RAPTORS -at- LAKERS - 3-14-22 - Thoughts and :-(( Ratings

 
Post new topic    LakersGround.net Forum Index -> Thoughts and Ratings Reply to topic
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
DancingBarry
Editor-in-Chief
Editor-in-Chief


Joined: 07 Sep 2001
Posts: 40188
Location: O.C.

PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2022 9:35 pm    Post subject: RAPTORS -at- LAKERS - 3-14-22 - Thoughts and :-(( Ratings

Atrocious Any Way You Look At It... Down 9-0 after the first 2 minutes. Timeout down 13-2 after 3 minutes. Timeout again down 19-2 after 5 minutes. Welcome to Laker basketball in the 2021-22 season.

The Lakers trailed by as many as 24 in the first quarter. Last night they gave up a season-high 48 in the first quarter. Tonight, they scored a season-low 12 points in the first quarter. How can you be so bad on both ends?

A lot of this is offense. Last game, they gave up a game’s worth of fastbreak points in the first quarter. Turnovers and bricks turned into scores on the other end. Tonight, it was just brick city out of the gates.

“The ball security and a handful of tough shots, forced possession and combined with not making shots on the quality possession is just putting us behind the eight ball,” Vogel said.

Late in the first half, the Lakers cut the lead to 13 off a three by Carmelo, but it quickly ballooned back to 20 on Laker ineptitude. They would trim it back down late in the game, but there was an awful stretch of turnovers and misses for about five possession in a row (LeBron involved in many) that really unraveled any chance at a comeback. As a result, this one was never really in any doubt. The Lakers fell 114-103.


LeBron -- -- Poor first half with the team-low -20 and 4 turnovers. Some sloppy unforced errors with the dribble. There was a sequence in the fourth where he dribbled the ball out of bounds, then followed that up with blowing a layup, then Stanley threw a pass to him where he had been standing a second ago, then LeBron followed that up with a behind-the-back pass that went off Westbrooks legs under the hoop for a fourth play in a row where we came up empty. If they had any chance at a comeback, that stretch killed it. They cut the lead to 15 midway through the fourth (11 with over 3 minutes). Skip that sequence with some normal ball and maybe they have the lead to single digits (possibly 5 or 6 with 3 minutes to go). We have no chance if he’s in coast mode versus warrior mode. The body language out there hasn’t been great. He angrily pounded the ball several times after a foul when we couldn’t control our glass. Clearly, the frustration has boiled over. Not enough talent fighting with him, but he’s blaming others for his mistakes. I feel for him. He's playing the C and that will wear on you. He can't throttle it up on both ends with consistency doing that. Feels like half of this team is waiting for the season to end and it won’t. That certainly feels like how Westbrook is rolling because there is no dynamic duo that's for sure. The Stats: He scored 30 points on 11-19 shooting (4-7 from three, 4-7 from the line) to go with 9 boards, 3 assists, 2 blocks, 5 turnovers and 4 fouls in 40 minutes. He was a -21.

Westbrook -- -- This was a team-effort to play as bad as they did out of the gates. I can’t blame Russ in this one when everyone else is missing shots or turning the ball over, as well. He's an awful fit and it's the root of a lot of offensive problems, but I'll go easy on him tonight when I saw a few little things from him I liked. Good job getting to the line early and knocking them down (5-5 in the first half). Late in the game, I saw a pin-in flare screen for Melo to set up a three for Melo. I need this multiple times a game from him. It’s one of the ways he can be effective off ball, and it drives me crazy it only happens on rare occasion. But nice to see that brief moment. He can charge up teammates with some energy and anger on the floor, but this team is not connected. There was a brief moment, though, in the first half where he stood up for Reaves who was fouled hard. The team needs some of that energy but they’re assuming the position for a beatdown and just taking it. Need more leadership from him and LeBron to get more fight out of the team. Obviously, we need more impact from Russ than these stats, but let's give some attention to these small things that we need more of. The Stats: He scored 14 points on 4-10 shooting (0-1 from three, 6-7 from the line) to go with 8 boards, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover and 2 fouls in 35 minutes. He was a +4.

Monk -- -- Defensively, there were quite a few possessions where he was just too small. The effort and energy was there, but the size and lack of strength got the best of him on that end. I liked the fight, but the size of the dog mattered quite a bit tonight. Offensively, some moments of aggression. It seemed to all be in the first half. He hit a corner three. Attacked and set up Westbrook for an And-1 layup, but a very quiet night as the game went along. I really wish we’d call more set plays from the bench when our offense is going south like it does. We need Monk scoring well to get more of these W’s. The Stats: He scored 8 points on 3-8 shooting (1-4 from three, 1-2 from the line) to go with 3 boards, 2 assists, 1 steal, 4 turnovers and 3 fouls in 24 minutes. He was a -28.

