Game 56: Los Angeles Lakers (43-12) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (25-32) - 10:00 PM ET

[Slava]

Rondo and Bradley's minutes should completely get taken over by Caruso and KCP. There's no excuse for either of those geezer to still be seeing significant rotation minutes this late into the season.

[ROballer]

Rondo and Bradley's minutes should completely get taken over by Caruso and KCP. There's no excuse for either of those geezer to still be seeing significant rotation minutes this late into the season.

It won't happen. We're running 11 guys right now with Morris on board which is way too many.
I reckon we'll run 9 in the playoffs.That's more than enough and most teams go 9 deep anyway.

Caruso I think is a lock for DNP's(unfortunately). My money's on Kuzma for the other DNP spot.

[iamworthy]

Rondo and Bradley's minutes should completely get taken over by Caruso and KCP. There's no excuse for either of those geezer to still be seeing significant rotation minutes this late into the season.

It won't happen. We're running 11 guys right now with Morris on board which is way too many.
I reckon we'll run 9 in the playoffs.That's more than enough and most teams go 9 deep anyway.

Caruso I think is a lock for DNP's(unfortunately). My money's on Kuzma for the other DNP spot.

Kuzma getting DNP's in the playoffs would kill any trade value he had, considering he's widely viewed as our only trade asset. I think AD playas more center in that playoffs and kuz sees more time at the 3. If Caruso's getting DNP's in the playoffs I'll be pissed. He has his flaws but his effort and energy on the defensive side should get him spot minutes at least.

[iamworthy]

JJ reddick played 20 minutes and had 0 shot attempts.

[LAKESHOW]

40 Points. 1 freethrow. That sh&# cant happen. These F'n refs are gettin our top player beat up by holdin the whistle. Vogel needs to see that and Load manage. The league aint protectin our Stars. Hes gettin hammered. Hacked and Axed.

No one believes lebron gets no calls until hes on your team. Its been the case since he first left Cleveland.


https://youtu.be/Cjsc2GMqm3Y?t=46

This is not THAT Lebron. No one has had the 35 year old injured most of last year Lebron. Its not about "not gettin the calls". See, we have experience around with the biggest Dawg in the land SHAQ. And the constant Hammering takes its toll eventually. At this stage of Brons career, he is closer to the end than to the beginning. Lebron gettin hammered at 25, he gets out of bed bright and early the next morning. Lebron gettin hammered now, as a Laker, you wake up with aches, pains, and it takes a while to recuperate. This is the Lebron that needs peotecting, and Load managed for the time he is most needed.

[DNP-Old]

Kuzma -19 worst on the team, Rondo -17 second worst.

Where were you in the C's game?.... +15 and +17... James -1 and Davis -3

LBJ/AD = 61 points...

Rondo/Kuzma = 26 points...

Plus LBJ/AD weren't the worst ones that game....

Wait. What?
You site the +/- stat to show how poor Kuzma & Rondo played, you get called out that in a previous game their +/- was good and James and Davis' +/- were poor and you respond by basically saying that the +/- is a poor way to judge.

[LAKESHOW]

JJ reddick played 20 minutes and had 0 shot attempts.

This is the point i was thinkin about. I mean tactically. Look at Pelican tactics. Zero or low shot attempts from a known shooter? Did folks seen who they had guarding Lebron? Get real. Those have got to be tactical ploys to show certain things, test certain things, and not reveal or show certain tactics for a possible 1st round matchup.

[Liam_Gallagher]

Strange rotation tonight, what should we do with Bradley? He's tough to bench because he has great games and then bad games. I still think Caruso's better. This is what I think our rotation should look like:

G - James[34]/Rondo[20]/Cook
G - Caldwell-Pope[26]/Caruso[22]/Bradley
F - Green[25]/Kuzma[23]
F - Davis[35]/Morris[20]/Dudley
C - Howard[24]/McGee[12]

KCP and Howard need to start. It makes little sense starting McGee when he barely plays and has been used to playing bench roles with GSW during their runs. Bradley should be out of the rotation IMO, there's just too many guards who are better than him on the team now.

