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LakerTom wrote a new post
The Los Angeles Lakers may have an opportunity to pull off a blockbuster trade before the deadline to acquire superstar shooting guard Zach LaVine and elite point-of-attack point guard Alex Caruso from the Chicago Bulls.
Emergence of potential super teams in Boston, Milwaukee, and Phoenix and slow starts by the Lakers and Bulls have led to rumors of a possible midseason trades between the two teams focused on LaVine and Caruso.
For a LaVine/Caruso trade to become viable, the Bulls would have to decide before the trade deadline that it was time to rebuild and the Lakers that this season was time to go all-in with their remaining tradable draft capital.The Lakers want to have their cake and eat it too, walking an impossible tightrope trying win another title before LeBron retires while also building a roster that’s deep and talented enough to contend once James is gone.
One thing about the Lakers is they never forget stars win championships. There’s no Sophie’s Choice for the Lakers over a third star vs. deep roster. The Lakers need a third star so they’ll still have two when Lebron’s gone.So let’s look at what a Lakers and Bulls trade for Zach LaVine and Alex Caruso might look like, what kind of depth the Lakers would still have after the trade, and how the trade might affect the Lakers salary cap position.
The Trade
Trading for Zach LaVine and Alex Caruso could transform the Lakers into legitimate championship contenders and secure a third superstar who’s the perfect fit to replace LeBron James and be Anthony Davis’ co-superstar.
Just as importantly, the trade leaves the Lakers with a dramatically better starting lineup and deep and diverse 10-man championship level rotation. LaVine’s their new offensive closer and Caruso their new defensive stopper.
At 28 and 29-years old, Zach LaVine and Alex Caruso are excellent fits for the 30-year old Anthony Davis’ championship window. They suddenly give the Lakers a massive backcourt upgrade in a league dominated by guards.The Lakers would have to include D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, and Jalen Hood-Schifino to match salaries and their 2029 first round pick and possible pick swaps to tempt Chicago to make the trade.
While I hate losing Hachimura, LaVine and Casuso definitely provide the Lakers with the superstar offensive scorer and All-NBA defensive stopper the team needs to take their game to the next level and win the title.Even if the Lakers have to include a pick swap or two, trading for LaVine and Caruso could be the most important move Rob Pelinka and the Lakers could make to win their 18th championship and replace LeBron James.
The Depth Chart
The major challenge for any NBA team with more than two max contract superstars is how to build a roster deep and diverse enough to win when most of the remaining rotation players will be on minimum salaries?
Not only do Caruso, LaVine, James, Davis, and Hayes as starters have more offensive firepower and defensive tenacity than the Lakers’ current starters but Reaves, Reddish, Vanderbilt, Prince, and Wood give them great depth.
The addition of LaVine gives the Lakers a legitimate backcourt superstar, something L.A. especially needs in a guard and wing driven league. Zach gives them their first true championship caliber closer since Kobe Bryant.Strategically, the Lakers would be smart to make a move sooner rather than later to replace LeBron James. In fact, not only does that give them more time with three superstars but could also motivate LeBron to keep playing.
Meanwhile, getting Alex Caruso back is not only the cherry atop the trade but also the perfect defensive counter to Zach LaVine’s offense. How about a Caruso, Reddish, Vanderbilt, Prince, and Davis defensive ‘Death Lineup.’The Lakers’ depth chart clearly shows that the team has a dramatically better and more balance starting lineup and 10-man rotation after the trade for Zach LaVine and Alex Caruso. Bottom line, trade is worth draft capital.
The Salary Cap
The Lakers were able to trade for Zach LaVine and Alex Caruso and still remain below the first luxury tax threshold and hard tax, which is a tribute to Rob Pelinka and the Lakers’ salary cap expertise and management.
Being able to build a deep, diverse, and talented roster with the cap space left over after paying max salaries to three superstars is not an easy task that requires a front office adept at finding great players at bargain prices.
