Aloha,
The Lakers reminded us yet again why it’s a bad idea to be down by 20 going into the 4th quarter. Still it was a spirited comeback. But 4 missed free throws, Austin playing too far off Kyrie and I don’t know what LeBron saw on that forced pass into AD but it doomed us. Still if we can get our best defenders back I think we are in good shape.
Yep. LeBron & Reaves led the comeback but ultimately gave up the game with AR being outta position (as usual) on the Kyrie 3 then LeBron with the bad turnover trying to force-feed AD.
Speaking of AD…0-3 in the entire 2nd half and that’s even with the Mavs only big man getting carried off the floor early on.
Still with zero wins against teams with good backcourts.
Encouraging but frustrating loss. Here are my takes:
1. LeBron was cooked. That’s why he passed the ball to AR. Not to have him throw it back to him. James gave him the ball because he was gassed. That’s why he threw it up for AD. He couldn’t do any more. Father Time finally got to him.
2. AD must have a limit of 3 great games in a row and then a bummer. If so, I’ll take it. Davis is the best defensive anchor in the league and why we won in 2020 and can win this year. There are just going to be games where he can’t be Batman or Robin.
3. I’m so fucking tired of our players overhelping. If there’s one guy whom you should not help off of in an end game situation, it’s Kyrie Irving. That’s when you stick like glue to a player and switch everything and don’t worry about twos. Just don’t let them have an open three from their best shooter. Dumb play, Reaves.
4. Back-to-backs and 3 games in 4 days are the only things holding LeBron James from kicking Father Times’ ass right now. LeBron missed so many layups that it was obvious he should have taken off this game but the lure of the win was just too much.
5. Lakers need to bond and take charge on this roadie. Hoping we might see Cam and maybe even Vando soon. Lakers missing a lot of talent on the defensive end, which could be major game changers. Keep the faith.
Can’t be The Man showing up only 75% of the time. Sad that we find that to be acceptable.
He shouldn’t have to be The Man, but he’s all we got that qualifies. Ain’t AD or any of the others.
I thought 75% was LBJ? My bad? AD 75%? LBJ is till The Man and he shouldn’t have to be at 39!
Yep
What alway makes me laugh are the believers that it doesn’t matter whom a team starts or that it’s more important who finishes games rather than who starts games. Both statements are naive over-simplifications of complex situations.
What’s undeniable is basketball games are not like horse races where pace is totally controllable. If you lose the first quarter, it is going to ultimately cost you wins no matter how good you are at coming back or how resiliant you are. It ultimately will kill you.
Ham’s apparently willing to wait for Vando to be healthy before removing Prince from the starting lineup. He wants to keep the new Reaves run bench roles for Rui, Christian, and others fixed. Only problem is poor play by Prince is putting us in the hole every single game.
Lmao…it was a 4pt game after the 1st quarter. Probably a mistake to even have Max in the game at any point though but who else we got at this stage with all the injuries? Kyrie was licking his chops whenever Max & AR were together on the court.
There really wasn’t an option. Besides, Prince was a big reason that we had a chance. 15 points 6-10 from the field 2-5 from 3. Lead the team in +|- with +15.
Don’t ruin the narrative with facts…lmao