LAKERS -at- KINGS – 12-12-16 - Thoughts and :-(( Ratings

 
Post new topic    LakersGround.net Forum Index -> Thoughts and Ratings Reply to topic
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
DancingBarry
Editor-in-Chief
Editor-in-Chief


Joined: 07 Sep 2001
Posts: 40188
Location: O.C.

PostPosted: Mon Dec 12, 2016 10:52 pm    Post subject: LAKERS -at- KINGS – 12-12-16 - Thoughts and :-(( Ratings

Absurd… Hard to be sure what to be more ticked at in this one: the absurd officiating that resulted in several techs for Lakers, including Luke’s first ejection as the Laker coach after a no call … or the Lakers falling apart in the third quarter giving up another absurd run to opponent. Both made this one hard to watch.

After Luke got ejected early for protesting some antics by Cousins, who pulled Randle to the floor with no call, the Lakers tried to regroup.

“I just felt like I needed to stand up for my guys. What happened on the floor wasn’t right,” Luke said.

The two teams exchanged leads in the first half before the Lakers closed strong, taking a 9-point lead to halftime off some spirited defense and well-executed offense.

For a moment, they looked good.

Everything that went right in the second quarter, quickly went south in the third. The soft Laker D let the Kings score on 11-straight possessions, making 14 of their first 15 at one point on their way to a season-high 39-point quarter. The Kings were going downhill all quarter and the Lakers got steamrolled.

“I felt for the first time this season, we kind of gave up,” Luke said of the third quarter.

Once again, they gave up 116 in a loss, falling 116-92. The team needs a collective slap in the face, bucket of ice water or some electric shock. Time to wake up and snap out of it.


Russell -- -- He returned to the game with 3:50 left in the half to round out the starters, the Lakers down 3 at that moment. They’d finish the half up by 9 points. They ran a series of plays with him at the high wing on the right side, back to his man, getting brush screens and slip screens by his SGs and SFs during that stretch. Several scores came out of it for the team. The Lakers seemed like they were starting to get their mojo back. The D was good, the offense was starting to click…then the third quarter happened as all the Lakers disappeared. “They weren’t missing shots and I don’t think we took the initiative making them miss shots.” He put the blame on himself for that, but it was a lot more than a single person. Much better game from Russell. He scored 17 in just 20 minutes on 10 shots. Very controlled game. He said he tightens up a little bit but tries to stay loose on the bike when out of the game and using the heat pad. The Stats: He scored 17 points on 6-10 shooting (3-4 from three, 2-2 from the line) to go with 2 boards, 4 assists, 3 turnovers and no fouls in 20 minutes. The Action: He was blocked from behind in transition (close to a goaltend). He swished a three on a return pass in transition. Perfect bounce pass to Deng slipping the screen on the wing for a dunk. Same play next time down, this time Russell spun and was fouled on the turnaround, he made both FTs. He backed his man down, took the brush screen and hit the elbow jumper. He swished a three behind a high screen. He had 10 points on 3-4 shooting and 4 assists. Second Half: He backed his man down and missed the turnaround. He sank a tough elbow turnaround backing his man down up against the shotclock. His man obviously kicked at the dribble, knocked it loose with his foot as a result, And-1 the other way (Russell was ticked). He drained a wing three out of a timeout. He missed a wing three expecting a whistle. He scored a layup on the slow cut to the hoop, but gave it right back up on the other end.

Randle -- -- Cross match with Cousins defending Julius on one end and Mozgov defending Cousins on the other. He got tied up and knocked down on the perimeter in the first half by Cousins with no call so Luke blew a fuse and got tossed. Coach Walton with his first ejection as our head coach, fighting for his guy, Julius. “I stood up for my guys like I will every time,” he said. Randle with smile afterward: “I love coach, man. Coach … that’s my guy. Backs me up with everything.” Randle needs to return the favor with some inspired ball. Randle had a couple of his shots blocked by Cousins. After all that, he really didn’t rise to the occasion in this game. Normally, he pushes back but we didn’t see it tonight. He just disappeared. We can’t afford that, and it’s certainly not going to help the Lakers break out of the slump. The Stats: He scored 2 points on 1-7 shooting (0-1 from three) to go with 8 boards (4 offensive), 2 turnovers, 1 steal and 4 fouls in 28 minutes. He was a -18. The Action: He got blocked in transition from behind, then stripped after grabbing the miss. He missed an elbow jumper. He threw a kickout away. He was blocked on a dunk attempt, probably could have scored with his left. He airballed a lefty jumphook after pounding the dribble in the post. He took an inbounds with Cousins on his hip and he powered in the layup past him. Just 2 points on 1-5 shooting. Second Half: He missed a putback. He blocked a drive by Cousins. He missed a three.

