5 THINGS

This is how it had to start, how it needs to continue and how the season should end: with a W. With the countdown on and the regular season nearing it’s conclusion the Lakers start a 5 (well, 4 on the road and a visitor game against the Clippers) game road trip. They got off on the good foot to kick things off with a dominant 1st and 3rd quarters and held strong for the win. A new starting five and the trio of D-LO, LBJ and AD remains undefeated in three games.

1. The planets were aligned and AD dominated. I can’t go back and forth on this much more. We all know the M.O. When AD plays well, the Lakers usually win. When he takes a back seat, we usually lose. No other Laker affects our winning percentage like AD does. We can say all the platitudes and hyperbolic statements we want but it all comes down to him and his internal fire. Sometimes it’s there, sometimes it ain’t. We need it to be there more than he’s likely comfortable with from here on out. Filed under “We’ll see man…”
2. ‘Bron getting his legs back under him. Moving more fluidly then in his first game back, James looked more like the “turn back the clock” player we’d kind of grown accustomed to this season. Still tied for team lead with turnovers with 4 (some how Malik also coughed it up 4 times in just 10 minutes of play…) but everything LeBron did looked like it came easier. He was efficient, go to the line a little, and generally looked and played dominant when we needed him to be.
3. D-Lo is the grease this machine needs. In only three games together the new Lakers “Big Three” is undefeated. Small sample size notwithstanding it’s plain to see on any level how much easier everything is when D-Lo plays. He and AD already have a nice P&R vibe going, he doesn’t force his offense and has an uncanny knack for knowing when he needs to make a play to keep the defense honest on everyone else. Mainly it’s his poise and composure that seem so different than D-Lo as a Laker 1.0. He and Reaves are big enough in the back court to cause some defensive issues for other teams and hopefully that continues to trend upwards.
4. Playing the right players. If it were me the rotation would like about how it did last night except I don’t know that Malik will get rotation minutes in the playoffs. The money he’s potentially due is the main reason he’s getting any time at all because it can’t be how he’s playing. He’s the third one off the bench between Rui, LW4 and himself. Coach Ham went back to the correct player in Hachimura in terms of favoring him over either LW4 or Malik. Rui is bigger and has the most consistent and dependable offensive game. He can defend as well as any of those three so that’s wash. Stick with this rotation, coach.
5. Smart threes, not volume. I get the theory but this team lacks two things that make a volume three point shooter necessary: the proper offensive schemes to best utilize that skillset and time to implement them and the right players to make it work. We’ve auditioned a “Who’s Who” of three point marksmen of various size and skill. Beasley is just another in a long list of shooters who come to LA to sully their reputation. In a way it’s not entirely their fault. The style of play that best suits AD and LeBron is to attack the paint. This is not a surprise. This is why teams will let the Lakers take threes and midrange shots. So when I see 20 next 3PT FGA I don’t panic. The Lakers might, and should, be at the bottom of that particular stat. We function best as a team that forces the ball to the rim. If that leads to an open three, wonderful, but only if that’s actually the best shot. I’ll take AD shooting in the paint over a three all game long.

Friday in Minnesota is as “must-win” as it can get. The Lakers desperately need that win both to move up and maintain positioning as the games dwindle.

The Lakers lost anyhow. Spoiling what one assumed would a triumphant return the Lakers instead chose Sunday as a Defense-DNP (IDFKW…) game. As a result the game was never really competitive and the Bulls pretty much scored at will, dominated most of the hustle stats, and won the game easily.

