LAKERS -at- ROCKETS – 12-20-17 - Thoughts and :-)) Ratings
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PostPosted: Wed Dec 20, 2017 9:42 pm    Post subject: LAKERS -at- ROCKETS – 12-20-17 - Thoughts and :-)) Ratings

Down Go the Rockets!… The Lakers have been knocking at the door of a big win against a number of the best teams in the league lately. Tonight, they finally delivered, taking out the Rockets 122-116 on the road and snapping their 14-game win streak in the process.

With Lopez out with the ankle injury and KCP unable to leave the state of California, the Lakers rolled out three rookies in the starting lineup against the hottest team in basketball.

They knocked down their threes early and got off to a strong start behind Kyle Kuzma’s perfect first half of shooting. The Lakers would build up a 22-point lead in the first half. But they were reeled in by Harden in the second quarter to lead by just 2 at halftime.

Those freethrows. They had you thinking all game long that they were going to come back to bite the Lakers once again. The Lakers would miss 16 tonight.

How did they survive that? They got timely three shooting (Kuzma leading the way with 7 threes and a career-high 38 points) and a great two-way game by Corey Brewer off the bench with 21 points. He played Harden well down the stretch.

The Lakers were able to build up a little bit of a lead late in the fourth quarter and kept the Rockets in check from there.

“They showed a ton of resilience tonight,” Luke said, proud of how his guys have continued to work hard and stay positive despite the tough losses.


Ball -- -- He did just enough to be effective offensively tonight. He hit a couple threes, tried to make the D pay for sagging off or going under screens and he did just enough there. A few turnovers from the defenders reaching in for strips (could argue a couple fouls in there). We’re setting him up more off ball lately and that’s helping. Defensively, the stats don’t really show the pass deflections and disruption he had on that end of the floor. Not that he was huge on that end, but he showed some good hands that helped get stops. His best play, of course, was on iso D against Harden where he rejected him badly in the paint. Great to finally see our young guys push through and get one of these wins. The Stats: He scored 16 points on 5-14 shooting (2-8 from three, 4-7 form the line) to go with 9 boards, 4 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 5 turnovers and 2 fouls in 38 minutes. He was a +6. The Action: Looked like he deflected a pass on help D to get a stop. He drained a three trailing the break. He got tapped on a deep three. Nice help D on Gordon to force a miss at the rim by getting a piece of the shot. Tough, quick-fire wing thee and he missed. He knocked another pass loose to get a stop. He attacked and missed an off-balance floater. He threw a pass away getting stuck in the corner. He missed a wing three. He missed a midrange pull-up going to his right. He attacked and was stripped, turnover. He hit Kuzma on the lob. Second Half: He missed a wing three. He missed an open wing three. He stepped on the gas around a Kuzma screen to score the And-1 layup, he missed the FT. He scored a reverse on the break when Hart found him. He found Ingram for the wing jumper in early offense. He was stripped on a drive, turnover. He swished a sideline three on a kickout form Kuzma. He missed a three short when the D went under the screen. He rejected Harden badly on iso D. They went under the screen again on him next time down and he swished the top-of-the-key jumper. He was fouled on a defensive board for FTs, he made both. Nice cut off an offensive board and Brewer found him for FTs, he made both. He was fouled with 24 seconds left and missed both FTs.

