Three overtimes of late, three wins. We may not be where we want to be as a team, yet, but we’re finding ways to win while we learn. That’s huge in a loaded western conference that features several teams leaking out ahead of us in the seeding race. While there were many things that almost derailed the win we overcame them and that’s a step forward for this team in this moment.
- Malik Monk’s huge game. We needed every one of those points Monk poured in to bring home the win. Malik has a unique skillset on this team. Like THT he can get his own shot, get into the paint to create and is possessed of youthful vim and vigor. Unlike THT he has a killer jump shot. If we can unlock something like this version of Malik on a nightly basis we can live with the occasional defensive lapse or two. We need someone to provide scoring off the bench other than Melo and if it can be Monk that’s cool with me.
- Melo continues his Sixth man of the year campaign. He may not have been raining threes but Melo knows how to apply pressure on a defense from anywhere on the floor. Anthony has also been playing with a nice amount of vinegar since becoming a Laker. You can see him engaging with AD about defensive concepts in stoppages (and even after the game last night) and he finds ways to win like superstars tend to do. While he is definitely removed from his “alpha” days in the NBA he is still a respected force that creates his own, unique gravity on the floor that forces a defense to react.
- Russell’s triple-double. This is life with Westbrook and you might as well buckle up and enjoy the ride, bumps and all. Intense is the word I have landed on to describe Westbrook’s game. Applied with as much force as skill, always ramped up to 100 MPH all with the audacity of a swashbuckler Russ is gonna drive the team forward. This time without LeBron has been good for Russ. It’s not that he’s changed his game or unlocked a heretofore unseen skillset it’s that he’s been free to be himself. If anyone is going to see where he fits in amongst the budding rapport between Russ and AD it’s The King. So letting Russ run wild for a few games has had it’s benefits and warts but that’s the package we bought when we traded for O.
- Avery Bradley should stick as a starter. I don’t buy into the idea that Avery doesn’t have the right skillset, mentality or ability to be a starter on this team. In fact I happen to think he’s the perfect compliment to Russ at the 2 to kick things off. He’s yin to Westbrook’s yang: where Russ is always playing in 5th gear, Avery has a control and pace to his game that allows him to speed up his game when called for. He shoots the three well enough and his defense is sorely needed in a starting unit that will seemingly end up featuring DeAndre Jordan on most nights. I’m not sure Kent is the long-term answer at the three, I have no doubt in my mind that AB should start at the 2.
- The free throw disparity issue. OK, this has gotten absurd. Once again it was a more than 2-1 disparity in free throws attempted. While some of this is on us and our defensive lapses, it’s not like the Lakers a re a jump shooting team. Frank needs to pick up a T, challenge some calls, something to start to bring this thing back into a manageable realm because this isn’t a winning formula. It took ridiculous games from role players, hitting nearly 50% from three and a series of out of character misses late from the Heat to pull this out. We have to play better defense, yes, but the Lakers also need to start getting some calls going their way. I’m sure this will start to even out…eventually.
We ought to win against Minny. Here’s hoping we do. Go Lakers.
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