HORNETS -at- LAKERS – 3-29-19 - Thoughts and :-)) Ratings

 
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DancingBarry
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 29, 2019 9:31 pm    Post subject: HORNETS -at- LAKERS – 3-29-19 - Thoughts and :-)) Ratings

Stinging the Hornets… With LeBron in the mix and the team back home, the Lakers were moving the ball and knocking down shots on their way to the 129-115 win over the visiting Hornets.

They put up a lot of points behind 18 threes. As a result, playmakers like Rondo ended up with 17 assists (he also chipped in with 5 steals). The Lakers had six players with double figures scoring.

“We’re getting more and more comfortable. Unfortunately, it’s at the end of the season and we’re not in the playoff race,” JaVale McGee said.

While the game had no playoff impact for the Lakers, it put the Hornets two games behind Miami for the last playoff. A big loss for them.


LeBron -- -- A bit sloppy in the first half with 5 turnovers, but he did have a couple soaring dunks and a nice behind-the-back feed to McGee for a dunk. Really fun watching him make the right reads to pick a part a defense. He had one sequence where the first read was the lob play for Caruso (no pass there), then that rolled into a two-man game with McGee (no pass there), that drew a defender and left Kuz eventually open (pass there) for the open three. He found his numbers, sinking 4 threes in addition to those dunks. The Stats: He scored 27 points on 11-19 shooting (4-7 from three, 1-2 from the line) to go with 3 boards, 9 assists, 6 turnovers and 1 foul in 32 minutes. He was a +14. The Action: He missed a step-back three. He then took a feed from KCP for a score at the rim a few seconds later. Poor transition D to give up a three after he turned it over. He threw a pass away trying to hit a cutter, layup the other way. He missed a wing three in early offense. He attacked, stopped and scooped in an up-and-under And-1, he made the FT. He found KCP for a three. He threw another pass away trying to rifle it to a cutter. Kuzma stopped cutting and LeBron threw it out of bounds. He hammered down a dunk off the bounce pass from Caruso on the screen-roll. His pass was deflected trying to get it to an open Williams, turnover. Sweet look on the third option on a play to find Kuzma open in the corner for a three. He attacked off the three line and soared in for the dunk. He iso’d and missed a long step-back. He went behind his back to McGee on the break for the dunk. Second Half: He attacked, took contact and missed off the side of the glass. He bricked an early offense three. He got slapped on a reach and knocked down the And-1 18-footer, he missed the FT. He iso’d and sank the step-back wing jumper. Another turnover on the sloppy pass. He sank an open wing three on a kickout. He barely hit rim on a wing jumper. He spotted Moe open 30 feet away for an And-1 layup. He scooped in a layup over his head with spin after slicing through the D. He hit Moe for the three. He missed a long turnaround fade. He sank a wing three. He iso’d and rattled in a three. Another three next time down on iso.

Kuzma -- -- Strong first half with 15 points on 7-11 shooting. He had a couple of soaring dunks as well as some nice cross overs that led into pull-up jumper makes. That’s progression with the handle over last year. Some sloppy closeouts defensively. I think he secretly wants to challenge threes and leak out every time. If they don’t shoot the threes when he’s in that mode, he goes flying by as they attack the closeout. The Stats: He scored He scored 20 points on 9-16 shooting (2-8 from three) to go with 3 boards, 1 assist and 3 fouls in 31 minutes. He was a +10. The Action: He took a long outlet in stride and threw down. He missed a wing three. He crossed over and pulled-up to drain a 17-footer. He stopped cutting and LeBron threw a pass out of bounds (turnover LBJ, but that should go to Kuzma). He hammered down another dunk cutting off Rondo’s baseline probe to take a pass. He missed a deep three. He pushed it up court, crossed over and cut to the middle of the paint for a runner. He iso’d, crossed over and hit the pull-up on the baseline. He swished an open corner three off a kickout. He faced up and missed an 18-footer over a smaller man. He helped regain a possession battling on the offensive glass. He missed a pull-up three straight away. He threw down a lob pass from Rondo. Second Half: Kind bounce on a three trailing the break and it fell. He leaked out after a challenge and took the outlet from Rondo for the dunk. Swing-swing to KCP for a three. He switched, challenged and tapped out a board to ignite a break. He missed a three. He missed a pull-up three.

