"I LOVE COACH.."_Lakers Julius Randle. Luke Walton gets ejected in loss to Sacramento Kings

Lou Williams, in his post-game interview after the loss to Sacramento said,

"We Just Gotta Fight.."

This is the play, ie "non-call" that led to the Luke Walton Ejection.

The Lakers ended the half up by NINE...

Then the third quarter happened... (which was a 19 point turn-around by the KINGS)

BUT...

"I LOVE COACH.."

Lakers get Bullied on the Glass. Lose to Chicago.

BULLS TOO MUCH ON THE GLASS FOR LOS ANGELES as the YOUNG LAKERS Take a Hit on their Home Court:

The Los Angeles Lakers Power Forwards may have said it best Sunday night after the loss to the visiting Chicago Bulls:

"We Got Bullied on the Glass." _ Larry Nance Jr.

Junior had a career-high 18 points, many of which were of high-fly variety, as he grabbed oop passes and put-backs for dunks. 

18 on the clock and 18 Points for Nance Jr (Career High)

"We didn't guard anybody tonight...Coach said we can shoot the ball real well, we just didn't guard anybody.. Jimmy went crazy" _Julius Randle

"Jimmy Went Crazy," Indeed:

Jimmy Buckets went to the line on four occasions alone in the first quarter.  He was 7 of 8 for a total of 14 points to end the quarter. The ridiculously hot hand of Lou Williams kept the Lakers close. Lou's inspired play included a clutch buzzer-beating three to end the first quarter tied with Chicago.  Lou went cray as well: 25 points, 8-14 FG, 5-6 3pt, 4-6 Fts.

Highlights of A Nance Jr Dunk and Lou's buzzer-beating 3




The Bulls "JB" ended the game with 40 on 14 of 23 shooting (only 1 attempted 3) and 12-14 from the charity stripe.  The Bulls were 20/28 as compared to the Lakers 15/21 from the line.

"We set the tone with our Fouls.." _Luke Walton


Butler was aggressive early going right at D'Angelo Russell and his "wounded knee."  D'Angelo was attempting to "play through" the sore knee he woke up to Friday that prevented him from playing then.  

"This is what separates great players from the rest." _ Antawn Jamison

"You're going to have nagging injuries.  You might have some tendinitits or something, but at some point you're gonna have to learn to play through it."_James Worthy

Russell may have thought he was doing the team a "service" by playing through the injury but in reality this may have been one of the biggest mistakes of the game.  In fairness to the young guard, no one on the Lakers was slowing Butler down.  

"D'AngeRUSS" was 3-11 FG, 2-9 3pt.  

Clarkson was 1-12 FG, 1-3 from 3.

And, as a Team, the Lakers were giving up way too many second chance points.  They got out-rebounded by the Bulls 56-37.  Many of those "rebounds" were "Fifty-Fifty" Balls the Lakers had chances to grab but were either out of position or lacked the effort to capture. 

Surprising Stat of the Game:  

TURNOVERS.  The Lakers had 10 versus 16 by the Bulls

This IS a young team and this IS a process.  But, like any young team and as Coach Walton has been preaching since the Summer, "it ALL starts with defense."

There were glimpses of "pretty basketball" however..



Lower body, ie "leg workouts" like lunge work will not only strengthen any problematic knees they will help with the jumpers and all around defense.  The individual is going to have to put the effort in to be great however.

This young season's perhaps most difficult test is upcoming.  With two losses in a row, on their home court to boot, and OKC coming to the house it will be interesting to see how ALL these Lakers respond.

NBA RULES: Lakers Forward Julius Randle Snubbed in more ways than one

WINNING MIGHT CHANGE EVERYTHING

BUT,

Winning will NOT change the fact that Julius Randle, the second-year forward for the Los Angeles Lakers, will NOT be participating in this year's "RISING STARS" game.

This year, the NBA has decided to have a team of world players vs a team of US players ALL in their first two years of play.

