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A Mad Chinaman
Star Player
Joined: 07 Apr 2005
Posts: 5776
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 Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2023 6:59 pm Post subject: Re: LAKERS -at- WARRIORS - 2-23-23 - Thoughts and :-)) Ratings |
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| DancingBarry wrote: |
Vanderbilt --  -- Reaves on Vando: “Someone that does everything. Someone you can rely on every single night to go out and do his job and have the team’s best interest at heart.” I like that last part. Really not a lot of individual action, but just having him in the mix allows us to slot everyone at better positions. That, alone, just makes a big difference. That start of the third kind of showed that. We didn’t have D’Lo. Beasley had to sit with fouls after a couple minutes. Didn’t matter. The Lakers just had one new body with some length and the other Lakers who’ve been with the team all season just rolled. Offensively, he got a couple scores at the rim, one tipping in a missed Brown layup. The other, a dunk filing the lane when AD found him. He’d miss a corner three left alone. He also found Beasley on a kickout for a three. The Stats: He scored 4 points on 2-4 shooting (0-1 from three) to go with 9 boards (3 offensive), 2 assists, 2 turnovers and no fouls in 18 minutes. He was a +16. |
More info on what Vanderbilt can bring
https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2023/2/23/23611334/lakers-jarred-vanderbilt-wing-defender-highlights-video-analysis |
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CervantesRises
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Joined: 18 Jun 2016
Posts: 3475
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| Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2023 8:04 pm Post subject: |
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| DancingBarry wrote: | | CervantesRises wrote: | Mahalo DB!
What are you enjoying most about this new squad? |
Just the over all balance and fit on both ends. It's made for chemistry.
We can put together some lineups that can get after it defensively. We're younger and more active on that end. You've got to have that around LeBron as he's a low-movement defender. Defensively, we're also slotted better. Don't need smalls out there guarding above their position. We had Russ/Bev guarding bigger players and weren't very effective. Bryant couldn't stop anyone entering the paint.
Previously, we just had to have a minimum ability of shooting on the floor at all times to function, which meant playing guys who were not good at D. Or playing small ball lineups that got abused on defense. The offense numbers could look great and guys could pile up stats, but what does it matter when you are giving up 130?
We were trying to shoehorn Russ into schemes and were swimming against the current nightly. When you've got a couple of stars that need the ball, he's not the type of player you want on the floor. He doesn't do the things you need (shooting gravity, screen setting...1 screen per game?!, cutting) that help another ball dominant player. So you have to split minutes among your big guns and be very careful when those minutes overlap. Some matchups, you can get away with it, some it's just impossible. You also have to play super fast so defenses can't load up on other threats in the half court. Come playoff time when everyone is on top of their game and knows the rules for how they want to defend x, y, z, then things start to stagnate. You know longer get those mistakes that allow Russ to get downhill. It just becomes an even bigger problem just like how we took out Harden/Russ at Houston.
Now, the playbook opens up. The D improves. Coaches had their hands tied a bit. Now they need to rise to the occasion. |
Nice insights.
I'm liking how many loose balls they're creating and how quickly they are transitioning to the break. With virtually no practice this team looks like they have been playing together for a while.
The 3pt threats that Beas and Dlo are is fun to watch as defenders scramble to them instead of sitting in the paint and waiting for a brick.
Felt like AD was getting muscled by Looney last night. Surprisingly Be bad shut that down really nicely.
What's been most surprising is how well this team is playing Defense as a team. Everyone is veringg for each other. Could be we're playing teams that rely on transition and they'd be a bit more exposed on the perimeter and hunting mismatches but we'll see. AD has been doing an excellent job of switching out on the perimeter and trailing faster guards.
I wonder how much of Bron's demeanor is simply him locking in so everyone knows this is no time to get satisfied with early success. He looked all business to me even though his shot wasn't falling.
After damn near two years of Laker basketball being unwatchable for me (I feel for you dude)...this has been a lot of fun.
