ROCKETS -vs- LAKERS - 8/6 - Thoughts and :-(( Ratings

 
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DancingBarry
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 06, 2020 8:58 pm    Post subject: ROCKETS -vs- LAKERS - 8/6 - Thoughts and :-(( Ratings

Cruise Control for the L... The Lakers had a perfect 8-0 on the second night of back-to-backs coming into this game. They made it a point of pride this season. With the top seed wrapped up, they rested LeBron and a couple others in this one.

Not a lot to take away from this. The Lakers poor three shooting in the Bubble was on display again with their team-worst 2-19 from three. Meanwhile, the Rockets methodically let them fly, going 21-57.

The Rockets pulled out to some big leads off and on throughout this game. The Lakers cut the lead down to 5 with a 10-0 run in the fourth, but gave back up an 11-0 run to bury themselves for good, 113-97.

This was largely a time for the various second units of the Lakers to work on their chemistry. Kyle Kuzma continued his great two-way play, leading the Lakers with 21 points.

“We’re still experimenting a little bit,” Vogel said. “We got some guys dinged up and health is going to be a top priority.”


Davis -- -- Early on, he used his size to take advantage of the Rockets by hitting the offensive glass. He was able to get to the line a bit as a result. The effort and desire to work it in this one faded as the game went along. We’re playing for nothing and he didn’t want to overly do it. We rested him in the fourth. He had 7 turnovers while out there, spraying some passes around. We want him to improve on that aspect of his game, especially out of double teams. He got some post touches, but the movement around those was pretty stagnant. Hopefully, he got a little more conditioning in. Otherwise, really not much to take away. The Stats: He scored 17 points on 5-8 shooting (7-9 from the line) to go with 12 boards (5 offensive), 3 assists, 1 block, 7 turnovers and 1 foul in 30 minutes. He was a -9.

Kuzma -- -- If you are looking for little things that could play out in a future match up, some of Kuzma’s defense against Harden in this game was excellent. Typically Kuzma wasn’t the primary defender and came over to double and get the ball out of Harden’s hands. But on quite a few possessions, he’d end up on him defensively on iso. We didn’t send help and he handled his business. He had a trackdown block on Harden, recovered on another for a block, crowded him on the sideline for a turnover as Harden tried to plant his feet to drive and had a sequence showing off the improved defensive footwork that resulted in a steal and Laker breakaway score. If these teams face up and you need some stops down the stretch, Vogel will likely have more trust in throwing Kuzma out there defensively as an option to close. This was the small test and takeaway in this one for Vogel. Offensively, anytime one of the superstars is out, Kuzma usually steps into that vacuum with an aggressive game. He had 12 points on 5-11 shooting in the first half. He should have had more points but was missing FTs. But good job attacking the rim for layups. He had a nice twisting (almost 360) And-1 layup in the first half attacking from the corner. His length and speed against the Rockets lack of size certainly makes it easier to finish in the paint. Kuz, of course, hit the Lakers first three (Morris had the other).The Stats: He scored 21 points on 8-16 shooting (1-4 from three, 4-7 from the line) to go with 5 boards, 3 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 1 turnover and 2 fouls in 30 minutes. He was a -9.

Green -- -- He didn’t take a three in this one, although he did hit one with his foot on the line. “We got to get our legs back under us,” he said. He thinks with the schedule, they will. I’ve liked how he’s mixed up the offense in the past couple games getting to the rim. He had a couple of steals, a strip of Harden and swiping and inbounds pass and hitting a floater. He also drew a charge in the mix. So, good to see him making more happen on that end. I didn’t like it when he was matched up with Harden as he looks a bit heavy footed out there. The Stats: He scored 10 points on 5-7 shooting to go with 3 boards, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 block, 1 turnover and 1 foul in 25 minutes. He was a -10.

Caldwell-Pope -- -- Outside of a long pull-up from 20 feet out in early offense, he took what the offense gave him. He was able to get to the rim in half court and transition. Some good cuts off ball. He had one iso where you watched and said, don’t do it...and sure enough, he dribble the ball right out of bounds. If we are rating which struggling three shooter is closest to the hoop on his shots, I might say KCP. Maybe he’ll come around sooner than others. The Stats: He scored 10 points on 4-7 shooting (0-1 from three, 2-2 from the line) to go with 1 board, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 turnover and 1 foul in 20 minutes. He was a -7.