Kuzma -- -- God mode in the first half. He got the start and promptly dropped 16 points on 6-6 shooting in the first quarter. After coming back in the game in the second quarter, he picked up where he left off. Lakers really needed to get him more looks, but he finished the half with 24 points on 9-9 shooting, making all six of his threes. Just one fire. I mentioned in the last game how automatic his threes looked. That carried through tonight. This is the Kuzma that got me obsessed during summer. When he’s knocking down threes like that (so smooth) with all the other things he does on the court, these huge games just look natural on him. Kid flat out destroyed tonight. But it wasn’t anything he hadn’t shown us since summer. Rookie with 38 points on 17 shots? Yep. Asked if he expected to make this kind of impact, he said, “Oh yeah. No problem.” You can’t argue with it. Go back to summer. You can see Luke’s thought process on Kuzma after the game: “He’s such a great scorer if he can really narrow down his good shots through some forced ones so we can get the ball movement we want. I thought he did a really good job with it,” Luke said. Kuzma mixed in 4 assists with the 38. The Stats: He scored 38 points on 12-17 shooting (7-10 from three, 7-10 from the line) to go with 7 boards, 4 assists, 1 block, no turnovers and 1 foul in 40 minutes. He was a +9. The Action: He drained a three on a kickout. He posted up, spun and hit the baseline jumper. Nice challenge on Harden’s drive to force a brick. He attacked baseline and his floater was goaltended. He drained a wing three on a kickout. He faced up and swished a sideline three. Next play, he pushed up the board and sank a deep, heat-check three. Back in after resting and he hit a step-back wing three after a jab step. He sank a deep wing three on a kickout. He finished a lob from Lonzo after setting a down screen. Second Half: He was fouled on a three attempt to start the half, he made just one FT, of course. He swatted a drive to get a shotclock violation. He missed a wing three but Nance dunked it back. Quick attack off the three line with speed and he scored the And-1 layup as he fell to the ground (so nice), he made the FT. He missed a quick-fire three behind the screen. He kicked to Ball for a three. He missed a face-up jumper, looked fouled. He pounced on a loose ball and pushed out with speed between defenders to draw FTs, he made both. He choked a layup in a scramble, we got it back and then found him again so he swished the wing three instead. Great read on what looked like a three set up for him, the defenders committed to him so he hit Nance rolling for the dunk. He didn’t seal his man on the post entry and Ariza stole it. He changed ends with speed and scored the layup filling the lane for Ingram on the break. He missed a wing three. Great job defending the drive by Gordon and getting a clear-out foul with 28 seconds left. He was fouled on the inbounds for more FTs, he made both. He was fouled on an inbounds with 2 seconds left and he made one FT.

Ingram -- -- “We had a really, really good start to the game, offensively and defensively,” Ingram said. He ran the offense to close the game. Not sure that really helped. It does allow Lonzo to play off ball at times, which is a big deal. Bringing up the ball in the final minute, however, Ariza picked him for a Rocket score. That was a huge miscue that we survived. He led the team with assists, the best of those might have been when he was pushing the ball up through traffic in transition and finding teammates with the simple pass. Love that he started the game with a confident three which he knocked down. The Stats: He scored 13 points on 4-15 shooting (1-3 from three, 4-6 from the line) to go with 6 boards, 6 assists, 2 steals, 2 turnovers and 2 fouls in 40 minutes. He was a -5. The Action: He swished a three in transition to start the Lakers scoring. He attacked right and couldn’t finish the layup. He attacked Nene left and scored with his offhand. He attacked, spun in the middle of the lane bit couldn’t finish over the big. He missed a sideline three but got it back. He missed a flip-in layup he probably should have had. He attacked and fed Randle for the dunk. He attacked and threw it away. Second Half: He missed a wing pull-up. He missed a drive, got it back and then completely choked the uncontested layup. He swished a wing jumper in early offense. He drew FTs on the break, he made both. He missed a wing three on a swing pass. He missed a pull-up 18-footer. He attacked in transition and drew FTs getting tangled up on the drive, he made one. He hit Hart for the three. He was swatted by Ariza on a drive left. Great job pushing up the break through traffic and feeding Kuzma filling the lane for the layup. He iso’d and was rejected. He attacked and kicked to Brewer for three. Big 20-footer with 2 minutes left when the D gave him space. He attacked a big off the high screen and drew FTs, he made one. Ariza swiped a ball from him at midcourt for a score.

