Aloha
Im beginning to think that our tough closing schedule could be just exactly what this team needs. It seems lately like we get up for the good teams and let our guard down against the poor ones. Todays game was the opposite of the Wizards game. This 4th quarter the ball moved and everyone was involved and on the defensive end we locked in and shut them down. We out scored them 35-23. And the Cavs are a good young team that only gives up 104 a game.
There isn’t much left to say about LeBron. Too think he is in the running to win a scoring title at 37 is almost surreal. And he was more locked in on defense then I’ve seen him for a while. But it helps that Cleveland plays super big so he didn’t have to do a lot of chasing today. As for an overall game I actually thought this was a better in this pgame then his 50 pointers.
Frank made an ADJUSTMENT!!! After Garland has burned Austin and every other guard that drew him, Frank put Stanley on him and he shut Garland down he only scored 2 points on Stanley and I don’t believe he got an assist in the 4th. Plus they didn’t switch much and Stanley did a good job fighting through picks to stay in front of him. Stanley because he’s so strong often is slotted at the 4 or even the 5 but I sure would like to see him defending the perimeter more. He is our best perimeter defender. Stanley also scored all 12 of his points in the 4th.
Kids kids kids
One of the biggest reasons the team is playing better, is the young group are getting better. Austin, Malik, Gabriel and Stanley all played with energy, defended and chipped in on offense. Gabriel had another great game.
I’ve always liked DJ. I have wanted the Lakers to sign him for a long time. He is just the a steady old fashion floor general with a really nice 3 point shot. He was huge tonight and he demonstrated that he can play off the ball when he’s out there with LeBron or Russ. Along with Melo, he is the other OG I want to bring back next year.
Has Russ finally figured it out? I sure hope so because we don’t stand a chance if he doesn’t. He has been really good offensively over the last several games. While he isn’t a a very good defender I’ve seen him at least hustling on the defensive end.
While Dwight didn’t get a lot of run I think it’s important to get him a few minutes just to keep him engaged.
For long stretches tonight we saw LeBron and the kids, and the kids delivered. The Cavs are a young group and have played well this year. But our kids went toe to toe with all of those high lottery draft picks. We are going to need that every night going forward.
I’ve always liked playing against better teams when you need to get your game together to have to do it against better competition. Great teams always need great competition.
I loved how the team played tonight. The offense was elite, the balance between threes and points-in-the-paint was perfect. Just like against the Raptors and the first three quarters against the Wizards, the Lakers played like a team that could complete.
Wednesday’s game will be a challenge. Going to need Dwight to be better and the entire team to come out again and play like champions. We have now won 2 of 3 for first time since Feb 5.