Don't Hurt US; Marcelo Huertas

No Doubt there are still plenty of Lakers Fans that never want to see Marcelo Huertas step foot on the, "94 x 50 hunk of hardwood" at Staples Center ever again.

There will always be "haters" for team(s) AND individuals.

That being said, Huertas, who has "filled IN" for the injured Jose Calderon, who was "filling-IN" for the injured D'Angelo Russell, has done an admirable job.

All three of these guards for the Lakers suffer in the defensive category for some similar and also some different reasons.  Positioning, foot speed, quickness, size..

But, they ALL do a really nice job with pace and getting their teammates involved.

Marcelo, in the last two games is averaging 24.5 mins, 11 pts, 5 assists, 2 REB, 2.5 Steals, 3.5 TO (only 1 TO in the last game vs PHX) and shooting 57% from the floor.

One of the more glaring issues from last season was that along with Marcelo's creativity comes some unique passes.  "Issues" would arise when he left his feet for some of these unique passes.  Although there were times when he might "make" a brilliant play, there were more times that those "passes" would be errant and the NBA Defenders would make "Celo" and the Lakers pay.

Huertas has really cut back on this (leaving his feet) which has helped drop his turnovers.

His overall play, sans defensive deficiencies, is pretty efficient.

Love seeing the progression and the maturity in someone that has years of experience internationally.

Next Man-UP! The Lakers Mantra being tested

The Lakers find themselves testing the limits of the "next man-up" mantra and attitude that begins with Lakers Head Coach Luke Walton and ends with the last men on the bench.  It has been some of the last men on the bench, literally, that have filled in nicely for the team.

Walton has demonstrated on more than one occasion that he would much rather keep one of the NBA's best five, the Lakers' Second Unit, in tact.  Thomas Robinson, Jose Calderon, Metta World Peace and Marcelo Huertas are all players that with a "healthy" starting backcourt would ordinarily not be seeing the floor much, if at all.

Much is being made of the loss of D'Angelo Russell.  When you factor in his 4.8 assists each time out, you can say that he has a part of at least 26 points per contest.  Nick Young is fourth on the list of Lakers Top Scorers and Russell is two.  Losing two of your top four scorers hurts ANY team.  Marcelo Huertas filled in nicely last game with 7 assists and five steals last game.  Huertas replaced the injured "back-up point guard" Jose Calderon.  Calderon had previously filled-in for D'Angelo and had been playing steady basketball.

When T-Rob, Thomas Robinson, got the start when Julius Randle missed a game due to a "hip-pointer" injury he grabbed 10 rebounds.

So, the "next-man UP" IS stepping UP for the Lakers.

They are just running out of available players to back-up those back-ups.  And, players like Jordan Clarkson and Luol Deng are not stepping up enough.  Clarkson has had moments but has been inconsistent, including a 3-13 performance against the Rockets.

Deng?   Luol is still doing the intangibles.  He is hustling and making plays on the ball that do not show up in the stat sheet.  However, at some point your highest paid player and "leader" needs to take the bull by the horns and ball.  Luol has not done that yet.

 He has complained about playing time yet when given added opportunity he seems to take "steps-back," while  those around him seem "step- UP."   Surrounded by his youthful and more energetic Lakers Teammates, Deng seems to fade away into an obscurity of sorts.  Almost forgotten about.

But, Luol Deng is STILL on this team and he is STILL a starter.  I don't think the Lakers have anymore "protected-picks" to lose for so at some point the Coaches have to look long and hard at Deng.  Thomas Robinson has already shown that when called upon he exceeds expectations, brings energy and hustle and also produces.  These are ALL things the Luol Deng is NOT doing.

Lou Williams has stepped up, hit big shots, played consistently and put his team on his back.

Jordan Clarkson has... well, Jordan Clarkson has worn a kilt.

He has to do more than that.

Way more than that.

Tarik Black's energy and defense in the middle has been missed but the Lakers have Nance Jr. back who knows he has to step-up in Black's absence.  Robinson can also help fill that void.

It is easy to look at a 39-point loss and say that you need to play better defense.  They also shot poorly (39% vs HOU 54 %).  This includes Clarkson and Deng combining at 4-18 from the field totaling nine points.

Next MAN-UP!

Step IN, Step-UP.. Defend the perimeter against the quick guards of Phoenix and contain the middle against the Suns'active Bigs.

D-Fend Home Court

THE GOOD: Part One of the Lakers WIN against the Brooklyn Nets

D'Angelo Russell_ obvi

Dude went off and apparently has ice in his veins:







IN his post-game press conference he said his dad texted before the game which is something that his dad does not ordinarily do (anymore).   

"..He usually texts me after the game(s).." Russell said in regards to his father.

"He asked me if I was hungry.  HE was like, EAT, and I was like, oh, ok now I know what you mean.."

D'Angelo ATE alright

{ 39 pts on 14/21 FG, 8/12 3pt., 6 Reb, 3 As, 1 Stl, 3 TO, +13}

A record-setting performance by the rookie_ via Mike Trudell, Lakers Reporter in THIS interview with Larry Nance Jr.

"The most a Lakers' rookie, I think,  has had since 1959 when Elgin Baylor did it a couple of times..." 

Larry Nance Jr. made some tremendous plays of his own, including a high flying blocked shot off the backboard that was negated on a call for "offensive interference:"



And THIS dunk off a sweet no-look pass from Marcelo Huertas who has not had a whole lot of run this season..



Huertas got 5 assists in 14 minutes and really helps the flow and pace, particularly as a set-up man for "Gelo" and Co.


 Jordan Clarkson played great ball including his own Mamba Moment to close the third quarter giving the Lakers a five point advantage:



There were moments of inspired play and stellar TEAM DEFENSE.  Swaggy 3 not ONLY showed up but so did Swaggy D:



And here is a contribution by Tarik Black who plays perfect defensive position on Brook Lopez, who had 23 points, and receives help defense by Larry Nance Jr:



Nance, literally, had Black's Back.  He also had Marcelo's.  In his post game interview he looked to correct a turnover stat that had been given to Marcelo:

"I felt bad that I think they gave him the turnover for, that's MY turnover...I always look out for my point guards.."

T E A M

Speaking of TEAM

It REALLY is not whether you win or lose it IS how you play the game and this team, for the most part, played pretty decent team ball on BOTH sides of it

THIS is WINNING

And, on the heels of watching the "Top 10 Chickisms.."

It is fitting that THIS game ended with "Gelo (not Jello) Jigglin" as D'AnGelo Russell hits two consecutive three pointers to ice and close the proverbial door on this one..

LIGHTS OUT!

LA has been missing this...

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?