THUNDER -at- LAKERS – 1-8-16 - Thoughts and :-(( Ratings

 
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 08, 2016 11:27 pm    Post subject: THUNDER -at- LAKERS – 1-8-16 - Thoughts and :-(( Ratings

Loooouuuuuu… The Lakers have shown a little more fight in them lately and it’s made for some more entertaining games.

It helps when you have a guy go off for 44 points.

Lou Williams exploded for 23 of those points in the fourth quarter.

“He kept us in the game,” Scott said. “I mean, he was on fire.”

He was draining threes, hitting baseline fades, getting to the rim, and of course, baiting defenders into fouls.

The Lakers edged out to a small lead in the fourth quarter, but there was just a little too much Russell Westbrook to deal with.

Kobe had a chance to tie the game up on a drive against Durant on a final possession but came up short, and the Lakers came up short, as well, 117-113.

“If we continue to play that hard and play with that type of effort and intensity, the wins will come,” Scott said.


Kobe -- -- We got to see more of that Kobe v. Durant head-to-head matchup. Kobe couldn’t finish over Durant on our final drive, getting hit a little on the arm. “It is what it is. It’s basketball. Those things happen,” Kobe said. Too bad he couldn’t get off a clean one. Good job finding teammates in this game as Kobe led the team with 6 assists. He had a couple highlights, one going between Durant’s legs to a teammate for a jumper. Another was a cross-court feed in transition to Lou for a three. He said the guys have improved a lot since they first played OKC. He has, as well. The Stats: He scored 19 points 8-20 shooting (1-5 from three, 2-2 from the line) to go with 4 boards, 6 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnover and 3 fouls in 28 minutes. He was a -14. The Action: Quick attack off the three line, he missed the layup, but Hibbert cleaned it up nicely. He threaded a bounce pass to Roy for the layup. He attacked baseline and missed the reverse. He went between Durant’s legs with a pass to Roy for the jumper. He pumped a couple of times and swished the wing three. He rose up in the corner next time down and buried another three, wanting the foul call. He missed a deep three on his next one. Nasty crossover and he pulled up at the top of the key and rattled the jumper in. He missed a fade at the FT line. He attacked the paint to his right and hit the fade in the middle of the lane. Tough pass to Nance rolling and he couldn’t handle it, turnover. He was hacked by Durant with no call and took an intentional foul. He missed a three working off a screen. He had 9 points on 4-9 shooting and 3 assists. Second Half: He drained a pull-up three in transition. He missed a three on iso on his next one. He iso’d on Durant, attacked down the lane and hooked over him. He hit Roy on the screen-roll for a dunk. He hit Lou on the opposite sideline in transition with a bullet bounce pass for a three. He missed a short one with his left, followed it up and put the miss in easily on a putback in the air. He attacked and missed a drive on a mismatch, looking for a whistle. He knocked over a ref pushing it up, hesitated, attacked to his right and scored the layup. He posted up Morrow, power stepped to the middle and drew FTs, he made both. He tried to back his man down, saw the double team come and missed a tough fallaway that he wanted a foul on, he then had words with the refs. He missed a wing three. He got to his spot, pulled up at the elbow and missed. He took an inbounds, attacked to his right and couldn’t finish a tough one over Durant with 3 seconds left, he wanted the foul but doubtful they give him the whistle on that one despite getting hit on the arm.

