While unlikely, the possibility had entered my mind that we had maybe seen the last win of the season. Given the malaise, public vibe and overall accomplishments to date it wasn’t too much of a stretch seeing just enough break wrong for us to lose out. Instead, behind a spirited game from LeBron, the Lakers were able to forge a victory and avoid a total derailment of the season.
- Witness. We have come a long way from the first two weeks of LeBron’s season where James looked, for the first time, pretty pedestrian. 56 points on 31 shots, a rocking 6-11 from three, and 10 rebounds means we watched a very engaged and focused LeBron James. While he didn’t approach a triple double based on his 3 assists that’s more an indication of how poorly the Lakers shot overall (other than LeBron, Melo, Russ and newcomer D.J. Augustin no Laker shot above 50%). We needed everything LeBron brought and got enough from a few other sources to pull out the win.
- Russ playing in control. Not a small amount of ink has been spilled detailing in exhausting details all the ways it doesn’t work between Russ and the Lakers. Last night, and for a few games leading up to the ASB, I’ve though Russ has not been the problem. No, he’s not a three point marksmen, yes he misses a few too many layups, and sure you could ask for fewer unforced turnovers. Those are things I often ask of LeBron James, as well, albeit generally to a lesser degree and LeBron’s superior resume’ garners him extra leeway. Last night Russ attacked the basket the way we need him to, found the open man (a stellar wrap around to Monk for a late three was particularly awesome) and, yes, he turned the ball over 5 times to LeBron’s 4. The accounted for more than half our 17 miscues and that’s not out of character. Don’t see the benefit in benching Russ either to start or end games. Are we going to start Wayne Ellington or Avery Bradley or the walking corpse of Trevor Ariza? DJ? Please…
- Carmelo Anthony and the home crowd. I hope Melo retires a Laker, I really do. It’s just a gas to watch him play to the Crypto crowd, get juiced from the cheers when he walks up to the scorers table to check in. His scoring was a big key to the win last night, especially a dagger three to close the game out, but he delivered in all sorts of ways last night with some stout defense and 8 rebounds. Of all the vet minimums Melo has long been the best of the bunch.
- THT’s off game. Talen had another forgettable game and it begs the question what anyone ever saw that would make you choose him over Caruso if you want to win this season. I’m sure Horton-Tucker out in good work over the summer, his physical assets are appealing from a GM standpoint, but the overall foundational skillset has yet to materialize. He still uses his long arms to reach as opposed to bodying up and moving his feet on defense, he still looks to dribble into the paint when he first catches the ball and doesn’t trust that jumper enough (I am of the opinion that his jump shot has improved but not to the degree he trusts in it enough to let fly off the catch enough). THT is one of the reasons I’m not really in favor of bringing Russ off the bench. I don’t think moving Talen to the starting five is going to jump start his game, he needs the next few summers to work on that, it won’t happen in just a summer or two. He needs to hit Defense 101 next summer and work on that footwork, he needs to figure out a way to finish better at the rim, too. He’ll top out as a mid-grade role-player otherwise.
- Monk needs to diversify a bit. This is on a more than Malik. He’s more than a three point shooter and the Lakers need to do a better job maximizing his ability to get to the cup. Monk was 4-10 overall, 4-9 from three. That’s a much too one-dimensional use of his talents from my perspective. The coaches need to continue to encourage him to attack, his teammates need to give him the ball and clear out once in awhile. I think we can get a lot more out of Malik than we are and we can’t squander his skillset limiting him to spot up shooter, although he’s really good at that.
All in all, we got a few teams that fall into the “we should beat them” category coming up. Well, then we should go out and beat them. This team has too often fallen into the “we’re destined for something great” mode and not showing up to play hard and intensely for 48. Take it easy and we continue to flounder, still with the possibility of not making the playin very real. Compete like we did last night, even if LBJ doesn’t drop a big scoring number, and I like our chances.
Thanks for a well-written recap of the game, Jamie. As usual, all your five points are nothing but cash. I don’t even have much to add except to say well done.
Sometimes in life, the fear of failure can be the motivation for a person’s achievements, and sometimes it is winning that motivates a person.
LeBron, in my opinion, was motivated by the fear of failure and his desire to maintain excellence in overcoming yet another obstacle. When LeBron smells blood he will go for the kill. Yes, father time is undefeated but motivation alone, and any little help he can get, will only help add an element of sustainability and endurance. Most importantly, motivation can give new vigor to make a person young or youthful again.