Cook -- -- He got the start as LeBron and McGee sat and the Lakers went smaller. Without any shot creating out there that limits his game. We typically didn’t run him off high screens to get into his midrange, either. That and shooting open threes are his bread and butter, so we didn’t play to his strengths too often. He had an assortment of frustrating attempts to finish around the rim. Nothing looked easy. Defensively, without Westbrook in the game, he was able to be less of an issue. He certainly wasn’t disrupting anything. The Stats: He scored 6 points on 2-12 shooting (0-3 from three, 2-2 from the line) to go with 4 boards (3 offensive), 4 assists, 2 turnovers and 1 foul in 29 minutes. He was a -3.

Howard -- -- He was a bit frustrated with the flopping. The stare he gave Tucker after a flop in the post in the fourth quarter was hilarious. His eyes said that was a (bleep) move as they went back down court and he matched up defensively. I had to stop the game for that one. The 6 turnovers piled up with and he grew more frustrated with the refs. He dominated the glass, but didn’t effectively make himself a problem on the offensive end of the floor. The Stats: He scored 8 points on 2-4 shooting (4-8 from the line) to go with 15 boards (4 offensive), 1 assist, 1 steal, 6 turnovers and 4 fouls in 20 minutes. He was a -11.

Waiters -- -- In early offense on the wing, he changes directions on crossovers and attacks pretty successfully in those situations. It’s pretty much guaranteed it’s going to happen if he doesn’t see anyone behind his defender. He had a couple of nice drives in this one but the three shooting looked a bit like a trebuchet chucking pumpkins at the rim. The Stats: He scored 8 points on 2-10 shooting (0-4 from three, 4-4 from the line) to go with 2 boards, 1 steal, 1 block, 2 turnovers and 2 fouls in 25 minutes. He was a -14.

Smith -- -- You hardly noticed he was out there in the first half. In the second half, he scored on a dropstep for a layup. He also had a nice swing pass to Morris for a layup. He always seems really hesitant to let the jumper fly right after he gets into a game. That hurts the offensive flow. We need him for shooting, but he’s clanking right now like the rest of the squad. First guard to start hitting might cement themselves in the rotation. The Stats: He scored 2 points on 1-4 shooting (0-3 from three) to go with 2 boards, 1 assist, 1 turnover and no fouls in 13 minutes. He was a -4.

Morris -- -- Good to see him sink a three. He was the only other Laker to do so. That was his only points. He had a couple of assists, one to Kuzma leaking out after Morris stole the ball. The other hitting KCP cutting weakside for a layup. Better minutes. The Stats: He scored 3 points on 1-3 shooting (1-2 from three) to go with 1 board, 2 assists and 3 fouls in 18 minutes. He was a -8.

Dudley -- -- Only guy with a positive in the +/-/ Dudley came in during the second quarter and helped give the Lakers some energy. I want to see that playoff Dudley that picks a verbal fight with the opponent and gets everyone fired up. That’s what the Lakers need in the last few games to get the intensity and focus up. He scored his first points in forever with a layup after attacking from the three line and taking contact. Defensively, I love how well he challenges going vertical. Of course, against Harden it’s a foul. Against another Rocket doing the exact same thing, it’s a clean defensive play. Frustrating. Other highlight: he drilled a man at midcourt with a solid screen and held the position. Wish Dwight would do that a little more. The Stats: He scored 2 points on 1-1 shooting to go with 2 boards, 2 assists and 1 foul in 11 minutes. He was a +3.