Clarkson -- -- “He’s just a tough cover for anybody,” Scott said of Westbrook. Can’t fault Jordan for him tearing us up. I do wish he had a few less running starts at the rim because once there we were in deep trouble. Westbrook just tore us up off those two-man sequences. Seems like Clarkson warms up a little defensive as the game goes along. The team as a whole has been trending that way. Somehow they need to bring that intensity from the start. Clarkson got back half of Westbrook’s points, none bigger than hitting the clutch three with 18 seconds left to cut the lead down to 1. “We’re just growing. That’s all I can say,” Clarkson said of the fight in the team recently. The Stats: He scored 17 points on 6-12 shooting (2-3 from three, 3-4 from the line) to go with 3 boards, 2 assists, 2 steals, 3 turnovers and 3 fouls in 35 minutes. He was a -19. The Action: He lost the dribble in the lane, turnover, points the other way. He traveled trying to attack off the three line. He cut weakside while Russell was strong side, took the bounce pass from him and was fouled on the layup for FTs, he made both. Didn’t help his bigs and gave up a putback dunk. He swished a pull-up wing jumper. He deflected a pass to ignite the break, but then had his pass deflected out of bounds on the other end. Not close on a long pull-up jumper in transition. He hit a running half-courter off the glass at the buzzer. He was hacked from behind on a pull-up jumper, he made one FT. He airballed a pull-up at the top of the key. He was picked for a dunk attempt that was choked on the other end. He got his man on his hip, probed and banked in the leaning one-hander. Way short on a pull-up jumper. He scored 10 points on 3-6 shooting and had 3 turnovers. Second Half: He changed directions on Durant and left him nailed at the FT line while Clarkson hit the floater in the middle of the lane. He missed an open three on a kickout. He couldn’t finish a dunk in transition over Durant who rejected him. He probed and hit the leaner in the middle of the lane. He attacked and missed a floater. Nice read on a switch to swipe the pass back to Durant. He swished a sideline step-back three with 18 seconds left to cut it to 1.

Williams -- -- If his New Year’s resolution was to be a better scorer, he’s sticking to that so far in January. A new career high for Lou tonight. So far in five games in 2016, he’s averaging 25.6 points on 7-15 shooting per game. He led the Lakers in the first half with 14 points, getting to the line early and often. He exploded in the second half, going off for 23 points in the fourth quarter. He went 15-15 from the FT line. That ability to draw fouls has guys guessing and second guessing. But the fades and the range on his shot just makes things impossible when he’s in the zone like this. Just a sensational game. Lou on how his skills have evolved: “I’m not as athletic as I used to be. Can’t play above the rim like I once did when I first came in the league,” Lou said. “After about 2012-13 when I had my ACL tear, kind of changed how I wanted to put points on the board. I wasn’t scoring as consistent from making shots, so I wanted to create an additional way. I started to learn how to just draw fouls and how to create contact and use my reputation as a scorer and bait guys into those fouls.” He’s so crafty. Call it voodoo, witchcraft, whatever, his trickeration is impressive. I think the front office has to be pretty happy with this signing if he keeps putting together stretches off ball like he has so far in 2016. Defensively, he had some breakdowns not boxing his man out. He also had a couple steals, as well. The Stats: He scored 44 points on 12-25 shooting (5-14 from three, 15-15 from the line) to go with 2 boards, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 turnover and 1 foul in 35 minutes. He was a +4. The Action: He pumped, leaned and drew contact on a three (Lou had to work for that one), he made all three FTs. He missed a baseline fade. He curled around the paint, took contact, drew the whistle and FTs, he made both. He attacked off the three line and swished the floater. He was blocked on a three on the inbounds. He attacked off the three line and finger rolled in a layup. He missed a three. He missed a sideline three. He sank a two-for-one three. He attacked and missed a floater. He scored 14 points on 3-7 shooting (1-4 from three, 7-7 from the line). Second Half: He missed a three off the floppy. He didn’t box out his man and gave up a putback. He probed off the three line to his left and hit the floater. His man got another offensive board and FTs. He drew FTs taking contact and flinging a shot up at the rim, he made both. Kobe spotted him weakside with a bullet bounce pass in transition and Lou hit the fading three. He attacked, tripped and lost the ball. He missed a long three. He swiped a pass, pushed it out and scored the layup over the defender. He blew past his man, shielded off a defender and banked in the layup. He worked off the Bass screen and sank the wing three going to his left. He attacked to his left and hit the baseline fade on the next possession. No one covering him next time down in early offense and he drained the deep three. He missed a tough baseline fade next time down but Julius tipped it in. He somehow got free after kickout on a drive, Brown got it back to him in the corner and he drained the open three. He missed a wing three, we got it back to him, he nailed his man to the floor with a roll-back dribble, attacked and scored the layup to force a timeout. He missed a crazy, tough baseline fade but we got it back. He got his man in the popcorn machine at the three line and drew three FTs, he made all three. He attacked and couldn’t finish a layup. He missed an open three in transition on the other end. He worked his witchcraft and drew a whistle again at the three line again, he made all three FTs. He missed a good look at a three on the high screen. He missed a halfcourt heave at the buzzer.