1. AD taking a back seat approach. AD should have dominated this game, especially after Vucevic was ejected for losing his cool. Instead Drummond and a bevy of small forwards outplayed him on both ends. This was what I was afraid of when LeBron came back. That AD would exhale and take his foot off his internal gas pedal. PatBev used the “too small” trash talk for LeBron, he should have used it on AD who played a lot smaller than he can.
2. 34 points off of 18 turnovers tells me our transition defense sucked and that we didn’t value the ball. LeBron and Austin had five turnovers each to pace the team but every Lakers that played, except LW4 and Wenyan, had at least one.
3. 54% shooting, mainly from role-players getting what they wanted, when they wanted and no answer for Zach LaVine. Considering that Coby White went 5-17 and the Bulls still shot such a high percentage the outcome could have been a lot worse.
4. The fallacy of the volume three point shooter. Malik Beasley had a solid game, 6-14 from three (all of his shots were from beyond the arc) and still was -11 in +/- for the game. There wasn’t a great amount of space generated by his presence, he was unable (and has been unable) to alter the outcome of most of the games he’s played, and the Bulls happily let a one-trick-pony dance and frolic while they went out and won. Malik would do well to add to his one-dimensional shot selection and drive to the hole from time to time, especially if he gets his man in the air off a pump fake which happens a ton. Yes, the three point shot is a valuable weapon. Yes, it can help to have a marksman that theoretically generates space (but not a team like the Lakers who are designed to punish you in the paint…which we went away from this whole game). Yes, he along with the rest of the Laker bench (LeBron included) were awful on defense and got worked over by Chicago’s bench. Don’t know why we keep playing this guy when Rui is a better defender, rebounder and more efficient scorer. Play the better player.
5. 2 games together. That’s how much the Lakers currently have to evaluate the pairing of LeBron and D-Lo. There aren’t many games left to base opinions on. The fir may be solid…it may not, 2 games is basically nothing. We desperately need another ball-handler that has a better handle than Reaves does. That’s not a dig against Austin, he’s filled in admirably, but the Bulls knew where he was trying to go and stymied him to a large degree forcing him to be more of a scorer and not the multi-threat player we tend to rely on most games. The Lakers have a multi-million dollar decision before them and their two best players have barely played together, that could make for some unwanted and, frankly, un-needed drama this summer.

Revenge could come as soon as Wednesday and here’s hoping it does as the Lakers go on a 5 game road trip (last one at home against the Clippers with the Lakers as the “road” team) that will basically make or break the season at this point. Can’t finish the road trip with a losing record, have to at least go 3-2 and we need to beat all the western conference teams no matter what.

400 days later, since last January…8th? When the Lakers were 24-24. It had been an exhibition in mediocrity and futility since that moment. At long last the .500 summit has been crested and the true journey revealed on the peaks and valleys on the other side.

1. AD went full-on mountain Yeti on OKC. His 37 points led all scorers, his 15 boards were second to Giddey’s 17 (that dude is going to be gooooood) and, in general, AD asserted himself the way you want him to on a nightly basis. His way of taking the torch won’t look like LeBron, it’ll be as much about his D as his scoring, but games like this make it easier for the rest of the team.
2. Dusting off an old fave. Lonnie Walker IV got in early and made an instant and lasting impact on the game. His 20 points off the bench were crucial, his outside shooting was stellar, and his defense was solid. That’s what a professional looks like: hasn’t groused about what I’m sure feels like a demotion on some level and when his number was called because the team needed him he delivered. Big time.
3. Dennis taking over down the stretch. The Lakers and Dennis made an excellent 4th quarter adjustment after OKC started overloading on AD essentially daring another Laker to step up. Into that void entered Schroder with drives to the rim against a single defender and timely shots from the midrange and three. Dennis picked his spots like the savvy vet he’s become.
4. Reaves struggles. One of the reasons AD got going early was that the Thunder made it a mission to deny Reaves a big game. Austin did right by not fishing for fouls, moving the ball to the tune of 9 dimes, and staying within the offense. It allowed AD to dominate both off the pass and on the glass until they switched late in the second half and had at least two lengthy defenders on AD. Lonnie’s bug game also helped neutralize both tactics.
5. Russell out multiple games, again? With an early game Sunday and a 5 game road trip that probably won’t do D-Ali’s sore hip any favors it’s possible he goes on the IL for another lengthy stint. Hip injuries are nothing to gloss over, ask Isaiah Thomas about that, and hopefully his absence last night was as much precaution as anything else but for a team that really could stand to win out the rest of the games any injury, minor or not, is a major concern.

I love me a good gamble. In the casino craps is my game but I’m also a fan of Hold ‘Em poker and blackjack or roulette with pals. I also love when a coaches gambit pays off big like Darvin ham’s did last night. In what was the not so surprising move of the century Coach ham inserted (finally) Austin Reaves into the starting 5. The ensuing win cannot be attributed to that move alone but it was sensible move that was a long time coming.

