LAKERS -at- MAGIC - 1-21-22 - Thoughts and :-)) Ratings

 
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DancingBarry
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 21, 2022 7:48 pm    Post subject: LAKERS -at- MAGIC - 1-21-22 - Thoughts and :-)) Ratings

Grammy Trip... As they head out for the extended road trip, the Lakers aren’t going to find to many easy wins. Against the 8-win Magic, you’ve got to get the W.

Both teams played fairly even for most of the first half. But as we’ve seen near the end of those second quarters all season, the Lakers can quickly fade into the break.

The moment Reaves sat in the first half, the Magic went on an 11-0 run to grab a double digit lead in the final minutes of the half. Reaves and LeBron were the only ones really providing some impact (Reaves on D, LeBron being LeBron). The Lakers trailed by 8 heading into the second half.

The Lakers went with the small, switchy lineup to start the second half, inserting Stanley for Dwight. The switching took the Magic offense out of their flow as the Lakers rattled off a 17-2 run.

They’d get another burst of scoring from Melo over a 7-minute stretch between quarters and were able to cruise to the 116-105 victory.

“We cut their water off,” Melo said of the Lakers second half ball.


LeBron -- -- Just a steady machine. Now 16-straight games with 25+ points. He’s only had a couple other streaks like this in his career. He led the Lakers with 18 points in the first half on 7-13 shooting. He was getting scores at the rim consistently tonight. Also drained a couple of threes. We started him at center in the second half and played with speed and mobility. Good support by his guys as they switched everything on cue and played aggressively on that end. This switching small ball, LeBron center unit can be really good. We just need our big man, AD, back into the mix to help keep us mobile, but with some size. Got to figure we have 10-12 minutes without AD at center that LeBron will be playing the C. All this work should pay off. The Stats: He scored 29 points on 12-23 shooting (2-7 from three, 3-3 from the line) to go with 7 boards, 5 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 6 turnovers and 3 fouls in 34 minutes. He was a +5.

Westbrook -- -- He was on the floor a few times defensively in the first half tonight. Steals, rebounds, drawing charges. He had 12 points on 5-9 shooting in that half, as well. A couple of nice drive and kicks to Stanley in the corner for threes in the third quarter as the Lakers built momentum. He had a pretty lob to LeBron as Russ curled from the corner and then threw it up there for him. Right after that, he overpowered a defender for a layup. That was the good. Always with the loud mistakes, however. He had one of those off-the-top-of-the-backboard lefty bank shots. He also didn’t switch with Reaves right after entering the game later and we gave up an ugly, uncontested score. He also dribbled the ball up court and right out of bounds along the sideline with no pressure. Despite those, it felt like a more overall, balanced game. Back to the near triple-double action without all the turnovers of some of his triple-doubles earlier this season. “He wanted to impose his will, play his part and played a hell of a game,” Vogel said. The Stats: He scored 18 points on 8-17 shooting (0-1 from three, 2-2 from the line) to go with 11 boards, 7 assists, 3 steals, 3 turnovers and 3 fouls in 35 minutes. He was a +11.

Bradley -- -- He set the tone to start the second half. Really good start to the third. He forced his man into a bad pass with some pressure D (he’d give it away with a bad pass shortly later himself). But he then knocked down a corner three. Then stole the ball again to find LeBron for a breakaway score. Then he’d hit a pull-up jumper. The Lakers took back the lead in under 3 minutes. He had another blindside steal up top that led to a Laker breakaway. I loved his first go around here with the Lakers during their championship season when Bradley was the guy who set the tone defensively early in that season. That was him again tonight in that second half. The Stats: He scored 9 points on 3-4 shooting (2-3 from three, 1-1 from the line) to go with 4 boards, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 turnover and 3 fouls in 20 minutes. He was a +4.

Howard -- -- The Lakers went small to start the second half with Johnson taking over Dwight’s spot. Not the same Dwight that Orlando fans remember. He struggled a bit to finish when he had the ball under the hoop. He’s just not as explosive. Defensively, miles from the athleticism he used to have. But it’s been a lot of miles from his rookie season to now the 10th all time in rebounding. A lot of offensive fouls from him in this one and that kept his time on the floor down further. The Stats: He scored 4 points on 1-3 shooting (2-2 from the line) to go with 4 boards (2 offensive), 3 turnovers and 5 fouls in 13 minutes. He was a +3.