Horton-Tucker -- -- He got some early first half run and scored his first official NBA buckets. He actually looked really, really good out there, especially for a 19-year-old. He had some miscues, usually reading the floor poorly and throwing the ball away, but that’s what you expect. The scoring and some defensive work, however, made up for that. He was able to cut through seams off the dribble and finish around the rim extremely well. He used that wingspan and body better than some vets on a few of those finishes. One he stretched out with that long reach to get past the D and flip it in. He had an attack to his strong side, curling around from the top to get some speed on his way to the hoop. He had a change of directions through a seam to score a reverse. He also drew a few FTs in the process. Defensively, we used him late in the game on Harden, but sent double teams. His length was actually a but disruptive in those situations. The team was able to force some turnovers. He ended up with 4 steals. Really curious to see what he looks like when he’s 21 and three years in. First big minutes in a real game and he showed well. The Stats: He scored 10 points on 4-6 shooting (0-2 from three, 2-4 from the line) to go with 2 boards, 1 assist, 4 steals, 3 turnovers and 4 fouls in 19 minutes. He was a -8.

Vogel -- -- Key Moment: Let’s go with the second unit bringing a 10-0 run with LeBron and AD out. Winning the first few minutes of the fourth quarter is important. Unfortunately, they gave up the 11-0 run and were done for good.

Key Substitution: Let’s go with sitting McGee. He was healthy and could play. Vogel: “Just a coach’s decision. I wanted to see what a small lineup to start with, with Kuz in there. That means sometimes it’s going to be difficult to play both centers.” So we went smaller. It would have been nice if we also had LeBron in the mix. That would have given it more of a true feel that this could be a starting lineup to help us get over our slow starts. But hard to read that into it.

Key Stat: I mean we mentioned it up top, the 2-19 shooting from three compared to the Rockets shooting. The Lakers have gotten progressively worse with their shooting as the games have gone along. Hopefully, we start trending the other way.

Coach’s Challenge: Vogel used his in the first half when AD picked up a foul rejecting a drive. It was overturned. D’Antoni challenged a block/charge call in the third quarter and lost.
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eddiejonze
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 06, 2020 9:24 pm    Post subject:

bubble FIRST!
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ThreePointBomber
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 07, 2020 1:06 am    Post subject:

The Lakers will be fine. They have nothing to play for.
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danzag
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 07, 2020 3:55 am    Post subject:

Thanks, DB!

Strangely enough our defense has been pretty good. 3rd best in the bubble

It's just a matter of hitting open shots and we're winning game
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unleasHell
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 07, 2020 8:00 am    Post subject:

sorry, see next post...
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Last edited by unleasHell on Fri Aug 07, 2020 8:04 am; edited 1 time in total
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unleasHell
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 07, 2020 8:03 am    Post subject:

unleasHell wrote:
I think the ancient Chinese Philosopher Confucius once said something like: "Then Team that makes 19 more three-pointers than the other, is destined to win"

If Lakers Offense can't shoot a decent percentage of three-pointers and the Lakers Defense cannot prevent the other team from making three pointers, there is no way they are going to win it all...

And the more recent English Philosopher Morrissey once sang: "The joke isn't funny anymore"...

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yinoma2001
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 07, 2020 8:07 am    Post subject:

Release the THT.
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venturalakersfan
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 07, 2020 2:02 pm    Post subject:

It was the first game that I caught cover to cover. AD started off on fire and just out hustling everyone but was almost invisible later. As someone mentioned before he probably isn’t in game shape yet.
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calistrtballr
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 07, 2020 6:27 pm    Post subject:

What we’ve learned is AD is lacking testicular fortitude. He struggles to carry a team on his back.
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roger_federer
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 07, 2020 8:59 pm    Post subject:

Help me understand something.
You are not shooting well and you are alreqdy down by almoat 20. Isn't that a good time to run plays and shoot nore until you get some?
Why the hell everyone including cook started to attack the basket? Doesnt make srnse at all.

Whole 4th quarter we didnt try to shoot even when they were wide open. Jr smith looked like he doesnt want to be there. No energy and effort at all.
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DancingBarry
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PostPosted: Sat Aug 08, 2020 12:39 pm    Post subject:

venturalakersfan wrote:
It was the first game that I caught cover to cover. AD started off on fire and just out hustling everyone but was almost invisible later. As someone mentioned before he probably isn’t in game shape yet.


We may also be coaching for the playoffs. I wouldn't want him dominating in some area that I'm going to abuse in the playoffs. Show me what you can do for a bit, then we'll back away from that for now and do some other stuff.
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