10/19/21 NBA GameThread (2 games)

[Statlanta]

The lack of a jumpshot doesn't bother me with Russ because he brings so much more to the table but his poor decision making is brutal man. So many wasted possessions.

The problem is that his other skills are nullified with the other players on the roster. No need for his rebounding because they have good bigs. No need for his playmaking because they have Lebron and Rondo

If I could And-1 a comment so hard...

[The_Ghost_of_JB]

Could take the Lakers 20 or so games to figure out how to play together and for the coach to figure out the rotations. Davis and LeBron are still studs so the Lakers will be fine.

[God Squad]

Could take the Lakers 20 or so games to figure out how to play together and for the coach to figure out the rotations. Davis and LeBron are still studs so the Lakers will be fine.

Struggling for 20 games in the West could be a death sentence. But I think LBJ will figure out how to make it work though.

[JN61]

According to actual math, he shot 56.5%.

I know the reading comprehension is hard but try it.

Actually your initial statement wasn't entirely clear. I believe you mean't LeBron was shooting sub 40% in the second half after an initially good start but without specificity your sentence implies that he was shooting sub 40% for the entire game.

Nowhere I refer to the second quarter.

[infinite11285]

I thought the Lakers played well considering Russ was bad and several players (THT, Ariza, Nunn, Ellington) were out. You literally can't win them all, but the hallmarks of a very good team are there, once everything settles.

[infinite11285]

Bruh Lakers lose with AD and Brom playing as well as they can, while Steph was trash shooting. Not a good sign.
Warriors bench and Poole really did well.

Russ was bad, but I highly doubt he consistently produces 6 points a night on 31% shooting.

Both teams will have to manage adjustments considering several players were out (Klay, Nunn, THT, Ariza, Ellington), and it's apparent that both teams will be formidable once everything settles.

[BeKuK]

It feels like it's going to be a very, very long season for the Lakers.I think Russell will have the most trouble finding his role here. Or rather, it will take a few more games until everything fits.

There's still a lot of work to be done for the Lakers, and it doesn't get any easier.

[Sprewell4Three]

Russ is too good of a player to stink all season. The coaching staff have to figure out how to get Russ going. I don't think he'll come off the bench but he needs to play with the bench unit so he can be himself.

[Sprewell4Three]

Did you watch the game? Westbrook did nothing and was a negative once he set foot on the floor. Lebron can’t enable Westbrook’s crap defensive effort either.

Just put him on the bench and stagger him.

Don’t cater to a worse player that’s not how sports or life in general works.

It's a lazy take. Westbrook's struggles werent about ball dominance. How did Rondo manage to stay involved if that were the case? He was even ineffective with Lebron off the floor. Westbrook doesn't just require high usage, he needs high usage in a specific style of offense.The equal opportunity sets they're trying to run at times also doesn't suit him. He doesn't know how to screen or cut, he has to start the possession with the ball in his hand and at the top of the key. Any possession that has him starting from the weakside might as well start with 4 players.

What’s lazy is Westbrook’s crap defense, he literally blew a defensive rotation to cheat a rebound look at the replays if you must.

Bolded statement is why you don’t cater it’s works the other way. Russell for once in his life needs to accommodate not the other way around, which he can’t because:

- Crap shooter
- Crap off ball
- Can’t play defense despite his size adv
- Low IQ for a star
- Lost his athleticism
- He doesn’t know how to screen or cut

Why ever would you want that player to have more of the ball or run off ball plays?

Your exactly right Lakers played with 4 players this game.

Face reality Westbrook is a crap fit with the Lakers, and is mediocre at best if everything is catered to him.

Has he ever expanded or complimented his game to be a roleplayer? No that’s what he is right now.

Yeah Russ looks very awkward playing off the ball. He's so stuck in his ways that it looks like he never attempted to atleast expand his game to fit with another ball handler. IDK why the Lakers brought in Rondo when you have a capable ball handler in Russ? Not only that play them together? Teams will just pack the paint smh

[DroseReturnChi]

Russ is too good of a player to stink all season. The coaching staff have to figure out how to get Russ going. I don't think he'll come off the bench but he needs to play with the bench unit so he can be himself.

he wont stink all season ultimate floor raiser the question is how you integrate to championship final caliber? russ is a tough one to keep because u need sacrifice to build around him. you cant have him spot up from 3. time for lebron to quit his rebounding/ball handling duties and compete with steph launching 20 threes a game. that way he can play till mid 40s.

[Mamba Mentality]

Do you guys actually have fans that believe he is?

I got attacked by a number of Laker fans when I said we took a L in the Westbrook trade. Can’t wait to resurrect those threads at the end of the year.

I don't think you guys lost the trade just because you got rid of Kuzma, but getting Westbrook is a major L. If you package those same players for Hield, I think it would've been a W.