First sub @ 6 min mark in 1st quarter: Kuzma in for Howard, Caruso in for KCP. 3 minutes later: Rondo in for James, Morris in for Green. End of quarter lineup: Rondo, Caruso, Kuzma, Morris, Davis.

Beginning of 2nd quarter lineup: Rondo, Caruso, James, Morris, McGee. 3 minutes later: KCP in for Caruso. 3 minutes later: Davis in for Morris, Howard in for McGee, Green in for James. 3 minutes later: James in for Rondo, Kuzma in for Howard.

Repeat 2nd half. End-of-game lineup: James, Caruso, Green, Kuzma, Davis

[thebigbird]

Strange rotation tonight, what should we do with Bradley? He's tough to bench because he has great games and then bad games. I still think Caruso's better. This is what I think our rotation should look like:

G - James[34]/Rondo[20]/Cook
G - Caldwell-Pope[26]/Caruso[22]/Bradley
F - Green[25]/Kuzma[23]
F - Davis[35]/Morris[20]/Dudley
C - Howard[24]/McGee[12]

KCP and Howard need to start. It makes little sense starting McGee when he barely plays and has been used to playing bench roles with GSW during their runs. Bradley should be out of the rotation IMO, there's just too many guards who are better than him on the team now.

First sub @ 6 min mark in 1st quarter: Kuzma in for Howard, Caruso in for KCP. 3 minutes later: Rondo in for James, Morris in for Green. End of quarter lineup: Rondo, Caruso, Kuzma, Morris, Davis.

Beginning of 2nd quarter lineup: Rondo, Caruso, James, Morris, McGee. 3 minutes later: KCP in for Caruso. 3 minutes later: Davis in for Morris, Howard in for McGee, Green in for James. 3 minutes later: James in for Rondo, Kuzma in for Howard.

Repeat 2nd half. End-of-game lineup: James, Caruso, Green, Kuzma, Davis

If Rondo is playing 20 mpg in the playoffs then we are screwed. Ideally he won't play at all, but if he does it needs to only be spot minutes. He will singlehandedly crater the Lakers' title hopes.

[LAKESHOW]

Strange rotation tonight, what should we do with Bradley? He's tough to bench because he has great games and then bad games. I still think Caruso's better. This is what I think our rotation should look like:

G - James[34]/Rondo[20]/Cook
G - Caldwell-Pope[26]/Caruso[22]/Bradley
F - Green[25]/Kuzma[23]
F - Davis[35]/Morris[20]/Dudley
C - Howard[24]/McGee[12]

KCP and Howard need to start. It makes little sense starting McGee when he barely plays and has been used to playing bench roles with GSW during their runs. Bradley should be out of the rotation IMO, there's just too many guards who are better than him on the team now.

First sub @ 6 min mark in 1st quarter: Kuzma in for Howard, Caruso in for KCP. 3 minutes later: Rondo in for James, Morris in for Green. End of quarter lineup: Rondo, Caruso, Kuzma, Morris, Davis.

Beginning of 2nd quarter lineup: Rondo, Caruso, James, Morris, McGee. 3 minutes later: KCP in for Caruso. 3 minutes later: Davis in for Morris, Howard in for McGee, Green in for James. 3 minutes later: James in for Rondo, Kuzma in for Howard.

Repeat 2nd half. End-of-game lineup: James, Caruso, Green, Kuzma, Davis

I appreciate the attempt to look tactically at the lineups. I agree with some points and not on others. But i would also like to point out that we have to see how the new piece Markief can fit in. Or maybe not. Who knows. But thats gonna take time to figure it out. We cant know at this time until this all plays out. Vogel is gonna have to coach his a@@ off this 2nd half and figure out this 11 man rotation.

[ROballer]

Rondo and Bradley's minutes should completely get taken over by Caruso and KCP. There's no excuse for either of those geezer to still be seeing significant rotation minutes this late into the season.

