The Lakeshow Review

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  • Lakers Rebound to Beat Hornets As AR Returns To Lineup

    The Lakers resumed their early-season road trip on Tuesday as they took on the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte. The team was riding fresh off the disappointment of having endured an embarrassing collapse two nights ago in Atlanta, and in this game, they made sure to get back on the right foot. LA also welcomed back Austin Reaves to the starting unit, as they prevailed 121-111 in a fun, yet often frustrating performance. But a win is a win, and now they get to go into Oklahoma City, their toughest test of the season thus far, with some measure of momentum.

    Early on in this game, it looked like it might have the potential to be a repeat of the Atlanta game. The young Hornets made sure to throw their best punch to start. Miles Bridges seemingly couldn’t miss, as he scored 16 first quarter points for Charlotte, going a perfect 6-6 from the floor, including 4-4 from deep. Bridges finished with a team-high 34 points, and showcased they type of athletic wing that routinely gives the Lakers fits. Charlotte’s youthful pace and energy had LAs defense scrambling during the early portions of the game, who were often late with their rotations and closeouts; which resulted in many great looks for the Hornets. Consequently, they drained eight of their 12 attempts from three, further building a 40-36 lead after 12 minutes. Thankfully, Luka Dončić provided the requisite early offense to keep the Lakers in the game, with 13 points in the opening quarter. The Hornets dictated the pace early on, looking to push the ball early in the shot clock in order to get LAs defense out of sorts, much like Atlanta did two nights ago.

    The Lakers’ ability to slow down the tempo would be a big key in this game. In the second quarter they managed to do just that. But they still found themselves trailing an energetic Hornets unit, that utilized their athleticism to swarm the Lakers defensively in the half-court, forcing them to play late into the shot clock. LA had defensive answers of their own, as the energy brought forth by guys like Marcus Smart, Jarred Vanderbilt and Jake LaRavia helped turn the game around. Smart played a great game, scoring 13 points, dishing six assists and collecting seven steals. He continues to do a bit of everything and provides just the right spark of toughness that the Lakers were lacking last season. Whether its diving for loose balls, aggressively playing the passing lanes, or simply being a third initiator on offense so Luka and AR can operate off-ball, Smart’s talents have been invaluable and will continue to be for LA going forward. As the Lakers managed to cool off the sizzling Hornets, they took a 65-65 into the break, after a last second drive by Austin Reaves. Reaves scored 11 of his 24 in the second period, as his presence certainly gave the team an offensive lift.

    LA opened the second half the same way the closed the first, as they further slowed down the tempo, and got into their half-court sets more comfortably. They made a conscious effort to attack the paint, where they set-up Deandre Ayton for some quality post-ups. Ayton finished with a decent 14 points and six boards for the night. Rui Hachimura also came alive in the third, scoring 13 of his 21 points on perfect 5-5 shooting. Rui’s offensive burst came at just the right moment, as the Hornets started doubling Luka as soon as he caught the ball, leaving Rui open to step into his shot. Rui is the Lakers’ best off-ball scorer, and continues to be a deadly catch-and-shoot option who makes defenses pay once they help off of him in the corners, or at the slot. His ability to drive and pull up from the midrange is also a key factor in late shot clock scenarios where the half-court offense has stiffled, where he continues to be a prime bail-out option. If the Lakers end up moving Rui (and his $18M expiring contract) it ought to be for an equally impactful piece, as he’s currently covering a lot of ground offensively and on most nights is the team’s third best scorer. However, it will be interesting to see if and how his role shifts once LeBron James returns to action.

    As LA started dictating things offensively and defensively, they built a healthy 98-76 lead heading into the fourth, a lead they’d hold onto despite a late push by the Hornets. It was somewhat disappointing to see the team allow Charlotte back into the game, as they managed to make it an eight point affair with a little over four minutes left. A drive by Luka, and a dagger three by Marcus Smart helped push the lead back into double digits, and the Lakers had the game by then. Not the finish you would have liked, but at least they pulled it off. It was a decent effort following a tough loss, but against the elite teams, the Lakers will have to do more. With that said, it was great to see Austin Reaves back in the lineup, after sitting out the last three games. Luka Dončić continues to make a strong MVP case, as he scored a game-high 38 points (on 14 of 28 from the field) to go with six rebounds and seven assists. The Lakers also did a good job of taking care of the basketball, only turning it over 11 times to the Hornets’ 25. LAs perimeter defense, led by Marcus Smart played a big role in that. The team also found their balance with Reaves back in action, as all five starters scored in double figures. Despite being outshot (52% to 50%) and outrebounded (37-36) by Charlotte, the Lakers managed to take control of the game thanks to their dominating run late in the first half, and early in the third quarter. As they navigate their current road trip, they’ll need more of that energy for 48 minutes, particularly against the stronger competition. That will be right up the corner when they take on OKC on Wednesday. While a good rebound performance, the Lakers will need to keep searching for that next gear as the competition keeps getting tighter. Go Lakers.

  • Lakers Fall Short In Atlanta to Open Road Trip

    The Los Angeles Lakers kicked off a five-game road trip last night, starting in Atlanta where they took on the Hawks. In stark contrast to the last couple of games, the Lakers put forth a very pedestrian effort on both sides of the ball. They were also out-hustled and out-executed by a much more focused Hawks team, en route to a 122-102 defeat. This had the makings of a game were the Lakers were simply going through the motions, playing careless and lethargic basketball, to which the younger Hawks took full advantage. This could have been a winnable game for a team with LAs talent, but with the type of effort they laid out, it’s tough to beat any team in the NBA.

    The Hawks came out highly energized in the first quarter, opening a 31-20 lead at one point. Their ball movement was crisp, as was their outside shooting. LAs lazy help defense didn’t help matters, as Atlanta easily collapsed the Lakers’ defense with drive-and-kick actions that routinely left them scrambling with no low man responsibilities and poor outside rotations. Dalton Knecht often found himself in the crossfires as his help defensive instincts continue to disappoint, often getting backdoored and losing sight of his man. Despite a good offensive game (14 points on 11 shots), he will struggle to be a consistent rotational contributor if he can’t be a two-way presence. Despite LAs defensive woes, they were able to stay within distance thanks to another hot start by Luka Dončić, whose 12 first quarter points (on 3-7 shooting) helped make it a 37-29 deficit after 12 minutes.

