Aloha,

While the major focus for this team is generally lack of defense. However I was okay with that. We gave up 111 points which would usually mean a win for this team. Brown scored 32 but on28 shots. I will take that every day. And Pritchard made some incredibly difficult shots under duress. All you can do is tip your hat.

We also only turned the ball over 8 times. Which is generally a good sign. But you don’t turn it over much when you DON’T PASS THE BALL. This is actually a problem we have had a lot this year. If the ball isn’t moving you aren’t getting quality looks and players often are not shooting in rhythm. It is a make or miss league but moving the ball make the MAKES much more likely.

We have 3 extremely talented one on one players. And it can be easy to sit back and watch them operate. But the best offenses move the ball and keep all five players involved. We just do not do that enough.

We can try and make moves to improve the defense and it has gotten better. But it is never going to be better than middle of the pack. It is the offense that’s going to have to get better to make up for it. We are 8th in offensive rating which isn’t good for the offensive talent we have. It needs to get much better.

Oh by the Lakers, try hustling in big games. That would help. Thanks.

Aloha,

The Lakers are listing
Luka
Austin
Marcus
LeBron

All out for tonight’s game. Ayton is questionable. It should be fun watching Nick Smith Jr and Bronny run the offense tonight. Maybe they will start both along with Timme, Dalton and Bufkin for a full G league starting 5. Games like this is why I pay the big bucks to Spectrum for Laker Games. LOL

Aloha,

I read an interesting quote today.

The Spurs are allowed to play rugby while everyone else plays basketball.

That pretty much sums up what I have felt watching the Thunder over the last two years. They get away with more crap than any other team in the league. While at the same time receiving a lot of friendly whistles.

It’s not just last night’s game but every game I have seen them play, and I have watched them play quite a bit.

Aloha,

This has been a weird year for inconsistent play in the west. Lakers have had a ton of injuries, and that’s part of our problem but other teams have as well. Yet the Nuggets, Rockets and us all have 19 losses in the 3rd 4th and 5th slot. The TWolves haven’t had that many injuries but have 22 loses. Even the mighty Thunder are 5 and 6 over their last 11. This is why you play the games because health is always the X factor.

Luke Kennard was on the court but a few minutes and you could already tell he has a high basketball IQ. Every one talks about his 3 point shooting but I was more impressed with his play making. He made the right play, every time. I saw a video of his play making ability. The ball is going to move when he is out there.

It’s funny, there are analytics for everything. Vando is currently ranked number one in defensive versatility. I guess they measure time guarding every position. I think we may have found something in that zone with Vando at the top. I don’t think it’s an accident that we have been playing better defense since Vando has gotten more minutes.

Rui has looked extremely good coming off the bench. It gives us a real offensive shot in the arm. Jake is not that consistent and if his offense is off the bench suffers. Now with Kennard we have a couple of guys off the bench that can light it up.

I’m not sure what the starting lineup will look like when everyone is healthy, assuming that ever happens. Not sure I want Smart starting. The downside of the Gabe trade is that it leaves Bronny as the 4th PG. I don’t think you want all 3 of your point guards starting. Perhaps start Jake. You can live with his inconsistency on offense playing with the big 3.

With Maxi finally healthy we have finally been able to see why he is still in the league. He has been such a difference maker the last two games that he has closed the games. He brings the same kind of energy that Vando brings. While he’s really not a shot blocker he is a good positional defender and mucks up the paint for other teams. We now have kind of a 3 center by commitee that we can call on per the situation.

I do understand the Kobe Bufkin signing. First these buyout guys will want to go to a place that they can really contribute and build their stock. That’s why Cam signed with the Bucks. He will have a real role. Other guys actually may have turned the Lakers down for that very reasons He would not have played as much with the Lakers. Kobe has been lightning it up in the G league and plays a little defense as well. I think the Lakers signed him to prevent another team from scooping him up. He probably won’t play much, but the buy out list wasn’t really stellar with the best prospects coming off of injuries and have not played. Not sure who we could have signed that would have played much more than Kobe will.