With both Jordan Clarkson AND D'Angelo Russell on the "US" team and a limited number of spots to fill a very prominent "third Laker" was left out."

All-Snub Team: Randle, Lillard, DJ, PAU, Kemba (not pictured)

I am sure Julius Randle feels similar to how former Laker, Pau Gasol, felt about his snubbing on the All-Star Team itself. 

 Gasol's numbers:

16.7 ppg, 10.9 rpg, 3.2 apg, 2.0 bpg

He is FIFTH in double-doubles with 26.  Andre Drummond, Russell Westbrook, Demarcus Cousins, and DeAndre Jordan are all ahead of him (the first three are All-Stars..)

Julius Randle is tied for nineteenth on the  NBA Double-Double Leader List .   

He is tied with  Paul Milsapp, who was selected to the Eastern Conference All-Star Team AHEAD of players like Pau Gasol, and Hasaan Whiteside (HEAT).

Randle will also be left OFF of the list of NBA Rookie of the YEAR (ROY) candidates.


Here is a look at HOW Julius Randle "measures" up to presumably the TOP candidates for the 2016 Award for "first-year" players:

Please Click on the stats (graphic above) IT WILL ENLARGE

Which Brings the Question of eligibility of an NBA player for an award like the Rookie of the Year in spite of limited playing time: Julius Randle played 14 minutes in 2014-15.

This is how the League currently sits, although I was also informed that a player has to petition as an individual (no agent) within the first 5 games of the following season and it then has to be approved by the Teams.

Either Way, Julius Randle will not be considered for the Rookie of the Year (shame), but he IS one of the League's BEST "sophomores."   And, he is gaining respect around the league from his peers, like fellow snubmarine shipmate Dirk Nowitzki, but NOT from the League's Referees.

In fact, it seems like Kobe is NOT getting calls nor the Team (in general) for that matter.  Perhaps there is a different KIND of snubbery going on in LA LA Land.

I digress,

The issue is NOT whether Randle got snubbed or if Jordan Clarkson should be on the world TEAM.

The issue is that in lieu of the NBA's BEST First and Second Year players "we" get to see players like:

BOJAN BOGDANOVIC    

and

MARIO HEZONJA

WHO?

BOJAN averages 9.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg and 1 apg.  He has 4 points in his last TWO over 39 minutes of action.

The "mighty" Hezonja averages 4.5 ppg, 1.6 rpg and 1.0 apg

Based on THIS math the REAL snubbing might be that MARCELO HUERTAS deserves to be on the World Team then, RIGHT?  Not so funny is it?

The fact of the matter is that no one but BORAT cares about BOJAN.

DON'T FANS DESERVE TO SEE THE VERY BEST ROOKIES AND SOPHOMORES?

So, Julius Randle GETS SNUBBED as an ROY candidate

SNUBBED as a sophomore...

and STILL

getting SNUBBED by REFS.

Did you hear where Julius Randle sells his unused Family Tickets?

SnubHub

The ALL-SNUB TEAM does look good, so Julius is in GREAT COMPANY...

Maybe All-Snub Insurance can sponsor them?

and they can go whale-watching and look for snub-nosed dolphins..have some snub-marine sammys ..?

AND, better yet, there might come a time when JULIUS RANDLE STOPS getting

SNUBBED

BEAT LA: LAKERS LOSE TO PHILLY

the WIN-less 76ers get off the snide and get their first win of the season...

(courtesy NBA_ 76ers)

     

The emotions and energy were high Tuesday (12/1/15) Night as Kobe Bryant returned to his Philadelphia roots in the first "away" game of his farewell tour.

Kobe came out on fire in the first:



Kobe looked good;  REALLY good to start.  But, Vintage Kobe waned and when it was ALL over, the 76ers "BEAT LA."

