KINGS -at- LAKERS - 10-26-24 - Thoughts and :-)) Ratings

[DancingBarry]

The King vs. the Kings... LeBron can still just turn it on, it seems. This game turned on a 16-point flurry of points by Bron in a few minutes to open the fourth quarter.

The Lakers got out to an early 14-6 lead to start the game, but it was short-lived. Similar to the Suns’ game, their offensive miscues led to transition buckets for the Kings. The Lakers finished the first quarter up 28-26.

The Hayes, Bron, Rui, Knecht, Russell lineup pulled out to a 15-point lead after a few minutes in the second quarter, holding the Kings without a bucket for 4 minutes. Meanwhile, Bron scored several jumpers in the midrange, and Rui and Dalton hit threes. Note this lineup.

That lead was trimmed down as Bron went to the bench for rest. The Lakers led 64-60 at the half.

The Lakers offensive discipline fell apart in the third. Turnovers from players trying to force their own offense or coughing up the ball against perimeter pressure. The Kings pushed pace, and the Lakers slipped back, trailing by 7 heading into the fourth.

Once again, that bench unit came to play. After Dalton hit a three to start the fourth, LeBron went off with threes, midrange jumpers, layups and feeds to Hayes for a couple dunks. Bron had 16 points in about 3:40 of action to start the quarter. On defense, they were causing problems again. They’d rattle off a 21-0 run.

Once again, LeBron went to the bench for rest. The Kings wouldn’t make up ground while he was out, but they’d get their offense on track. By the time he returned, the lead had only been trimmed only a point. But the Kings would start knocking down threes and taking advantage of inattentive Laker D in transition.

The Lakers were up 2 points with 37 seconds left when AD would drill a huge three (fouled with no call, too). That would keep the Kings from overcoming L.A. down the stretch. The Lakers held on to the 131-127 win to pull out to a 3-0 start to the season.


LeBron -- -- He just took over to start that fourth. He was bombing from three and midrange. He scored a post-up And-1. Four three-point possessions from him. We found him backdoor for a reverse and he’d also find Hayes again for a dunk. Down the stretch, a nice find of AD on a lob for dunk. He’d feed him in the post for a score. Then again to AD off the two-man game for another score. They ran it together down stretch. Then Bron drew the D in the final minute and hit AD for the big three. He’d also hit Rui under the hoop cutting for a dunk. Just a huge fourth quarter on his way to a 32-14-10 triple double. Just insane numbers at his age. The Stats: He scored 32 points on 12-22 shooting (4-9 from three, 4-4 from the line) to go with 14 boards, 10 assists, 1 block, 5 turnovers and 3 fouls in 34 minutes. He was a +12.

Davis -- -- Again, a number of key buckets down the stretch. Some in the post. Some off Bron feeds as they worked two-man sequences. His one three tonight was a huge one with 37 seconds left (he looked fouled on that, too). The Lakers were up just 2. That was a make or break shot and he buried it. It sure felt like he had more than 2 assists tonight. I like seeing the guards set screens for him, then rolling to the hoop. That seems to catch teams with some frequency. He’s got the size to easily throw it over the top. Very efficient night for AD with the 31 on 15 shots. When we’re running something with purpose, it’s generally pretty good. There was a stretch where it looked like he was trying to pick up Sabonis’s third foul and may have gone away from that a little. The Stats: He scored 31 points on 10-15 shooting (1-2 from three, 10-13 from the line) to go with 9 boards (3 offensive), 2 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks, 2 turnovers and 1 foul in 38 minutes. He was a -22.

Russell -- -- Finally joining the fight offensively. He’d sink three threes, including a big one with 4 minutes left to answer a three from DeRozan on the other end. He got to the rim for a few layups, as well. Defensively, he had a couple steals, but also looked like he got a death stare for LeBron when the Kings scored after a made basket with Russell not putting up a fight as the man back. He’d cough the ball up in the corner on the offense late in the game and was slow to get up (he was fine). JJ sat him for Vincent to close on D for the final minute. The Stats: He scored 16 points on 6-11 shooting (3-6 from three, 1-1 from the line) to go with 4 boards, 5 assists, 2 steals, 2 turnovers and 3 fouls in 32 minutes. He was a +17.

