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LakerTom wrote a new post
https://x.com/LakerTom/status/1853481805757694378
Boy, oh boy could the Los Angeles Lakers use Christian Wood in their lineup. The Lakers (4-2) have started off the 2024-25 NBA season on the right foot. Los Angeles experienced a couple of ups and downs through the early portion of their 82-game slate, but overall, they are thriving behind the MVP-worthy play of Anthony Davis and strong supplementary support from LeBron James and Austin Reaves.
Yet, if what their bench has left to be desired thus far could be characterized, it would be characterized as a streetcar.
Lakers rank dead last in the NBA bench scoring without Christian Wood
L.A.’s second-unit contributors are all out to pitch in as best as they can behind their star-studded starting lineup. However, that has not translated into their productivity. The Lakers are dead last in bench points per game among all teams, scoring a lackluster 20.3 PPG.
The 3.3-point margin between them and the No. 29 overall New York Knicks bench (23.6 PPG) is the biggest drop-off margin between two teams among all of the ball clubs outside of the top three in said department. Their second unit is also converting a paltry 26.4 percent of their 8.8 three-point attempts per game.
If that wasn’t enough, the franchise which prides itself on its interior play, is getting a league-worst 9.3 rebounds per game from their second unit. That’s with Jaxson Hayes playing well too. Oh, what one player can do for a team.
Wood was a perennial 6MOTY candidate and fringe-All-Star performer prior to injury
Prior to last season, which saw Wood limited to 6.9 PPG and 5.1 RPG in 17.4 minutes of action across 50 games, exacerbated by injury, the California native was rampaging through the league, establishing himself as a serious scoring threat with All-Star potential. Wood averaged 21 PPG and 17.9 PPG respectively from 2020-21 to 2021-22 as a starter with the Houston Rockets and kept up his offensive ways once he became the Dallas Mavericks’ sixth man in a reduced role, boasting 16.6 PPG in a mere 25.9 MPG in 2022-23.
The UNLV product brought down 8.9 rebounds a night over that span. Thus, it’s reasonable to expect him to still have such capabilities flowing through his veins. Wood is currently sidelined with a left knee injury, and the Lakers have felt his absence greatly as a result. There’s no debate that, should he return from his ailment at full strength, he’ll revitalize Los Angeles’ bench scoring exponentially.
Wood can help fill the Lakers’ void at center upon his return
Seeing that Davis desires to play power forward more than center, Wood will be in line to be the first man off of Lakers head coach JJ Redick’s bench and run alongside Davis at the five, or with the second unit at the four next to Hayes. Wood’s 37.4 percent clip from three-point range dating back to the 2019-20 campaign makes him a lethal inside-out threat. He can also put the ball on the floor, post-up, and catch-and-shoot with proficiency.
Wood was given an eight-week timetable for recovery after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his knee on Sept. 9. That primes him for a return in November, which couldn’t come at a better time for the Lakers.
The talented big man, who finished No. 4 in the Sixth Man of the Year voting in 2019-20 and No. 9 in 2022-23, will look to boost L.A.’s reserve unit once he returns and make his case to take home the prestigious award next spring. The Lakers won’t achieve their championship goals this year if their bench does not drastically improve. Wood’s value to the team will continue to show itself the more he misses time, as well as once he takes the floor again.
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https://x.com/LakerTom/status/1853450198300971505
“He is very good at confrontations and you need a strong coach that’s built for confrontation,” the now Sixers forward revealed. Apart from their conversation, he could recall his short stint on ESPN. JJ Redick, even though a rookie, went “toe to toe” with Stephen A. Smith. Whether it was rebutting the famous analyst’s thoughts or engaging in a pressing debate, Redick prevailed with flying colors.
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Spurs and OKC are only super tough games.
Lakers should be able to rack up 10-11 wins.
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Lakers will really be short-handed if the NBA suspends Jaxson. I’m hoping they don’t but this is not the kind of player we want. This should motivate Pelinka to make a more rather than waiting.
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![Profile picture of Michael H]()
Just of curiosity why would the bucks trade both of their centers leaving them with a rookie averaging a minute per game and a two way at center. And how does DLO help them when they have Lillard that is also a defensive liability? This is why I hate click bait.
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Honestly hard to see the Bucks trading Portis. Course I thought the same thing about Jrue so…
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What am amazing left handed bounce pass by LeBron.
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From 4-2, we could go to 14-2 if we go 10-0.
We could be 13-3 if we go 9-1.
We could be 12-4 if we go 8-2.
That’s my prediction. -
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7-3, 6-4 if George and Embiid play.
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6-3
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![Profile picture of Buba]()
When the Lakers face the challenge of playing four games in just six nights, as seen in their recent matchup against the Cavs, their chances of maintaining a strong record diminish significantly. Success hinges not only on skill but also on strategy and stamina. To navigate this demanding schedule, the team must manage their energy wisely. The absence of players like Vando and Wood due to injuries has been felt not just in scoring but also in defense and rebounding, crucial for enduring such a grueling stretch. Prioritizing health and depth is essential; a well-rounded lineup now can yield significant benefits later in the season. Every player counts, especially when the stakes are high.
