It’s no secret that the Lakers are figuring this out on the go. Already behind the 8 ball a bit due to new faces, injuries and with Frank introducing a new offense the Lakers haven’t looked like a team with championship aspirations out of the gate. It’s games like the one last night that we need to win, regardless of how it happens. With the easier part of our schedule coming over the next couple of weeks the Lakers would do themselves a big favor by feasting on some of the bottom-feeding teams they’re slated to play. Lose those games and you could put yourself in the unenviable situation of having to fight uphill for lower seeding. Win, keep pace with the west, all while improving and you set yourself up to be a top four seed. This is our chance to get off on the good foot after a rough start, time to seize the moment.
- Anthony Davis playing large. Davis did a lot more damage inside, had a phenomenal game on the glass and was a presence on defense with 4 blocks. With LeBron sitting out to manage a sore leg after another collision the Lakers needed their other two superstars to step up and help bring home the win. That box got checked in a big way last night. After the 3rd quarter it looked like LA was going to squander a winnable game as a result of defensive breakdowns and poor execution. AD was everywhere in the 4th quarter and OT, grabbing boards and playing big. While he missed all his three pointers in the game I’d prefer AD to be dominant in the paint where we need him to be a consistent force. Even when LeBron comes back I feel like the Lakers are at their best when they play through AD and force the other team to contend with his size, skills and talent. When he plays in the shadows we’re a weaker team.
- Russell Westbrook finding his way. Small surprise that Westbrook asserted himself with LeBron out, it’s that exact kind of situation that Russell thrives in: ball in his hands, big man screening and presenting a lob target and the defense having to choose. #0 uncorked some vintage moves in the paint last night and was a force equal to Anthony Davis and had it not been for some of the shots he set up not going in it’s likely he would have had a triple-double last night. On a ight where we needed every possession to be a good one Westbrook also had one of his better games thus far in regards to taking care of the ball. 3 turnovers is quite livable when it comes to a guy like Russ. In a game where we needed another high wattage player to get us over the hump, Westbrook delivered.
- Here one game, gone the next. The Laker bench, which was such a strength in our first win, was almost non-existent last night. At least in terms of scoring. Carmelo couldn’t throw it in the ocean, Reaves and Rondo struggled defensively and Monk was pressed into starter duty (at which he excelled, more on that later). Of the 4 guys who came off the bench only Dwight had a positive impact and it would seem the on-court dust up was enough for him to get back focused and contributing in a positive way. Where they did show some mettle was on the glass and that’s a good thing. The Lakers have been getting out-rebounded which, for a team that starts DeAndre Jordan and grants Dwight Howard major minutes alongside AD and with superlative rebounder Westbrook in the fold, is unfathomable.
- Austin Reaves had a great growing pains game. While Austin got lost on more than a few pick and roll coverages (and he wasn’t alone, either, as a team the Lakers are really struggling out of the gate defending simple pick and rolls) he was our most efficient three point shooter and got major minutes. The quicker we can get some of the younger guys like Reaves, Monk and Nunn acclimated into our system and how we want to defend P&R actions, where their shots are going to come from and how to fit in alongside three superlative NBA talents the better. While Reaves isn’t likely to make fans forget the impact of Alex Caruso any time soon he has a chance to forge his own “gritty glue guy” legend in his own way.
- Malik Monk had his best game as a Laker. While he didn’t have the most efficient game Monk was huge in that he kept the pressure on with his outside shooting helping keep the middle of the floor open for Westbrook to attack the rim. Monk is basically playing for his next deal which, because of how the CBA works, all but assures it won’t be as a Laker. Still, Monk can up his value by contributing in the exact way he did last night. We have a lot of guys that fit this mold and may be one year showcases on the most popular team in sport. Since there are so many guys on minimum deals it limits what we can offer them this summer to stay and, should a better deal come along it’s all but certain they’ll take it. Still, a legacy can be formed in a single season and if Monk can show he’s up to the task the big deal he didn’t see this season may be out there next summer.
Very good writeup, Jamie. The only thing I would add to this excellent post is about AD. I have said multiple times last season that he needs to attack the paint more as his modus operandi. He needs to minimize his penchant for long jumpers. Occasional three-pointers are okay if the situation calls for it. His three- pointers can be very demoralizing to opponents, and they boost the team’s morale. But AD is at his best when he makes a living in the paint. So, I am glad he did exactly just that last night.
Nice 5 Jamie. If AD plays even close to that all year he will definitely be an MVP candidate and DPY winner.
Monk was great, his offense was nice but he played good defense as well. I’m mean he was +31 and the team was -27 without him. All is not lost with Monk. If Russ were to opt out of his contract like C3P to negotiate a longer deal. We could have up to 21 mil in cap space if Nunn also opts out, which he probably will. Now I’m not sure on this but I believe we could sign Monk before resigning Russ. Now we may have denounce Russ’s bird rights but I doubt they will be offering him 50 mil a year anyway. Somewhere in the 35 mil range over 3 or 4 years.
Great fiver, Jamie. Always a struggle to finish an article when there are back-to-back games. Appreciate the effort.
1) AD playing large. Elite defense and 10 of 12 makes in the restricted area. Davis dominated at both ends of the court. Looking like early season candidate for DPOY with his elite blocks and steals. This may finally be the year AD takes the baton from LeBron. At any rate, AD did his part in the Lakers figuring out how to win without LeBron. I agree with you that we need AD to be a force down low more than a 3-point shooter, although I like him taking 5 threes per game.
2) Russ finding his way. This is why I’ve pushed for the Lakers to add a third superstar. Even if that superstar is flawed in some ways like Russ, the ability to have two superstars on the court when LeBron is on the bench or taking a game off due to injury cannot be underestimated. It’s the key to Lakers winning the championship. Winning the non-LeBron minutes is going to transform this team.
3) Lakers’ bench comes up short. Part of why the bench didn’t have the impact they did the previous game is Carmelo only scored 4 points and Malik Monk started the game instead of coming off the bench. Also, we’re still missing four players who were going to be in our rotation. We’ll have to struggle with the rotations until we get healthy or make a trade at midseason.
4) Austin Reaves played over 30 minutes, quite a vote of confidence from Frank Vogel for the undrafted heir to Alex Caruso’s Lakers BENCH GOAT title. Hit 2 of 4 from deep, played excellent defense, and continued to show he belongs. What hurt Reaves’ plus/minus is he was on the floor when the Spurs took over the game in the third quarter, which hurt his plus/minus. Overall, another good game by Austin.
5) Malik Monk got only his second start in five years in the Association and made the most of it, scoring 17 points, including 4 of 10 from deep, including a 31-foot splashing three with about a minute left in the fourth quarter that was almost the Lakers’ game winner. Monk also dished out three assists and showed he could put the ball on the floor and attack the rim with his floater. Great game. Looking forward to Melo and Monk lighting it up from the bench.