LAKERS -at- BULLS – 1-26-18 - 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: Fri Jan 26, 2018 9:18 pm    Post subject: LAKERS -at- BULLS – 1-26-18 - Thoughts and :-)) Ratings

A Team in Transition… You never know if there are turning points for a team, but it sure looks like the Lakers have turned the corner.

Maybe that turning point came when we had the team meeting and put Randle in the starting lineup. Maybe it happened when they started getting wins (finally) without Lonzo. Maybe it really came in the last game when they gritted out a tough one against one of the top teams.

Let’s just hope that’s what it is.

The identity they’ve built starts with consistent, tough defense from one through five and usually ends with them out in transition. That was the case once again tonight.

This was a game of runs. The Lakers would pull ahead to start quarters. The Bulls would close quarters strong in the first half. In the second half, that flipped with the Lakers as the ones closing quarters strong.

The Lakers were reeled in midway through the fourth and trailed by three with 3:36. With Randle and Ingram back in midway through that quarter, they started to turn momentum back in their favor. Those two would come up with key scores in transition.

It was Ingram down the stretch who ran the point and came up with timely buckets. And on the other end, some miscues by the Bulls (they missed two huge FTs with over a minute left and also a follow dunk attempt). This time, it was the Lakers who we were reliable from the line when they needed to be.

“We hit them down the stretch which was big time from our guys,” Luke said. They made 10-11 from the line in the final minutes on their way to the 108-103 road win.

The Lakers have won 4 in a row and 8 of their last 10. This road trip will be a big test to see if they’ve really turned the corner as a team.


Randle – Strong first half, but a really quiet second half until about 2 minutes left when he had a huge steal and an And-1 score in transition. He had a couple of those tonight, but that one was big as we were fighting for our life. “Usually when I’m going full head of steam like that, dudes get out the way,” Randle said. They certainly did. He mentioned that he and Ingram talked about pushing it out with speed after getting a stop in that stretch and the two teamed up nicely right there. Love seeing him smile so much in the postgame interview. “We just want to establish a winning culture,” Randle said of the turnaround with the team. He said he was upset this season with not starting. “I was frustrated. I worked too hard this summer. Sacrificed a lot of time with my son, my wife and my family. If anything, I owe it to myself to just let everything go. I just did that. Let everything go. Focused on basketball, my opportunity when I got it.” Really want to keep him and think it’s definitely a buyer’s market this summer…so we’ll see how that all plays out. The Stats: He scored 14 points on 5-9 shooting (0-1 from three, 4-5 from the line) to go with 6 boards, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover and 3 fouls in 28 minutes. He was a +8. The Action: He tried to post up to start the game and lost the dribble, turnover. He was blocked next time down trying to post up again. He kicked out to KCP for a three. He missed a flat jumper from the top of the key. He grabbed a blocked shot, pushed out in transition and scored an And-1 runner between two defenders, he made the FT. Quick post attack on the catch and he muscled in a layup over his man. He had to heave up a three to beat the shotclock, we got it back and later in that possession, and he muscled in an And-1 putback layup, he made the FT. He sagged off a three shooter and gave up the open look, then another three next time down. He spun away from the double in the post and hit the jumphook. He was wrapped up to prevent a dunk in transition, he made one FT. A bit wild on a spin that left him too far from the hoop and he missed. He had 11 points on 4-8 shooting. Second Half: Big steal in the post (poking a ball loose) to ignite a break with 2 minutes left, and he would score the And-1 layup, he made the FT to lead by 2. Great challenge on a three next time down to get a stop.