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JJ said tweak in rotation was to have ball in DLo hands more as a creator w/ AD on the floor, then also having AR/Bron in together in next rotation pattern
— i (@pgUNO_) November 2, 2024
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I like pairing DLO with AD and pairing AR with LBJ.
Excellent adjustment to Lakers rotation by JJ.
Gives both lineups great PNR combo as base.
This is how you build rotations as head coach.
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Love how Schroder has continued his great play from the Olympics. Scoring and assisting like an All-Star Point Guard.
Averaging 22.0/8.0/2.8 and shooting 51.7% from field and 53.7% from deep. Dennis will not be able to keep up this pace but If Lakers have to trade DLO, then DS might be best option.
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What Lakers cannot do is lose DLO to free agency with nothing in return. That's cap mismanagement. DLO m/b traded.
Despite a lack of interest in DLO as a player, he will be tradable as an expiring contract. Right now, Schroder is the best option Lakers have to replace Russell. pic.twitter.com/s5ySdc0dFT
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) November 2, 2024
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The Brooklyn Nets could enter a fire sale, making players like Cam Johnson, Dorian Finney-Smith, Bojan Bogdanovic, Dennis Schroder, Ben Simmons, and Day’Ron Sharpe available, per @MikeAScotto
“Across the bridge, the Brooklyn Nets have chosen to pivot towards a rebuild, and… pic.twitter.com/XltGi8BEQz
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 26, 2024
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![Profile picture of Buba]()
The team not having a bench is what will doom our season. I have been a big fan of Lonnie. Also, I have voiced my support for Jay Huff and Scottie Pippen Jr. in the past. And now Memphis has scooped them for good.
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Trade Vanderbilt and JHS for one usable big, then sign Lonnie (and I am not a salary cap expert but I suppose he’d be open to playing for the veteran minimum)…
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![Profile picture of LakerTom]()
LeBron James (39 years, 307 days) becomes the oldest player in NBA history to record 25+ PTS, 10+ AST, and 0 TOs in a game!
Previously: Steve Nash (38 years, 34 days) https://t.co/pRL9qMmLUA pic.twitter.com/dK2kOhcy3k
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) November 2, 2024
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LeBron James this season:
44.1 3PT% on 5.7 attempts per game
👀🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/Yi1aZit1SI
— BronMuse (@BronMuse) November 2, 2024
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![Profile picture of LakerTom]()
LeBron vs the Raptors:
⭐️ 27 PTS
⭐️ 69 TS%
⭐️ 10 AST
⭐️ 0 TOVOffensive MASTERCLASS as the Lakers put up 131 points. LePG in full effect in LeBronto. pic.twitter.com/dRZWnVjbAt
— ɴᴏᴛ (@georgemikan) November 2, 2024
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In regards to the new system, DLo says he wanted to fit into the offense the right way regardless of his individual stats, & that winning is the only thing that matters. pic.twitter.com/3gepN33iNP
— i (@pgUNO_) November 2, 2024
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DLo: “I’m fully bought in to what’s going on here. AD played well, Bron, all those guys are happy so that’s all that matters.”
— i (@pgUNO_) November 2, 2024
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The best duo in the league SHOWED OUT and D’Lo found his groove 🔥 pic.twitter.com/i1JI8JwaT3
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) November 2, 2024
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![Profile picture of LakerTom]()
D'Angelo Russell
19 points
3 rebounds
6 assists
7/13 FG
3/5 3P
+14 (Team High) pic.twitter.com/QqRYAucSwO— DOM 🏀🏀🏀 (@DominickNBA) November 2, 2024
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From above article:
JJ Redick is awaiting one piece to truly unlock the Lakers
Through heated debates, even Stephen A. Smith knew Redick had the bravado to take on a job such as the Lakers. “Anyone who knows anything about you knows that you have that coaching itch. Wishing you nothing but the best,” he wrote in his tweet. And it was almost instantly on show.
On opening night they took down a healthy Minnesota Timberwolves, a team considered to be contenders. Their offense has become motion-heavy. Moreover, he has done something no previous coach could. Redick has passed the keys on to Anthony Davis and allowed James to play a supportive role.
That has amounted to the Brow currently leading the league in scoring and being an early MVP favorite. The only area the Lakers have lacked is defense. JJ Redick wants to instill pace in the Lakers. However, in doing that, there have been some defensive inconsistencies. The Lakers have a 117.8 defensive rating in these first few games. But this is without an energizer that the head coach believes is necessary for championship teams.
JJ Redick is desperately awaiting Jared Vanderbilt’s return. “He can sort of … I call them energy shifters. He can change the energy of an entire game, and he doesn’t have to do it with scoring, which makes him really unique. I can’t wait to coach him,” he told Mike Trudell.
Playing as a hound, in his short stint with the Lakers, Vanderbilt has become a fan favorite. His defensive activity remains high and can set the make vital plays as a stopper that will give the defense time to settle once they have to transition. So far, Redick has given the Laker Nation every reason to believe in him.
His aim too aligns with the legacy of the Purple and Gold. He wants to hang banners and is taking bold steps to ensure the same.