    Unfortunately, the Hawks resumed their offensive barrage in the second quarter, as LAs lackluster transition defense, starting with their inability to stop the ball, allowed the Hawks an easy path to the paint on virtually every possession. They had been doing a relatively good job of this lately, with guys like Marcus Smart and Jarred Vanderbilt able to to pickup the ballhandler full-court. Last night, that effort simply wasn’t there. The Lakers’ help defense was also quite simply lazy, often getting caught ball-watching and leaving the corner open for a triple. The Hawks made 16 of their 39 shots from range, good for 41%, They also committed less turnovers; 11 to LAs 20. Overall, Atlanta produced a well-balanced attack, with all five starters clocking in at double figures in scoring, and getting another 46 points from their reserves. After two quarters, the Hawks led 68-54, and would go on to hold that lead.

    The third quarter would go on to see the Lakers further collapse, as Atlanta’s lead eventually ballooned to 30. This prompted Lakers Coach JJ Redick to call a timeout midway through the third period to sit his starters for the remainder of the contest. The end of the third and all of the fourth was essentially extended garbage time, as Atlanta had all but put the Lakers and the game away. Luka Dončić ended up playing just 27 minutes, and scoring all of his 22 points in the first half. Disappointing, considering that the team has been playing quality basketball as of late, all the while beating good opponents. This game, the team clearly didn’t show up, and proceeded to get embarrassed.

    This is the type of game that serves as a wake-up call for a team like the Lakers. They’re clearly a much better group than they showed, but if they play the way that they did last night, they’re prone to lose to anyone. You can’t take nights off in the NBA. Atlanta came into the game severely undermanned, as did the Lakers. Kristaps Porzingis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Trae Young all sat for Atlanta. While for the Lakers, LeBron James continues to rehabilitate from sciatica, and Austin Reaves sat out his third straight contest due to groin soreness. The Lakers clearly overlooked the younger Hawks, and ended up paying for their complacency, as they were very obviously unprepared to match Atlanta’s urgency and effort. We’ve seen LA look much better both offensively and defensively, so it’s all a matter of regaining that tenacity and focus. The Lakers can’t continue to get picked apart this severely in the half-court, and their on-ball defense has to improve, as the Hawks got whatever they wanted with their ballhandlers. It all starts with stopping the ball, both in transition, and within the half-court. They’ll get a chance to bounce back against a young Charlotte Hornets team on Monday, and then on Wednesday they’ll face their first true gut-check game when they take on the defending champs Oklahoma City Thunder. It will be interesting to see if and how they rebound after this loss, as well as what type of adjustments they make defensively to mitigate breakdowns. It’ll say a lot about where this team is headed. Go Lakers.

  • Luka Outduels Wemby As Lakers Win Fifth Straight

    The Los Angeles Lakers returned home to face the 5-1 San Antonio Spurs, who were the second seed in the Western Conference coming into the matchup. It was a highly competitive game, with momentum constantly swinging both ways, but fortunately the Lakers were able to prevail by a final score of 118-116. The Spurs, led by center Victor Wembanyama, are projected to be one of the top teams in the Western Conference, and Wembanyama’s own stellar play has garnered him early MVP consideration. LA fell behind midway through the final period, but were able to rally back and eventually secure a late lead, one which they were able to hold on to. It was a sluggish game for both teams, but as they’ve been doing lately, the Lakers found a way to pull it off.

    The Spurs got off to an early 10-6 lead, but LA, thanks to their half-court pressure on offense, were able to keep pace with them. Luka Dončić led the way, as his 22 first half points helped LA stay afloat. The Lakers, and Head Coach JJ Redick, have been doing a great job lately of getting Luka going offensively early in games. They know they need his scoring, while other players find their rhythm. Last night, the Lakers ran Luka off a ton of off-ball screens, having him curl and catch the ball in motion. This allows Luka to operate on the pick-and-roll with a full head of steam, with the screen setter also rolling to the rim. From there, Dončić can drive, pull up, hit the roller or collapse the defense and create for an open teammate. This has proved to be an effective strategy in generating early offense, and if his defender keeps going over the screen, this play should be there for LA consistently. On-ball, Luka continues to thrive on high pick-and-rolls with either Jaxson Hayes, or Deandre Ayton. If the big manages to slip behind the defense, then it’s an easy dunk, and against the drop, Luka can comfortably pull up for the midrange. Thanks to their timely offensive execution, the Lakers were able to take a 60-59 lead into the half.

    The third quarter saw San Antonio regain the lead, thanks in large part to a barrage of three pointers and thanks in no small part to the referees. The Spurs shot 16 free throws in the third quarter, to LAs eight. The Spurs would go on to win the third quarter 37-28. The Lakers, however, made sure to start the fourth quarter hot. Eventually closing in on the Spurs’ lead, until a late triple by Luka with a little over two minutes gave them a lead. They would go on to get timely defensive stops, and big baskets by Rui Hachimura and Marcus Smart helped LA sustain their lead. The Lakers seemingly had the game in the bag, up by two points with only seconds left. That was before Smart made a not-so-smart play, as he inbounded the ball with one foot still planted in front of the out-of-bounds line. As a result, San Antonio was allowed to inbound the ball on LAs side, and potentially tie or take the lead. Thankfully, neither took place, as forward Julian Champagnie was fouled after the inbound and would go on to miss both free throws. The Lakers averted what would have been a disastrous loss, however, the team deserves credit for fighting their way back versus a tough opponent. One whom they’ll be seeing more of throughout the season, and possibly in the playoffs.