Hart -- -- Harden had 30 points in the first half as Hart got the assignment. “He’s the hardest guy I’ve ever guarded,” Hart said. As we often do, there was a lot of switching and attacking other defenders, but Hart had his share of difficulties against him. He had the team worst -24. A lot of that from when we lost that lead in the first half. It felt like he shot better than he did because he knocked down three three’s tonight. But he couldn’t finish anything else. Still, glad to see that three ball starting to fall with more consistency lately. Some troubles on his layup finishes as well as when he picked up the dribble in the middle of the paint. Our three rookies tonight combined for 106 minutes. You’re not supposed to win against a team like the Rockets doing that. Credit to them. Certainly better shot selection from Hart than with KCP. The Stats: He scored 11 points on 3-11 shooting (3-8 from three, 2-4 from the line) to go with 4 boards, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 block and 3 fouls in 28 minutes. He was a -24. The Action: He sank a wing three on his first attempt. He attacked and kicked to Lonzo for a three. He attacked and kicked to Kuzma for a three. He missed a three off an Ingram kickout. He missed an And-1 layup, he made one FT. He got a piece of a Harden pass to force a turnover. He gave up a 4-point play to Harden on a reach. He sank a wing three to beat the shotclock. He missed a wing three next time down on a kickout. He overpassed in the paint. He got tapped on a sideline three. Second Half: He was stripped in the paint (I think he wanted the foul). He grabbed a board, pushed it out with speed and hit Lonzo for the layup. He attacked and couldn’t finish over a big. He attacked, stopped, spun but missed the jumper in the lane, not quite on balance. He drained a three straight away next time down when Ingram found him. He missed a wing three on a kickout. Great job pulling down a rebound in a crowd of Rockets and getting fouled. He drew FTs with 13 seconds left, he made one.

Bogut -- -- He started for Lopez, then Nance came in after 6 minutes. Having Lopez out there with his slow starts to games certainly has played a role in the Lakers issues this season, but I’m not going to say this is why the Lakers pounced on the Rockets early. Our guys were hot early in the game, hitting a ton of threes. Kids were on fire and Bogut held the line defensively early on. Still, no Lopez and it’s the best win of the year for the team and a hot start helped. Not a lot of notes for Bogut or stats, but it was more his steady play of being in the right place at the right time more often than not. The Stats: He scored 2 points on 2-2 shooting from the line to go with 3 boards, 1 block, 2 turnovers and 5 fouls in 17 minutes. He was a +4. The Action: Good job defending the paint and glass in his stint in the first half. Second Half: Bad handoff and it was stolen for FTs the other way. He rolled to the hoop, took the pass and was fouled, he made both FTs. He was called for an illegal screen.

Randle -- -- He didn’t come in until 8 minutes left in the second half. When he was in, the Lakers switched quite a bit then and let Randle get chewed up by Harden with poor help D. With both Bogut and Nance defending really well tonight, Luke didn’t go back to Randle in the second half. I wouldn’t read much else into that other than Luke going with hot lineups tonight. Usually, it’s Randle in the mix of those and closing the game. Tonight, it wasn’t. The Stats: He scored 4 points on 2-3 shooting to go with 1 board, 1 assist, 1 turnover and 2 fouls in 8 minutes. He was a -12. The Action: He missed a face-up baseline jumper. He dunked off the drive and dish from Ingram. He took a rebound, pushed it out and scored the layup going coast to coast. Second Half: He did not play in the second half.

Clarkson -- -- Normally, Clarkson and Randle have pretty huge games coming off the bench. Tonight, they weren’t a factor. Randle’s minutes were limited. Clarkson just couldn’t score while he was out there. Rare lack of impact from both of them. The Stats: He scored 4 points on 2-10 shooting (0-3 from three, 0-1 from the line) to go with 1 board, 3 assists and no fouls in 18 minutes. He was a +0. The Action: He missed a pull-up three. He attacked Tarik and was blocked. He hit Nance with an interior feed off a probe in transition for the score. He missed a three, Nance got it back to him in the lane and he scored the floater. He hit Nance for the open wing jumper. He iso’d and missed the tough layup attempt behind the backboard. Second Half: He missed a three, we got it back to him and he missed the floater. He missed a tech FT. He missed a pull-up 17-footer. He missed a hanging attempt in the paint after wanting to pass. He had the D scrambling off a Bogut screen, attacked and finger rolled in the layup.