There was no Dr. J in uniform, although there was a Julius (Randle) of a different ilk.  There was no MO (Cheeks) but momentum played in favor of the Lakers led by Kobe Bryant.  With an 8 Point halftime lead the Lakers were looking to keep Philly in the "L" column but the "MO" was shifting by then and the Lakers ended up producing the same amount of points in the second half as they did in quarter one (33).  But there was no THIRTY-THREE (Kareem) and No Magic like there was in 1982:  The Lakers took home the Larry O'Brien Trophy then in a four games to two NBA Finals match-up of  these two franchises. 

Perhaps this was poetic justice from years gone by.  It was in the Eastern Conference Finals between the Boston Celtics and the 76ers, at Boston Garden, where the Celtics' Fans began the now infamous (and extremely obnoxious) chant of, "Beat LA!"



There were some bright moments beyond the Mamba ripping his first threes of the game.  D'Angelo Russell despite what "numbers" might indicate is improving and steadfastly maturing.  He is handling the rock extremely well and finding guys with crisp and needle-threading precision:




AND....



Played with MORE Confidence while "Loading" UP for this SLAM.

AND...

LAKER LORE

Lakers' Brass showing they struck GOLD with Larry Nance Jr.

Lakers needed some Magic in Orlando but got snake bit, Mamba style, instead

     There was talk that Vucevic would possibly test himself (coming off missing the previous three games due to a bone bruise in his right knee).  THIS was NOT the news I wanted to hear.

Well, he not only tested his knee, he ends up with this game-winning bucket with 1.5 seconds left for the play...

Heart- Breaking. THIS Hurt https://t.co/3Mx6G55xBs

— Chauncey (@gonzosports1) November 12, 2015

Nikola (USC) finished with 18 points in 25 minutes on 9-16 shooting.

This game and moment HURT.  However, it had to be equally or more so exhilarating for Vucevic and the Magic; as much as this was painful to watch and perhaps more painful to bear witness to on the hardwood as a Laker.  What a moment and a game for them (Magic).

And, that's just it.  THIS was a good game.  I would go so far to say it was a great game in spite of the "L" for L - A.

Positively Speaking:

1) Another quality start for Metta:

9 pts, 4-7 FG, 27 Mins, 2 Bds, 1 A, 1 Stl, 1 BS

2) Career game for Nance 2:

     Nance was inactive for the first THREE games for the Lakers.  He was available in game 4 but got "DNP."  At this point we knew that the Lakers were struggling on defense and getting pounded in areas like "paint points."  Playing MWP and Nance seemed logical but they didn't get a sniff until they BOTH debuted in the first quarter vs the NY Knickerbockers ( #FPhil ).  Good things happened.  Since then, Metta has found himself starting at the "Three" while Kobe "Rests."

"I'm one of the best forwards in the world"_ MWP

Robert Horry, after the loss in Orlando, suggested Nance starting at the 4 and Randle at the Three.  Not a bad idea.

Who starts, for me, is NOT as important as overall contribution and finishing.

The game against the Magic should NOT have come down to a last second turn-around.  

The Lakers Needed some of their OWN MAGIC

Nance had been on the floor for a considerable amount of time but was taken out (5-6 minutes left in the 4th) to NOT return. 

20 mins, 13 pts, 6-6 FG, 1-1 3pt, 3 bds, 1 A

Nance is averaging 18.25 mpg, 6.8 pts, 4.3 rpg and 70.6% FG.  Start or NOT, this player needs MORE time on the floor.

It should be evident by now that the "front court" rotation between the 4 and 5 spots are firm with the following: Hibbert, Randle, Nance and MWP.

Inactive/DNP are reserved for Ryan Kelly and Robert Sacre.

This leaves Black and Bass.  I like them BOTH and they BOTH do positive things, however, they BOTH also show too many lapses and deficiencies.

     Easy shots and opportunities were missed, in the 4th quarter, and blown by the Lakers including mental lapses and turnovers.

3) Russell closed the game out?  I don't necessarily call this a "positive" as players like Clarkson and Nance were riding the pine down the stretch.  What I DO like is his overall play.