Ingram -- -- He said the difference for the team has been “maturity.” It certainly looked like a more grown up game from him tonight. When he matures, though, these are the games you want to see with consistency. That’s usually the challenge for young players. He had 11 points on 5-9 shooting in the first half, hitting from the midrange early on. When that’s falling, he’s a handful. He took what the defense allowed and imposed himself down the stretch as our PG on offense. A double-digit scoring fourth quarter for him that was key to the Lakers changing momentum after he returned. The team started getting out on the break and scoring, including several big plays from Ingram in transition. He then hit his FTs to close the game. It wasn’t a flashy game, just relentless, consistent and playing to our strengths. More of that please. “Whatever it took tonight our guys did it,” Ingram said. He mentioned he’s feeling better but still not back all the way. He had a couple of offensive fouls tonight using his off arm on the dribble and also getting picked on the cross-over. Keep working on those handles. The Stats: He scored 25 points on 10-18 shooting (0-3 from three, 5-8 from the line) to go with 9 boards, 5 assists, 1 steal, 3 turnovers and 5 fouls in 33 minutes. He was a +22. The Action: He missed a pull-up 17-footer. He missed a corner three. He up-faked after taking a pass and dunked under the hoop. He choked a layup in transition. He swished an open elbow jumper working off the screen. He attacked off a handoff and drew FTs at the rim, he made one. He attacked baseline and was blocked by the rim or a Bull on a reverse dunk attempt, but Randle cleaned it up. He sank a pull-up 16-footer. He swished a 21-footer off the screen. Offensive foul trying to create on iso. He was stripped bringing the ball up and crossing over. He grabbed an airballed and scored the layup. Second Half: He missed a wing three when they went under the screen. He used an off-arm on iso and was called for it again. He missed a wing three. Nice recovery on his man to force a brick. Out on the break and Caruso found him for the And-1 dunk, he missed the FT. He cut under the hoop and Kuzma fired it to him for the layup. Quick kick ahead on the rebound tap out and that led to a breakaway score for JC. He missed a 17-footer. And-1 layup in transition off the Hart steal and push out, he missed the FT. He was fouled on an 18-footer with the shotclock about to expire, he made both FTs. He attacked next time down in early offense to his left and muscled in a layup. Huge pull-up jumper from the top of the key with 1:25 left. He missed a tough jumper at the FT line with 1 on the shotclock and no choice but to shoot. Intentionally fouled with 32 seconds left and he sank both clutch ones.

Lopez -- -- He had 9 points on 3-7 shooting in the first half, playing just his one stint. In the second half, Luke was going to put Brook back in late, but the Bulls went small with their shooters so he matched up with Randle/Nance. So very limited minutes from Brook despite the good production, which included 6 boards, as well. Last time he had that many boards apparently was last time he faced his brother. (Wonder how many times he hears the same questions whenever he plays his brother. “Is that like backyard basketball?” seems to be the reporter favorite that probably gets repeated every time.) Scoring wise, Brook hit one three, but was most effective in the post. That first unit was looking pretty clunky except for when they went to him to work out of the post where he killed it (he was a +19 in his 17 minutes…should have definitely ran him instead of Nance with some of that second unit). I’d like to see more of that post work as a change of gears for the team and to use him to some of his strengths just a bit more. Doesn’t need to be much more, just a few possession per game. The Stats: He scored 17 points on 7-13 shooting (1-3 from three, 2-2 from the line) to go with 6 boards (3 offensive), 1 assist, 2 blocks, 1 turnover and 4 fouls in 20 minutes. He was a +19. The Action: Way short on a three on a kickout. He attacked off the three line, avoided a charge and hit a teammate for the layup. He hit a jumphook in the midpost. He attacked baseline past his brother and reverse jammed. Short on a jumphook. He rejected Levine’s drive to ignite a break. He drained a three trailing the break. He blocked a lob pass to ignite the break. He missed a lefty drive, got his miss back and was fouled on the putback attempt, he made both FTs. He faced up and missed the bank. Second Half: He swished a fade in the post. He attacked past his brother and dunked. He missed a wing three on his heels a bit. He tracked down a long offensive board, attacked, spun through defenders and scored the layup (probably an And-1). Offensive foul on the perimeter out of a timeout. He backed his man down and hit the jumphook in the paint.

Caldwell-Pope -- -- Weird game from KCP. He was very aggressive on the glass, getting the Lakers multiple second chances. Just don’t see a lot of that from him usually, but he had 7 boards in his 24 minutes. Offensively, he tipped in a Laker miss and hit a three for a score. Some weak moments defensively giving up drives he could have prevented. The Stats: He scored 5 points on 2-7 shooting (1-3 from three) to go with 7 boards (3 offensive), 2 assists and 3 fouls in 24 minutes. He was a +6. The Action: He tipped in a missed jumper. He sank a three straight away on a kickout. He kept another offensive board alive to regain a possession. He missed a sideline three on a kickout. Second Half: Horrible decision to try a floater in transition instead of attacking for contact, he bricked badly). He missed a sideline three.

