1) Defense struggling to re-discover that elite mojo. We had been shutting down stars and forcing the role players to beat us. That’s not happening during the rough patch.
2) Not turning teams over. The pints in transition were what allowed us to run up the score on the opposition and cruise during the good times. During the rough patch teams are recognizing the lurker, or banshee as Coach Reddick calls them, and being less reckless with the pass.
3) Bench scoring issues. The entire Lakers bench was out scored by one player. That’s not gonna get it done, someone off the bench needs to become a serious, nightly scoring threat. Even in the playoffs you need something from your bench.
4) Streaky threes. We made a decent clip, and have over our last 10 (38.5%) but it hasn’t been enough with the dip in Fastbreak points once the defense started failing/got scouted.
5) Negative LeBron. Tonight was another night where we lost the LeBron minutes. Hard to see us struggle when Luka goes to the bench. I’d consider keeping Luka and LeBron together and letting Reaves and maybe Gabe run the 2nd unit. LeBron needs time to ramp up and get grooving, we got killed when he ran the show.

Honorable mention goes to the lackadaisical 3rd quarter. Need to figure that out, stat.

Can’t just flush this one, need to right the ship ASAP.

1) Great seeing everyone back.
2) Defense no-showed.
3) LeBron looked not quite ready for prime time.
4) Flush it, not worth agonizing over.
5) Rui might just need to sit. I’d continue starting either DFS or Goodwin, need someone who can play hard and not worry about getting hurt.

The Lakers won a crucial game last night as we come to the home stretch of the regular season. Sure, LeBron, Murray and The Joker all sat but Luka and Reaves continue to develop the more important chemistry (assuming Reaves is part of future team plans) and we clinched the tie-breaker over Denver for home court advantage in the playoffs. All of this is important for a team that, despite a disastrous road trip last week, is still surging in the standings.

1. Luka on fire early. Dude couldn’t miss. He’s gotten his legs under him and is moving more fluidly this week, which bodes well for the team and his efficiency. Still had a few too many turnovers, and that’s as much an adjustment of the Nuggets defense throwing different schemes and long dudes at him, but a lot of those plays won’t (or at least really shouldn’t) be attempted in the playoffs. I get what Dallas fans had to say about his complaining, while maybe not quite as bad as Devin Booker or Jayson Tatum, it is frequent and constant. Let coach do the complaining dude, and besides, you get to the line an awful lot as it is.
2. Winning when you should. In sport the hardest wins are against what are looked at as soft or depleted teams. This ignores a little something called pride. pro athletes compete man, it’s how they’re wired.
3. Nuggets chirping. Gott love Watson getting all chirpy and in Luka’s face. Dude dropped 21 on his team and he’s acting like the game was close and he was about to in it with his next hoop. Love that fight and grit, maybe just focus a little more on your defensive assignment, though lol.
4. Hayes continues to shine. I’m just as pleased as pie with how Jax has been playing of late. I have been pulling for the dude since last season, and I’m sure we’ll see 213 trade pitches dropped with an eye to replace him, but I’m down with rolling with Hayes into next season on a fair extension. If he has a breakout playoffs…that extension price may climb past what the Lakers a re comfortable with, however…
5. Bronny! Didn’t finish this until Friday morning so might as well tack on how great Mr. Bronny James played last night. When really nobody else showed up in a Milwaukee route, Bronny showed that he could have a brighter future than just about anyone who writes about sport predicted. I’ve said it before, but I think it bears repeating, the dude was and is a project. Everyone picked at 55 is a project, just how it goes. To his credit it sounds, and looks, like he’s been putting in the right work and the results are paying off. His first step is legit, he can blow by bigger defenders (and should have drawn a foul on Giannis that went uncalled). This wasn’t 48 minutes of garbage time, the lakers and Milwaukee had a vested interest in the outcome. Bronny’s stat line was full of career highs: 17 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds and 30 minutes played. Solid job, keep working and ignore the BS.

Fresh off a 4 game road trip in which they lost every game and then back home into a back-to-back it would have been easy to forgive the Lakers for losing what can only be described as a trap game. No meaningful stars healthy on the Spurs (sorry CP3), 4 games in 5 days (including travel from the Mile High City) and nearly a whole rotation’s worth of injured players the Lakers could have been forgiven for penciling in the loss and laying an egg. They did not. They took care of business like a team intent on competing for a banner would do. They set about taking care of business.