What’s allowed the Lakers to trade for Zach LaVine and Alex Caruso and still keep a strong 10-man rotation are the important roles and minutes earned by minimum salary project players Wood, Reddish, and Hayes.The Lakers did a great job cleaning up their salary cap and have a strong portfolio of coveted players on team friendly contracts and three potential post-LeBron James first round picks or swaps to offer for a third superstar. Unlike other super teams who’ve sacrificed roster depth and diversity for more three or more superstars, the Lakers could still trade for a third star, build a deep diverse roster, and avoid the NBA’s two luxury tax thresholds.
After trading for LaVine and Caruso, the Lakers would have a clean cap free of luxury taxes and the flexibility to trade for or sign a third superstar in free agency once LeBron leaves in free agency or retires from the NBA.
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LakerTom1 year ago
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THE DEPTH CHART
The addition of LaVine gives the Lakers a legitimate backcourt superstar, something L.A. especially needs in a guard and wing driven league. Zach gives them their first true championship caliber closer since Kobe Bryant.https://t.co/meCJao8hBL pic.twitter.com/F39GeSSDsd
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) November 14, 2023
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THE SALARY CAP
After trading for LaVine and Caruso, the Lakers would have a clean cap free of luxury taxes and the flexibility to trade for or sign a third superstar in free agency once LeBron leaves in free agency or retires from the NBA.https://t.co/meCJao8hBL pic.twitter.com/t4zi0faUZk
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) November 14, 2023
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The Lakers traded their 2027 first-round pick to the Jazz provided that pick lands between 5-30. That pick does not roll over. It either conveys or it doesn't.
Therefore, the Lakers can still trade the currently protected portion of that pick (1-4) with no Stepien issues.
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) November 14, 2023
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Bulls Reportedly Open to Trading Zach Lavine, Would He Make Sense for the Lakers? https://t.co/dX15SCWOKT
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) November 14, 2023
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Meanwhile, getting Alex Caruso back is not only the cherry atop the trade but also the perfect defensive counter to Zach LaVine’s offense. How about a Caruso, Reddish, Vanderbilt, Prince, and Davis defensive ‘Death Lineup.’https://t.co/meCJao8hBL https://t.co/mN6SuzVd0W
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) November 14, 2023
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Can’t trade for LaVine w/o also getting Caruso for balance. But we could swing smaller trade for Caruso involving SRPs.
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REPORT: The Lakers are one of the six teams to keep an eye on for Zach Lavine, as well as the Heat, Sixers, Grizzlies, Warriors, and Pacers (Via @BrettSiegelNBA)
— 𝐉𝐚𝐤𝐞 (@SixthManJake) November 14, 2023
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What a Zach LaVine deal could look like for the Lakers, plus DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso for @LakersNation – https://t.co/h63gs5FkoV via @YouTube
— Trevor Lane (@Trevor_Lane) November 14, 2023
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Just a reminder to the "Zach LaVine plus Alex Caruso for the Lakers" crowd: together, they make $49.8 million. Matching salary basically necessitates three of the four non-Bron/AD eight-figure salaries. So three of Reaves, Rui, DLo and Vincent at least.
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) November 15, 2023
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Lakers’ perfect Zach LaVine trade to offer Bulls
A tenable trade involves sending LaVine, Torrey Craig, and either a future draft pick or a role player to the Lakers in exchange for D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, Taurean Prince, Jalen Hood-Schifino, and a future draft pick. To facilitate the trade, though, LaVine should waive his trade bonus. In addition, the Lakers would wait until late December to sign a 14th player at the veteran minimum.
https://clutchpoints.com/lakers-perfect-zach-lavine-trade-offer-bulls
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Seems like we have at least a month to evaluate what we really have. See where we stand at that point and what offers other teams are putting on the table.
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Maybe longer. If we want to include Rui or Reaves in any trade, it will be January 15th.
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LakerTom wrote a new post
There’s mounting evidence Darvin Ham’s decision to abandon the four-out sets that carried the team to last year’s conference finals in favor of new five-out sets is one of the major reasons behind the Lakers’ offensive woes.