Reaves -- -- Rough game. On the good side, his feistiness was able to draw some fouls on the perimeter, including a nice defensive stop charge against VanVleet on iso. His three shooting, though, hurt the Lakers early on. Got to knock down those open ones. He has a lot in his handle when he needs to create. He had a nice push dribble (push the ball ahead and get your body through the defenders to catch up to it…Kobe a master of it) to split a couple defenders and then dunk with both hands. Beyond that, just not his night and it hurt the team early on. The Stats: He scored 3 points on 1-7 shooting (0-4 from three, 1-2 from the line) to go with 2 boards, 1 turnover and no fouls in 17 minutes. He was a -24.

Johnson -- -- He started the game, but we brought him off the bench in the second half. Not a good game. Nothing on offense. Even poor on D, not getting out on shooters. Dwight was inactive tonight for personal reasons, so we have no big men available. The Stats: He scored 2 points on 0-1 shooting from three (2-2 from the line) to go with 3 boards, 1 assist, 1 block, 1 turnover and 1 foul in 15 minutes. He was a -7.

Anthony -- -- We brought him in early to jumpstart the offense and he promptly went 1-6 from three. His one three actually cut the lead down to 13. If he had made a couple more, they could have seen some light at the end of the tunnel. By the end of the game he had some respectable numbers there (he was fouled on a three, so include that in the points form the three line). Some of our better stretches of ball later in the game happened with him on the court. Certainly not early on, though. The Stats: He scored 14 points on 3-0 shooting (3-9 from three, 5-5 from the line) to go with 3 boards, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block and 4 fouls in 28 minutes. He was a +7.

Horton-Tucker -- -- He gave Toronto plenty to like again and upped his trade value against a team long-rumored to be interested in him. He’d knock down the Lakers first three of the game. It came on the 17th attempt. The three ball was looking good tonight. One of the few things the Lakers had going from the perimeter. He’d also swing a pass to Monk for one of our three threes of the first half (one of THT’s team-high 5 assists). After hitting his first three threes, he missed his next two. He got tapped on a corner three that could have cut it to 6 late in the game. Excellent work getting into the paint and scoring. He had one sensational drive where he attacked, brought the ball up, pulled it back down and then backhanded in a layup over his head at full speed and got it to drop. The Stats: He scored 20 points on 8-13 shooting (3-5 from three, 1-2 from the line) to go with 5 boards, 5 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 1 turnover and 5 fouls in 27 minutes. He was a +12.

Augustin -- -- Nothing to report. The Stats: He didn’t score on 0-2 shooting to go with 1 board in 5 minutes. He was a -7.

Bradley -- -- A scoring beast for us in the first quarter. He hit a jumper with 7 minutes into the game for the Lakers second score of the first quarter. He’d then draw from FTs shortly later for our next score of the quarter. With that, he was the team’s leading scorer after about 8 minutes. The Stats: He scored 4 points on 1-3 shooting (0-2 from three, 2-2 from the line) to go with 2 fouls in 5 minutes. He was a -7.

Gabriel -- -- He came in after just 5 minutes in this one after the Lakers were down big. We ended up starting him in the second half for Stanley to get some more length out there. He promptly missed a three, choked a layup, then was blocked on the putback attempt. With Reaves, Westbrook and Gabriel out there non-threats on the perimeter, the Raptors could easily help whenever and wherever they wanted to without consequence. Because of that, Vogel went to Melo a few minutes into the half. Good job battling on the glass. Again, I like the idea of what a player like him can bring to the table, but he’s a bit underwhelming in multiple areas. The Stats: He scored 2 points on 1-8 shooting (0-3 from three) to go with 9 boards, 1 assist, 1 block and 4 fouls in 19 minutes. He was a -5.

Ellington -- -- He might have earned himself some minutes in this game. The team played well when he was on the court. He was trying to do the little things. And, he was actually able to knock down a couple of shots for them. One was on an ATO popping out for a catch and shoot on the inbounds straight away. The other was on a hot potato pass from Russ to Ellington with a second left on the clock and he barely got it off in time, but drilled it. The Stats: He scored 6 points on 2-6 shooting (2-5 from three) to go with 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 block and 2 fouls in 25 minutes. He was a +21.

Vogel -- -- Key Moment: The first 6 minutes of this game where the Lakers couldn’t score. He called two timeouts. Guys were missing open shots for sure, but at some point when the offense is as bad as it was, the sideline should probably be calling plays every time up court.

Key Substitution: There were none, but for Ellington to have a +21 is pretty remarkable in this game.

Key Stats: The Lakers shot 27% in the first half, missing their first 16 attempts from three before finishing 3-20 in the half.