1. Lakers won even though Luka couldn’t throw it in the ocean. He scored a couple baskets early and a couple baskets late but in between was an ocean of basketball that Luka couldn’t throw the ball into. Still, he played tremendous defense (3 steals and a block), greased the offensive wheels (14 assists), and rebounded well enough to come up one short of a triple-double (you guessed it…9). I’m pretty sure the Slovenian Sensation would have loved to have shot better but will take the win. Every. Single. Time. Luka’s gravity is an offense creating machine unto itself so just having him on the floor helped others score buckets to bolster the superstar.
2. Reaves is a legit star now. Nigh untouchable has been the front office credo and we’re all seeing why on a nightly basis. His ability to get into the seems and cause havoc and easy buckets or score his own is looking better and better every season. His defense has improved and his handle has become pretty lethal. Reaves slots in well with all of our line ups, big and small, and continues to have a high impact even when playing with Luka and LeBron. When one sits, Reaves amps it up appropriately. Those are incredible skillsets that aren’t really teachable. he really has an elite feel and IQ for the game and his physical gifts and skills are just catching up to that now. Next season, with a whole summer and camp? Watch out.
3. Jordan Goodwin needs a standard contract…stat. No offense to either Alex Len or Cam Reddish buuuuuuut…one of you fellers has got to go. My vote is Len but I think that, based on current roster construction, it will be Cam which is unfortunate because he won’t be eligible to join a playoff roster now. Still, we’re gonna need Goodwin in the playoffs and it’s hard to see us letting he and Hayes slip away this summer. Retaining at least one of them should be a top priority for the team and, if LeBron chooses to play next season, I could see him offering to take a very, very slight pay cut to get that done (he offered as much this season but not much came of it). Goodwin is the guard version of Vando, maybe a little less “dawg” in him as Vando is quick to step up for his teammates (he also is signed here for the next 3 seasons so he feels safe, as well). Goodwin is scrappy, energetic and an excellent defender. He’s making his shots right now which is gravy on this team and has allowed us to better withstand these late season injuries. Needs to be on the playoff roster, no other way to put it.
4. Dorian Finney-Smith. I don’t say enough about this dude and it’s high time that changed. When DFS is out, the defense takes a huge step backwards. When DFS is hitting his shots, the offense becomes even more un-guardable. He, along with Goodwin, Vando and Vincent, is one of our best defenders and is excellent at calling out coverages and screens. He’s strong, long and fast. lakers Fans have heard of these fabled “three and D” players but DFS is the first one to truly fit the bill and earn the name in purple and gold other than Hachimura.
5. Home cooking. The Lakers need to keep pushing and try and get the best possible home court advantage. They play really well at Crypto this season (27-7), they shoot more free throws at home (24.5 vs. 21.8 on the road) and who doesn’t like downtown LA to be rocking after a win? In an odd twist to this logic, Luka shoots better on the road than at home (47.6% on the road vs. 41% at home) but I stand by my assertion. The rest of the Lakers play better and we need those FTA’s. The team, overall, has a pretty mild discrepancy between home and road FG% splits (48.5% at home vs. 47.1% on the road). Free throws will matter.

Any win is a good win, sure the Suns are imploding and going full super nova but the Lakers will take any W they can get while the squad gets healthy. We got to about 85% strength with the return of DFS, Hayes, and Luka and we needed all three to play well and come up clutch against one of the more surprising plotlines this season. The black hole that is the Phoenix Suns