    Luka Dončić was once again stellar, scoring 35 points on 9-27 shooting. He also went 13-17 from the free throw line. Despite a poor shooting night, Luka managed to have a positive impact, as he pulled down nine boards and dished 13 assists. He also collected five steals, as he continues to be both aggressive and alert on help defense, specifically in the passing lanes. The Lakers also continue to make good use of his gravity in order to create offense for his teammates. Deandre Ayton had another efficient night with 22 points and 10 rebounds, while Marcus Smart also contributed 17 points, five boards and five assists, in addition to his usual defensive impact. Save for the boneheaded play at the end, Smart continues to show why he was one of LAs best acquisitions last summer.

    Defensively, the Lakers did a fine job of containing Spurs superstar and MVP-hopeful Victor Wembanyama. Wemby finished with 19 points and eight rebounds on 5-14 shooting, before fouling out late in the fourth quarter. LA made a conscious effort to relentlessly front the post and make sure Wemby caught the ball as far away from the paint as possible. They made sure his shot diet consisted of mostly fadeaway jumpers or midrange looks. LA also constantly doubled Wemby as soon as he caught the ball, in order to make him a passer rather than a scorer, and forced a few turnovers this way. Despite the Spurs’ hot shooting, the Lakers’ rotations were generally on point, where I feel this was the best defensive game they’ve played so far this season.

    The Lakers played an impressive game, albeit an ugly one. But they found a way to win it at the end. Despite giving up considerable size to the Spurs’ frontcourt, LA won the rebounding battle 38-37. And despite it being a sluggish performance by both sides, the Lakers did manage to keep their turnovers relatively low, 14 to San Antonio’s 19. Even with the Spurs outshooting them from the floor, the Lakers still had more assists as a team, much of that thanks to Luka’s 13 dimes. Not the most efficient game played this year by either team, but LA found its way to a victory despite not playing their best. That’s always a good sign. Now, they’ll prepare for a five-game road trip where they’ll take on the Atlanta Hawks to kick things off. If the coaching staff keeps making the right tweaks, and the team can continue to bring this type of energy and effort, they’ll be in good shape. Until then, let’s hope they manage to get healthier and continue improving. Go Lakers.

  • Shorthanded Lakers Come Up Big In Portland, Win Fourth Straight

    The Lakers travelled to Portland to take on the Trailblazers, on the second night of a back-to-back. This was LAs second set of back-to-backs for the season, as well as their second time facing Portland on the second night of consecutive games. The Blazers defeated the Lakers last week, taking advantage of a resting Lakers squad. Last night, they had another opportunity, with LA opting to sit both Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves (LeBron James has also been out due to sciatica). This time, however, the Lakers managed to get stellar performances from the rest of their rotation, doing enough to earn a hard fought win on the road, prevailing by a score of 123-115. It was a fantastic team effort, that showcased their grit and depth.

    The Lakers got off to a great start, building a 12-6 lead early in the first quarter. That was until Portland starting hitting their shots, and closing in on LAs early lead. The Blazers led 33-24 after one quarter, as they looked poised to put the Lakers away in the first half. LA, behind the Play of Deandre Ayton (29 points and 10 rebounds) managed to stay within striking distance, trailing by a point, 53-52, after a half of play. The Blazers, however, came out hot to start the second half. Led by guard Deni Avdija’s game-high 33 points, they went on a 9-2 run, pushing their lead to double digits.

    The Lakers played with great effort and hustle, as they kept grinding at Portland’s lead. Deandre Ayton’s individual play was a key factor, as his back-to-the-basket game was a consistent source of easy buckets for LA. Additionally, Rui Hachimura also played a great game, as his 28 points were second on the team to Ayton’s 29. Rui’s mid-range game was on full display, and his ability to consistently pull up from 15ft was huge, particularly late in the shot clock when the offense has stalled. With Ayton and Hachimura combining for 57 points, the Lakers were able to stay in the game, despite Portland’s hot shooting through three quarters.

    The Lakers regained the lead, 68-66, midway through the third period. Aside from the combined offensive burst of Ayton and Rui, LA also received great performances from Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia, whose relentless ball pressure on the defensive side helped LA regain the momentum. Smart finished with nine points, five assists and four steals; while not an impressive final stat line, his impact was greatly felt during the game. LaRavia also contributed 11 points and a team-high 6 assists, to go with three steals. Thanks to their defense, the Lakers led 90-86 at the end of three quarters.

    In the fourth, it was Nick Smith Jr., who was recalled from the D-Fenders (the Lakers’ G-League affiliate) providing the final touches, as his 25 points off the bench, with 10 of those coming in the fourth, helped build a 117-105 lead with over two minutes left in regulation. Eventually, that would be enough for the Lakers to secure the win. The Lakers played a great game on both sides of the floor, getting stellar contributions on both the offensive and defensive sides.

    It’s games like this that showcase the depth of the 2025-26 Lakers. Despite all three of their top players in Luka, LeBron and AR donning street clothes, the team showed the grit and resolve necessary to win these types of games. This game also highlights the impact provided by the new additions of Marcus Smart, Jake LaRavia and Deandre Ayton. Smart in particular, has shown the leadership, effort and professionalism which has transformed the Lakers perimeter defensive unit. Smart leads by example, as he is the one locking up his man, diving for loose balls and creating havoc in passing lanes. As he sets the defensive standard, others follow suit, and try to match it. LaRavia, to a lesser extent, has had a similar impact. The Lakers will need to sustain this type of mentality in order to compete against the better teams in the Western Conference. Speaking of which, the team will be returning home to face the San Antonio Spurs, who are led by early-MVP favorite Victor Wembanyama. It will be a tough contest, but hopefully these early season trials will have them battle-tested going in to Wednesday’s game. Go Lakers.

