Game 26: Los Angeles Lakers (15-10) @ Memphis Grizzlies (15-9) - WIN - 16-10

[dub81]

I'm loving what I'm seeing from Kuzma. Hes finally getting more consistent with the playmaking which is really good to see.

This is what happens when the ball moves and he gets touches earlier in the clock. Ingram is such a ball stopper. It's becoming evident that Ingram and Bron on the same unit is not as good as Kuzma and Bron on the same unit. Kuz is rounding his game out nicely so far this year.

Over his last 5 games: 21.4, 9.2, 4.4 and 1.4 TO's. 48% overall shooting with 38.5% on 3's

Ingram and Rondo off the bench sounds good when they come back.

BI comes across that he would not like the idea of coming off the bench. Even though I think it would work. But I don't think he can handle coming off the bench like Kuz did.

[dub81]

I'm loving what I'm seeing from Kuzma. Hes finally getting more consistent with the playmaking which is really good to see.

This is what happens when the ball moves and he gets touches earlier in the clock. Ingram is such a ball stopper. It's becoming evident that Ingram and Bron on the same unit is not as good as Kuzma and Bron on the same unit. Kuz is rounding his game out nicely so far this year.

Over his last 5 games: 21.4, 9.2, 4.4 and 1.4 TO's. 48% overall shooting with 38.5% on 3's

Ingram and Rondo off the bench sounds good when they come back.

BI comes across that he would not like the idea of coming off the bench. Even though I think it would work. But I don't think he can handle coming off the bench like Kuz did.

[TylersLakers]

This is what happens when the ball moves and he gets touches earlier in the clock. Ingram is such a ball stopper. It's becoming evident that Ingram and Bron on the same unit is not as good as Kuzma and Bron on the same unit. Kuz is rounding his game out nicely so far this year.

Over his last 5 games: 21.4, 9.2, 4.4 and 1.4 TO's. 48% overall shooting with 38.5% on 3's

Ingram and Rondo off the bench sounds good when they come back.

BI comes across that he would not like the idea of coming off the bench. Even though I think it would work. But I don't think he can handle coming off the bench like Kuz did.

He hasn't played nearly good enough to dictate where he plays and how much he plays.

[ISayshowmee]

Ingram and Rondo off the bench sounds good when they come back.

BI comes across that he would not like the idea of coming off the bench. Even though I think it would work. But I don't think he can handle coming off the bench like Kuz did.

He hasn't played nearly good enough to dictate where he plays and how much he plays.

Exactly. Please BI learn from Melo who had accomplished way more than you have !!

[Slink]

BI comes across that he would not like the idea of coming off the bench. Even though I think it would work. But I don't think he can handle coming off the bench like Kuz did.

He hasn't played nearly good enough to dictate where he plays and how much he plays.

Exactly. Please BI learn from Melo who had accomplished way more than you have !!

I fear that will be BI's future, a ball stopper with no defense.

[Spens1]

I didn't think it would be that easy, especially seeing as it was a back to back. Defensively we were on point.

[danfantastk32]

I think we fans get caught up in being a fan of "our guy" too much and lose sight of how championship teams are put together. For every Magic there was a Scott... for every Kareem there was a Rambis (or Landsberger!). Right now we're not close to being a championship team but it's looking like Kuzma is fitting with Bron better than Ingram and it's not mistake that McGee is looking better than he ever has. That's the effect of a guy like Bron. The flip side is that guys like Ingram have to step back and find a role. Right now we seem hell bent on when he and Bron are in the game to have one or the other initiate the offense. When Bron does it it's usually smooth and has some flow. When Ingram does it's painful to watch at times. Can he be a bench player? Don't know. Does he want to going into his $$ seasons?.... my guess is no. I think he's getting close to peak value for us as a trade piece.

Ball is a different story. He's so far behind the league in some basic fundamentals I'm not sure he'll close the gap anytime soon if ever. He really does only a couple aspects of the game at a NBA Starter level and his defense is more predicated on gambling for steals than locking anyone down. He's had a lot more opportunity the last couple games with both Ingram and Rondo out and we haven't seem much at all. Not sure where his head is at either right now. The door is open but he seems not to want to go through.

I think our team would really benefit from a guard that can get to the cup consistently and finish while being able to shoot from the perimeter. If Ingram could net us a guy like that I'd do it. We'd be a much better balanced team. We could also use a consistent scorer off the bench. A Lou Williams or Clarkson would be nice to have right about now. Nether is complete as a player but both provide points on a consistent basis.

I do agree with Lou Williams. Was thinking about that very player. I think Clarkson has too many flaws. Not a big Clarkson guy. Was a wonderful grab for 2nd round. But he's not legit starter material for a title contender.