1. Luka. In a word: amazing. Like LeBron, Kobe and Magic before him, he will make some turnovers that are…shall we say avoidable. He will complain a bit much and we’ll see what his conditioning is like next season. It’s all worth it. The dude does legendary things nightly and he makes them look simple. Started hot, finished kind of cold, he was superb at luring the Phoenix defenders into fouling him on his jump shots and drives. Finishing 2 dimes shy of a triple-double it’s easier and easier to accept that Luka is a Laker.
2. Dorian Finney-Smith. Dude is solid as a rock and you can see why Luka enjoys playing with him. His defense is on point and he makes the right play just about every time. DFS, Rui, Vincent and Vando are the quartet of defenders/role-players that have the potential to make this Lakers team something really special. Between these 4 we have a multi-headed hydra of defenders that can switch, recover and rebound with tenacity. Of them all DFS is probably the most essential followed closely by Gabe and Rui. That 3 he hit late to stymie the last Phoenix gasp was clutch because, up to that shot, he was only 1-5 from three and was obviously searching for a groove on offense.
3. Hayes expanding his game. I like when a player bucks trends. It’s one reason I really dig Vanderbilt, there’s not really one thing about his game that screams “modern NBA!” Jaxson Hayes has, at times, been slotted below project players like Christian Koloko on the Lakers depth chart. Last season he came on strong late and then seemed to regress over the summer and came out tentative. Maybe it’s the space Luka helps create, especially when he shares the floor with Reaves and/or LeBron, but Jaxson Hayes suddenly has an acre of space to operate in. He took his man off the dribble…from the three point line…and dunked on him. He’s finding the seams for easy lobs and he keeps flirting with the 20 point barrier. While not the bruising center Coach Reddick pined for early on, the fit with this team is becoming undeniable as Hayes finds ways to leverage his superior speed and hops against more plodding defenders. In the NBA speed kills and is harder than any other physical trait to stop. Footwork and IQ can overcome both speed and strength but, for now, the opposition is having a difficult time containing Hayes. Playoffs will be another beast but this version of Jax is lethal in the regular season.
4. Reaves is becoming Mr. Dependable. Good for 20 and 9, every time. Toss in some boards, some defense and you’ve got the combo guard of the future, folks. reaves “do-it-all” tool box has been on full display for most of the season and were it not for resurgent Detroit Pistons thanks to Cade Cunningham, Austin Reaves would be the clear favorite for Most Improved Player. As it is, if the lakers can crack the top 3, maybe 4 in the west, he still has an outside shot at it. Reaves getting to the line a little more consistently would be nice but that’s on the refs as much as on him as he certainly is attacking the basket.
5. Help is on the way. Sounds like Rui could be available before the end of the week and LeBron not far behind. Welcome news to Lakers fans!

Haven’t even been able to see any of the games on the roadie, got sick and busy at the same time. Awesome combo.

1) We’re really missing Rui. Like Kuzma a couple years before him, Rui is a great “plug and play” guy. Works in a bunch of different lineups, steady production and can bust out for a big game. We miss his spacing and defense. A lot.

2) Missing Hayes. The 7 foot Antelope has carved himself a solid role on this team. At times placed behind the erratic Koloko in terms of ability, Hayes has distanced himself from the other bigs. When paired with Luka and Reaves he helps to create offense through lobs and rebound tap outs. On defense, while certainly not elite, he’s solid and plays big.

3) Oh yeah, LeBron. Kinda goes without saying that we miss the NBA’s all time leading scorer. You know what he does, you know what he brings, so here’s hoping he’s an available to play again in the next week or so.

4) The Return of Dalton Knecht. Dude balled out against Denver and showed exactly why the Lakers had second thoughts on the trade. We already had essentially the same player as Williams in Hayes and DK4 has something special in him. If he can start to add some moves off the dribble (and he should look at how Luka uses his body to create space and separation) he’ll be something akin to Khris Middleton, which would be an amazing leap, not expecting that any time soon. But eventually? Yeah, I can see it.

5) Trust Reaves. Yeah, he had a bad turnover down the stretch. He also should have gone to the line 2-3 more times when he was fouled on drives. To his credit, he’s toned down the post-play complaining…a little…and it goes without saying the Lakers are comfortable putting the ball in his hands. Only the elite playmaking of Luka and the advanced age/wear and tear prevention for LeBron keep the ball out of his hands at this point.

It’s not always 12 point cruises and bench warmers playing the last few minutes, sometimes you gotta win nasty. The Lakers showed that nasty tenacity last night in a thrilling 113-109 OT vs. the Knicks. File this one under “Ain’t Pretty” because this was an ugly game start to finish. More like a street brawl than a basketball game at times, you could tell the Knicks wanted this game and they let it slip away (a habit for them to deal with). Lot of bright points in the murk and muck so let’s dig in.

