Matthews didn't show up that Lakers game at all, continually getting beat on defense, and being a complete non-factor on offense. Had he shown up at all in that game on just one end of the floor, we would have won.
IMO, what the team has really needed in the last couple of games was a closer. Damian appears timid. LA is back being the LA we seen every year up to this one. I think if Roy was in the mix in current dynamic, we would have won one if not both games. He's right. LA and Damian need to be better. And if they are not this kind of player. The organization needs to address it whenever.
It sure sounded like you were talking about Roy very specifically. But whatevs. Sure, we need a closer. Apparently we just keep piling up #2 in our lineup, with no #1.
The post read that way. It wasn't what I was alluding to. They need a closer like him. Who knows, maybe Damian is that guy. But he nor LA are the same players they were at the beginning of the season. They are not all that poised and in control at the end of the these games. Esp Damian.
Dame should be our 'closer'. Other teams have figured him out, so coach needs to be more creative in setting him up. It's Dame's second year. He will continue to improve.
For whatever reason, they played with each other reasonably well for a year and a half. Even won a rookie of the year award with LA being on the court with him. Now he seems to be struggling with LA in the lineup. Not sure what this is about or if it's things to come. But not something you want to see with just a month left in the season.
Dame seems like he could develop into a closer. He's not there yet, and he might never get there. But he has the mentality to be that player. He just needs to improve his game so he's not so predictable. If both he and Nic would work on their dribbling all summer long that would go a long way towards improving their offensive games. It's kinda tough when neither of our playmakers (or our #1 guy) has a very good handle. Those are the 3 guys who are touching the ball the most and none of them are even average when it comes to dribbling ability for their position.
Problem is, he did his rookie year and the first two months of this season. He seemed to get his swagger back a little when LaMarcus was out, but seems to be deferring too much and lacks confidence in his jump shot. We definitely need Damian to regain his stone cold killer attitude if we hope to advance in the playoffs. BNM
Hasn't Dame been dealing with a bad stomach virus the past couple of games? Not an excuse just could explain his sloppy lethargic play at times.
Agreed. But Wes has two things going for him: 1) he's not handling the ball that much and 2) he DID improve his ball-handling over the past couple seasons.