Ennis -- -- Lonzo has been doing non-contact drills, so he’s getting closer. But it sounds like he probably won’t play in the next one. We’ll need Ennis to find that balance between not being passive and not being stupidly aggressive. It seems to be a range with him at times, usually on the passive end. He was aggressive at times tonight. He had some nice drives, but went too far with an iso drive to get blocked for the second straight time (first time he was attacking smartly, but didn’t use the off hand). The three ball still looks awful. Hopefully, we can continue to hold down the fort on the road until Zo returns. The Stats: He scored 6 points on 3-7 shooting (0-1 from three) to go with 3 boards, 1 assist, 1 steal and 2 fouls in 14 minutes. He was a +5. The Action: He scored a layup on the drive and dish from Lopez. He found Ingram for a dunk in transition. Second Half: He missed a three on a kickout. He pushed out with speed, went behind his back to lose a defender, attacked the paint and scored the layup. He tried to finish with his right and was blocked in transition (use the left and they can’t block that). Iso drive and he was blocked not a good decision on that one (didn’t set up the offense at all off a deadball). He missed a floater in the lane. He swiped it back on the perimeter and took it for a layup.

Kuzma -- -- Not a great game from him on either end. He hit some turnarounds that we usually don't see as well as a three. The team struggled to get one-and-out possessions defensively. Randle made Kuzma where his fur collared coat with the pimp pink lining in the postgame interview. “I think they’re jealous,” Kuzma said. “Only person that can probably pull this off is JC. Lonzo can’t dress. Corey Brewer can’t dress. So, yeah.” I think he pulls it off. “We kind of took their punch and punched back,” he said. He plays like he did against the Celtics, he can wear whatever he wants. He needed a little better shot selection tonight. The Stats: He scored 9 points on 4-12 shooting (1-5 from three) to go with 2 boards, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 turnover and 1 foul in 27 minutes. The Action: Quick catch and turnaround jumper over Nwaba from about 16 feet out. He spotted Caruso cutting backdoor for a layup. He missed a three trailing the break. He swished the Kobe range turnaround jumper from the right baseline. He faked the turnaround, spun back the other way to attack middle and hit the jumphook. He was undercut a little on a jumper with no call and missed. He missed a step-through in the post. He sank a wing three out of a timeout. He airballed a forced wing jumper. Second Half: He missed a three straight away. He missed a wing three. He swiped it back on the other end, stepping aroudn his man, then was fouled on a lob attempt changing ends (no FTs, though). He fired a pass to Ingram under the hoop on the same possession for a layup. He crossed over and missed a pull-up. He iso’d spun into traffic and lost the ball.

Clarkson -- -- A bit of a quiet 19 points tonight. He got some late intentional FTs that made the scoring look a little better. He struggled with the three ball. He seemed way off balance on most of his attempts. His one make was easily his best form. His pull-ups on midrange look like money because he goes straight up. He doesn’t do that on threes consistently unless it’s a catch and shoot. The Stats: He scored 19 points on 6-15 shooting (1-5 from three, 6-6 from the line) to go with 2 boards, 4 assists and 1 foul in 30 minutes. He was a +4. The Action: He pushed out a loose ball, took it the distance and scored an And-1 layup, he made the FT. He missed a pull-up three, jumping too far forward. He airballed a drive right on iso. He bricked another three, leaning too far forward. He made a tech FT. He sank a pull-up 19-footer working off the screen. He airballed a wing three. He attacked right, bumped a defender and scored the layup. Second Half: He swished a three on a kickout in transition. Bad close out and he gave up a layup (make Nwaba shoot a jumper). Out on the break with speed and Ingram quickly found him for the layup. Not good balance again on a three to start the fourth and he missed. He swished a 12-footer cutting in the paint to take the pass. He attacked and missed a leaner with the shotclock low. He missed a leaner in the paint. He attacked the paint, spun and missed the floater. Fouled with 21 seconds left, he made both FTs. Fouled with 9 seconds left, he made both.

Nance -- -- Man, nothing seemed to go right for him in this one. He flubbed finishes, was called for key turnovers and was getting killed on the glass. Combine that with a no call on a finish on the break (they gave him a turnover instead) and he was pretty frustrated. The +/- seems kinder than it was because he was back in the game with Randle down the stretch. Prior to that, we were generally getting our butts kicked with the Nance/Kuzma lineup. The Stats: He scored He didn’t score on 0-4 shooting (0-1 from three) to go with 6 boards, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 turnover and 2 fouls in 22 minutes. He was a -5. The Action: He choked a reverse dunk attempt he should have scored on. He missed a sideline three. Second Half: He attacked and choked a layup. Poor close and he gave up a three off a jumpball. Illegal screen on the other end, turnover. Wow, no foul call on a dunk attempt in transition. Late rotation to give up a three. Great job on a switch to force a guard to give it up with under 2 minutes left.

