LAKERS -at- ROCKETS – 1-18-20 DIY Thoughts and :-)) Ratings
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DancingBarry
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 18, 2020 8:26 pm    Post subject: LAKERS -at- ROCKETS – 1-18-20 DIY Thoughts and :-)) Ratings

EDIT: See Wolf’s full write up below.



Sorry guys. Can’t catch the game today. Someone tell me what’s up!


Last edited by DancingBarry on Sun Jan 19, 2020 11:36 am; edited 1 time in total
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governator
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 18, 2020 8:35 pm    Post subject:

Basically took Rockets best shot in the first half then we figured out how to close their shooters and protect the basket vertically at the same time, it was beautiful, Vogel > D’Antoni

Harden 18 FT, LeBron 5 FT lol, bullcrapolla
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 18, 2020 8:37 pm    Post subject:

Total Score may not reflect it, but this was a game won by smothering defense.
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 18, 2020 8:42 pm    Post subject:

We are pretty damn good.
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 18, 2020 8:44 pm    Post subject:

danzag wrote:
We are pretty damn good.

Yes we are, now picture a stretch 5 capable healthy boogie next to stretch 4 AD... wide open lane for LeBron to pick apart defenses
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 18, 2020 8:55 pm    Post subject:

governator wrote:
danzag wrote:
We are pretty damn good.

Yes we are, now picture a stretch 5 capable healthy boogie next to stretch 4 AD... wide open lane for LeBron to pick apart defenses


Boogie...

In garbage time with Daniels and Cook!!!
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 18, 2020 8:55 pm    Post subject:

A disgusting game for the NBA as it put on display the horse dung type of basketball of Houston and specifically Mr Harden who apparently knows every skeleton in Silvers closet. Watching Harden continuosly draw garbage call fouls was nauseating, and the joke ridden fest thats the Rockets with their bearded leader should be banned from National television.

Despite the Lakers coming out the first half with uninspired play, and Harden getting sent to the line 8 times in first 8 minutes of the game, Lakers came out strong with defensive energy in the second half...javale mcgee had a monster block that led to an lbj score and a laker lead that probably shifted everything. Kuz hit big shots, and after a first half whete danny green missed open 3s and layups, he was clutch in second half. Lbj basically took over as game went on.

Terrific win down AD. Lbj got some mvp chants too.
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 18, 2020 8:57 pm    Post subject:

governator wrote:
Basically took Rockets best shot in the first half then we figured out how to close their shooters and protect the basket vertically at the same time, it was beautiful, Vogel > D’Antoni

Harden 18 FT, LeBron 5 FT lol, bullcrapolla


The league disgusts with me this. Its horse $#!/
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DancingBarry
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 18, 2020 10:22 pm    Post subject:

Man, can’t wait to check out Kuz’s two-way second half. How’d he look on D?
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PostPosted: Sat Jan 18, 2020 10:36 pm    Post subject:

DancingBarry wrote:
Man, can’t wait to check out Kuz’s two-way second half. How’d he look on D?


He took Westbrook and shut him down
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 19, 2020 3:01 am    Post subject:

drae wrote:
DancingBarry wrote:
Man, can’t wait to check out Kuz’s two-way second half. How’d he look on D?


He took Westbrook and shut him down

ESPN article on Kuzma's defense in Houston.
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 19, 2020 3:23 am    Post subject:

Yeah Lebron basically said Kuzma’s second half defense on Westbrook was a key to victory.
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 19, 2020 4:22 am    Post subject:

A Tale of Two Halves... we played poorly first half, but somehow only down by 6. Made adjustments and the Rockets lineup of 4 SG and Capella couldn't keep up.

Also, Caruso played like garbage.
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 19, 2020 5:14 am    Post subject:

vanexelent wrote:
A Tale of Two Halves... we played poorly first half, but somehow only down by 6. Made adjustments and the Rockets lineup of 4 SG and Capella couldn't keep up.

Also, Caruso played like garbage.

