JAZZ -vs- LAKERS - 8/3 - Thoughts and :-)) Ratings

 
Post new topic    LakersGround.net Forum Index -> Thoughts and Ratings Reply to topic
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
DancingBarry
Editor-in-Chief
Editor-in-Chief


Joined: 07 Sep 2001
Posts: 40188
Location: O.C.

PostPosted: Mon Aug 03, 2020 9:02 pm    Post subject: JAZZ -vs- LAKERS - 8/3 - Thoughts and :-)) Ratings

Western Conference Clinched... Too much AD, too much LeBron.

The Lakers clinched the No. 1 seed in the West with the 116-108 win tonight, the first time for the team since the 2009-10 season.

“It’s a huge accomplishment for our franchise,” LeBron said of the rise to the top of the Western Conference.

Too bad no homecourt advantage comes with it. I was going to say it would also allow them to nurse any injuries. However, because of the long break, it’s just not that kind of a situation. We’ll get whoever ends up at No. 8.

The Lakers could rest their stars from here on out, but there’s no doubt they need to work on things to get their game flowing heading into the playoffs. LeBron mentioned keeping the ball moving and eventually their shooters would knock them down. They definitely need to get that confidence going from the perimeter.

Tonight, AD led the way there with 4-8 from three on his way to 42 points.

The Lakers got separation with just over three minutes left into the third quarter. They went to an AD, LeBron, Kuzma, Waiters, Caruso lineup. I like the two-way mix in that lineup. You’ve got guys who can create, make tough shots, spread the floor and get out in transition. And you’ve got a feisty defensive unit to get you those transition opportunities. In a span of a couple of minutes they outscored the Jazz by 10 points.

The Lakers kept the Jazz on their hip the entire fourth quarter, holding that lead for the most part. They tried to coast to the finish and let the Jazz get within a couple of possessions until AD iced it with a 4-point play. With the win, the Lakers swept the Jazz in the season series.


LeBron -- -- Near triple-double pace in this one. He had 8 points and 6 assists in the first half. He sank a couple of threes, hit an elbow fade, got the rim for scores. I don’t understand why he’s not getting calls and going to the line more. Some of these no calls are getting a little ridiculous. I want to see more of that bully ball from him. He had a possession in the first half where he rocked the defender badly and scored the layup. It felt like maybe they looked for a possession or two more for him to go to the post, but it really wasn’t a point of consistent attack. But give him the ball where he can face-up and use that quick first step to get past a defender, then use his body to score easily. Or allow him to back down and cause the D to collapse. Some good passing. He found his bigs for some lobs, hit Kuz cutting from the corner for a dunk. While we don’t hit the threes as efficiently as a lot of teams, it’s those kinds of passes for high percentage finishes where we make up the distance. The Stats: He scored 22 points on 9-16 shooting (2-5 from three, 2-2 from the line) to go with 8 boards, 9 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 4 turnovers and 3 fouls in 35 minutes. He was a +0.

Davis -- -- He iced the game with a 4-point play with a minute left, and that got him to the 40-point mark. “Coach told me to be more aggressive,” AD said. Super aggressive out of the gates. Midway through the first quarter, he had shot the ball eight times while the Jazz had seven attempts as a team. He wasn’t very efficient early on, but gradually he started clocking trips to the freethrow line. He had 23 points on 8-17 shooting and 7 boards in the first half. With Gobert trying to plug the lane there was a lot of pick and pop options for AD to go after that three ball. He didn’t shy away. When he had the chance to attack, he did and that often led to FTs. Everyone talks about Gobert as Defensive Player of the Year. AD just dropped 42 on him. Then added 3 steals and a block on the other end. That block was on Clarkson on iso. AD ate him up, blocked the perimeter shot, controlled it and was fouled. He’s a beast. When he can go 4-8 from three, that just becomes impossible to defend. Simple pick and pops with a big that can shoot are the easiest offense in the game when you’ve got someone knocking them down like that. The Stats: He scored 42 points on 13-28 shooting (4-8 from three, 12-15 from the line) to go with 12 boards, 4 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, 1 turnover and 3 fouls in 39 minutes. He was a +7.

