Game 19: Orlando Magic (9-10) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (11-7) - LOSS - 11-8

[No name]

I’ve expressed my lack of happiness with Luke. Aside from having piss poor offensive and defensive schemes (if he even has them), his player development is terrible How is it that Russell and randle barely got better here (randle did in the end thanks to his own effort in a contract year) then go to other teams and kill it. Randle even said it was a big change to learn about defense in practice. Bitter or not, is it a coincidence that we hear similar things from within the org too. Just recently magic was calling out lukes terrible coaching. I think what needs to be done is apparent to everyone but nobody wants to do it. The other options available mid season also Are garbage. Have to think this summer he’s a goner at this pace

Wow. Talk about sensational.

[Spens1]

Well then.......

We got schooled by Vucenic of all people, that is contract year play there.

Ball i thought didn't do enough defensively, Lebron came back to earth a bit but i'll credit Orlando a fair bit on that. Didn't think Kuz or Ingram played as well as their numbers suggested (well, at least on Kuz's end, at least Ingram defended somewhat).

KCP should just be cut, why did Walton keep him in so long, he got 27 minutes yet Hart got 15 and Lance only got 14 minutes despite being generally good in a bad stretch.

Honestly a lot of this came down to Walton just not reading his players play and seeing when one player is just chucking. Also its all well and good coming back but when you are poor for the 2nd and 3rd and you don't bench players who are straight up chucking its your fault.

[Spens1]

Luke is holding players accountable for improvements he wants to see. Lonzo blew a few assignments, had to sit down. I’m not worried about that, in fact I’m all for it. If it costs us a loss against Orlando in November to teach him a lesson for the rest of the season, so be it.

Where is the accountability for KCP being a scrub then?

[danfantastk32]

I had to go open my mouth the other night that I think we're really making progress and looking good.

Ahhhh well. Can't win em all. Still think we're doing well. Crap loss, but I blame the sunday whites. Always hated them, and I'm convinced we have a massive under .500 when wearing them.

Onto the next game. Plenty more B-Ball left to get better.

[tviper]

the stupid turnovers have to stop. just ridiculous unnecessary passes that fly out of bounds or long passes that seem to always get intercepted. the upside isn't worth the risk in close games. and the horrible FT shooting is a plague. get these two things fixed or it will be a long season.

[BEazy]

This team is not designed to play like GS. Walton has to realize that.

[Laker_Kid]

man, i sacrificed sleep for this crap (the game was on at 4:30AM where i lived and ended at 7AM)

although i did enjoy mcgee's blockfest, kuz's hot start, ingram waking up in the 4th, and lonzo being aggressive.
but had i known we would lose in such a lame fashion, i could have just watched the highlights. sigh.

[ROballer]

The West is ridiculous, 13/15 teams might finish above .500. We need to beat teams like this, especially at home.

[Spanish_Laker]

We will be just an average team if we keep shooting FTs at that pathetic rate. Turnovers is also a huge concern too.

[kobe808lak]

Orlando owns us..

[bb22]

Vucevic wasn’t exploited enough on D. Lots of skilled bigs are capable of putting up big numbers in today’s NBA, but most are limited due to their poor perimeter D. Unfortunately, the Lakers’ TOs and lack of perimeter shooting didnt punish Vucevic on the other end, and he was able to dictate everything on offense. Will have another “big” test against Jokic and the Nuggets at high alititude. Could be a rough one.

[Edrees]

Who knows, maybe this team slacks vs inferior teams like Magic or Spurs and then they beat better teams like Denver, GSW, etc...Let's see.

That's a horrible trait to have for a team filled with mostly players who have never made the playoffs. What gives them the right to slack off when they don't even know if they can be good when they try? Lebron is the only one who makes sense when it comes to not caring versus weak teams.

[Michael Lucky]

Who knows, maybe this team slacks vs inferior teams like Magic or Spurs and then they beat better teams like Denver, GSW, etc...Let's see.

That's a horrible trait to have for a team filled with mostly players who have never made the playoffs. What gives them the right to slack off when they don't even know if they can be good when they try? Lebron is the only one who makes sense when it comes to not caring versus weak teams.

The young guys aren't slacking off. They are all playing off LeBron.

[lakerz12]

I thought it was a little much to ask Lebron to guard Vucevic...that was taking place at a key point in the game.

McGee looked good out there. I don't think there should be no McGee or no Chandler unless the other team has no size on the floor. Asking Lebron to guard a versatile 7 footer is a death wish.