Game 63: LA Lakers at San Antonio Spurs, March 7, 2022 5:30 p.m.

[euphorbus]

It looks like the Lakers have started to figure out what they want to do going forward. The starting lineup of James, Johnson, Reaves, Monk, and Westbrook can build on the win Sunday night: three young guys and two veterans. There is no question that the Arkansas Travelers play well together, and they fit well with LeBron. The fact that Reaves played four years in college means that he is a much more accomplished player than your average 19-year-old rookie, who has not even learned the defensive fundamentals like boxing out and playing on a string.

https://lakersnation.com/lakers-news-frank-vogel-likes-combination-of-malik-monk-and-austin-reaves/2022/03/07/

James is not going to score like that every game, but he also does not need to take that many shots every game. I saw a new willingness on the part of LeBron and Russell to pass the ball out when they drive into the lane and find the way blocked. Monk does that on a regular basis. Russell can do better by having a greater awareness of where his teammates are in those situations, instead of looking for a way to pass at the last second.

[Mamba Mentality]

If I got a penny for every time someone said the Lakers have started to figure it out...

[ducler]

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[euphorbus]

It looks like LeBron James will be out tonight. I am not sure about Dejounte Murray for San Antonio.

Yet another new starting lineup: Howard, Reaves, Monk, Horton-Tucker, Westbrook. That is three ball-handlers in the starting lineup. Let's hope they take advantage in the game plan.

Edit:

San Antonio also has a new starting lineup--Murray will play.

[euphorbus]

Bench crew has been poor once again in the first half. Westbrook's three turnovers are not helping. Monk has three assists, but Westbrook none at all.

Monk needs to raise the arch on his three-point shot. That was the big improvement he made last year, but sometimes he regresses.

[euphorbus]

The Lakers need to score some points. Get Ellington in there.

[Landsberger]

DNP-Old for Bron tonight I see....

Where will the scoring come from?

[euphorbus]

Westbrook still does not have an assist. He needs to play team ball and stop turning it over.

[euphorbus]

Yeah, that's more like it.

[Landsberger]

Note how the ball moves when LeBron isn't on the floor. The overall speed of the game is markedly different as well.

[euphorbus]

Lakers need to change things up and set some screens for Monk and Anthony. Put a body on Poeltl, so he does not have all those floaters in the lane.

Bradley and Augustin were -10 in the first half, which tells you a lot about why they are down right now.

[RamonSessions7]

[RamonSessions7]

Low IQ all over this roster. Just bad

[TylersLakers]

Boy I’m so glad we have Westbrook who can carry the load on nights when LeBron and AD are out.

[Hans1984]

As soon as I saw Lebron wasn't playing I turned it off.
Can't wait for Westbrick to leave.

[tamaraw08]

The Lakers need to score some points. Get Ellington in there.

Vogel would rather play the ball boy or go 4v5 than play Ellington
Most fans think Buddy Hield would have been great for this team because of his shooting but Wayne is actually shooting better than Hield and Every freaking Laker teammate but Frank refused to play him because he’s so afraid the team would suffer in defense. Meanwhile other coaches like Lue would strategize on how to mask the weakness of Kennard same with coaches of Seth Curry, McDermott, Huerrter etc