And you're spot on with Rui...put him on the block. He's too valuable down low to camp him at the 3 line.🤙🏽
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A Mad Chinaman
Star Player
Joined: 07 Apr 2005
Posts: 5776
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| Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2023 10:35 pm Post subject: |
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| CervantesRises wrote: | | DancingBarry wrote: | | CervantesRises wrote: | Mahalo DB!
What are you enjoying most about this new squad? |
Just the over all balance and fit on both ends. It's made for chemistry.
We can put together some lineups that can get after it defensively. We're younger and more active on that end. You've got to have that around LeBron as he's a low-movement defender. Defensively, we're also slotted better. Don't need smalls out there guarding above their position. We had Russ/Bev guarding bigger players and weren't very effective. Bryant couldn't stop anyone entering the paint.
Previously, we just had to have a minimum ability of shooting on the floor at all times to function, which meant playing guys who were not good at D. Or playing small ball lineups that got abused on defense. The offense numbers could look great and guys could pile up stats, but what does it matter when you are giving up 130?
We were trying to shoehorn Russ into schemes and were swimming against the current nightly. When you've got a couple of stars that need the ball, he's not the type of player you want on the floor. He doesn't do the things you need (shooting gravity, screen setting...1 screen per game?!, cutting) that help another ball dominant player. So you have to split minutes among your big guns and be very careful when those minutes overlap. Some matchups, you can get away with it, some it's just impossible. You also have to play super fast so defenses can't load up on other threats in the half court. Come playoff time when everyone is on top of their game and knows the rules for how they want to defend x, y, z, then things start to stagnate. You know longer get those mistakes that allow Russ to get downhill. It just becomes an even bigger problem just like how we took out Harden/Russ at Houston.
Now, the playbook opens up. The D improves. Coaches had their hands tied a bit. Now they need to rise to the occasion. |
Nice insights.
I'm liking how many loose balls they're creating and how quickly they are transitioning to the break. With virtually no practice this team looks like they have been playing together for a while.
The 3pt threats that Beas and Dlo are is fun to watch as defenders scramble to them instead of sitting in the paint and waiting for a brick.
Felt like AD was getting muscled by Looney last night. Surprisingly Be bad shut that down really nicely.
What's been most surprising is how well this team is playing Defense as a team. Everyone is veringg for each other. Could be we're playing teams that rely on transition and they'd be a bit more exposed on the perimeter and hunting mismatches but we'll see. AD has been doing an excellent job of switching out on the perimeter and trailing faster guards.
I wonder how much of Bron's demeanor is simply him locking in so everyone knows this is no time to get satisfied with early success. He looked all business to me even though his shot wasn't falling.
After damn near two years of Laker basketball being unwatchable for me (I feel for you dude)...this has been a lot of fun.
And you're spot on with Rui...put him on the block. He's too valuable down low to camp him at the 3 line.🤙🏽 |
Another side benefit is that LBJ/AD won't be required to always be at the top of the game just to win games and will be able to play 30-35 MPG - if not less. Maybe there will be games where LBJ/AD will have most of the 4th quarter off on several games.
Ironically, the Lakers' bench might be a key factor to their path to the playoffs
Luka/Kyrie Mavs and KD/Booker/CP3 Suns have a weak bench
TWolves (KAT)/Pels (Zion) - their Superstar injury problems and team inexperience results in many playoff questions
Thunder, Jazz and Dame's Trailblazers are using this season to develop their teams for the future
Dubs are unpredictable but they have Stephen Curry, if he is healthy. Their young stars are very talented but have shown their inconsistencies that might bite them in the butt during the playoffs. Stephen/Klay/Draymond are obviously battle-tested but without a dependable talented bench.
Clippers are a wildcard. If Kwahi/PG13 are actually on the court, they are a deep team. Westbrook's "One Man Fastbreak" will have success, but in a half-court offense during clutch tine will be an adventure. Since TyLue wants "Russ to Be Russ" - that means Russ will have the ball, not Kwahi or PG13 (advantage, opposing teams)
Kings and Grizzs have the maturity to go deep into the playoffs?
