5 Things: Ace in the Hole

I love me a good gamble. In the casino craps is my game but I’m also a fan of Hold ‘Em poker and blackjack or roulette with pals. I also love when a coaches gambit pays off big like Darvin ham’s did last night. In what was the not so surprising move of the century Coach ham inserted (finally) Austin Reaves into the starting 5. The ensuing win cannot be attributed to that move alone but it was sensible move that was a long time coming.

1. Austin “Ace in the Hole” Reaves has arrived. This has been the sophomore season the Lakers desperately needed from the undrafted (although that was planned as much as anything) rookie. All his numbers are up across the board: +5 ppg, +6.1 FG%, +6.6 3P%, +3.1 FTA/game (and even that barely reflects the current stretch of excellence at getting to the line) coupled with a +.019 improvement in accuracy, and +5 ppg overall. His defense, with the increased minutes and workload, is still solid albeit not improving statistically. The kid they call the Hillbilly Kobe (which I both love and hate) is here, he’s going to get paid, and fans will revolt if it’s not the Lakers who make it happen.
2. One reason Monty glossed over regarding the free-throw disparity. Yes, the Lakers shot a grip more free throws than the Suns did. Yes, the game was played on our home court…where teams generally enjoy a slight advantage at the line. Agreed…the officiating this season has been wildly varied from game-to-game. An yet… Something that nobody on Phoenix seemed to mention was the vast disparity in three point field goal attempts. 31-17, advantage Suns. The two Lakers who shot the most free throws shot a combined 1-1 from beyond the arc. All of AD’s FGA’s came from inside the stripe and of his 18 total attempts only 5 came from outside the paint. Reaves was even more determined to get to the paint, only two of his total FGA’s were from outside the restricted area and one of those was his lone take and make from three. Should the whistle have been blown more for maybe CP3 or Cam-Payne? Not really, the Lakers paint defense was pretty solid with verticality and CP3 uses his off hand a lot which generally results in a non-call for both himself and his defender. Most of the bench guys are the over-valued “three and D” prototype of which few players a re truly suited for. First it requires that you consistently play above average defense, second that you are an incredible three point marksman. All in all, the Suns fought their way into 20 more FGA’s than did the Lakers, they just couldn’t capitalize on that advantage enough.
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   …Ok they also did get +11 more fouls called on them, as well.
3. Vanderbilt brought his lunch pail last night. I love the hard working cats in the Association, Vanderbilt, Gabriel and, yes, Austin Reaves. Guys who didn’t come in with lofty projections or hype but definitely have the right attitude concerning the work needed to succeed and level up. I love this guy and I hope he plays his way into a big deal next summer after we choose to keep him. 5-5 from the field, solid defense whenever he was on the floor, and doing all the little things a team needs to win. JV should be extended at our earliest convenience next year.
4. D’Angelo looking smooth. If I had to choose between Irving and Russell I will choose the latter simply because he’s, astoundingly, more drama free and more available. The Lakers don’t need more drama to throw in the fire, we’re already Dallas in an NBA jersey as it is. To see where D-Lo has come since his choice to post Swaggy “Nick Young” P. venting about life to now is a lesson in growing up under a microscope. Russell is always cheering his teammates on, brings the guys together when needed, is in the young guys’ ears and is playing in control within the system. He’s had games where he missed his shots, which happens, but he hasn’t strayed from what we’re doing and he’s fitting in as well as could be hoped or expected. Maybe even better. So, while Irving will be the diamond of free agency it’s a glitter that comes with too much blood and pain. Better to go with the ice in D-Lo’s veins.
5. The two versions of AD. In the last game, which I watched via the Spectrum app from the East Coast, Stu Lantz was imploring AD to be more decisive as soon as he’d get the ball. To not let it stick, not let the defense get set, to not let them send the second defender and then make a move (usually a pass at that point). In the 3rd quarter we saw how effective the version of AD that does engage more quickly can be. When he’s playing against the set defense his job is vastly more difficult than when he gets the ball and makes his move. It generally means he’s going up against a single defender, that second one may be coming but is not yet in position which opens up passes to cutters or shooters, and that the rest of his team can make use of off-ball screens and switches. It just makes our entire offense better. But when he gets all philosophical and pauses for a few seconds to consider the moral and spiritual implications of driving to the hole he looks up to find the task a Sisyphusian one in nature. Avoid the boulder and get going downhill.

We are still as likely to be bounced out of the playin as not so the only thing for it is to win and win often. No new heroes, play smart, don’t expect the whistle to keep blowing and go hard.