5 Things: Playin Game 1

Here’s hoping this is the only playin game we play. If it is that would mean we beat the Timberwolves and are officially the 7th seed in the NBA. Falling to the 8th seed, while certainly better than being wholly eliminated, would represent the most difficult path to the NBA Finals for the Laker’s as it would require playing in two playin games and ending up in the tougher seeding bracket. Beating the T’wolves means we don’t play until Sunday which would be a really great amount of rest for the team. So let’s dig in to some key aspects of this match up and how the Lakers can move on.

1. Take advantage of the missing Minnesota players. While it’s unfortunate that the Timberwolves won’t have their roster available it’s on the Lakers to press that advantage to it’s fullest. Missing key rotation players in Rudy “Mic Check” Gobert (suspended by team for fighting Kyle Anderson in the last game), Jaden “F#$% THAT WALL!” McDaniels (fractured hand after punching a wall), Naz Reid (surgery) and possibly Jaylen Nowell (knee). That’s a ton of talented size that will be MIA tomorrow night. The Lakers have made a living this season driving into the paint and attacking the rim. This generates both easy points and fouls. It’s imperative the Lakers press this exact advantage to the fullest tomorrow night.
2. Use the right defenders on KAT. Karl has been hurt a lot of the season and is probably one of the healthier superstars going into the post season. The Lakers rely on Anthony Davis on both ends of the floor, heavily. I’d maybe start the quicker and certainly more expendable if foul trouble is an issue Jarred Vanderbilt on KAT. Save AD for the second half, 4th quarter and keep his fouls low. KAT might be over to shoot over the Vandolorian but he’ll be hard=pressed to gain a speed advantage over him. I’d throw a combination of JV, Wenyan and maybe even Bamba (although Mo is awfully slow of foot and will likely pick up a grip of quick reach/hold fouls so we’ll see on that one). I’d rather KAT shoot over guys from the perimeter than get it going on the inside where he’s also likely to get to the line.
3. Contain ANT-MAN. Anthony Edwards could start to see his name appearing as a dark horse MVP soon and he really ought to make some level of All NBA this season. Dude single-handedly carried Minnesota to the brink of the playoffs with KAT missing a huge chunk of the season, the team trading D-Lo, and the kind of mish-mash roster you don’t generally see do well in the modern NBA. No single player will stop this man so the question is containment and how to get it done. Like KAT you prefer him shooting from the outside over a defender or two and you don’t want him to live at the free throw line. Just do your best to keep him out of the paint and throw two guys at him when possible, give him different looks every few times down, maybe zone him up when it’s just Anthony and Karl sits.
4. Don’t sleep on Mike Conley. I feel like this will be LeBron’s defensive assignment although with 40% of the starting line up out for the game he might end up on Kyle Anderson or Taurean Prince. I’d try and keep LeBron off the high energy/hustle guys (like prince) so if it’s not Mike I expect it to be Kyle. Both players can hurt you but Mike Conley is sneaking elite. He can light you up for 40. he can rack up 20 assists. he can put a defensive gem in his crown in any game. He’s a top tier point guard who’s healthy right now (frankly that’s my one gripe is he’s often out for long stretches of a season). LeBron is going to be our weakest link defensively. I’ve watched him not close out, not rotate, not switch or fight through a screen all season long and I don’t think he possesses a magical switch to just turn that all on. Not anymore. So you want him on the least mobile or slowest player. Or at least the guy who is most likely to slink into the corner for an open three. LeBron needs to stymie those kind of plays.
5. The Lakers bench has little reason not to dominate. With a lot of their vaunted depth sapped due to stupidity, injuries or stupid injuries the Lakers’ bench has a golden opportunity to define and dominate this game. If they can put together a solid, focused and effective effort we might win this game going away. If they’re not on point, wilt under the bright lights, or simply get out-played it could make for a tough game indeed. Some guys have been sitting a lot and you may find your number called: be like Lonnie and stay ready. You will not get calls going forward barring something obvious. Play through, play hard, and get it done.

The Lakers need to get this done and start to atone for the many bone-headed losses, subpar efforts and inexplicable choices made throughout the season. Get this win tomorrow, get LeBron and AD into treatment and let the team rest a bit with some film and walk throughs. We have the talent and the experience to go on a deep run and the bracket broke very favorably for us. Now we need to take advantage of those fortunate occurences.