Hibbert -- -- A little more lively effort from Roy tonight. By lively, I don’t mean on the boards where he’s typically pretty slow-footed even if he’s boxing out and not challenging a shot. He was just a little more active around the rim. He had a nice follow-slam on a missed Kobe drive. He also dunked off the screen-roll with Kobe. They kind of run the slowest screen-roll you will see at times where Kobe draws attention as Roy makes his way down the lane and the pass is delayed. That seems more successful than trying the pocket pass. The Stats: He scored 8 points on 4-5 shooting to go with 2 boards, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 1 turnover and 4 fouls in 23 minutes. He was a -6. The Action: He missed a hook on iso. Good recovery to block a layup but he got scored on a second later. He follow slammed a Kobe missed drive. Nice feed by Kobe in traffic to him, Roy eventually gathered it and scored the layup. He hit a jumper when Kobe threw a pass between Durant’s legs to him at the top of the key. Second Half: He dunked off the screen-roll with Kobe. Nice job smothering Westbrook’s drive to ignite a break the other way.

Nance -- -- Steady minutes from Nance. He’s usually one of the bright spots early in the game. The Lakers have given him some early shots in the last few games. Scott had been rolling with Julius, however, to close in the last couple of games as those units have good mojo. Some good moments by Nance defensively on Ibaka, knocking balls loose and going after them. He’s hanging with seasoned pro’s. Nance had some insight into some of Lou’s ability to draw fouls, saying if he gets by you, you want to stick your arm out to slow him down and that’s when he has you. The Stats: He scored 8 points on 3-4 shooting (2-2 from the line) to go with 6 boards, 2 steals, 1 block and 1 foul in 22 minutes. He was a -6. The Action: He sank an elbow jumper for the Lakers first score. He deflected a pass, got out in transition, took the pass and dunked. He attacked to his right, stopped, faked and hit the short jumphook. He missed an elbow catch and shoot. Nice hustle for an offensive board and it eventually led to a Kobe score. Tenacious effort going to the floor for a loose ball to force a jumpball. Second Half: Ibaka tried to face up and iso on him, Nance knocked the ball loose for a turnover. He swatted Westbrook from behind on one end and drew FTs on a foul the other end trying finish at the rim, he made both.

Randle -- -- “He’s just struggling and he’s frustrated,” Scott said, mentioning he thinks Julius is pressing too much. He’s going through a bit of a slump the last few games. He’s not seeing the floor well at all and poor decisions are resulting in poor outcomes. I think it’s hard for him to let the game come to him. I wish he’d pay close attention to how Bass sets screens. You can be a huge asset to the team just doing that, and it would also open up more opportunities for him where the game does come to him. Instead, he’s kind stagnant out there off the ball and that makes things even harder for him to the point where when he does get the ball, he presses when he has it. I also hope he’d set a goal to learn how to finish like Bass under the rim, pay close attention to how Bass gathers himself and powers up under the hoop. The Stats: He scored 2 points on 1-7 shooting (0-1 from three) to go with 8 boards, 2 assists, 3 turnovers and 6 fouls in 23 minutes. He was a +6. The Action: Telegraphed perimeter pass, dunk the other way. He missed a wing jumper. He missed a step-back wing jumper on iso. He bricked a step-back 21-footer on his next attempt. Nice feed over the fronting D to Bass for FTs. He missed a twisting leaner in the lane. Second Half: He lost the ball trying to attack off a pass in the paint. He was stripped under the hoop trying to grab a Clarkson miss. He missed a three on a kickout at the end of the quarter. He charged on the two-man game. Great sequence on the boards, securing a defensive board on one end and tipping a Lou miss on the other to get the Lakers the lead. He fouled out battling on the glass.

