Here are four takeaways from the Los Angeles Lakers’ win against the Utah Jazz.
I have question for Los Angeles Lakers fans to ponder, which scenario is harder to believe? The Lakers acquiring the “Best player in the world” and watching the playoffs yet again next weekend? Or, the Lakers passing the keys to members of the South Bay Lakers and winning two straight games over playoff teams?
Trust me everyone, I will wait because right now I’m in a complete state of shock just asking you the questions.
The Los Angeles Lakers all of a sudden are a viable team these days after getting a “playoff mode” lesson by the Golden State Warriors. The Lakers have now taken the practice “Being the spoiler” to a whole new level by defeating the cross the hall Clippers while they are battling for playoff seeding at the bottom of the Western Conference race. That was the introduction to Alex Caruso and his brand new band…AC and the Sunshine Band!
Well against the Utah Jazz, who were fighting for playoff seeding near the top of the conference race, the Los Angeles Lakers did the improbable in the most improbable way possible. They brought seemingly the entire G-League team from South Bay, then told Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to lead the way. Guess what? The Lakers beat yet another playoff team with something to play for.
The Los Angeles Lakers shocked the Utah Jazz and the NBA world winning 113-109 with the usual cast of characters being out for the Lakers (LeBron, Kuzma, Lonzo, Ingram, the PR announcer, the top hot dog salesman of the month, etc.). In this game you can add Rajon Rondo being left out for a DNP-CD (Did not play-coaches decision).
According to Luke Walton, the Clippers game will be the last game you see Rondo barring some unforeseen circumstance. The last game, just like this one will be for evaluation. It was a subject that was brought up by the Lakers announcing crew so watch out for any events surrounding this situation this week.
The Los Angeles Lakers have put together three small winning streaks as of late with this one stretching out to two games. In all, the Lakers have now won six of their last nine games. Now that the Lakers are playing better, it does open up discussions for debate.
The Los Angeles Lakers are actually playing better with G-League talent
I find myself telling fans in the comment section and on social media all the time that everyone in the NBA can play. The talent level varies but so does the effort level. Alex Caruso, Jemerrio Jones and Johnathan Williams have basically exposed the established stars of the Lakers who are considered the future of the franchise.
These guys from South Bay outplayed and out-competed two playoff contenders while the established players lost to Cleveland, got swept by two New York teams (The Knicks have clinched being the worst team in the NBA), lost to the Atlanta Hawks in one game and should have lost the other.
The Los Angeles Lakers have problems but Luke Walton is not it
I will be the first to admit that Luke Walton was not on my favorite coaches list. I thought he should have been fired early in the season. But over the last few months, he has turned into a very good coach. A coach that will probably have a job next year. The front office let him down ignoring the suggestions of the roster.
He then had to answer questions about his relationship with Magic Johnson almost constantly.
Dealing with LeBron James’ “camp” (aka LeBron) asking for a coaching change in the middle of the season.
Then watching the combination of the two get desperate and basically erode the season chasing trade deadline phone calls for Anthony Davis…
With all of the injuries and undermining, it is amazing how well Luke Walton has performed this season. Luke Walton will be fired after the season in my opinion, no question. But his career as a coach will explode after he gets away from the toxic environment that has consumed this franchise.
Now that I am off the soap box, let’s talk about this game shall we?