With the above-listed Kings and Clippers being involved with the second highest scoring game in history,
https://global.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/35730747/kings-outlast-clippers-second-highest-scoring-game-ever
Nuggets are a well-oiled team that has had the good fortune of being healthy throughout the entire season.
Lakers have an excellent chance to go deep into the playoffs
OR
Immediately fall out of contention with countless questions |
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ThePageDude
Star Player
Joined: 25 Jul 2002
Posts: 2257
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| Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2023 7:35 am Post subject: |
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| DancingBarry wrote: |
<snip>
Now, the playbook opens up. The D improves. Coaches had their hands tied a bit. Now they need to rise to the occasion. |
This. |
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joeblow
Star Player
Joined: 24 Nov 2008
Posts: 2802
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| Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2023 9:29 am Post subject: Re: LAKERS -at- WARRIORS - 2-23-23 - Thoughts and :-)) Ratings |
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^^^ This was a great article. The author's observation from it gives an example as to how it can be defensively detrimental to a team's success to have smaller players guard shooters taller than them:
| Quote: | | Vanderbilt’s fit and potential was clear, but it’s been arguably even better than anticipated, particularly with how he went toe to toe with New Orleans Pelicans (and former Laker) wing Brandon Ingram, who has destroyed the team pretty much every time he’s seen them, to the tune of averaging 25.8 points per game when facing them (his career-high average vs. any team). |
See how that works? Having smaller defenders (like Troy when he is out of position in the SF slot) on taller, talented scorers is like giving the opponent a free pass to just shoot over us. It doesn't have to be that way if your roster has defensive alternatives with size to at least make it a challenge for them.
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Last edited by joeblow on Sat Feb 25, 2023 9:44 am; edited 3 times in total |
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governator
Franchise Player
Joined: 28 Jan 2006
Posts: 23257
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| Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2023 9:38 am Post subject: Re: LAKERS -at- WARRIORS - 2-23-23 - Thoughts and :-)) Ratings |
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| joeblow wrote: |
^^^ This was a great article that AMC linked us to in another thread. The author's observation from it gives an example as to how it can be defensively detrimental to a team's success to have smaller players guard shooters taller than them:
| Quote: | | Vanderbilt’s fit and potential was clear, but it’s been arguably even better than anticipated, particularly with how he went toe to toe with New Orleans Pelicans (and former Laker) wing Brandon Ingram, who has destroyed the team pretty much every time he’s seen them, to the tune of averaging 25.8 points per game when facing them (his career-high average vs. any team). |
See how that works? Having smaller defenders (like Troy when he is out of position in the SF slot) on taller, talented scorers is like giving the opponent a free pass to just shoot over us. It doesn't have to be that way if your roster has defensive alternatives with size to at least make it a challenge for them. |
Sounds like spurts of Reaves-Vando-Bron-AD-Wenyen/DS can/should cool off any opposing line up |
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joeblow
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Joined: 24 Nov 2008
Posts: 2802
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| Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2023 10:13 am Post subject: |
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^^^ To me, we should have at least four acknowledged good Laker defenders (playing in their natural positions!) on the court as often as possible to seriously damage an opposing team's ability so score easily on us. The other Laker players can be squeezed in as needed, but the more we have four or even five legit defenders activated, we'll get consistent, winning results:
Troy - PG or SG only
Austin - PG or SG only
Christie - PG or SG only
Vandy - SG, SF, PF
Lebron - SF or PF only
Gabriel - SF or PF only
Davis - PF or Center only
Bamba - Center only
Ham should focus on assigning roles as strictly as this, then add a fifth non-defensive Laker as needed for these kind of sample defensive lineups:
- DLo, Troy, Vandy, Lebron, AD (i.e. vs. the Warriors or Kings)
- Troy, Vandy, Lebron, AD, Bamba (i.e., vs. Bucks or Nuggets)
- Dennis, Christie, Lebron, Gabriel, Bamba (for bench rotations)
- Austin, Beas, Gabriel, Vandy, AD (for bench rotations)
We could still use another bully center for the regular season and against the bigger Cs in the playoffs, but we have no excuses now to go small as we try to make up lost ground in the standings down the stretch.
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