PELICANS -at- LAKERS - 1/15 - Thoughts and :-)) Ratings

 
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 15, 2021 11:27 pm    Post subject: PELICANS -at- LAKERS - 1/15 - Thoughts and :-)) Ratings

Flexing the Defensive Muscles... Slow start tonight for the Lakers as they let the Pelicans open up with 9 of 10 shooting in this game. The Lakers would fall back by 15 points early, but once the intensity picked up, they dominated.

Dennis Schröder helped pick up that Lakers defensive intensity in the second quarter, hounding his man, burning shotclock and coming up with a couple of steals.

The Lakers caught the Pelicans by halftime and then just put the clamps down after that. The Pelicans would have a 5-minute scoreless stretch as the Lakers flexed their defensive muscles again. They held the Pelicans to just 37 points in the second half.

A lengthy run in the fourth blew the game wide open and the Lakers took it 112-95, extending their record to 11-3 and 4-3 at home.


LeBron -- -- Near triple-double in this one in his 31 minutes. He had a putback jam that reminded you a bit of young LeBron. He made that look much easier than it should have been at his age. Good playmaking tonight. Once he picked up that double tech with Adams (he didn’t like Adams pinning his arm on a rebound), he just started picking apart the Pelicans, finding three shooters and then some good work spotting Trezz tonight, as well. He picked up three fouls and had to sit with 4 minutes left in the half. I thought Vogel maybe should have challenged that third foul. It was a block/charge call, which Vogel doesn’t like to challenge, but to save LeBron’s third foul it might have been worth it as it was in the second quarter with quite a bit of time left and you want to keep LeBron out of foul trouble if you can. It’s rare when it happens and Vogel knows LeBron can play with fouls, so he didn’t burn it. Sure enough, LeBron ended up with only three fouls in the game. He got a rare 5-second violation in the post tonight. I haven’t seen that for a while. The Stats: He scored 21 points on 6-11 shooting (2-6 from three, 7-7 from the line) to go with 8 boards, 11 assists, 1 steal, 3 turnovers and 3 fouls in 31 minutes. He was a +14.

Davis -- -- Really poor start to this one. He went 2-8 from the floor in the first quarter and 2-4 from the line. In the second quarter 2-4 from the floor, 5-6 from the line and the Lakers pulled back even with the Pelicans. That was probably the biggest difference in the first half offensively. When he was scoring reasonably well, the Lakers did well (37 points in the second quarter). When he wasn’t, they didn’t (20 points in that first quarter). AD said once he picked up the intensity on the defensive end, the offense followed. He had 3 steals and 3 blocks (that length on Zion caused some issues). Some good passing in this game (and really, this season). We had a AD/Gasol two-man sequence in early on that led to an open three for a teammate as AD handled the ball. In the second half, AD had a nice sequence where he took a pass from LBJ, drew the defender to him in the paint, then setup Trezz for the uncontested dunk. He ended up with 5 assists and no turnovers. The passing in this game was clean by most Lakers. The Stats: He scored 17 points on 5-16 shooting (0-2 from three, 7-10 from the line) to go with 6 boards, 3 steals, 3 blocks and 1 foul in 33 minutes. He was a +20.

Schröder -- -- “It started with DS’s ball pressure,” Davis said. Schröder’s D in that second quarter helped the Lakers dig their way out of a 15-point hole. This was just straight up man D on his man. He was again forcing his man to turn several times, eating up shotclock. Then he worked that into a couple of steals in a row. The Pelicans then took the ball out of their PG’s hands and put it in Ingram to bring it up court. They tried attacking Schröder again later and he forced his man to throw it away. He was locked in. “It just leads to a lot of energy for our ball club,” LeBron said, who keeps pushing the “Dennis the Menace” nickname. Maybe just go with Menace. He was certainly that tonight in the second quarter. Throw in some setups to AD, a three and a runner off the glass and he helped them cut the lead from 15 to 1 by the halftime. Hel aso had Alexander-Walker in foul trouble, limiting his time on the court. The stats don’t look great in this game, but he was superb in his role. The Stats: He scored 12 points on 4-14 shooting (1-7 from three, 3-4 from the line) to go with 5 boards (3 offensive), 4 assists, 3 steals, 1 turnover and 4 fouls in 30 minutes. He was a +23.

Caldwell-Pope -- -- Defensively, we had him on Ingram early on. If he let BI get to his spots in the midrange, it was basically over. BI could just rise up and sink shots with ease. We changed that up later and BI was quiet the rest of the night. Offensively, that three ball from KCP was strong again. He sank one falling down in the corner on an inbounds as he went 4-6 from three tonight. He also jumped the passing lane for a steal and a dunk. He was kind of the third punch offensively tonight. The Stats: He scored 16 points on 6-11 shooting (4-6 from three) to go with 1 board, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 turnover and no fouls in 25 minutes. He was a +15.

