This “New Year, New Me” thing looks like it’s working with the Los Angeles Lakers and for the first time in their last 30 games they’ve put together consecutive wins (MIA and ORL).
Some say the Lakers finally got defensive, others may say it’s the extra work D’Angelo Russell and Brandom Ingram are putting in lately. Head coach Luke Walton even suggested they maybe “got sick of losing.” Perhaps it’s all of those things. Whatever it is, it certainly looks like a new Lakers squad for the new year. Particularly, D’Angelo Russell.
Russell is averaging 15.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists for the season. However, since 2017 started he’s been averaging 20.8, 5.2 rebounds and 5 assists per game.
The Lakers point guard has been even more aggressive lately reminding us the preseason Russell. A D’Angelo-Russell-Westbrook-esque who was looking to attacked the rim at all the time. This “new” D’Angelo posted 28,18, 22, 19 and 17 with 46.7 field goal percentage over the last 5 games stretch.
The Lakers second-year guard still doesn’t strike me as a great playmaker, however, that doesn’t mean he’s not a great passer. Those are two different things. The second one is there; the first one is still at the end of the tunnel.
Why am I leading you into confusion by talking about shot percentage first and playmaking/pass after? I’ll talk to you into my point.
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D’Lo is an ok/good three-point shooter and under Luke Walton’s regime, the Lakers guard has been given permission to let it fly. One little detail: he tends to shoot way better at the Staples Center comparing to away games. Seems logical, I’m aware. Even though, 40.6% at home and 32.1% on the road sounds relevant to me.
Teams are starting to scheme Russell by chasing him over the top of the screens, trying to defend him higher, daring him to attack the paint by denying him the three.
And as you can see on Russell’s last five games shot chart, he’s been spending a lot of time in the paint and he’s been Tony Parker-esque efficient too, with 72.2 percent around the rim on 13/18 of shooting.
Why did I mention playmaking? Because most of his playmaking has come as a reaction. He attacks the rim first and then he’s forced to decide. Which is not a bad thing. Nevertheless, the ideal next step would be playmaking as an action, not as a reaction. Those are two different things. And he’s on the right track and Luke knows it.
Next: Lamar Odom headed back to LA?
He’s been efficient from the perimeter, around the rim and the Lakers have won 15 games this season already. They’re on route to eclipse last year’s total wins of 17 by the end of this month.
New head coach, New D’Angelo.