5 Things: Lakers down Pistons

This was a game the Lakers should have won…and they did! Following the blueprint they laid out in the last game (solid defense, own the paint, contributions from enough co-stars) the Lakers went out and won the free throw contest, er, basketball game against the Detroit Pistons who were without star Cade Cunningham. The Lakers, similarly, were without LeBron James. In the end Anthony Davis and the Lakers muscled their way to their 4th win.

1. Anthony Davis had no match and played like it. Sometimes, wen you don’t see a guy who can guard you, you do it for them. You take yourself out of the game because you think it’s going to be easier. That’s not how it works in pro sports, someone steps in and steps up. Las night didn’t take the opponent for granted and continued his Human wrecking Ball tour in the paint to the tune of 38 points on 10-16 shooting. He also pulled down 16 rebounds. AD took (and missed) only one three pointer so that aspect of his game is still MIA but, honestly, this is what the Lakers need right now. All the theories about this or that needs to take a back at seat (at least for the team) and focus on the one stat that matters most: Wins. When Davis controls the paint on both ends it makes a win more likely. Let success be your guide.
2. Austin Reaves coming into his own. Reaves looks like a guy who has figured something out. He doesn’t play the fastest, isn’t the strongest but his IQ and what athleticism and skills he as are enough to make a big impact. He came out of the halftime break looking like a guy who wanted to make sure got off on the right foot. Third quarters have been a riddle for this Lakers team so far this season. Austin made sure that, at least for one game, that wouldn’t be the case, again. Like Davis he was very efficient, 5-8 and 2-4 from three, en route to his 16 points but. for me, it was his 6 assists without a turnover that popped the most of the box score. Solid game from the sophomore. Who will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.
3. Russell Westbrook binoculars. Russ played well again off the bench and it’s good to see him just going about his business and playing hard in his new role. Honestly, not enough has been said of that and I’m sure there will be more spoken on it should the Lakers play better. The manner in which Westbrook can break apart a defensive scheme off the dribble when they know it’s coming has always been fun to watch. The dude can get to his spot it’s the force in which he arrives that often throws his shot off. It’s like an MMA fighter and a ballerina trying to co-exist in the same body. The play of the night, for me, was the inbounds pass Russ hit Lonnie Walker IV to end the half with for a wide open three. Like a quarterback throwing a deep run pass you can see on the replay he passes before Walker has arrived, trusting his guy to get to the right spot and to finish off the play. Great pass, great shot, and who can argue with the result?
4. The return of Bryant and Schroder. It’s funny but I had forgotten that Dennis never really played in front of the LA crowd when he was here. It was limited seating, masks, full on COVID protocols. So in his post gamer when he mentioned it I decided to wipe the slate clean and just start the journey over with Mr. Dennis Schroder. Of the two he had the more forgettable outing making just 1-5 shots. Thomas Bryant played his game and his role well and could be a huge boost for the team if he can keep this up. Bryant is like a better shooting version of Montrezl Harrell: high motor, very active with his hands (pros and cons on that one), but has a better jump shot. TB allows AD to slide back to the 4 on defense, he can play a small ball five role. It also allows the Lakers to play bigger once LeBron gets healthy. Bryant also missed his lone three point attempt but was otherwise effective in his minutes.
5. Wenyan Gabriel backing up his last good game with another one. First off, we just have too many players like Bryant and Gabriel. High energy guys who lack polished skill sets. However, we might have the coach best suited to figure out how to unlock those kind of players since Darvin Ham himself made a nice little career out of doing the small things right and filling the role required. Wenyan had another strong showing across the board. He’s crashing the glass, hit all his shots and playing a solid rangy style of defense that works.

Bonus point to Kendrick Nunn for hitting his shots. We needed it when it happened and he helped the team a lot. Keep it up, man. Need to string another one on the chain. If LeBron is back everyone needs to play like this: hard. Stop ball watching the King, he’ll handle his business. Just go hoop and the rest will fall into place.