Aloha,
While AD has a different tool box then Shaq, he has been just as dominant over the last 3 games. I have long been an advocate for AD at the 5. While he has benefited from these teams not having a true big to check him, the truth is there aren’t many of those centers in the league that can. We saw him do this to Embid last year. While I don’t know how his back is feeling it does appear that it’s not a problem at this time. With his jump shot still suspect I am hoping AD embraces this going forward. While he would prefer to play the 4, it’s clear that the 5 is his best position. Hopefully he doesn’t defer to a LeBron when he returns. LeBron wants to give him the team. I hope he takes it.
The Lakers are better then their record. The record was a result of a new team, an unforgiving early schedule and unusually bad shooting early. While none of the guys we brought in were known as shooters they were all shooting well below what they had done in the past and it was just a matter of time for that to turn around.
I said from the beginning that after health the development of the others was the key to the season. And we are beginning to see the others come through. Austin has been really assertive on the offensive end of the floor since LeBron went down. He was a good scorer in college and now that is finally translating to the big stage. Hopefully he will not defer once LeBron comes back.
Walker has been good to great, Troy and Gabriel have been solid and Nunn seems to be finding his game again. But I’m am glad that Bryant is back. I was really excited when we signed him. I tend to follow the baby Lakers once they left the team and I knew that if Thomas was recovered from his injuries he would be a big plus for this team 15 and 9 in 22 minutes is outstanding. He is also demonstrating why he was considered one of the best rim running bigs in the game before he got hurt. He should be able to offer a little more rest for AD. He has played a little with AD as well so that helps us with our lack of size up front.
It is becoming more apparent that the Lakers were smart not to make any panic trades early. Russ is increasing his value with his play and we are now able to get a better idea of what we have and what trades might be available. The front office said that they would give this team 20 games before looking to make a trade. If we can continue to win, it might be better to wait until the 15th when most players in the league will become available including our own.
This is the best version of AD, yet. I love that he can shoot but he’s so much better in the paint. Keep this up and he’ll be in MVP talk if our record improves.
Great post, Michael. I have said over the past few years that AD’s true value lies in the paint and not in those long jumpers. Yes, the jumpers are part of his arsenal, and they are a thing of beauty. But asserting himself in the paint is where his bread and butter is. Now, can he do that against much stronger centers? You mentioned Embid as an example but I also believe he can do it against any center if he puts his mind to it, and does not worry about injury. Players who experienced serious injuries tend to have flashbacks and thus gives them a tendency to hesitate. If he can block those flashbacks I don’t see any reason why he can’t dominate. Here’s hoping that we are about to witness a full-blown AD at work. Thanks for the post.