Young -- -- You could see him make a more concerted effort at times to gather himself early on when left open and hit the jumper. I like seeing that when he can because he’s pretty automatic in those situations. After a few of those early makes, he went scoreless in the second half. Really a non-factor unless you count a bad pass or some misses. “We didn’t get what we’ve become accustom to from Nick after that first [half],” Luke said. The Stats: He scored 8 points on 3-10 shooting (2-7 from three) to go with 2 boards, 1 assist, 2 turnovers, 1 steal and 1 foul in 26 minutes. He was a -12. The Action: He missed a wing three. He came off a screen, his man went down, Nick then gathered himself and drained the wide open wing jumper. He found himself with a little space off a swing pass and swished the three. Good hustle for a loose ball and he drew a foul. He wasn’t squared up on a turnaround in the corner and missed the three, hitting the side of the board. Open on a wing three, he measured it and swished. He missed a wing three in transition after hesitating. He had 8 points on 3-6 shooting. Second Half: He spun and missed the turnaround wing jumper. He missed a wing three. He attacked and threw it away. He missed a wing three a few seconds after entering the game, wide open. He threw a pass away on an odd-man advantage. He missed an 18-footer.

Deng -- -- One of the lone bright spots again with a strong two-way game. So if there is anything to pull out of this slump lately, it’s maybe that Deng’s game is showing signs of life. He had the arch in his shot in the first half and connected on a couple more threes. When the shot’s not flat, it’s a good sign. So maybe his legs are coming back to him or his changing his stroke a little. “He seems to be getting them,” Luke said of Deng’s legs, but also said he’s getting more and more used to the system. Whatever has given him more arch on his shot, he’s looking like himself. That shooting also opened up his ability to drive after get players running at him. Some excellent defense, however, as well. Really one of our better defenders in stretches with timely help, communication and good effort to recover. So we’ve seen some signs of life and Deng making his paycheck for a couple of games. String more together, please, and I might feel better that he’s turning the corner. The Stats: He scored 16 points on 7-11 shooting (2-3 from three, 0-1 from the line) to go with 4 boards, 4 assists, 1 turnover, 2 steals and no fouls in 26 minutes. He was a -15. The Action: He got to the rim off a handoff, elevated nicely, but couldn’t finish over the crowd. He swiped a ball at midcourt in transition (that led to a Laker three the other way). Good arch and he swished the three behind the Mozgov screen. Perfect slip screen and Russell bounced to him for the dunk (more please…they ran it again next time with Russell drawing FTs on a turnaround). Another good arching three and he drained it (this time coming off a screen on the weakside with a dribble to his left). Good communication on a couple of switches and we ended up forcing a turnover that stand. Nice help on Cousins, then a quick recovery to his man to challenge the three well. He had 8 points on 3-5 shooting and 4 assists. Second Half: He let a man fly by, moved in a step, good arch and he hit the jumper. He swished a pull-up wing jumper in transition. Flat on a step-back jumper and he missed. He tried pushing out a dribble and fumbled it away. Good arch but he was short on the three. He up-faked, attacked baseline past Cousins and scored an And-1 layup around the help D, he missed the FT. He battled for an offensive board from behind a man and scored a layup after pulling it down.

Mozgov -- -- The battle within the battle in this game was Mozy vs. Boogie. We relied on Mozgov’s strength to hold ground and try to keep Cousins out of the paint in the first half. In the second half, Cousins got a little more aggressive with the perimeter shot and Mozgov got a lot less aggressive on D and our back was broken. Good first half. He didn’t bring it in the second half and the dam broke. The Stats: He scored 8 points on 4-7 shooting to go with 6 boards (5 offensive), 1 turnover, 1 steal and 4 fouls in 23 minutes. He was a -13. The Action: Good challenge on Cousins’ drive to get a stop. Excellent hands to gather a bullet feed in transition and score the layup. He grabbed a missed jumper and hit with his off hand. He was blocked on a putback attempt. He swished a 17-footer straight away after flashing to the ball. He sank a wing catch-and-shoot jumper. Cousins with an airball on Mozgov’s challenge. He had 8 points on 4-5 shooting and 5 boards. Second Half: He was stripped on a jumphook. He blocked Cousins’ drive. He missed a jumphook. Weak And-1 foul on Cousins and he sat for Robinson.

