SUNS -at- LAKERS - 10-25-24 - Thoughts and :-)) Ratings

[DancingBarry]

Down Big, Still Got the W... The Suns were cooking early in the first half.

Any Laker turnover, they pushed the pace for an easy score. In the half court, they were on fire. Once they’d get the Laker defense scrambling, L.A. couldn’t keep up with the ball movement, and the Suns bombed away from three. At one point, they extended to a 22-point lead and were 11-15 from three.

The Lakers pushed back, rattling off a 13-1 run behind some excellent two-way ball by Reaves. Offensively, he and AD worked the two-man game for multiple scores. They’d trim the lead to 9 by the half.

Reaves would quickly hit two threes to start the second half as LeBron pushed the pace. Now the Lakers had the Suns on their heels. That was followed by back-to-back threes from Bron, and it was anyone’s ballgame again. The Lakers had the lead just over 3 minutes into the second half.

With 4 minutes left in the third, the arena went nuts as the Dodgers hit a walk-off grand slam to win in extra innings against the Yankees. Epic. The Lakers would slip back by 7 points, however, a minute later, and Redick called for a timeout.

After a lineup change, LeBron pushed tempo again and the Lakers retook the lead. The law of averages hit as the Suns went 2-12 from three in the third and the Lakers made 5-7.

Great game by Reaves and Bron leading the charge. AD again would put up big numbers including quite a few points down the stretch. The Lakers moved to 2-0 to start the season with the 123-116 win.


LeBron -- -- Quiet first half. He missed a three, midrange, layup in the post and both freethrows. He did get a couple buckets, one layup in transition and one post up layup off a spin. He flipped on the switch in the second half. That changed the game. He was pushing tempo, getting downhill and collapsing the D. The Laker offense clicked off that. He then threw in a couple of threes himself. The Suns made a run while Bron was resting and JJ called a timeout. When he brought LeBron back, order was instantly restored as LBJ kept the pressure on the rim. That would lead to big threes from Vincent and later from Rui. He also sent a bullet to Vincent under the hoop for a layup. That team-high +14 from Bron was felt. The Stats: He scored 21 points on 7-13 shooting (2-5 from three, 5-8 from the line) to go with 4 boards, 8 assists, 2 turnovers and 1 foul in 35 minutes. He was a +14.

Davis -- -- Love the two-man chemistry with AD and AR in this game. They ran a give-and-go early in the corner for an AR layup. AD would dunk off a Reaves drive and dish. He throw down a reverse dunk on another setup by Reaves. AR would hit him again for a layup. Really nice wraparound pass around a couple defenders by AR on one of those to Ad for the dunk. In the fourth quarter when AD returned to help close the game, he dunked against a post double team. He drew three FTs against Durant on iso at the three line with clock low. He’d dunk again off the break with Bron and then was sent to the line a few more times for FTs on perimeter fouls. Good close again. Not as dominant as the last one, but productive enough. A lot of FTAs again shows his aggression and involvement. JJ said it’s an intentionality on the coaching staff’s part, but he also mentioned AD has had good patience that the ball was going to find him when needed. The Stats: He scored 35 points on 11-18 shooting (13-17 from the line) to go with 8 boards, 4 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 1 turnover and 2 fouls in 38 minutes. He was a +4.

Russell -- -- He struggled most of the game. Finally in the fourth, he’d hit a three after swinging it to Hayes in the corner, who was like “why are you giving me this?” and sent it back to Russell for the three. Jones scored a few times against Russell in the fourth, so Redick sat him for Vincent to close the game in the final minutes. The Stats: He scored 5 points on 1-6 shooting (1-3 from three, 2-2 from the line) to go with 2 boards, 5 assists, 1 steal, 1 blocks, 2 turnovers and 3 fouls in 29 minutes. He was a -6.

Reaves -- -- “I knew he was good. I didn’t realize he was this good,” Redick said. He said JJ sent him a text at 7 a.m. telling him he thought AR would have a big game tonight. Reaves crushed it. Great first half. He had some excellent chemistry with AD. Really, the only one to consistently create for AD. Multiples times in the half, AR lost Booker with changes of direction and going behind his back with the dribble. Best play was jumping a passing lane for the steal, going behind his back at high speed and scoring a layup in transition over Booker’s challenge. He had 11 points on 4-7 shooting, 5 assists and 2 steals at the half. Reaves knocked down two threes to start the second half and the Lakers were back from their first half hole. He’d later knock down a couple of threes in the fourth, a step-back wing three and another off a nice two-man sequence with Hayes. JJ also used Reaves hot hand to draw a couple of defenders on ATO play that AR found Hayes for a layup. The Stats: He scored 26 points on 8-12 shooting (5-7 from three, 5-6 from the line) to go with 4 boards, 8 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, 4 turnovers and 4 fouls in 37 minutes. He was a +13.