1. Reaves Rusty Return. It was great seeing Reaves back on the floor but he struggled mightily from the field. Still, it’s worth noting how he helps bend the defense when he plays with LBJ and LD. This aspect of the Lakers, three guys who can get to the rim and create in addition to hitting the three, is what will differentiate the Lakers from the rest of the Association. The Warriors are the only other team that comes close with Curry, Butler and Green and Curry is the one with the least court vision in that trio (like Reaves on ours). Other teams feature a possibly more elite shot creator (Denver has Jokic, OKC has SGA) but the multi-headed Hydra that is the Lakers is a tough foe to vanquish, even when one of them is missing shots they normally make. That three he hit in OT was as clutch as it gets.
2. Gotta keep Jaxson Hayes. There might not be a better center within our means this summer. I’m sure we’ll see 8,231,609 articles about Myles Turner, Brook Lopez and Clint Capella. From my point of view there might not be a better fit for Luka than what we already have in-house. Should he decline his player option for next season Naz Reed is certainly going to vault to the top of the list but his services, like Turner’s, are likely to come at a price too steep. We don’t have $30 million to toss at the 5 position. If we can’t work a trade for Kleber we won’t even have $10 million we can throw at the 5, not for a player on another team. We can sign Hayes, possibly for the Bi-Annual Exception. His fit is apparent and he’s blossoming into a solid player before our eyes. We’ve made the mistake of chasing names over impact and fit too many times in the past, here’s hoping we’ve learned from those lessons. Hayes played so well the Lakers couldn’t afford to go small down the stretch and that’s saying something.
3. Knecht. That buzzer-beater he hit at the end of the 3rd reminded me of an earlier game this season (don’t recall which one, like in the first 10 games…) and it was great to see a young player who has faced a lot of adversity already find the space and ability within to take and make a game-altering shot. He’s been looking more like his early season self and I couldn’t be happier that we didn’t trade him for a broken down center we never needed in the first place. No offense to Mark Williams intended, just his fit given that we already have Hayes was curious to me from the get-go.
4. L & L inc. I’m just now getting used to seeing LeBron and Luka on the same team. It’s been a blast and they kept us afloat through 3 quarters. Credit them for rowing the boat but also for trusting their team down the stretch when one could easily imagine them thinking “it has to be me”. That kind of thinking isolates and divides a team, they’re embracing theirs and the results show up in the in/loss column.
5. Great test coming up. We’re going to start facing teams that have a different set of players than what we’ve been beating up on. We’ve feasted, as any good team does, on an easier portion of the schedule and now we go back on the road. So here’s hoping the Lakers continue to commit and execute on D, keep trusting one another and keep playing hard. It’s the only true cheat code in sport, after all.

50,000 points and counting. An astounding feat given that LeBron came into the league without much of a jump shot. As the years have gone by, James has added and added and arsenal of moves and redefined our preconceived notions of what age in sport means. It’s been a lot of fun to watch, too. The crazy thing is, Lebron wasn’t the only Laker to make history last night. Let’s get into it.

1. Lebron and 50,000 points. this isn’t the only Club of One LeBron has created, he’s also the exclusive member of the 40K/10K/10K Club for total points, assists and rebounds in the regular season. Coach Reddick had an astute observation that we would have celebrated this a little earlier had the NBA Cup tournament game counted as playoff points last season. All in all, I’ve run out of hyperbolic things to say about LeBron James. So I’ll leave it at this: I’ve watched Kareem, Magic, Kobe, Shaq and Gasol all excel as Lakers and make one kind of history or another. I watched Jordan in the 90s, all 3 versions. I’ve never seen anything like what LeBron is doing. MVP almost doesn’t stack up as enough of an award, the NBA needs to consider some kind of lifetime achievement award to properly recognize what we’re all watching.
2. Luka joined Lakers history last night, too. He joined the exclusive 30/15 club (points and assists) which has 3 other members: Jerry West, Magic Johnson and LeBron James. I suspect that we’ll se Luka making a lot of purple and gold history himself. FWIW Magic posted that line 19 total times. Amazing.
3. Positive Vibes. The trio of Luka (+37), Shake Milton (+30) and Jarred Vanderbilt (+27) managed to post an absurd +94 combined plus/minus rating. That group scored and defended at an extremely high level and helped put the game out of reach. Shake is an interesting dude, his jump shot is ugly as sin, he doesn’t have a great handle but he’s tough and plays hard. Vando seems like he defends two guys at once sometimes, it’s awesome to watch, There a issues with his game in terms of scoring but you can’t deny that watching him play defense is an absolute blast. Also, he’s been taking and making multiple threes from the corner in the last few games. That’s all we need from him, he’ll score plenty on back cuts, put-backs and breakaways.
4. Jaxson Hayes coulda/woulda/should had a new career high. His career high in points is 23 (as a Pelican), he matched his Laker high last night. He did all his scoring in the first half. I kinda felt for the dude because he plays so hard and so unselfishly every night, I wanted him to get to at least 20. Next time, Jax.
5. Lakers Analytical Dominance. AKA L.A.D. The L.A.D. is what’s separating them from the pack, we’re still dominating in paint points most nights but we’ve added the three ball and maintained a solid differential at the free throw line. This is what’s known as a recipe for success. Toss in an NBA leading defense and you can start to see why the mass media is starting to come around on our ability to win it all this season. not sure anyone could have predicted such a quick, seamless transition between 2 generational talents or that the defense would somehow find another level with AD on the Mavs…but there it is. impossible to ignore. Now if we could just cut down on the turnovers…

Great seeing Zion play, dude looks lean and mean which is bad news for the NBA…next season. He looks like he’s in the best shape of his life, good for him.

