Game Recap: Lakers Defense Looks Familiar
Another year, another blowout loss to the Golden State Warriors. Somewhere Mike D’antoni is saying, “it wasn’t me.”
The Golden State Warriors were too quick and skilled for Byron Scott’s team. You can’t fake quickness. The Warriors did whatever they wanted, shredding the Lakers defense and reminding everyone how potent they are offensively. But the way Byron Scott saw it the game was about hustle. “We were outworked”, Scott said.
Oct 9, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Wesley Johnson (11) defends against Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (40) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Steve Nash was given the night off. Klay Thompson, the Warriors distance shooter, was not. He opened the game with a three point shot and barely broke into a sweat the rest of the game as he drained one shot after another. He had 20 points at halftime. After the game Kobe, who has played against Klay since he was a teenager, complimented him. “He has the full package.”
Klay Thompson’s backcourt partner in crime, Steph Curry, reverted to the role of a playmaker so whenever the Lakers doubled the Warriors he found the open perimeter shooter. If the Warriors were not knocking down jump shots, the Lakers were late and fouling jump shooters. The quickness thing, again. The Warriors took 20 free throws in the first quarter.
The Lakers first quarter offense centered on Kobe Bryant. He had 10 points in the first quarter, missing only two shots, looking the way he often looks as he scored from different areas on the floor in a variety of ways. He had two steals, one off of Steph Curry that ended with a dunk. Carlos Boozer made a couple of nice mid range jumpers and that was about it as far as consistent offense goes. The Lakers didn’t look particularly confident in their sets and fell into the old pattern of waiting for Kobe heroism at the end of the shot clock. But the Lakers only trailed by 8 points by quarter’s end which was miraculous considering the Warriors shot 64% in the quarter.
The Lakers second unit wasn’t as cohesive as they were on Monday night. Without Jeremy Lin, they were missing a playmaker to get them good shots. Julius Randle struggled with his shot making and the speed of the game. He didn’t let the game come to him and played a little too fast and was punished for it as he was called for ticky-tack fouls. Byron Scott said he looked, “lost.” His teammates want him to not hesitate with his shots. Randle had 12 points and 7 rebounds. “Everything is a learning experience right now. The good thing is I see what I can do to get better. I just have to figure out the pace of play and stop hesitating so much.”
Jordan Clarkson made a couple of nice plays moving without the ball, making sure he was in rebounding position. Before the half ended he limped back into the locker room with Gary Vitti and didn’t return because of a calf strain. “My calf tightened up”, he said after the game. “I’ll know more tomorrow.” He talked about playing the shooting guard position. “I try to make shot(s) at the rim.”
The rest of the subs gave effort, their rebounding numbers were nice but they couldn’t finish it off with offense. Jeremy Tyler and Wayne Ellington and Robert Sacre aren’t the most dependable threats. Ronnie Price stepped in for Lin as the playmaker and he was good enough but not spectacular. In a way it wasn’t a fair fight because the Warriors put their starters in against inexperienced or average players and, of course, they dominated. The Warriors put 62 points up on the board by half.
The second half wasn’t particularly close although the Lakers cut the lead to single digits until the Warriors went back to their staple of draining threes. The Warriors defense is improved under Steve Kerr, they double a lot. Kobe was more a playmaker in the third quarter, setting his teammates up for shots that they couldn’t finish. It was a 20+ lead going into the 4th quarter.
Jeremy Lin had a nice game as he played, for the most part, off ball. It was on purpose. Byron Scott admitted, “Kobe knows the offense better.” Lin had one dazzling play where he finished at the rim. But he had a tough job trying to slow down Steph Curry. “We weren’t the aggressors tonight. It starts with me at the top being aggressive.It’s frustrating”, Lin admitted, referring to the disastrous defense. “But we get to learn from it.” Lin also talked about having Kobe in the locker room. He called it “a blessing”. Lin has never had a mentor and Kobe is pushing him. Kobe believes Lin can be a great defender. “He has the size and the quickness.”
Carlos Boozer played his typical game of mid range shooting but struggled on the block with explosiveness. Translation: expect a lot of his shots blocked. Ed Davis continued to shine in his role as a back-up center/forward, do it all front court player. Wayne Ellington and Ronnie Price didn’t do much to nail down a position in the regular season. Wesley Johnson had 2 points and 3 rebounds.
The Lakers three point shooting was atrocious. 9%. The Lakers scored 44 points in the paint, same as the Warriors. For the second straight game the Lakers out-rebounded their opponent.
These teams meet again on Sunday.