For those of you who think #DLoading is NOT good. Lakers https://t.co/wk3D90o7yA

— Chauncey (@gonzosports1) November 12, 2015

The numbers are NOT great but he played with more energy and assertion:

31 mins, 14 pts, 6-15 FG, 2-5 3pt, 6 bds, 3 A, 3TO

Who was guarding Napier?

30 mins, 22 pts, 8-16 FG, 5-9 3pt

4) The comparison of Julius Randle TO Aaron Gordon:

Gordon went 4 and Randle went 7 in 2014 DRAFT.

Gordon:

18.1 mpg, 8.3 ppg, 44%, 4.9 rpg, 1 A

Randle:

28.4 mpg, 11.9 ppg, 45%, 8.3 rpg, 2.9 A

Granted, Randle is playing about ten more minutes per contest, but he is currently showing better than Gordon. AND, one could make the argument that Larry Nance Jr.'s number are comparable and/or better in ways.  Either way, Lakers' Brass showing they struck GOLD in Nance2 (27th pick in 2015 Draft).

5) Huertas:  He did some good things AND he did some bad things.  THIS "rookie" needs to stay on the ground when passing AND learn how to get through screens.  If he could shore up his deficiencies he CAN help the purple and gold as the only true backup point guard.

6) Coach Scott:  He is FINALLY getting his rotation in order.  Now, it is just a matter of having the RIGHT combos in the RIGHT situations and times.  And he has to play his very BEST, the very MOST minutes.

#PlayMetta        #Nance2

Meanwhile on the "Lakers Flagship Station"

"they are STILL looking for that elusive second win.." _Brian Kamenetzky ESPN LA 11/12/15

This isn't necessarily the stuff that motivates ME to do THIS which is to take my time to write thoughts and opinions that no one is paying for nor necessarily cares about.

I do THIS for "the love of the game."

BUT, really "Kam Bros!?"  WE did know that this squad was going to struggle, right?

Lakers go from UGLY to FUGLY in loss to Sacramento Kings

Something "pretty" before the U-G-L-Y

Rondo, Cousins lead Kings to 132-114 win over Lakers

Any Surprise Here?

Never NICE to read a headline where two guys that were prominently spoken of regarding a potential move to bring them to SoCal end up tearing "you" a new one..(and they play for NoCal (ouch))

The reality is that the Kings have an All-Star in Cousins anchoring in the middle AND a former 4-time All-Star and NBA Champion Point Guard Rajon Rondo guiding their squad.  Add in a solid NBA veteran in Rudy Gay, an exciting and athletic draft pick in Cauley-Stein, one of the better back up point guards in Darren Collison and new additions like Belinelli and you have the makings of a more than half-way decent squad.

It is reasons like these on TOP of the fact that the West is so stacked that we are able to shrink down the litmus totem and realize where the Lakers are really at:

The Lakers start one of the greatest players of all-time, but in the previous two seasons combined, has played about half of a full 82, a 19 yr old rookie at perhaps the toughest position in this current NBA, a second year player with 14 minutes of experience after a season ending injury, a slumbering BIG that poses no threat offensively and JC (the best player on the Lakers).



I said it.

But Kobe..

Kobe what?

The drama of LA is no match for the ongoing soap series that is Kobe Bryant.  Do we really need to give THAT much attention to where ESPN ranks him and what Kobe has to say?

Fuck Rankings

I got news for you: the reality is that Kobe Bryant should be lucky to be "ranked" in the top 100 right now considering how infrequent he has been on the floor of late.  Sure, with health, Kobe is STILL one of the best and no doubt top 5 or top 10 guard worthy.

But, and it IS a BIG BUT.. he has NOT been healthy. Period.  End of conversation.

And, the Lakers, once again, start the season out in record fashion (The Lakers gave up 80 Points in the Paint) and to be giving up 122 points per game is not ONLY an embarrassment but has become the "norm" over the past three seasons for this esteemed franchise.

