5 Things: Another Season in the Books!

The Lakers improved on last season’s overall regular season record (2022-23 was 43-39, 2023-24 is 47-35 a 4 win improvement which ain’t bad considering everything that happened this season) and it’s a fair argument that, without an incredible series of injuries to all but 3 or 4 major players, it could have been even better. Still, what did that get us? We didn’t get the 7th seed, we got the 8th. The rest of the West got a lot better, or consistent, and it showed in our conference record (27-25, identical to last season when we had a chemistry and talent-fit issues abound along with serious injuries to AD and LBJ). So, all things considered, I have to say this Laker team is better than last season’s and that running it back in the manner that we did was as good of a choice as could have been made. So now, the part that really matters, the playoffs as another regular season bits the dust.

1. The Good. Top of the good list is the overall health of LeBron and AD. While LBJ has been dealing with a balky ankle he still is moving a lot better at this point than he was last season when he had the foot strain injury. As a result LBJ is playing at a higher level than at the same time last season. You can see it on both ends. AD, other than his face being target practice for defender’s hands, has also had a relatively injury free season best reflected by his now career high games played, 76 (previous high was 75 twice as a Hornet/Pelican). These two playing as well and as much as they have allowed us to push through the myriad injuries that plagued pretty much the rest of the roster at some point or another all season long. The All Star of availability though simply must go to Austin “82 Games Played” Reaves. Of all the players coming into camp who had questions about how they would get through the regular season I’m not sure anyone was as scrutinized as Reaves who played for Team USA last summer and looked like he wore down towards the end. Awesome accomplishment in the era of load management from all 3.
2. The Bad. Obviously the injuries. I hate this excuse but this season it just seemed to affect every aspect of the team being able to come together. however i will add that I feel it’s impact was amplified by extremely questionable choices in player rotations and minutes distribution. The biggest issue being the continued under-utilization of Rui Hachimura and the use of Taurean Prince in questionable defensive matchups. I actually am find of TP, I like how he isn’t content to hoist up threes and will attack the rim when the defense gives up the lane. But he cannot guard power forwards or most guards. Will he try? Of course, everyone who is on the floor generally does indeed try. He’s just not very good at it. Rui, however, can defend over his weight class. Pair him with some decent perimeter defenders and AD and you have a blueprint for defensive success. Like Hayes he took the critique the coaches had for him to heart and his increased his focus on rebounding the ball. He’s one of our best players and needs to be on the floor when the game natters unless he’s been shown he can’t hang against a specific matchup.
3. The Ugly. Honestly, nothing ever got too ugly this season. Nothing like the last couple weeks of the Westbrook Experiment. If anything the ugly comes this summer when D’Angelo Russell, and maybe Hayes, opt out and leave us with roster issues and not many means to resolve them. Lakers need to convince to DLo to opt-in and extend him. Might need to do something similar with Hayes, not sure what the money w can offer either is at this time. Both are solid in their specific roles and Hayes still has a lot of upside. These are all questions for the regular season. Honorable “Ugly” mention would also be the month after the playin victory
4. Thoughts on the season. Coach Ham has taken a lot of flak without getting credit for pushing the guys to improve. Injuries affected his plans, he may have been slow to adapt but I think he did (eventually) adapt. Some have called for his firing, I don’t see it happening in 2024. If we turn the year over and 2025 starts rough…maybe? I think there are too many baked in excuses for this season, the guys have responded to his benching’s and earned spots that better suit their salary and role. Winning the playin matters to Jeannie, for her it is not a meaningless accomplishment like it is to most fans and the media. Add-in the improved record over last season’s team and it’s hard to see the FO canning Ham over injuries and a few questionable minute distribution snafus.
5. Thoughts on the playoffs. Personally, I had been asking to face Denver in the first round of the playoffs for a couple months now. While it is possible we move to 8th and could face off against OKC and the winner of Minnesota/Phoenix I prefer facing Denver right off the bat. There’s no getting away from playing on their home court so why not deal with it before playing in 2 or 3 grueling playoff series? I would put LeBron on Jokic. We need AD to be an elite paint protector and that role is compromised when he’s playing Jokic up around the top of the key. I would put Hachimura on Gordon and make him earn those rebounds. We need Rui to play at Gordon’s level to take us to the next level, especially with Vando being out.

Let’s do this!