Nance -- -- Strong game from Nance off the bench. While he played backup C, Luke was careful to make sure anytime Nene came in that Bogut came in, too. Defensively, Nance did a good job being mobile to slow down guards. He didn’t block any shots or really anchor the D with size, but played angles well and helped everywhere. When he’s having a good game, I always think that shows on the offensive glass. Sure enough, he led the team there with 6, including a couple of putback dunks. The Stats: He scored 13 points on 5-6 shooting (3-6 from the line) to go with 9 boards (6 offensive), 4 assists, 1 steal and 3 fouls in 22 minutes. He was a +12. The Action: He got an offensive board and kicked to Kuzma for the three. He was fouled on a jumphook and made one FT. He drew FTs cutting down the lane, he made one again. He took the interior feed from JC on the break and scored the layup. He was held on the slip screen for FTs, he made one again. He attacked and kicked to Brewer for three. He swiped a ball in the backcourt to regain possession after a miss. He got it back again on the same possession and hit JC for the floater. He swished the wing jumper on the two-man game with JC. He smothered CP3 and forced a timeout. Second Half: He slammed back down a missed Kuzma three. He dunked when Kuzma drew the D on the perimeter and found him rolling. He crashed the glass and threw down the putback jam. He jumped a passing lane to swipe and inbounds.

Brewer -- -- Lonzo said Corey called his shot tonight, saying he was going to go off. He backed that up. “He was out there talking trash,” Luke said. Brewer backed it up. “We don’t win that game without him tonight,” Luke added. Yep. He was huge. Big spark for the Lakers in the first half with 11 points on 4-6 shooting. He carried that offense through to the second half, but defensively he was a difference maker against Harden. He made things harder on him as opposed to letting Harden just get whatever he wanted every time down. That forced some Harden passes or tougher attempts. That made the difference. Great two-way game from him for 21 points, even sinking two threes. “That’s the biggest thing that really helped us,” Kuzma said. I was prepared to be ticked with Luke sitting him tonight for someone else down the stretch, but Luke rode Corey to the end. The Stats: He scored 21 points on 7-9 shooting (2-3 from three, 5-7 from the line) to go with 5 boards, 1 assist, 3 steals and 6 fouls in 25 minutes. He was a +18. The Action: He jumped the passing lane on the weave to swipe the handoff and take it for a dunk. He sank a step-back 19-footer on iso. Nice defensive board up high to ignite a breakaway score on the quick outlet. He got tapped on a layup on a drive left. He sank a three straight away off the kickout from Nance, just beating the shotclock. He missed a wing three on a kickout. Great read on help D to swipe a pass under the hoop. On the other end, he changed directions to lose the D and dunked down the middle of the lane. Quick pushout in transition and he drew FTs next time down, he made both. Second Half: He knocked a ball loose from Harden to ignite a break, then set up Ingram for FTs. He may have stripped Harden on the perimeter to ignite a break. He drew FTs battling on the offensive glass, he made one. He grabbed a rebound, pushed it up, attacked at the three line and scored the And-1 layup, he missed the FT. He drew FTs in transition on a pass off next time down, he made both. Nice challenge on Harden on one end to get the stop, he then blew past his man baseline on the other for a layup. He sank a corner three on a kickout. He and Bogut got an offensive board and Brewer hit a cutting Lonzo for FTs. He fouled out giving up a 4-point play on a reach from behind (weak call).

Caruso -- -- He ran as the backup point to start the second quarter. He had a couple boards and it looked like the Rockets wanted to pressure him a little, but not a lot else in the game. Hopefully, we find more time for him. The Stats: The Action: Nothing to report. Second Half: He did not play in the second half.