Seduced by early preseason success, Darvin Ham went all-in on five-out sets despite the fact none of the players on the roster possess the consistent speed and quickness to beat their man off the dribble and get to the rim. The result is opposing teams packing the paint even more against LeBron James and Anthony Davis, making it even harder for them to get to the rim, and exposing the Lakers inability to take or make a high volume of threes.
Statistically, the Lakers currently rank dead last in 3-point percentage. They’re the only team in the entire league shooting under 30% from deep. At 3–5, their 12th in the West with the second worst offense in the NBA.
The Lakers’ disappointing 3–5 start has brought back bad memories of last season’s disastrous 2–10 start. Despite a deeper roster, injuries have been rampant. Was the new roster overrated? Is Darvin Ham the right coach?The one major difference between how the Lakers played to get to the conference finals last year and how they’re playing right now is they’re playing 5-out sets on offense instead of last year’s 4-out w/dunker sets.
WHY FOUR-OUT SETS ARE BETTER FIT FOR LAKERS
Four-out sets with a player in the dunker spot are a better fit for the Lakers’ current roster than five-out sets because they work best with bigger lineups and generate more rebounds, points in the paint, and made free throws.
Five-out sets and four-out sets create different kinds of spacing. Five-out sets position all five players outside the 3-point line, creating a huge void of space in the paint. Beat your man off the dribble and no rim protection.
Four-out sets, on the other hand, give the four perimeter players more space between help defenders and thus better chance to penetrate but a more crowded paint now due to player in dunker spot and his defender.Look at the following two charts showing where players should be positioned for both a five-out set and a four-out set with a player in the dunker spot. Four-out sets are a much better fit for this Lakers roster.
Without Dennis Schroder or a younger LeBron James, the Lakers simply do not have the offensive players with the quickness and speed to beat their defenders off the dribble and get to the rim in a five-out offensive set.The problem for a team like the Lakers is the space between help defenders is less in five-out set because five players are sharing the space above the 3-point line instead of four when they play four-out sets with a dunker.
Five-out sets are particularly bad sets for slower, shiftier guards like Russell and Reaves who like to run low pick-and-rolls and get into the paint to score and make plays for other, something harder to do on the perimeter.Darvin Ham needs to remember why his mentor Mike Budenholzer back in January 2021 abandoned the Bucks’ five-out sets in favor of new four-out sets with the fifth player positioned on on the baseline in the dunker’s spot.
Ironically, Budenholzer’s protégé Darvin Ham finds himself in a similar situation as his mentor in 2021. Ham needs to dump the five-out sets until his team learns to shoot and instead go back to the four-out sets w/dunker.Four-out sets with a player in the dunker spot are better fits for the Lakers because they offer opportunities for positional size advantage, improved points in the paint, made free throws, and better offensive rebounding.
FOUR-OUT SETS OPEN DOOR FOR WOOD AND HAYES
Playing four-out sets could open up more minutes and bigger roles for the Lakers’ two backup centers Christian Wood and Jaxson Hayes while helping the team improve rebounding, points in the paint, and made free throws.
So far this season, the Lakers’ small starting lineup of D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, Taurean Prince, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis has lead to their offense having the worst 8-game start in the history of the NBA. With the Lakers already facing a critical game early in the season, Ham should be seriously considering ditching the five-out sets and going back to the four-out sets that helped Lakers make it to the conference finals.
To optimize four-out sets, Ham should start Wood or Hayes at the five and move Davis and James to the four and three. He should also replace Russell with Prince at the two and move Reaves to point guard in the four-out sets.
Since the non-LeBron minutes are still the Lakers biggest problem, Ham should plan to use Wood to replace James in a two-bigs lineup with Davis. Wood outside and Davis in the dunker spot could win non-LeBron minutes.Hopefully, the dismaying loss to the Rockets has awakened Darvin Ham to the fact that running five-out sets is what’s behind the Lakers’ offensive woes and reverting to last season’s four-out w/dunker sets is the solution.
