The Los Angeles Lakers guards have to find a way to score the basketball!
The Lakers are starting to paint themselves into a corner with guards that can’t put points on the board. Dennis Schroder scored 17 points on 18 shots. The trio of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Alex Caruso and Talen Horton-Tucker couldn’t match that number combined.
It’s one thing when Jrue Holiday outscores this trio by 3-1 because he’s one of the more respected guards in the NBA and a former All-Star. Now when Donte Divencenzo outscores them too, there a major problem.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope:
(Checking the notes) Isn’t KCP the starting shooting guard? Aren’t shooting guards supposed to shoot? Caldwell-Pope missed all four of his shots and finished with 2 points from the free-throw line. His shooting percentages are taking a nosedive (Remember KCP led the NBA in 3 point percentages earlier this year!) and his confidence is disappearing.
His defense does not justify his starting position. However, if he loses his spot in the rotation, he may never get his confidence back.
Alex Caruso:
On most Los Angeles Lakers websites: Ooh! Caruso caught a body!
Caruso steal & slam! pic.twitter.com/4PXjLWLc54
— NBA (@NBA) April 1, 2021
On Lake Show Life: What was the score when this happened?
Alex Caruso is a cult-like figure to Lakers Nation. He tries hard and does not take nights off which is endearing to many. But his liabilities on the offensive end are starting to show. Since he’s returned from concussion protocols, his jumper has not returned with him.
Caruso finished with 6 points and 4 rebounds. But here’s the problem. The points came only after the game was over and two of the three baskets he scored came off lazy Bucks turnovers. In the half-court offense, Caruso can’t be relied on as of late to score.
Talen Horton-Tucker:
THT might have hit his rookie wall folks. He’s struggling. He finished with only 3 points on 1-4 shooting. This shouldn’t even be a discussion because it’s not fair to look at Horton-Tucker as a rotation player like the other guards above.
HOWEVER…
He was the main reason the Kyle Lowry trade did not go through at the deadline. The Toronto Raptors wanted THT as a part of the deal, but the Lakers flat out refused. Fair or not, if the Lakers go on a major losing streak, some fans might start turning on him.
Finally, let’s talk Andre Drummond. He didn’t play long (14 minutes), but he showed enough to Lake Show Life that he will be a factor in the Lakers playoff run. Read on to see what he did in limited play.