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You know what, let's watch a little Lakers/Kings. Can't think of a reason why.
Lakers are in a weird position of being defending champs in maintenance mode, while also kind of being in get right mode and also being in let's see what we have mode.
LeBron with the scowl early and I can't tell if he's going to play 14 minutes or go off I don't know.
LeBron/Drummond P&R and you can see the potential. Quick pocket pass to Drummond, skip to AD who swings to KCP who shot fakes and gets a good look. Key isn't just LeBron's passing but Drummond's ability to get to the pocket.
Interesting in seeing if this is the spacing you want vs. the Lakers. LeBron is on the strongside (can't cause havoc w/ weakside help there). AD is on the weakside but the top of the key (no late help). Drummond is in action. Good design for the lob.
A little different for the Lakers when AD is in the action. He's defending the screen, you see LeBron with the stunt even being on the strongside. Drummond able to show help.
Some concern about the spacing with two bigs and LeBron as a screener. Seems ok to me. Screens for KCP and rolls to an empty side. Drummond at the block. Big has to rotate, LeBron dumps to Drummond who just misses the dunk.
I've held on the Lakers all season long because of what they've shown they can be. The only concern is the defense slipping (which it really hadn't for most of the season). Their title run needs AD to be a style/team bender and the defense to be at the top level.
The defense is slipping and you can see it in the rotations. Pick and roll, Harrell is at the level, AD/Kuzma on the weakside. Kuzma is the low man so his help is late. Instead he pulls up to the FT line as Holmes catches above the 3PT line. No one there to get to Harkless' cut.
Morris and Gasol both hit the Kings with grown man strength on the FT boxout and then turned into a tip drill.
Think we may have forgotten how important LeBron's passing is to the Lakers. Watch what his pass creates. Hits Morris on the slow roll, defense comes to help and watch the ball movement from the Lakers. Ends in a 3 from Gasol.
For a whole lot of players that's either hit the corner and in or wait for the post up and in.
Here's a question out of curiosity: how much of the Lakers championship run depends on *this* working? (and no I'm not talking about the foul)
Great wrinkle from the Lakers, look at how they use their personnel. Cross screen for AD, this time Schroder comes off a pindown from Drummond, right into a P&R. Look at the weakside, it's Bron with AD in the corner and Drummond rolling. Defense has some choices.
Like the activity from the Lakers defensively. If nothing else Drummond is giving the effort. Dropped back but containing on the first screen. Gets back up to the level on the second screen and gets a hand on the ball which helps force a TO.
*whispers* it probably shouldn't be a surprise that Marc Gasol sniffs out your Spain P&R play.
This is what Drummond brings to the table as a roller. It's his ability to get to the pocket quick that puts pressure on the defense. Notice AD is in the weakside corner, forcing a big to make a decision. Bagley holds, skip to AD for 3.
I don't know how Schroder saved this one but he did.
Spacing still the same for LeBron post ups with Drummond headed to the dunker. Kings double. What's interesting is how Drummond will operate down there. Does a good job looping around and flashing, holds defense for a split second, LeBron skips for a good look.
Lakers busted this lob play out for Drummond. Stagger for KCP he goes backdoor, AD comes off the screen and KCP's backcut turns into a screen. Great job by KCP of screening his own man. Easy lob for Drummond.
Rotations still rusty for the Lakers but you can see the potential. Drummond works to get in position at the level, AD helps on the roll, LeBron rotates. Still not fun to deal with. Good hustle by Holmes on the boards though.
I have to do some more research on it but Ben McLemore feels like LeBron continuing to love playing with highly confident volume shooters.
Some of these Laker lineups and stretches tonight have felt like “let’s see how player X looks like with LeBron right now”
Ben McLemore is 4-for-6 from 3. He’s 4-for-6 from the field. The rest of the Lakers are 2-for-17 from 3. Somehow this all makes sense.
Tyrese Haliburton is pretty good.
This thread isn't showing it but the Kings are scrapping man.
Look at this drive and dish from Tyrese Haliburton.
