The most productive unit on the floor came from the G-League
Yes Lakers fans, your Los Angeles Lakers looked watchable when Johnathan Williams, Scott Machado and Alex Caruso was on the basketball court. It’s true.
Alex Caruso is trying to carve a niche on this team. If he is not signed by the Lakers, he will be signed somewhere in the NBA. With each passing game, Caruso is gaining more experience.
First he hits a huge lean-in jumper to keep the game from getting out of hand at the end of the first quarter.
Then throughout the game Caruso continued to be effective in the Lakers offense. Caruso scored 13 points and dished out 4 assists. He shot 5-for-10 from the floor and competed hard on the defensive end.
He provided a little bit of excitement too. Caruso hit the Jazz with a no look, between the legs pass to Johnathan Williams for a layup that got oohs and aahs from the crowd.
But this play set it off…
https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1111125409507102720
Caruso brings the ball up passing the ball to Scott Machado. He rolls to the basket and catches a filthy alley-oop with the right hand over Kyle Korver. Didn’t know he had it in him. Neither did the announcers or the Jazz faithful because the play brought sent shock waves through the building.
Speaking of the guy that threw the perfect pass, Scott Machado.
In 15 minutes, Machado looked more and more comfortable on the floor scoring 7 points (3-for-4 shooting) and dishing out 3 assists with zero turnovers.
Johnathan Williams continued to bring energy and hard work to the floor filling the box score putting up 8 points, 6 rebounds (2 offensive), 2 steals and an assist. These players basically need more time on the floor to evaluate for next season.
Finally…
Rajon Rondo moved up to 19th place on the NBA All-time assists list. Congratulations on the accomplishment. Now it’s time to shut him down for the year. Caruso and Machado both outplayed Rondo while he shot an awful 1-for-11 from the field and played even worse defense.
It’s possible that Rondo will not be back next year so let the G-League crew can gain experience. Rondo is done.
The Los Angeles Lakers are now closing their long journey through the NBA season. Lake Show Life will be there every step of the way. Continue to check in for Lakers news, previews and reviews.