It has begun. The Age of Luka is upon us. The great thing about this transition is that the Lakers were already one of the hottest team in hoops right now. Maybe THE hottest team. So they’re not expecting Luka to ride in like The Riders of Rohan and save the day. Rather he has the luxury of working his way slowly back into game shape and with the ASB giving the staff to take a 1-2 game sample size back to the film room and some post ASB practices we’re looking at potentially dynamite second part of the season. It’s the beginning of a new age, my friends.
- The true star of the team shined, again….the defense. The lakers have slowly but surely built themselves into an elite defensive squad this season. Even after losing Max Christie it feels like we didn’t miss a beat on D with DFS being absolutely instrumental coupled with the return of Jarred Vanderbilt. It’s not all these two , however, the entire team has bought into and is executing a much more precise and physical defensive set of schemes. Gone are the soft hedges on the screener and we’re seeing bodies pass each other more fluidly on the switch. Gone is one the stop shop of “switch everything” but rather a hybrid man/switch (depending on the situation) and we’re seeing guys calling out coverages. This is what an elite defense does on the reg. To see us find this level is truly heartening because it doesn’t just bode well for the regular season but the playoffs, as well.
- LeBron playing like a young man. After he took that charge, which ended up knocking him out of the game (and possibly the next one, too) you could see how pumped the team was. To see the oldest player in the game today step in and take that charge…when you’re up big…is an emboldening maneuver. It may have cost LeBron a good night’s sleep but the inspiration it provides the squad is invaluable. In general LeBron has been playing at a pretty incredible level since we hit mid-January and it’s coincided with the best Laker basketball we’ve seen all season long. While not an All Defense candidate he is moving and communicating on D and that’s enough. His offense is still elite so when he puts forth some effort on the other end you’re instantly reminded of just how far LeBron can still take a team when his body lets him.
- The Vanderbilt/DFS effect. DFS played 26 minutes, Vanderbilt played 17. between the two of them they managed the pedestrian stat line of 4 points, 6 rebounds (none offensive), 2 assists, 2 steals (both DFS) and a turnover (Vando). They didn’t make a three pointer in 4 tries between them and shot 1-7. They were a combined +17 (+13 for DFS and +4 for JV). I bring this up to illustrate how a player can choose to impact winning without putting the ball in the basket or even filling the stat sheet. These 2 are helping stabilize the Laker bench as defensive unit and allowing Gabe Vincent and whomever is playing with them from the starting 5 to shine while they grind and defend. Hard. They deflect, they push, shove, grab and scrape for position. They are vital cogs in the Lakers winning machine. I don’t care what the stat line says, the W/L record speaks for itself. Vando hasn’t lost since he came back, by the way. 8-0 with Vando.
- Reaves and Rui still balling. It’s worth noting how well both Rui and Reaves played last night because after we traded AD they both have been going off. If you were worried about some slippage due to new faces and acclimating the games of everyone they put that to rest fairly quickly. Reaves looks like a borderline All Star. Rui should be in the three point shooting contest. Both guys have come up absolutely huge since the calendar turned over to 2025 and it’s been awesome to watch.
- Oh yeah, Luka. 14 minutes and all of it knocking rust off and just getting back on the court. He shot poorly but still has the elite vision and audacity to make ridiculous passes. He connected with Hayes for dunks, got to the line a bit, shot some 3’s-made 1, and looked a lot like a guy who hadn’t played in a couple of months. It was amazing to see Dirk at the game, makes me wonder how much that will happen and if we can maybe bring Dirk into the fold lol.
Great Post Jamie, one guy I would also mention is Goodwin. Talk about taking advantage of an opportunity. 2nd good game in a row for him. 17 points, 8 boards and tough defense. He has looked better in the last two than Cam has looked in any game this year. While he may not make the varsity this year, he setting himself up for a contract this summer.
Yup, Gabe’s turned it up, too. All of this has coincided with some stellar D and wins!
I am truly impressed with what Gabe is doing right now. Not long ago I gave up on him. To have a nice turnaround like this is truly Godsend. The more I see him play the more I feel good about our team. Just an unbelievable turnaround.
Buba…LOL/we agree again…I gave up on Gabe way back as well as another player still on the roster…who I still want to see dealt in the off season or be the 9th man on the roster….
Thanks, my brother!! @humanomaly
You’ll come around on Vando. Dude is instant energy and defensive impact off the bench. Like Tony Allen but bigger. He and DFS and Vincent lock it down. Hard.
Agreed!
The Tony Allen comparison is right on the money. What is even more impressive is the fact that Vando is playing like he’s never been injured. He took off right from where he left off. That is quite amazing. My wish for this team is for the injury bug to stay at least a million feet away from this team until we get the 18th banner this season. You all feel me?
It seems so long ago when AD was hurt and the Grammy roadie wasn’t looking good. Now the defense is shining without him, as well as a backup true center. I was looking at the 9 man rotation last night, thinking how much time would Williams have seen? Now that Knecht is back, he’ll be riding the pine most games. I agree with the impact of DFS and Vando. Luka said it best after the game: this team is connected.
I agree with you, John.
I noticed the team’s defensive improvement after our loss to the Sixers. Remember that was the game AD left in the first quarter, and his last game as a Laker.
This team is reminding me of the defensive juggernaut of the Bubble team that ended up winning the title. Something good is brewing, and it’s good to be a Lakers fan right now.
Exactly. Len is a big body, I consider that box checked and I have zero qualms with moving forward with Hayes as the starter. Let the kid cook, he’s doing well since the roadie and even before.
Agree with Hayes.
Speaking of Hayes…I just looked at the 2019 NBA draft…#8 was Jaxson Hayes, and #9 was Rui Hachimura and #10 was Cam Reddish…..what a cluster!!!
Jamie…agree about letting Hayes ride as starter…I am also unfamiliar with Len’s plays style…team is definitely on a roll….before Monday’s game, Doncic’s debut as a Laker….Perplexity AI tells me:
“The Los Angeles Lakers have averaged 46.0 rebounds per game over their last 10 games1. Breaking this down further:
Total rebounds: 460
Offensive rebounds: 8.1 per game
Defensive rebounds: 37.9 per game
The Lakers’ rebounding performance has been strong during this stretch, ranking 6th among NBA teams in total rebounds over their last 10 games with 460 boards. This is a significant improvement from their season average, as they were previously ranked 26th in the league with 41.8 rebounds per game.”
As Pat Riley said decades ago “No rebounds, no rings.”…..and he also trademarked “Three-peat” and variations….and Lakers did not accomplish that as they were swept by the Pistons in 1989… and neither did the KC Chiefs on Sunday…AND the Lakers are the last pro team in the United States to have achieved that with the Kobe/Shaq led 2000, 2001 and 2002 teams!!! (3 exclamations!!!)…
Wow, I don’t even know what to add here, Jamie. You’ve said it best. Thank you!
Thanks dude!