  • Lakers Take Down Heat to Earn Third Straight Win

    The Los Angeles Lakers returned to LA following a brief two-game road trip to take on the Miami Heat. LA has been playing good basketball as of late, and were able to sustain that level of quality versus the Heat, as they prevailed by a final score of 130-120. Both teams came into last night’s contest undermanned, with the Lakers’ LeBron James out with sciatica and Deandre Ayton also being ruled out at the last moment with back spasms. For the Heat, guards Tyler Herro, Terry Rozier and Norman Powell all sat due to injury. Miami are one of the hottest shooting teams in the NBA, and they also play at the fastest pace. They certainly gave the Lakers’ defense fits at times, but fortunately LA was able to tighten up in key moments, and do enough to pull out the win.

    The Lakers made sure to step on the gas pedal early on, as they started the game on an 8-0 run. Marcus Smart was a catalyst, as his defensive activity, particularly his playing of the passing lanes, helped generate early turnovers to get the Lakers running. The pick-and-roll continues to be a featured item in LAs arsenal, and they got good results with both Austin Reaves and Luka Dončić feeding Jaxson Hayes (who started at center in place of Ayton). Thanks in part to some hot shooting, the Lakers grabbed a 43-36 lead after the first quarter.

    Miami tightened things up to start the second quarter, as they decided to full-court press the Lakers on every inbounds play. This slowed down LAs offense, and prevented them from getting into their half-court sets early in the shot clock. For a while it proved effective, as Miami trimmed the Lakers’ lead. That was before Luka Dončić scored seven straight points, and helped push the lead back into double digits. Luka finished the game with 29 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists and three steals. His third triple-double as a Laker. He did shoot poorly from the floor, going just 9-22 and a paltry 1-11 from three. His playmaking, however, was great and helped get his teammates involved. As a result, the Lakers took 77-63 lead at half.

    Third quarter blues were once again an issue. as Miami’s relentless pace was able to generate easy looks at the rim, as they drove at will against the Lakers’ scrambling defense. The Heat were led by Jaime Jaquez Jr. who’s 31 points off the bench led all players. It seemed as though Miami’s furious pace would be able to get them the lead, as their constant cutting and off-ball movement gave LAs defense all sorts of trouble. But fortunately, the Lakers were able to slow the game down and play at their own pace. After getting outscored 35-25 in the third quarter, they were able to win the fourth quarter 28-22. Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia were both instrumental to the team’s win. LaRavia scored 25 points, pulled down eight boards and dished three assists as a reserve. He also collected four steals. While Smart chipped in with 11 points, four assists and a pair of steals. Both players provide the energy and hustle that has given the Lakers an extra gear in these sorts of games. Their defensive intensity is crucial in pressuring the ball at the point of attack, generating turnovers and swinging the momentum back in LAs favor.

    LAs offense looked good last night. We saw some new wrinkles on their ball screen actions. They started incorporating empty-side pick-and-rolls on the wing. The empty corner makes it so that there’s no natural help defender in that area, which makes helping on the roll man that much more difficult. Jaxson Hayes was able to take full advantage, as he was able to get quite a few easy baskets this way. Austin reaves also continues to impress a playmaker, particularly as an initiator on screening actions. His 11 assists were a game-high, in addition to his 26 points and four assists. AR continues to show why he’s one of the better number two options in basketball, whose playmaking keeps the offense flowing when Dončić is either playing off-ball or on the bench.

    It was a very complete showing from LAs offense, which was their high point all night. They shot 50% from the field and 33% from three. They also dished 33 assists as a team, and turned the ball over just 12 times (to Miami’s 15). When the Lakers play this way, they certainly have the makngs of one of the better teams in the Western Conference. They still need work on the defensive side, however. Especially as far as their rotations and help defense at the basket, where Miami was able to take full advantage by winning the points in the paint battle 66-60. But moving forward, they are looking like a team that can compete against anyone, specifically when they are playing with the type of effort displayed last night. They’ll need to keep up that effort as they’ll swiftly travel to Portland to take on the Trailblazers, on the second night of a back-to-back. Games at Portland are always tough, but if the team keeps this tenacity and focus, a win is certainly within range. Until then, let’s hope they keep things rolling. Go Lakers.

  • Luka Returns to Lineup, Leads Lakers Past Grizzlies in Emirates Cup Opener

    The Lakers resumed action on Friday, as they travelled to Memphis to take on the Grizzlies in what was their second game of a brief two-game road trip. It was also the team’s first game of Emirates Cup action. The Lakers opened Group Stage play with a victory, prevailing 117-112. They were led by Luka Dončić, who made his way back to the lineup after missing the last three contests due to a leg contusion. The Lakers played a solid all-around game, as the offense continued to click in another efficient performance.

    LA couldn’t find their shot early, as Memphis raced to an early 5-0 lead, then 10-4. But eventually, the Lakers’ half-court offense settled in, and they started to take control of the game. They took a 31-27 lead after the opening quarter. But a lazy and sloppy effort in the second quarter saw them give up their lead, as the Grizzlies outscored them by 18 (42-24). The Lakers calmly reclaimed the lead early in the third quarter, only to lose it again shortly before the end of the quarter in a replay of the first half. The fourth quarter saw the team tighten up and secure a lead, which they were able to maintain the rest of the way. Playing in his third game of the season, Luka Dončić led the team with a game-high 44 points, on 14/27 from the floor, to go with 12 rebounds and six assists. He becomes the first player since Wilt Chamberlain to start the season with three consecutive 40 point games, surely a historic start for the Lakers superstar.

    LAs half-court offense, and their pick and roll continued to make great progress. Marcus Smart’s return to the lineup was also a factor, as his playmaking gives the team a third ballhandler capable of initiating actions both in transition and in the half-court. His 12 points and four assists were a healthy stimulus for the offense, which didn’t fall apart when Austin Reaves or Luka weren’t on the ball. Deandre Ayton continues to thrive as a pick-setter and roll man, as he had good moments scoring the ball on ball screen actions. Unfortunately, Ayton exited the game due to back spasms in the first half, but he did contribute 9 points in 17 minutes, and continues to excel in the pick and roll. This time, even with Marcus Smart initiating. LA also got 21 points from Austin Reaves, who after a string of high scoring nights, naturally took a back seat amidst Luka’s return. Jake LaRavia also played a strong game, with 13 points off the bench, to go with six boards and a pair of assists.

