Cause that shit was messy. Sloppy all around, final score didn’t even indicate how much Phoenix showed us the business and the vibe around the team stinks. Everyone keeps bringing up injuries as an excuse, it’s lame and not the true issue. The real issue is a lack of internal recognition that whatever lofty ideas one had to start the season playing a certain style simply aren’t working with this group. It takes humility to admit when one is wrong and it’s best if that recognition comes early. In the case of the Lakers nothing ever happens quickly.
- The clock is ticking on this Lakers’ season. Unfortunately trades take two to tango and it feels like most teams are waiting out January. For a multitude of reasons I don’t see a deal happening, if one does at all, until early Feb and likely at the deadline. That means another 15 games, potentially, with this underwhelming squad. 8 of those on the road, although one of those “road” games comes against the Clippers, where the Lakers are a woeful 6-13. Leading up the homestand the Lakers had done a good job of protecting Crypto. Going 2-3 and getting blown out in all three losses did nothing to relieve pressure on the coaches, front office and players. Lakers need to at least win the home games they have on this upcoming 15 game stretch that takes us past the trading deadline. Road games against the Hornets and Pistons should be winnable but with this group you just never know which version of a player you’re gonna get. The rest of the road trip is against top of the league teams that have found their stride and play with an identity, all of those games will be tough for us to win, all things considered.
- The defensive scheme, whatever they want to call it, ain’t working. We rank dead last or near to dead last in three pointers allowed per game and since the IST we’re 28th in 3 point FG%. Given our lack of accuracy from three and the fact that we rely on basically 2 guys to generate offense means we start the game climbing a hill. The Math of the NBA can be complex at times but this math ain’t: we’re giving up the exact shots teams want to take and we’re not making ours. We leave guys open all the time, by design, and then the coach goes and says we don’t scheme to give up open shots. Really? then you’re not getting that through to your players, coach, because I’m watching a ton of wide open threes every game. Something on that front has to give. We either need to make more and bring the math closer on offense, or go back to what was working last season post-trade deadline when we were the middle of the pack on defending the three.
- Austin Reaves and Max Christie are NOT point guards. It’s painful to watch both players gamely and try to initiate the offense. Both guys have the awful habit of driving the ball too deeply into the defense, not recognizing the collapse until it’s too late, and throwing bad passes or getting pilfered before they can do anything about it. Whatever his defensive liability may be D’Angelo Russell is and should be the starting PG. It’s as plain as the logo on the court to me. Reaves was better off the bench, DLo’s trade value ain’t getting a boost this way, and Max will be looking for a minimum deal if he keeps this up come summer.
- Is there a dumber “streak watch” than the “LeBron has scored 10+ points in who honestly cares?” number of games. I get it, it means he’s good at what he does. It’s not indicative of winning basketball, it’s not the most incredible thing he’s ever one (personally more impressed with the sheer number of games and minutes he’s played) and it’s hilarious how the Laker announcers, and even the TNT folks last night, make a point of saying “LeBron has 10 points to keep that incredible and amazing streak alive!”. It’s neither, it’s actually feeling more and more mediocre as time goes on. or maybe I’m still just pissed with how he and AD half-assed last night’s game.
- Frank’s first W since getting scape goated. Coach Vogel finally got that W he’d been looking for against the Lakers. It wasn’t surprising to me to hear LeBron talking about how the Suns were ready for them on defense. Like, no doy man. That’s Frank’s calling card and het made guys like Reaves and Christie try to play hero ball rather than letting AD get easy post position and LBJ get on a roll.
Quick away game against the Jazz and back home before the epic roadie. No time like the present to turn this ship around.
Aloha Jamie, I agree with most of your takes except the effect of injuries. It’s been and still is a problem. Rui had been playing exceptionally well and was named the starter going forward and 8 minutes in and was hurt. He would have been a problem for the Suns playing a defense to stop AD and LeBron. Wood seemed to finally turn the corner and had been playing well. His ability to stretch the floor and rebound, would have also made a big difference. And Hayes would not have seen the floor. They out rebounded us by 9 with 13 offensive boards. That gap would have been closed some with Wood. Cam is our second best perimeter defender. The Suns repeatedly targeted Max. He likely would not have seen much if any playing time if Cam had not been hurt 8 minutes in. And we sleep on Vincent because he hasn’t played much but he was brought in to specifically guard guys like Beal. He definitely would have helped. I agree with the system criticism but it’s been difficult with the revolving lineups do to injuries. This teams strength was never in its starting line up but in its depth and that depth has rarely been available. I honestly don’t fear the Suns, they are thin and live and die by jump shots. They shot 36% from 3 which isn’t elite. Many of those makes came in transition after a dumb turnover. If healthy we can beat this team in a playoff series. But that is the key.
Michael, I totally agree with you on your last paragraph. You are right about the injuries. It forces lineup changes to the point where chemistry becomes unattainable. I know every team goes through that and should not be an excuse. But to be still in preseason mode almost halfway through the season because of lineup changes forced on you due to injuries is undesirable and should not be ignored. The three main issues this team is dealing with right now are the opponent’s three-points allowed, our own poor three-point shooting, and turnovers.