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WHY FOUR-OUT SETS ARE BETTER FIT FOR LAKERS
Four-out sets with player in dunker spot are better fit for Lakers’ current roster than five-out sets because they work best with bigger lineups and generate more rebounds, points in paint, and made free throwshttps://t.co/SSCc27KpCn pic.twitter.com/ssz7bg2qPf
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) November 11, 2023
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FOUR-OUT SETS OPEN DOOR FOR WOOD AND HAYES
Playing four-out sets could open up more minutes and bigger roles for Lakers’ two backup centers Christian Wood & Jaxson Hayes while helping team improve rebounding, points in the paint, and made free throws.https://t.co/SSCc27KpCn pic.twitter.com/cPYMWID0Gi
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) November 11, 2023
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LakerTom wrote a new post
At its simplest, basketball is about shot making. The primary reason the Los Angeles Lakers are struggling right now is they just cannot make shots. The good news is that can be immediately fixed by simply making shots.
Right now, the Lakers are the only team in the entire league shooting under 30% from deep. Opposing teams know that and are actively game planning their offenses on L.A.’s inability to shoot the three or defend or rebound. Poor 3-point shooting totally destroys the Lakers’ 5-out offense and allows opposing teams pack the paint and force their poor shooters to fire blanks, igniting inevitable long rebounds and opponent transition fast breaks.
That’s led to the Lakers 3–5 start to the season, which right now has them 12th in the west and outside the playoffs, a far cry from the team that made it to the Western Conference Finals after a horrendous start last season.
The Lakers‘ 106.6 Offrtg is 28th and their 113.8 Defrtg 19th out of 30 teams, resulting in a -7.2 Netrtg, which is 27th or 4th worst in the league and a disappointing start at both ends of the court but especially offensively.While they can hope for injured players to return, major midseason trade, or lineup and rotation changes, the one thing the Lakers can do right now to immediately fix most of what’s wrong with team is simply make shots.
WHO NEEDS TO ‘MAKE’ MORE 3-POINT SHOTS?
The three Laker shooters who need to dramatically improve their 3-point shooting percentages are starting point guard D’Angelo Russell, starting shooting guard Austin Reaves, and starting power forward LeBron James.
Russell is shooting 32.0% on 6.3 attempts per game vs. 41.4% on 6.5 attempts last season, Reaves 27.8% on 4.5 attempts per game vs. 39.8% on 3.4 attempts, and James 31.0% on 5.3 attempts vs. 32.15 on 6.9 attempts. Combined, Russell, Reaves, and James are taking 16.1 3-point attempts per game, over half the Lakers’ 30.4 attempted threes per game. So far, they’ve made 39 out of 128 threes for 30.5% vs. 253 of 704 or 36.0% last season.
Of greater concern is the Lakers are making just 9.0 out 30.4 threes per game this season for 29.6% vs. 10.8 out of 31.2 threes for 34.6%. Rather than improving over last year, Lakers are scoring 5.4 points less per game.
Since the Lakers are making 9.0 threes and allowing 13.3 threes per game, they have a negative 3-point differential of 4.3 threes per game or 12.9 points per game vs. 2.4 threes per game or 7.2 points per game last year.Unless Reaves and Russell suddenly start hitting their shots, the Lakers may have to make a change, possibly moving Austin Reaves to point guard and starting Taurean Prince, who’s been the team’s 4th best 3-point shooter.
WHO NEEDS TO ‘TAKE’ MORE 3-POINT SHOTS?
The top three 3-point percentage shooters on the Los Angeles Lakers — center Anthony Davis, backup center Christian Wood, and backup small forward Rui Hachimura — need opportunities to take more 3-point shots.
This season, Anthony Davis is shooting 42.9% from deep on 1.0 attempts per game while Christian Wood and Rui Hachimura are each shooting 41.7% on 3.0 attempts per game. All three need to attempt more threes. Right now, their 7.0 combined attempts represent less than a fourth of the Lakers total 3-point attempts per game. The offseason hope had been that the Lakers would be able to increase their 3-point volume and percentage.