Ariza -- -- He looks so slow-footed on both ends. Offensively, that usually looks like a pump fake into a slow attack. Defensively, he just looks heavy legged. Very slow. I’m not sure why we aren’t automatically switching with Trevor between the 3, 4 and 5 spots. None of the guys he’s switching with will be more slow-footed. Probably about the same. Trevor’s got enough length/strength to handle himself on those bigger guys on the other end of that. The 1s and 2s just go right by him. His couple of scores tonight, he hit a pick and pop three working with Russ. And he cut down the lane and LeBron found him for a dunk. The Stats: He scored 5 points on 2-5 shooting (1-4 from three to go with 3 boards, 2 assists, 1 steal and no fouls. He was a +20.

Anthony -- -- A great shift. He swished a deep three trailing the break right after coming in later in the third quarter. That gave the Lakers a 10-point lead, but also got Melo started. Next time down, he got a switch and hit the fade in the post. After a timeout, we set up Melo a pick and pop for a wing three. He’d drill another three early in the fourth. The Magic lost him in early offense, but LeBron didn’t for another three. He’d then get hit on a three next time down. All of the above was about in a 6-minute stretch between the third and fourth quarter. Microwave instant offense. Honestly, this is the prototype Melo game. Not 30 minutes, but an aggressive 17 off the bench. He had 19 in the second half with one LeBron dunk breaking up that streak. The Stats: He scored 23 points on 8-13 shooting (4-5 from three, 3-3 from the line) to go with 3 boards, 1 block and 2 fouls in 17 minutes. He was a +5.

Monk -- -- I want him shooting, not coming into the game passive and passing. We need his scoring. (He did have a sweet pass to start the fourth as he attack down the middle and lobbed to LeBron for the dunk.) But I want him gunning on jumpers when he has daylight right now. We need a third scorer every night. Melo took that role tonight (give him daylight and the shot is off). The Stats: He scored 10 points on 4-9 shooting (1-2 from three, 1-2 from the line) to go with 4 boards, 2 assists, 2 steals, 3 turnovers and 4 fouls in 31 minutes. He was a +2.

Horton-Tucker -- -- He was called for a weak flagrant-1 at the end of the first half. He met a player up top trying grab the ball. The player hit the ground hard. Collisions happen. Doesn’t mean it’s always a flagrant if someone is slow to get up. I don’t think I’ve ever heard Stu more annoyed with a call than that one. He was going off. BillyMac told him he might get a call from the league. “I pray that they call me,” he said. Worthy back in the studio after the game. “Horrible call…embarrassing.” Quiet night from THT. A couple defensive plays. He had a nice block off the backboard and used his length for a steal.

Reaves -- -- Once again, destroying it on the charge calls this month (read a stat somewhere he’s leading the league in January on those). He drew another charge in the post in the first half. Up 1 when he sat in the first half. The Lakers closed the half poorly, giving up an 11-0 run right after he sat. A lot of plays in this game defensively where he’s covering a couple of guys at once and doing a good job with it. Offensively, not aggressive enough again. He’s fallen back into that habit and not thinking about scoring when in position to. LeBron also got a little frustrated with him when they botched a fastbreak with Reaves not going strong to the basket to get a pass. In the final minute we had the clock low and you could see him think “score” and tried to hammer on a couple of guys, drawing FTs in the process. But that’s the aggression we want more of from him. All his points were from the line. The Stats: He scored 5 points on 0-2 shooting from three (5-6 from the line) to go with 3 boards, 1 steal and 1 foul in 23 minutes. He was a +3.

Johnson -- -- In the starting lineup to start the second half so we could switch on D. He knocked down a few threes tonight. A couple of key ones during the third as he started for Dwight. Russ got the paint touch and Stanley was wide open in the right corner for both of those. He’s got to be loving the wide open looks from three. The Stats: He scored 11 points on 3-5 shooting (3-4 from three, 2-4 from the line) to go with 5 boards, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 2 turnovers and no fouls in 22 minutes. He was a +9.

Vogel -- -- Key Moment: First few minutes of the third quarter. The Lakers got after it defensively with the small ball switching. They caught the Magic in a just a couple of minutes of action. That carried through to a 16-point lockdown third quarter. “Positionless defense,” LeBron said, allowed them to keep guys in front of them.

