Aloha,
I became really steamed watching this game. Not because we played badly but because we competed with the kind of energy you need to win. They demonstrated that we can play hard. We would have many more wins if we had played with this kind of energy. We may not win but we should have been playing this way all year.
The last 3 games we had come out playing LeBron iso ball and if it wasn’t LeBron it was iso with Russ. When both LeBron and Russ got off to slow starts we got blown out in the 1st. Today bodies were moving and the ball was moving. We had 33 assists.
It’s no surprise that we shot the ball much better today. When the ball is moving and everyone is involved guys get into a rhythm of the game and the shots are in rhythm.
We started big today. I think the micro line ups we have been starting are okay as a change of pace but we have been getting killed inside. Dwight and Gabriel gave us the size to complete with the long Raptors. I think that Dwight should get more run for the rest of the year.
As for Gabriel, he was terrific. we need sign this kid this summer. I have been impressed with him since we signed him. He is long and plays with energy. He would give us another young player off the bench that we can develop.
Russ had one of his best games as a Laker. It would be great if he can gain some confidence for the rest of the year. I have thought all along that Russ didn’t need to be great, just good.
For me the best part of this game was that every single guy that played contributed. Let’s see if we can string a few of these kind of games together.
“I am angry” Michael you beat me to that one. I felt the same way. I kept thinking if they have been playing like this earlier in the season we would have won many games. All it took was to put Gabriel in the starting lineup. The energy he brought in to start the game set the tone for the rest of the game. Having Dwight also helped a lot. As for Russ, I am hoping this would be the confidence booster he needs. I thought I heard someone call him Russell Clutchbrook. That last three was unbelievable. Great effort by everyone.
LOL. I’m happy! I had the complete opposite reaction to tonight’s game, the great contributions early by Wenyen and late by Bradley plus the heroics by LeBron and the game tying steal and clutch three by Russ were all signs to me that the team was finally fighting through the malaise that had hung over them like a witch’s curse.
I love Lakers small ball because it’s stylistically small but sizewize it’s small ball on steroids. I hate the micro ball lineups where we are outsized at every position and doomed to lose the points in the paint and rebounds battle.
I was called for Frank to start Dwight and Wenyen two games ago and was thrilled to see that lineup last night. Not only did Wenyen shoot the three ball well but his defense and hustle along with Dwight’s allowed us to play real basketball for a change.
This was the season-cleansing game we needed. Russ’ redemption. Russ’ revenge. Great to see him get some flowers as a Laker. I thought he played great, getting into the paint but not forcing shots and hitting open cutters and shooters. This was winning basketball from Russell Westbrook. Could be too little too late or could be the spark this team needed to get hot.
I think you missed my point Tom. Of course I was happy. I was angry because we rarely play with the energy we demonstrated tonight when we are capable of playing hard. We would have a much better record if we had played this hard all year.
No, I got your point, Michael, and understand why you would feel that way. Not saying you weren’t happy. Why can’t we play like this every game? Of course, we’re all happy to see a win like last night. Wasn’t trying to infer that you weren’t happy. I just saw the win in a different light.
I haven’t bought in that the team didn’t care and that was why they were losing. To me, all the chaos, injuries, disappointment, and bad bounces had sapped the fire and heart out of this team. Every ball seemed to bounce in the other team’s favor. It was like the basketball gods were punishing us for trading for Russ. Tonight, it was like the curse was lifted.
Probably is just a brief hiatus in the horrors of this season but I think it could also be a turning point when the team suddenly starts to play at a much more consistent and higher level. At least that’s what I’m going to take into the next game. As an optimist, I know little things like Russ pulling out this win can turn into major moments. Just hoping that’s what happens with this game. It would be great to see and I feel it could change everything for Russ with the Lakers. This was HIS game!
Great points, Tom. Both you and Michael are on the same page. Please let’s keep this starting lineup for a minute. There is so much that had been unearthed from this lineup.