1. Austin “Ace in the Hole” Reaves has arrived. This has been the sophomore season the Lakers desperately needed from the undrafted (although that was planned as much as anything) rookie. All his numbers are up across the board: +5 ppg, +6.1 FG%, +6.6 3P%, +3.1 FTA/game (and even that barely reflects the current stretch of excellence at getting to the line) coupled with a +.019 improvement in accuracy, and +5 ppg overall. His defense, with the increased minutes and workload, is still solid albeit not improving statistically. The kid they call the Hillbilly Kobe (which I both love and hate) is here, he’s going to get paid, and fans will revolt if it’s not the Lakers who make it happen.
2. One reason Monty glossed over regarding the free-throw disparity. Yes, the Lakers shot a grip more free throws than the Suns did. Yes, the game was played on our home court…where teams generally enjoy a slight advantage at the line. Agreed…the officiating this season has been wildly varied from game-to-game. An yet… Something that nobody on Phoenix seemed to mention was the vast disparity in three point field goal attempts. 31-17, advantage Suns. The two Lakers who shot the most free throws shot a combined 1-1 from beyond the arc. All of AD’s FGA’s came from inside the stripe and of his 18 total attempts only 5 came from outside the paint. Reaves was even more determined to get to the paint, only two of his total FGA’s were from outside the restricted area and one of those was his lone take and make from three. Should the whistle have been blown more for maybe CP3 or Cam-Payne? Not really, the Lakers paint defense was pretty solid with verticality and CP3 uses his off hand a lot which generally results in a non-call for both himself and his defender. Most of the bench guys are the over-valued “three and D” prototype of which few players a re truly suited for. First it requires that you consistently play above average defense, second that you are an incredible three point marksman. All in all, the Suns fought their way into 20 more FGA’s than did the Lakers, they just couldn’t capitalize on that advantage enough.
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   …Ok they also did get +11 more fouls called on them, as well.
3. Vanderbilt brought his lunch pail last night. I love the hard working cats in the Association, Vanderbilt, Gabriel and, yes, Austin Reaves. Guys who didn’t come in with lofty projections or hype but definitely have the right attitude concerning the work needed to succeed and level up. I love this guy and I hope he plays his way into a big deal next summer after we choose to keep him. 5-5 from the field, solid defense whenever he was on the floor, and doing all the little things a team needs to win. JV should be extended at our earliest convenience next year.
4. D’Angelo looking smooth. If I had to choose between Irving and Russell I will choose the latter simply because he’s, astoundingly, more drama free and more available. The Lakers don’t need more drama to throw in the fire, we’re already Dallas in an NBA jersey as it is. To see where D-Lo has come since his choice to post Swaggy “Nick Young” P. venting about life to now is a lesson in growing up under a microscope. Russell is always cheering his teammates on, brings the guys together when needed, is in the young guys’ ears and is playing in control within the system. He’s had games where he missed his shots, which happens, but he hasn’t strayed from what we’re doing and he’s fitting in as well as could be hoped or expected. Maybe even better. So, while Irving will be the diamond of free agency it’s a glitter that comes with too much blood and pain. Better to go with the ice in D-Lo’s veins.
5. The two versions of AD. In the last game, which I watched via the Spectrum app from the East Coast, Stu Lantz was imploring AD to be more decisive as soon as he’d get the ball. To not let it stick, not let the defense get set, to not let them send the second defender and then make a move (usually a pass at that point). In the 3rd quarter we saw how effective the version of AD that does engage more quickly can be. When he’s playing against the set defense his job is vastly more difficult than when he gets the ball and makes his move. It generally means he’s going up against a single defender, that second one may be coming but is not yet in position which opens up passes to cutters or shooters, and that the rest of his team can make use of off-ball screens and switches. It just makes our entire offense better. But when he gets all philosophical and pauses for a few seconds to consider the moral and spiritual implications of driving to the hole he looks up to find the task a Sisyphusian one in nature. Avoid the boulder and get going downhill.

We are still as likely to be bounced out of the playin as not so the only thing for it is to win and win often. No new heroes, play smart, don’t expect the whistle to keep blowing and go hard.

It didn’t used to be like this. The .500 mark, at least for this season, has become the barometer for success. Astounding considering the legacy and history the Lakers have, that LeBron and AD are on the team, and that a lot of the key players in the rotation are still here after the trade deadline. We can go back and forth about what could have been if we had made a move this summer but I don’t think a better move existed. Would the Turner/Heild deal have been better overall for the Lakers than the moves we made? Maybe? At least we would have had more time to incorporate them into our offensive and defensive schemes. Still, in my opinion, I like the larger package of players acquired both for flexibility and overall fit. A such, we lost yesterday and went back to two games under the ever elusive .500 mark.

