Great listen with Pete, Darius, and Mike all loving how the Lakers responded to playing the Bucks without LeBron. Great games by Russ and Talen. Give it a listen if you’re tired with all of the doom and gloom podcasters. These guys are without doubt the best on the Lakers beat.
Pete pointed out what a great game Russ played with a 5:1 assist-to-turnover and great game management, not a skill that Russ usually shows piositively. If Russ can manage the game like this, it will be a great difference maker for Lakers.
The three podcasters also loved how THT is enjoying a breakout a week before he will be 21-years old. Played a back-to-back, and didn’t need any workup time to get going. He has hit the ground running. Mike pointed out how when Talen was asked if he thought he would be this good this year, he said he did because he trusted the work he put in, especially the 3-point shooting. Kid needs to start. THT for Bradley and Ariza for Melo will yield the right starting lineup: Russ, THT, LeBron, Ariza, and AD.
The best part off the podcast was talking about how THT has put the Lakers in the same possition as Kobe did as a young player in that there may be no way to keep him from starting, despite the unproven shooting stroke. They touched what I also thought was important in that he’s the one Lakers two guard who has size and physicality to be the perfect mate to play alongside Russ. They will be the Lakers backcourt of the future if Talen can continue to shoot the three well. THT is the Lakers key to playing small-ball-on-steroids.
Aloha, Michael.
Great post. I agree with you and Fish 100% that this was a quality loss. Great game by Russ and THT, who should be our starting backcourt once Ariza is back. Good to have another optimistic voice driving conversations on the blog. Thanks, Michael.
I’ve always said if THT can shoot 40% from three, he will become a Lakers superstar. It’s only 3 games but you have to love what we’ve seen. Love to be wrong and have Talen become untouchable rather than trade bait.
What we’re seeing from Russ and THT is incredibly exciting for the Lakers this season and long term. I thought Russ showed great restraint and excellent shot selection most of this game. He did a great job taking care of the ball with zero turnover the last three quarters.
Once we get LeBron back and replace Rondo, Bradley, and Bazemore with Nunn, THT, and Ariza, this team will look completely different. That’s what Lakers fans need to focus on, not the struggles we’re having without LeBron and several key rotation players.