The Lakers have thrown in some surprise performances despite their dismal record. Against the Memphis Grizzlies, they did everything necessary to win. They kept Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol from dominating in the paint. They matched the Grizzlies on the boards. They had more offensive rebounds than the Grizzlies. They had several scoring runs to shrink the lead. But they were unable to make the correct play on offense or on defense to win. It happened against the Clippers, the Suns and last night it was the Grizzlies who were spectators to the Lakers mistakes.
Nov 10, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson (13) and New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) fight for a rebound during the third quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavaliers beat the Pelicans 118-111. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
In New Orleans, the Lakers will face a dominant big man. Kobe Bryant called Anthony Davis, “an athletic Pau Gasol.” Davis, the 21 year old who grew eight inches his senior year in high school, has evolved into a gifted big man in just three NBA seasons.
He was the only Olympian without NBA game play in 2012. Since then he has become a superior, unstoppable force. He does everything you want a forward to do. He blocks shots (he had 9 on opening night). He scores with a fluid grace that makes him difficult to defend (he averages 25 points a game). He rebounds and is a good passer out of the post. And he doesn’t have to guard centers. Omer Asik does that. More importantly for the Pelicans, Davis plays defense without fouling.
On paper, it looks like a recipe for disaster. Not only are the Lakers a small team, their front line plays small. No one averages 10+ rebounds a game. No one protects the rim.
Competitively, the Lakers have to continue what worked for them against Charlotte and Memphis. In both games they shot the ball well, limiting rebounding opportunities. Anthony Davis is going to get his points and boards against the Lakers. But can the Lakers curtail the rest of the Pelicans?
The Pelicans have a quick point guard in Jrue Holiday who averages 7 assists. Eric Gordon and Tyreke Evans on the wing are creative scorers. Ryan Anderson is a three point shooter who goes on binges; the Lakers are not known for their three point defense.
The Pelicans are coached by Monty Williams, a former Greg Popovich disciple. His teams defend but opponents are shooting 45% against them. On the second night of a back to back, after a grueling loss in Memphis, do the Lakers have enough energy to execute offensively? Can they fight through fatigue?
The Lakers are 11th in field goal percentage and Nick Young has yet to play. Their offense has improved from the first game of the season when they shot 35% against the Rockets. Ryan Kelly is expected to play in Memphis which will give the Lakers an extra rebounder, a perimeter shooter, and a player with a high basketball I.Q. who has innate instincts and rarely makes mistakes. But, will his presence be enough?