ONE AND (not) DONE? LONZO'S BALLS TEND NOT TO GO IN; Lakers Lose Opener to Clippers

LonZo Ball had a subpar debut in the Summer League; The Lakers won the tourney and Ball the MVP. [Image SI.com]

          I saw a tweet the other day, BEFORE Lonzo and the Lakers debuted last night, that read,

" that trade (D'Angelo Russell / Timofey Mozgov to BKN for B. Lopez and the no 27 pick) is the worst trade ever next to the James Harden trade."

Others were super pumped about D'Angelo's debut for Brooklyn with his 30 points on 12/22 shooting.  Yes, he did well.  His team lost, just like the Lakers did.

D'Angelo is a good player.  He is hungry and probably bitter about the trade.  He is also on a team/ roster who's other starting guard (Jeremy Lin) just went down with a season-ending injury.  The roster is as putrid as Mr. Russell's (THEE) Ohio State Roster and Dee AingeRuss will have AMPLE opportunity to fill it up.  How about those assists?  Rebounds? Defense?  

That trade had to be made and it was a good to great move for LA.  To be able to unload the horrific Mozzie deal (Luol where YOU at?) , have a major upgrade at the Center position which also plays a part in next year's Cap flexibility, AND score Kyle Kuzma?  UM, "that trade" was a very smart, very wise, and very good trade.  Period.  Unfortunately, the Lakers had to include a good player of their own.  Lonzo is a better point guard.  

There has been a pattern, albeit a small and short sampling, where his "debut games" at the NBA level have been, well, less than average.

Lonzo Ball's Lakers Summer Debut Game ONE:

 32 minutes, had five points on 2-15 FG (13.3%), (ahem) 1 for 11 from three point range (9.1%), grabbed 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 TOs, 2 Steals and 1 block.  As bad as that line is, and it is, the worst part is he got schooled by Kendall Marshall in that game.

We all know what transpired after that.  The Lakers went on to capture the NBA Summer League Title and Ball won the MVP with averages of:

 16.3 ppg // 34-89 FG 38.2% // 7.7 rpg // 9.3 apg // 2.5 spg // 1 bpg _ NBA.COM 


LonZo Ball's NBA Pre Season Debut:

5 pts // 7 reb // 8 A // 2 Stl // 3 TO // 2-9 FG // 1-5 3pt

He only played a little more than a game and a half of the pre-season before injuring his ankle and ONLY being released to be a full participant in practice as of this past Monday, October 16, 2017.  The Lakers first game was last night (4 days AFTER he was released to practice in full).

So, to anticipate a crazy debut with crazy numbers is, quite frankly...CRAZY.  And that is asking way too much of a 19 year old with an ankle injury.

One nice attribute about Ball is that when his shot is not falling he will find other production to help his team.  Last night Ball was second on the team in rebounding with 9, tied leading the team in assists with 4 (Ingram) and he also had a steal and a block.  Similar to his "other" NBA debuts, Ball fell short in the shooting column: 

3 points on 1-6 FG // 1- 3 from 3 // 0-2 FT 

This team, right now, is a BAD free throw and three-point shooting squad.  But watch...

Lonzo WILL help that.  He has not had a lot of time to gel yet with the team (due to injury).  Is anyone talking about Markelle Fultz?  (crickets)

The Lakers may have selected the best player in the draft.  We cannot say that about the previous draft selections at the number 2 spot.  So, D'AngerGod can go out there and get his 20 points a night on 7- 21 shooting with 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 turnovers and .... lose.  Meanwhile, in his first season as a pro, Lonzo Ball will hover around the top 5 in Assists and top 3 in rebounds for a guard.

The bigger issue or question for the Lakers is this:

What the fuck is Coach Walton doing playing 12 guys in game 1?  Is this still pre-season?

Andrew Bogut?  11 mins?  He basically did nothing but make Luol Deng look fleet-footed...

Speaking of Deng..2 points in 13 minutes.  Why bother.

Ennis // Caruso BOTH? 21 mins // 4 points // 5 assists.  I like Caruso and was stoked to see him get a two- way deal but he should not have been on the floor last night simply for continuity reasons.