Rondo -- -- Despite one of his usual 1 for X first halves, he was effectively finding teammates and more importantly, he had some moments on D with 3 steals. Those helped get the break going for some easy scores and we kept Kemba in check. The assists kept coming in the second half, including a nice underhand outlet to Kuzma 50 feet down court for the dunk. He had another one of those to KCP who choked the finish and blew assist No. 18 for Rondo. The Stats: He scored 7 points on 3-9 shooting (1-4 from three) to go with 6 boards, 17 assists, 5 steals, 1 turnover and 1 foul in 35 minutes. He was a +10. The Action: He knocked a pass loose to ignite a break. He missed a three. He missed a layup on the break. Fronting, he gave up an easy dunk. Off the mark on a lob pass, turnover. He gave up a layup out of a timeout. He probed baseline and spotted Kuzma cutting for the dunk. He missed Lance wide open under the hoop, then missed a layup. His man bit on a jumpshot, Rondo blew past him and scored a layup. He missed a three trying to beat the buzzer. He missed a layup. He kicked it out to Lance for a three. He spotted Kuzma open for a lob. Second Half: Quick underhand feed off the rebound to Kuzma streaking down court for the dunk. He bounced to McGee on the break for the dunk. He sank a step-back wing three. Kickout to LeBron for the three. He poked a ball loose, pushed up on the break and went behind his back to Williams for the dunk. He missed a three straight away. Easy layup down the middle of the lane. He knocked another ball free, stripping Kemba with a reach.

McGee -- Some good work changing ends with speed for scores (LeBron finding him once on a behind-the-back feed, Rondo on another filling the middle for a dunk). Defensively, he was actively challenging and disrupting shots. Strong outing again. The Stats: He scored 10 points on 4-6 shooting (2-2 from the line) to go with 9 boards (3 offensive), 2 assists, 2 blocks, 1 turnover and 3 fouls in 27 minutes. He was a +12. The Action: He scooped up a loose ball and outlet down court to Kuzma for the dunk. He missed a short one in the paint, trying to score like Wilt over the D. He challenged one shot, then rejected the second attempt to ignite the break. He drew FTs after a pass went between his legs to a teammate before we got it back to him, he made both. Dunk off the behind-the-back feed from LeBron. He missed a soaring layup attempt. He attacked and kicked to KCP for a three. Second Half: He didn’t realize he was open on a catch, but rose up and hammered after a beat. He erased a drive. Soaring dunk on the break changing ends with speed to fill the middle lane. He lost the ball trying to attack. He crashed the glass and hammered down a miss.

Caldwell-Pope -- -- “We don’t have to run a play, just find Kenny,” Rondo said afterward. Kenny was back in the uniform tonight while KCP must have stayed in Utah. We had LeBron on the floor and the offense flowing, the ball moving and finding him again and again. He knocked down 6-10 from three as the Lakers team hit an impressive 18-38 from behind the arc. He had a little foul trouble in this one getting his fifth in the third quarter, but it didn’t matter in this one. The Stats: He scored 25 points on 8-14 shooting (6-10 from three, 3-3 from the line) to go with 4 boards, 4 assists, 1 steal and 5 fouls in 33 minutes. He was a +12. The Action: He looked like he was going to rise up but spotted LeBron under the hoop for a dunk instead. He sank a wing three. He was fouled on a corner three in transition, he made all three FTs. He missed a step-back wing three. He sank a corner jumper off the inbounds. He drained a corner three on a kickout. He curled off the screen to take a pass then hit Williams with the bounce pass for the dunk. He missed an open three from the top of the arc. He knocked down a wing three off a kickout. He iso’d, went between his legs and sank the pull-up three. He stole an outlet. Second Half: He iso’d and missed the long jumper. He swished a wing three off the extra pass from Kuzma. He drained a pull-up jumper at the FT line, very good form and balance. He swished a three over the zone. He missed a wing three. He choked an assist from Rondo on the break, missing the layup.

