One thing can unequivocally stated: the Lakers aren’t earning any style points with their play inside the Bubble. While the lack of execution, shooting and overall lackadaisical nature of how the Lakers a re playing is certainly not without concern, it’s still not what will define their time in the Bubble. That is still to come.
- One way or another the Lakers need to come together fast. It’s all nervous Lakers fans want to see: LeBron effortlessly dropping 10 dimes/game like before, Anthony Davis being a threat on both ends, the bench playing with fire, role-players executing their roles. Unfortunately, as in all life, it’s just not that easy. We’re seeing a Laker team in a state of mid-season flux. Not only are we rebooting the season, we lost a major rotational player and we’re incorporating 2 new ones. Breathe, relax, there are a lot of positives to take away from this stretch of play.
- Laker defense is still pretty solid. We have a top five defense inside the Bubble. Given the loss of Bradley and the fact that the new additions aren’t defensive stalwarts that’s impressive. It’s also good news concerning our playoff chances.
- biggest issue is our outside shooting followed by no offensive flow. Free throws are third but I don’t see an elixir or balm that will soothe that woe. Outside shooting needs to improve, no question. It’s obvious that we’re still finding our legs and our grooves. We’re an older team, the younger squads seem to be adjusting to both the disputed schedule and life in the Bubble better than older teams. Just a feeling, no hard data on that notion, just a vague sense watching the games. No offensive flow I’m less worried about. We’ve barely played the same rotation game-to-game as Coach Vogel continues to see what combinations produce what results. This, for the Lakers, was always going to be a weird training camp/preseason hybrid. Especially after we clinched.
- T.J. Warren is a baller. Suns will kick themselves for letting such an explosive and talented scorer go. For cash considerations, at that. That dude is destroying right now and could be a big factor in the eastern conference playoffs. Don’t quite see how Indy goes all the way…but it is the playoffs and anything can happen.
- 8th seed might not be easy pickings. If we face a full-strength, hungry team from Portland I can only say this: I’m glad we’re not playing at the Rose Garden. We play terribly there, LeBron plays terribly there and if we do have to play the Trailblazers it feels like the Bubble is as good a place as any for that to happen. If it ends up being the Grizz, I like our chances much better but will still be a hard contest, especially if our issues scoring the ball continue.
Look, these games haven’t been exciting or hope providing. Most of them have been the polar opposite. But take heart, Vogel is still experimenting, still tinkering. Last night in his post-gamer he said he had yet to use his playoff rotation. That’s good news. So here’s hoping we win out and have a shred of momentum going into the real season.