The Lakers look nothing like the team LeBron is quoted as saying needs to “play near-perfect” in order to win. It’s hard to imagine the team we started with weathering a rash of injuries and tough schedule so smoothly. Reaves and Hachimura out? No problem, next man up and let’s keep the good times rolling baby.

1. The man who I am quickly running out of superlatives for. Luka is rounding back into game shape and it’s going to be a problem for the Association. His line of 29 points, 6 rebounds and 9 assists won’t be hung on the wall, and was offset by his 6 turnovers, but seeing Luka casually play this way when he clearly still doesn’t have his legs or wind is exciting. By the time the playoffs roll around we should see the best, current version of Luka. Like any great playmaker it’s exciting to watch him maneuver and orchestrate. Toying with defenders, probing effortlessly, and having a blast doing it. It looks like he’s settling in now and once he gets up to full speed physically watch out.
2. Lebron just missing history. 49999 combined regular season and playoff points. An astounding number and he came up 1 point shy of history. LeBron had a rough game, wasn’t hitting his threes and had a whopping 8 turnovers. The thing is, if you told me that Rui and Austin would be out and LeBron and Luka would combine for 14 turnovers themselves I’d tell you we likely lost the game. That’s the beauty of what’s happening in LA right now, it’s as much a team success thing as individual greatness colliding.
3. Dalton Knecht’s return to form. DK4 had himself a ball game. Crashing the glass, hitting threes, and generally making a positive impact. A lot of bench guys had an overall minus rating but I’m putting that on LeBron and Luka giving the ball away like a fruit cake in a white elephant gift exchange. Dalton got hot early and the Clippers adjusted their defense but that left other guys free to rebound or drive. Solid game for Dalton and here’s hoping he’s putting all the BS behind him and letting all of it help him grow and improve.
4. Vando’s best game this season. You can see The Vandolorian returning to form, his legs are springier and he’s recovering quicker. 5 of his rebounds were on the offensive glass which we desperately needed in the midst of so very many turnovers. He passed up a three or two I wish he would let fly but in general you can see what kind of look we can feature him in with Luka, LeBron, Vando, DFS and either Vincent or Reaves for a defensive, analytics juggernaut on both ends. He was the only bench player with a positive rating, mostly due to that fact that he played down the stretch in the 4th when we closed out the win.
5. Jordan Goodwin info. I had feared we missed our window to retain Jordan Goodwin on an NBA deal but, after doing some research, I believe I was wrong. We can waive one of Morris, Reddish or Len at any time prior to the playoffs (they no longer would be able to sign with another team being the issue there). We have until April 13th to decide if we want Goodwin available for the playoff roster and convert him from a two-way to a standard deal. Given his recent injury it’s good that we have more time, and I haven’t given up on Reddish being a bigger part of this, but I don’t see much of a role for either Len or Morris other than rah-rah, positive voice in the locker room. Stay tuned.

In what became a close, physical battle the Lakers prevailed by staying within themselves and trusting one another on defense. This one won’t go in the record books under “pretty” or “efficient” but it will still be in the win column and that’s all that really matters. Luka checked the “play against the Mavs” box and now just needs to check the “play the Mavs in Dallas” box later in the season. All in all, the Lakers held serve at home against a tough team.