Key Substitution: That 7- or 8-minute shift with Melo late in the third and early in the fourth was key. We didn’t keep him out there trying to close the game.

Key Stats: Just 6 assists by the Lakers in the first half. They had 11 in the third quarter to finish with 23 overall.
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LakerLanny
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 21, 2022 7:52 pm    Post subject:

First.

Interesting that Ariza lead the plus minus with a +20 despite only scoring 5 points.

Lightbulb? Idea?

Let's GO
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deal
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 21, 2022 8:00 pm    Post subject:

Thanks DB!!!
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 21, 2022 9:23 pm    Post subject:

Thanks DB.

Admittedly, I'm not terribly excited as it was a win they had to have...it's the Magic. Not exactly stellar competition.

I have zero expectations as they now enter a bit of a tough stretch. Probably best, for me personally, to go that way. Will save a few TV's from death by shoe.
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 21, 2022 9:37 pm    Post subject:

Beat a team we should definitely beat so good.

We'll see now on the rest of this trip.

Thanks DB
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 22, 2022 2:14 am    Post subject:

What is great about the upcoming games is that the Lakers will rise up to the challenge or it will be clear that big changes are needed

Since LBJ was very impactful on why many of the players on this roster and that he is the Leader, we will see if LBJ will keep all the players accountable and what level of production that he is "satisfied" with
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governator
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 22, 2022 6:27 am    Post subject:

23-23, insane but just get in playoff and let the stars star, we'll always have a chance with a healthy LBJ-AD combo. Slower pace would benefit our vets, Melo and hopefully Ariza would be fully recovered by then. Monk-Nunn-Reaves, let see how they do in the playoff. Of course if Russ still here, time to show what a $44m player can do when it counts.
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 22, 2022 6:43 am    Post subject:

Starting Stanley in the second half was a major adjustment, DB. You immediately saw two things change.

On the perimeter we were able to switch and double the spots on the floor we wanted to, with recovery. We can't do this with Dwight. We also are able to switch Lebron/Stanley a bit.

On offense, Stanley was spotting up at the corner for 3s. and the Magic paid for collapsing the defense.

When you play Lebron at 5, you need to make sure there are two big wings next to him. I think we did a decent job in this one to ensure this. Lebron/Stanley/Ariza. Lebron/Melo/Stanley. Those are big frontcourts, only smaller at the 5, but we have the physicality there with Lebron/Stanley.
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 22, 2022 6:53 am    Post subject:

I look forward to these write-ups DB, thank you!

Solid win ....... now lets keep it going!
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 22, 2022 7:11 am    Post subject:

Thanks DB!
    ROAD TRIP:
      One down, five to go!
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 22, 2022 8:08 am    Post subject:

https://twitter.com/mikanfanclubceo/status/1484861296046653442?s=21

It’s really not that hard.

Give the heavy minutes to the young players who can move and compete. Not the old dudes who can barely move.
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danzag
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 22, 2022 8:20 am    Post subject:

Thanks, DB
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Dr. Laker
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 22, 2022 10:14 am    Post subject:

danzag wrote:
Thanks, DB

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DancingBarry
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 22, 2022 11:38 am    Post subject:

LakerSD wrote:
https://twitter.com/mikanfanclubceo/status/1484861296046653442?s=21

It’s really not that hard.

Give the heavy minutes to the young players who can move and compete. Not the old dudes who can barely move.


LeBron’s Space Jam lineup for hoop nerds like us. Kids have been crushing it with him.
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A Mad Chinaman
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 22, 2022 11:43 am    Post subject:

wolfpaclaker wrote:
Starting Stanley in the second half was a major adjustment, DB. You immediately saw two things change.

On the perimeter we were able to switch and double the spots on the floor we wanted to, with recovery. We can't do this with Dwight. We also are able to switch Lebron/Stanley a bit.

On offense, Stanley was spotting up at the corner for 3s. and the Magic paid for collapsing the defense.

When you play Lebron at 5, you need to make sure there are two big wings next to him. I think we did a decent job in this one to ensure this. Lebron/Stanley/Ariza. Lebron/Melo/Stanley. Those are big frontcourts, only smaller at the 5, but we have the physicality there with Lebron/Stanley.
Having LBJ as the Point Center, lessens Westbrook’s responsibilities and limits unforced errors that puts our defense at a disadvantage

More energy
More effort
Play smarter

Hopefully this roster will embrace Melo’s words
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