The Los Angeles Lakers were shown what playoff mode basketball looks like by the Golden State Warriors on Thursday evening. Check out our takeaways from the game.
Look let me get this out of the way now Los Angeles Lakers fans, because every sports media outlet will not let this narrative die. The Los Angeles Lakers were in the 4th seed on Christmas day and they blew the World Champion Golden State Warriors out. Believe me, I know, I covered the game for Lake Show Life.
LeBron James got hurt with a groin injury and the Lakers season fell apart after that. Okay, now that’s out of the way, let’s deal with 2019, shall we?
On social media, a lot of Lakers fans had some extra “sauce” in their comments about the victory and how the Lakers were going to take down the Golden State Warriors in the playoffs.
Luckily for me, I didn’t get caught in that paranoia. Because the Lakers got whitewashed the last three games of the series which featured three different storylines on and off the court.
When the next game came around and the Warriors played the Lakers, Klay Thompson was playing target practice from the 3-point line!
That was the game that he set the NBA record for hitting his first eleven 3-point shots. He ended up with 44 points. That was the game the Lakers fans were cheering him instead of the Lakers! But LeBron James was still hurt at the time. When he gets back everything will be all right…
Right?
The next game featured LeBron James backing out of the third game between the teams that ended in a blowout.
You remember that game right? That was the game when LeBron James showed up and let the Lakers know about an hour before tip-off that he was not going to play. Then the Warriors dominated the Lakers and there were reports after the game that there was shouting coming out of the locker room.
Folks, as bad as those last two games were, it didn’t even compare to what the Golden State Warriors put on the Lakers in the final game. The Lakers started the game down 31-8 (This is not a typo) on the way to a 108-90 loss. According to Luke Walton, it seems that the champs are ready for the playoffs.
"“They looked like they’re turning on playoff mode,” Lakers coach Luke Walton said. “They came in that first quarter and were ready to go.”"
Playoff Mode? What’s that? Oh, that’s right that’s what LeBron James said was going to kick in about a couple of months ago.
Well, if the Lakers had no clue to what LeBron James was talking about back then, the Warriors illustrated to everyone in the Lakers organization what playoff mode is all about. The Lakers scored a season-low 12 points in the first quarter.
What was worse, the Lakers fans didn’t even boo. This is how far the mighty have fallen. It was almost like they came to watch the champs.
But Issac Bonga was the captain of the night! When TNT announcer Reggie Miller starts clowning you, it’s just not a good look! I’m not going to bore you anymore. Let’s talk about the Lakers only moment of the game.
Alex Caruso caught some bodies under the rim!
Alex Caruso scored nine points on 4-of-14 shooting. He grabbed five rebounds and six assists. None of this matters because Lakers fan will be talking about this all day long.
Bet you didn't know Alex Caruso got BOUNCE pic.twitter.com/wLNq7bhWeU
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 5, 2019
The Los Angeles Lakers front office had better keep this dude. You can’t point out one game Caruso hasn’t competed or looked scared. This guy is putting the phrase from the movie “White Men Can’t Jump” to bed…FOREVER!
At least the goal wasn’t lowered for Caruso like it was for Woody Harrelson at game point in the final game of the movie!
I mean Alex caught Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and JaVale McGee all at the same time! But seriously, Alex Caruso should have cemented his status as a bench player for the Lakers next year. You have an athletic back up to Lonzo Ball coming off the bench with defensive competitiveness means one thing; Rajon Rondo can go.
The Lakers will get more bang for their buck with Caruso and will not have to pay $9 million dollars like they did Rondo this year.
Here’s another G Leaguer that tends to play like he has some heart.
Johnathan Williams keeps up his inspired play!
Just call this guy “Hard Work” because that what he brings to the table. Imagine leaning up against DeMarcus Cousins all night and trying to be effective. Johnathan did this by playing with energy and it paid off.
Williams led the Los Angeles Lakers in scoring and rebounding tallying 17 points and 13 rebounds (six on the offensive end) with an assist, a steal and a block. He had a few high-flying dunks as well.
The Los Angeles Lakers are going to have to find a spot of the roster for Johnathan Williams. Moritz Wagner was the first round pick last year, but he has been outplayed for the most part by Johnathan Williams and this goes as far back as the preseason.
Is Wagner more polished than Williams? Sure. But Wagner has been bullied down on the defensive end all season long and his jumper does not justify keeping him on the floor. Plus he is showing his deficiencies on playing the pick and roll.
With an offseason program for Williams and Summer League run in a few months, Johnathan Williams will pass Moe Wagner on the depth chart.
Furthermore, Johnathan Williams was one of the few Lakers, along with Caruso, that will sacrifice on defense. It is very sad that the best two defenders on this Lakers team happen to play for the South Bay Lakers with two of the three cheapest contracts on the team.
While LeBron James makes about, say, $35 million! Do the math! Speaking of defense…
To anyone that is wondering why Luke Walton is getting fired
Would you give major minutes to a player that has a plus/minus total of -32? Okay, how about letting a player shoot 3-of-19? How about if neither of these players gave a thought to playing defense? Well, Luke Walton decided to give Rajon Rondo and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope some run on the basketball court.
Oh, by the way, they were on the court when the Warriors ran away and hid in the 1st quarter. I mean I know this is Steph Curry, but really?
Steph hits ahead to KD in style for tonight's #KiaTopPlay! #DubNation pic.twitter.com/CnA3J6BaKV
— NBA (@NBA) April 5, 2019
Who does a behind the back passes the full length of the court? Anybody can because Caldwell-Pope was out of position to rotate back to play defense.
The Lakers defense was basically summed up here.
Lakers completely disrespect Boogie's jumper on back-to-back possessions pic.twitter.com/y4HGvTLzbY
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 5, 2019
DeMarcus Cousins is a capable 3-point shooter. His shot has fallen off as he gets into shape but to leave him THAT wide open? To make things worse, the Lakers let him shoot again with the same results.
At one point Cousins dribbled the entire length of the court hitting JaVale McGee with the “Shammgod” dribble and dunked on him. What’s that sound LeBron James used to describe the roster without shooters?
Well, use it for the defense as well because it stinks! But hey! It was Issac Bonga’s night to be captain!
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.