Caruso was a +15 and the Lakers only won by 9. If every Laker was a +15 in 18 minutes (proportionally), the Lakers would have won by 40. He had 6 rebounds in 18 minutes which isn't bad for a sg. Admittedly, he shot 0-5. Many people discount the +/- but when Caruso is playing, the Lakers seem to outscore their opponents. Caruso seems to consistently facilitate significant Lakers runs. I think this is a case in which the box score doesn't reflect a player's contributions.
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 19, 2020 5:51 am    Post subject:

Caruso is not a good PG. But he is a very good SG.
He's not a ball handler. Period.
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 19, 2020 6:54 am    Post subject:

"Third Quarter Run in Houston"

STARTERS
Lakers beat the Rockets 124-115 thanks to a large 3rd Q run. Lakers outscored the Rockets 33-17 in that 3rd Q. Lakers shot 45-93, 11-33 from 3.
Rockets shot 40-90. 12-337 from 3. Lakers were +3 on the glass with 49 rebounds Rockets 46 rebounds.

Lebron A dominant game by Lebron. When your point guard drops 30+ points and also 10+ assists, he is doing a lot of things right. Lebron has adjusted very well to not having AD. He is finding the shooters around him, and looking for cutters to the basket more. We should try to get Lebron to do this when AD is back as well. Lebron sometimes forgets the other weapons and gets too focused on getting AD his. AD should try and find his offense within the same flow that Lebron is playing in now. A bit of a high TO game, but most of them game late in the game. Still despise the 3 point shots, where he is taking heat checks or just dribbling the ball for a lot of the shot clock to take a low percentage 3. Those have to be erased from his playbook. Lebron finiished the game with 31 points, 12 assists and was a + 2.

Kuzma A very slow start for Kuz, was not really on in the 1st Q. Then came on very strong as the game progressed. He said Rondo challenged him defensively, and it worked out. Nice little bit about Rondo there, that I am sure his detractors will not care about. Kuz's second half was superstar like. Great D. Very good O. He was making cuts to the basket and finishing. He was hitting his corner 3s. Kuz was moving his feet very well and using his length defensively to be disruptive. He has figured out the way to use his body on D in a way he did not show in past seasons. You feel Kuzma developing. You sense that from the start of the season and where he is now, he is probably the player that has improved the most. Kuzma finished with 23 points on 8-16 shooting and was a + 4.

McGee - Really bad start, but then was critical in the 3rd Q run. Love when McGee uses his length to disrupt on D. When the communication and scheme is good, McGee can be very effective defensively. Some nice blocks in this one. First half was a bit of a disaster, second half was very good. Big component of that 3rd Q run that brought the game to our hands. Numbers show that McGee defended/contested 11 shots and only 4 went in. McGee finished with 9 points, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks and was a +11.

Green Really Solid 2-way job by Danny. I really like that he is taking more shots in ADs absence. What Danny can do is come off screens and move off the ball, to get that open shot. We need Danny to do more of this when AD is back. Gives us a 3rd option with the starters. He is not Klay by any means, but moving off the ball to get some open looks is great for any offense to run that has Lebron/AD. Those shots will be even more open when AD is back. Green finished with 20 points on 7-15 shooting, and was a +6.


Bradley A bit of tough one for AB in this one. He had to defend multiple guys, and did pretty well. On offense with the way Green, Kuz and Lebron were playing, we didn't need much from AB. I like it like that, AB should focus on defense and making the odd play on offense. He is definitely a 5th option guy, who can sometimes do more for you, but you want him there primarily for D. I think Frank will need to give AB the quick hook in the playoffs if he is not doing enough defensively to be out there as with offense, there can be limitations with AB. Bradley finished with 4 points on 2-6 shooting and was a -4.

BENCH:

KCP Amaziing 2-way game from KCP. Not only did he carry the bench on O, he was very good at contesting shots in this one. Numbers show that his defense held Rockets to 2-12 shooting. Nice. Some really nice chemistry between Dwight and him. Dwight's screens help KCP a lot, and KCP gets that freedom after the screen, that he usually would not with other players or situations. We should go to that play as our primary 2nd unit offense. KCP and Kuzma are the two players that if you looked at things early on in the season and now, you wouldn't believe they were the same player. Pope finished with 20 points, 7-14 shooting, 4 assists and a +18.

