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Los Angeles Lakers: 4 hot takes for the team in 2018-19

By Ronald Agers

PORTLAND, OR - OCTOBER 18: Luke Walton of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on October 18, 2018 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - OCTOBER 18: Luke Walton of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on October 18, 2018 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers
Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images /

3. The backcourt has issues on the offensive end of the floor.

I will mention my discontent for the positionless basketball theory of the Los Angeles Lakers all season long. To me, it is an analytical way of…rolling the ball out and trying to figure out what’s going on as we go along.

Ergo…no structure. This starts in the backcourt…let’s start on the offensive end.

Offensively, the Lakers need to score at least 40 points per game collectively to stay competitive. This is not to win but stay competitive.

I have used the same quote throughout the entire preseason for Lonzo Ball and Rajon Rondo…

"This is an extremely important area of emphasis. Eventually, teams are going to pack it in the paint and demand Rondo (and eventually Ball) to consistently hit the jumper during the season. That’s the NBA folks. Whatever this positionless basketball the Lakers are selling will not work if everyone is not contributing on the offensive end. Good teams will isolate these guys and take advantage if they don’t look at the basket. The backcourt has to look for their offense and not look to LeBron James for everything."

I am a huge fan of Rajon Rondo, however, he has to keep the defense honest by at least looking at the rim when left wide open. During the preseason, Rondo did not attempt more than five shots that I remember.

At the point guard spot, this is a problem. Offensively, the Lakers are playing 4-5 against their opponents. In the Western Conference, the backcourts score when the mood fits them…MAN is this conference moody!

Portland: Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum.

Houston: Chris Paul and James Harden.

Golden State: Yeah…those two dudes!

How about Phoenix…Devin Booker and insert who you want to here! But they signed Jamal Crawford, who just scored a basket as I’m writing this! Dallas and their backcourt are dangerous in Luka Doncic and Dennis Smith Jr., this list goes on and on.

For the Lakers to be successful, the backcourt has to match their opponent.

This goes for Lonzo Ball as well. When he knocks down this three here, look at the room that Klay Thompson leaves for him…

https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1050941578573799424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1050941578573799424&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Flakeshowlife.com%2F2018%2F10%2F13%2Flos-angeles-lakers-3-players-stood-119-105-win%2F

After Curry hits his three (more on that later…) when the Lakers get into their high pick and roll offense, Lance Stephenson draws two players and Lonzo hits the jumper. But the point that is shown here is the attention Stephenson received compared to Ball. Look for this until AT LEAST CHRISTMAS for the point guard position from the opposition.

As for the two guard spot…

Except for one preseason game, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has been a disaster. Josh Hart has outplayed KCP the whole preseason but against Portland, KCP was in the starting lineup. Josh Hart makes his presence felt on the floor if he’s scoring or not. Can’t say the same for Caldwell-Pope.

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