Coach’s Challenge: Raptors used theirs to try to save Barnes his third foul of the first half on a Westbrook And-1 layup. It was overturned. LeBron had his jersey pulled on a late foul call on him. We probably could have used one there. But he used it a minute later when we were down 9 with 20 seconds left on another foul call. Not sure what that was about. Maybe just to annoy the refs.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
Bron2AD
Star Player
Star Player


Joined: 01 Jun 2021
Posts: 8709

PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2022 9:38 pm    Post subject:

1st

Wow u got patience bro 👏🏿👏🏿
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
Lakesh0wtime
Star Player
Star Player


Joined: 28 Mar 2016
Posts: 5296

PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2022 9:53 pm    Post subject:

Appreciate this man.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
slavavov
Star Player
Star Player


Joined: 03 Oct 2003
Posts: 8288
Location: Santa Monica

PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2022 10:07 pm    Post subject:

Thanks DB. The Lakers looked like the Keystone Cops out there tonight. Just a bunch of bumbling idiots who seem heartbroken, shellshocked and crestfallen.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
dabask11
Star Player
Star Player


Joined: 27 Dec 2012
Posts: 1989

PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2022 10:20 pm    Post subject:

Thanks DB

We're on pace to be worse than Lebron's first year without AD at all and Luke Walton as head coach

How does heck does that happen?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
kobe8One
Starting Rotation
Starting Rotation


Joined: 23 May 2011
Posts: 633

PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2022 11:09 pm    Post subject:

dabask11 wrote:
Thanks DB

We're on pace to be worse than Lebron's first year without AD at all and Luke Walton as head coach

How does heck does that happen?


Vegas
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
Laker's Fan
Franchise Player
Franchise Player


Joined: 27 Jun 2002
Posts: 12809

PostPosted: Tue Mar 15, 2022 12:44 am    Post subject:

Kudos DB for touching it out. Wish the team was that dedicated.
_________________
Austin Reaves keeps his game tight, like Kobe Bryant on game night.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
A Mad Chinaman
Star Player
Star Player


Joined: 07 Apr 2005
Posts: 6121

PostPosted: Tue Mar 15, 2022 1:14 am    Post subject:

When Lebron, Monk and Westbrook aren't hitting shots, while the team is depending on Reeves and Johnson to score, receipte for a bad night

Who can Lebron depend trust on offense, nobody

Clear that Lebron can't play 40 minutes of good defense while the need for his offense is required

LBJ can't be in anybody's face to be accountable on D when he is not

LBJ is a 37/38 years HOFer that shouldn't have to play 40MPG just to be competitive.

Imagine being depended on Reeves (rookie), Johnson (G League) and Monk (NBJ reject because Westbook is playing so poorly while LBJ's leadership (not his stats) is missing

Shouldn't a PG have a team play at its pace, get players in the right positions, etc.

Shouldn't a 5 makde sure that players are accountable of being in the right positions

37/38 years old players should not be required/demanded to to what is mentioned above all the time.

Hopefully Vogel is game-planning on what he will be doing as the 9th seed to get 16 wins (don't laugh)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
PenG_
Franchise Player
Franchise Player


Joined: 01 Feb 2020
Posts: 10387

PostPosted: Tue Mar 15, 2022 5:34 am    Post subject:

Thanks DB! We just don't have the horses. This closing stretch was always going to be a disaster given the strength of schedule.

AD is our most impactful player and K. Nunn is sadly our 3rd best player.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
governator
Franchise Player
Franchise Player


Joined: 28 Jan 2006
Posts: 24994

PostPosted: Tue Mar 15, 2022 5:46 am    Post subject:

Hats off to the mod for all these recaps, stomach of steel
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
danzag
Franchise Player
Franchise Player


Joined: 28 Apr 2013
Posts: 22244
Location: Brazil

PostPosted: Tue Mar 15, 2022 6:34 am    Post subject:

1
2
3
CANCUN!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
governator
Franchise Player
Franchise Player


Joined: 28 Jan 2006
Posts: 24994

PostPosted: Tue Mar 15, 2022 7:18 am    Post subject:

danzag wrote:
1
2
3
CANCUN!

they don't deserve cancun, TJ at best


Last edited by governator on Tue Mar 15, 2022 8:22 am; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
Halflife
Franchise Player
Franchise Player


Joined: 15 Aug 2015
Posts: 16656

PostPosted: Tue Mar 15, 2022 7:24 am    Post subject:

at least we should have a good pick.
_________________
Kobe.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Clw9scopegx/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
Center
Starting Rotation
Starting Rotation


Joined: 13 Apr 2001
Posts: 225

PostPosted: Tue Mar 15, 2022 8:19 am    Post subject: Lebron throwing heatsinking ball at Barnes

So... nobody's gonna talk about this?

