New Album & The Beginning of Basketball Season

Steve Williams

Site Founder, Site 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
 

WLVCA

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Nov 2, 2012
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Don't remember seeing Damien Jones on ther court for the Lakers before.

Is he going to be the big man they need down low?
 

Steve Williams

Site Founder, Site 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
 

Steve Williams

Site Founder, Site 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.

https://www.nba.com/news/anthony-davis-achilles-out-at-least-another-4-weeks
 
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Steve Williams

Site Founder, Site 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.
 
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WLVCA

Member Sponsor
Nov 2, 2012
3,911
2,374
1,395
Tucson
Clippers down by 10 at the half.

My mistake, game is in New Orleans not LA

Lonzo has definitely improved his shooting form - no more side arm looks.
 

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