Rockets “small ball” is playing more physical then the Lakers bigs. That has to change.
I think the Lakers CAN play small ball, against the Rockets. But, it has to be strategic. I wouldn't play small ball the entire game. And, I agree, about the Rockets smalls, outplaying our bigs. That absolutely CANNOT happen, if we're going to stay big. _________________ ZOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!
Joined: 15 Sep 2012 Posts: 29281 Location: La La Land
Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2020 8:35 pm Post subject:
I don't think small ball is the answer. Doubt we'll be better at it than HOU. McGee actually had the best +/- out of anybody on our team.
We just need to make some defensive adjustments, watch the tape, and play with better energy. Like we did against POR after game 1. _________________ "Every hurt is a lesson, and every lesson makes you better”
McGee actually had the best +/- out of anybody on our team.
I'm not sure if small ball will work unless Kuz or Morris is giving you something offensively. But I think two things are clear from the match ups with the small ball Rockets so far with our bigs:
McGee and Dwight have not dominated either end of the floor the way you would expect them to. If they can't dominate the glass and block shots, what is the point of them being out there? I do agree that if you play small with the Rockets you letting them dictate the action but at the same time the pounding the ball inside also isn't effective. And those guys get pulled away from the basket and it takes away from their strengths defensively.
To me the Lakers need to find ways to get their bigs the ball on the move where they can catch and score in one motion and take advantage of their size. But more than anything they need to dominate the glass and stop turning the ball over, they won't outshoot the Rockets. Dwight and Javele need more than 6 rebounds and 1 block between them. The team rebounding was dead even at 41 a piece. AD did his job there he had 14 boards and 3 blocks. Kuzma had 2 boards in 28 minutes. Morris had 0 boards. And the Lakers as a team shot under 29% from three while having just 18 assists with 15 turnovers.
I can't for the life of me figure out how Rondo got 25 minutes of run tonight. I get it if you want to have him run the offense when Lebron is on the bench. Lebron had shorter rests than usual tonight though and he and Rondo played a lot together. If Rondo is having a big game, then it makes sense. He was not tonight and I think that hurt.
More than anything though the Lakers need to come out with a sense of urgency and overpower the smaller team. Lebron was the only one who really seemed to have that mentality tonight.
The one other thing to note is that the Lakers version of small ball still has a massive size advantage over the Rockets.
A lineup of:
Caruso
Green
KCP
Lebron
AD
That's a strong defensive lineup, which has two guys who have big size advantages over the entire Rockets team, but everyone in that lineup can switch defensively.
Houston constructed this team just to counter the Lakers. That's why they "almost" lost to the Thunder, a team with 1.4% to make the playoffs prior to the season. It's so dumb. They're not gonna beat the Clippers with their gimmicky team. They're playing for second?
I don't even know what we can do. When Harden is on, they're basically unbeatable. Just hope they go cold I guess.
If we go small ball, we play right into their hands. Their roster was constructed specifically for small ball. Our roster was constructed with a standard team in mind so our small players are not equipped with the skills needed to be good at small ball. _________________ LeGoat! LeMazing! LeGend!
Houston constructed this team just to counter the Lakers. That's why they "almost" lost to the Thunder, a team with 1.4% to make the playoffs prior to the season. It's so dumb. They're not gonna beat the Clippers with their gimmicky team. They're playing for second?
I don't even know what we can do. When Harden is on, they're basically unbeatable. Just hope they go cold I guess.
If we go small ball, we play right into their hands. Their roster was constructed specifically for small ball. Our roster was constructed with a standard team in mind so our small players are not equipped with the skills needed to be good at small ball.
I am not sure either but here are some positives. The Lakers seem to double team harden more the second half and that may have helped as they were held to 49 2nd half points vs 63 1st half. The problem was the lakers offense the 2nd half specially the 4th quarter.
Part of the problem is 17 turnovers with 27 points of turnovers for Houston. Lebron talked about the fast speed of Houston including their hands. They get their hands on passes that other teams wouldn’t be able too. The lakers should adjust too their speed as they play them more.
Hopefully less turnovers and double teaming harden will be helpful for a win next game.
- Interjecting Rondo back into the lineup screwed up the chemistry the lakers biult in the 1st round
- If we are going to win the chip.......small role players on this team need to DO THEIR JOB for example......Green has been brick city with the exception of ONE gamer so far in the bubble....he is missing WIDE OPEN SHOTS
If that changes? We win.....if it doesnt....we dont
I'd rather see Dudley in the rotation than Rondo. At least he brings spacing and some semblance of awareness on defense. Match up our doughboy with theirs
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