Gasol -- -- The Mountain. He had more of a traditional big man matchup tonight as the Pelicans play big. There was also a play early in this one where Steven Adams tried to wrap Marc up from behind and move him out of the way for an offensive rebound and Marc didn’t budge. That probably works with a lot of the other smaller C’s in the league. I also love seeing big guys just run into him and get nowhere unless he’s taking a charge. I do wish he’d try to go for verticality a little more. I think he can get a full 6 inches or so off the floor, ha, ha. But I think just holding the arms up straight instead of coming down might save him a few fouls and disrupt a few more shots in some of those situations. He got tagged with a series of fouls in the third quarter of this one. One of those I think he just put a hand on his man off ball and the ref blew the whistle. Marc was confused and sarcastically tried not touching his man in the subsequent inbounds. He hit a three on his only attempt behind the arc. He also knocked down a turnaround in the post right after LeBron did the same thing on the previous possession. Quick note on the screen setting. Watch when Gasol is setting screens in the two-man game on the wing on the strong side. He helped draw the third defender over a couple times to help as we got middle and that led to wide open threes for our wing shooters. One of those, he pushed his man backward, then screened Davis’s man and BI had to come over to help and that left Kuz wide open. That was all made by Gasol taking out two guys. The Stats: He scored 5 points on 2-4 shooting (1-1 from three) to go with 2 offensive boards, 1 assist, 1 block and 4 fouls in 20 minutes. He was a +7.

Harrell -- -- He was just too much for the Pelicans. And I don’t mean that like they couldn’t handle him, but rather it was just one player too many for the Pelicans to handle. You got to deal with LeBron, then AD, then KCP is hitting, then Harrell on top of all that? It just broke their backs. The official backbreaker came when he got an offensive board and kicked it to LeBron for a three to go up 20 with 5 minutes left. That forced a timeout. Out of that, he stole a pass and took it for a dunk. My goodness. Those dunks and scores around the rim were just too much. He took an elbow from Zion to the face in the first half and went to the locker room, but seemed fine later. Zion was catching guys with those tonight. Fun watching Harrell in this one as he was hyper efficient and meshing with the team more and more. LeBron found him off several passes for easy scores. There was a LeBron to AD to Harrell combo that led to a jam. The chemistry there is improving. The Stats: He scored 16 points on 8-10 shooting (0-1 from the line) to go with 5 boards (3 offensive), 1 assist, 1 steal and 1 foul in 21 minutes. He was a +17.

Kuzma -- -- I mentioned a couple games back that I thought he’d get another big rebounding game because of how he’s playing. He did that work again tonight. The motor on the boards has been relentless and focused lately. Another double-double tonight, this time pulling down 13 boards (including 3 offensive). He’s just flying around the court and that plays well with your high usage superstars. Keep that up. All three of his makes tonight were threes (3-4). He missed his first one of the game, this time and sank the rest. The Stats: He scored 11 points on 3-10 shooting (3-4 from three, 2-3 from the line) to go with 13 boards (3 offensive), 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 turnover and 1 foul in 22 minutes. He was a -3.

Caruso -- -- The shooting has just looked so good this season (14-24 from three, 58% so far). Thank you, MP3. He hit a wing three in this one while he was moving to his left. Normally, we just see him planted for catch and shoots. That was nice. The Lakers hit 15-37 from three. They are the third ranked three shooting team in the league this year (39.6%). They were 25th in the league last year at 35%. Combine AC hitting those threes with some nice setups lately (great one to Trezz on a drive and dish) and he’s really becoming a much stronger two-way baller. One of the stats of the night, he was a +28 in just 18 minutes. He led the team with a +12 in 13 first half minutes. So in the second half that was 5 minutes at +16. Lakers on cheat mode there. The Stats: He scored 9 points on 3-4 shooting (3-3 from three) to go with 3 boards, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 block and no fouls in 18 minutes. He was a +28.

Horton-Tucker -- -- He was the odd man out of the rotation tonight with everyone healthy. Matthews basically got the time so we didn’t see any of that AC/THT combo that had been working lately in the backcourt. He came in for garbage time and missed a short one in the paint. The Stats: He didn’t score on 0-1 shooting in 3 minutes. He was a -7.

Matthews -- -- He was a -6 in his 8 first half minutes and played even in the second half...just not good minutes. He gave up a 4-point play and missed both of his attempts from three. I’d really like his first shot to be something simple, open where he can take his time. We had him trying a deep three on the move on his first touch coming off a handoff. If you’ve been sitting an hour, that seems like a tough one to pull out of your bag on your first attempt. The Stats: He didn’t score on 0-2 shooting from three and had 1 assist and 1 foul in 14 minutes. He was a -6.