It won't happen. We're running 11 guys right now with Morris on board which is way too many.
I reckon we'll run 9 in the playoffs.That's more than enough and most teams go 9 deep anyway.

Caruso I think is a lock for DNP's(unfortunately). My money's on Kuzma for the other DNP spot.

Kuzma getting DNP's in the playoffs would kill any trade value he had, considering he's widely viewed as our only trade asset. I think AD playas more center in that playoffs and kuz sees more time at the 3. If Caruso's getting DNP's in the playoffs I'll be pissed. He has his flaws but his effort and energy on the defensive side should get him spot minutes at least.

I think the FO couldn't give two **** about his trade value, esp in the playoffs.
You play your best guys there and try to win, not think about boosting someone's value.

I still think we're playing 9 guys in a certain game, and there really isn't any value in splitting minutes kindergarden style.
Take away the game last night for example:

McGee 13 mins
Morris 15 mins
Kuzma 12 mins
Howard 18 mins
Rondo 12 mins
Caruso 17 mins
Bradley 22 mins

I'm pretty sure this won't happen in the playoffs. Cohesion is key, you don't play 46 different lineups in a game, you play your best lineups unlimited minutes. And I think the sterotypical "Playoffs Rondo" is gonna guarantee him first crack over Caruso,at least at the start, while one of Morris or Kuzma being the other guy scratched from the lineup, since I think they fill a similar role. You need to get one in a rhythm, playing them both but 10-15 mins isn't helping any of them, not to mention us as a team.

[Beethoven]

JJ reddick played 20 minutes and had 0 shot attempts.

This is the point i was thinkin about. I mean tactically. Look at Pelican tactics. Zero or low shot attempts from a known shooter? Did folks seen who they had guarding Lebron? Get real. Those have got to be tactical ploys to show certain things, test certain things, and not reveal or show certain tactics for a possible 1st round matchup.

I gave you an and1 but after thinking about it, this doesnt make sense (but i left the and1 for you )
I mean, they are playing for 8th seed position which is very tight and every game counts and they are the ones behind the 8ball right now. They cant afford even losing one game going forward , especially with us since they will be playing us again. They cant be testing things out and trying to be clandestine about certain strategies, if they are just using ploys now and lose, it doesnt make any difference then if we figured out anything or not . Best chances for them is to just show face value going strong w the strategies they have now and just try to outplay us for 8 spot and to take us down pipe dream.

[iamworthy]

It won't happen. We're running 11 guys right now with Morris on board which is way too many.
I reckon we'll run 9 in the playoffs.That's more than enough and most teams go 9 deep anyway.

Caruso I think is a lock for DNP's(unfortunately). My money's on Kuzma for the other DNP spot.

Kuzma getting DNP's in the playoffs would kill any trade value he had, considering he's widely viewed as our only trade asset. I think AD playas more center in that playoffs and kuz sees more time at the 3. If Caruso's getting DNP's in the playoffs I'll be pissed. He has his flaws but his effort and energy on the defensive side should get him spot minutes at least.

I think the FO couldn't give two **** about his trade value, esp in the playoffs.
You play your best guys there and try to win, not think about boosting someone's value.

I still think we're playing 9 guys in a certain game, and there really isn't any value in splitting minutes kindergarden style.
Take away the game last night for example:

McGee 13 mins
Morris 15 mins
Kuzma 12 mins
Howard 18 mins
Rondo 12 mins
Caruso 17 mins
Bradley 22 mins

I'm pretty sure this won't happen in the playoffs. Cohesion is key, you don't play 46 different lineups in a game, you play your best lineups unlimited minutes. And I think the sterotypical "Playoffs Rondo" is gonna guarantee him first crack over Caruso,at least at the start, while one of Morris or Kuzma being the other guy scratched from the lineup, since I think they fill a similar role. You need to get one in a rhythm, playing them both but 10-15 mins isn't helping any of them, not to mention us as a team.