Williams -- -- Cousins grabbed his arm on a loose ball and got hit in the head in the process. After a review, Lou was called for a ridiculous tech on the play. It was a loose ball, they slowed down to try to micro analyze. One of those plays where you look at the refs like what is wrong with them? Lou had an excellent first half with 10 points on just 2-4 shooting, but in the second half, he went 1-8 for just 4 points. No chance at any kind of comeback when our supersub is subpar. The Lakers scored just 34 points in the second half. “It got bad for us fast. We didn’t have a lot of resistance after we got punched in the mouth,” Lou said. The Stats: He scored 14 points on 3-12 shooting (2-5 from three, 6-8 from the line) to go with 1 board, 2 assists, 2 turnovers, 1 steal, 1 block and no fouls in 25:31. He was a -9. The Action: He drew FTs getting and arm held, he made both. He swished a wing three, keeping his dribble alive and then drilling it in his man’s grill. Crazy deep three in early offense and he airballed (we can get much better shots than that, not sure what he was thinking on that one). Quick counter attack off a made basket and he drew FTs on the fade in transition, he made both. He forced a lob pass that wasn’t there, turnover. He missed a layup on a drive. He swished a wing three off a nice advance pass before the D could get set. Great recovery under the hoop to block his man. He had 10 points on 2-4 shooting. Second Half: He split a double team and missed the layup. He airballed a three trying to draw a foul. He missed a layup on the break. He missed a corner three. He swished an elbow fade. Not close on a floater. He drew a perimeter reach and manufactured FTs, he made both. He drew a tech getting fouled on a loose ball. He drew FTs on a layup, he missed both still ticked about the tech call. He missed a sideline three.

Clarkson -- -- Reasonable game from Clarkson. He should have been at the line a lot more and his numbers would have looked better. Maybe he needs to master the Harden head jerk because if that were Harden, he’d have been in double digit FTs, for sure. A bit too much ball-stopping at times lately. I think we need to get him and the team back to really moving the ball well. When it gets in Clarkson’s hands it stops all too often. I like some of the passing tonight. He was making the simple play versus the highlight play. How many more games are we going to hear him afterward with the “We got to find a way to fix it” quote? Uggh. They need to get pissed. The Stats: He scored 15 points on 4-11 shooting (1-2 from three, 6-6 from the line) to go with 2 boards, 4 assists, 1 turnover, 1 steal and 2 fouls in 22 minutes. He was a -13. The Action: He missed a pull-up from the left elbow area. He was hit on a jumphook with no call. He ball stopped in the corner, then turned it over for a score the other way after trying to drive and dish. He missed a wide open wing three. He knocked a ball away from a man on the perimeter, Robinson saved it to him and Clarkson gave it back to him for the layup. Wild drive into the paint and he somehow drew FTs, he made both. Nice cut under the hoop and we found him for a layup. He pushed out the break off the defensive stop and gave it to Nance at the right moment for a layup (didn’t get cute with it, made the simple pass). Quick first step on the wing and he drew FTs on the drive, he made both. Second Half: He missed a pull-up jumper, got it back and found Robinson for a dunk. He missed a floater, taking contact with no call, should have been a block. He drew FTs on a floater in transition (less contact on this one than the previous one), he made both FTs. He split a double (maybe between his legs), then scored the layup around a third defender. Dive down the lane and Ingram found him for the layup. He swished a 29-footer straight away. He attacked and took contact, airballing the layup with no call, sheesh. He ball-stopped and missed a floater.

Ingram -- -- Man, I wanted him to average double digits in December. He had been, but these last couple have been very flat. Guys are catching up to him when he pulls up to shoot and I think that’s throwing him off some. The speed of the game is a lot different at this level. He just needs a whole lot of reps and minutes to eventually adjust. The Stats: He scored 5 points on 2-7 shooting (0-1 from three, 1-2 from the line) to go with 5 boards, 2 assists and 2 fouls in 26 minutes. He was a -23. The Action: Way short on a challenged wing jumper. He up-faked, moved in closer and airballed the pull-up jumper, uggh. Busted play, so he pulled up and swished a jumper from the top of the key. He pushed out the break with speed, took contact and missed the layup, but got it back. He missed an elbow pull-up jumper. Second Half: He worked around a screen and hit the pull-up at the FT line. He hit Clarkson on the dive cut for a layup. He drew FTs changing directions in transition, he made one. He missed a sideline three.

