Los Angeles Lakers: 3 Lessons from the win over New York Knicks

The good, the bad and the ugly for the Los Angeles Lakers.

This really is not a game that will matter in the grand scheme of things other than adding another number in the left column in the Western Conference standings. In other news, the Los Angeles Clippers lost to the Atlanta Hawks without Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.

You may so what, but the Hawks were playing without Trae Young. So guess what, the teams are now officially in the dog days of the NBA season. The stars for the Lakers did what they were supposed to.

Let’s take a look at the rest of the team. The good, the bad and the ugly.

The good:

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is quietly becoming the third scorer for the Los Angeles Lakers. KCP shot 5-10 from the field (Including three shots from distance!) for 13 points. He also had 4 rebounds (2 offensive!) and 2 assists. Basically he is doing what the Lakers would like Kyle Kuzma to do at this point. Speaking of Kyle Kuzma.

It’s a good thing that Kuzma scored 10 points in the second half. Because he had zero in the first half and probably would have burned his bridges with even the staunchest Kuz fan at this point. The rumors that he is dating  Vanessa Hudgens is not helping. Ask Ben Simmons what fans do to girlfriends. He dated Kendall Jenner and the Sixers fans tried to get a petition to keep her out of the arena.

The bad:

Avery Bradley and Danny Green will be in the crossfire of the Lakers faithful if they keep up these numbers. Bradley had 4 points on 2-of-7 shooting and Danny Green had 3 points on 1-of-7 shooting.

To Bradley’s defense he turned his ankle stepping on a Knicks player’s foot but he’s going to have to pick it up. Danny Green? How much does he get paid? $15 million? Look let’s make deal. Sign this writer for ten cents on the dollar and I can get you the same production. Then you can go out and sign a big time free agent. Either that or let Quinn Cook or Troy Daniels play.

The ugly: 

A special shout out to Robert Marvi. About a week ago he wrote a piece on why he saw Alex Caruso’s season as a disappointment. To say he got blasted is an understatement. Well, the man might need an apology letter.

Alex Caruso hasn’t scored a field goal in four games. That adds up to about 15 straight misses from the field. But that is not what’s ugly. Would you like to know what is?

When he was on the free throw line, he got MVP chants in Madison Square Garden. Has the NBA relegated itself to this? 2 points from the free throw line in 19 minutes. Come on man.

The Los Angeles Lakers take on the Brooklyn Nets. Tip-off is at 8:15 p.m. EST on TNT.