Steve williams
Site Founder, Site Co-Owner, Administrator
Clipps are killing the Warriors. I thought it would be a closer game with the Clipps winning but this has been in the refrigerator for more than a while
New Album & The Beginning of Basketball Season
- Thread starter Ron Party
- Start date
Curry was ice cold at 6 for 16. If he's off tough for the Warriors to win with current roster.
Steve williams
Site Founder, Site Co-Owner, Administrator
This from NBA.com is a very good read....
2021 Midseason report: Los Angeles Lakers
NBA.com takes stock of the Los Angeles Lakers after the first half of the 2020-21 season.
First half summary: The defending champions continued their stretch of solid if not dominant play by staying near the top in the Western Conference and maintaining their profile as a title favorite. Speaking of consistency, LeBron James once again seems indestructible in his 17th season, avoiding injury and performing at a Kia MVP-type level. His shooting range has never been better, and once again he’s the team’s best facilitator. Newcomers Dennis Schroder and Montrezl Harrell found useful roles and are better than the players they replaced from a season ago.
The only cloudy issue is Anthony Davis’ durability. He suffered a calf injury that benched him for nearly three weeks, a time period that perhaps was precautionary as well, and the Lakers cooled off in his absence. Prior to the injury, Davis’ play wasn’t as steep as last season, but he’s graded on a higher scale than most. And, anyway, the Lakers didn’t appear to lose any sleep over it.
Biggest question going into the second half: Assuming Davis recovers from his calf injury and remains dormant, the Lakers must continue to get reasonably decent perimeter production. Among the Lakers with 150 3-point attempts or more, only James, Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope are shooting better than 35%.
Interestingly, Kuzma’s progress seems to have stalled a bit. Two seasons ago he was viewed at best as a possible third star on a good team. The reality now is he’s a role player on a great team. He has embraced that reality and been a good soldier while giving the Lakers quality moments off the bench.
Didn’t the Lakers expect a bit more from Marc Gasol? His production waned last season in Toronto, yet apparently the Lakers saw fit to make him their starting center. He is clearly out of gas, averaging career lows in scoring and rebounding (4.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg), but his passing and interior defense are adequate. This is why rumors of adding DeMarcus Cousins have the sound of legitimacy.
Playoffs or lottery?: Securing the top seed in the West is once again a believable goal for the Lakers, through not necessary a primary one. That’s because there’s no real home-court advantage with sparsely filled or empty arenas. Therefore, the Lakers (or any other contender) won’t risk overwhelming their stars to obtain the best record.
In the playoffs, the Lakers hope to get steady play from newcomers who lack substantial postseason experience. That means Schroder and Wesley Matthews in particular might be asked to deliver in tight moments, much like KCP and (surprisingly) Talen Horton-Tucker did last fall.
Understandably, the blueprint for the Lakers is to make sure Davis is healthy and reduce LeBron’s minutes whenever necessary. Doing so would squelch the team’s few weaknesses as much as possible. If that happens, the Lakers will confidently enter the playoffs as the heavy, looking to push their considerable weight around.
— Shaun Powell
I bolded the paragraph I found most interesting. To me Gasol is a dud and I have commented many times that I felt they were better last year at center
2021 Midseason report: Los Angeles Lakers
NBA.com takes stock of the Los Angeles Lakers after the first half of the 2020-21 season.
First half summary: The defending champions continued their stretch of solid if not dominant play by staying near the top in the Western Conference and maintaining their profile as a title favorite. Speaking of consistency, LeBron James once again seems indestructible in his 17th season, avoiding injury and performing at a Kia MVP-type level. His shooting range has never been better, and once again he’s the team’s best facilitator. Newcomers Dennis Schroder and Montrezl Harrell found useful roles and are better than the players they replaced from a season ago.
The only cloudy issue is Anthony Davis’ durability. He suffered a calf injury that benched him for nearly three weeks, a time period that perhaps was precautionary as well, and the Lakers cooled off in his absence. Prior to the injury, Davis’ play wasn’t as steep as last season, but he’s graded on a higher scale than most. And, anyway, the Lakers didn’t appear to lose any sleep over it.
Biggest question going into the second half: Assuming Davis recovers from his calf injury and remains dormant, the Lakers must continue to get reasonably decent perimeter production. Among the Lakers with 150 3-point attempts or more, only James, Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope are shooting better than 35%.
Interestingly, Kuzma’s progress seems to have stalled a bit. Two seasons ago he was viewed at best as a possible third star on a good team. The reality now is he’s a role player on a great team. He has embraced that reality and been a good soldier while giving the Lakers quality moments off the bench.
Didn’t the Lakers expect a bit more from Marc Gasol? His production waned last season in Toronto, yet apparently the Lakers saw fit to make him their starting center. He is clearly out of gas, averaging career lows in scoring and rebounding (4.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg), but his passing and interior defense are adequate. This is why rumors of adding DeMarcus Cousins have the sound of legitimacy.
Playoffs or lottery?: Securing the top seed in the West is once again a believable goal for the Lakers, through not necessary a primary one. That’s because there’s no real home-court advantage with sparsely filled or empty arenas. Therefore, the Lakers (or any other contender) won’t risk overwhelming their stars to obtain the best record.
In the playoffs, the Lakers hope to get steady play from newcomers who lack substantial postseason experience. That means Schroder and Wesley Matthews in particular might be asked to deliver in tight moments, much like KCP and (surprisingly) Talen Horton-Tucker did last fall.