Face-Palmers unite:  If B Scott had hair he would be pulling it out.

At some point don't "we" have to ask the question:

Where is the D at Coach?

Mini Riles?  We keep hearing of the focus on defense and the intense training camp but "actions" will ALWAYS be louder than "words" in my book and the Lakers are pathetic in the defensive category and have been the past few seasons.

We sort of expected poor defensive rankings with the roster that Mike D'Antoni had and his basketball principles and philosophy.

Byron Scott though?

In fairness to D'Antoni, at some point Byron will become heavily scrutinized especially NOW since there is more data for management to evaluate.

But, apparently, "WHO" is at the helm makes NO DIFFERENCE.  The rosters have changed.  The coaches have been bouncing in off the ongoing retred carousel in hopes to turn this ship around.

"I told my team they had to be ready when the game starts, but they weren't ready," Lakers coach Byron Scott. "I wish I did have an answer for what happened. If I did I would solve it." _ nba.com

Coach: I'm wondering now how inspire your troops.  If THIS is you reply to what happened I am very concerned.  You're the COACH. 

FIND AN ANSWER

"We gave up 80 points in the paint. That's a lot to give up," Bryant said. "But they got a lot of penetration and on the ones they didn't convert, they got offensive rebounds and converted those." _nba.com

I know that Kobe Bryant has had the "C" permanently affixed to his #24 but perhaps we need to call him, "Captain Obvious."

Excerpts from an article by Joey Ramirez _ lakers.com 

Defense Absent in Lopsided Loss

Scott let the team know his disappointment during their 48-minute defensive lapse that allowed 80 points in the paint — the most by any team over the past 20 years, per Elias Sports Bureau.

“I told them at halftime, ‘Sooner or later, you’ve got to man up,’” Scott said after Friday’s loss. “Sometimes it doesn’t come down to Xs and Os. You’ve got guys going at you. You’ve got to man up.”

“We’re gonna learn going through the fire,” he said. “The young guys are going to have to learn quickly and the older guys are going to have to adjust as well.”

The 7-foot-2 Hibbert bolstered L.A.’s interior defense when he was on the floor, as he swatted five shots in 21 minutes.

“They set the tone from the beginning of the game and that was pretty much it,” said Julius Randle, who shot just 1-of-4 and had five turnovers in 16 minutes. “It was over from the beginning.”

REALLY?

Well, Julius Randle, you ARE technically correct since we know you got your asses wooped but to respond this way is NOT something ANY athlete should publicly say.  Please go run the hill to Griffith Observatory and THINK about what you said.  Clearly, Julius YOU gave up and your stat line reflects:

3 points, 1 assist, 1 Rebound, 5 Turnovers ?! in 16 minutes

You are a young player, Julius, so I'm not sure if YOU are aware of this term:

FUGLY

FUCKING UGLY

"BRO"

And, so it will go as we ride the Highs and Lows of resting our hopes and success on three very young and inexperienced players, a cast-away Center and a player that has yet to play a "full" season (min 58 games) since 2012-13.

Maybe we need some Fish...

I know of one that went to try and "save New York"

Too Many Options Not Enough Time? Lakers lose Season Opener to T'Wolves

Byron Scott went on record recently to say that he was still contemplating whether D'Angelo Russell would be starting (this past) Wednesday night vs the Minnesota T'Wolves.  Since then, we know that Mr. Russell did start:

4 Pts, 2 Ast, 3 Boards, 3 TOs in 25 Minutes

That kind of stat line doesn't necessarily make ANYONE happy and, no doubt, Russell would like to have that one back for personal reasons.  Perhaps the emphasis and focus should be MORE on the reasons WHY he should want this one back from a team perspective.

I am and have been "reserved" on Russell since draft night when the Lakers went bit-o-surprise with the pull of the Rabbit, not the Hare, out of the proverbial hat.