1. LeBron dominant off the ball. In all his years, whatever team he was on, LeBron ended up dominating the ball. Whether it was D-Wade, Chris Bosh, Kyrie Irving or Anthony Davis the burden of executing and creating for the entire team generally fell on LeBron’s sizable shoulders. Those days seem numbered now, not because of age but because of Luka. The Luka/LeBron connection is real and it will only get better. I can’t recall the last time I saw LBJ score so easily off a missed shot. When he gets behind the defense or can seal the lone defender who gets back (Sorry max Christie) it’s over. With his hoops IQ and still relevant athleticism The King is scoring with more ease than I’ve ever seen him do in all my years of watching this sport. Now, some of that will eventually get scouted out, but in the here and now let’s enjoy these easy buckets.
2. Speaking of off-ball, that was honestly how the lakers closed the game. With a nifty five-out spread that saw Rui, Hayes and LeBron get behind the D or wait for a defender to focus on Luka and slip in for a quick hit layup or dunk. Great stuff that bodes well for any matchup on down the line. If the opening didn’t present itself Austin, Luka or LeBron was able to get a quality shot off. For me it’s always quality over quantity (unless it’s a high quantity of high-quality shots, who doesn’t dig that?).
3. Speaking of Jaxson Hayes, the dude continues to impress. In only 17 minutes he turned in a triple 8: 8 points, 8 rebounds for a +8 +/- rating. Add in 2 blocks and a steal and it’s easier and easier to see why the Lakers are fine with Hayes manning the 5, at least for the remainder of this season. He’s always been great at finishing the lob plays and we’re seeing him get better at using his speed and size to offset his lack of bulk. If you’re in good position, you generally create good things for the team and we’re seeing that from Hayes more and more.
4. Speaking of creating good things, Vando is rounding into form. Seeing him shoot that corner 3 without thinking is exactly what we need from him. Making 2-3 will get it done and he was the only Laker bench player to make multiple 3s with DFS, Dalton and Gabe all having subpar shooting nights. I see his minutes per game topping out around 20 and I think they’re still letting him ramp up in-game because his legs aren’t there when he jumps, yet, but the corner three has to be in his bag for his impact to translate into the playoffs.
5. Speaking of the playoffs, that’s where the Lakers defense will truly be an asset. not that it’s nothing now, but in a tight game to know we have this many solid defensive options that can also hit a three or get to the rim is going to pay off double once we get into the real season. The lakers have ironed out the transition issues that plagued them early on, have found a nice blend of switching and man while mixing in doubles, traps and a zone every so often and it’s really fun to watch. We’re currently 4th in the west which would mean at least one round of honest-to-goodness home court advantage and a couple extra rest days. Those days could be invaluable to our 2 superstars and overall team health so we need to keep defending intensely and scoring smartly. We have a chance to put some true distance between us and the mid-tier teams as we approach true contender status.

Luka Dončić had his best game as a Laker at just the right moment. In Denver against a healthy, streaking (had won 9 in a row) Denver Nuggets Luka had, for him, a really solid game. This opened up the game on offense for the rest of the team and the Lakers did something that has been elusive against the Nuggets since 2021: cruise to an easy victory. Let’s dig in.

1. The Laker defense. In a word, stellar. They ran The Joker through a gauntlet of bumps, shoves, grabs and double-teams all game long. As a result he finished with a pedestrian stat line, albeit still getting the triple-double: 12 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists but it was the 6 turnovers that stood out. Along with the 5 turnovers Murray had the Lakers dictated the pace and physicality in a game they led wire to wire. I give a lot of credit to the coaching staff for the game plan and the players for executing it at a high level.
2. The Laker bench dominated. This might seem odd to say given that the Nuggets bench scored 22 points to our 18 in addition to Russell Westbrook scoring 17 and no Laker bench player scoring more than 5. Because this dominance did not take the shape of buckets scored but in defensive possessions and glue plays. The Laker bench had 8 steals, 2 apiece by DFS, Goodwin and Vando (in 6 minutes of total game action). They were aggressive, even if they got called for fouling (5 by Vando, hey the man is aggressive and it sets a tone). Big shout out to Jordan Goodwin who should stick with the mask. He played great defense and, after passing up a wide open shot that led to a turnover, had the confidence and wherewithal to take and make his next 2 shots down the stretch in the 4th to help put the game on ice.
3. 101. That’s the combined points scored between Rui, Reaves, LBJ and Luka. 105 when you look at the starting 5, out of 123 points. Astounding to watch and while it may not be the blueprint for every win against every team this felt personal. Like the 3 Lakers who had been beat by this iteration of had had enough. 38-69 (53%) is gonna get it done most nights.
   
4. The playmaking trio. This is what we need out of the trio of Reaves, James and Dončić. 19 assists to only 4 turnovers will lead to success more often than not. Add in Rui’s 4 dimes to zero TOs and we’re looking at a better than 5-1 assist to turnover ratio by the starting five. Great stuff.
5. Luka and LeBron. It’s simply a joy to watch and just having Dončić and Reaves soak up a lot of the orchestrating and playmaking has breathed new life into LeBron’s game. He’s playing hard on both ends because he can see the path to something special already brewing. We’re a faster team, having Hayes at the 5 May have issues with bulky bugs but it presents its own issue in the form of killer speed and athleticism, and having all 3 guys in the floor to close quarters is a huge boon. All 3 of Reaves, Luka and LeBron are getting into the paint and create for themselves and others. They know to mix it up and toss a lob, bait for a foul, or simply score. While I certainly don’t expect it to be this easy every game, this can be the beginnings of a winning blueprint. A purple and gold Hydra of Hoops, many heads attacking as a whole. King Ghidora, if you’re into Godzilla movies.
   