    Forward Rui Hachimura had himself an off night, scoring nine points to go with three rebounds in 38 minutes of play. It’s becoming clear that when Rui isn’t scoring the basketball, his game is fairly one-dimensional, as he doesn’t impact the game significantly on the defensive side. He also isn’t crashing the glass at the adequate rate of a player his size. With that said, the Lakers were able to produce enough team defense to hold their own on that end. They outshot Memphis 51% to 44%, and generally looked comfortable generating offense in the half-court, when they were dialed in. At times during last night’s game, the team’s focus waned, as they clearly played to their competition versus an inferior Grizzlies team (Memphis turned the Lakers over 15 times, to only 11). But at least they were able to clamp up late in the game to secure the win. They also showed some more creative looks on the half-court, often running Luka off-ball on curl actions. This is the luxury of having ancillary ballhandlers in the form of Smart and AR. Luka was able to catch the ball in stride and in space where he can be efficient at collapsing the defense thus creating for himself or others. This is better than the dreaded iso-ball any day. Luka also went to work on the block late in the game, to make up for the absence of Ayton, displaying some good offensive versatility. This game certainly did not showcase the peak of their offensive potential, but they were able to find a way to get the job done.

    Through six games, the Lakers have shown commendable progress. They’re currently 4-2, and 3-0 on the road. The offense is trending in the right direction, and the team is generally taking advantage of their talents in the half-court. Not to mention, they’ve had multiple players in and out of the lineup, with LeBron James yet to make his debut. At this stage, maybe it’s better if LeBron sits out until the All-Star break, as he could obviously use the rest, and this team is finding an identity without him. They’re playing hard, for each other and are finding ways to win. The added opportunities have also showcased the full range of capabilities of players such as AR, who has proven more than capable of running a team for sustained stretches. The Lakers need to know precisely what they have with this group sans LeBron, in order to have a clear picture of the types of moves they’ll need to make next summer and beyond. But for now, the team is playing good basketball and finding ways to keep their head above water, with what looks to be substantial room for improvement. The Lakers will now head back home to take on the Miami Heat on Sunday, who are always a very formidable and disciplined team. They’ll need the same effort they’ve put forth the last couple of games in order to keep piling up wins early on in the season. Go Lakers.

  • AR Wins it at the Buzzer in Minnesota

    Following a loss to the Portland Trailblazers in LA, the Lakers travelled to Minnesota to take on the Timberwolves. Both Los Angeles and Minnesota came in to the contest missing several key players. For the Lakers, LeBron James and Luka Dončić continue to work their way back from injury. Additionally, Marcus Smart, who’s said to be nearing his return to the lineup, also sat out of last night’s game. Minnesota was playing sans their top star Anthony Edwards, however, the rest of their lineup was intact. It was a highly entertaining see-saw battle, one that saw the Lakers prevail at the buzzer to a 116-115 final score. It was a much needed win after a disappointing showing against the Portland Trailblazers last Monday.

    Minnesota came out of the gates with every intention of putting away the depleted Lakers, thanks in no small part to the play of power forward Julius Randle. Randle finished with a game-high 33 points, on 50% shooting from the court, including 4-7 from deep. He also grabbed five boards and handed out six assists. His physical play gave Lakers forward Rui Hachimura fits all night. Minnesota managed to build a 19-10 led in the early goings of the game. LA managed to squeeze some good production from Jake LaRavia and Dalton Knecht early on. Knecht in particular, had his second straight game scoring in double digits, as the recent injury barrage has paved way for his playing time. It’s important for the Lakers to get Knecht going, as his floor spacing capabilities open up other avenues for the offense. Austin Reaves once again put his imprint all over this game, as his three-point basket in the second quarter gave LA a jolt of momentum, tying things up at 51. The Lakers would go on to lead Minnesota 62-58 by halftime. Reaves finished with a team-high 28 points on 24 shots, to go with a career-high 16 assists.

    Determined to break their vaunted “third quarter curse”, LA came out strong to start the second half. Jake LaRavia produced eight quick points, stretching LAs lead to double figures. The Lakers led by as much as 20 at one point in the third quarter, however, Minnesota sliced that lead to 11 before entering the fourth quarter. The Lakers made a strong bid to close out the Timberwolves, with Austin Reaves and Jake LaRavia both connecting on triples to secure an 11 point lead (112 to 101), with just a little over four minutes left in regulation. In a somewhat disappointing fashion, the Lakers allowed Minnesota back in the game as guard Mike Conley (8 points) and forward Jaden McDaniel (30 points) both hit big threes to help Minnesota reclaim the lead with seconds to go in regulation. Julis Randle’s go-ahead layup gave the Timberwolves a one point lead with 10 seconds left. Austin Reaves would then go to work; catching the inbound pass at the top of the key, then accepting a high ball screen from Deandre Ayton. As Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert crept up to hedge, AR swiftly split the screen, getting in the paint and shooting a contested 12-foot runner over the arms of guard Donte DiVicenzo. That was game. A poor defensive effort by LA late in the fourth saved by Reaves’ heroics.

    The Lakers showed some positive signs in this game. Mainly, their ball screen action continues to evolve in a promising fashion. Reaves as an initiator has proven fruitful, as he’s been able to make all the right reads in these situations. Deandre Ayton deserves a lion’s share of the credit as well, as his adept screening angles and aggressive rolling to the basket have opened things up on the perimeter. Often he draws a weakside help defender with him, which opens up either an open corner three, or an open shot to a drifting shooter at the slot. Once again, AR has been hitting the open man consistently. Guys need to make their open shots as well. In this game it was Jake LaRavia, whose 27 points nearly matched AR’s 28. He made five of his six treys, mostly as a result of the threat posed by the Reaves/Ayton two-man game. Ayton’s ability to hit the midrange the short roll is also key, as he doesn’t have to go all the way to rim to score. It’s also a great way to counter teams that play deep drop coverage. I think that LAs ball screen action will only get better once Luka is back in the lineup.