1. The little things can add up to big issues. Even with all our new guys the Lakers really can’t afford to let the minor details slip from their focus. This was a pretty evenly played game that essentially came down which team made more free throws. That would be the Knicks who beat us in all the hustle and energy stats: both kinds of rebounds, points in the paint, steals, blocks, made and taken free throws and points off of turnovers. Everyone loves to hit that crowd pumping three ball, especially in semi transition before the defense gets set. You can’t let those big, happy-fun-time moments eclipse your attention to detail and doing the basics of the job: rebound, defend, get back in transition and make your free throws.
2. Malik continues to grind. The calls for Reaves to start will continue to grow so long as the Malik Beasley three point shot is as ineffective as it’s been. There’s nothing about Malik that will change the defensive game plan when it comes to the Lakers, especially with LeBron out. Junk the paint, throw a defender or three at AD, and let the rest of the Lakers try and beat you is the recipe that is both tried and true. The hope and theory was an elite three point shooter could alleviate that issue by keeping at least one defender honest. That’s kind of working in that there is a guy who is a step or two off of Malik at all times. I think part of the issue is our sets are pretty stationary for this to really work. If Malik camps out in a spot and doesn’t move from point to point B with the aid of screens he’s fairly easy to defend . Get him in motion and you might start to see a seam or two open up. Of course, once LeBron is back, the same will apply. Junk the paint, keep a guy a step or two off the weak-side shooter, let the superstars fight through the defense all game long. Nothing Malik is doing right now will change that.
3. The learning curve. This was always going to be how it went down. Few head coaches come on like Phil Jackson (55-27, lost in the conf. finals, went on to 3-peat in Chicago after that). Coach Ham was going to go through a learning curve on live TV in an arena filled with thousands for the entire season. That doesn’t really bother me. What does are the statements where he insists he not only did the right thing but that, given the chance, he’d do it the exact same way. While a good chunk of those answers may be just to get through a media session there is also something to be said about allowing the learning process to humble yourself. perhaps that will come more in the summer when the grind isn’t ever-present. I think that Ham, like Vogel before him, has a lot of solid coaching potential and that, for the most part, the coach gets the blame when the issue is really that LeBron and AD have been in and out of the line up all season long, he was handed an ill-fitting roster and did the absolute best anyone could ask for, has to incorporate about half of a new team into the fold on the fly while battling for a playin or playoff spot, and all while LeBron may or may not be back at all this season. There’s an awful lot to like about both Ham’s approach and demeanor and we should all have expected some kind of learning curve. Stubbornness can be a boon and a bust, just ask Russ.
4. AD takes the blame. I have to agree with Schroder: one person does not win or lose a basketball game. It’s culmination of events and moments that allow for the last minute or so to be micro-analyzed. If we had made more shots, gotten more rebounds, or any one of 4 Lakers who missed free throws made the one they missed this story turns out differently. Sometimes I think AD’s heart is in the right place in that he believes he is and should be an alpha-level player but that his default mentality just isn’t quite up to the task. This stretch is a good barometer for the Lakers: what can AD do with this group sans LeBron? So far it’s been to mostly beat teams with keys players missing with some real solid showings against a mostly healthy Golden State (no Wiggins but a returned Curry), a totally healthy Dallas (still the win of the season, IMO) and a solid win over Toronto when it looked like we had kind of decided we weren’t going to win. AD taking the blame would feel better if I though he approached the game with a “I shall kill them…I SHALL KILL THEM ALLLLLLLL!!!!!” mentality. But I don’t think he does. he’s too nice, too laid back and so on. Like Gasol he needs that guy who does have the extra gear almost on command. With no LeBron, however, we just have to hope AD can come up to something like that kind of level of domination. Force the offense to run through you, don’t let it.
5. Time is running out and many factors are aligned against us. 14 games, out of the playin, nobody wants to do us a favor and we don’t hold many tie-breakers. Not a recipe for an easy journey to the post season. There is hope, though. I don’t think Malik can shoot much worse than this, Vanderbilt had a “bad” game by his standards and DLo went cold at the wrong time. We have enough to push through talent-wise. This group just has to want it more than they show some nights. The little things add up, the journey will be tough and all the more rewarding should we come out of it with a deep playoff run, and if we can finally reach, dare I say pass, .500 we can hang with a lot of the western conference teams in a 7 game series with half a LeBron or so. I may not pick us to win it all that way but if we get more than half a LeBron and AD can keep rounding back into form while the new guys coalesce we have as good shot as a lot of teams do. There are so many “ifs” that need to start breaking our way, though.

Big back-to-back coming up with the biggest question being will AD play in both? If not and we lose one (or both) all the hope and optimism will deflate out of the balloon and fast. Win out, get to .500 and come back home for a decent stretch of games and…you never know. Go Lakers.