Dwight Monster. Just a monster on the glass and even a bigger monster in screen setting. The one play described Dwight perfectly. He set a screen, rolled. The pass wasn't timed well, so he caught it not in great scoring position. Chandler was on him, and Dwight saw a post up, but kicked the ball out, moved to a better position, got the ball on the move, and Chandler fouled him. He has become one of the best role player bigs in the NBA. The screens he sets for Lebron, KCP, and others, you have to give him assists on those, because they pretty much get his teammates wide open spots on the floor. Dwight finished with 6 points, 10 boards, 3 blocks and was a +1.

Caruso GOAT as Lebron calls him. He showed in this one, why I say until we get better talent, Rondo is rightfully running the point. I prefer Rondo and KCP running the point with Dwight setting screens, to Caruso. Alex is a G league guy as a point, but if you put him in an off the ball, defensive role, he is outstanding. This one, was all about the other things that Caruso does well. Defense. Hustle. Moving. He is so good at those things. Some struggles as a point, but all the other things were on point. Caruso finished with 4 points, 0-5 shooting and was a +15.


Daniels Didn't do anything particularly well in this one and was giving his man a little too much space defensively. We are a close out on 3 the point shooters team, and play them tight, so Daniels tactics were a bit weird to me. Took shots the defense gave him in the offense, and there was a play where he had Caruso wide open rolling to the basket yet decided to take the 3 and missed. Troy finished with 3 points on 1-3 shooting and was a -2.

Quinn Cook and Dudley had a short run in the 1st half, but I think Frank didn't like what he saw and DNP them in the second half.

Coaching

Frank Vogel

Lakers started off slow and defensively they were not playing Harden right. Then tightened things up as the game went on. Some adjustments definitely happened in the second half, as the Lakers came out in the 3rd Q with a completely different approach defensively and Kuzma took on Westbrook. We doubled Harden a lot on the top of the arc, to force the ball out of his hands, but then also moved our feet well enough that when Harden made the pass that the 3 point shots were not uncontested open ones. This strategy really worked. I think what Frank is doing really well over the last few weeks is watching game tape on what other teams are doing and then adding it into his defense. The Harden strategy was employed in other games. The zones, other teams were running them with success, we have began to add them. Best thing about Frank has been his feel for his bench players. Gives them all a go in the 1st half, and then 2nd half goes with a tight rotation and the best contributors. Has been doing a lot of this, this season. No Cook/Dudley in the 2nd half. When D'Antoni saw Houston's offense had been contained by LA. He went ultra small with Tucker at the 5. Vogel countered immediately with Kuzma at the 5. Interesting change, because he didn't feel Howard would be able to stay with Tucker on the 3 point line. That's where having AD, once again, will help.

+/- for the game
18 KCP
15 Caruso
11 McGee
6 Green
4 Kuzma
2 James
1 Howard
-1 Dudley
-2 Daniels
-4 Cook
-5 Bradley


Last edited by wolfpaclaker on Sun Jan 19, 2020 7:08 am; edited 4 times in total
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danzag
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 19, 2020 6:58 am    Post subject:

Thanks, Wolf!
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 19, 2020 7:07 am    Post subject:

What a second half, wowza.

Also, the Rockets are unwatchable.
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 19, 2020 8:02 am    Post subject:

I credit this win to adjustments by the coaching staff in the second half.

Vogel started with Bradley (one of the better on ball defenders) on Harden which resulted in Bradley picking up 3 fouls early in the second half and Harden getting 14 points and 6 of his 7 assists in the first half. Also had Green and Caruso on Westbrook resulting in 20 points for Russ. Russ was too physical (especially for Caruso).

The second half Vogel switched it up to double Harden every time he got the ball and put Kuzma on Russ. Russ only got 15 in the second half and Harden only got 1 assist in the second half. By forcing the ball to the other 3 Rockets, it put consistent pressure on them in the 3rd quarter resulting in only 17 points for the entire 3rd quarter. By the time Pringles and company figured out a counter, the Lakers were up by 9 and in control for the rest of the game.

Kuzma was tall enough and bulky enough that Russ could not physically impose his will on the Lakers. Meanwhile KCP and Danny Green got in a jump shooting groove and ended the game with 20 points a piece.
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 19, 2020 9:03 am    Post subject:

Stars of the game...well, of course, except LeBron.