Last night, LeBron got the help he needs, and in no particular order, I would like to shout out to Russ, Melo, Reaves, Stanley, Monk, and every one of our players who played, including newcomer DJ, for having a fighting spirit in you and helping LeBron to get us a much-needed win.
In this world of competition, while winning motivates many to succeed, it is the super successful who are more motivated by the fear of losing. Losing stinks and can leave you feeling bewildered and depressed. Winning cures just about everything!
There is no better feeling than winning. It can create feelings of euphoria and the feelings of euphoria in turn go beyond whatever your reward may be. It affects how you feel mentally and physically. You walk with your shoulders back and your chest out feeling you can conquer the world. And nothing can reverse the feelings of a slump like winning. You can go from zero to hero in a heartbeat.
So, I am more than thrilled we got a win, and here is hoping this could trigger the start of something good. Moral of the story is: consistency.
But competition can be very unforgiving and, as many are aware, you are only as good as your last win.
Great fiver, Jamie.
1. Witness LeBron James. What a great game from LeBron. He has to average 31.4 points in remaining 19 games to end the season with a 30.0 points per game.
LeBron is going to focus on putting the ball in the basket the rest of the season to see if that could be the solution to the malaise that has hung over this team all season.
Expect LeBron to start dropping multiple 40 and 50 point games over the next month as he puts the Lakers on his back and they fight their way ahead of the Clippers into the 8th spot to face the Wolves in the play-in tourney and grab the #7 seed to hopefully meet the Warriors in the first round of the playoffs.
2. Good game by Russ. I was also awed by the great wrap around pass he hit Monk with for that three. Like I keep saying, every game there are numerous plays where I scream “Great pass, Russ” or “Great drive, Russ.”
Let’s hope that this is also the start of a great streak of games by Russ. Win the next three and then take down the Suns and suddenly the Lakers prospects will look totally different.
3. Thank God for Melo, who’s the only OG other than LeBron who’s not ‘washed.’ That drive by LeBron, where he attracts 4 defenders and then hits Melo in the hands for a game cinching corner three was like manna to a starving man. We really needed that.
We’ve been waiting what seems like forever for this team to put together a great game. The way these two teams were dropping great shots after great shots at each other was classic NBA action.
This is the game that’s going to turn around this season.
4. THT disappointing has become a theme for this team too often. Lakers should have traded Talen for Lowry, which would have taken team in another more positive direction than the Russ trade.
Talen is going to be a good NBA player but it won’t be the Lakers. LA needs to trade him to a team where he would be a better fit. Lakers need to surround LeBron and AD with shooters who can defend. Right now, that’s not THT.
5. I thought Monk played great doing exactly what the Lakers need from him, which is to be a 3&D player. Malik hit 4 threes for his 12 points and played some outstanding defense. That inbounds steal was a mega play in the context of our win.
Should have had a sixth thing tonight because Austin Reaves deserved to be praised for an outstanding game, especially defensivey. Like Monk, Austin showed his 3&D credentials last night. They are the twosome that could ignite this team to make a stunning showing in the playoffs.
…
We’ve had so many ‘false dawns’ with this team but I really think last night’s win is going to signal the ‘real’ start of this Lakers season. LeBron the scrorer is going to create an entirely different kind of dynamic for this team as we close the season. I’m also hoping for some good news and AD coming back with maybe 12 games left in the season.
Time for Lakers fans to rejoice. LeBron will save the season.
Excellent points, Tom. Your optimism has been very uplifting to me. It is like in a battlefield where your comrade went down and you step in and help him out to safety. So you deserve a purple heart from me today for helping me hang on to whatever little optimism is left in me.
Your take on LeBron the scorer the rest of the season has me salivating. Can someone please tell Vogel that is the best strategy for the rest of the season? The truth is, a player expends more energy on defense than on offense, and since LeBron can no longer be counted on major defensive assignments we just need the others to step up defensively for four full quarters and let LeBron exploit the opponents on offense.
That strategy will help him sustain the energy he needs to accomplish that goal through the entirety of the game. Besides, we need lebron to be fresh when the postseason rolls around.
19 games to go should be enough of a motivation to go full throttle as if their lives depend on it.
I’m not as optimistic, this team hasn’t been able to sustain a single thing all season long. Consistently mediocre, at best. All season long we’ve thought this game or that, the ASB, some player or another coming back from an injury and so on would represent a turning point or what have you. Hasn’t happened. Now, with Russ pouting, James playing on one leg, and a host of old or young unproven players on vet minimum deals we’re about to walk into “the dawn”. Just don’t see it happening.