Nope. Short leashes for everybody starting tonight. Let’s find out who wants to play and can deliver.
5 Things: What the %$#& happened to Jamie?!?
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January 16, 2021 3 Comments
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Thoughts on James Harden moving East: Congrats dude, you got your wish. Not sure how that’ll all work when Kyrie comes back. My thinking is that team will spin and move as easily as flat earth globe. The news Caris LaVert has a growth on his kidney gives me pause as one would have assumed that would have voided the trade… Maybe the Pacers are still cool with it? Dunno on that one.
Thoughts on the West: Since OKC and Houston are out of the playoffs and the Zombie Spurs never die that makes the race to 7-10 spots extremely competitive. Minnesota is a mess, they need a miracle a la Mel Brooks to resurrect their already dead season. I suppose OKC or Houston could move up to 10 but my thought is that if Green and Steph stay healthy the Warriors are a team not to sleep on. I’m looking forward to the game against the Dubs to see how they match up against us. The Kings could sneak in, as well. I don’t see any of 1-8 falling out, unless a major injury to a key player comes to be. Luka looks out of shape and over-entitled. A little luster has come off that train but that squad, with Porzingis, is a squad to be feared. Portland is Portland, tough and gritty. Suns are for real, Utah continues to impress and the west is still loaded. Same as literally every year since…the late 90s?
Thoughts on Paul George’s resurgence: Dude is balling but kawhi looks a little…off. Not sure what it is. But one thing about that team worries me and that is one Tyronne Lue. Seeing TYrezz can 15 footers from the baseline and hearing how everyone was pigeonholed into a role makes me wonder of some of the critique leveled at Doc was spot on. While it’s never a good look for a star player to trash the coach in a losing effort, especially one that has already been fired, there may be some merit and we all know Ty Lue can coach. Seeing that eonard is more amenable to actually playing in some games shows a level of trust heretofore unseen since his last fun days as a Spur.
Great fiver, Jamie. Be glad you have work and never short cut your family for sports. Sydney will grow up way too fast, believe me. Don’t miss any time with her. One of my few regrets in life.
(1) Nuff said about defense. Just wrote a 5-minute long article on Lakers defense and AD. Spoiler alert, Lakers’ defense is even better than their upgraded offense.
(2) You missed a great podcast back and forth between Gerald and me, with him saying Caruso was balling to get that big contract and me saying Alex was just growing into his game and playing and shooting well because of confidence. AC leading defensive rating and 3-point shooting percentage on Lakers.
(3) I love how Kuz is playing, shooting well, rebounding like a fiend, playmaking, blocking shots, defending. In fact, I’m on record thinking the Lakers won’t make a trade at the deadline because they don’t need to. Online to repeat. No trades needed.
(4) Marc is slowly showing why his size, smarts, passing, and outside shooting is going to be a big plus for the Lakers come the playoffs. I’d like to add a player like Dedmon on the 24th when the prorated vet min salary would fit under the hard cap but that would be just more frosting on a championship cake.
(5) Not worried about THT. Kid is going to be a star and already has the 4th best defensive rating on the team at 101.2. There will come a time when you will also jump aboard his bandwagon. He could be a starter next year or the year after. At some point, he will be the team’s third best player.
Thanks, Jamie. Great fiver as usual. Your take on Kuzma and Gasol is right on point. Your observation of Kuzma’s evolution into a Scottie Pippen type is refreshing. He is gradually following those traits as a skilled player. Marc Gasol? I love everything he is bringing to the table, albeit foul trouble. Not sure if it’s just me but I like it when Vogel puts Gasol back in the game with the subs during blowouts. It gives a different kind of identity to the team and allows Gasol to get some burn. Something feels good about that approach.
Finally, THT is someone I am not going to worry about right now. He’s going to go through growing pains and that’s how he’s going to become a better player. Caruso? This dude is becoming a deadly assasin by the ten fold. The way he releases his 3 point shot and the accuracy that goes with it, tells me he’s only getting started. For those who think Caruso is working for a contract day, I say you are wrong. The dude is honing his craft that wil have an everlasting effect beyond payday.