Caruso -- -- Loved seeing the D on Kemba late in the game, staying in front of him after a series of moves and eventually forcing him to throw the ball away. Bench loved that. Probably my favorite defensive play of the game. Caruso is getting to that level of defense where you start to want to see guys try to attack him. Offensively, he seemed to be not quite on the same page on a few plays. That resulted in turnovers and some sloppy looking ball. He seemed pained after each one of those. The Stats: He scored 7 points on 3-6 shooting (1-3 from three) to go with 1 board, 1 assist, 1 steal, 3 turnovers and 1 foul in 18 minutes. He was a +0. The Action: LeBron hit him cutting down the middle of the paint for a layup. Two-man game with LeBron and Caruso hit him with the bounce pass for a dunk. He attacked strong off the LeBron screen, changed directions and scored a layup. He couldn’t finish a drive. He swiped a ball at midcourt. He missed an open corner three. Second Half: He sank a wing three, quickly firing on the catch. He passed at the end of the quarter and we couldn’t get a shot off. He fumbled a pass away on the UCLA cut. LeBron cut as Caruso passed, turnover. Sensational defense on Kemba who tried a series of moves but couldn’t get past him and was forced to throw a pass out of bounds. Behind-the-back pass to the Hornets who turned it into a three and a Luke timeout. He missed a wing three.

Stephenson -- -- Strong first-half stretch off the bench with a +14 in 14 minutes. He scored 11 points on 4-6 shooting to go with 5 boards in that half. They asked him to hit the glass and even played him at the PF for a stretch. He was yanking them down right and left. The three ball was falling. He’s at 37.5% for the season on threes, quite a ways above his 31% career average. The Stats: He scored 14 points on 5-9 shooting (3-5 from three, 1-2 from the line) to go with 13 boards, 1 turnover and 1 foul in 29 minutes. He was a +15. The Action: He swished a deep three off a sideline inbounds at the end of the quarter. He crossed over, spun and hit the 15-footer. He couldn’t finish a layup, got it back and drew FTs, he made one. He swished a baseline jumper. He drained a corner three and strummed the guitar. Second Half: He missed a step-back three in transition. He swished a deep wing three. He missed a corner three.

Williams -- -- Along with Caruso, he’s definitely showing he was a worthwhile two-way contract. He’s shown some nice ability to switch on to smaller players and challenge shots as well as battle with the big guys in the paint. His playmakers set him up for a number of easy scores, but he also had some hustle plays on the offensive glass, as well. The Stats: He scored 13 points on 6-7 shooting (1-2 from the line) to go with 4 boards, 1 turnover and 2 fouls in 21 minutes. He was a +0. The Action: He dunked off the pocket pass from KCP. He crashed the glass for a putback score. He tipped in a missed layup. He was fouled and made one FT. He missed a tip. He was blocked from behind. Second Half: He threw down the dunk getting out on the break. He stripped the ball off a man trying to drive on him to get a stop. He attacked off the pocket pass and scored with his offhand. LeBron found him for another layup.

Wagner -- -- Some minutes to start the second and fourth quarters. He scored an And-1 layup and knocked down a three. Some good effort on D. The Stats: He scored 6 points on 2-4 from shooting (1-1 from three, 1-1 from the line) to go with 1 board and no fouls in 11 minutes. He was a +3. The Action: He missed a layup he should have tried to hammer. He missed a putback. Second Half: And-1 layup off the LeBron feed, he made the FT. He went to the floor to tie up a loose ball, but blew the jumpball. He took the kickout and made the open wing three.

Machado -- -- In with a minute left. Nothing to report. The Stats: No stats in 1 minute. He was a -3. The Action: He did not play in the first half. Second Half: Nothing to report.

Bonga -- -- Some Bonga time as we blew the game open. But only a minute. So sad. The Stats: He didn’t score on 0-1 shooting in 1 minute. He was a -3. The Action: He did not play in the first half. Second Half: He attacked and missed the lefty step-though attempt.