Same for Bogut.  We have seen enough.  Bogut is a waste of space and cannot move.  Hell, Roy Fucking Hibbert can do more than what we saw last night (and that is REALLY, REALLY, really really really....BAD).

So the issue is not Lonzo Ball's debut so much as it is that Coach Walton decided to play 12 guys, several of whom should NOT be playing at all, and also play one of his top 5 or 6 players (Julius Randle) just under 18 minutes.

This loss goes to the Coach.

ps

Nance Jr was a beast last night.  His defense on Blake Griffin was absolutely superb!

Lakers Lucky Number 7

     We asked for it:    

Luck

     When it was announced that Big Game James Worthy, or J Dub 42, would be at the draft lottery to represent Los Angeles the fans all celebrated and asked,  "Bring us some luck Big Game!"  Well, typically, nothing is luckier than SEVEN.  However, the Lakers, were probably hopeful to come back with a different result: THREE.  They did not.  The talk-shows went berzerk.  Fans were ready to jump off a cliff. A cow jumped over the moon.  What?  Why?  What is Sooo "Turrible "(insert Charles Barkley impersonation) about number 7?

     Well, according to channels like, XYQZ, I mean "ESPN LA," The Lakers HAD to have number three and that Coach D'Antoni screwed them out of the top 3 because the team won the last two games. Huh?  This draft has gobs of talent in it.  I would be envious if I was a competing GM knowing that teams like Boston and Minnesota have multiple picks.  It should be very interesting to watch it play out and there's a great chance that we see a lot of movement because of the depth.

     It has also been interesting to see and hear what had been a very definitive top 4 in this year's NBA Draft.  In no particular order: Wiggins, Parker, Embiid, and Randle (for awhile).  This has also changed.  Dante Exum, which many Lakers Fans were hopeful would drop to number 7 is now hovering in the top 3.  Injuries to Embiid and Randle have changed their fates but by how much?  Embiid has slipped from a potential Number One to...well, who knows.  One thing is certain: no one wants to be responsible for another Greg Oden on their roster.  Julius Randle has also slipped a tad.  So, along with players like Aaron Gordon (U of A) and Oklahoma State's Marcus Smart, the Lakers may be looking at a Randle and Embiid at Seven as well.  Luck?  The Lakers definitely like Joel Embiid, but if he falls to seven will they take the chance? 

      The Lakers just came off their worst season in LA franchise history with the most number of injuries...ever.  Is it wise to select a player that could miss half of the season?  Randle was a beast in the NCAA Tourney, but he has a foot problem now.  And unless he is the next Karl Malone, move on; the Lakers can aggressively pursue retaining Jordan Hill to ensure a double double PF in their lineup.  


     Aaron Gordon?  Long, athletic, energy, good defense.. is he a power forward or a small forward? THAT is the NBA question.  Marcus Smart might crack the top 5 as the "best Point Guard" in the draft.  A solid player that is a bigger play-making guard.  Some people like McDermott and others like Noah Vonleh who might also be available at number 7.

     The best player available versus need approaches:  We do know one thing: The Lakers NEED players (they currently have 3 rostered players with a team option on a fourth).

     The Spurs won the Larry O'Brien Trophy becoming world champions once again and they could end up drafting UCLA's Zach Lavine with the 30th selection on Thursday June 26, 2014.  Keep Reading. It was actually well before the Spurs grabbed the NBA's top team honor that Mr. Lavine declared himself for the NBA.  We didn't know then that the Spurs would win the championship, although most knew they had a great shot.

     It was in one of the very early Mock Drafts where I had seen Zach LaVine projected at number 30- San Antonio Spurs.  I remember remarking to a friend, "The San Antonio Spurs are probably going to win the championship...they are certainly one of THE top teams.. and now they could end up with a highly skilled player like LaVine?!!!  WOW! That's how good this draft is!"   To take that a step farther, the Pac-12 Player of the Year, Aaron Gordon's teammate and leader of the Wildcats squad, Nick Johnson, was projected early second round.

     Since then, the Lakers parted ways with Coach D'Antoni (pause: Celebrate), San Antonio took care of business, the Purple and Gold wound up with the seventh overall pick and LaVine keeps climbing the charts.