Walton -- -- The Lakers led 14-4 after making four threes (one from each starter not named Bogut)… Lakers were up 19-14 when Nance came in for Bogut with 5:20 left. JC and Brewer in, too. So the Lakers with Nance, Kuzma, Brewer, JC and Lonzo… Kuzma in God mode this quarter and the Lakers killing it… The Lakers led 37-22 after the first quarter… Nance, Ingram, Brewer, JC, Caruso lineup to start the second quarter… Caruso out for Hart when Harden returned. Lakers up 22 (a +7 while Caruso got his limited run)… Rockets cut it to 16 on two possessions so Luke called a timeout… Kuzma back in to go with Ingram, Lonzo, Hart and finally Randle with 8 minutes left in the half… Harden taking apart the Lakers. Luke needs better help D as Randle was getting smoked… The Lakers led 63-59 at the half. The Lakers had 5 turnovers in the half… He sat Bogut for Nance after 18 seconds to matchup… Down 1 when Brewer came in for Hart… Bogut back in to matchup with Nene… Nance back in again… The Lakers led 94-89 heading into the fourth… Nance, Kuzma, Ingram, Brewer, Clarkson to start the fourth quarter… Nene back in, so Luke went to Bogut. But he also brought in Hart for Kuzma with 10 minutes left… Some lazy perimeter D by the Lakers giving up threes. They led by 2 with 8 minutes left when Luke called the timeout… CP3 out for the remainder of the game (he was a -16 while out there)… Ball and Kuzma back in to go with Ingram, Brewer and Bogut up 4… They forced a timeout leading by 8 with 4:27 left… Some missed FTs and miscues, but the Lakers built up enough of a lead that they held on… Just 10 turnovers for the Lakers. That’s huge… The 15-35 (43% threes shooting) made up a little for the 27-43 from the line (63%)…
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DShotMaker1824
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PostPosted: Wed Dec 20, 2017 9:44 pm    Post subject:

First! THANKS DB!
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TDRock
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PostPosted: Wed Dec 20, 2017 9:48 pm    Post subject:

Yay Winning!!!!

Thanks DB!
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RhodyRay
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PostPosted: Wed Dec 20, 2017 9:55 pm    Post subject:

Great to see the Lakers win against a good team. They have been playing very competitive ball lately. Hopefully it continues to only get better!
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PostPosted: Wed Dec 20, 2017 10:02 pm    Post subject:

Houston forum going off on Hardin's lack of defense the entire game especially his lack of half court and transition defense against Kuzma early. I thought Ball was instrumental in his overall game especially late in the game.
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PostPosted: Wed Dec 20, 2017 10:04 pm    Post subject:

Thanks DB.
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Dr. Laker
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PostPosted: Wed Dec 20, 2017 10:17 pm    Post subject:

Thanks, DB!
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DrDent
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PostPosted: Wed Dec 20, 2017 10:25 pm    Post subject:

AAA DB

Question: think Luke finally comes around to starting kuz or will he still rationalize the "doesn't matter who starts it's who finishes" line to not start him when KCP and bro come back?
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leor_77
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PostPosted: Wed Dec 20, 2017 10:27 pm    Post subject:

Standings are pretty crazy - To think, you can be a 5th seed in the West with a .500 record.
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PostPosted: Wed Dec 20, 2017 10:39 pm    Post subject:

The team has really put together a nice string of competitive games. Yep, some real growth. Now if they could only hit FTs consistently. Sheesh!

Kuz is so smooth. He reminds me a lot of Jamaal Wilkes and those 20 ft layups.

At the start of the season, I remember thinking that if Ingram was at Kuz's level by midseason, we could really have something. Ingram's making big strides, but Kuz is still way ahead of him and improving as well.

Not sure about Lonzo being off the ball so much. It seems like it makes him less aggressive. Plus Ingram's ballhandling skills is very suspect.
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PostPosted: Wed Dec 20, 2017 10:39 pm    Post subject:

This one is sweet!

Kuzma in the God mode = DB at its finest.

I think this was the first game when Lonzo had more turnovers than assists.

Luke has been much better riding hot hands lately. And its about time to regularly starting Kuzma.