Hachimura -- -- Big three from Rui with 1:37 left on a kickout from LeBron. That was probably the one that iced it. A couple dunks from Rui, one on a backdoor cut where Russell found him. Another late in the game, attacking a KD closeout from the corner and throwing down with both hands. He also had a nice find in the paint, hitting Hayes with a jump pass as it looked like he was going to get into his turnaround against tight D, but made the better play. The Stats: He scored 14 points on 5-12 shooting (2-4 from three, 2-4 from the line) to go with 7 boards (2 offensive), 2 assists, 1 turnover and 1 foul in 39 minutes. He was a +0.

Christie -- -- He sank a corner three on his only attempt in the first half. Nice block at the end of the half in the paint on a big. He had the team-low -17. There was a lineup in the first half -- I think it was AD, Rui, Reaves, Christie and Vincent -- that just didn’t work. Suns built up their lead. In the second half, JJ really limited Max’s usage and avoided that combo. The Stats: He scored 3 points on 1-1 shooting from three to go with 3 boards and 1 turnover in 11 minutes. He was a -17.

Hayes -- -- The Lakers were able to give AD a nice rest in the fourth quarter with Hayes manning the C spot. I always appreciate that when he gets the ball on the perimeter, it’s like a hot potato. He’s getting it out of his hands quickly, usually into a DHO. That led to some of his 4 assists tonight. Nice sequence on an ATO with Hayes going into that DHO to Reaves then rolling to the hoop to get the return pass and the bucket. The Stats: He scored 6 points on 3-3 shooting to go with 6 boards, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 turnover and 3 fouls in 18 minutes. He was a +5.

Vincent -- -- Nice game by Game. He gave the team some scrappier D, filling in for Russell down the stretch. He had 3 steals on the night. One he opened up to steal the bounce pass to ignite a Lakers breakaway. He also had a late-game strip on Booker on a drive for another stop. Scoring wise, Bron found him for a corner three on a kickout in transition and also another bullet feed late for a layup under the hoop. The Stats: He scored 5 points on 2-5 shooting (1-3 from three) to go with 2 boards, 3 steals and 4 fouls in 21 minutes. He was a +9.

Knecht -- -- He led the team with a +4 in the first half and would add another +9 in the second half. He drilled a wing three on his first touch in transition. Then he swished a deep iso three right over KD. He’d get a couple of FTs on the break. Limited time and action in the second half, but good things typically seem to happen when he’s on the court. JJ certainly isn’t trusting him in the second half of either of these games, but he’s getting his feet wet and building that confidence. The Stats: He scored 8 points on 2-5 shooting (2-4 from three, 2-2 from the line) to go with 1 board, 2 assists, 1 steal and no fouls in 13 minutes. He was a +13.

Redick -- -- Key Moment: Down 7, he called a timeout in the third with 3 minutes left. He went with the AD, Hayes, Bron, Knecht, Vincent lineup. Bron instantly imposed himself, and the Lakers took the lead a couple minutes later forcing a Suns timeout. They had a 9-0 Laker run off that. Great timeout… Loved the sequence where the Suns called a timeout early in the fourth to challenge a KD foul (and were unsuccessful). That allowed JJ to draw up a play that started with a Reave slip screen on the perimeter. Bron fired a pass to Hayes open in the left corner and that turned into an instant DHO to Reaves still coming that direction. The D stepped out, two on Reaves who had the hot hand. He then threw it up to Hayes rolling to the hoop. Easy 2 and the Lakers led by 10. Well done… The Lakers improved their scoring every quarter and had 71 in the second half…

[TooMuchMajicBuss]

Thanks DB!

Great job JJ!

Reaves, Knecht, great games, Rui too. AD and LBJ did not disappoint, particularly in the second half.

[pio2u]

Thanks DB!