Nance -- -- Not much impact ball from Nance, but he did have some moments jumping the passing late, getting out on the break and hustling for loose balls. The Stats: He scored 3 points on 1-3 shooting (1-2 from the line) to go with 3 boards, 3 turnovers, 2 steals and 3 fouls in 17 minutes. He was a -1. The Action: He panicked and threw a pass off Mozgov’s feet. He couldn’t finish a putback at the rim. Lazy reaction on help D and he gave up a putback. Way off on a wing jumper. He filled the lane and scored a layup on the break. Second Half: He charged in the paint. He swiped a perimeter pass jumping the lane and drew FTs on the other end, he made one. He threw a pass away on the break. Good hustle in the corner to recover a loose ball. He threw a ball off a King to get a stop.

Robinson -- -- One of those rare games where I didn’t really want Randle to return in the second half after his first stint. Robinson brought the energy and activity. He was challenging shots, taking charges and doing a better job anchoring the D. That’s what they need from him to elevate his game. He had 3 steals and 2 blocks on the D end. Good job again on the boards and keeping possessions alive and Shaw rewarded him with minutes. More please. The Stats: He scored 4 points on 2-5 shooting to go with 6 boards (3 offensive), 1 assist, 2 turnovers, 3 steals, 2 blocks and no fouls in 19 minutes. The Action: Great job chasing down a loose ball at midcourt and slapping it to Clarkson, who then gave it back to him for the layup. Lost on a defensive rotation but the Kings couldn’t take advantage. After pulling out an offensive board, then taking a pass, he spotted Clarkson loose under the hoop and he threaded a pass to him for the layup. He swiped a pass on the perimeter but couldn’t finish the layup on the break (could have probably dunked). Unaware of the shotclock, he couldn’t get a shot off. Second Half: Busted play and he threw it away. Clarkson found him cutting for a dunk. He then drew a Cousins off-ball shove foul on the other end. He doubled and blocked a guard in the post. He stepped in on help D to take a charge in the middle of the paint. Aggressive crash on the glass to keep it alive. He missed a jumphook after stopping on a dime and changing directions.

Zubac -- -- He got in for a couple minutes of garbage time. Nothing to report other than missing a shot and being unable to grab a pass in transition. The Stats: He didn’t score on 0-1 shooting to go with 1 turnover in 2:20. He was a -5. The Action: He did not play in the first half. Second Half: He missed a turnaround in the post. He couldn’t handle a bullet feed from Robinson in transition.

Huertas -- -- He came in for the final 2 minutes of garbage time. Put in a good effort hustling. The Stats: He didn’t score or shoot in 2 minutes. He was -5. The Action: He did not play in the first half. Second Half: Nothing to report.

World Peace -- -- He had a turnover in his 2 minutes of garbage time. Gave a little hustle. The Stats: He had 1 turnover in 2 minutes. He was a -5. The Action: He did not play in the first half. Second Half: He posted up and threw it away, points the other way.

Walton & Shaw -- -- First ejection for Luke!... Decent start by the Lakers with Mozgov solid on D and Nick Young getting space to hit open jumpers… The Lakers led by 6 when the timeout came. He brought in Ingram and Clarkson for Russell and Young out of that… Luke came out on the floor to scream at the refs when Julius was yanked down by Cousins on the perimeter. That got him tossed with 4:41 left in the first quarter…Shaw taking over tied up after three techs… Nance in for Randle… Lou in with over 3 minutes left… Robinson in For Mozgov down 5… The Lakers trailed 31-24 after the first quarter… Lakers in the bonus with 8:45 in the second quarter… Some good D and the Lakers were able to turn that into transition opportunities and cut the lead to 1 with 7 minutes left… Randle in for Nance out of that… Deng in for Lou, score tied up… Down 2, Mozgov and Young in. So starters with Ingram instead Russell… Russell back in with 3:50 left for Ingram, Lakers down 3… They’d go on a run. Russell running a series of high post plays and the Lakers locked down on the other end, holding the Kings to just 18 points that quarter… The Lakers led 58-49 at the half. The Lakers shot 8-13 from three… The Lakers quickly were tied up after barely 3 minutes… Kings started the quarter 7-8 to take the 7-point lead (off a 5-point possession)… Ingram in for Russell… Things falling apart fast for the Lakers… Robinson in with 6 minutes left for Mozgov, Lakers outscored 26-6 after 6 minutes… Lou in for Deng… Shaw called another timeout down 15 points. They’ve given up 32 points with 4:27 still left. Complete bench in… The Kings with 11-straight makes, making 14-15. Ridiculous scoring streaks from teams recently. This is one of them… Shaw and Cousins picked up a tech on the sideline… The Lakers trailed 88-71 heading into the fourth… Randle, Deng and Young in… They weren’t able to make any ground, so he went with the deep bench with 2 minutes left…
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
LakerLanny
Retired Number
Retired Number