    Defensively, it was a different story. Breakdowns in the half court continue to be an issue. Often do the Lakers over help, or over-rotate only to allow an open shot at the rim or from deep. In this game, their nail help was sloppy all game, failing to rotate back to their man on the perimeter. Jaden McDaniels consistently burned them here. Not to mention, the defense played on Julius Randle was uninspiring. Randle’s physicality often bothered Rui Hachimura and even Deandre Ayton. He was also left open repeatedly, where he made the Lakers pay by connecting on four of his seven attempts from range. Tighter rotations and a more disciplined approach to individual help responsibilities will be needed moving forward, as LAs array of defensive meltdowns nearly cost them this game. If not for AR’s heroics, this would have been. a bad loss. Hopefully JJ Redick and his staff can identify these defensive issues and iron out some of those deficiencies. They will need it in order to be a consistently competitive team in a loaded Western Conference.

    You will have games like this. The team looked up and down, with various peaks and valleys throughout. Fatigue may also be an issue as the Lakers continue to play severely undermanned as far as their rotations. LeBron James, Luka Dončić, Marcus Smart and Gabe Vincent are all sidelined due to various injuries. Yet, the Lakers competed and played hard nosed basketball, which is a great sign. But their is still some more room to improve as far as the team’s organization and structure defensively. Offensively, they are doing fine. Four of the five starters clocked in double figures scoring, and Dalton Knecht continues his rehabilitation tour following another decent 15-point outing. This definitely speaks to a team that’s trying to punch upward, despite their recent shortcomings, which is something they can be commended for. Hopefully they’ll keep their foot on the gas as they head into Memphis this Friday to take on the Grizzlies. They’ll have to win some games in the immediate future in order to stay above water given the recent injury glitches. Until then, let’s hope they keep trending positively. Go Lakers.

  • Shorthanded Lakers Fall to Young Blazers in Second Night of Back to Back

    On the heels of an impressive road win against the Sacramento Kings, the Lakers headed back home to take on a young and up-and-coming Trailblazers squad. In contrast to Sunday’s contest at Sacto, Monday’s game was a bit more of a slugfest for the Lakers. Already missing Luka Dončić (finger sprain/leg contusion) and LeBron James (sciatica), the Lakers announced they’d also be missing Marcus Smart (quadricep contusion) and Gabe Vincent (sprained left ankle) prior to the start of the contest. Big man Jaxson Hayes was also ruled out, and will be out for a while. The Lakers, predictably, played tired and sluggish basketball. Despite a solid team effort, they simply lacked the crispness in execution, as the younger-legged Trailblazers ran up and down the floor against the shorthanded Lakers. Portland prevailed by a final score of 122-108. Despite the loss, there were some positives displayed by the Lakers. It’s always tough to win a game against anybody when half of your rotation is out, but LA certainly gave it a run. Eventually, they were out-attrited by a fully healthy Portland squad, one which was out to put their best foot forward, as all teams do in LA.

    The Lakers came out of the gates strong. They were led (once again) by Austin Reaves, who scored 13 seamless points in the first 7 minutes of action. Reaves picked up right where he left off against the Blazers. Hot on the heels of a 51-point explosion the night before (a career-high), Reaves poured 41 points, a game-high, to go with four boards and five dimes. He did commit eight turnovers, a sign that perhaps the fatigue was starting to set in on the second night of a back-to-back. Nevertheless, Reaves continues his blistering start to the season. He got whatever he wanted once again, getting great results on the high pick-and-roll (with Ayton as the screen-setter) or driving downhill and attacking the rim. Reaves ability to navigate screens is fantastic, as he can weave his way through defenders until he settles on a good angle to score from. The fact that he has the midrange capabilities when driving is crucial, as he can stop on a dime and shoot over an off-balance defender. AR did his best to put the team on his back once again today, but LA simply did not have the horses to run with him. Outside of Rui Hachimura (16 points) and Deandre Ayton (16 points) the Lakers really didn’t get much out of their available players. Not to mention, the team failed to generate much offense whenever AR sat down for a breather. He was the only starter who did not post a negative +/- for the game, which tells you all you need to know about LAs lack of horses. This was just one of those games. Hopefully guys will start to come back soon.

    Where LA really hurt themselves was on the defensive end. The younger Blazers made sure to run against them at every turn. Guard Deni Avdija led all Blazers with 25 points, including 5-8 from beyond the arc. Much of this was due to LAs poor defensive rotations. The Lakers looked lost on help defense all night, which is a clear sign of lack of focus. They were late in rotating to shooters, often botching their individual assignments. Switching was also an issue, as LA consistently failed to get behind the screen-setter, leading to several open slips to basket. Just a bad defensive performance by the Lakers. Yes, they’re tired. And yes, they’re shorthanded. But one expects someone with the bravado of JJ Redick to have his guys prepared at all times. Defense is all preparation, effort, scheme and focus. No matter who’s in the game, if there’s a sound system in place, they should always be able to fall back on it to positive results. It’ll be interesting to see how the defense shapes out as the season progresses.

    Portland won almost every hustle category. They outrebounded LA 49-42. They recorded more team assists, steals and blocks, while committing less turnovers. More importantly, they won the points in the paint battle 62-54 while also making double the amount of threes (14 to 7) than the Lakers. That was the difference. Outside of AR, Rui and Dalton Knecht (who showed signs of life with a 16-point effort off the bench) no other Laker recorded a made three pointer. LA also only managed to produce 18 total bench points, whereas Portland sixth man Jerami Grant (22 points) outscored the Lakers bench by himself. It simply wasn’t LAs night. Given the injuries, the attrition factor, and quite frankly, the lack of preparation. This is the type of game that you flush aside, and move on to the next one. It’s hard to gauge a team with so many vital pieces missing, yet it’s also evident that effort was something that was missing on LAs part. Hopefully the edge and intensity returns as guys make their way back to the lineup. Until then, the Lakers will have to manage and find a way to rely on their grit and determination in order to win some games and keep their head above water while key players are out. LA will travel to Minnesota on Wednesday to take on the T-Wolves for a second time. I expect to see a better effort from a more rested and humbled group. They really need to rebound against Minny. Go Lakers.

