Game 29: Los Angeles Lakers (10-18) @ Houston Rockets (25-4) - WIN - 11-18

[Kilroy]

I listened to his reasoning and it was complete BS. It sounded like it was a "he didn't play, deal with it" to the media/fans/etc. No reason given. Randle's been significantly more productive than Nance over the course of the year, so why he never got into the game until 8 minutes left in the first quarter just disputes the notion and reasoning he gave. He then went on a rant about how different players haven't played 4th quarters. That would mean something if he got into the game in the second half. He didn't.

The young core is Ingram/Ball/Kuzma and then a combination of Hart/Randle/ Nance/ Bryant/ Zubac.

Yesterday was a perfect opportunity, with Brook Lopez out and KCP out, to get that young core minutes together in a game where we're playing well. Your argument would make perfect sense if Randle played 15 minutes in a game. Instead, he played 8. And it was throw in minutes at the end of a half.

So yes, I heard his explanation, and I didn't buy it.

^^^ All this... in a win. Yeeesh. You're not wrong alot, but you are here.

I think the 'hot Hand' defense might be a lot less laughable if it hadn't been basically a single possession game the entire second half...
We got lucky, Houston had a let down game after winning 14 in a row, and CP3 got hurt... But the 'hot hands' outside of Kuzma and Ball's Defense weren't really anything special.

Randle's on the trade block... They have to try to trade him because he's not likely to sign and a new contract here... He's most likely going to walk for nothing.
No need for stupid explanations...
But I still say it's **** to go from like 16min a game, steadily increasing his PT and playing him consistently when the game's on the line to the point he's pushing 30min a game... To 8min and sitting the entire second half...
Like, he ought to be traded today, if that's what you're going to do.

[TyCobb]

I hate board divisions...YALL ARE TRIPPIN.

I'm out...

[TylersLakers]

I'm happy about the win, it's great. Especially against Houston on the road. I thought we'd be blown out by 30. So again, I'm happy about that.

But a win in mid-December honestly doesn't mean a hell of a lot to me. Maybe my view points are off, but I care more about the development of all the young players on our roster who are/should be apart of the core going forward. Randle is included in that. If we played Lonzo Ball 8 minutes, I'd be furious even if we beat the Eastern Conference All Stars by 60. I care more about the grand scheme of things.

It's the same reason why I hope at some point over these next 3 weeks, guys like Ivica Zubac/Thomas Bryant get a lot of burn and experience. For the life of me, I just don't see the reasoning behind Bogut on this team when we're trying to develop players.

That's fine and all, but getting WINS also aids the growth of the team because it helps reward the hard work that they put in on non-game days. Not that Jules doesn't put in the work like everyone else, but last night it was Bogut that got up for the first time in 2 weeks...

Totally agree.

We'll see what happens over the course of the next 3-4 weeks while Lopez is out. Maybe it's just one game and the 8 minutes is a byproduct of Luke's hard on for Bogut and the Houston match-up and when you combine that with how well Nance was playing, which hasn't been said often. But I really hope this is not the norm or else we're just not managing our young players properly.

[tugs]

Ingram's game is very well rounded but I'd rather have Kuzma taking most shots.

Is that blasphemous?

Also, as much as I want Clarkson to succeed, if Lonzo and Hart are playing like this, I'm ok if he gets less than 20 a night.

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[Kilroy]

Kuzma has had a few impressive games but for whatever reason, I still trust Ingram more... Kuz to me is a great 2nd or 3rd option as a pure jump shooter and slasher, but Ingram's skill and versatility make him the better first option.
Kuz is our Klay Thompson of the future... But Ingram's our KD.

[tugs]

Kuzma has had a few impressive games but for whatever reason, I still trust Ingram more... Kuz to me is a great 2nd or 3rd option as a pure jump shooter and slasher, but Ingram's skill and versatility make him the better first option.
Kuz is our Klay Thompson of the future... But Ingram's our KD.

Exactly my point, Roy. Although I'd prefer Ingram's role as first option would be similar to KD when he creates for others, which I think he's very capable. Takes the load off of Lonzo.

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[stan francisco]

If there's one thing I hate more than losing to Mike 'Antoni it would be losing to a team with Harden going to the line 492 times because someone looked at him while he should have been allowed to score.

Thrilled to see our young team playing intense defense and beating their asses.

[JohnVancouver]

... This game definitely showed me we need to keep most of our young guys...I thought Larry Nance played such exceptional defense even when guarding Chris Paul.

Sorry but I'm on board keeping Kuzma, Nance, Ingram, and Ball. Nance really gave the Lakers an edge when the Rockets tried to play small.

Fact that we won this game without KCP and Lopez is enlightening.

I think a lot of us are coming to the realization we need to keep the band together - aside from KCP/Lopez, Randle was also MIA last night. So add DMC in and I think we've really got something. With a couple more tough vets this core is really showing us some great potential - played GSW as close as possible twice, played CLE pretty much even, beat Houston. Now we need to start knocking off some midlevel teams and woinning all the ones we ought to.

and mea culpa re: Corey Brewer - last year i thought he was just out of control but he's been great for us this year. Would love to see him back on a reasonable deal.