to your Rose comment – the Lakers have been riding the backs of Williams and Young for much of our offense – hence I have the same concern. Clearly unsustainable as these are not guys who are here for the long term. Yea- yea – I know we need vets to stabilize things. So perhaps Phil is doing that with Rose? : ) In any case when facts are presented over 4 year time periods, they have more meaning than shorter durations.
Vasheed says
_ Robert _ Vasheed LT Mitchell
Sorta agree. I don’t think Lou and Young’s cheap short term contracts are problems, especially at their respective productivity levels. I’d question Deng and Mozgov contract’s more. Though a lot of fans were and have been critical of those signings.
I just think Laker fans would be all but apocalyptic, should the Lakers commit to $30 million for Rose, Anthony, or any other old All-Stars. So I just don’t see this as a blue-print to follow.
LordMo says
Vasheed LT Mitchell
Not true … Any top team in the East is capable of beating any top team in the West. That is a perception that was true years ago but is no longer the case.
LordMo says
LT Mitchell
We need Phil or Jerry West back. Jimbo chased away both and now we are suffering because of it.
Vasheed says
LordMo Vasheed LT Mitchell
There are 7 teams in the West with a record over .600 at the moment. There are 2 such teams in the East. Last year I think was the first that a team didn’t get into the Eastern playoffs with a losing record. Improving? Yes. On par with the West not by a long shot.
new rr says
Vasheed _ Robert _ LT Mitchell
Rose in his contract year, so the issue there is whether
Phil caves and re-signs him for a huge deal. Noah’s contract is bad, but it is
actually basically the same deal that the Lakers gave Deng: 4/72. Noah is doing better
than Deng has been doing. Phil’s other big decisions in NY have been signing
Anthony to the max extension and drafting Porzingis. The former basically locked
NY in to chasing low playoff seeds; the latter was great, since KP looks like
he can be an All-Star, and is as noted probably the most valuable guy on either
the Lakers’ or Knicks’ roster.
LordMo says
Vasheed LordMo LT Mitchell
And there are 7 teams in the West playing .400 ball or below. That would explain the differential as you play more games against your conference. Teams 9 thru 13 in the East are playing better than .400 ball that means it is a more competitive conference.
Vasheed says
LordMo Vasheed LT Mitchell
It means mediocrity. They just don’t have as many elite teams. The bar just isn’t as high to be competitive in the East.
david__h says
Darius: it’s time. It’s about that time. It’s what time is all about. Zubak needs some serious burn starting tonite; on the road, at the start of an away seven game stretch against tall centers where hardly no one knows his name or his game. Coach Walton should, if not for him, if not for the team, if not for laker nation, then do it for me. Oh wait, do it for those who have been waiting for Zubak to shine.
Go lakers
Hersho Barazi says
the other Stephen Wait a minute! Are Pete Zayas from LakerFilmRoom and Darius pairing up?? If so, that’s excellent news! Those two are my absolute favorite Laker analysts of all time. Both communicate their ideas extremely well, provide refreshing analysis that can be enjoyed by die hards and casual fans alike, and deserve way more attention than they are currently receiving. If this match made in heaven is for real, I eagerly await the first podcast.
the other Stephen says
Hersho Barazi the other Stephen I’m guessing Darius wants to announce it officially at a later date, but Pete mentioned it the other day on LakersGround, where he goes by the name GoldenThroat. 🙂