Aloha,
I wrote before the game that it was the classic defense versus offense game. And as usual defense won.
AD is going to be remembered as one of the great defenders in the history of the game. Despite his desire to play the 4, no coach in their right mind would take him out of the middle. While fans would love to see him score more, he puts so much energy into his defense that one wonders how he manages to score as much as he does. There just isn’t any centers that can switch one through five, trap a point guard and then fall back in time to block or alter a shot in the paint. His mere presence deters players from even trying to score at the rim. And it’s that presence that allows guys like Cam and Vando to do their thing knowing AD has their back. Heck even DLO was up on people, playing solid D.
LeBron is playing so well this year that he dominates even on an off night.
I am so impressed by Cam. He did an amazing job on Haliburton. While he doesn’t score a lot, it’s his defense that matters most. And I think he enough offense to become a consistent double digit scorer. We won’t know what the cap looks like until that TV deal is done but Cam should be our main free agent target. Hopefully we can have the full MLE available again.
I just don’t understand the Pacers game plan. I know Turner is a good shot blocker but the rest of the front line is small. Why put so much energy into chasing shooters off shots? Factor in AD that required Turners full attention, it was almost a layup line, LeBron, Austin, DLO all attacked the paint and the Pacers couldn’t stop them. I was surprised when the Pacers didn’t adjust at halftime. By the way this was an example of why I was against adding Turner to the Lakers. He is a good center but he can’t compare to AD in the middle.
Playoff Austin is beginning to show up much more often. Which is a good sign moving forward. 22 points in the first half was amazing and necessary. It bodes well for the rest of the year. He just shines in big moments.
DLO’s offense is streaky but his defensive effort this year has been really nice to see. It earned him closing minutes yesterday.
It’s really hard for guards to shoot over 6’ 8” and 6’ 9” guys with
7’ + wingspans. Just saying. Haliburton had 3 AIRBALLS!
It’s a shame that the win doesn’t count but the Pacers were on a historic year offensively and we shut them down. If we stay healthy, this defense is going to win a lot of games.
I’m looking forward to the Mav’s game. We should have beat them last time and we didn’t have Cam or Vando available. I think it will be a different story this time.
The very first NBA in season tournament champions. That has a nice ring to it.
Good stuff, Michael. Our size and length is really shrinking the floor for other teams’ offensive players.
Thanks Tom. Holiday is a great defender but he is short. Against the Celtics Haliburton shined. But Cam and Vando are so long with the rare ability to stay with him that he couldn’t overcome it. Plus Cam did a great job denying him the ball.
Kyrie is out, that should help, but I wonder if LBJ and AD will be fit to play. Both got banged up in the Pacer brawl.
That’s a great post, Michael. Love the way you put everything together.
AD’s impact on the game of basketball is undeniable. His remarkable skills as a defender and center have already secured his place among the greatest players in the history of the game. When we look back on this era of basketball, we will undoubtedly remember AD as one of the all-time greats.
It’s remarkable to witness the level of dedication he brings to his defensive game. While some may desire him to score more, it’s evident that his primary goal is to help the team win through his defensive efforts. Despite his emphasis on stopping the opposition, he still manages to produce impressive numbers on the offensive end, a testament to his unwavering commitment and exceptional talent on the court. Putting 100% effort into defense is the reason why his offensive output fluctuates. Defense takes a lot more energy than offense.
Wow, it’s great to hear that Cam did an amazing job on Haliburton! I am his biggest fan on the blog!! It’s always important to have players on the team who focus on defense rather than just scoring. It is looking more and more like Cam is an asset to the team that should be retained.
It’s truly impressive to hear about Cam’s exceptional performance. While some players may prioritize scoring, Cam’s emphasis on defense is a crucial aspect of the game that cannot be overlooked. It’s evident that his skill set and dedication make him an invaluable member of the team.
It’s great to see playoff Austin starting to become himself with his standout performances. The fact that he scored 22 points in just the first half is a testament to his skill and potential. With his ability to shine in crucial moments, there’s no doubt he’ll continue to make a big impact as the year progresses.
It’s great to see DLO’s defense improving this year, even if his offense can be streaky. It’s always nice to see players putting in the effort on both ends of the court. And it’s especially rewarding to see that his hard work paid off with some closing minutes in yesterday’s game. Even though I was extremely disappointed with his performance in the last playoff finals against Denver, he has atoned for that with his timely scoring and exceptional defense.
Michael, you are right; our third star is our depth. That was on full display last night. And we haven’t had Vincent back yet. If healthy, this team will make it all the way to June.
Thank you for a great summary of the game, Michael !!
Thanks Buba, I appreciate you.