If the Lakers opt to start Reaves and Prince in the backcourt, that would open up a starting small forward spot for Rui Hachimura or starting center spot for Christian Wood with Davis and James becoming the forwards.
That would enable the Lakers to improve the 3-point shooting gravity of their starting lineup with either a Reaves, Prince, Hachimura, James, and Davis lineup or a Reaves, Prince, James, Davis, and Wood starting lineup.The los Angeles Lakers will not be able to improve via a trade until December 15 when recently signed players can be traded. In the meantime, what’s wrong with the Lakers can be simply fixed by just making shots.
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WHO NEEDS TO ‘MAKE’ MORE 3-POINT SHOTS?
Three Laker shooters who need to dramatically improve their 3-point shooting percentages are starting point guard D’Angelo Russell, starting shooting guard Austin Reaves, and starting power forward LeBron James.https://t.co/7M0IFmnjjO pic.twitter.com/tFlPsdAYK5
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) November 10, 2023
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WHO NEEDS TO ‘TAKE’ MORE 3-POINT SHOTS?
The top three 3-point percentage shooters on the Los Angeles Lakers — center Anthony Davis, backup center Christian Wood, and backup small forward Rui Hachimura — need opportunities to take more 3-point shots.https://t.co/7M0IFmnjjO pic.twitter.com/Xkaca7Gw6L
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) November 10, 2023
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DLo has always been streaky, LeBron is a volume three point shooter without the gravity (best shot for the defense), TP is just this season’s “we signed a shooter this season everyone” player (see Matthews, Wesley and Bullock, Reggie and McLemore, Ben for reference ) and AD is just better for us playing in the paint. Jax has either been on the bench or out so no mojo there, yet. Injuries really making the start tough. All the hustle stats are right in JV’s wheelhouse, we have system shouters with no system other than “shoot it when you’re open” and a lotta guys haven’t risen to the same level as last season and that’s what this whole thing was banked on.
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One prob could be that each of the Newbies need 40 minutes to put up or close down the tent. How is a guy supposed to lite it up in 15 minutes per nite?
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LakerTom wrote a new post
After seven quarters of searching, the Lakers finally found a lineup to build upon as they went jumbo sized with Christian Wood joining LeBron James and Anthony Davis to stun the Suns with a big fourth quarter comeback.
Trailing by 12 after three quarters with a grim 0–2 start looming, Darvin Ham smartly put the Lakers’ new LeBron James load management scheme on hold and committed to playing a defensive oriented jumbo sized lineup.
Ham’s new closing lineup with a LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Chris Wood front court and D’Angelo Russell and Gabe Vincent or Austin Reaves backcourt won the fourth quarter 28–11 for a wild 100–95 comeback win.That lineup of D’Angelo Russell, Gabe Vincent, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Christian Wood played 10 minutes last night with a solid 114.3 offensive rating, impossible 23.8 defensive rating, and elite 77.8 net rating.
The same jumbo sized, defensive oriented lineup with Reaves instead of Russell played 5 minutes last night and posted a dominant 133.3 offensive rating, strong 66.7 defensive rating, and impressive 66.7 net rating.Anthony Davis wants to play the four and the Lakers want to play two bigs. The Lakers’ new closing lineup just pushed the odds of those developments happening from pure preseason fantasy to regular season eventuality.
Why Lakers Should Start New Two Bigs Lineup?
It may take Darvin Ham time to get there but there are compelling reasons why starting a version of the Lakers’ new closing lineup would optimize the paint point and free throw differentials that encompass the team’s identity.
First and foremost, the Lakers won last night’s game due to the 29-point differential in their favor from points-in-the-paint and made-free-throws, which has been the heart of their identity as a team under Darvin Ham. Heading into camp, the Lakers reportedly wanted to play two bigs during the regular season like they did to win the 23020 bubble championship. Until the fourth quarter last night, the Lakers played traditional lineups.
The success the Lakers had in the fourth quarter with the new closing lineup cannot be ignored or marginalized. While Vincent increased the defensive intensity, the big lineup change buzz was about Christian Wood.