Reaves -- -- Multiple turnovers in that third quarter. He did push back, attacking for layup, finding Rui for a dunk, getting his man on his hip and hitting a floater on the two-man action. The Kings were giving him some problems with the aggressive perimeter help. Another good job on the offensive glass (4 offensive boards). He’d score a putback flip in over his head on one of those. Not quite the one-man wrecking crew as the last game because of those turnovers. The Stats: He scored 16 points on 7-12 shooting (2-4 from three) to go with 7 boards (4 offensive), 6 assists, 6 turnovers and 3 fouls in 33 minutes. He was a -21.

Hachimura -- -- Some things have been consistent so far this season. The effort on the offensive glass. The three ball. And some of those baseline cuts that teammates are finding him on for buckets. We saw all of that in this game. He had a big dunk when the Kings lost him cutting baseline with 18 seconds left. Oops. He’d score 12 of his 18 in the first half. Keep it up. These little things off ball make a huge difference around stars. The Stats: He scored 18 points on 5-13 shooting (2-2 from three, 6-6 from the line) to go with 9 boards (4 offensive), 3 assists, 1 turnover and 1 foul in 37 minutes. He was a +16.

Christie -- -- He was a -19 in 12 minutes in the first half. The main lineup with the issues: AD, Rui, Dalton, Christie and Reaves. When Max gets into creation mode off the dribble, it’s very hit and miss. He had a nice kick to Rui for a three at one point, but also had turnovers that led to both a dunk and a three the other way. His only bucket was a slip screen off AD for a dunk. A couple steals, one on a double team with AD, another on a perimeter pass in the second half. The Stats: He scored 2 points on 1-4 shooting (0-2 from three) to go with 4 assists, 2 steals, 2 turnovers and 2 fouls in 18 minutes. He was a -20.

Hayes -- -- JJ gave him some praise in the locker room after the last game. His lineups just crushed it tonight with a +24 in his 14 minutes. We’ve got some good shooting around him and he’s running the floor well or making himself a vertical threat. Bron found him for dunks on a couple passes in the second half tonight. “I think Jaxson is kind of making it happen,” Russell said of the key to those units. “Setting screens, rolling, being that lob threat to where teams have to pull in and we have spacing on the backside.” The Stats: He scored 4 points on 2-2 shooting to go with 2 boards (1 offensive), 1 assist and 2 fouls in 14 minutes. He was a +24.

Vincent -- -- He missed all four of the threes he took. Some good looks, too. His one score was attacking a closeout down the lane for a layup. His solid defense and effort down the stretch of games is appreciated. We’re staying with our 9-man rotation. He had the least minute of the bench (13) and Dalton had the most tonight (20). The Stats: He scored 2 points on 1-6 shooting (0-4 from three) to go with 1 steal and 1 foul in 13 minutes. He was a -5.

Knecht -- -- Huge three to start the fourth after the team had a poor close to the third. It was another one of those corner threes off the handoff (his footwork on those is so good). “That was a big shot. I said, ‘Hey, are you ready to hit a big shot?’ Dalton said ‘I’m always ready,’” Redick said. Dalton was a +16 in 20 minutes tonight. Moments after entering the game in the first half, he drilled a three. He’d attack a couple defenders in transition and score a short one in the paint. He’d slip a screen and AD would bounce it to him for a dunk. He’d close the first half with the starters, which was a sign of some extra trust from JJ. In the first couple games, Dalton’s second half minutes have been limited, but JJ went back to that unit to start the fourth and they delivered again. Dalton hitting that three, then Bron going nuts. They shut out the Kings defensively for several minutes. It’s not easy for rookies to consistently be net positives, but Dalton has been that way. Great job, again. Some minor miscues like a pass over the fronting D to AD with help right behind for a turnover. Defensively, he’s been holding his own. The Stats: He scored 10 points on 4-7 shooting (2-5 from three) to go with 1 assist, 1 turnover and 3 fouls in 20 minutes. He was a +16.

Redick -- -- Great start to the season. They’re showing some ability to go on some dominating runs. Hopefully, he can keep it rolling on the 5-game roadtrip… I’ve been pleased with his challenges. It seems since preseason, he’s getting good ones in early in the game. Then, not keeping them in his pockets late when needed. Ham killed the team with that last year… This game felt like guys freelanced a little more and it wasn’t great. JJ was particularly annoyed with the live ball turnovers. The Lakers had 19 turnovers tonight that led to 25 points. The Kings dominated the break 31-16. This will be a point of focus as it’s been our worst ball… The Lakers made 14-34 from three (41%) on their way to 131 points tonight, including 44 in that fourth… Good coaching can be like adding another impact player to the team. We’ve seen that so far this season…

[mhan00]

I’m starting to believe.

