Game Thread GAME# 67: LAKERS @ BLAZERS - MAY 7, 2021 - FRIDAY, 7:00PM, NBCSNW

Don't really like our schedule vs. the Lakers schedule here on out.

 

He made a costly mistake by taking a short-term discount to play with the Lakers; his value might be resetting. We'll find out this summer.

 

If we can win our next 2 and the Lakers lose to Phoenix, the magic number for the 6 seed would be 1 game: The Lakers would be in a position where they have to win out from there and we'd have to lose our last 3. Sure that's possible given the schedule, but I'd rather be in our shoes than theirs.

 

Dallas with the cupcake endof stretch... we need to hold 6 and get Denver at 3.

 

It's a real luxury that we have two centers capable of double doubles every night. This is two consecutive games both did it. As for Covington's shooting, I have noticed he shoots better with a guy fairly close to him; I hope teams don't continue to keep letting him be wide open.

 

I view these last games as either a sharpening of the team to make noise in the playoffs or a bow out for change.
This team under Dames leadership has always used adversity as a way to improve team fortitude.
Would surprise me to seem them get to the second round if they remain healthy.

 

Win is a win...but barely scraping by the Lakers without their best player and another of their top 5 wasn't exactly inspiring. Was hoping for a smackdown. Win is a win, but they need to build on this and play better.

 

I decided to try to confirm my eye test (because I know @Tince would want me to) and I'm basically right but it's not a big difference: 24% on 3 pt shots guarded very tightly, 41.9 % on 3 pt shots when defender 4-6 feet away, and 38.7% when wide open.

 

(Good) Data > Gut Feel... nice work!



Now for the next question? Why?

Mental?
Change in mechanics?
Small sample size?

Great find!

 

Roco's shooting wasn't the worst part of his play down the stretch, though. Besides the badly missed corner 3 and the missed ... I don't know, was it supposed to be a dunk ... there was the time he had an easy offensive rebound with a minute to go and should have just grabbed it to run clock but instead tried batting it, and then he was fouling on defense.

In hindsight, it would have been better to play Melo. Admittedly, that's hindsight, and with a 10-point lead going down the stretch Roco usually is the appropriate play. He just makes at least one frustratingly stupid play each game, and he had about four games worth of those in the last 4 minutes last night and it would have cost us if we haven't opened up the lead just before.

 

Yeah, the big thing is we're in a much better position by winning last night than otherwise. When they are dinged up, the Lakers are very mortal, not just having guys out, but having them work back in, and Drummond, I don't think, fit what they really lacked. They can't afford an off-night now or AD sitting out a game with tendonitis down the stretch.

 

Doris Burke is horrible.

 

I hope you didn't offend anyone with that statement!

 

My gut feeling from watching him is that when someone is 4-6 feet from him that he knows he has to get it up quickly before they close, so he just does it without really thinking. But you're right, not enough data to know if he really is better when lightly guarded.

 

I loved the post, great observation! I would be curious on the way he's missing too (I don't think they track that yet).

Old-school theory is that when you start to aim your shot, it is more likely to come up short. This could be the case with RoCo when he's wide open and has time to aim it.

 

I just got done watching the game as I was on a plane last night. Watched it on the Laker network so not sure how the ESPN call was, but I thought the intensity level was pretty high. Felt like a playoff game. I give Roco a pass on his poor shooting, he battled hard all game.

Definitely some bad calls both ways. I know the Laker post-game show focused on it. But overall it was a fun game to watch. Nurk and Kanter played well and both CJ and Dame hit some tough clutch shots late. Powell was his normal high-energy self even if he sometimes was a little out of control.

I think the Blazers coming off a long road trip and the Lakers playing last night was a factor for both, but both still brought the energy. It just affected some of the execution at times. Most of us all wanted to trade for Drummond and Kuzma at one time or another, but I think we have players who are easily just as good without trading any assets for them.

 

I dont think that is accurate... maybe for a small minority, but not 'most'

 

I am talking about his first few years in the league. You don't think most wanted him then?

 

Nope.

 

I kind of remember that there were a couple posters quite vocal about wanting him.