Green -- -- He was able to get a couple of scores at the rim in the first half and then worked his way into the midrange in the second half for a floater and leaner. Good to see him being productive if that three ball continues to be MIA. Defensively, he was able to cause a couple of turnovers to help the Lakers get out on the break. Hopefully, just seeing the ball go through the hoop will help him. The Stats: He scored 8 points on 4-7 shooting (0-1 from three) to go with 3 boards, 2 steals, 2 turnovers and 1 foul in 21 minutes. He was +1.

McGee -- -- Man, there was a possession in the second half where the offense kind of stalled for a moment with JaVale going to the post and KCP with the ball in his hands on the perimeter. I’m like “don’t do it,” but KCP gave McGee the post entry and he tried to go to work. He ended up tripping over himself and coughing it up in ridiculous fashion. Normally he’s not that bad, but it was a little out of hook range, so he tried to create off the dribble. Just ugly. The Stats: He had 0 points on 0-1 shooting, 1 board and 1 foul in 14 minutes. He was a -4.

Caldwell-Pope -- -- We miss Bradley’s intensity. When we lost him earlier in the season to injury, the team understood that Bradley helped set that tone for the squad. KCP doesn’t bring that. We had a slow start to the game and followed that up with a slow start to the second half. Vogel called a timeout and got after them. Offensively, KCP knocked down a three as his man went under a screen (he still looks shaky to me on open threes). He was able to get into the paint for a layup and make a tricky finish over Gobert. He had another off a bounce pass from AD for an And-1. He also had a nice finish changing ends with speed to take a bounce pass. Again, like Green, I want KCP to see that ball going through the hoop any way possible to get that confidence going. “I’m still trying to knock the rust off,” he said after the game. “It shouldn’t take that many more games but I felt good tonight.” The Stats: He scored 10 points on 4-7 shooting (1-3 from three, 1-1 from the line) to go with 4 boards, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 turnover and 2 fouls in 29 minutes. He was a -3.

Kuzma -- -- He picked up three fouls in the first half, limiting his time. That seemed to also get him out of rhythm a little. Still, when he was out there, we were good. He had a great defensive sequence against Clarkson forcing him into a travel with some smothering defense. He also forced another man into a travel earlier in the game. Offensively, he had a couple of shots, he probably shouldn’t have taken, but he was still effectively. He sank a couple of threes, including a huge one with under 2 minutes left to help the offense snap out of a little funk. Loving his play lately. Can’t wait for him to enter the games. The Stats: He scored 9 points on 3-6 shooting (2-3 from three, 1-2 from the line) to go with 1 board, 1 assist and 5 fouls in 25 minutes. He was a +12.

Caruso -- -- I didn’t notice him not scoring in this game. He was active and effective offensively even though he wasn’t shooting. He got his one hoop getting into the midrange and swishing a short jumper in no man’s land. That’s the shot he needs to get down. Obviously, you want the three ball to be a big weapon, but those short little shots when you are wide open after coming off a screen are something he needs to add with more consistency. He doesn’t really have a floater game, so figuring out how to be effective in those situations would elevate his offensive game. Some nice feeds to his bigs tonight. He found AD for an And-1 layup in transition and found Howard with a no-looker after probing baseline for a layup. I’ll take 5 assists with no turnover every day. The Stats: He scored 3 points on 1-3 shooting (0-1 from three, 1-2 from the line) to go with 3 boards, 5 assists with no turnovers and 4 fouls in 23 minutes. He was a +3.

Howard -- -- This is more like the Dwight we’re used to. A little more action from Dwight in this one with 7 points in the first half as we found him for a couple of lobs and he earned some FTs. I want more of these double-digit scoring outputs. Get him lobs, get to the line off second chances. Be hyper efficient (4-4 tonight). Set those screens. This was more of the Dwight we saw from earlier in the season. Hyper efficient offensively, getting us second chances and setting those hard screens. Some good shot challenges on the defensive end, as well. Nice to see LBJ setting him up for a couple of those lobs, AC had a feed for a layup and Dwight also scored with his left in the post to bail out the offense. Hopefully, he can start putting together some double-doubles again. The Stats: He scored 11 points on 4-4 shooting (3-4 from the line) to go with 5 boards (1 offensive), 1 steal, 1 turnover, 1 block and 2 fouls in 17 minutes. He was a +1.

