LAKERS -at- TWOLVES - 3/16 - Thoughts and :-)) Ratings

 
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2021 10:02 pm    Post subject: LAKERS -at- TWOLVES - 3/16 - Thoughts and :-)) Ratings

Putting Points on the Board... Little defense was played in the first half as the Lakers led 71-70 over the visiting Timberwolves. Both teams would score 40 in that second quarter.

Clearly Vogel was not happy at the half. The Lakers came out a little sluggish in the third quarter, but after a timeout and a LeBron block, they started to tighten it up.

The score was tied when the Trezz/Kuz/Wes/THT/Schroder lineup went to work. They’d get stops, change ends and extend the lead to 8 by the end of the third quarter.

Midway through the fourth, LeBron would break the game open as he secured another triple-double, quarterbacking the offense to find Trezz rolling to the hoop for three straight dunks.

“Playing football, playing receiver and tight end, you’ve got to be able to catch,” Trezz said.

Some nice work on the X’s and O’s in this game (various plays mentioned below), and the Lakers ran away with it, 137-121.


LeBron -- -- Back-to-back triple-doubles (his 99th). Somewhat quiet first half with just 8 points on three shots. He did have a couple boards and long outlets near the end of the half to get the Lakers some transition hoops. When he came in the game in the fourth for his last shift, we ran a screen-the-screener sequence that led to three straight dunks to a rolling Trezz and a corner three for Wes -- 9 points on 4 straight possessions. LeBron just chewed up the Wolves D. Good to see them go to that multiple times. If practice minutes are short, these last two games are the perfect opportunity to get some reps. That play was the kind of stuff we were running late last season with regularity. Good to see them pull it out in the fourth after a key timeout. We saw a wrinkle later on our horns strong handoff sequence. Trezz reversed it to LeBron in the close corner (instead of waiting for the guard to come off the stagger screens), and turned it into a kickback to LeBron going left for a three. Defensively, I think the game changed on that block by LeBron out of a timeout. He challenged on a dunk attempt and the Lakers buckled down from there. The Stats: He scored 25 points on 8-14 shooting (4-7 from three, 5-5 from the line) to go with 12 boards, 12 assists, 1 block and 4 turnovers in 31 minutes. He was a +0.

Schröder -- -- He had a +18 in this game, while LeBron had a +0. Just throwing this in the mix to point out how our bench excelled in this game when LeBron sat. We stagger our rotations so that we typically had one of LeBron or Schroeder on the floor. Good to see the bench making it work during those critical minutes. Tonight, the bench unit just decided to play more D and that made a big difference. Some good rotations by Schröder, including taking a charge. Good job getting to the line again by Schroeder. Some nice kickouts to shooters (had back-to-back threes by KCP and McKinnie, as well asnother three from Kuz). Good work cutting off Trezz tonight for a couple of layups. The Stats: He scored 16 points on 5-11 shooting (1-1 from three, 5-6 from the line) to go with 1 board, 7 assists, 1 steal, 5 turnovers and 2 fouls in 32 minutes. He was a +18.

Caldwell-Pope -- -- Quality outing again. Some good two-man action with Jones early in this game. They worked the sideline pick and roll action and were effective. With a vertical roll threat, I mentioned we should see this coming back into the playbook for KCP. He ran that last year with his bigs and is picking right back up with it. Whether we keep Jones for the rest of the season or bring in another similar type of player, good to see it back in the mix. KCP also sank a couple of threes and drew FTs on a clear-path foul late. The Stats: He scored 8 points on 2-5 shooting (2-4 from three, 2-2 from the line) to go with 3 boards, 5 assists, 1 turnover and 1 foul in 27 minutes. He was a +4.

Morris -- -- He had 3 of the Lakers 6 turnovers in the first quarter. The worst was an overpassing kickout on the break that was swiped when it looked like he could have dunked instead. He did make up for that one a few seconds later with a corner three. He’d lead the Lakers with 12 points in the first half. He’d attack the paint for a couple of scores as well as score a layup off a high-low against the zone. He wouldn’t score in the second half. We definitely missed AD’s roaming D and shot challenging tonight at the PF. The Stats: He scored 12 points on 4-10 shooting (1-3 from three, 3-4 from the line) to go with 7 boards (3 offensive), 1 assist, 3 turnovers and 3 fouls in 19 minutes. He was a +0.