Kuz was far from perfect, but atleast he gave us some versatility and contrary to popular opinion he was actually a decent defensive player albeit some boneheaded plays time to time. Westbook was a huge net negative last night. Sure maybe over Vogel will do a better job of integrating him into the offense to the point where he doesn't look like complete dog ****, but I have zero expectations from him otherwise. On a semi related note, this is why I laughed at the rankings thread where people had the Lakers finishing top 3 defensively. People underrate just how impactful Caruso, KCP, and Kuz were on that end and just how bad Westbrook and Melo are.

[Jadoogar]

Lebron and AD dropped 30/10
Curry shot 5/19
Lakers lose at home. welcome to the westbrook experience

[jokeboy86]

I've been watching AD for years but can someone explain to me why he's always on the ground or falling on the ground? Does he have bad balance, weak core, or doesn't have a strong lower body? AD has some muscle but as long as I've been watching him I wonder what gives?

[Sprewell4Three]

I've been watching AD for years but can someone explain to me why he's always on the ground or falling on the ground? Does he have bad balance, weak core, or doesn't have a strong lower body? AD has some muscle but as long as I've been watching him I wonder what gives?

The thing that makes him great is also his downfall. He plays like a guard on offense but that leads to him trying to dribble from the 3point line all the way to the rim. Trying to get past guys swiping at him and challenging him at the rim. I think he would be healthier if he played more like KG and or Dirk. He needs to stop trying to dribble from the 3 point line on those pump fakes, it just leads to him flailing trying to score.

[turnaroundJ]

I've been watching AD for years but can someone explain to me why he's always on the ground or falling on the ground? Does he have bad balance, weak core, or doesn't have a strong lower body? AD has some muscle but as long as I've been watching him I wonder what gives?

The thing that makes him great is also his downfall. He plays like a guard on offense but that leads to him trying to dribble from the 3point line all the way to the rim. Trying to get past guys swiping at him and challenging him at the rim. I think he would be healthier if he played more like KG and or Dirk. He needs to stop trying to dribble from the 3 point line on those pump fakes, it just leads to him flailing trying to score.

yup it's exactly that. he's one of the most exciting players to watch with his athleticism and shiftiness for such a big dude. it's exciting but scary because one small accident and he gets hurt. but watching him go up dangerously for those lobs or attack the basket with his body like a guard is fun because not a lot of guys can do what he does.

[Tor_Raps]

AD with 39 mins. Lebron with 37 mins. No one else in double figures. These guys are going to need to carry a heavy load.

They're pegged as two top 5 players on the same team and we're supposed to feel sorry for them? Lol

AD isn't top-5 right now, or at least he isn't playing like one consistently.

Giannis, KD, Jokic, Luka, Lebron are probably the top 5. Then probably Steph, Embiid, Harden...so maybe AD is 9 or 10.

He has always been talked about as a top 5 guy even though I've always considered him overrated. Agreed that he's 10th or so now when Kawhi comes back.

[The_Ghost_of_JB]

Could take the Lakers 20 or so games to figure out how to play together and for the coach to figure out the rotations. Davis and LeBron are still studs so the Lakers will be fine.

Struggling for 20 games in the West could be a death sentence. But I think LBJ will figure out how to make it work though.

For some teams it would be but it doesn't matter where the Lakers end up when it comes to playoff seeding. Lakers are so good they really don't need the home court advantage in the playoffs

[WRau1]

Could take the Lakers 20 or so games to figure out how to play together and for the coach to figure out the rotations. Davis and LeBron are still studs so the Lakers will be fine.

Struggling for 20 games in the West could be a death sentence. But I think LBJ will figure out how to make it work though.

For some teams it would be but it doesn't matter where the Lakers end up when it comes to playoff seeding. Lakers are so good they really don't need the home court advantage in the playoffs

That makes 0 sense.

[Hello Brooklyn]

Nope, just your anti vaxx/flat earth PG and your front court that would be old at the Y.

Dont forget we were beating you by 50 with our flat Earth pg. Youre lucky he got hurt.

Also I forgot Claxton was old. Considering he literally started tonight.

No excuses.

Milwaukee has won 7 of their last 10 games against the Nets.

Sent from my SM-N960U using RealGM mobile app

No excuses for this game.

But counting that injured playoff record is stupid. Would love to see you play us without Middleton and Holiday.

[Hello Brooklyn]

kd and harden will figure it out offensively no doubt but not defensively. it felt like we were trying to score on kittens tonight. i dont see that changing without some structure from the bench

Their first ever game together. I don't think you can draw too many conclusions.

Less Aldridge and Johnson. More Brown and Milsap.

Bucks are just younger and bigger. Portis didn’t even play jrue was out in 2nd half I hope not serious! I seen the difference in Giannis this preseason he’s just more fluid and confident with his shot including free throws. Nwora and Allen two great young shooters with Donte coming back a very deep team.

You guys keep saying "old" as if Claxton wasn't our starting Center lol. We also have Cam Johnson and Sharpe off the bench who we didn't even play. There is plenty of youth on this team.

It wasn't about being old. They had no idea how to play together. Thats on Nash but its also on Harden and KD.

Giannis does look better though.