Waiters -- -- A bit up and down in this one, but when he came out in that third quarter lineup with LeBron, AD, Kuzma and AC, you saw that unit had potential. You could predict that run was about to happen. They had the right dynamic offensively with multiple scorers and guys locked in on D, and sure enough, they went on the run. As a result, he’d finish with a +11 in his 19 minutes. He’s putting together some good +/- numbers. In that stretch, they were able to get stops and get out in transition (he helped with that on both ends). He does a good job pushing the pace and keeping tempo going when he gets the ball in early offense. He had some easy work with AD to set him up with pick and pops. And, of course, Waiters showed that ability to pressure the rim. It wasn’t always clean. He fumbled away a handoff and also got picked coming off a screen and surveying the floor. That’s got to get cleaned up, but that’s why we need to get him reps. The Stats: He scored 7 points on 2-6 shooting (0-2 from three, 3-3 from the line) to go with 3 assists, 2 steals, 4 turnovers and 3 fouls in 19 minutes. He was a +11.

Smith -- -- We briefly had the “Swish Cheese” duo out there together with Smith and Waiters. Personally, I want to see J.R. with LeBron a little more. They have chemistry from playing together. It would be nice to see if that could help J.R. get going before LeBron sits. Smith scored his first official points as a Laker getting to the line for a couple of FTs and he got his first official buck with a floater after attacking off the three line. The Stats: He scored 4 points on 1-3 shooting (0-2 from three, 2-2 from the line) to go with no other stats in 14 minutes. He was a -1.

Cook -- -- AC picked up some foul trouble and none of our guards were hitting from the perimeter so Vogel found Cook a couple minutes to close the first half. He traveled on his first touch. Nothing much to report and not a lot of time out there. The Stats: He had 1 turnover in 2 minutes and was a +5.

Dudley -- -- With Kuzma in some first half foul trouble, Dudley got the call late in the first half. No Morris in the rotation. Not sure what’s going on there. Dudley missed a wing three and moved the ball well while out there, but not a lot of run. The Stats: He didn’t score on 0-1 shooting from three and had 1 board in 3 minutes. He was a +3.

Vogel -- -- Key Moment: Let’s give Vogel some credit for getting after the guys early in the third quarter. After giving up an 8-0 run with another flat start, he called timeout and got on them. They got their act together and then take control later in the quarter.

Key Substitution: With over 3 minutes left, he brought LeBron back in to go with an AD, LeBron, Kuzma, Waiters, Caruso unit. They helped push the team to a 17-2 run. Normally, Vogel sits LeBron and brings him back to start the fourth, but he sat him a little earlier, then brought him back and they hammered the Jazz in that short stretch. Very nice.

Key Stat: The Lakers locked up the top seed behind some efficient scoring. They didn’t do it from three (9-26), but from the line 25-31 and at the rim. They ended up shooting 41-82 from the floor. The Lakers forced 21 turnovers.

Coach’s Challenge: Up 12 in the fourth, Caruso drew a charge but it was called a block. Vogel challenged. This is a tough one to win because it’s one of those where the defender is clearly moving, but gets hit in the chest. The refs have leeway to be stubborn and save face if they want. The refs, to their credit, called the charge. It was clearly not a block and AC got hit square in the chest.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
LakerSD
Franchise Player
Franchise Player


Joined: 10 Nov 2016
Posts: 23731

PostPosted: Mon Aug 03, 2020 9:05 pm    Post subject:

Quote:
The Lakers got separation with just over three minutes left into the third quarter. They went to an AD, LeBron, Kuzma, Waiters, Caruso lineup. I like the two-way mix in that lineup. You’ve got guys who can create, make tough shots, spread the floor and get out in transition. And you’ve got a feisty defensive unit to get you those transition opportunities. In a span of a couple of minutes they outscored the Jazz by 10 points.


Thanks DB!

