Is it weird that I have little to say about a Lakers game? That the strategy doesn’t intrigue me, the match ups don’t matter all that much, and that I don’t really care about the outcome? This usually isn’t the case, but we are at that time of the year where, in reality, those things which typically make up the more enjoyable parts of my viewing experience are losing their luster.
Be it the lottery standings, the roster and front office changes, or simply that we’re now in the 2nd week of March for a season which started, with training camp, way back in September — which was a long time ago. As we say at the beginning of the year, it’s a marathon and not a sprint…well, we’re coming down the home stretch and there’s just little intrigue left.
This doesn’t mean nothing that happens has value. We know that’s not the case.
From an individual performance standpoint, I want to continue to see certain things from the young players. We’ve told you that D’Angelo Russell is trending up, but we’d like that to continue through the end of the year. I want to see him aggressive offensively — especially in trying to drive a bit more, I want him engaged defensively, and seeking out that balance between looking for his own offense and making sure the rest of his teammates are involved.
I want Brandon Ingram to be assertive and not so focused on being a ball mover. Keep looking for your shot, keep cutting and screening then opening up for passes, keep driving the ball in isolation. I want Randle to shoot his jumper without hesitation — especially from behind the arc when it’s wide open. I want him to engage defensively, play hard all game, and not get down or disengage if he goes too many possessions without a meaningful touch offensively.
These are the main things I want to see, but there’s more. There’s always more. But over the course of this game against the Mavs and the remaining 18 ones after it, these are the growth points I want to see the guys reach for. They may not get there, but going through the motions isn’t an option for them even if the circumstances of the season might make it seem like the most desirable approach.
Where you can watch: 5:30pm start time on Spectrum Sportsnet.
Robert says
“That the strategy doesn’t intrigue me, the match ups don’t matter all that much, and that I don’t really care about the outcome?”
Wow – Is this one of the first games of the season like that for you?
If it was not for backstabbing and political intrigue, then yea – simply watching to see if Luke can get Laker defensive intensity to move from 25% to 30% is not what I would call “must watch”.
Then again I watch a lot anyway – but I must confess I get so many other things done during games than I used to. Helps my to do list and less people are mad at me because I call/text them to break up the monotony of the game (as rr says – they lose with metronomic regularity). Metronomes are not too exciting.
R says
Well, Robert, I didn’t watch – did they break thru the 30% defensive intensity ceiling?
Yeah, so the suspense now is pretty much limited to: the Lakers having a 57% chance of avoiding draft day catastrophe vs. a 48% chance of avoiding same. If they keep “their” (?) pick, they can draft a wing who might move the needle … some day.
Yay.
Anonymous says
Well. The Lakers took it on the chin again tonight losing 122-111 in a game that was not at all that close. D’Angelo Russell, for example, scored a rather empty 22 points tonight, 9 of those points in garbage time (the last 4 minutes of the game). But there were some encouraging signs (at least to my eyes).
Julius Randle, for one, had a triple double — 13 points, 18 rebounds ( a strong game on the boards), and 10 assists. Brandon Ingram also played decently well with 13 points (5-9 shooting), 4 rebounds, and 5 assists.
But the Laker who stood out the most, I thought, was Jordan Clarkson. His game seems to have blossomed somewhat with the recent trade of Lou Williams to Houston. Tonight JC had 22 points (9-17 shooting) and 2 assists (with 2 TOs). I’d still like to see a more complete game from him — a few rebounds at least, maybe 2-3 more assists. But he certainly seems to have taken on the mantle of leadership for the 2nd unit. In fact, this is the 2nd game in a recent memory in which he’s led the Lakers back from a sizeable deficit almost single-handedly and put the team in some semblance of contention. The team seems to feed off of his energy and he clearly seems to be rising to the challenge of being the main guy on the 2nd unit. Since the trade of Lou Williams, JC has scored 14, 19, 16, 20, 14, and 22 points with decent efficiency.
Again, JC’s game is far from a finished product. And he certainly has his detractors. But I think he might be poised for some growth and maturity at this point in the season. I hope I’m not wrong.
We shall see.
The rest of the season is all about growth.
Mid-Wilshire says
The recent comment summarizing the game was by yours truly. I forgot to put in my info.
Sorry for the oversight.
KevTheBold says
I personally don’t see any progress as ’empty’.
For example, Russell scored 22 points on 8 of 17 shooting,..had 4 assists & 4 steals, and even made two trips to the foul line making all 4 baskets.
All this with Zero turnovers.
To me, that’s progress, and as his averages are remaining in full force,..is proving that he has the potential to be consistent; more so than either Randle or Clarkson.
mattal says
I certainly appreciate the current Lakers’ predicament — where losses are far more valuable than wins. But, there’s a part of me that wonders why, after four years of trying to get better, we can’t beat bad teams. We have so far to go.
RR1 says
One thing to remember about the pick: if the Lakers keep it, while that does mean that they do not owe a 1st to ORL, it also means that next year’s pick to the 76ers is Brooklyn-style unprotected.
As to the team, while the switch from Scott to Walton and Kobe’s departure have helped make the O better, these changes have not made the D better, and that, along with the lack of an ASG-level guy, is why the team is still a punching bag.
A Horse With No Name says
Beyond the lack of an AS level player (s), there is the question of roster construction for the offense Luke is running. Currently the only legitimate floor spacing 3 pt shooters are DAR, Nick, and Clarkson. Ingram will get there, but not yet. Neither Randle or Nance can shoot consistently from even mid-range, much less the 3 line. You need at least 4 guys on the floor who are a threat to hit jumpers for this offense to hum. Good spacing also leads to better defense as transition defense is improved with more action from the perimeter.
Fern says
So the Buss bros strategy was to cash out ,huh…Can’t say i totally disagree or blame then with that with all the money they would get.But i want to see if the new regime can turn the ship around first…