Russell -- -- They sat Russell a little early into his first stint and took him to the locker room. Done for the night. He gave it a decent shot. I didn’t think he looked too bad out there. He showed enough mobility that he won’t be sidelined for long. The Lakers missed his presence, but the guys dug in and put up a good fight. “He tried to plant and close out on a guy and he really felt it,” Scott said of the injury. He’s hopeful he will be better on Sunday. The Stats: He scored 2 points on 1-3 shooting (0-1 from three) to go with 2 assists and no fouls in 8 minutes. He was a +1. The Action: He spotted Clarkson cutting weakside and hit him with a bounce pass for FTs. He set up Bass for the open jumper off the two-man game. He cut baseline and Bass found him for a layup. He missed an 18-footer on the two-man sequence (should have re-ran it to get a better look). Not close on a wing three in transition. Second Half: He did not play in the second half.

Bass -- -- He was a key part of Lou getting a little more daylight when he had it going. He was setting screen after screen and the Thunder were on their heels. I love the way he finishes under the rim. It’s like an instant two points if he gets the ball under their. His ability to power up explosively and hammer is something I hope our young PFs can somehow pick up from him. Down the stretch, he was the screen setter to help free up Lou, but I wish we could have gotten Durant scraped off Kobe a little more somehow on that last one. Defensively, super tough task when he’s got to deal with trying to deny Westbrook coming with speed. The Stats: He scored 8 points on 3-5 shooting (2-2 from the line) to go with 5 boards, 3 assists, 1 steal and 2 fouls in 25 minutes. He was a +2. The Action: He sank a FT jumper off the two-man game with Russell. He whipped a pass to Russell cutting baseline for the layup. He drew FTs in a crowd when Randle found him, he made both. Second Half: He dunked off the drive and dish from Huertas. He took the feed from Clarkson under the hoop, faked and powered up the dunk. He missed an elbow jumper.

Huertas -- -- With Russell taken out in the first half, Huertas got the backup PG duties tonight. Quiet minutes from him, which is maybe for the best. No major mistakes or face palm moments. He was steady and then Lou just took over the wheel from him and throttled the Thunder. Good job getting to some offensive boards. The Stats: He scored 2 points on 1-2 shooting (0-1 from three) to go with 3 boards, 2 assists and 1 turnover in 18 minutes. He was a +6. The Action: Weak post entry pass, turnover. He attacked in semi-transition, changed hands and reversed. Second Half: He attacked baseline, left his feet, faked like he was going to pass to the middle of the lane and the defender bit, then he hit Bass on the baseline instead for the dunk. He chased down a loose ball and tried to throw it at the rim to beat the shotclock, close but didn’t hit rim, good effort. He chased down a missed three by Lou and reset the offense.

Brown -- -- Serviceable minutes again, taking over the Nick Young spot on the roster. When Randle went out with fouls late, we brought Brown in for him. He had some moments holding his own against Durant. Seems like he’s grown a little since last time they battled. He certainly didn’t play “scared.” The Stats: He scored 3 points on 1-1 shooting from three to go with 1 board, 1 assist, 2 blocks and 2 fouls in 22 minutes. He was a +6. The Action: Nothing to report. Second Half: He swished a long three early in the shotclock. He swatted a three at the end of the quarter. He threw a pass into the backcourt, turnover. He blocked a big from behind under the hoop. Nice challenge on Durant and we got the miss. A red hot Lou Williams popped open next to him in the corner so he tossed it to him for the three.