Understandably, the blueprint for the Lakers is to make sure Davis is healthy and reduce LeBron’s minutes whenever necessary. Doing so would squelch the team’s few weaknesses as much as possible. If that happens, the Lakers will confidently enter the playoffs as the heavy, looking to push their considerable weight around.
— Shaun Powell
I bolded the paragraph I found most interesting. To me Gasol is a dud and I have commented many times that I felt they were better last year at center
Steve williams
Site Founder, Site Co-Owner, Administrator
Horrible first half for the Lakers who are missing everything.
at the half hey trail the Pacers 54-46
at the half hey trail the Pacers 54-46
Steve williams
Site Founder, Site Co-Owner, Administrator
Steve williams
Site Founder, Site Co-Owner, Administrator
I have no idea how the Lakers stunk up the court but still came away with the win. Pacers just happened to play worse. What an ugly game. Lakers are in dire need of some offense
105-100
Caruso goes out with concussion protocol
105-100
Caruso goes out with concussion protocol
Steve williams
Site Founder, Site Co-Owner, Administrator
Pacers had tough games on consecutive nights - Lakers and Suns. Nice win by Indy on a back to back in Phoenix.
Steve williams
Site Founder, Site Co-Owner, Administrator
Anthony Davis out at least 2 more weeks with leg injuries
The Los Angeles Lakers have 8 games in the next 2 weeks, and Davis is likely to miss all of them.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis will be out for at least two more weeks with the leg injuries that have kept him sidelined since Feb. 14.
The defending NBA champions announced Friday night that Davis is making progress and has been cleared to enter the next phase of his rehabilitation after an examination by team doctors. He will be re-evaluated in late March.
Davis missed his 10th consecutive game Friday when the Lakers hosted the Indiana Pacers in their first game back from the All-Star break.
The All-NBA big man has Achilles tendinosis and a calf strain, and the eight-time All-Star selection was forced to drop out of last weekend’s game in Atlanta.
Davis missed five games earlier this season due to various injuries before aggravating his leg woes in a game in Denver on Valentine’s Day. He is averaging 22.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.8 blocked shots in his 23 appearances this season.
The Lakers have eight games in the next two weeks, and Davis is likely to miss all of them. Los Angeles coach Frank Vogel has said the team will be deliberately cautious with its superstar big man, hoping to get him healthy heading into the postseason.
Los Angeles lost seven of its 10 games between Davis’ injury and the All-Star break, but remained in third place in the Western Conference.
The Los Angeles Lakers have 8 games in the next 2 weeks, and Davis is likely to miss all of them.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis will be out for at least two more weeks with the leg injuries that have kept him sidelined since Feb. 14.
The defending NBA champions announced Friday night that Davis is making progress and has been cleared to enter the next phase of his rehabilitation after an examination by team doctors. He will be re-evaluated in late March.
Davis missed his 10th consecutive game Friday when the Lakers hosted the Indiana Pacers in their first game back from the All-Star break.
The All-NBA big man has Achilles tendinosis and a calf strain, and the eight-time All-Star selection was forced to drop out of last weekend’s game in Atlanta.
Davis missed five games earlier this season due to various injuries before aggravating his leg woes in a game in Denver on Valentine’s Day. He is averaging 22.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.8 blocked shots in his 23 appearances this season.
The Lakers have eight games in the next two weeks, and Davis is likely to miss all of them. Los Angeles coach Frank Vogel has said the team will be deliberately cautious with its superstar big man, hoping to get him healthy heading into the postseason.
Los Angeles lost seven of its 10 games between Davis’ injury and the All-Star break, but remained in third place in the Western Conference.
https://www.nba.com/news/anthony-davis-achilles-out-at-least-another-4-weeks
Steve williams
Site Founder, Site Co-Owner, Administrator
And the White Mamba (Alex Caruso) remains on concussion protocol
Tough to see serious injuries in the midst of a heavily contested western conference
Tough to see serious injuries in the midst of a heavily contested western conference
Have to like Caruso. Guy plays with a lot of heart and leaves it all on the court.
Hope he gets back soon.
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Steve williams
Site Founder, Site Co-Owner, Administrator
Me too
I like the kid. He's energized always and gives his all in every game
Things over these next 8 games won't bode well for the Lakers. I still worry about the severity of AD's injury. I can't help but remember KD returning to play in his first game after a high ankle sprain only to tear his achilles.
I like the kid. He's energized always and gives his all in every game
Things over these next 8 games won't bode well for the Lakers. I still worry about the severity of AD's injury. I can't help but remember KD returning to play in his first game after a high ankle sprain only to tear his achilles.
Steve williams
Site Founder, Site Co-Owner, Administrator
Impressive win by the Warriors at home over the Jazz 131-119
Lakers up tomorrow
Steph dropped a season high 34 on his 33rd birthday
Lakers up tomorrow
Steph dropped a season high 34 on his 33rd birthday
Clippers playing the Pelicans at Staples.
Lonzo Ball has hit 4 of 4 3-pointers to start the game in his home town.
No word if his father is at the game.
Lonzo Ball has hit 4 of 4 3-pointers to start the game in his home town.
No word if his father is at the game.
Steve williams
Site Founder, Site Co-Owner, Administrator
Nobody seems to want to get in front of Zion when he heads for the basket. I wouldn't.
Steve williams
Site Founder, Site Co-Owner, Administrator
Wow
In the 3rd, Lonzo makes his 5th three and Pels lead by 19
Pels are really going to be "the" team in 1-2 years
Lakers are the oldest team in the league
In the 3rd, Lonzo makes his 5th three and Pels lead by 19
Pels are really going to be "the" team in 1-2 years
Lakers are the oldest team in the league
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