Walton -- -- The Lakers gave up a 12-0 run to trail 12-4 after a few minutes. Luke called a timeout (LeBron turning the ball over and missing shots)… Stephenson in for LeBron with 5 minutes left. Lakers down 6. LeBron with 4 turnovers… Williams in for McGee… The Lakers trailed 35-33… He started a Williams, Wagner, LeBron, Stephenson, Caruso lineup… The Lakers regained the lead, getting some perimeter shooting as well as good passing to get the offense flowing… Starters all eventually back in… Lakers up 5. Lance back in for LeBron… The Lakers led 69-59 at the half… A 21-5 Laker run over the 5 minutes… LeBron and McGee out, Lakers up big. Williams and Stephenson in… Lakers up 12 when Caruso came in for Kuzma, going small… Luke kept KCP in too long and he picked up his fifth foul in the third quarter… Kuzma back in for KCP with a minute left… A 10-0 Hornet run… The Lakers led 101-91 heading into the fourth… He started a Williams, Wagner, LeBron, Stephenson, Caruso lineup… Lakers up 14 when Rondo came in for Moe… LeBron out for McGee. Lance at PF… He emptied the bench with a minute left.
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fakethefunk
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 29, 2019 9:40 pm    Post subject:

FIRST!
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Baron Von Humongous
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 30, 2019 4:59 am    Post subject:

Good work trying to knock Charlotte out of playoff contention, Lebron.
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 30, 2019 5:03 am    Post subject:

Kemba to the Lakers confirmed
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akgolf
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 30, 2019 5:24 am    Post subject:

Thanks DB!
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Luminous8
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 30, 2019 6:55 am    Post subject:

Am I the only one seeing a reoccurring theme with Kuz? What happened to the guy who wanted to work on his passing game a week and a half ago? Going out there to do the little things. He always talks about these things he WANTS to improve then goes on a 2-4 game span where he does exactly what he says,... then reverts back to ball chucked Kuz for a couple months. COMMIT DUDE!!!!

This team with him starting at the 4 will never be able to get further than the second round AT BEST until he starts picking it up consistently in different aspects of his game. I’m really rooting for him, because he IS self aware and TRIES on defense,... but I’m a skeptic, sooo.
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LakerLanny
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 30, 2019 7:30 am    Post subject:

Luminous8 wrote:
Am I the only one seeing a reoccurring theme with Kuz? What happened to the guy who wanted to work on his passing game a week and a half ago? Going out there to do the little things. He always talks about these things he WANTS to improve then goes on a 2-4 game span where he does exactly what he says,... then reverts back to ball chucked Kuz for a couple months. COMMIT DUDE!!!!

This team with him starting at the 4 will never be able to get further than the second round AT BEST until he starts picking it up consistently in different aspects of his game. I’m really rooting for him, because he IS self aware and TRIES on defense,... but I’m a skeptic, sooo.


At least he plays in the games, I think he is the least of our worries when it comes to "the young core"
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 30, 2019 9:41 am    Post subject:

Thanks DB!
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Luminous8
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 30, 2019 3:36 pm    Post subject:

LakerLanny wrote:
Luminous8 wrote:
Am I the only one seeing a reoccurring theme with Kuz? What happened to the guy who wanted to work on his passing game a week and a half ago? Going out there to do the little things. He always talks about these things he WANTS to improve then goes on a 2-4 game span where he does exactly what he says,... then reverts back to ball chucked Kuz for a couple months. COMMIT DUDE!!!!

This team with him starting at the 4 will never be able to get further than the second round AT BEST until he starts picking it up consistently in different aspects of his game. I’m really rooting for him, because he IS self aware and TRIES on defense,... but I’m a skeptic, sooo.


At least he plays in the games, I think he is the least of our worries when it comes to "the young core"


Yeah, he hasn’t exactly been the most healthy himself this year. Young guys tend to sit out and get injured more frequently than in years past. I want to see SOME type of growth, on a consistent basis. Otherwise you almost HAVE to shop him with the pick.
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 30, 2019 5:06 pm    Post subject:

Thanks DB! Good to see that Caruso is getting some floor time. I like how he scraps and competes on defense. Six more games..
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