5 Things: .500

400 days later, since last January…8th? When the Lakers were 24-24. It had been an exhibition in mediocrity and futility since that moment. At long last the .500 summit has been crested and the true journey revealed on the peaks and valleys on the other side.

1. AD went full-on mountain Yeti on OKC. His 37 points led all scorers, his 15 boards were second to Giddey’s 17 (that dude is going to be gooooood) and, in general, AD asserted himself the way you want him to on a nightly basis. His way of taking the torch won’t look like LeBron, it’ll be as much about his D as his scoring, but games like this make it easier for the rest of the team.
2. Dusting off an old fave. Lonnie Walker IV got in early and made an instant and lasting impact on the game. His 20 points off the bench were crucial, his outside shooting was stellar, and his defense was solid. That’s what a professional looks like: hasn’t groused about what I’m sure feels like a demotion on some level and when his number was called because the team needed him he delivered. Big time.
3. Dennis taking over down the stretch. The Lakers and Dennis made an excellent 4th quarter adjustment after OKC started overloading on AD essentially daring another Laker to step up. Into that void entered Schroder with drives to the rim against a single defender and timely shots from the midrange and three. Dennis picked his spots like the savvy vet he’s become.
4. Reaves struggles. One of the reasons AD got going early was that the Thunder made it a mission to deny Reaves a big game. Austin did right by not fishing for fouls, moving the ball to the tune of 9 dimes, and staying within the offense. It allowed AD to dominate both off the pass and on the glass until they switched late in the second half and had at least two lengthy defenders on AD. Lonnie’s bug game also helped neutralize both tactics.
5. Russell out multiple games, again? With an early game Sunday and a 5 game road trip that probably won’t do D-Ali’s sore hip any favors it’s possible he goes on the IL for another lengthy stint. Hip injuries are nothing to gloss over, ask Isaiah Thomas about that, and hopefully his absence last night was as much precaution as anything else but for a team that really could stand to win out the rest of the games any injury, minor or not, is a major concern.