Vogals lineups tend to follow the hot hand or who's playing well. Kuzma played 27 minutes vs the Celtics on Sunday and he's averaging 24 minutes per Game this year. I just don't see him not getting playoff minutes. Personally, it wouldn't bother me if he didn't play. It also sounds like Morris will play the 4 allowing kuz to play the 3, which means AD at the 5. Vogals rondo obsession is weird. It almost comes across as he plays him just so rondo doesn't become a problem in the locker room. there's honestly no other way to look at it.

[ROballer]

Kuzma getting DNP's in the playoffs would kill any trade value he had, considering he's widely viewed as our only trade asset. I think AD playas more center in that playoffs and kuz sees more time at the 3. If Caruso's getting DNP's in the playoffs I'll be pissed. He has his flaws but his effort and energy on the defensive side should get him spot minutes at least.

I think the FO couldn't give two **** about his trade value, esp in the playoffs.
You play your best guys there and try to win, not think about boosting someone's value.

I still think we're playing 9 guys in a certain game, and there really isn't any value in splitting minutes kindergarden style.
Take away the game last night for example:

McGee 13 mins
Morris 15 mins
Kuzma 12 mins
Howard 18 mins
Rondo 12 mins
Caruso 17 mins
Bradley 22 mins

I'm pretty sure this won't happen in the playoffs. Cohesion is key, you don't play 46 different lineups in a game, you play your best lineups unlimited minutes. And I think the sterotypical "Playoffs Rondo" is gonna guarantee him first crack over Caruso,at least at the start, while one of Morris or Kuzma being the other guy scratched from the lineup, since I think they fill a similar role. You need to get one in a rhythm, playing them both but 10-15 mins isn't helping any of them, not to mention us as a team.

Vogals lineups tend to follow the hot hand or who's playing well. Kuzma played 27 minutes vs the Celtics on Sunday and he's averaging 24 minutes per Game this year. I just don't see him not getting playoff minutes. Personally, it wouldn't bother me if he didn't play. It also sounds like Morris will play the 4 allowing kuz to play the 3, which means AD at the 5. Vogals rondo obsession is weird. It almost comes across as he plays him just so rondo doesn't become a problem in the locker room. there's honestly no other way to look at it.

Oh no, I didn't mean no minutes at all. Just that I think 9 guys will play in most games and the others will score DNP'S.

It doesn't mean rotations can't change, some guys might not produce and be replaced by others in the grand scheme(Rondo comes to mind here).

But I'm 100% sure this

McGee 13 mins
Morris 15 mins
Kuzma 12 mins
Howard 18 mins
Rondo 12 mins
Caruso 17 mins
Bradley 22 mins

won't ever happen.

[LAKESHOW]

JJ reddick played 20 minutes and had 0 shot attempts.

This is the point i was thinkin about. I mean tactically. Look at Pelican tactics. Zero or low shot attempts from a known shooter? Did folks seen who they had guarding Lebron? Get real. Those have got to be tactical ploys to show certain things, test certain things, and not reveal or show certain tactics for a possible 1st round matchup.

I gave you an and1 but after thinking about it, this doesnt make sense (but i left the and1 for you )
I mean, they are playing for 8th seed position which is very tight and every game counts and they are the ones behind the 8ball right now. They cant afford even losing one game going forward , especially with us since they will be playing us again. They cant be testing things out and trying to be clandestine about certain strategies, if they are just using ploys now and lose, it doesnt make any difference then if we figured out anything or not . Best chances for them is to just show face value going strong w the strategies they have now and just try to outplay us for 8 spot and to take us down pipe dream.