Jones -- -- A couple jams early on. One off a KCP drive and dish to start the game. Later he’d hammer down a putback jam off the pull-up miss from KCP. He’d then draw FTs on the sideline pick and roll with KCP. So some very clear intent to get these two working together like KCP did with his bigs last season. In the second half, he’d get a lob dunk from LeBron. Great job finishing. Defensively, he had some good challenges but we weren’t locking anything down. The Stats: He scored 8 points on 3-3 shooting (2-2 from the line) to go with 3 boards, 1 steal, 1 block and 4 fouls in 17 minutes. He was a +1.

Harrell -- -- In the previous game, he was served up some easy ones. Tonight, that didn’t happen with consistency until late. Early on, the guards were still looking for him but there was a little more interior presence and Trezz had to work a little more. He had a great iso jabbing to his right, faking an attack to his left, then spinning back the other way to his strong hand for the layup finish. Late in the game LeBron set him up for three straight dunks as he rolled to the hoop. Kuz would come out and set the screen for a switch then we’d flow into the two-man action with LeBron/Trezz. The Lakers chewed them up. Trezz also showed some good passing (6 assists). I love the cuts by Schröder after giving Trezz the ball. Those were easy layups. A couple of the other assists came off the horns handoff sequences. Trezz also had a nice power up off an offensive board for a dunk in a crowd. That was probably the backbreaker. High scoring night again. Great to see us activating him ever since that poor stint where he started and disappeared. The Stats: He scored 25 points on 11-16 shooting (3-4 from the line) to go with 4 offensive boards, 6 assists, 1 steal, 1 block and 1 foul in 29 minutes. He was a +17.

Kuzma -- -- He had 9 points in the first half. He dunked off a UCLA cut to start the second quarter (we don’t run that much, but it used to be a frequent play for him in the Walton years). He sank a corner three on a kickout. Then had back-to-back scores on the break as LeBron rebounded and quickly got the ball down court. In the second half, he’d score And-1 layup on the break after a made basket. THT would also outlet to him with a long pass for a score. Love his work changing ends with speed. It may be costing him some boards, but if you’re out on the perimeter a lot, look for those opportunities. The Stats: He scored 16 points on 7-12 shooting (2-4 from three, 0-1 from the line) to go with 3 boards, 1 assist and no fouls in 26 minutes. He was a +10.

Horton-Tucker -- -- Back-to-back good ones. Twice tonight he forced timeouts off of drives as he was slicing up the D. Some plays we are purposely running for him. We gave the ball to him going to his right on the horns handoff to attack the paint (that led to a Trezz score on the lob). On another we ran an inverted screen on the right side with LeBron, that allowed him to get into the paint for an And-1. Both of those plays got him going downhill. He had another layup, bullying Hernangomez on the drive (he’d bully another player on a drive in the second half, as well). To start the fourth, we ball reversed to him to flow into a two-man game with Trezz, and he scored an And-1 layup. The paint was more crowded for him on that same play the next time down and nothing came of it, but you can see the purpose and intent. This is the silver lining in having so many guys sidelined recently -- our coaching staff needs to gameplabn for our role players more. Last item of note, THT has started to use the left hand more, a couple times now in this one and once the other night. The Stats: He scored 16 points on 6-9 shooting (0-1 from three, 4-4 from the line) to go with 7 boards, 3 assists and 2 foul sin 26 minutes. He was a +8.

Matthews -- -- His one shot in the first half was a three on the right sideline off a kickout. He kept it simple, on balance and knocked it down. He bury a similar catch and shoot three from the corner in the second half. Glad to see none of the stuff on the move, fading left or right. Just keep it simple. A couple other nice plays in this one. He drew a charge in the post after switching on Kat and he also attacked and found Trezz for a floater. Solid outing and minutes. The bench units he was on excelled and he led the team with the +20. The Stats: He scored 6 points on 2-5 shooting all from three to go with 2 boards, 1 assist and 2 fouls in 25 minutes. He was a +20.

McKinnie -- -- Back in the rotation in the first half with AC out and the Lakers limiting Wes’s minutes. He buried a corner three on a kickout from Schröder in that first half. In garbage time, he attacked off the three line for a layup. The Stats: He scored 5 points on 2-2 shooting (1-1 from three) to go with 1 board and 1 foul in 7 minutes. He was a +2.

Cacok -- -- One minute of garbage time run. The Stats: No stats in 1 minute. He was a +0.

Vogel -- -- Key Moment: Let’s go with that timeout in the third quarter. The Lakers didn’t have their usual defensive fire in this one. We came out of halftime with the same approach. After giving up a coast-to-coast layup and trailing by 5, he called the timeout. Out of that, we saw LeBron come up with a big block and then the D started to fight more.

