Los Angeles Lakers: 3 Lessons from the loss to the Brooklyn Nets
By Ronald Agers
Jared Dudley sent a limo for the 4th quarter
The Los Angeles Lakers lost this game because of defense. Some of it is because Luke Walton for some reason believes that if the Lakers go to playing a “small ball” lineup, something productive will happen. it hasn’t happened all year. STOP! JUST STOP!
Tyson Chandler tallied 17 minutes, scored 5 points on 2-2 shooting (I believe two dunks! Correct me if I am wrong!) with 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks. Moe Wagner played eight minutes.
Lakers fans, if I were you I would send a petition to the Lakers organization demanding a contract extension for JaVale McGee. I realize that he has the flu but a few million dollars will make him feel a lot better. The man cleans up a lot of mistakes.
I appreciate what Jared Dudley is saying, but these two plays have nothing to do with switching. They are just terrible closeouts on a guy that has no business beating you from the 3pt line to the basket. pic.twitter.com/P3O9gq66BN
— Raj C. (@RajChipalu) December 19, 2018
God bless Jared Dudley, but there is no way in the world that this man should match LeBron James in 4th quarter scoring. No way. I could be wrong but the last time this man was scoring like this in crunch time was when he was in Charlotte. I believe the team was called the BOBCATS then.
The first play shows Dudley receiving the ball at the top. Josh Hart comes out but he’s out of control. Dudley just blows by him and scores an easy layup when no one rotates over to protect the rim.
The second play shows Dudley with the ball under the rim passing the ball to Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and fades out to the 3-point line. When he gets the ball back, Lonzo Ball closes out but again not in good defensive position. Dudley blows by him baseline and hits the lay-up. Again, no rotation. No rim protection.
This is what happens when JaVale McGee and Tyson Chandler are not on the floor. Teams are not worried about shot blocking. If the Lakers want to sell to the fans the Anthony Davis is coming in a trade, fine. But until then, can one of these guys be on the floor at all times?
I could go into LeBron James and Kyle Kuzma playing the five-spot but why? Kuzma is too small and LeBron James will not defend playing the position. This is now on Luke Walton! He wants to play the Golden State Warriors style of ball, but does not have the personnel. On paper it works, in an office, it works. On the floor, it has failed every time.
LeBron James has to play the role of Draymond Green in the small ball offense. Draymond will commit to defense, LeBron will not. Try something else. If not, the Lakers need to find a new coach quick.
Finally to wrap this up