[socalsp3]

productive time outs and set plays havent seen that in years

[Smoothness101]

Nice seeing players being played up to their potential instead of being held back. If this is a preview, AD is a mvp candidate. Nevermind dpoy.

[Dr. Laker]

Thanks, DB! Dodgers and Lakers with big come from behind wins.
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[lordtrapula]

NGL I'm shocked we had a really decent LBJ game this early in the season.

I'm so used to him starting slow (and he did in this one!) but the chemistry and vibes of the team have been fantastic.

[drae]

[JerryWest_44]

After two games how’s coach Reddick doing?

[deal]

Thanks DB !!! good win
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Lakers need to build a freaking team !

[Chronicle]

Go Lakers! Thanks db
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Kobe

[governator]

AD with the ball AND the spacing in the 4th is a beauty, dude looking straight unstoppable
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“The main goal for the Lakers is to win a championship. All I care about, all we care about, is to raise another banner in the rafters.“

[joeblow]

I was looking at the +/- stats after the game, and this is one of those times where it doesn't come close to explaining what happened on the court.

Christie was a -17, and as DB points out, the lineup he was with most of that time was getting abused, but watching the game showed that it wasn't Max specifically having a horrible outing. On offense he didn't really cough up the ball with one TO. He didn't take but one shot that he made and had no assists... no plays were called for him (as expected, tbh).

On defense he did a nice job staying in front of his man and wasn't being abused at all. The ball for the Suns would swing away from him oftentimes and their scoring came else where. He collected three boards in his 11 minutes which shows decent activity, so overall, he wasn't a major problem.

DLo on the other hand was "only" a -6, and he was terribad. On defense in the first half, the Suns targeted him over and over and scoring with ease (often from an intentional switch to go at him). He had that one nice weakside block early on, but when he is missing his shots (1-6), his defensive vulnerabilities stick out more. If not for the team as a whole improving starting from the second half of the 2nd quarter, his +/- would have been far, far worse.

Props to JJ and his coaching staff. I love the defensive energy of the team for the most part (Austin's effectiveness improved this season so far in particular), and the team does a nice job both crashing the boards and trying to run talented shooters off the three point line.

AD is MVP material for sure early on, and while I'm happy Lebron is still highly effective at this age, he has lost some of that quick-explosiveness he used to have. It takes him more energy or momentum to get up high into the air now. His standstill jump is more limited.

We still need a thuggish back up center with a legit, big frame to help D up in certain matchups, but considering we ended the season going 18-6 with most of these players and are looking good this early, there is reason for optimism as long as there are no significant injuries.

[governator]

[ribeye]

Yes to DB, Reddick, Reaves and Davis (and others) but ...

WTF with DLO? To all those fans who think he is better than sliced bread ... hey, he's been burnt toast in 2024.
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"A metronome keeps time by using a Ringo"

[Laker7]

[justsomelakerfan]

Great start to the season. I love Austin. Not enough Rui chatter. Really want to see DLO join the fun & get going. Love the measured approach with letting Knecht get his sea legs, and he’s still probably the Lakers’ best bench player right now. Nice job, coach! I almost have hope.
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Austin Reaves
Tweeter: @sarah_dotbiz

[Dominic1981]

JJ is the best coach the Lakers have had since Phil. A team that is actually being coached and running plays instead of the pickup ball we’ve seen for most of the past decade

[LakerSD]

[LakerDYnasty72]

I find myself beyond appreciative of JJ's sharp & intuitive coaching. In the first two games, there have been more than a couple of instances when I was either expecting a player change or a timeout. And it came every time!

He has the one trait that will help us continue to improve: a sense of how to bring out the best in our players. Basically the same roster, but a different spiritual quality than the previous coach.

So far, the two players benefiting the most from JJ's sharp, intuitive coaching are AD & AR. An uber-athletic big combined with an uber-bbiq player. Who'd thunk that would have worked?

DB, bro, we appreciate your work! Thank you!

[danzag]

Thanks, DB!

[Lakers#1Team]

Thanks DB! JJ is looking good, AD is clearly established as our #1, Bron is picking his spots, players appear to all buy in to the O and D systems. Hope it continues!

[jodeke]

Thanks DB. I'm getting close to giving JJ hell for not giving DK more PT. When he's in the game he's +. If he continues to play like he's been playing I think JJ won't have a choice be to give him more minutes.
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