Morris -- -- He went 0-4 in the first half from three, kind of spraying the ball all over. You could tell the shot was off the moment it was leaving his hands. He just wasn’t in a smooth rhythm at all. His last shot of the game, he had great balance and pace and he knocked down the three. He took an elbow to the gut by Zion on a drive early in the game and went down. We had to use a timeout as he wasn’t getting up. That will probably leave a mark. The Stats: He scored 5 points on 2-7 shooting (1-5 from three, 0-1) to go with 1 board, 2 assists, 1 block and 1 foul in 16 minutes. He was a -9.

Cook -- -- He came in with 3:22 left. Not the big garbage time minutes of late, but still love seeing it every game. He missed his only attempt. The Stats: He didn’t score on 0-1 shooting in 3 minutes. He was a -7.

McKinnie -- -- In for garbage time, he missed a couple of shots. Nothing to report. The Stats: He didn’t score on 0-2 shooting in 3 minutes. He was a -7.

Vogel -- -- Key Moment: The Lakers were down 15 in the first half. LeBron picked up a double tech with Adams as the two were yapping at the freethrow line. The Lakers would outscore the Pelicans 80-40. Once the intensity just jumped up a notch, the focus improved and they took control. There was a 30-8 run in the fourth quarter that crushed the spirit completely.

Key Substitution: I’m going with Dennis Schröder coming back in the game in the second quarter. He started hounding his man up court, turning him, eating clock, then turning that into steals and turnovers. That really changed the tone. He’s such a quiet guy that I think his rep on D takes a hit from that, but he had some serious dog in him in this one even if he didn’t need to bark.

Key Stats: 31 assists with just 6 turnovers. Wow. The team was making the extra passes, really moving the ball well. Guys really seemed to have that idea that if there’s a crowd around you, someone else is open. The other numbers that stand out in this one: 13 rebounds by Kuzma, 11 assists from LeBron, a +28 from AC in 18 minutes, 37 points in the second half by the Pelicans.
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 15, 2021 11:31 pm    Post subject:

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PostPosted: Fri Jan 15, 2021 11:57 pm    Post subject:

Thx, DB!
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 12:31 am    Post subject:

The shooting and passing seems like it took a leap this year.

The ball movement in the 2nd half made my jaw drop and gave me memories of the 2014 spurs.

My fav play was when Lebron bounce passes to Davis, Davis overhead passes to DS, and DS zips it to Caruso for an open corner 3 in under 3 seconds was...wow.
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 12:41 am    Post subject:

Thanks DB.
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 1:10 am    Post subject:

Thanks again DB.

Early on the Pelicans were just scoring at a torrid rate and seemed to be getting into the middle of the defense at will. Was frustrating to watch.

Second half though, man did the Lakers really turn it up. I'm shocked at how good DS is at that end - I mean folks talked about his improvement last year, but now seeing it game after game, dude is just impressive.

AD of course was big in the second half as the defense really started swarming the Pelicans, especially around the basket (the easy layups suddenly turned into them running into a wall). Simultaneously, the Lakers had also started figuring out the Pelicans defensive strategy.

As an aside, the Clippers struggled to put the Pelicans away the other day, and that was without Zion. In this game, after the small 6-0 run to start the 4th, the Lakers just overwhelmed the Pelicans, who this time had Zion. Something to just think about.

NO only scored 37 in the second half - no matter how you slice it, with guys like BI and Zion, it is impressive the Lakers pulled that off (those guys can score).

Nice come back win in the end. Now let's try to take care of business Monday against Curry and company before hitting that east coast swing.
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 1:16 am    Post subject:

One more thing DB, just wanted to add, where you said:

Quote:
Vogel -- -- Key Moment: The Lakers were down 15 in the first half. LeBron picked up a double tech with Adams as the two were yapping at the freethrow line. The Lakers would outscore the Pelicans 80-40. Once the intensity just jumped up a notch, the focus improved and they took control. There was a 30-8 run in the fourth quarter that crushed the spirit completely.


I was really curious how the Lakers would respond at that point, down 15, and with that double tech. One of the plays just before (the one that initially pissed off LBJ) I believe it was Hart who drove to the basket and suddenly the interior defense was nowhere to be seen - well, Adams had hooked LBJ and pulled him under the hoop allowing Hart to score. LBJ took real issue with that and it seemed to fire the Lakers up - Pels seemed to want to be physical (hence the number of fouls) to try and "intimidate" and it just sorta backfired in the end
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 4:10 am    Post subject:

The mountain
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 4:42 am    Post subject:

Found the 4th Quarter lineups interesting:

Trez-Kieff-Bron-Kuz-Caruso
Outscored Pels 9-5
Frank continues to try or develop Kuzma at the 2.

