There’s no getting around it: the Lakers are bad right now. You can add the context of injuries, the league catching up with them, general youth, or any other number of valid reasons which contribute to the slippage and I’ll nod along in agreement. But, ultimately, the team has not been playing well enough to win and, at the end of the day, that’s why you play the game (*extreme Herm Edwards voice*).
Regarding tonight’s game against the Pacers, the last time these two teams met the Lakers played Indy tight only to have Paul George show why he’s an all-star caliber player down the stretch by sinking some tough jumpers to close out the game. Those final possessions featured the Pacers running some actions to get George isolated, targeting D’Angelo Russell, and let George go to work. Russell didn’t even do a poor job defensively, George was just better.
Speaking of Russell, he’s clearly in a funk and it would be nice if he found his way out of it. Just two weeks ago he was playing his best basketball of the year, getting into the lane, hitting his outside jumper, and showing a good level of engagement defensively. His coach was praising his practice and work habits, citing a new routine, and rewarding him with more minutes. But in the last week plus, his play has declined and Walton has responded with a quicker hook and less patience (not only with Russell, I should add) for the types of mistakes and lax play which leads to the other team making runs.
As I said on twitter, there is some real adversity for Russell to respond to and I am interested in how he does it. This isn’t like last season where his coach is not only offering less minutes but barbs in the press. Walton continues to praise Russell at nearly every turn, encouraging him to be aggressive offensively and engaged defensively. He talks up his talent and has even downplayed some of his struggles. If there is a template for how to try and coax good play out of Russell, I would imagine this, rather than Scott’s approach last season, is the way to go. Now it’s on Russell.
Of course, he’s not the only one who it’s “on”. Julius Randle could also be much better than he has recently. Though his rebounding and general playmaking has still been good to very good, his shooting struggles have been real and his defense hasn’t been much better than that. He must find a way to break out of his slump by finding ways for his effectiveness to match his assertiveness. He must also be more heady on defense and start to rev his motor as high as he does late in close games throughout a contest. Part of that is avoiding the types of bad, early fouls he’s been racking up lately by needlessly pushing and shoving his man or carelessly swiping at the ball when he has no chance of getting a steal.
On a different note, I’m excited to see if Zubac continues to get some burn and, if he does, whether he can keep up his good play. He’s showing the types of flashes that had some draftniks rating him as high as the 16th best prospect in the draft. His size, soft hands, great touch as a finisher, and instincts to be in the right position on both ends of the floor are a nice combination for such a young player. After playing well against Nikola Jokic in the Nuggets game, I’d love to see what type of impact he could have in direct minutes vs. Myles Turner tonight.
Where you can watch: 7:30pm start time on Spectrum Sportsnet.
david__h says
Darius: they’re due, they’re overdue, they’re past due.
Liking how Ingram has ever so slightly shortened his shooting stroke. Am seeing his release point closer and in front of his face.
Russell appears to be too interested on how Randle’s doing. Not sure why. Both need to keep their focus on the game on hand. Now’s a good time to start.
It feels so much better when they win.
Go lakers
30twhite40 says
Russell to the locker room after an awkward fall. He walked off the floor under his own power and I hope he is ok. This is the last thing the Lakers need.
30twhite40 says
D’Angelo Russell has a mild MCL sprain in his right knee. Re-evaluated at halftime to see if he can return. (from Mike Trudell)
LKK says
Zu with the nice score off the pick and roll. Lakers need to look for that when he’s on the floor…he rolls nicely to the basket.
30twhite40 says
Now Nick Young heading to the locker room. Have the Lakers lost their starting back court?
30twhite40 says
Nick Young hyperextended his left knee. X-Rays were negative. It’s possible he returns in the second half depending how the knee feels. (From Mike Trudell)
LKK says
Bing with a nice start to the 3rd to spark the team to the lead. He’s all over the place! Some of his best minutes as a pro…. so far!
LKK says
Very nice 3rd quarter… Ingram with 10 points and some great defense. Hope they can hold this lead.
fern16 says
What a great game by Ingram, slowly but surely he is getting it togheter. He is going to he something else…
Joel_ says
Every so often you remember how this team started out 10-10…
30twhite40 says
Lakers playing a nice game tonight. Liking what I have seen from Ingram. He is playing better and has improved as the season has progressed.
LKK says
Lou and T Black doing work. Also nice to see some good defense on the perimeter from JC and Nick.
KevTheBold says
Nice surprise tonight,.. a Win !!
And,..Ingram rising !
LKK says
So glad to see some fight tonight. Tacos baby!!
darthgeezr says
Re:DAR: check Hannah Kulick’s column in Lakers Nation 1/20/17. As talented as he seems to be, the mental game seems to be an issue. Careless ball handling, shooting when he should pass, indifferent defense too often, etc. As I’ve said before, he seems better suited to the 2. My fantasy is that the FO manages a trade of DAR for a draft pick high enough to assure signing Lonzo Ball (UCLA) in the next draft. Picture this in 2-3 years (thinking only of the young players): Ball at the 1, Clarkson at the 2, Ingram at 3, Randall/Nance at 4, and Zubac/Black at 5, with Robinson added in. All Lakers, bleeding purple and gold, and growing their skills together as a team. Not to mention any of the older guys or FA additions.
Yeah, I know, I’m a dreamer…
LordMo says
Hope the kid isn’t hurt serious did not get a chance to see the game.