Aloha,

The Lakers came into the trade deadline with 3 real needs. They are in desperate need of a 3 and D wing, a better defensive center and more shooting. The only problem was that we had very few assets to secure that kind of help. The click baiters posted tons of trades for wings that we had no chance of landing. As a matter of fact, all of the 3 and D guys that were supposed to be on the market were not moved anywhere because of the asking price . Those type of players have become very expensive. Anyone that follows the league at all would have known that the Herb Jones type guys were out of our price range.

How about centers? Well Zubac cost the Pacers 2 first round picks and a young talented player with real upside. It was another case of no assets for us. The one thing that did go our way was landing Luke Kennard. He is one of the best 3 point shooters in NBA history and is currently shooting 49% from 3. He is what we hoped Dalton could become. He is not a defender but filling a big need with only one 2nd and Gabe maybe one of the better trades that Rob has made.

It will be interesting to see if anyone useful lands on the buyout market. Lonzo may land there and he is a decent defender but he actually has the worst shooting percentage in the league. Not good. Matisse Thybulle would be a great fit at the wing but he is currently recovering from two injuries, with no time table for his return.

It is more than likely going to come down to how well this group can play. Even a trade for someone Like Herb Jones would not have made us into a real contender. The one thing that will be interesting is how well we can do with health. The Nets game was just the 8th game this year that we had the big 3 together. And only the 4th game where we had all of our rotation players available. JJ is going to have to do it with rotations and mirrors but with SGA going down it reminds us how key injuries can doom a season and that is why you play the games.

Aloha,

The Jazz have landed Lonzo Ball in a trade and are expected to cut him him. While he has played 35 games this year, which is huge for him, he has averaged just 20 minutes a game. He also hasn’t been the shooter he was before those two years off do to injury. Still, he maybe someone to look at in the buyout market if there isn’t a lot of action there.

Aloha,

At some point in this season, I would love an extended stretch where we actually have our full squad. Another loss, this time missing Lebron, Austin and Rui is just depressing. So far this year we have lost 5 games with two of our big three out and five games with one of them out. We have only lost twice when all three play. Not to mention role players. Marcus has missed 9 games, Rui 8 games and Gabe 20 games. With Austin expected to miss at least two more weeks, we will be approaching the trade deadline without knowing what this squad actually can do if healthy.

Aloha,

It looks as though something rare will occur tonight. The Lakers will have their full roster available. We are a quarter of the way through the season and we still don’t know how good this team can be. We have lost only one game with our big 3 available and we are yet to lose with our complete roster, all though that has a painfully small sample size. Lakers are knocked for their less than stellar analytics but we really have not had the ability to play together to build a cohesive group. Yet we sit 2nd in the West. That in itself is impressive. Hopefully we can stay healthy moving forward. Yes injuries are part of the NBA but it seems like the Lakers have had more than their share of missed games. I’m excited to see what they can do with a complete group.

Aloha,

Well that was a good game. I knew it would be a tough one. 3rd game in 4 days, on the road, against a good team, is not easy. Fortunately
We have a very good team. Luka was coming off the birth of his daughter and a 10 hour plane ride. He was still good but not the Luka we had been seeing. And Austin, after carrying the team the last couple of games looked tired. No problem because LeBron looked like LeBron again.

Up to to yesterday LeBron was basically in his training camp after missing all of the summer, training camp and the first 14 games. However yesterday he was the LeBron we have come to expect and he did not disappoint.

Then there was DA. He was 7 for 7 from the field, with 12 boards, a block and a steal. He is looking more and more like out center if not only the present but the future. He has been one of the best centers in the league so far and it seems like he realizes how good he has it here and his attitude has been perfect.

Other players made various contributions but Rui Rui stood out with his 17 points and solid defense. We are still way to top heavy offensively and I would love to see Nick Smith get a standard contract so he could be available every game instead of spot minutes as they manage the 50 games he is allowed as a two way player.

Is Embid washed? I don’t see them play enough but Ayton completely out played him. Actually Jackson stepped up against him as well.

Paul George is a cautionary tale for us and the rest of the league. Do not give an aging player with an injury history like him a boat load of money for several years. He will be an albatross for the 76ers for years to come.

The Lakers may not be an analytical darling but they just find a way to win. And we haven’t lost a game in crunch time yet. All things considered they actually could be the 2nd best team in the NBA. And if LeBron is truly back, the analytics will begin to look better as well.