I bolded your comment about Lonzo's defense, because I think that that's just about everyone at the guard position these days. Who can stop who at PG?? At least Lonzo seems content to give it a go. Clearly I'm a bit more optimistic about Ball possibilities, and I wouldn't say it's a "my guy" thing. If anyone was "my guy" it was Ingram. I do think that Ball has the ability to be a pretty good player though, both with this team, and on another team.....but the guy has to start draining buckets.

I don't think that will fix by the offseason. And if he doesn't correct, I don't see him part of our plans. So I am doubtful he will be here. Like I said a few posts earlier.....I'm happy to give Ingram and Ball the season to make it work. But I'm starting to doubt either will fix. Shame for Ball. All he has to do is "not suck" at shooting.

I think Ingram's issues are a little more complicated. Still think he's a great player. But prob not here.

[Rosque]

He hasn't played nearly good enough to dictate where he plays and how much he plays.

Exactly. Please BI learn from Melo who had accomplished way more than you have !!

I fear that will be BI's future, a ball stopper with no defense.

Do you watch Lakers, like at all? Or just spewing vitriol?

Sent from my Mi A2 using Tapatalk

[dAdo dA dEvil]

He hasn't played nearly good enough to dictate where he plays and how much he plays.

Exactly. Please BI learn from Melo who had accomplished way more than you have !!

I fear that will be BI's future, a ball stopper with no defense.

Ingram looks like a ball stopper right now because it seems that what is the offense is forcing him to be. We know that it is not the natural way that he plays. His D is pretty good so your comparison with Melo is pretty off.

[Landsberger]

I think we fans get caught up in being a fan of "our guy" too much and lose sight of how championship teams are put together. For every Magic there was a Scott... for every Kareem there was a Rambis (or Landsberger!). Right now we're not close to being a championship team but it's looking like Kuzma is fitting with Bron better than Ingram and it's not mistake that McGee is looking better than he ever has. That's the effect of a guy like Bron. The flip side is that guys like Ingram have to step back and find a role. Right now we seem hell bent on when he and Bron are in the game to have one or the other initiate the offense. When Bron does it it's usually smooth and has some flow. When Ingram does it's painful to watch at times. Can he be a bench player? Don't know. Does he want to going into his $$ seasons?.... my guess is no. I think he's getting close to peak value for us as a trade piece.

Ball is a different story. He's so far behind the league in some basic fundamentals I'm not sure he'll close the gap anytime soon if ever. He really does only a couple aspects of the game at a NBA Starter level and his defense is more predicated on gambling for steals than locking anyone down. He's had a lot more opportunity the last couple games with both Ingram and Rondo out and we haven't seem much at all. Not sure where his head is at either right now. The door is open but he seems not to want to go through.

I think our team would really benefit from a guard that can get to the cup consistently and finish while being able to shoot from the perimeter. If Ingram could net us a guy like that I'd do it. We'd be a much better balanced team. We could also use a consistent scorer off the bench. A Lou Williams or Clarkson would be nice to have right about now. Nether is complete as a player but both provide points on a consistent basis.

I do agree with Lou Williams. Was thinking about that very player. I think Clarkson has too many flaws. Not a big Clarkson guy. Was a wonderful grab for 2nd round. But he's not legit starter material for a title contender.

I bolded your comment about Lonzo's defense, because I think that that's just about everyone at the guard position these days. Who can stop who at PG?? At least Lonzo seems content to give it a go. Clearly I'm a bit more optimistic about Ball possibilities, and I wouldn't say it's a "my guy" thing. If anyone was "my guy" it was Ingram. I do think that Ball has the ability to be a pretty good player though, both with this team, and on another team.....but the guy has to start draining buckets.

I don't think that will fix by the offseason. And if he doesn't correct, I don't see him part of our plans. So I am doubtful he will be here. Like I said a few posts earlier.....I'm happy to give Ingram and Ball the season to make it work. But I'm starting to doubt either will fix. Shame for Ball. All he has to do is "not suck" at shooting.

I think Ingram's issues are a little more complicated. Still think he's a great player. But prob not here.

Clarkson and Williams are very similar to me. I wasn't advocating either for a starter position as you are right on that. Getting a consistent 15 off the bench with some ability to spread the floor and get to the rim is a good thing and something we need. I'll take their shortcomings to get some scoring on the bench.

Ball's defense is problematic other than the steals.... which are a good thing. He tends to get lost after he tries and misses on a steal. He also often doesn't understand what's going on with the set and plays a player away from help. All stuff you learn in a system eventually. Where he and Hart really have issues is with the quick guards. You can see the league adjusting to it and putting them on islands rather than pick and rolls where they get help. Now it's our turn for adjusting but I'm not sure Luke sees more than 2 dimensions on that end of the floor while a few others are playing 3D chess.