5 Things: Too many donuts

Last night was a good test. Potential playoff team in the Phoenix Suns, albeit without two key players in CP3 and Cam Johnson. Lakers still without LeBron and AD flirting with historical numbers. In the end it was our defensive let-downs and role-players who didn’t contribute enough to push us over the hump and win the game. Just too many donuts to get it done.

1. Davis playing at another level. Sinc 1974, the year of my birth, only one other player has put up a 30+ point, 20+ board, 5 steal, and 5 blocks game. That player was none other than Bob McAdoo, more on him on down the line. AD joined all sorts of elite company last night in what was unfortunately a losing effort. When LeBron gets back we nee this level of engagement and impact from AD. If we do we got a good chance at making the playin, maybe even make some playoff noise. If we get the AD of the last couple season, if he reverts back, won’t matter what fringe moves we make or even if we make a major trade, it won’t be enough without a fully engaged and focused Davis.
2. Russ and his tightrope act. I get what Russ is doing: he’s forcing the defense to collapse on him, which is generally a good thing. It opens up wide open shots or passes to AD or Bryant which has been working pretty well the last couple games. The thing was, especially after half-time, the Suns were ready for it and Russ and the coaching staff never adjusted. The fouls that were called in the first half weren’t in the second, that was another adjustment that went left un-made. Since we shot 35 free throws to Phoenix’s 5 (which is as much a byproduct of the two teams’ style of play as anything else) can’t really complain when the whistles stop blowing. You have to adjust. The Lakers didn’t adjust to Phoenix sitting on Russ’s drives in the second half at all. In the end I still am loving Russ off the bench. The Lakers historically win when they have an elite 6th man: Bob McAdoo was once such a player, Derek Fisher, Rick Fox, Lamar Odom and of course Michael Cooper have all been elite 6th men for the Lakers at various points in their respective careers.
3. Couldn’t buy one from three. Lonnie Walker IV and Westbrook were the only two Lakers to hit from three (both players hit 2-6). Other than that the Lakers were dry from distance and, to their credit, didn’t over-shoot the three ball. What they couldn’t figure pout was how to chase Phoenix off the line. A good defense realizes two things: you can’t stop everything and you want to make easy shots hard. That’s it, in a nutshell. No easy shots at the rim, force those threes into long twos. The Lakers made a lot of mistakes gambling for steals rather than maintaining a tight coverage on the perimeter leading to easy baskets or open threes. You should win when you shoot 30 more free throws than the opposition. Our defensive breakdowns on the perimeter were the biggest culprit.
4. Second, however, was too many donuts. When four guys who played, three of whom logging 20+ minutes, contribute zero points you’re going to find it difficult to win. Doesn’t matter how historically one man plays, if the team isn’t playing well winning is a lot harder. Troy Brown Jr, Dennis Schroder and Patrick Beverley all brought Krispy Kreme’s to the arena and put up donuts in the scoring column. Wenyan Gabriel did, as well, but only played 7 minutes. That quartet combined to go 0-16 and were the major contributors in our shooting 42.4% from the floor, 4-22 from three (18.2% for those like numbers). Toss in Russ and his 8-20 night and five Lakers combined to go 8-36 o 22.2%. History can’t overcome that much futility.
5. The Ejection. Much is being made of Patrick Beverley’s cheap shot on DeAndre Ayton, and make no mistake that’s what it was. Was Ayton, and the un-teched Booker, taunting Reaves? Absolutely and they both should have gotten a T for it. But the real issue is what kind of impact does Beverley want to make? He’s obviously a vocal leader, helps the line up buy into defense, and does a lot of little things. He’s also a rather large sinkhole on offense these days. He’s shooting 41.1% from the field, often passes up open shots and will likely miss at least a game for the shoulder he leveled into an unsuspecting Ayton. I’m all for standing up for your guys, Auston Reaves went out of his way to make sure he knew PatBev understood that, but if the Lakers are going to make any playoff noise they need Beverley to make baskets. The other thing that rankled me was the nature of his hit. If Ayton had fallen more awkwardly and hurt himself seriously this would have taken a much darker turn. There’s no room in the game for a behind the back cheap shot like the one Beverley delivered last night. Can’t mince away the ones from your guys, they’re either bad for everyone or they’re not. The game was pretty much out of reach, the Lakers could have walked away the classier team. They didn’t.

If, as I expect, the NBA suspends Patrick for at least one game that will open the door for Schroder to start. Another debate is who should go to the bench when LeBron returns? My vote is Troy Brown Jr. except that he brings size and defense. Can’t have all heart and D guys in the starting 5, though. TBJr. and PatBev make it harder for your best players on offense and easier on defense. One of them probably ought not start going forward and if it were up to me it’d be Beverley. Austin Reaves has shown he belongs in the staring five, in my opinion.