1) Everyone wants to see DFS start for Rui but I’m thinking we need to get the ball in Reaves’ hands more. This is an issue that will also organically resolve upon LBJ’s retirement but he needs to be featured more. Great game last night.
2) We do not handle aggressive, physical defense well. At all. Reaves, LBJ, and Luka all get whiny. Last night they came back by amping up their ball pressure and forcing a ton of TO’s. We almost lost as a result.
3) Hayes can and should start. Perfect dude to grow with Luka and Reaves. Needs to add a shot from 3-5’ out and he’s solid.
4) DFS is the key to so much. Makes the game easier for everyone, takes shots in the flow, as vital as any player on the team. Just amazing intangibles.
5) Need some pictures LT, half the dudes in the blog pages ain’t in the team anymore lol. Loving the new-look Lakers!

The Lakers were ahead and seemed in control of this one but a dud of a 3rd quarter and lack of three point accuracy turned what was a winnable game into a nail-biting loss. LBJ continued to defy age and sense with another gaudy stat line but cohort Luka continued his purple and gold slump. While rust is certainly s factor the lakers only have so much time for him to get up to speed before these losses start to really matter (protip: they already do as this loss would have vaulted us into 4th place and some much needed home court advantage). Not enough defense, too many threes, lack of late game execution and a dud 3rd quarter.

1. For all the good vibes and hype the lakers are just as close to 2nd place as 9th (3.5 games) so every single game has real world playoff implications. Since we know how much effort it takes out of the team, and especially LeBron, to slog through a Playin game and then have zero home court advantage, the Lakers need to really treat every game from here on out as must-win. Onboarding Luka quickly and successfully is obviously a top priority. But, so, too is the rotation questions. Figuring out which combination of players can score and defend well with one another is key and it seems like the rotation is, understandably, unsettled at this time.
2. Luka finding his shot. 5-24 from three is a sign that his legs aren’t underneath him, yet. He’ll get there but time is quickly becoming a factor. The rest of his game looks solid and as advertised: elite court vision, solid rebounding, can score from anywhere. The only missing piece is the three ball. here’s hoping he starts knocking them down sooner than later.
3. Reaves getting booted. I think Austin had a legit gripe, he was taking some hits on his drives for sure. Needs to stay on the floor, though. We’re at our best when all 3 of AR, LBJ and LD are on the floor. Can’t get ejected just cause one ref sucked last night. For my part, I thought the second tech came too quickly.
4. Too many turnovers turning into easy buckets. While Luka lead the team in turnovers this issue has been around long before he arrived. FWIW, the Hornets are a young team that thrives in the open court but that knowledge should lead to better ball management, not worse.
5. LeBron still has it man. If we were a little higher in the standings he might be in the MVP convo, as it is it’s just ridiculous to see him playing at this level at this age.

Once I saw Vincent and DFS were out I knew this game would be a slog. When Hayes was ruled out at the half, the end was all but foretold. Not having 3 or 4 of your best defenders has a way of making a comeback in the second half a mountain un-climable. Still there were some bright spots and the Lakers roll into the ASB looking like a potential top 5 team in the Association.