Look for Ham to give the new closing lineup a deeper look over the next few games. While the front court appears set, Reddish and Vanderbilt could also force their way into the conversation about who will be the guards.Ultimately, Christian Wood will join the Lakers starting lineup alongside LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves, and either D’Angelo Russell or Gabe Vincent. That lineup’s a blueprint for an NBA championship.
How Do Lakers Handle LeBron Defending Wing
The major con against the Lakers playing two bigs with Anthony Davis and Christian Wood is that it could force soon-to-be 39-years old LeBron James to have to defend and chase younger wing scorers around multiple screens.
Strategically, while the Lakers obviously want to avoid wearing LeBron out defending threes, optimizing their identity as a physical defensive oriented team that lives in the paint and on the free throw line is their top priority. The Lakers can easily solve the problem of LeBron chasing wing scorers around screens by strategically switching everything on defense, which would also work better with the drop coverage Lakers’ bigs like to play.
The Lakers’ defensive identity is not defined by point-of-attack speed and quickness but by dominant size and length that shrinks the court and forces teams into live-ball turnovers that the Lakers turn into fast breaks.
Playing Christian Wood at center instead of Taurean Prince at small forward gives the Lakers positional size advantage at all three front court positions. That size advantage is integral to the Lakers identity as a team.The Lakers need to switch everything on defense to keep LeBron from having to chase wing scorers around screens and prevent teams from using screens to get into the paint for easy floaters over our drop coverage.
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That lineup of D’Angelo Russell, Gabe Vincent, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Christian Wood played 10 minutes last night with a solid 114.3 offensive rating, impossible 23.8 defensive rating, and elite 77.8 net rating.https://t.co/Bi2oowx3tw pic.twitter.com/nRpPwUbOgZ
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) October 28, 2023
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Why Lakers Should Start New Two Bigs Lineup?
It may take Ham time to get there but there are compelling reasons why starting a version of Lakers’ new closing lineup would optimize paint point and free throw differentials that are key to team’s identity.https://t.co/Bi2oowx3tw pic.twitter.com/8ve7rSEq3f
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) October 28, 2023
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How Do Lakers Handle LeBron Defending Wing
Lakers can easily solve the problem of LeBron chasing wing scorers around screens by strategically switching everything on defense, which would also work better with the drop coverage Lakers’ bigs like to play.https://t.co/Bi2oowwvDY pic.twitter.com/67mZ0s35xq
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) October 28, 2023
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Man someone is investing a lot into one quarter against an under-manned opponent…
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That’s because there was a lot to like about that quarter that could dramatically change how good this team could become this year.
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Hello, Tom. I agree with you on our performance in the fourth quarter. I will not make a big deal out of the win since the opponent was short-handed in terms of not playing their two other stars. But from a basketball standpoint, the way the team played in the fourth quarter is the way to go. I hope we can replicate such performances going forward. The season has started, but it looks like we are still in the preseason.
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Thanks, Buba. Imagine if the Lakers had not gone big and pulled out that win. Today would feel completely different.
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LakerTom wrote a new post
Opening night losses are a poor measuring stick for projecting how a team will play all year long but nothing throws shade on the bright sunshine of a new season like losing to your nemesis the exact same way as last season.
So while the 119–107 loss to the NBA Champion Denver Nuggets Tuesday night was just one game, it exposed lingering worries and concerns Rob Pelinka’s offseason success and the Summer of Austin Reaves had hidden. Specifically, none of the moves the Lakers made this offseason addressed how the Lakers were going to overcome the end-of-game advantages the Denver Nuggets superstars have over the Los Angeles Lakers superstars.
Call it a sobering dose of reality but the opening night loss to the Nuggets simply highlights the Lakers lack of go-to star who can close out games and a lockdown perimeter defender who can shut down opposing star scorers. While the Lakers have a deep and talented roster, they’re trying to have their cake and eat it too by winning another championship before LeBron James retires while simultaneously rebuilding the team for the future.