_________________
Lakers on Prime Ticket...
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
Halflife
Franchise Player
Franchise Player


Joined: 15 Aug 2015
Posts: 16656

PostPosted: Tue Mar 15, 2022 8:27 am    Post subject: Re: Lebron throwing heatsinking ball at Barnes

Center wrote:
So... nobody's gonna talk about this?

Talk about what? He gave the ball to the other team all night. That was one of the rare occasions he was trying to give it to us. SB mauled us early. I have to believe there was frustration in that. Understandable, and all in the game.
_________________
Kobe.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Clw9scopegx/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
PenG_
Franchise Player
Franchise Player


Joined: 01 Feb 2020
Posts: 10387

PostPosted: Tue Mar 15, 2022 9:04 am    Post subject: Re: Lebron throwing heatsinking ball at Barnes

Center wrote:
So... nobody's gonna talk about this?


Isn't that a play that happens frequently in the NBA?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
danzag
Franchise Player
Franchise Player


Joined: 28 Apr 2013
Posts: 22244
Location: Brazil

PostPosted: Tue Mar 15, 2022 9:20 am    Post subject: Re: Lebron throwing heatsinking ball at Barnes

Center wrote:
So... nobody's gonna talk about this?


Nothing to see here.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
mad55557777
Franchise Player
Franchise Player


Joined: 29 Jun 2005
Posts: 22798

PostPosted: Tue Mar 15, 2022 9:46 am    Post subject: Re: Lebron throwing heatsinking ball at Barnes

danzag wrote:
Center wrote:
So... nobody's gonna talk about this?


Nothing to see here.

yeah, just some frustration
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
A Mad Chinaman
Star Player
Star Player


Joined: 07 Apr 2005
Posts: 6121

PostPosted: Tue Mar 15, 2022 10:04 am    Post subject: Re: Lebron throwing heatsinking ball at Barnes

mad55557777 wrote:
danzag wrote:
Center wrote:
So... nobody's gonna talk about this?


Nothing to see here.
yeah, just some frustration
alternative is throw the ball at half speed with a gentle touch - lol!!

Hey Rook, welcome to the NBA - it will get much rougher in your first playoff games
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
CandyCanes
Retired Number
Retired Number


Joined: 24 Dec 2007
Posts: 35750
Location: Santa Clarita, CA (Hell) ->>>>>Ithaca, NY -≥≥≥≥≥Berkeley, CA

PostPosted: Tue Mar 15, 2022 10:11 am    Post subject:

Didn’t know we had a game yesterday. I was watching Nuggets/76ers and Bucks/Jazz on ESPN.
_________________
Damian Lillard shatters Dwight Coward's championship dreams:

Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website Reply with quote
PenG_
Franchise Player
Franchise Player


Joined: 01 Feb 2020
Posts: 10387

PostPosted: Tue Mar 15, 2022 11:08 am    Post subject:

As Pete said on the LFR pod, the Raptors are "bigger, faster, stronger and can still space the floor".
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
A Mad Chinaman
Star Player
Star Player


Joined: 07 Apr 2005
Posts: 6121

PostPosted: Wed Mar 16, 2022 12:19 am    Post subject:

When Lebron, Monk and Westbrook aren't hitting shots, while the team is depending on Reeves and Johnson to score, receipte for a bad night

Who can Lebron depend trust on offense, nobody

Clear that Lebron can't play 40 minutes of good defense while the need for his offense is required

LBJ can't be in anybody's face to be accountable on D when he is not

LBJ is a 37/38 years HOFer that shouldn't have to play 40MPG just to be competitive.

Imagine being depended on Reeves (rookie), Johnson (G League) and Monk (NBJ reject because Westbook is playing so poorly while LBJ's leadership (not his stats) is missing

Shouldn't a PG have a team play at its pace, get players in the right positions, etc.

Shouldn't a 5 makde sure that players are accountable of being in the right positions

37/38 years old players should not be required/demanded to to what is mentioned above all the time.

Hopefully Vogel is game-planning on what he will be doing as the 9th seed to get 16 wins (don't laugh)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
pio2u
Retired Number
Retired Number


Joined: 26 Dec 2012
Posts: 54519

PostPosted: Wed Mar 16, 2022 2:50 am    Post subject:

Thanks DB, keep up the good work.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic    LakersGround.net Forum Index -> Thoughts and Ratings All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1
Jump to:  

 
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum






Graphics by uberzev
© 1995-2018 LakersGround.net. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Use.
LakersGround is an unofficial news source serving the fan community since 1995.
We are in no way associated with the Los Angeles Lakers or the National Basketball Association.


Powered by phpBB