The Lakeshow Review

The LA Lakers hit the road for a mini two-game road trip, to mixed results. They had an encouraging outing versus the New Orleans Pelicans, outlasting them in a hard-fought contest, 111-103. They then turned around immediately to face the Spurs in San Antonio, where they fell 107-91, in a slow and ugly game. The team seems to be putting the pieces together and playing better basketball, after the Christmas Day debacle, winning four out of their last five games going into the Spurs game. However, the consistency and the team identity isn’t there at this moment, as they still have much wortk to be done before staking such a claim. Alas, it’s important for the team to simply keep winning games, until trade season arrives, and they have avenues to improve the roster.

Heading into New Orleans, the team was riding a two-game win streak. LA remains short-handed given the absences of Austin Reaves (who figures to be out until at least the All-Star break) and Rui Hachimura (who is said to be nearing return after nursing a calf ailment). Additionally, the Lakers have also lost Adou Thiero to an MCL sprain for the foreseeable future. Luckily, Luka Dončić seems to be getting his groove back, as he led the team to a crucial win after scoring 30 points to go with 10 assists. LeBron James also played a strong game, with 30 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. Deandre Ayton (18 points and 11 rebounds) and Marcus Smart (13 points, six rebounds and four assists) rounded out a balanced night for the starters, as the Lakers found just enough to outlast a young and hungry Pelicans side.

Getting the win was vital, as the following night at San Antonio didn’t prove as fruitful. The Lakers were even more short-handed, with LeBron sitting out due to load management. Additionally, the team just plain looked flat. Luka was fantastic, dropping a 38 point, 10 rebound, 10 assist triple-double, while also turning the ball over seven times. The turnovers can be excused, as no other teammate really showed up. Outside of Jake LaRavia’s 16 points, no other starter notched double-digits in scoring. The bench was abysmal yet again with only Jaxson Hayes (10 points, seven boards) managing to make a dent. LA shot a lousy 23% (9-39) from three, which really killed their momentum. They did themselves no favors from the free throw line were they only shot 64%. The Spurs didn’t play their best game either, however, they were much more balanced. Stephon Castle (15 points), De’Aaron Fox (14 points) and Julian Champagnie (11 points) led a multi-pronged attack by their starters. Young superstar Victor Wembanyama had a stellar 16 point/ 14 rebound effort off the bench, while sixth man Keldon Johnson had a team-high 27 points. It was a winneable game, but LAs complete dearth of offense extinguished any chance to pull out an upset.

The short two-game trip was a mixed bag. On one hand, the team showed some grit, outlasting the Pels on the road. Offensively, LA is starting to diversify while opponents are getting different looks. Luka is being played more off-ball, often with LeBron or Marcus Smart initiating. This is a savvy way to counter the numerous doubles that Luka sees when he’s on the ball. Of-ball, where it’s much harder to double him, he can catch the ball in motion, often coming off a down screen from Ayton, which can swiftly flow into a pick-and-roll. The two-man game with LeBron and Luka was also activated, particularly towards the end of the game, where it was a key factor in seling the win. It’s great to see different wrinkles being thrown into the mix, as JJ Redick and his staff appear willing to tinker the gameplan and make the most out of the pieces at hand. Defensively, the team continue to get shredded on drop coverages, where guards seemingly have their way against LAs defense. There are still many issues as far as the help defense, with stunt and recover actions continually botched and other assorted defensive breakdowns that arise from players ball-watching and being out of position. All in all, the effort was there against New Orleans. Amidst an up and down contest, the Lakers managed to tighten up towards the final minutes and hang on for the win.

Against the Spurs, the team simply did not have it. LeBron’s absence, while already severely undermanned, proved to be a hill to steep. When both LeBron and AR are out, the team simply doesn’t have the requisite offense to hang with the likes of top teams such as the Spurs. Even in a night where San Antonio shot extremely poorly from three (4-25 for 16%) the Lakers failed to make up any ground needed to scratch and claw their way to a competitive fight. Outside of Luka, the starters combined to score just 31 points, with the bench being outclassed yet again. It’s safe to say that they probably win this game with either AR or LeBron, or both, having been available. LAs defense in this game was actually admirable. But their inability to score the basketball spoiled any hopes of an upset. Jarred Vanderbilt, Marcus Smart, Dalton Knecht and Gabe Vincent only managed to shoot 2-18 from beyond the arc. Given that these are all prime rotational players, such handicaps make it impossible for any team to compete in the modern NBA. It’s unfortunate too, because the team managed to hang in the game, but could not make it interesting towards the end, where the Spurs pulled away, due to their deficiencies on offense. Despite a great night from Luka, LA also failed to ignite any cunning two-man action between Luka and Deandre Ayton (who finished with a disappointing nine points and six boards). It’s starting ti become evident that moves need to be made for this team to legitimately compete in the latter stages of the season. The team needs players who can space the floor and make the offense more dynamic. Surely the injuries aren’t ideal, but if Luka is running the offense, he should always be surrounded by players than can maximize his skills. Shooters, screen-setters and functional athletes that can pressure the rim.

With all that said, the team still sits at 23-12, and are fortunate to have built a nice cushion following a hot start, allowing them to sustain losses such as tonight. However, that’s not to say that the team ought to be complacent. They should look to get back on track, and try to string together some wins to maintain their placing in the standings. With many other clubs in in the West currently struggling, the Lakers’ woes are less pronounced. As long as they can keep a winning pace until mid-February when they can look to bring reinforcements to the roster, they are doing the best they can do. and that is all to realistically ask. The Lakers will make their way back to LA to play the Milwaukee Bucks. Perhaps LeBron and Rui will return to the lineup, and with Luka’s play starting to look more like it did during the start of the season, the Lakers certainly have the horses to keep their heads above water. Which is what they’ll have to do in the very immediate future. Go Lakers.