Here are three way-too-early big picture takes after losing the first game to the Nuggets why it’s likely the Lakers will need to make blockbuster moves at the trade deadline to legitimately compete for their 18th championship.
1. Anthony Davis May Not Be Alpha Superstar
To say Anthony Davis’ second half performance in the Lakers loss to the Nuggets was disappointing is a major understatement after the preseason hype and build-up how AD was going to finally take the torch from LeBron.
Davis’ scoreless second half after scoring 17 points in the first half was a shocking failure both by the player and the Lakers’ coaching staff for not understanding what was needed and making the necessary adjustments. Nobody questions Anthony Davis has the physical ability and talent to take the torch from LeBron James and be the alpha superstar the Lakers need but the harsh reality may be AD lacks the requisite alpha mental makeup.
We’ll find out a lot more tonight about whether Anthony Davis can be the alpha superstar the Lakers need. Right now, it looks like both Devin Booker and Bradley Beal of the Suns will miss tonight’s game against the Lakers. This should be a good opportunity for the Lakers to wash away the bad taste from losing to the Nuggets on opening night by dominating the short-handed Phoenix Suns and evening their 2023–24 season record at 1–1.
Davis will be matched up tonight against Jusuf Nurkic, which should be a far easier challenge than facing the MVP Nikola Jokic. Davis and Ham have said the right things but the Lakers need to unleash Anthony Davis tonight.
2. Lakers Need Go-To Star To Close Out Games
The big difference between the Los Angeles Lakers’ superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis and the Denver Nuggets’ superstars Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray is the later are both scorers who can close out games.
That was the formula the Nuggets used to pull off an amazing four-game sweep of the Lakers in last season’s conference finals, where just 24 points separated the two teams over the four games, and in last night’s opener. Part of the problem is 38-year old James no longer has the elite burst and athleticism of his youth or shooting stroke of a game closer and Davis is simply not a good enough playmaker to make teams pay for doubling him.
To win a championship, the Lakers need a go-to offensive star whom they can count on to make high percentage shots to close games and an elite perimeter defender to slow or shut down the opposing team’s best scorers. The Lakers could target a third superstar like Zach LaVine or a pair of proven veterans like Buddy Hield and Alex Caruso who would fill the team’s dual needs for a go-to offensive closer and shut down perimeter defender
It’s only one game with eighty-one more to come but the Lakers will likely be in the market for a lethal dead-eye shooter to close games and an elite point-of-attack defender to slow down the opposing teams’ top scorers.
3. Lakers Commit To Load Managing LeBron
With the Lakers rallying to within 4 points with 8:48 left in the 4th quarter, Darvin Ham pulled LeBron James from the lineup and rested him until 6:04 left in the game. During that 2:44, the Nuggets lead ballooned to 12 points.
The purpose of the substitution was to limit LeBron James’ minutes to under 30 per game as part of the Lakers new ‘load management’ policy for soon -to-be 39-year old superstar, who ended up playing 29.0 minutes. James was a little miffed at the move as he had the team rallying and pulling him immediately changed the dynamic of the game. Ham probably should not have pulled LeBron at that point so expect adjustments.
The commitment to load manage James, however, seems to be set in stone. LeBron’s in maybe the best health he’s been since the 2020 championship run and is talking about continuing to play with both of his young sons. We’re likely to see judgement errors as Ham and LeBron work out exactly how the Lakers’ new load management policy should work for but limiting James’ minutes per game to under 30 for regular season is certainly smart.
The objective is to have a healthy, rested LeBron James ready-to-go on the first day of the playoffs. If that means limiting James’ minutes per game to under 30, then so be it. Lakers are committed to saving LeBron for playoffs.