  • Austin Reaves Drops 51 as Lakers Take Down Kings in Road Opener

    After a disappointing Opening Night effort against the Golden State Warriors, followed by a great rebounding performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Lakers made their way to Northern California to take on the Sacramento Kings for their first road game of the season. LA prevailed 127-120, on the back of a great team effort; one which was mostly fuelled by one Austin Reaves who produced the best game of his young career. Austin was sensational last night, pouring in an incredible 51 points in a game where the Lakers needed every bucket. It was announced shortly before the game yesterday that Luka Dončić will be out at least a week after sustaining a finger sprain (and a leg contusion) during LAs victory against the Timberwolves. So the shorthanded Lakers had their worked cut out for them. Thankfully, Austin Reaves was up to the task and displayed the tenacity, leadership and drive that he’s shown many times throughout his career. Even though it was a tremendous team effort, Austin stood head and shoulders as the main driving force in this game. If he continues this level of play, it will be tough to keep him off of the All Star ballot, not to mention his big payday next summer.

    To begin with, LAs offense looked very crisp; that was even with the absence of their two main stars in Luka Dončić and LeBron James. The team, and Head Coach JJ Redick, seem to have made the necessary adjustments since coming out flat against the Warriors last week. The Lakers produced great results from their pick and roll last nigh; with Austin Reaves being the catalyst. AR finished with a game-high 51 points, but also contributed nine assists and pulled down 11 boards. He shot a razor-sharp 12/22 from the field, including 6-10 from beyond the arc. All the while collecting two steals and committing only two turnovers (both in the first quarter). Aside from the gaudy scoring totals, which we’ll get to, Austin’s playmaking was phenomenal last night, proving that the Lakers have more than enough playmaking to flank Luka Dončić, when the ball isn’t in his hands. AR was masterful on ball screens, always making the correct read. Whether it was delivering the slip pass to the roller when the defense trapped, or pulling up against a sagging screen drefender, he consistently delivered results for LA on their ball screen actions. A key ingredient in this was the play of Deandre Ayton, who had his best game as a Laker with 22 points, 15 rebounds and a block. Ayton’s ability to set good screens will be crucial for the Lakers’ offense. Last night he was tremendous, often setting them at optimal angles, and even re-screening when the initial screen was less than effective. The Reaves-Ayton dynamic might have gone up a notch in this game, as both players found a synergy on their two-man actions. As a result, the Lakers were finally able to unlock Ayton’s ability as a screen-and-roll big, with AR’s playmaking as the ignitor. Ayton’s motor and focus comes and goes. But when they’re on, he can certainly help this team. LA needs to find a way to consistently keep him engaged.

    Additionally, the Lakers got a healthy jolt of productivity from their other role players. Jake LaRavia chipped in with 11 points and five assists, making some timely threes in the fourth quarter. Marcus Smart also scored 11 points, to go with five assists, and his defense and ancillary playmaking (he hit Reaves on a sweet backdoor cut midway in the first quarter) will continue to provide a boost to the offense, as it allows the Lakers to showcase different looks by playing both AR and Luka off-ball. Jarred Vanderbilt also had a good game, scoring nine points, but it was his defensive pressure which continues to be his calling card. Rui Hachimura was yet another bright spot, scoring an efficient 18 points, and doing so without any three point baskets. He did his damage from the midrange, and as a screen-and-roll partner with AR. Rui’s short roll game can be a factor given that he can both pop for the middy, or finish strong at the basket. Unfortunately, Gabe Vincent came up limping in the second half. He was reportedly wearing a walking boot after the game, which isn’t very promising. Hopefully it isn’t something that will keep him out for long as he’s been playing solid basketball through three games.

    This contest was a see-saw battle from start to finish, with Sacramento coming out hot and trying to put their best foot forward against the hated interstate rival. LA was able to ride the hot hand of Austin Reaves in the early going (and quite frankly for the entire game) in order to stay afloat. The Kings were led by guard Zach Lavine, who scored a team-high 32 points, on 12-24 shooting. Demar Derozan pitched in with 21 points, albeit on 22 shots and familiar foe Dennis Schröder contributed 18 points and 12 assists. Standout bigman Domantas Sabonis was held to only 10 points, and for the most part was outplayed by Deandre Ayton. Winning the matchup at the 5 was key a piece in LAs win. Sacramento was able to match LA basket for basket for most of the contest, even taking a lead at one point in the fourth quarter. That was until Austin Reaves checked back into the game and helped LA regain the lead. The Lakers’ execution down the stretch was commendable, particularly in the playcalling department. JJ Redick did a great job of calling plays, especially after timeouts which gave the team a sense of order and familiarity whenever they were in need of a basket. Kudos to JJ. But once again, it was Austin Reaves who really shined towards the waning moments of the game. His decision-making as a lead ballhandler was both aggressive and precise, always making the right read coming out of ball screens. He’s getting really good at executing the pocket pass whenever the screener defender presses up to guard the screen. Often hitting a cutting Rui or Ayton in stride. This is tremendous development from Reaves, as the Lakers can use his secondary playmaking, behind Dončić, to diversify their offensive playbook. Reaves was also able to make the clutch free throws (he was 21/22 from the line) to eventually seal the win.