Hart -- -- No Brewer tonight as Hart took the backup SF minutes. Hart had a critical moment when we were trying to stop the Bulls momentum in the fourth. He swiped pass matching up with a big in transition and pushing it down court to Ingram for the And-1 layup. The Bulls had taken momentum. This was one of the key plays that took it back. Scoring-wise he hit a three and a couple FTs. Work on those FTs, Josh. He made just 2-4 tonight. He had the team-low -17, but a lot of that was the second unit with Nance/Kuzma playing too small defensively. The Stats: He scored 5 points on 1-2 shooting (1-2 from three, 2-4 from the line) to go with 3 boards, 1 assist and no fouls in 23 minutes. He was a -17. The Action: He sank a wing three in transition. Second Half: Great job going vertical to force a miss on help D on a drive. He attacked in transition and drew FTs, he made one. He missed a wing three. Great job stepping around a big in transition D to swipe a pass, push it out with speed and set up Ingram perfectly for the And-1 layup. Intentionally fouled on an inbounds, he made one FT.

Caruso -- -- Love his aggressiveness and speed he gets us into the offense lately. Just makes such a difference for this team. They’ve got to get stops and get in transition. He’s really been translating his game to the next level lately. He doesn’t need to score at a high level. Just be aggressive, make the D pay and then keep playing hard-nosed D on the other end. “Just really grateful for the minutes I do get on the court,” Caruso said. He’s making the most of them lately. The Stats: He scored 8 points on 3-4 shooting (2-3 from the line) to go with 4 boards, 3 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers and 2 fouls in 20 minutes. He was a -5. The Action: Excellent cut backdoor as his man lost sight of him and Kuzma hit him for the layup. He attacked, absorbed contact and scored a layup. He swiped a pass and ignited the break. Second Half: He pushed it up and hit JC cross court for a three. He pushed out the break and hit Ingram for the And-1 dunk. He couldn’t finish a scoop in transition. He traveled on an attack off the three line. Perimeter foul for FTs (got away with some over dribbling there), but he made one FT. He attacked the pressure D (so key for our PGs) and scored an And-1 layup, he made the FT. Great help D, doubling in the post to tie up a big who had a mismatch. He threw a kickout away.

Walton -- -- Choppy start, but the Lakers edged out a 13-8 lead after 5 minutes… JC in and Nwaba in to cover him… Lakers on an 11-0 run to lead 30-15… Caruso and Kuzma in to go with Lopez, KCP and JC with under 3 minutes left… Nance and Hart in for Lopez and KCP… Very poor finish to the quarter by this unit. They struggled on the defensive glass and couldn’t get stops as well as only scoring a bucket in the final 3 minutes… The Lakers led 32-25 after the first quarter… Same unit to start the second quarter… Timeout midway through the quarter up 8. He brought back in Ingram for JC… They started to get out into transition a little and took a 13-point lead to force a timeout… Randle and KCP in with 5 minutes left… Up just 4 when Luke called the timeout with 3 minutes left. Randle giving up threes to his man. An 8-0 Bulls run… The Lakers led 62-57 at the half. Bulls were 9-18 from three in the first half… Very choppy start again by this unit… They were tied up after 5 minutes… Up 2 with 5 minutes left, he pulled Randle and had some words with him on the bench. Kuzma in… Caruso and JC in for Ennis and KCP up 4… An 11-0 run for the Lakers during this stretch… Brook with his fourth foul and Nance came in, Lakers up 9 with 3 minutes to go. Need to finish a quarter strong… Good job by the Lakers at the end of this quarter to extend that lead, instead of lose it… They led 84-72 heading into the fourth… He started the Nance, Kuzma, Hart, JC, Caruso lineup… They gave up a couple of threes and led by 7 when the timeout came after a couple minutes… A 9-0 run for the Bulls. Too long with this lineup. The lead down to 3… He sat Nance (finally) for Randle and brought back in Ingram with 6 minutes left up 1, lead gone… They trailed by 2 a second late. They would need to grab momentum back after a 16-1 run by the Bulls… Nance back in for Kuzma, but now at PF with Randle…. Randle, Nance, Ingram, Hart and JC. Ingram at PG… They started getting stops again and out in transition… Some big miscues by the Bulls in the final minute… Good job hitting our FTs down the stretch… Luke credited coach Buechler with a nice scouting job in this one… The Bulls shot 16-24 from the line (67%). The Lakers made 21-28 (75%). That’s what you have to do on the road…


Last edited by DancingBarry on Fri Jan 26, 2018 9:22 pm; edited 3 times in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
mhan00
Retired Number
Retired Number


Joined: 13 Apr 2001
Posts: 32025

PostPosted: Fri Jan 26, 2018 9:19 pm    Post subject:

Thanks!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message ICQ Number Reply with quote
Cutheon
Franchise Player
Franchise Player


Joined: 10 Jul 2009
Posts: 12111
Location: Bay Area

PostPosted: Fri Jan 26, 2018 9:27 pm    Post subject:

awesome win! thanks
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
LakerSD
Franchise Player
Franchise Player


Joined: 10 Nov 2016
Posts: 23731

PostPosted: Fri Jan 26, 2018 9:28 pm    Post subject:

Thanks DB. Lakers won this game on some great defense late and aggressive attack on the offensive end.