Bogut and Brewer showing the value of seasoned vets. Don't need to always be flashy. Steady presence and mentoring. Teaching by example.

We won one of the best teams in the league riding rooks and a second-year player. Let this game serve as an example to all those who are willing to trade everyone for two max players. Patience gets you farther. There is so much promise in this crew.
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PostPosted: Wed Dec 20, 2017 10:53 pm    Post subject:

Shocked DB - totally shocked. I missed this game, and just found out through your T&R what happened. THANK YOU for these T&R's DB!! Kuzma FTW and ... BREWER!?! Wow I gotta see the replay on this!! I fully expected a let down after playing GS so tight on an emotional Kobe Jersey night. I'm floored the Lakers won this game.

Shocked to see Brewer go off for 21 on efficient shooting.

Not shocked in the slightest to see Kuzma explode for 38. He's capable of 50+ some day.

Yeah baby!
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PostPosted: Wed Dec 20, 2017 11:28 pm    Post subject:

Thanks DB
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PostPosted: Wed Dec 20, 2017 11:32 pm    Post subject:

Klone_dd wrote:


Not sure about Lonzo being off the ball so much. It seems like it makes him less aggressive. Plus Ingram's ballhandling skills is very suspect.


I think giving Ingram that much ball handling is a bit off the mark, for sure. But Lonzo was at his best at UCLA when they mixed in some off ball action for him. Even if we aren't doing a great job with it, we need to develop more sequences for him and guys need to pound the ball oess when we're doing it.
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PostPosted: Wed Dec 20, 2017 11:41 pm    Post subject:

DrDent wrote:
AAA DB

Question: think Luke finally comes around to starting kuz or will he still rationalize the "doesn't matter who starts it's who finishes" line to not start him when KCP and bro come back?


I don't know. Just hard to guess what Luke does with his lineups sometimes. This sure would be a good one for Nance to realize to go to the bench in painless fashion. I mean Kuzma drops 38, they beat a top team and also show Nance he can be in a big role off the bench. Next game start Randle in place of Bogut and seen how they roll with our Ball, Ingram, Kuzma, Randle youth death lineup.
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 21, 2017 1:13 am    Post subject:

I've been saying Luke has done a good coaching job lately, other than Kuzma coming off the bench.

It's disappointing that it takes an injury to get our best player in the starting lineup.. it's simple you do what gives your team the best chance to win. And Kuzma gives us the best chance by being in the starting lineup and having a scoring outbreak like tonight that helped propel the team out ahead.

No need to complicate things.
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 21, 2017 1:17 am    Post subject:

Always fun to kick D'Antoni's ass

But I just LOVED how we played to begin with Bogut, Kuz and Hart.

Kuz, Hart, Ball .. the minute the game began there was a chemistry there. Can't really describe it exactly, but you could just feel the ball move and the ability for these players to be double threats (and triple threats in Kuz and Ball's case) from the 3 point line ... it was so tough for the Rockets to know what's going on.

Well done.
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tox
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 21, 2017 1:23 am    Post subject:

Thanks DB! I only watched the first half, I'll watch the 2nd half tomorrow. But wow. Kuzma. Wow. I also really liked how active Lonzo and Nance were defensively. But man, Kuzma. This guy's really a rookie?
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Daphanabe
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 21, 2017 1:41 am    Post subject:

Thanks DB! Fun game to watch. Interesting that this was pretty much the future core (no Brook and KCP, likely no Randle/JC). So stoked right now.
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 21, 2017 2:13 am    Post subject:

OK just got done watching a full replay, this one with the Houston TV crew doing the play by play. I thought it would be interesting to get their perspective.

Ball - they had a field day on his shot, or lack thereof. Sometimes just a casual 'Ball misses the knuckleball' after one of his misses, and at other times breaking down the form, comparing others who shot this way, frequently mentioning the 49% ft shooting, and emphasizing he needs to get that shot fixed this coming summer. Really, he's the only Laker they said anything bad about, and they were not critical of the rest of his game.