The question is, How high will he climb?






 He climbed to almost 4 feet(46") in El Segundo in one of his workouts with the Lakers and
 in the NBA combine, Zach Lavine posted these numbers:

"LaVine finished in the top five in each category that tested strength and agility drills at the NBA Combine: lane agility time (10.42 seconds, first), shuttle run (2.80 seconds, second), three quarter sprint (3.19 seconds, eighth), standing vertical jump (33.5 inches, fourth) and max vertical leap (41.5 inches, fourth)." ^source http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/14draftprofile_lavine




The Bruins have had a nice run, in recent years, with players entering the NBA draft and being very successful.  There are three Bruins in this year's draft and they could all go in the top 20-25.  Kyle Anderson is intriguing as a 6-9 PG, however, I did not like that he gave up in the last two minutes v FLA in the tournament.  Anderson was subject to discplinary action on several occasions during the year as well so this might play a part as to why he slips a little in the draft.  Jordan Adams had been the team's top scorer and has really solid all around game.  So, LaVine was really a third or fourth option that came in off the bench and played in the Bruins 2-3 zone defense.  With a 6-8" wing span, this kid can cover some ground.  He has quicks, athleticism and MAD hops.. Sound like another Bruin?  Perhaps not the wingspan, but the other attributes remind one of Russel Westbrook, who LaVine says is one of three guards that he patterns himself after.  Remember, Westbrook came back for his sophomore season.  You could definitely see the drive, grit, determination, skill and athleticism but he just did not get the playing time or opportunity.  

This is a familiar story with LaVine.  He played a lot more than Westbrook did as a freshman but LaVine made it clear that he did not like how he was used and bolted to the NBA.  Don't let the 9.4 , 2.5, and 1.8 fool you.  He only took 7.8 shots per game and shot 44%  His range and quick outside shot seem better to me than Westbrook's at the same time.  This is a long, lean, athletic combo guard with handles and skills.  

LUCKY LAVINE ?

We shall see...

On a side note: it would be ironic that "the Vine" would come in and take the NBA social media  #TBT  of the year, Kendall Marshall's, job from him.  KButter Loves him some Vine productions...

oh, and, that Pac-12 Player of the year?  Nick Johnson could jump from the projected 54th spot, +/- and LAND squarely in S.A.  Another solid, solid player WILL be available for the reigning champions.

Also, bare in mind that there may be a bust in the top 10 and there is a great chance at players drafted in the latter first  round AND through the second that will be better than some in the top 10/ top 15...

For the Lakers, this is just another step in the "purple n gold" dominoes.  A piece, or a play, that has to fall before progressing into Free Agency. 

1)  Extending Mitch

2) Firing D'Antoni (I mean, make D'Antoni resign)

3) Draft Day - Pick #7: Trade?  Keep?

4) Coach

5) FAs
   

Ciao D'Antoni

Saying Goodbye to the now "former" Lakers Coach will not be difficult for many many Laker Fans.  Yours Truly is one of those fans.

As I sit here at 11:26 pm [April 30, 2014] to start describing my thoughts and feeling on the NEWS that Mike D'Antoni resigned I can only begin with this,

   "Today Was a Good Day.."

GOOD FRIDAY (for the Lakers?)

       The Lakers GM, Mitch Kupchak, and Coach Mike D'Antoni have yet to have their "exit interview."  The players, meanwhile, had theirs between Thursday 4/17/14 and Friday, 4/18/14.  Many people might have anticipated an announcement as to whether the Lakers plan on keeping their Coach going forward.  Perhaps a bit odd since the coach does have one-year left on his NBA contract (a guaranteed year).  Mitch Kupchak said a few times during his presser that Coach D'Antoni has "two years left on his contract."  

TWO MORE YEARS?! 

Exhibition: Lakers V D-Fenders

Recently, Center Travis Hyman, of the Los Angeles D-Fenders, made a remark about the idea of playing the Los Angeles Lakers.  I proceeded to ask him the question,

"Do you (the DFenders) want to challenge the them (Lakers) to a game?"