Scott -- -- Laker D once again MIA to start the game. Thankfully, we’re scoring… They trailed 19-15 when the timeout came midway through the quarter… Russell in at that timeout for Lou… He brought in Randle and Brown for Nance and Kobe, Lakers down 5… Bass in for Hibbert, Lakers down 5… The Lakers trailed 32-28 after the first… He started the Bass, Randle, Brown, Lou, Russell unit… He brought in Kobe and Huertas for Russell and Brown, Lakers down 3. Russell to the locker room… Kobe hitting… Nance and Hibbert back in, Lakers down 2… Lakers down 1 when Huertas sat for Clarkson at the 5 minute mark… Lakers down 8 when Kobe sat with 3 minutes left and 3 fouls… The Lakers trailed 60-53 at the half. Westbrook with 17. They gave up 10 offensive boards… Kobe and Lou getting the Lakers a 1-point lead after 5 minutes… The Lakers trailed by 1 when Huertas came in for Clarkson… Bass and Randle in shortly later, Lakers down 3… Brown in for Kobe… The Lakers trailed 90-85 heading into the fourth… Bass, Randle, Brown, Clarkson, Huertas… Lou in for Clarkson, shortly later. Lakers falling apart and trailing by 11 after 2 minutes, so Scott called a timeout… Then Lou took over. He went off for 8 straight points to bring the Lakers within 1 point with 6 minutes left… Randle tipped in a miss and the Lakers had a 1-point lead with 5:52 to go… The Lakers led 104-101 after another score by Lou and the timeout came. Kobe and Clarkson in for Brown and Huertas… They lost the lead, but got it back again behind Lou drawing FTs at the three line… Randle out and Brown back in for him… Clarkson unable to stay in front of Russell and the Lakers getting scored on with ease… Lakers down by 2 unable to stop Westbrook… A 7-0 run and they trailed by 4 with 49 seconds left. Timeout Lakers… Down 2 with 13 seconds left and we called another timeout to draw up a play… Kobe attacking to his right and he couldn’t finish…
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dcarter4kobe
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 08, 2016 11:28 pm    Post subject:

1st
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TooMuchMajicBuss
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 08, 2016 11:38 pm    Post subject:

Thanks DB. Excellent recap as always. As you said; good to see some fight in this team.
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lounger
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 08, 2016 11:39 pm    Post subject:

Thanks DB!
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DShotMaker1824
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 08, 2016 11:51 pm    Post subject:

Thanks DB

christhn wrote:
Lakers 4 eva wrote:
KobeDGreatesss wrote:
Why doesn't Kobe get foul calls anymore. I mean that was a clear blatant foul..


Its not even an interpretation type of call where you don;t know if enough body contact made a difference on teh shot. Durant actually hit his wrist hence the shot was short


This is why he didn't get the call...

https://www.facebook.com/bleacherreport/videos/vb.7331091005/10153733273596006

Just posting this here.
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H0B0
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 08, 2016 11:51 pm    Post subject:

THX DB. GO LAKERS
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OregonLakerGuy
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 09, 2016 12:30 am    Post subject:

Thanks DB
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 09, 2016 12:31 am    Post subject:

diando wrote:
Thanks DB

christhn wrote:
Lakers 4 eva wrote:
KobeDGreatesss wrote:
Why doesn't Kobe get foul calls anymore. I mean that was a clear blatant foul..


Its not even an interpretation type of call where you don;t know if enough body contact made a difference on teh shot. Durant actually hit his wrist hence the shot was short


This is why he didn't get the call...

https://www.facebook.com/bleacherreport/videos/vb.7331091005/10153733273596006

Just posting this here.


Wellp, if you're going to retire, may as well chin check refs on the way out!
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Arbitrary
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 09, 2016 1:24 am    Post subject:

Thanks, DB.
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A Mad Chinaman
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 09, 2016 1:56 am    Post subject:

Team is starting to show the "Dawg" that is needed to win critical games in the future
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 09, 2016 7:13 am    Post subject:

If we are suddenly just two baskets away from beating OKC.... is there now a hope for 0.5 ball?
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Lakers depth chart

PG Johnson / Goodrich
SG Bryant / West / Scott
SF Baylor / Worthy / Cooper
PF Mikkelsen / Hairston / McAdoo / Gasol
C Chamberlain / Abdul-Jabbar / O'Neal / Mikan
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 09, 2016 7:27 am    Post subject:

Thanks DB!
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