5 Things: Lakers defeat Blazers

The under-manned Blazers came to Crypto to face the under-manned Lakers and the Lakers took the note from the heart-breaking loss to Indy and didn’t let up at any point in the game. LeBron was better from the floor, Russ hit some magical shots and AD was solid as the Lakers won easily against a team on the down-swing. Let’s dig in.

1. The Lakers certainly didn’t fool around in this one. They tightened the defensive screws, rebounded better and stayed focused on scoring efficiently rather than casting up lazy shots. This is the kind of focus and intensity the Lakers need to bring every single night to even have a shot at winning. They just don’t have the luxury of losing focus for a quarter or to let a no-name player shake loose and get hot. For a game, at least, they did right by the Basketball Gods and treated the game seriously for 48.
2. LeBron was on fire. LeBron was solid all night long but went off in the second quarter hitting shots from everywhere. After a sluggish start he ramped it up before the half, eased into the 3rd quarter and picked it back up again in the 4th. I thought this was the kind of well-balanced game we need to see from James on the regular. I’m not talking about the shots he made, it’s not really feasible to hit 6-8 from three or 12-18 overall every night, but how he got his shots and when. There were fewer early/mid-shot clock flings for the heck of it and more shots from the flow of the offense. I don’t know what it feels like to be close to breaking the NBA All Time scoring record, I don’t know what it feels like to score a point in the NBA, but it must be hard not to over-search for your shot in his case. I though The King played one of his better games this season last night.
3. AD featured correctly. While he didn’t get to his 20 FGA I’d like to see him average for the season, Anthony Davis was used the way we need him to be for success to be possible. Hampered a bit by early foul trouble AD took over in the 4th quarter when we need him, even hit a three in that frame. No player attempted more than 18 field goals (LeBron) but no other Laker forced the defense to account for them like AD did as he, again, worked his way to the foul line more than any other player on the court and continued to show excellence from the stripe. We can’t go away from AD in late game situations, he needs to be the focus of the offense both by design and by the strength of his will to demand the ball.
4. Russ didn’t make many but the ones he did were straight ridiculous. Westbrook was not on his offensive game like he was against Indy (4-14 overall, 2-6 from three). But the shots he made were all huge. The three at the half was crucial to bring us into the break in action on a positive note (and with a 4 point lead instead of 1) and the 3 he made from half court to end the 3rd was ridiculous. Russ is loving his new role, at least on the court in front of the fans, and Crypto is showing him what LA love can feel like. We love a guy who sacrifices his overall game for the betterment of the team. It’s why Derek Fisher, Lamar Odom, Alex Caruso and Kyle Kuzma are beloved Lakers for all time. Rus has a chance to join that pantheon this season. The best part of Westbrook’s game last night? Zero turnovers.
5. Thomas Bryant fitting in. This was the player Coach Scott didn’t really expect much from or utilize, the one who made a name for himself in Washington. Not a stalwart defender but quick and strong enough to have a positive impact on that end. Active on the glass and in the half court flashing for easy hooks in the lane, not afraid to hit the open man with the pass, and a solid ‘do-it-all’ kinda guy off the bench. Bryant has found a nice niche backing up AD, leading the second unit with Russ and bringing a nice mix of energy and skill that is invaluable to this Laker team right now.

Adios to Matt Ryan who was waived today. Not too sure why, trade in the works maybe? Probably not, maybe his agent sees an opportunity to get him more of a role in Charlotte with Gordon hayward back on the IL? Dunno but I’m bummed to see him go. I literally just watched the Backstage Lakers episode on him that had a lovely story to go along with his ridiculous buzzer beater that helped jump start the team a couple weeks back. Good luck, Matt, we thank you for your minutes. All 129 of them.