I both wonder and worry about this kid and I don't mean ANY disrespect.  D'Angelo is a man, no doubt, but he is young and inexperienced.  

Es lo Que es.  

And, by that I mean, there is no amount of experience you can muster that will prepare you for being the highest draft selection for this esteemed franchise since James Worthy went #1 back in 1982.

Let me phrase that in a different way:

D'Angelo Russell is the highest draft pick the Lakers have selected in 27 years.  

He has the attitude, demeanor and I believe is quoted as saying he thought he should have gone #1 overall (context.)  I get it.  The competitor within believes you ARE the best.  However, all players, including the GREAT Kobe Bryant take time to develop and Gelo is still wearing training wheels on a vehicle that has a lot of fast-moving and interchangeable parts.  If he is able to reel it back, walk humbly, let the game come to him and focus more on the desperately needed play-making attributes of HIS and He will be just fine.  If he comes off the bench: fine.  If he starts: fine.  It doesn't REALLY matter except from the simple stance of allowing the player to be in the best position for success as ANY top business professional would want for their respective team.  He needs reps and he NEEDS to be on the floor.  What he DOESN'T need is to concern himself with being anything than what he is: a 19 year old kid out of Ohio State that can ball.  And, oh yeah, ahem, STAY AWAY FROM TWITTER.  In fact, D'Angelo, just stay away from social media in general.  I realize this might be a huge challenge for a millennial.   

S/Os #Kanye2020: 

"We're Millennials BRO!"

The Lakers have won NINE Titles over that span of 27 years since J Dub went #1.  That is ONE NBA RING every THREE YEARS.  That reminds me, does Charles Barkley have an NBA Championship?   RING? 

"SCOREBOARD!"

Lakers: #16RINGS  Charles Barkley: NIL

Moving On...

In fairness to D'Angelo regarding his game 1 "stat line":

" Five players had more than Russell’s 36 touches, including reserve power forward Ryan Kelly (39), who played five fewer minutes than the rookie." _Lakers.com

I don't want to ever have to read information like this again for two reasons:

1) Ryan Kelly should never have more touches than Russell

2) Ryan Kelly should never have touches... Period

Too Harsh?

Kelly was 1 player in the second-to-last preseason game that was in the melee versus the Portland Trailblazers that led to an eventual win.  Most might remember that Ryan Kelly had this game-winning moment for the purple and gold.

My view of @RyanKelly34 game-winning dunk last night. Was a dream come true to watch the @Lakers at @STAPLESCenter pic.twitter.com/hiSXd9OTMx

— Robbie Priddle (@RobbiePriddle) October 20, 2015

Ryan Kelly might have actually saved his job (for the moment) with that play.  It was a great moment, however, for Kelly AND his teammates as he flew down the lane with the grace of a gazelle (everything is relative) before jamming home the game winning dunk.

However, prior to that wonderful moment of redemption which was desperately needed for self preservation, Mr. Kelly had been a part of watching the Blazers drop in a quick 5 points to tie the game.

Chris Kaman had grabbed a rebound off a miss and Ryan Kelly simply turned and faced the goal like a ten year old rec ball player that hasn't grasped the concept of blocking out. Kaman cruised to the basket, with not even a sniff from Kelly who was guarding him, swooped up the miss and dropped in a deuce.

Kelly then grabs the ball out of bounds, somewhat lethargically, and in-bounds the ball to a D'Angelo that was pushed to the edge by Portland's jock-riding D as the final ticks on the clock shined bright over the

                 "94 by 50 hunk of wood." _chick

Kelly NEVER looked Russell off and he NEVER saw anything but Russell.  That just left Portland to force the opposition's point guard to one of the worst spots you can be: the sideline.  D'Angelo bobbles, Portland retrieves, Kelly stands in the middle ... and a three comes raining down to tie the game.  This was fundamentally bad basketball all around and, quite frankly, probably got pushed to the wayside as a result of the Ryan Kelly version of " Jumpman23 "flying from the free throw line.  The ONLY differences are that it wasn't Michael Jordan and that it was from two feet out.  Other than those TWO differences they were the same DUNKS.