Key Substitution: Let’s go with a couple. LeBron sitting in the third and that bench unit with only Schröder as a starter out there was a +8 to close the quarter. LeBron coming back in for his final shift in the fourth quarter was the next key sub. They ran that same play four times in a row for 9 points as the TWolves couldn’t defend it. That broke the game open.

Key Stats: Got to go with the 37 assists. The ball has been moving in the last two games. Keep it up.

Coach’s Challenge: We had to burn it midway through the fourth when the refs missed an obvious pass deflection. Sometimes it’s all about angles. They won the challenge but weren’t happy they had to use it.
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mhan00
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2021 10:15 pm    Post subject:

Beautiful second half.
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2021 11:04 pm    Post subject:

Thanks DB

First 28 minutes of the game, Lakers gave up 84 points (3 points a minute)

Last 20 minutes, 37 points (1.85 points a minute)

Now, that's what I call a difference maker
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A Mad Chinaman
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2021 11:22 pm    Post subject:

Excellent opportunities for Jones and THT to get invaluable reps to figure out what works and to get confidence from the coaches to the players since (as Stu Lantz had mentioned several times) this game was like a preseason game.

Good that LBJ's PT is at 31 minutes
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 17, 2021 2:14 am    Post subject:

Thanks DB. We're winning the games we're supposed to win, which wasn't the case a few years ago.
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 17, 2021 4:33 am    Post subject:

Thanks DB!
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 17, 2021 4:41 am    Post subject:

Thanks, DB!

That sequence with 3 straight LBJ-Trezz pick and rolls
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 17, 2021 6:18 am    Post subject:

Last three games (all wins) Jones has 7, 8 and 8 points in each game. This is what we need from the C position right now. Not dominant scoring but enough scoring to keep the defense honest and not double off of.
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 17, 2021 7:26 am    Post subject:

Thanks, DB!
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 17, 2021 8:01 am    Post subject:

Quote:
He had a +18 in this game, while LeBron had a +0. Just throwing this in the mix to point out how our bench excelled in this game when LeBron sat

Although against a weak Wolves team, that is the development I wanted to see with AD out. This is a time and period where we can get that elite bench play from Trez, Kuz, Dennis on one unit and going buck wild say to speak. There is alot of shotmaking talent on the team that has not really fully shown what they can do. But as of the last few games, we are seeing that. In the Kings game, Warriors game, and now this game. We are seeing how much we can get from what should be our 2nd unit.

I mean our 2nd unit practically had a win in Sacramento, and were good enough to beat them. We need to be respectable at worst when AD-Bron sit, and on good days be stellar. For some reason this development has been slow.

However with AD out, we have no choice but to rely on that development. And we are seeing it. The key will be when AD comes back, healthy hopefully, he does not be used as someone the 2nd unit just sits back and gets lazy around again. We are seeing Lebron and the 2nd unit without Lebron play a lot less lazier offense.

Gotta keep that mindset with AD back. I think if we do, we have what it takes to win the West be it as a 2nd, 3rd seed or whatever.
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 17, 2021 9:12 am    Post subject:

Laker7 wrote:
Last three games (all wins) Jones has 7, 8 and 8 points in each game. This is what we need from the C position right now. Not dominant scoring but enough scoring to keep the defense honest and not double off of.


He's doing a great job of being budget Javale McGee


Its great to having so many more guys who can create thier own shots this year. I cant imagine how much of load LeBron would be handling if we brought back last year's team and AD missing this many games
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wolfpaclaker
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 17, 2021 9:30 am    Post subject:

Laker7 wrote:
Last three games (all wins) Jones has 7, 8 and 8 points in each game. This is what we need from the C position right now. Not dominant scoring but enough scoring to keep the defense honest and not double off of.

Imagine when we have a starting C starting that can give us 29 points a game, like we had last playoffs

I believe the key is Kieff or who starts next to that C, come playoffs. Kieff has quietly played so well in his starting role. If he can continue to man the 4 spot that way, when we have AD, then we have some incredible rotational talent.

AD-Trez at the 5
Kieff-Kuz at the 4
Bron-THT at the 3
KCP-Caruso at the 2
Dennis-Bron at the 1 (Seems like one is always in the game with the 2nd unit)

The only "hole" is that you probably wanna get in a wing who is more dependable than THT/Wesley. Wesley may be done, (I am not sure on this). And THT is still like a rook, with a 27% three point shot. So come playoffs, you need some better backup wings in there, aside from Kuz.