1. When you shoot 44.6%…40% from three, you generally win the game. The offense wasn’t the issue, Rui nearly kept his 20+ ppg streak going, 4 out of 5 starters scored 15+ points (with Hayes being the exception and he left due to a facial contusion), and Luka and LeBron combining to go 12-26. If there was a glaring hole on offense it was Reave going 1-10 from three but his teammates stepped up and helped overcome that as the Lakers scored 119 points. That’s usually enough to carry the day.
2. When you give up 131 points your offense kinda doesn’t matter. Again, missing our best guys on the defensive end makes this an unsurprising moment. Still, the Jazz really had their way with us, especially the front court that thoroughly outplayed LeBron and Luka and upped their intensity from the game 2 nights previous. Also shining off the bench for Utah was Keyonte George. Between Kessler, Markkanen and George the Jazz blitzed us and we never recovered.
3. Luka still rusty. After a long layoff, a minutes restriction and a whole new team to get acclimated to (in addition to being traded in-season for the first and hopefully last time ever) it’s obvious Luka still has a lot of rust to knock off along with getting his legs under him. He shot the ball better but was unable to impose his will on the game while also struggling from the free throw line. This is a marathon, not a sprint, with all things Dončić you want to make sure he’s good to go for the playoffs.
4. Vando hit his corner three! Unfortunately it coincided with his first loss of the season. Still, I want to see JV letting those shots fly without holding back. If he can be a corner threat along with DFS we have something special cooking. I also want to see him attack the basket harder as he gets his legs under him, as well.
5. Bronny’s best game to date. Sure it was all during garbage time in the 4th but for a guy like Bronny, late second-rounder, mostly playing in the G-League, moments like last night can help build a foundation of confidence. plus it’s always nice to see a late second rounder get cooking, even in a meaningless affair.

Enjoy All Star weekend everyone.

It has begun. The Age of Luka is upon us. The great thing about this transition is that the Lakers were already one of the hottest team in hoops right now. Maybe THE hottest team. So they’re not expecting Luka to ride in like The Riders of Rohan and save the day. Rather he has the luxury of working his way slowly back into game shape and with the ASB giving the staff to take a 1-2 game sample size back to the film room and some post ASB practices we’re looking at potentially dynamite second part of the season. It’s the beginning of a new age, my friends.

1. The true star of the team shined, again….the defense. The lakers have slowly but surely built themselves into an elite defensive squad this season. Even after losing Max Christie it feels like we didn’t miss a beat on D with DFS being absolutely instrumental coupled with the return of Jarred Vanderbilt. It’s not all these two , however, the entire team has bought into and is executing a much more precise and physical defensive set of schemes. Gone are the soft hedges on the screener and we’re seeing bodies pass each other more fluidly on the switch. Gone is one the stop shop of “switch everything” but rather a hybrid man/switch (depending on the situation) and we’re seeing guys calling out coverages. This is what an elite defense does on the reg. To see us find this level is truly heartening because it doesn’t just bode well for the regular season but the playoffs, as well.
2. LeBron playing like a young man. After he took that charge, which ended up knocking him out of the game (and possibly the next one, too) you could see how pumped the team was. To see the oldest player in the game today step in and take that charge…when you’re up big…is an emboldening maneuver. It may have cost LeBron a good night’s sleep but the inspiration it provides the squad is invaluable. In general LeBron has been playing at a pretty incredible level since we hit mid-January and it’s coincided with the best Laker basketball we’ve seen all season long. While not an All Defense candidate he is moving and communicating on D and that’s enough. His offense is still elite so when he puts forth some effort on the other end you’re instantly reminded of just how far LeBron can still take a team when his body lets him.
3. The Vanderbilt/DFS effect. DFS played 26 minutes, Vanderbilt played 17. between the two of them they managed the pedestrian stat line of 4 points, 6 rebounds (none offensive), 2 assists, 2 steals (both DFS) and a turnover (Vando). They didn’t make a three pointer in 4 tries between them and shot 1-7. They were a combined +17 (+13 for DFS and +4 for JV). I bring this up to illustrate how a player can choose to impact winning without putting the ball in the basket or even filling the stat sheet. These 2 are helping stabilize the Laker bench as defensive unit and allowing Gabe Vincent and whomever is playing with them from the starting 5 to shine while they grind and defend. Hard. They deflect, they push, shove, grab and scrape for position. They are vital cogs in the Lakers winning machine. I don’t care what the stat line says, the W/L record speaks for itself. Vando hasn’t lost since he came back, by the way. 8-0 with Vando.
4. Reaves and Rui still balling. It’s worth noting how well both Rui and Reaves played last night because after we traded AD they both have been going off. If you were worried about some slippage due to new faces and acclimating the games of everyone they put that to rest fairly quickly. Reaves looks like a borderline All Star. Rui should be in the three point shooting contest. Both guys have come up absolutely huge since the calendar turned over to 2025 and it’s been awesome to watch.
5. Oh yeah, Luka. 14 minutes and all of it knocking rust off and just getting back on the court. He shot poorly but still has the elite vision and audacity to make ridiculous passes. He connected with Hayes for dunks, got to the line a bit, shot some 3’s-made 1, and looked a lot like a guy who hadn’t played in a couple of months. It was amazing to see Dirk at the game, makes me wonder how much that will happen and if we can maybe bring Dirk into the fold lol.