AD-Trez-Kuz-Caruso-Schroder
Outscored Pels 5-4
Not as effective as the Bron lineup

AD-Trez-Bron-Caruso-Schroder
Outscored the Pels 10-2

Caruso is a major asset now that he can hit 3s as well.
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 6:02 am    Post subject:

Our 3 point shooting has been a welcome sight.

The league is averaging 37% on 35 attempts, which is insane.
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 7:03 am    Post subject:

Thanks DB. The Lakers have a switch they can turn on or off at any time. Seems like they were sleepwalking in the first 1.5 quarters before exerting their will on the former Baby Lakers. That being said, BI has developed into a star. Love the AD trade but I wish we could have kept him.

Here are a few highlights. This dude is not our CaChooka Man, but he does a good job.
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 8:31 am    Post subject:

wolfpaclaker wrote:
Found the 4th Quarter lineups interesting:

Trez-Kieff-Bron-Kuz-Caruso
Outscored Pels 9-5
Frank continues to try or develop Kuzma at the 2.

AD-Trez-Kuz-Caruso-Schroder
Outscored Pels 5-4
Not as effective as the Bron lineup

AD-Trez-Bron-Caruso-Schroder
Outscored the Pels 10-2

Caruso is a major asset now that he can hit 3s as well.

Good finds! Caruso has made a leap so far this year offensively. That to go along with his defense is such a huge gain from last year
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 9:39 am    Post subject:

Thanks DB! Good come from behind blowout.
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 10:11 am    Post subject:

At the start of the season, I was seeing a lot of Gasol at the top of the 3 point circle trying to be a distributor.

I am now seeing Gasol and KCP in the corners, with Schroeder, AD and LeBron working from the top of the circle trying to penetrate / dish.

I like the second setup way better. The middle is free when Gasol is in the corner rather than the defense sagging off Gasol to help in the middle when Gasol on the top.

Gasol has longer to run when he is in the corner but is expending less energy once he gets there. Gasol moving around distributing and setting screens takes more energy than setting in the corner waiting for the ball to come to him.
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 10:18 am    Post subject:

Also like the fact Lebron is averaging a career low in minutes and AD is averaging the lowest minutes since his rookie season.
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 11:02 am    Post subject:

Laker7 wrote:
Also like the fact Lebron is averaging a career low in minutes and AD is averaging the lowest minutes since his rookie season.


Only one type of MVP trophy our duo should aim for. Short off season means in game load managing thus lowering their stats but keeping their legs fresh for when it matters most.
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 11:35 am    Post subject:

Great summary, as always Barry.

May I just say you're the best basketball sports writer I've ever read...seriously. It's a great privilege to read your post-game pieces, for which all I can say is thank you.

I have from time to time donated to LG.net, and you're the main reason, DB!
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 12:18 pm    Post subject:

Thanks DB!
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 12:42 pm    Post subject:

governator wrote:
The mountain


and The Menace.

I like it.
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 1:30 pm    Post subject:

FULL NAME ORTGOffensive Rating (Individual offensive rating is the number of points produced by a player per 100 total individual possessions.)
Wesley Matthews 134.6
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope 132
Montrezl Harrell 128.9
Anthony Davis 121.7
Alex Caruso 117.5
LeBron James 115.5
Marc Gasol 114.5
Markieff Morris 111.1
Talen Horton-Tucker 106.4
Dennis Schroder 103.1
Kyle Kuzma 101.2

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PostPosted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 1:33 pm    Post subject:

FULL NAME DRTG Defensive RatingIndividual defensive rating estimates how many points the player allowed per 100 possessions he individually faced while staying on the court.
Marc Gasol 91.1
Talen Horton-Tucker 94.3
Markieff Morris 96.7
Montrezl Harrell 98.6
Dennis Schroder 98.6
Alex Caruso 99.6
Kyle Kuzma 100.3
Anthony Davis 100.6
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope 101.2
LeBron James 101.3
Wesley Matthews 103.6


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PostPosted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 2:12 pm    Post subject:

Richcbt wrote:
May I just say you're the best basketball sports writer I've ever read...seriously. It's a great privilege to read your post-game pieces, for which all I can say is thank you.


Yes, you may say such things. You’re welcome.
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 2:13 pm    Post subject:

Those Gasol numbers.
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 2:39 pm    Post subject:

wolfpaclaker wrote:
Found the 4th Quarter lineups interesting:

Trez-Kieff-Bron-Kuz-Caruso
Outscored Pels 9-5
Frank continues to try or develop Kuzma at the 2.

AD-Trez-Kuz-Caruso-Schroder
Outscored Pels 5-4
Not as effective as the Bron lineup

AD-Trez-Bron-Caruso-Schroder
Outscored the Pels 10-2

Caruso is a major asset now that he can hit 3s as well.


Keeping two of the big three on court at all times.
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