Lol. Yeah, Maybe over tactical thinkin. But i was using an old Jax ploy. He used to do that. Tinker and test teams at what they would do if he threw this out there or that out there. Then lock it away and spring a differing tactical move at a later date during the playoffs. Which i believe was the reason for his unusually high success rate for game 1s of a playoff series.
However, your probably right, this is alvin gentry were talkin about

[Dmagic]

Caruso getting DNPs in the playoffs?? Um no
Its pretty obvious that his minutes and role are on the rise.
Bradley had one bad game
Kuzma is finding his role as more of a cutter and flasher.
Lebron is doing more moving without the ball lately and getting open threes and stuff
I see us having an 11 man rotation maybe less depending on whos feeling it or playing good d on a certain player come playoff time.
If anybody getting Dnps it will be McGee but I dont even see that. We have a deeeeep team and many tool. I see us taking each game as it's own and determining rotations as the game dictates

[Beethoven]

The rule is a 13-man roster for Playoffs correct? well then, pretty much everyone active now will be on the roster:

Bron
AD
Kuzma
Dwight
Bradley
Green
Caruso
Javale
Morris
KCP
Rondo
Dudley
Troy Daniels/quinn cook

[tamaraw08]

Caruso getting DNPs in the playoffs?? Um no
Its pretty obvious that his minutes and role are on the rise.
Bradley had one bad game
Kuzma is finding his role as more of a cutter and flasher.
Lebron is doing more moving without the ball lately and getting open threes and stuff
I see us having an 11 man rotation maybe less depending on whos feeling it or playing good d on a certain player come playoff time.
If anybody getting Dnps it will be McGee but I dont even see that. We have a deeeeep team and many tool. I see us taking each game as it's own and determining rotations as the game dictates

I think a lot depends on the match up and who does well in practice( including making 3's and who brings the most energy). Green is the smartest, not committing silly fouls, knows where to get help via double team. Bradley is the best on ball defender but is too short to rotate to bigger players unlike Caruso who can guard taller shooters like Ingles, George, Barton etc. Avery also has good pull up jumper and Caruso is horrible on pull ups and spot ups.
KCP is the fastest and can extend his defense from 90 feet. He is currently the best 3pt shooter % wise but he also is a bad dribbler like Green unlike Caruso.
I see Rondo's value when the Clips extend their defense as they try to use Beverley to wear down Lebron from 90 feet and force Green and Bradley to bring the ball. Both guys would likely struggle setting up the offense without making passing miscues.

[EArl]

Watch on YouTube

[Landsberger]

Where were you in the C's game?.... +15 and +17... James -1 and Davis -3

LBJ/AD = 61 points...

Rondo/Kuzma = 26 points...

Plus LBJ/AD weren't the worst ones that game....

Wait. What?
You site the +/- stat to show how poor Kuzma & Rondo played, you get called out that in a previous game their +/- was good and James and Davis' +/- were poor and you respond by basically saying that the +/- is a poor way to judge.

Actually he further validates it. LBJ/AD =61 points... the Celtics = 63. ± is not a great indicator but it's the one stated.

They call out inconsistency... and rightfully so, but they also completely ignore the inconsistency when it's convenient. Inconsistency in terms of statistical analysis is roughly the same as standard deviation around the mean. Wild swings from above and below the mean equate to a high SD. To just denounce the deviation below while not acknowledging the deviation above is known as statistical bias. In this case it's personal bias as well. The skewness of the deviation is what's important. In securities analysis it's called the Sortino Ratio.

Caruso and Danny Green are likewise all over the place in both value and consistency. Green gets no mention it seems and Caruso is the typical Laker token feel good player who can do no wrong because of personal bias with many fans. The truth is that he's valuable in certain situations just like Kuzma but the "feelings" toward them are vastly different.

Kuzma and Rondo are inconsistent however they are not worthless players who should never play. To say so implies that poster on the forum know more than the leadership of the team what is best. Most of the bench players in the NBA are inconsistent.... which is why they are not large role players. The other reason is that they are not in a situation that is conducive to their "skewness" (which is the portion of the bell curve on either side of the mean on a plot) in the overall standard deviation around their personal mean production.

In last night's game Kuzma was not great.... Rondo did a lot of what he did in the Boston game but players didn't make the wide open shots he created. In the Boston game both were significant contributors with Rondo changing the entire flow of the game in his first run. These same posters have been complaining about our big 2 in these games against top teams yet now won't acknowledge that our bench role players were very instrumental in changing the outcome of one of these big games.