This is AIR "Jor-DAN," NOT to be CON-FU-SED with Air "Kelly"

Should Kelly or any other LAKER play poor fundamental basketball at all, especially on a consistent basis then, yes, I stand firm on the aforementioned stance:

" 2) Ryan Kelly should never have touches... Period" 

This could be anyone on the team at any given time for this reason: The Lakers need EVERY mathematical edge, or advantage, they can conjure up to put themselves in the best possible position to win.  Let's be REAL.  Get past our noses and realize how difficult the West is and continues to be.  This is old hat. If I am building the future NOW with such expectations on a squad that starts THREE very young players I have no time AND ZERO TOLERANCE for "experimenting" OR being so stubborn to avoid certain situations OR player combos whether it relate to philosophy or lineage.  BS is blessed with young talent this season.  No Doubt, when the D-League gets started here in a minute ( D-League Draft this Saturday) both Anthony Brown and Nance II should be back-and-forth between Varsity and JV like JC did for half of last NBA season.  They will join training camp invitee Robert Upshaw.  The D-Fenders are looking at rolling out lineups looking like:

Manny "Michigan Mamba" Harris

Vander Blue (by YOU)

Anthony Brown

Larry 2

Big UpShaw

SEE them while you can.  Some were fortunate to see Xavier, JC, Manny, Bari, and Vander last season for a bit.  THIS is Exciting but also frightening.  Just in time for Halloween I suppose.  Arguably and especially considering certain situations or subs that both Anthony Brown AND Nance II have shown enough to say that they ARE better then those handful of Lakers "ahead of them" on the bench.  Concurrent with a "Hind-Sight's Glance" what would having Jabari Brown on the roster in lieu of Kelly.  Their Guard options are thin overall and if J. Brown is on Roster is it he, Nance II, OR A. Brown that gets minutes in

Game 1 v T'Wolves ??

Personally, I would have sent either one (A. Brown / Nance II) and/OR Both starting with the third quarter (provided they have health).   The Lakers CAN force the behavior or action by increasing/ decreasing size/ length/ skill/ etc by the various combinations and B'rid players they have.  Does it REALLY matter that we are calling Kobe Bryant a Forward or a Guard?  A "2" OR a "3?"  JC? D'Angelo? LOU? Swaggy? Marcelo? OK, so now take any 4 of those and add Randle at the 5.  

THIS MUST HAPPEN! (is that too direct?)

But THAT did NOT happen.  What happened instead was Ryan Kelly picked up 20+ minutes, a bulk of which were in the 4th quarter.  When did the Lakers begin handing their lead OVER? Hold on... oh yeah, it says right here:

" Approximately 2:39 left in the third quarter when Ryan Kelly was inserted" _ SiriDOESGoogle (so it ain't thaat precise like my spellin)

Kelly closed the quarter out.  REPEAT.  Ryan "not 1 of the best 5 players in a Laker uniform" Kelly closed out a tight game that the Lakers end up losing by ONE.

This one is on COACH 

(listen to Byron Scott's post-game interview here)

Es lo que es

mas y meno

Incidentally: #Randle4ROY

is he eligible?

Did you know? Vander Blue had an offer of approximately $1M to play for the Lakers 2015-16?  Next thing you see Blue wearing RED for the BULLS in #NBASUMMER. HUH?
Blue will be back for the D-Fenders (oooops)

Also:

Looking to correct Google after typing "top Ten NBA Players to NEVER WIN NBA Championship" and seeing THIS

                                                  

#BarkleyIsAClown


I do know, since he is ON THIS list, Charles Barkley is at least 1 of NBA's TOP 50 players to NEVER win an NBA Title. Does HE deserve "Top 10 Consideration?"