5 Things: Step by Step

While not the outcome Laker fans are ready for (a win) the team showed a lot more of what it can do last night against a top-rated opponent.  Yes, Phoenix is in a state of semi-upheaval (Sarver Gate, Crowder Gate, Ayton Grumpy) but they still looked solid for the half they played the key players in.  That would be the first half.

1. Lakers go small. The starting lineup of Reaves, Beverley, Westbrook, James and Gabriel was fine. Little small for my tastes but that’s how one rolls when AD has back issues but more on that on down the line. Reaves must have wanted to prove me wrong after the last 5er downplayed his playmaking skills. True Grit (my personal moniker for him) racked up 9 dimes to three turnovers which is what’s called setting the table proper. Reaves didn’t force his offense and was content setting up his guys all night long. Having Beverley play alongside him helps stabilize things. I like how Pat just makes the play in front of him. Open shot, take it. Guy open somewhere and you have a hand in your face, move the ball. Communicate on D, get results. If AD was the 5 in this lineup I could see it being our closing 5. Still prefer a more traditional look with either Jones or Bryant to start but if this is how coach rolls to start the season I won’t be mad.
2. Starters shot the three ball well, bench notsomuch. Except for Nunn the bench struggled with it’s three point scoring all night long. Generally the bench has just struggled to score. Rob filled out the Laker bench this season with rangy guys who can kind of slash to the rim and Ham seems to have not unlocked who should be slashing and who should be shooting. Some of these issues won’t be as magnified when the minute distribution normalizes but the bench is already looming as one of the bigger issues.
3. That LeBron is OK at basketball. One game removed from going O-fer LeBron looked like LeBron. Who knows how he’ll stand up to the 82 game grind but his tune up looks pretty solid. He’s not the two-way force he was in the past but if we can get a defensive lineup around him I like our shot against a lot of teams. Elite teams are going to be a handful…but they are for everyone. That’s why they’re elite.
4. Kendrick Nunn lighting it up. Loved Nunn off the bench in the microwave role. In my opinion, at this early stage, it’s the best use of his skillset and he can be the first option in a lot of the lineups when James or Davis are out. Feels like he can be close to a point-a-minute guy which serves us well off the bench. Bringing Nunn off the bench allows Reaves to be the glue guy (which he got props from The King himself on post game) and possibly start Beverley to help on D. Not sure I want to bail on Jones or Bryant starting yet but…
5. Neither Jones or Bryant is grabbing that torch and running with it. Both players came into camp talking about seizing the moment and such. Still waiting on that one. I’m sure Damien worked on his three point shot over the summer but it’s not falling yet. I really think he’s the better off the bench center of the two mainly because that unit, in theory, will run more of the system and less of the “give the ball to a superstar and clear out” offense. Knowing your number is called on a specific play or what you’re supposed to be doing on a given set could be the key to best utilizing Jones and his athletic skillset. In the end, I’d rather station the kid closer to the hoop for rebounds and put backs, he’s shown to be able to excel in that role, no need to reinvent the wheel if it ain’t rolling smoothly. Bryant can function as a release valve for cut off dribble drives or broken plays. He’s quick enough of foot to get back under the hoop from the corner three spot if it looks like a shot is going up from someone else and his shot is just more polished and reliable.
   

All in all, an improvement. Still would like to see more execution and poise from all of our bench guys, especially guys who are unlikely to make the team. You want a shot somewhere else? No better place to get some shine on your game than here. Go get it and bring it home. Go Lakers.