Kuz- the guy is getting it. He's growing into a more balanced player. Unless there is an overwhelming offer forthcoming, you keep him. He's still streaky, and he's still offensively arrogant(believing he can score on anyone, anytime) but he's getting it.

Green- I loved the defense on Harden. He stripped Harden at least twice, and that had the bearded guy not only looking for where the double team was going to come from, but he had to be very careful because of Green's quick hands.

We have the best last line of defense in the league. And we know how to use it, so one of my stars is.....

Coach V- He has an incredible EQ. Through a sharp mind, and equal part humility, he is not only a likable guy, but he also has a great sense of when to call timeouts.

I have a really, really strong sense of Vogel and the staff having some serious tricks in the bag that won't be used consistently until the playoffs.

Thanks wolfpaclaker, I appreciate your input.
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 19, 2020 9:14 am    Post subject:

Only LBJ can make 31/12 seem like a casual, normal day at work. Masterful job of facilitating and scoring from the point.

KCP was huge. Kuz had a great developmental game, offensively and defensively.. Nice assist from Rondo challenging Kuz to take on Westbbrook. McGee''s block at the rim was the turning point of the game.

Caruso did the little things well, but had a mistake-filled last 2 minutes of the 3rd running the offense. Also had a hard time with Westbrook''s physicality.

Vogel made smart halftime adjustments. How about some Coach of the Year consideration?
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Laker7
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 19, 2020 9:21 am    Post subject:

Klone_dd wrote:
Only LBJ can make 31/12 seem like a casual, normal day at work. Masterful job of facilitating and scoring from the point.

KCP was huge. Kuz had a great developmental game, offensively and defensively.. Nice assist from Rondo challenging Kuz to take on Westbbrook. McGee''s block at the rim was the turning point of the game.

Caruso did the little things well, but had a mistake-filled last 2 minutes of the 3rd running the offense. Also had a hard time with Westbrook''s physicality.

Vogel made smart halftime adjustments. How about some Coach of the Year consideration?


ESPN mid season poll this year resulted in zero votes for Vogel as coach of the year. SMH


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PostPosted: Sun Jan 19, 2020 9:37 am    Post subject:

thanks wolf
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 19, 2020 10:56 am    Post subject:

Laker7 wrote:
I credit this win to adjustments by the coaching staff in the second half.

Vogel started with Bradley (one of the better on ball defenders) on Harden which resulted in Bradley picking up 3 fouls early in the second half and Harden getting 14 points and 6 of his 7 assists in the first half. Also had Green and Caruso on Westbrook resulting in 20 points for Russ. Russ was too physical (especially for Caruso).

The second half Vogel switched it up to double Harden every time he got the ball and put Kuzma on Russ. Russ only got 15 in the second half and Harden only got 1 assist in the second half. By forcing the ball to the other 3 Rockets, it put consistent pressure on them in the 3rd quarter resulting in only 17 points for the entire 3rd quarter. By the time Pringles and company figured out a counter, the Lakers were up by 9 and in control for the rest of the game.

Kuzma was tall enough and bulky enough that Russ could not physically impose his will on the Lakers. Meanwhile KCP and Danny Green got in a jump shooting groove and ended the game with 20 points a piece.


Yep, lots of credit Vogel and his team as well.
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PostPosted: Sun Jan 19, 2020 11:30 am    Post subject:

Annihilator wrote:
vanexelent wrote:
A Tale of Two Halves... we played poorly first half, but somehow only down by 6. Made adjustments and the Rockets lineup of 4 SG and Capella couldn't keep up.

Also, Caruso played like garbage.

Caruso was a +15 and the Lakers only won by 9. If every Laker was a +15 in 18 minutes (proportionally), the Lakers would have won by 40. He had 6 rebounds in 18 minutes which isn't bad for a sg. Admittedly, he shot 0-5. Many people discount the +/- but when Caruso is playing, the Lakers seem to outscore their opponents. Caruso seems to consistently facilitate significant Lakers runs. I think this is a case in which the box score doesn't reflect a player's contributions.


And if every Laker went 0-5 we would have lost by 115. He played awful defense, couldn't hit a shot and had 2 turnovers. The change from Caruso guarding Westbrook to Kuz may have been the most important spark to victory.
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