Aloha,

I’m not going to spend much time on this. A couple of thoughts.

We lost the first quarter by 22 and the game by 21. Yes it was the 2nd of a back to back, on the road and we were short handed. I didn’t necessarily think we would win, but how the Lakers can come out that flat against the Celtics is beyond me. Sure the Celtics had more lucky bounces than I think I have ever seen in a single game and guys that normally are poor 3 point shooters were hitting them. But then if you give an NBA player a practice shot, they are going to hit them. Heck with that much time I would hit them.

Forget the 30 to 35 mil for Austin. He is playing himself into max contract territory. The Celtics have several elite defenders and they threw them all at Austin at one time or another. Didn’t matter. Even as the only available play maker he defeated every coverage they threw at him.

Adou is going to be good. Forget the scoring for now. I watched him defend and I truly believe he had the tools to be an elite defender. I watched him on Jaylen Brown and Brown couldn’t shake him, he seemed to fight through every screen. The kid is just incredibly strong.

I thought for sure Vando would get some run. I was wrong. I guess JJ feels that Dalton can do a better job defending and rebounding than him. That must be the case because Dalton isn’t bringing much offense either. Geez.

We must lock up Nick Smith Jr. He is instant offense of the bench and a sneaky defender as well.

It looks like we should have everyone back for the 76ers. I am always happy when we can come back from a roady with a winning record. 2-1 would be a good trip. Go Lakers.

Aloha,

Each year Austin’s numbers have not been that far behind Kobe’s in each of his first four years. This year it is even closer.
Kobe- 28.5 ppg 5.9 rebounds 5 assists 46/31/85 shooting splits
Austin 28.1 ppg 5.7 rebounds 6.6 assists 52/36/88

If Austins stats continue this season he would have the most efficient shooting splits for a 25+ ppg guard in NBA history. Yes, Austin isn’t going to be traded.

Aloha,

Eldon Campbell passed away yesterday. He was a pretty good player for us, but I always thought he never reached his full potential. I am sure he was disappointed being traded during the year we won the first Kobe and Shaq championship. He just never fit well once Shaq arrived. Rest in peace Eldon. Us Laker old timers will always appreciate your contributions to the team.

Aloha,

On a night when we had no energy on the 2nd night of a back to back and 3rd game in 4 nights, with Smart was not available and Brooks ripping us up, I was surprised that Vando did not get any run. Yes he is offensively challenged but he brings a boat load of energy to the game, plays solid defense and rebounds. We desperately needed that last night. I really do not know what is going on between him and JJ. But whatever it is, JJ needed to use him last night. Perhaps there are trade talks involving him, I don’t know. Regardless, we still need to win games and Vando should have been on the court.

Aloha,

I hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving. As Laker fans there has been a lot to feel thankful for. Last night we blasted the number 2 defense in the league on a night when AD returned to the lineup. Yes defense still wins championships but in this new age of NBA basketball explosive offense, it’s the offense that is more important than ever

Dallas did score more than they have been but it was clear to see that with AD back, they will begin to score more. It wasn’t so much his scoring, only 12 points, but it was the adjustments we had to make to account for him, leading to a lot of good looks for the Mav’s. And like it’s been all year, we clamped down defensively when we had to. A few thoughts.

Is LeBron now the 3rd option on the Lakers? Could be. LeBron’s game was impactful but he only scored 13 points, although his 4th quarter 3 was the dagger. Everyone believed when LeBron returned that both Luka and Austin’s scoring would go down. And that could eventually be the case but so far they seem to be scoring at will. Austin had a game high 38 while poor Luka had to settle for his season average of 35. But let’s not dismiss the LeBron effect. Just having him on the court results in more open looks, especially for Austin.

And speaking of Austin, the new international all star format will have both Luka and SGA playing on the international team. Who in the west has been better than Austin other than those two. It could lead to not only Austin’s first all star game but a start as well.

One thing I’m am thankful for this season is that we didn’t sign Brook Lopez or Al Horford. Both look washed, especially Brook who is racking up DNP’s coached decision.

