Once I saw Vincent and DFS were out I knew this game would be a slog. When Hayes was ruled out at the half, the end was all but foretold. Not having 3 or 4 of your best defenders has a way of making a comeback in the second half a mountain un-climable. Still there were some bright spots and the Lakers roll into the ASB looking like a potential top 5 team in the Association.
- When you shoot 44.6%…40% from three, you generally win the game. The offense wasn’t the issue, Rui nearly kept his 20+ ppg streak going, 4 out of 5 starters scored 15+ points (with Hayes being the exception and he left due to a facial contusion), and Luka and LeBron combining to go 12-26. If there was a glaring hole on offense it was Reave going 1-10 from three but his teammates stepped up and helped overcome that as the Lakers scored 119 points. That’s usually enough to carry the day.
- When you give up 131 points your offense kinda doesn’t matter. Again, missing our best guys on the defensive end makes this an unsurprising moment. Still, the Jazz really had their way with us, especially the front court that thoroughly outplayed LeBron and Luka and upped their intensity from the game 2 nights previous. Also shining off the bench for Utah was Keyonte George. Between Kessler, Markkanen and George the Jazz blitzed us and we never recovered.
- Luka still rusty. After a long layoff, a minutes restriction and a whole new team to get acclimated to (in addition to being traded in-season for the first and hopefully last time ever) it’s obvious Luka still has a lot of rust to knock off along with getting his legs under him. He shot the ball better but was unable to impose his will on the game while also struggling from the free throw line. This is a marathon, not a sprint, with all things Dončić you want to make sure he’s good to go for the playoffs.
- Vando hit his corner three! Unfortunately it coincided with his first loss of the season. Still, I want to see JV letting those shots fly without holding back. If he can be a corner threat along with DFS we have something special cooking. I also want to see him attack the basket harder as he gets his legs under him, as well.
- Bronny’s best game to date. Sure it was all during garbage time in the 4th but for a guy like Bronny, late second-rounder, mostly playing in the G-League, moments like last night can help build a foundation of confidence. plus it’s always nice to see a late second rounder get cooking, even in a meaningless affair.
Enjoy All Star weekend everyone.
Nice post Jamie. The thing to keep in mind is the Jazz has some quality players, especially the front. A couple could start for us. Injuries have a lot to do with their record. All of their best players have missed extended periods of time. Some of that time might have been tank related and sometimes their rotations have been very tank friendly. But you just knew that those guys were going to come out strong after the last game. There are a lot of teams with better records than the Jazz, that doesn’t have as much talent. And in the NBA you can lose to anyone. Hopefully this game was a reminder of that.
Last night’s loss by the Lakers to the Utah Jazz wasn’t entirely unexpected. With their best defenders sidelined and Luka still shaking off two months’ worth of rust, it was a perfect storm for a defeat. The entire team, except Rui, seemed lethargic and unmotivated. It appeared as though everyone was already mentally checked out for the all-star break. Even LeBron seemed to sense the lack of energy and didn’t push himself to step up.
What was particularly disappointing was that their lack of drive was evident from the start. By the third quarter, it was clear that they were on autopilot, and I couldn’t bear to watch any longer. This loss will definitely keep me up tonight, but I remain hopeful that after the all-star break, the team will come back stronger and more focused. They need this time to regroup, recharge, and reignite their passion for the game.
Let’s hope this break gives them the opportunity to reset and come back with a renewed sense of purpose. Lakers fans deserve to see their team fighting with determination and heart.
You can tell Luka isn’t quite ready to be Luka and I think LBJ was a bit slow afoot due to his ankle ailment. And Hayes really took the energy out when he went out. I hope LBJ and Luka ask for short minutes in the All Star weird.
Hi DJ! I agree with your takes on Luka and LeBron. You are right on the money.
Also,as devoted fans, let’s prioritize patience in nurturing Luka’s development. Rushing his progress could stifle his growth and limit his potential. Instead, let’s cherish the privilege of having him on our team and understand that our patience in his integration is not just commendable but crucial. He knows the Lakers and the fans are more than supportive, and creating a nurturing environment where he can truly thrive and shine should be our goal.
I feel like LBJ tries to get teammates off to a good start, sometimes to a fault. Only had 13 shots.
And yes, again. That is true.