Five observations on the Lakers’ bubble-opening win over the Clippers https://t.co/EFg4NKbXx0
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) July 31, 2020
1. The version of Kyle Kuzma that’s needed
2. The sequence that won it
3. The reason it was even close
4. Best part of Davis’ game: foul-drawing
5. What does it mean? What’s next?
This was just a marvelous article by Anthony Slater for the Athletic. His analysis of the game was one of the best I’ve ever read for a game. Just the section on Kyle Kuzma was worth the monthly subscription. The article is worth signing up for the free trial and then cancelling. It’s that good. Here are just a couple of tidbits:
“If you were searching for a relevant matchup-based takeaway from Thursday’s reopener — something that might tilt your opinion either direction about a potential conference finals between the Lakers and Clippers — start with Kuzma, who genuinely looked like the role-playing glue guy the Lakers need in the playoffs, not the off-the-bench chucker always searching for an occasional offensive jackpot.”
…
“Bad matchups and bad nights certainly await Kuzma. He’s still young, and” his track record is inconsistent. Luka Dončić blew by him multiple times in the first scrimmage in Orlando. Big-body centers can dislodge him, and lightning-quick scorers can zoom by him.
“But, strangely, Leonard and George are kind of in his defensive sweet spot. They’re all-world at what they do but operate at a pace that allows Kuzma, only when focused, to stay in front and contest with his long reach. That seems like a relevant development for a possible conference finals.”