    Great win for LA. They showed a level of energy and focus that wasn’t present during their loss to the Warriors last Tuesday. Their next man up mentality merits praise, and hopefully, they’ll keep it up. Having guys like Vando and Smart roaming the defense on the perimeter is a huge asset to this team, as those two can consistently pressure the ball and disrupt passing lanes in order to generate turnovers. This in turn gets the team easy transition opportunities, where even guys like Ayton are ardently running the floor in order to beat his man and get an easy bucket. Great effort, overall, from the team. It’ll be tough to navigate these next couple of games with the absence of Luka, and now Gabe Vincent, who will presumably be out a while. But if they maintain of this level of focus, they can certainly remain competitive and be in position to snatch some wins late in games, as they did last night. The Lakers will head back home to take on the Trailblazers, on the second night of a back to back. Hopefully they’ll bring the same type of mentality and fight that can carry them through the next few games. Go Lakers.

  • Lakers Dominate Timberwolves In Early Playoff Rematch

    Fresh off of an Opening Night defeat at the hands of the Golden State Warriors, the Los Angeles Lakers took the floor at Crypto Arena to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves for their second contest of the season. In stark contrast to the season opener, the Lakers looked considerably better, managing to best Minnesota by a final score of 128-110. The Lakers looked like quick learners, showcasing a new outlook, and looking like a different team from the one that fell to the Timberwolves during the first round of last season’s playoffs. In any case, it’s great to see the Lakers come out with a different edge after getting humbled by the Warriors on Opening Night. The ball movement, the execution, the defense, the attention to detail, it was all night and day from what we saw from the team during last Tuesday’s loss. If LA keeps this up, they can start racking racking up wins early on in the young season, which will pay dividends later on.

    The main storyline in this contest was one Luka Dončić, who continued his captivating and dominant play with yet another gem. Luka had himself a dandy, scoring 49 points, grabbing 11 boards and dishing out eight assists. He did so on a minty 14-23 from the field, including 5-12 from deep. Luka also made history, scoring 92 total points during the first two games of the season, the most since Jerry West. On the floor, he did whatever he wanted to. Whether it was stepping back for three, taking it to the hole, if he wasn’t pulling up from the midrange, not to mention being a total wizard on the pick and roll. The Timberwolves opted to play drop coverage, primarily with Rudy Gobert, on Luka’s ball screens. Luka countered by punishing Minnesota, utilizing the open space to create for himself, when he wasn’t feeding Deandre Ayton at the rim, or a wide open shooter at the corner. LA also did a much better job at making shots this game, as Austin Reaves (25 points), Deandre Ayton (15 points) and Rui Hachimura (23 points), all filled the scoresheet on the offensive end. This is the type of balance which the team must strive for in order to be competitive against the top foes of the Western Conference.

    Things did not start out so rosy for LA, as Minnesota bursted out of the gates with a commanding 10-4 run to start the game. They did so on the back on Athony Edwards, who finished the game with a team-high 31 points, and was scoring with ease all over LAs defense. It looked like the Lakers were headed for another lopsided loss. Thankfully, Luka Dončić was up for the task, as he scored seven straight points to keep Minny’s lead from ballooning out of control. At one point, Minnesota led 21-13 early in the first quarter, after which JJ Redick smartly used a timeout that helped LA catch their wind and reset their motors. They began to chip away at the T-Wolves lead, and by halftime, they found themselves leading 68-63. Once again, in stark contrast to Tuesday’s loss, the Lakers managed to produce a prosperous third quarter, pushing their lead to double digits. They eventually led Minnesota by over 20 at one point in the fourth, after which LA decided to sit their starters. It was certainly an impressive win, not to mention a crucial one, as the Lakers got an early taste of the type of basketball they’re capable of playing when they’re engaged and clicking on all cylinders.

    Defense was a pivotal key in this win, as Jarred Vanderbilt and newcomer Marcus Smart both showed the tremendous value that’ll have for this team moving forward. These two have the ability to bring a sense of toughness and defensive tenacity, both elements that the team sorely needs. Jake LaRavia’s play also should not go without notice, as his on-ball defense was stellar, providing the size and toughness at the wing that LA needs in order to hang with the Minnesota’s of the NBA. In this game, we saw LA get after the Timberwolves defensively, creating turnovers by pressuring the ballhandler and battling for all the 50/50 balls that can inspire any team with a burst of momentum. This brand of play is invaluable, as it gives the Lakers an edge against the better teams; if LA can consistently defend at this level, while having Luka quarterback the offense, then they can certainly win alot of games. Enough to be a strong playoff seed in a tough Western Conference.

    Offensively, the Lakers looked much better as well. They put together a well-balanced attack, one which frustrated Minnesota from multiple areas of the floor. Luka is squarely at the epicenter of this, as his play opens up opportunities for everyone else. Against Minnesota, the Lakers got much better mileage from their pick and roll. Luka was masterful all night. He punished the defense for going under the screen by pulling up from three. When they went over, he managed to drive to the middle of the floor where he truly excels as an offensive connecter; he can score himself, hit the open man, or hit the rolling big man for an easy finish. Deandre Ayton also showed why he is so valuable to LAs offense as his screen setting and diving to the basket opens up other actions on the perimeter. The Lakers produced quite quite a number of ‘hockey assists’, whether it was from Luka’s penetration or from Ayton rolling hard to the basket, which triggers help from the outside. With LA making most of their open looks, they managed to capitalize on most of these advantages.

    Once again, this was a much better showing by the Lakers, who’s aggression and focus helped them earn their first win of the year. Crisp rotations, excellent ball movement and timely shot-making all proved to be factors in favor of the Lakers. This is the type of basketball that’s needed more often than not, in order to be amongst the top teams in the Western Conference. Of course it all starts with one Luka Dončić. But if the team can put forth this type of complimentary basketball from their role players, then they’re in great shape to give any team a run for their money. There’s still plenty of room to grow, but this is certainly a step in right direction. Let’s hope that they can keep building and progressing into the type of team that they’re capable of being. The Lakers will take on Sacramento on Monday for their first road game of the year. The Kings are always a tough out, and always show up for anything Lakers related. So now isn’t the time to ease the foot on the accelerator. If we see a repeat effort of Thursday’s dominating performance against Minnesota, then they’ll be in good shape. Hopefully LA resumes their commitment to playing great team basketball with a defensive energy to match. Go Lakers.