Again Supers come through, but where’s the help? Ja Morant-less Griz could have easily beat us. Is that what we are gonna have to do every game is play LBJ and AD 35 Min per?
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Lakers Fast Break- Lakers-Grizzles Game Two Wrap Up!
We’re back again with the lakerholics.com crew as we wrap up the Lakers’ second game in a back-to-back with a 94-92 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. For the best in daily fantasy sports betting, check out ThriveFantasy, the leader for Daily Fantasy Sports for the NFL, NBA, MLB, PGA, and E-Sports Player Props!
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Searching for Caruso?
https://twitter.com/davem234/status/1346577032730341376o?
Searching for Caruso alludes to the obvious; a player who has gone MIA as of late. But it’s also an allusion to a microblog that began with an allegorical quest for a Ukrainian power forward who seemingly vanished into the ether. The quest mirrored the site itself, as it blossomed to some minor degree before its inevitable slide back into soul-sucking obscurity. It’s highly doubtful that the subject of this piece will travel the same path as Medvedenko or this eponymously named basketball confessional. During the lead-up to Caruso’s first year with the Lakers, I wrote for Forum Blue and Gold about his humble beginnings in the sport, and where his journey might lead.
“The heat eases imperceptibly in the Texas Triangle but seasons do change, just as sure as kids hang out at the Dairy Queen and oversized pickups rumble along a cracked two-lane highway. It’s a land of cul-de-sacs and limestone facades. A thin contrail arcs silently, high across the azure sky. It’s much too soon to hazard a guess as to Caruso’s NBA future. But he’s somewhere on the map, living a dream and tossing the ball up ahead.”
Caruso’s quixotic vision quest has advanced considerably since then, and it’s doubtful that a kid from College Station will wind up cashing in his chips for a steakhouse franchise in the American hinterlands. But the game can move on quickly when you’re on the outside looking in, especially when rejoining a rotation that’s already 11-deep.
Ultimately, I want to see the dude back in uniform and back on the floor. I’m hoping he didn’t actually contract this fucked-up disease and if he did, that there’s no lingering aftereffects. I miss his presence, his dogged determination, his leave-it-all-on-the-floor mentality and those glorious, mind-boggling plus/minus ratios that spike as soon as he enters the game, even when other stats wouldn’t seem to justify it. Caruso just makes good stuff happen; he gets guys their touches, makes the game easier and in general, does the right thing. He’s an unlikely internet cult figure and everyman hero, with a rec-league game that has translated to championship bling. But for now, he’s nowhere in sight.
The New Year has begun, uncertainty remains and another bookmark appears in a 10-year-old trip down an oft-forgotten rabbit hole. Be well and stay healthy. The lights are still on at Searching for Slava.
Lakers only team in top 5 in offensive (2nd) & defensive (5th) efficiency
https://twitter.com/hmfaigen/status/1346535562795106309
5 Things: Lakers handle Grizz
After letting the Grizz hang around for 3 quarters the Lakers got down to brass tacks and shut them down in the 4th. That and an assertive Crunch Time LeBron was more than Memphis could handle. Especially without stars Ja Morant and Justice Winslow. This game also featured the fan-less return of Marc Gasol to Memphis where he had so much success.
- The Marc Gasol video tribute. It’s easy to forget the league-wide hue and cry that went up when the Lakers traded for Pau Gasol. Kwame Brown Javarris Crittenton and…Aaron McKie (who’s inclusion eventually created a new CBA rule limiting team’s ability to to trade contracts of players out of the league). Marc looked like a toss in. Something to make it look like Memphis had gotten some young prospects with an established, if over-paid, role player. But it’s long been my opinion that Memphis knew what they wanted: Marc Gasol. he had been around the team for a few years since his brother had arrived as a rookie. Memphis ultimately did pretty well from the elder Gasol trade. Marc went on to become the franchise leader (or close to) in multiple categories. I hope they replay the video tribute when fans are in the stands, Marc deserves it.
- The bench comes through big. Led by super-sub Montrezl Harrell the Laker bench helped us keep pace with Memphis until LBJ could take over in the 4th. Solid contributions from Trezz, Wes and THT were key in the Lakers pulling this one out as we were down 2 starters in KCP and Alex Caruso. Nice to see the bench pick up the starters for the first 3.
- Crunch Time is LeBron time. James almost always seem s to find a way to win. He played within the Laker O for the first 3, deferring to Schroder and Kuzma who had another hot start. But when the game was on the line and the Grizzlies had kept pace through three quarters The King found that “other” gear. the one few can keep up with. James drove and scored, stopped and pulled up to score, hit a three from the bear claw at center court and pretty much put Memphis away single-handedly in the 4th. James ain’t easing into anything.
- Kyle Kuzma as the de facto spot-starter. I don’t mind this role for Kuz. I can see an argument being made that the chance to start should be spread around to other players like THT, Trezz or Morris but the fact of the matter is that Kyle plays better as a starter. He’s also learning that a hot start doesn’t always beget a hot finish and is allowing the shots to come organically, keeps finding the open man and doing his part on D. There will be a time that maybe Kuz isn’t the starter for KCP and THT gets his shot but, for now, I like this role for Kyle.
- Free throws. it’s early but I’m already annoyed at the lack of calls James and others get driving the ball to the rim. We’re a team built to finish at the rim and take a lot of hits in the doing that don’t get a whistle. The refs are finding their mojo, too… But c’mon man, Trezz should be going to the line a lot more, James certainly should and there have been a few calls every game that seemed very questionable. 4 refs, add a dedicated replay official in-game to clean up the calls they have to review. Speed up the game, get more right: it’s worth it.
Tonight we play Memphis again and I have to say I’m expecting about the same game, hopefully a little better defensive effort from us. Should be a W, though so here’s hoping dreams can become reality. Go Georgia, I honestly think a 50-50 Senate split is just the thing for the country to be able to re-discover how to work with one another again.
Go Lakers.