That was a great lineup.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
SweetP
Star Player
Star Player


Joined: 23 Jun 2005
Posts: 6054
Location: My own little piece of reality

PostPosted: Mon Aug 03, 2020 9:38 pm    Post subject:

Thanks DB!
_________________
“There is always light if only we're brave enough to see it, if only we're brave enough to be it.” --Amanda Gorman
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
Dr. Laker
Franchise Player
Franchise Player


Joined: 12 Apr 2002
Posts: 17065

PostPosted: Mon Aug 03, 2020 10:05 pm    Post subject:

Thanks, DB!
_________________
On Lakersground, a concern troll is someone who is a fan of another team, but pretends to be a Lakers fan with "concerns".
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
ReaListik
Star Player
Star Player


Joined: 08 Jun 2008
Posts: 6542

PostPosted: Mon Aug 03, 2020 11:50 pm    Post subject:

Thanks DB - awesome to clinch the top seed. Seems like forever since 2009-2010.
_________________
"We are the goodest." - Shaq ESPN interview
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
pio2u
Retired Number
Retired Number


Joined: 26 Dec 2012
Posts: 54519

PostPosted: Tue Aug 04, 2020 3:44 am    Post subject:

Thanks DB
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
deal
Franchise Player
Franchise Player


Joined: 17 Aug 2008
Posts: 14900
Location: Earth

PostPosted: Tue Aug 04, 2020 4:40 am    Post subject:

Thanks DB, great to finally see the Lakers head the western
into the playoffs. Lots of work to do.
_________________
Lakers need to build a freaking team !
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
danzag
Franchise Player
Franchise Player


Joined: 28 Apr 2013
Posts: 22244
Location: Brazil

PostPosted: Tue Aug 04, 2020 5:47 am    Post subject:

AD is a killer. The team just changed gears during the 3rd period and took control of the game.

I'm not so sure about our starting lineup though. McGee looks lost in the mix


WE WANT TO DO IT FOR HIM
https://twitter.com/ShowtimeForum/status/1290503208448561152

#17 FOR KOBE
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
TooMuchMajicBuss
Franchise Player
Franchise Player


Joined: 17 Sep 2008
Posts: 21064
Location: In a white room, with black curtains near the station

PostPosted: Tue Aug 04, 2020 12:25 pm    Post subject:

Thanks DB! Interesting lineup that closed out the Jazz late. LBJ/AD no surprise. Kuz - becoming a 2 way player, it appears. Good to see. Caruso and Waiters. Defense and offense. Good to see it worked, so thankful we have Vogel at the helm this time around.

Thanks again for a great write-up!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
Laker7
Star Player
Star Player


Joined: 24 Feb 2003
Posts: 6393
Location: Past left field

PostPosted: Tue Aug 04, 2020 12:40 pm    Post subject:

In my opinion teams had a lot of time to go through the tape and watch teams play to figure out tendencies and how to shut down certain players. Tape of Lakers games shows that if you shut off the paint and make the Lakers shoot over you you have a better shot of beating them. Teams are taking away McGees lobs.
_________________
Keep winning!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
Lakers#1Team
Retired Number
Retired Number


Joined: 24 Jun 2005
Posts: 36360
Location: Nomad

PostPosted: Tue Aug 04, 2020 1:38 pm    Post subject:

Thanks DB!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
cheesehead88
Starting Rotation
Starting Rotation


Joined: 08 Jun 2008
Posts: 150

PostPosted: Tue Aug 04, 2020 8:35 pm    Post subject: Kuzma is the Answer

Laker7 wrote:
In my opinion teams had a lot of time to go through the tape and watch teams play to figure out tendencies and how to shut down certain players. Tape of Lakers games shows that if you shut off the paint and make the Lakers shoot over you you have a better shot of beating them. Teams are taking away McGees lobs.


They take away the McGee Lob
Sub in Kuzma- 53% from three point range in the bubble

They take away Green and KCP3 spot up 3s, dribble handoff/ give and go action

Sub in Caruso and Waiters
Caruso with all world defense and Waiters best one on one guard since Kobe
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic    LakersGround.net Forum Index -> Thoughts and Ratings All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1
Jump to:  

 
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum






Graphics by uberzev
© 1995-2018 LakersGround.net. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Use.
LakersGround is an unofficial news source serving the fan community since 1995.
We are in no way associated with the Los Angeles Lakers or the National Basketball Association.


Powered by phpBB