Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2017 6:03 pm Post subject: Better backcourt: Lonzo/KCP vs. Lonzo/Russell
As soon as we won the #2 pick in the lottery, we were all salivating at the thought of pairing two combo guards who's games seemed like a match made in heaven. Both Russell and Lonzo can shoot; they both have excellent passing skills and court vision; and both play an unselfish, high IQ game. In many ways it's a travesty that we never got the chance to see how this pairing would have worked out.
The front office had to dump Mozgov to clear the way for the 2 max FA plan, and Russell was an unfortunate casualty. Luckily, KCP fell into their laps after the Pistons traded for Avery Bradley, giving Lonzo a surprisingly solid backcourt mate on a 1 year deal.
Had we not traded Russell, KCP probably wouldn't have signed with us, since offering him a starting spot with which he can boost his market value was a crucial part in the pitch of the one year deal. So the Russell trade indirectly lead to the KCP signing. With that said, is the Lonzo/KCP pairing a better backcourt than the one we all expected immediately after winning the #2 pick?
Russell is a better passer than KCP. He's also probably a better shooter, despite their nearly identical three point percentages last year. KCP is a significantly better defender, and he's also significantly better in transition (1.12 points per play in transition for KCP which is 55th percentile or slightly above average, 21% of his offense came in transition, which is pretty high. 0.93 PPP in transition for Russell, 21st percentile, 12.3% of his offense).
Did the way the offseason shook out give us a better backcourt than we expected before the Russell trade?
KCP signing here saved our rears. Our backcourt was going to take a step back even from young Russ/Nick Young. Now I think it's conceivable we'll actually have an upgraded backcourt.
Joined: 30 Nov 2006 Posts: 33474 Location: Long Beach, California
Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2017 6:27 pm Post subject:
Polls like this will always favor the current Laker rather than the former Laker. Sight unseen and all. Can't be helped... but, then again, maybe the poll will eventually prove me long. _________________ LakersGround's Terms of Service
With Kcp Offense is only slightly less but Defense is so much better. I don't even want to think Lonzo or DLo trying chase lillard or curry around screens.
Also longterm you have little chance of getting 2 max here without being able to get rid of one of mozdeng
Joined: 17 Sep 2008 Posts: 21064 Location: In a white room, with black curtains near the station
Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2017 7:53 pm Post subject:
I have to see KCP play before I can answer this.
I do know I was REALLY REALLY looking forward to seeing Lonzo Ball setting up the offense and D'Angelo Russell playing off Lonzo's game. When he got hot Russell could explode on the scoreboard, and Lonzo has what it takes to get other players around him on a good hot streak. And both guards are capable of seeing the open man if the defense reacts.
Not to say KCP isn't a good choice, I have no opinion on him until I see how he plays ball and integrates his game with this squad in October. He could be spectacular alongside Ball too. I haven't seen enough yet to decide on that.
Right now I'm Ball/DLO. Subject to review in 4 months.
Russell is just a shooter without much defense. He's like a Matt Thomas. Thomas could be a better pure shooter than Russell is. _________________ LeGoat! LeMazing! LeGend!
Joined: 17 Sep 2008 Posts: 21064 Location: In a white room, with black curtains near the station
Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2017 8:17 pm Post subject:
LakerSanity wrote:
Polls like this will always favor the current Laker rather than the former Laker. Sight unseen and all. Can't be helped... but, then again, maybe the poll will eventually prove me long.
How about KCP, Kuzma, and Lopez, instead of Russell and Mozgov
more like 6 years of Russell and 3 years of mozgov vs 1 year rentals of Lopez and KCP plus Hart and Bryant on rookie deals since we could have gotten kuzma with the 28th pick.
How about KCP, Kuzma, and Lopez, instead of Russell and Mozgov
more like 6 years of Russell and 3 years of mozgov vs 1 year rentals of Lopez and KCP plus Hart and Bryant on rookie deals since we could have gotten kuzma with the 28th pick.
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