Opportunity knocks, but will anyone be home to answer? This is the question the young Lakers face in the wake of LeBron James suffering a strained groin that has him listed as “day to day” but will reportedly keep him out for “multiple” games (at least). The super-human James has never dealt with this type […]
Lakers Analysis
The Kyle Kuzma We’ve Been Waiting For
*FB&G flashback scene* It’s the day after Thanksgiving. Black Friday! Time to go shopping. So much to choose from. Know what I’m not buying? Kyle Kuzma stock, that’s what. On this night, in a win over the Utah Jazz, Kuzma looks like the player he has for too many nights in the infant stages of […]
Lakers are One of the Best Clutch Teams in the NBA
The Lakers spent their Monday evening winning a nail-biter against the Miami Heat in what will be the last game LeBron James plays against Dwyane Wade in the NBA. In that LeBron-says-goodbye-to-his-buddy-way it was unique, but in many others it was not unlike many other Lakers games this season. LA started slowly, played sloppy and […]
Lakers Offense and Defense Going Through a Role Reversal
After a disappointing loss at the hands of the Orlando Magic on Sunday, the Lakers have an 11-8 record and are 7th in the uber-competitive Western Conference. Looking beyond the blow of being swept in their season series by Orlando, though, the Lakers have much to be happy about. Remember, the Lakers started 2-5 on […]
Brandon Ingram Remains a Work in Progress
Brandon Ingram is a just turned 21 year old player 16 games into his 3rd season. Of all the things I’m about to write, this is the thing that should resonate most, even if it likely won’t. Because for all his physical tools — Ingram remains all arms and legs, like a praying mantis crossed […]
The Leap Forward to the Same Spot
There’s a Jay-Z rap lyric I’ve always liked a lot. The Brooklyn born husband to BeyoncĂ© says, simply, “life’s like a treadmill n***** runnin’ in place”. For me, at least, it’s a line about the search for progress and the want for more, but not actually getting it. It’s also about people’s perceptions of how […]
Lakers Need Patience Now More than Ever
After a 124-120 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Lakers are now 2-5. I won’t spend much time on the game, but like I told you in my game preview, I was concerned about the team’s defense and rebounding while hopeful the team would be able to shoot the 3 ball well enough to keep […]
Will the Lakers Make the Playoffs?
Catchy headline, right? SEO that! #blogboys unite. Today, Tim Bontemps of the Washington Post wrote that he does not think the Lakers will make the playoffs. He laid out a bunch of reasons why. They are points well made and argued with reason. I like Tim — I read his work, listen to him on […]
LeBron James, Point (Power) Forward
LeBron James, for his entire career, has been a point forward. He’s often brought the ball up the court, initiated his team’s offensive sets, and been the player most leaned on to quarterback the progressions within those sets to reach a desirable outcome. Even when he’s played with other ball dominant point guards (like Kyrie […]
Flexibility vs. Need and the Lakers Open Roster Spot
While the Lakers waiving and stretching of Luol Deng has mostly been viewed through the lens of financial flexibility and the push for a second star in the Summer of 2019, there are present day ramifications too. By allowing Deng to seek alternative employment opportunities, the Lakers roster now has room to add an additional […]