Joined: 24 Oct 2001
Posts: 47565

PostPosted: Mon Dec 12, 2016 10:54 pm    Post subject:

Numero uno.
_________________
Love, Laker Lanny
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
Inspector Gadget
Retired Number
Retired Number


Joined: 18 Apr 2016
Posts: 46492

PostPosted: Mon Dec 12, 2016 11:02 pm    Post subject:

Thanks DB.

Looks like the defensive issues will be a season-long issue and the only way of widthstanding the lack of D is by the team doing it by committee even if it's gonna look bad on most nights.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
Ujah's Goat
Star Player
Star Player


Joined: 01 Jun 2016
Posts: 1417
Location: Babylon

PostPosted: Mon Dec 12, 2016 11:20 pm    Post subject:

Thanks DB. You da man for these write ups
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
tox
Franchise Player
Franchise Player


Joined: 16 Nov 2015
Posts: 17835

PostPosted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 12:20 am    Post subject:

Thanks DB. Absurd is right. My jaw was on the floor during that 3rd quarter. The officiating today was bonkers, but that is no excuse for giving up a 38-8 run to begin the 3rd.

Unbelievable. Felt like we were watching a Byron-coached team all over again.

7 losses in a row...
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
OregonLakerGuy
Franchise Player
Franchise Player


Joined: 23 Feb 2005
Posts: 13207
Location: Oregon

PostPosted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 12:26 am    Post subject:

Thanks DB
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
TooMuchMajicBuss
Franchise Player
Franchise Player


Joined: 17 Sep 2008
Posts: 21064
Location: In a white room, with black curtains near the station

PostPosted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 12:30 am    Post subject:

Thanks DB. Hope we turn the corner soon.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
Chronicle
Retired Number
Retired Number


Joined: 21 Jul 2012
Posts: 31930
Location: Manhattan

PostPosted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 12:37 am    Post subject:

Disgusting performance
_________________
Kobe
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
danzag
Franchise Player
Franchise Player


Joined: 28 Apr 2013
Posts: 22244
Location: Brazil

PostPosted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 11:12 am    Post subject:

A night to forget.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
Inspector Gadget
Retired Number
Retired Number


Joined: 18 Apr 2016
Posts: 46492

PostPosted: Tue Dec 13, 2016 2:56 pm    Post subject:

DB forgot to ask you..

Do you think Luke getting tossed kinda threw the team off?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
Lakers#1Team
Retired Number
Retired Number


Joined: 24 Jun 2005
Posts: 36360
Location: Nomad

PostPosted: Wed Dec 14, 2016 7:30 am    Post subject:

Thanks DB!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
DancingBarry
Editor-in-Chief
Editor-in-Chief


Joined: 07 Sep 2001
Posts: 40188
Location: O.C.

PostPosted: Wed Dec 14, 2016 12:30 pm    Post subject:

Inspector Gadget wrote:
DB forgot to ask you..

Do you think Luke getting tossed kinda threw the team off?


Well, they didn't play well immediately after that, but recovered to end the half.

The third quarter was awful and that was coming out after talking with Luke at halftime. So I wouldn't use his ejection as an excuse for their failure.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
Inspector Gadget
Retired Number
Retired Number


Joined: 18 Apr 2016
Posts: 46492

PostPosted: Wed Dec 14, 2016 12:45 pm    Post subject:

DancingBarry wrote:
Inspector Gadget wrote:
DB forgot to ask you..

Do you think Luke getting tossed kinda threw the team off?


Well, they didn't play well immediately after that, but recovered to end the half.

The third quarter was awful and that was coming out after talking with Luke at halftime. So I wouldn't use his ejection as an excuse for their failure.


Thanks.

Hoping we finish the road trip strong.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic    LakersGround.net Forum Index -> Thoughts and Ratings All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1
Jump to:  

 
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum






Graphics by uberzev
© 1995-2018 LakersGround.net. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Use.
LakersGround is an unofficial news source serving the fan community since 1995.
We are in no way associated with the Los Angeles Lakers or the National Basketball Association.


Powered by phpBB