Young dudes growing up.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
SocalDevin
Star Player
Star Player


Joined: 26 May 2016
Posts: 7825
Location: Long Beach

PostPosted: Fri Jan 26, 2018 9:35 pm    Post subject:

Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
PartyMan
Starting Rotation
Starting Rotation


Joined: 29 Jan 2016
Posts: 963
Location: The Dark Side of the Moon

PostPosted: Fri Jan 26, 2018 9:37 pm    Post subject:

Thanks DB.

8 of our last 10. Hoping for a playoff push! Imagine if we had won even 2 or 3 of those in the losing streak...
_________________
We pour this booze and we drink this booze because we think it's yummy. YUMMY! So over the tounge and down the throat to party in our tummys.
DOWN THE HOLA BITC*OLA!!!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
akgolf
Star Player
Star Player


Joined: 18 Feb 2010
Posts: 1448
Location: Edmond, Oklahoma

PostPosted: Fri Jan 26, 2018 9:50 pm    Post subject:

Thanks DB!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
pio2u
Retired Number
Retired Number


Joined: 26 Dec 2012
Posts: 54519

PostPosted: Fri Jan 26, 2018 10:13 pm    Post subject:

Thanks 100 DB!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
unleasHell
Franchise Player
Franchise Player


Joined: 16 Apr 2001
Posts: 11591
Location: Stay Thirsty my Friends

PostPosted: Fri Jan 26, 2018 10:14 pm    Post subject:

Great review and great game...!
_________________
“Always remember... Rumors are carried by haters, spread by fools, and accepted by idiots.”
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: Fri Jan 26, 2018 10:14 pm    Post subject:

Thanks DB
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
A Mad Chinaman
Star Player
Star Player


Joined: 07 Apr 2005
Posts: 6121

PostPosted: Fri Jan 26, 2018 10:28 pm    Post subject:

Having just watched the Warriors play great D in the TWolves game, it was fascinating noting how the Lakers' D is starting to look the Warriors' D - a good sign

With PG13, Boogie and other FAs not name LBJ seemingly settled into their present teams - maybe just a key acquisition to be the "Head of the Snake" is all we need to be a serious contender
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
mookielala
Star Player
Star Player


Joined: 29 Jul 2012
Posts: 3026

PostPosted: Fri Jan 26, 2018 10:34 pm    Post subject:

“Usually when I’m going full head of steam like that, dudes get out the way."



Thanks, DB
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: Fri Jan 26, 2018 11:14 pm    Post subject:

You touched on a point that hit me during the game but I forgot to discuss on LG -- Brandon was absolutely great in transition today. He had quite a few nice passes, ran the floor, had some good finishes, etc. Can't wait to see that in tandem with Lonzo when he returns.
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: Fri Jan 26, 2018 11:14 pm    Post subject:

Thanks DB! 8 out of the last 10 games have been wins! Great recap as always.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
kobe_luver
Franchise Player
Franchise Player


Joined: 08 Feb 2008
Posts: 11644
Location: LA

PostPosted: Fri Jan 26, 2018 11:36 pm    Post subject:

Thanks DB!!
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: Fri Jan 26, 2018 11:40 pm    Post subject:

8 out of 10 makes us basically best team in the league right now
_________________
Kobe
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
oldlakerfan
Star Player
Star Player


Joined: 15 May 2001
Posts: 2146
Location: Tega Cay, South Carolina

PostPosted: Sat Jan 27, 2018 2:35 am    Post subject:

Thanks DB another good win.
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: Sat Jan 27, 2018 5:36 am    Post subject:

THANKS DB!!!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
unleasHell
Franchise Player
Franchise Player


Joined: 16 Apr 2001
Posts: 11591
Location: Stay Thirsty my Friends

PostPosted: Sat Jan 27, 2018 7:03 am    Post subject:

Chronicle wrote:
8 out of 10 makes us basically best team in the league right now


Actually you are correct, the Lakers, Warriors and Pelicans are the only teams that are 8-2 in their last 10 games...!


Go Team...!
_________________
“Always remember... Rumors are carried by haters, spread by fools, and accepted by idiots.”
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