What we did get was Ayton falling into our laps. Not only has he been good, he is playing the best basketball of his career. He more than held his own against both AD and Gaford. By the way he is head and shoulders better than Gafford. Ayton has a well rounded game, scoring, rebounding and defending. Just like having a lot of steals doesn’t make you a great defender, having a lot of blocks doesn’t necessarily make you a great rim defender. Ayton averages a little over a block a game but is top 10 in rim protection. He certainly is playing himself into a long term deal with the Lakers. He certainly is playing with joy this year.

I would say something about Luka, but well, you know. Unworldly ability. Unstoppable. Enough said.

Rui had an uncharacteristic poor shooting 1st half but he turned it around and hit 4 3’s and scored 14 in the 2nd half. He was one of the reasons we pulled away. Rui is the 5th option! Imagine having a guy shooting 48% from 3 as your 5th option. Unheard of. And he does it while playing solid, underrated defense. They definitely should extend him. You don’t want him walking for nothing this summer.

Our bench continues to not score much. But that doesn’t matter as much for the Lakers because of JJ’s rotations. He always has plenty of fire power on the floor. Whether it’s LeBron and Austin or Luka, Rui and Ayton our 2nd unit guys really are not getting a lot of shots. And they all are playing well. Gabe defends and hits his open looks and Jaxon is so much better this year. He put on 15 pounds of muscle over the offseason and it’s showing. Marcus is huge defensively when he plays and Jake, just does a little of everything well.

Yes the Lakers have had a pretty easy schedule. All though they have beat teams with a lot of talent, that should be a lot better. But the team with the easiest schedule has been the Thunder. They have only played 2 teams with winning records and the plucky Suns nearly beat them last night. Are they the best team? Sure, but it’s beginning to look like the Lakers could be nipping at their heels.

Aloha,

The Bucks game was one of the more impressive wins of the year. 2nd night of a back to back and they got in at 3am. Thank you schedule makers. It was also the 3rd game in 4 nights and the last game of a long road trip. And no Rui or Marcus. No problem. This team just finds ways to win. A few thoughts.

That was by far the best defensive half of the season. Tired legs caught up to them in the 2nd but they had built an a huge lead. But one thing many may have missed. The offense was partly responsible for the defense. Only one live ball turn over and not many missed 3’s. They also took care of the defensive glass. All of that really helped our defense.

We are currently 15th in defensive efficiency. But we are one of the league leaders in turnovers and near the bottom in 3 point percentage, with only Rui shooting it well. If we can begin to cut down on turnovers and shoot the 3 better our defense rating will improve.

All of the metrics say we should not have this record. I don’t pay attention to the metrics because I haven’t seen this team play yet. LeBron has been out all year. Luka, Austin, Marcus and Gabe have all missed games. And we still have won. I’m withholding judgment until I see the whole team play.

Ayton dominated Miles Turner. He was a non factor. And Jackson held his own as well. Bobby Portis was not much of a problem either. Ayton is looking like the guy we hoped for. He is beginning to connect on the lobs. It takes time to build chemistry and it appears it is trending in the right direction.

Austin appears to be getting his mojo back. He wasn’t himself for a couple of games after the groin issue.

Both Luka and Austin finally hit their 3’s. That’s one of the reasons, along with Smarts miserable volume 3 point shooting that we have such a poor percentage. Hopefully they have turned the corner.

Maxie had a very strong game. JJ put the spotlight on his play in the post game. While the focus seems to be on his 3 point shooting, he has always been known as a pretty decent defender. He did about as good a job on Giannis as one can expect. Turned him into a passer a lot.

We caught a glimpse of why the team is excited by Adou. The dude is so athletic. I’m hoping he can earn some PT by the all star break.

There is a lot of chatter about the Lakers looking for trades and I’m sure they will look. But the play in has changed the landscape. While the Lakers are championship or bust, for many teams reaching the playoffs would be a successful season. Teams will be holding on to players and there will be competition for the few that hit the market.

There isn’t a trade or two that can put us on par with the Thunder anyway. I actually think this team can compete for the 2nd seed as is. The metrics will improve once we are whole. And this team plays extremely hard and are very connected. So, get to the playoffs and see what happens. The Thunder would not be the first best team not to reach the finals. Think the 72 win Warriors. Play the games because in the NBA, you never know.