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1. Anthony Davis May Not Be Alpha Superstarhttps://t.co/WWwRHEjLf4 pic.twitter.com/wd8pqtBeMc
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) October 26, 2023
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2. Lakers Need Go-To Star To Close Out Gameshttps://t.co/WWwRHEjLf4 pic.twitter.com/dpuhbO3Klg
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) October 26, 2023
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3. Lakers Commit To Load Managing LeBronhttps://t.co/WWwRHEjLf4 pic.twitter.com/QhJ6RCmm4y
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) October 26, 2023
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1)This is all well and good, but there was another circumstance that shouldn’t affect the Lakers the rest of the regular season: playing in the high altitude of Denver without taking precautions to acclimate to this. Just like in game 1 of WCF, Lakers need to be in Denver day before to practice and prepare. After the first quarter in that game, Lakers were down by 12 and lost by 6. Last night, Lakers were down by 14 and lost by 12. Starting even would tend to make some of these games up there much more winnable. Fortunately they play Denver in February and March at Crypto so this should not be an issue again in regular season.
2)I think Austin Reaves will end up being the Lakers 3rd go to guy in this season as well as DLo and Rui being better supporting cast members. This was just a game when all 3 were shooting poorly which effected all of their games.
3) LeBron playing less than 30 minutes a game may be desirable but it doesn’t have to happen every game!! Let him go to 34 or 35 in a close game, then scale him back the next game to 28 or so. This needs to be a case by case basis this year. Playing him only 32-33 min a game average over the season will still be the least he has ever played (33.4m for 2020-21 and 34.6m for 2019-20 both with Lakers). This plus games where he plays but say for 25-27m a game should accomplish the same result but still have him available for the 4th quarter if needed.
I really feel if we do this, we should be fine keeping Bron and AD healthy to play 65-70 games and all the good things that will come with it.
Beyond this I wouldn’t do anything drastic for the first 20 games or so and see where we are.
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Thanks for reading and commenting, Brian.
1. Good point about the altitude. Game was winnable with 8:48 left and down only four when Ham took out LeBron. I believe he did that both to rest James but also to give AD a chance to win the game and take the torch. Unfortunately, AD couldn’t answer the bell. Big test tonight.
2. Reaves had a disappointing game. I can’t help feeling Ham should have just let him continue to play rather than resting him. It’s like now he needs a couple of games to get going. He should have been the one to take over when LeBron left. AD to reliant on somebody getting him the ball.
3, I like the load management but just think Ham used bad judgement to pull LeBron and change the lineup when the guys in had cut the lead to four. 30 mpg is smart but you don’t pull LeBron when the game is closest it’s been. Just a mistake by Darvin. He won’t make same one again.
4. I’d like to see Reddish and Wood get more minutes. They were only players on Lakers who had positive net ratings for both halves againszt the Nuggets.
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The altitude of Denver and Salt Lake City (4270 ft) is very often NOT taken into account by all.
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1) He’s never been, all of this hype and projection has been from the media/fans/etc. AD is AD and that’s just the way it is. Gasol was Gasol, doesn’t mean they’re not great but that they are at their best when in a complimentary role to someone like Kobe or LeBron.
2) I expect this to be LeBron and he would have played 30+ if the game was closer down the stretch. But that’s the short term answer, the real answer is that’s likely a player not yet on the team. We all wish it could be AD but, honestly, we’ll all be left wanting if that’s the only route (see above comments).
3) They absolutely have to if they want him around and impactful in the playoffs. There’s no short-cutting this or scheming this away. The dude is old. Old, old, old, old for pro sport of any kind, even golf. Now I’d sure like to see Reaves and DLo on the floor when LBJ rests and maybe AD, too, I don’t think Rui is up to handling that much responsibility. That might come around a bit but we’ll see. All in all, it’ll be closer by committee this season, we don’t have a young “that guy” they all got traded for AD or Russ. We may be able to trade for one next summer once all these deals we signed this season can be traded at any time for anyone. That’s a bridge far off to ponder the crossing so I’ll punt that for a few months but, in general, a lot of different guys are going to have to step up a bit in crunch time.
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Jeez, it’s like we can’t find anything to disagree upon. LMAO.
Ham should call AD’s number every single time down the court. Make the sucker take 30 shots tonight. Make him take the torch.
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