ESPN Sources: Houston coach Mike D’Antoni is informing the franchise’s ownership today that he’s becoming a free agent and won’t return to the Rockets next season.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 13, 2020
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Size still matters
Aloha,
Mike D has informed the Rockets that he will not return. It’s understandable. The Rockets ceiling is the 2nd round and most of their salary cap is devoted to 3 players, so there is not much they can do.
The Lakers front line featured 6’ 10” two 6’ 9 and a 6’ 8” players. The back court rotation feature 3 players 6’ 5” or taller. The Rockets had no chance against a small ball line up with that kind of size.
This is why I am baffled by all the articles that want to create a big 3 in LA. Like the Rockets 3 stars would leave us with very little for a supporting cast. Now I don’t see it happening next year. We won’t have the cap space and went all in for AD and won’t have the trade assets that other teams have to land a star. But why would we even want to? We clearly Had the best team in the NBA with Avery and even without him, we are still the favorites to win it all.
I think our off season should be subtle changes and not an overhaul. After resigning AD, Our priorities should be bringing back Avery and Morris. I don’t KCP or McGee can do better in free agency, so I expect both of them to opt in. Rondo is interesting. I think he may retire if we win the championship. I think he will begin his coaching career with the Lakers. I don’t feel that Howard will be back.
With our emerging younger players, I don’t see a lot we need to do.
Considering AD doesn’t want to play center we should look at bringing Cousins back. He won’t demand a big salary, if we can’t land him, a guy like Joe Harris from the Nets and his 44% 3 point shooting might fit into the MLE. He’s also a decent defender. While Alex is beginning to emerge as playmaker, I would look at Teague or Augustine as vet minimum PG additions.
Beyond that, I don’t really feel like we need to do much more.
LAKERS ADVANCED TEAM STATS SHOW DOMINANT TEAM!
LAKERS LEAD NBA IN PLAYOFFS NET RANKING!
Lakers 9.0 Playoff Net Rating is #1
Lakers 114.4 Playoff Offensive Rating is #3
Lakers 105.4 Playoff Defensive Rating is #3
Lakers 8-2 Playoff Win-Loss Record is #2 pic.twitter.com/8TwUpjGc3K— LakerTom (@LakerTom) September 13, 2020
So what is the heart of the Clippers offensive engine?
LA vs opponent’s offensive engines:
POR: Dame P&R fuels rest of offense. Hard hedging + POR not being able to effectively attack 4v3 -> LA in 5
HOU: Harden penetration fuels open 3s. LA trapping & 3-2 zone + HOU not being able to attack 4v3 or beat a high school D -> LA in 5
— Cranjis McBasketball (@Tim_NBA) September 13, 2020
Lakers played last 106 straight minutes without surrendering lead
The Lakers have led (or been tied) since LeBron's go-ahead finger roll with 10:01 left in the fourth quarter of Game THREE. When this is over, they will have played the last 106 straight minutes without surrendering the lead. Dominant.
— Bill Oram (@billoram) September 13, 2020