Kuzma - they RAVED over Kuzma's game. Drexler - he's a shooter AND a scorer - Clyde's emphasis - and how he's destined to become a star in this league, how he went 27th in the draft, how GM's are kicking themselves that they let him slip that far, that he should be a ROY candidate, he's just a rook and one of the highest scoring bench players in the league, and to Drexler, and, well... the whole crew, it was a foregone conclusion that Kuzma won't be a bench player much longer, they have to start this kid, he may already be the best player on this team. We'll see....

Laker Defense - The Houston crew started the game looking at points allowed, and even though they mentioned several times that the Lakers play at the highest pace in the league, they talked as though the Lakers score a lot and allow a lot of scoring too. They were surprised at what they saw as the game progressed. Starting second quarter and as the game went on, they praised the Laker defense more and more, very complimentary on how they countered Houston's offense, hustled and played smart team defense. I don't know how many times I heard comments like "and look at that Laker defense!" They actually recognized it. And acknowledged it. Good on them.

Corey Brewer - they still like him a lot, they loved his effort, and as has been said on this forum - they said he's one of the nicest people in the league. Their opinion from his Houston days - great guy to have on a team and great influence on others in their opinion.

As the game wound down, they said the Lakers had an answer for every Houston run and they were quite complimentary on the young players, particularly Kuzma, but also Ingram and Nance, as well as Brewer.

Anyhow - great win! I just thought it would be interesting to hear what spin a Houston crew with zero homerism towards the Lakers would put on this team. To their credit they felt this was no fluke - the Lakers played a better game.
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danzag
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 21, 2017 4:08 am    Post subject:

Oh man, I can't believe I missed this game
Thanks for the recap, DB
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markjay
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 21, 2017 5:37 am    Post subject:

DancingBarry wrote:
DrDent wrote:
AAA DB

Question: think Luke finally comes around to starting kuz or will he still rationalize the "doesn't matter who starts it's who finishes" line to not start him when KCP and bro come back?


I don't know. Just hard to guess what Luke does with his lineups sometimes. This sure would be a good one for Nance to realize to go to the bench in painless fashion. I mean Kuzma drops 38, they beat a top team and also show Nance he can be in a big role off the bench. Next game start Randle in place of Bogut and seen how they roll with our Ball, Ingram, Kuzma, Randle youth death lineup.


Nance's skill set is perfect coming off the bench. That kind of high energy hustle can really provide a spark to the bench mob. Let Kuzma start and pile up some points, then let Nance come in and disrupt thre other team (like last night).
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razor
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 21, 2017 6:33 am    Post subject:

game ball....Brewer....some kind of revenge game for Corey, and then he was the only guy willing to get into Harden's shirt....and Harden was rattled until he got some garbage in the forth. I didn't know Brewer could shoot like that, probably can't do that again lol.....
Kuzma....flat out rookie of the year, a rare talent.
The Lakers are turning into a running, positionless team with some iso guys as daggers......a total p.i.t.a. for other teams!
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LakerSD
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 21, 2017 7:23 am    Post subject:

Kuzma
Ball got better in the 2nd half.

This game reminds me why I just don’t trust the rockets. Great offense, solid talent across the roster but I just don’t believe you can win in the playoffs with their defense. Analytics say they are a good defensive team but that’s not the case. There is still a gap imo between GSW championship level defense and Houston. GSW gets stops when needed.

I think their fans are going to be very upset when the same playoff scenario plays itself out again.
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Texas_Pete
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 21, 2017 7:23 am    Post subject:

Thanks DB. Great win. I wish Luke would start Hart over KCP, but I know it won't happen. We beat a really good team last night. Hopefully they can build on it.

Laker media needs to document how these Lakers play and create a mini movie to pitch to free agents this summer. We truly got beaten only a handful of games this year: vs Clippers on opening night, vs Boston, vs Rockets the 1st time, and maybe the 2nd Wizards game. All other games? We were very competitive even if we lost. Free agents will want to play in this type of system. Gonna be an interesting summer.
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