But the above mentioned rotation, is what I anticipate we go with in the playoffs more often than not. And the main concern I would have is with THT. As great as he is for a 2nd round pick, having him and Wesley as the options there make me want to get some more help there.
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ChefLinda
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 17, 2021 9:43 am    Post subject:

Tweet of the night:

Quote:
Trevor Lane @Trevor_Lane

Daughter: Dad we want the Lakers to win, right?
Me: yeah but this is Jazz vs Celtics. We never want the Celtics to win
D: Ok never Celtics
M: or the Clippers
D: *distracted by a toy* ok never the Celtics or the Chickens
M:.......yes, that’s it.


Good dad.
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 17, 2021 10:20 am    Post subject:

wolfpaclaker wrote:
Laker7 wrote:
Last three games (all wins) Jones has 7, 8 and 8 points in each game. This is what we need from the C position right now. Not dominant scoring but enough scoring to keep the defense honest and not double off of.

Imagine when we have a starting C starting that can give us 29 points a game, like we had last playoffs

I believe the key is Kieff or who starts next to that C, come playoffs. Kieff has quietly played so well in his starting role. If he can continue to man the 4 spot that way, when we have AD, then we have some incredible rotational talent.

AD-Trez at the 5
Kieff-Kuz at the 4
Bron-THT at the 3
KCP-Caruso at the 2
Dennis-Bron at the 1 (Seems like one is always in the game with the 2nd unit)

The only "hole" is that you probably wanna get in a wing who is more dependable than THT/Wesley. Wesley may be done, (I am not sure on this). And THT is still like a rook, with a 27% three point shot. So come playoffs, you need some better backup wings in there, aside from Kuz.

But the above mentioned rotation, is what I anticipate we go with in the playoffs more often than not. And the main concern I would have is with THT. As great as he is for a 2nd round pick, having him and Wesley as the options there make me want to get some more help there.


Wolf,

I don't disagree with THT playing like a rook at times and his suspect three point shot is an issue but........he, LBJ DS and AD are the only guys IMO that can create their own shot. Gasol, KCP, Keif, Wes, Trez, etc are all guys who need to be set up. Sometimes you need someone you can throw the ball to and let them create. THT is one of those guys. IMO he will need to be in the rotation for the playoffs.
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 17, 2021 11:38 am    Post subject:

ChefLinda wrote:
Tweet of the night:

Quote:
Trevor Lane @Trevor_Lane

Daughter: Dad we want the Lakers to win, right?
Me: yeah but this is Jazz vs Celtics. We never want the Celtics to win
D: Ok never Celtics
M: or the Clippers
D: *distracted by a toy* ok never the Celtics or the Chickens
M:.......yes, that’s it.


Good dad.


This is hilarious because it's the same thing with my almost 5 y/o daughter.

"Daddy, is that Celtics playing?"

"Yes."

"Are they the bad guys?"

"Yes, yes they are. The worst."

"But I thought you said Clippers were bad guys as well."

"They are, but the bad, bad, BAD guys, you never root for, are the Celtics."

"Ok Daddy."
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LakerLanny
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 17, 2021 5:43 pm    Post subject:

DrDent wrote:
ChefLinda wrote:
Tweet of the night:

Quote:
Trevor Lane @Trevor_Lane

Daughter: Dad we want the Lakers to win, right?
Me: yeah but this is Jazz vs Celtics. We never want the Celtics to win
D: Ok never Celtics
M: or the Clippers
D: *distracted by a toy* ok never the Celtics or the Chickens
M:.......yes, that’s it.


Good dad.


This is hilarious because it's the same thing with my almost 5 y/o daughter.

"Daddy, is that Celtics playing?"

"Yes."

"Are they the bad guys?"

"Yes, yes they are. The worst."

"But I thought you said Clippers were bad guys as well."

"They are, but the bad, bad, BAD guys, you never root for, are the Celtics."

"Ok Daddy."


Thankfully you are raising your children the right way!
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DrDent
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 17, 2021 8:38 pm    Post subject:

LakerLanny wrote:
DrDent wrote:
ChefLinda wrote:
Tweet of the night:

Quote:
Trevor Lane @Trevor_Lane

Daughter: Dad we want the Lakers to win, right?
Me: yeah but this is Jazz vs Celtics. We never want the Celtics to win
D: Ok never Celtics
M: or the Clippers
D: *distracted by a toy* ok never the Celtics or the Chickens
M:.......yes, that’s it.


Good dad.


This is hilarious because it's the same thing with my almost 5 y/o daughter.

"Daddy, is that Celtics playing?"

"Yes."

"Are they the bad guys?"

"Yes, yes they are. The worst."

"But I thought you said Clippers were bad guys as well."

"They are, but the bad, bad, BAD guys, you never root for, are the Celtics."

"Ok Daddy."


Thankfully you are raising your children the right way!


All purple and gold... in this household!
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