[tox]

Thank you for calling out the AD, Rui, Dalton, Christie and Reaves lineup. There isn't enough playmaking here. Christie should be playing next to DLO and LeBron both ideally.

[ibitegirls]

Seemed like Christie was hesitant today and passing up 3’s but maybe just me. Have to go back and rewatch

[Startrout]

It seems like every time we bring in Knecht for the second quarter we go on a run. He just seems to spark something in us or maybe he opens things up more because the other team has to respect him so much. I love Christie, but at this point I’d probably give all of Max’s minutes to Dalton.

On a separate note, Sacramento is a terrible matchup for us. They are so quick and so aggressive defensively that it throws off everything we want to do. It sucks we have to play them 4x this season. I hope we don’t draw them in the playoffs. I’d rather play almost any other team (except Denver).

[TooMuchMajicBuss]

Thanks DB! Great game. a lot of good performances by most of the Laker squad tonight.

JJ is better so far than what I thought his best-case scenario could be after we hired him. Really appreciate his feel for the game and the players.

Now for 5 games away, here's hoping for some road wins.

[sonic the laker]

Thanks, DB! Another great win to start the season!

Despite the ups and downs, I liked the overall play of the team. The players, and coaching staff, retained composure, and never let anything get too far out of hand when runs happened. And, in basketball, runs are going to happen.

Reddick has turned my initial skepticism into belief, early in the season. Dalton has shown us why it was surprising he slipped so far down the draft.

Despite his lackluster shooting, I've been fine with how Christie's played, so far. His defense/rebounding has been consistent. His offense has been shaky/hesitant. Imo, he's still trying to feel out what his niche is, beyond just standing around, waiting for open shots. That will come with time. Other than his two turnovers, he played a solid game.
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ZOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!

[pio2u]

Excellent analysis, as usual, thanks DB!

[Dominic1981]

32-14-10 on the 2nd night of a back to back…near 40 years old. And we got losers like Embiid and Kawhi refusing to play

Christie’s 3 games this year:

-20
-17
-5

[Laker7]

Thanks DB!

Christie is shooting 25% from the floor and 25% from 3PT land this season. That is not going to get it done. He has to stop hesitating and start scoring.
We can't have another Dinwiddie output from the reserves like last year.

Glad Knecht and Hayes are doing so well. I am seeing some Vincent for DLo late in halves / games. We will see if this continues.
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Fire Rob Pelinka!

[ribeye]

A lotta big swings in the individual +/-. I'm not sure what to make of it, and yes, a win, but does this mean anything going forward.
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"A metronome keeps time by using a Ringo"

[Dr. Laker]

Thanks, DB!
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On Lakersground, a concern troll is someone who is a fan of another team, but pretends to be a Lakers fan with "concerns".

[danzag]

Thanks, DB! 3-0!!!

[PenG_]

Having fun!

[A Mad Chinaman]

Initial impressions of this and the earlier games is that J.J. seems to have tangible and specific plans for his rotations, along with defensive and offensive schemes, that are utilizing each players' strengths.

Last year, Ham seemed to be using the early games of the seasons to identify and/or best way to utilize each individual player's strengths. Recognizing that Ham had injuries early in the season, just like Vanderbilt and CWood are injured now.

With each player knowing his role in the early games, hence knowing how they were going to be used, far less confusion and indecisiveness from the players - outside of Christie

Hoping that they will build on their consistency hence providing the ability to adjust as future opponents will have different game plans to attack J.J.'s current schemes

Rui - Keep being aggressive
Knecht - Keep shooting
AR - Keep Balling
LBJ - Stay Healthy
AD - Stay Healthy
DLo - Stay Focus
Vincent - Keep the High Energy Defensive Efforts
Max - Keep Focus
Hayes - Keep the High Energy

[lakeshowtacular]

Thanks DB!!
Nice start LakeShow.
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Magic*Kobe*LBJ*AD*Cap