Welcome to the NBA Hangover. We jot down NBA stuff mostly from last night that we want to talk about. Check it out.
LeBron has helped the Lakers to a 41-12 slate at the all-star break.
(PHOTO CREDIT: David Zalubowski/AP.)
The Lakers are going to have the best record in the Western Conference going into the week-long all-star break. Obviously, they’re going to be one of the favorites to win the West and possibly the whole thing come June.
But man, are they going to demand a lot out of LeBron James (who got his 12th triple-double with 32-12-14 in an overtime win against Denver) if they don’t pick up either another playmaker or another big defensive wing. The former MIGHT be solved but the latter is way more difficult to get.
I’m sure they depended on Darren Collison, who was sitting courtside at Staples Center with Jeanie Buss last week. Nothing came out of it as Collison decided to stay retired (for now). They saw the Clippers get deeper with Marcus Morris (Senior) but the Lakers did nothing on the trade deadline.
Rajon Rondo has been much-maligned by fans. He hasn’t shot well in the calendar year of 2020 from three (.295) and that’s one of the things that’s bothersome. Rondo can’t keep defenders honest with his shooting. Sure, he can handle the ball but he can’t be a threat from the perimeter, which is what the Lakers need for a showrunner. They might have to pick up from the waiver wire, which does have ballhandlers that can shoot a bit. Would they take a flyer on Isaiah Thomas (although he did NOT play well with LeBron the last time)? Would they gamble on a Trey Burke? What about Jeremy Lin? Maybe they’re going to give Alex Caruso an expanded role, which was what the fans have been clamoring for all year?
Now getting someone who can guard the big wings from the Clippers? This will be tough. You can’t put the onus on LeBron once again, who pretty much does everything. Besides, he can’t guard both Paul George and Kawhi Leonard at the same time. I don’t know where they’re going to get that unless Kyle Kuzma suddenly becomes a defensive wiz. I saw a suggestion for Lance Stephenson (who CAN handle the ball and, while probably not the best defensively, could drive someone crazy). We know J.R. Smith (may NOT be that bad but still volatile enough to drive the Lakers crazy) and Dion Waiters (uh-oh) are out there but they’re in trouble if those are the best suggestions.
LeBron is already handling the point guard duties to go along with his scoring and defense. He’s doing it all. And the Lakers have to do something when he’s not on the court. I mean, look at this.
It may not be much but that really looms large.
(Stats from NBA.Com.)
That’s a lot to put on a 35-year-old. Also, that off-court stuff does include Anthony Davis playing on the court.
Like I said, the Lakers are going to be big favorites coming into the playoffs in a couple of months. But like every team this season, they have a few flaws that are glaring. That’s what makes this season really interesting.
Bullet Passes
Devin Booker will be replacing Damian Lillard on both the all-star game and the three-point shootout after Dame hurt his groin in their game against the Grizzlies. Now maybe Booker can talk about the all-star game in a positive light.
Them Grizzlies, though. 28-26 going into the break. Who thought of that?
The Raptors’ winning streak is done at 15 after they lost at Brooklyn. It was a run to behold but I think they’ll stay hot and continue to get disrespect as they’ve done all season.
Luka Doncic is back! And he promptly went for 33-12-8.
The Mavs’ opponents, the Sacramento Kings, have some trouble in paradise. Buddy Hield‘s “demotion” to the bench didn’t sit well with him. Kings chairman Vivek Ranadive is not happy with how the Kings are run. We might see some changes sooner or later within the franchise.
The Utah Jazz have bounced back to win 4 straight games. And they just didn’t beat patsies, either, as they went through Portland, Houston, Dallas, and Miami. Hmmmmmmm.
The Scoreboard
ATL 105 (15-41) @ CLE 127 (14-40)
DET 112 (19-38) @ ORL 116 (24-31) (OT)
WAS 114 (20-33) @ NY 96 (17-38)
MIL 111 (46-8) @ IND 118 (32-23)
TOR 91 (40-15) @ BRK 101 (25-28)
POR 104 (25-31) @ MEM 111 (28-26)
CHA 115 (18-36) @ MIN 108 (16-37)
SAC 111 (21-33) @ DAL 130 (33-22)
MIA 101 (35-19) @ UTA 116 (36-18)
GS 106 (12-43) @ PHX 112 (22-33)
LAL 120 (41-12) @ DEN 116 (38-17) (OT)
Watch This Play
Geez. John Collins. That was psychotic.
(VIDEO CREDIT: Chaz Clavant NBA.)
UP TOP.
GG.
Rey-Rey is on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
TNLP on FaceBook.
I sign off with “GG” which means “good game” but also to honor Gianna “Gigi” Bryant.