Lakers’ starting backcourt stinks up the joint in loss to Nets

The Los Angeles Lakers continued their Grammys trip in New York in their first of back-to-back games in a matchup against the Brooklyn Nets. The Lakers were without the services of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, who were scratched from the lineup on Sunday afternoon for rest. In the first quarter, it looked like the Lakers would lay down and wait for the New York Knicks.

By the time these words were sung…

“…And the home…of the…BRAVE!”

The Brooklyn Nets were all over the Lakers in the first quarter. If they weren’t knocking down shots, Nic Claxton would get the rebound for extra offensive opportunities. At the end of the quarter, the Lake Show was down 29-16.

Then something crazy happened (Heard this statement before in one of these reports before?) that everyone should be checking out on their cameras, right Pat Bev?

The Los Angeles Lakers despite a valiant effort from everyone that touched the floor, simply ran out of gas losing to the Nets 121-104.

The Lakers are now 0-2 on the road trip and the constant talk of this team being a game or two out of the play-in tournament or three or four games out of the playoffs is getting weak. The first rule of thumb is to win games first. It’s not like the Knicks are an easy out either.

The good of the Los Angeles Lakers loss:

For a while, Thomas Bryant was handing out business cards!

Thomas Bryant’s inconsistency is going to be an issue down the line when Anthony Davis comes back to the starting lineup, but for tonight AD wasn’t there and Thomas was one of the major reasons why the Lakers weren’t blown away to Madison Square Garden. He was the only offensive spark early to keep the score somewhat reasonable at halftime.

Thomas Bryant finished with 18 points, 9 rebounds on a very efficient 7-8 shooting night.

The issue along with co-existing with AD in the rotation for the rest of the year is the defense. The Lakers are using a power forward to play center and his effectiveness is starting to wane some. Effort is one thing, but being able to rim protect is another.

Wenyen Gabriel was effective in limited minutes.

In the third quarter, his two-way game with Russell Westbrook actually was significant in the Lakers grabbing the lead in the third quarter, something that no one saw in the first few minutes of the game…like seriously.

In 16 minutes, Gabriel finished with 11 points and 4 rebounds including 9 straight.

As for the issues with Bryant’s rim protection, rubber stamp the same issues here.

Russ made history!

The Lakers bench contributed!

44 points is a good total. The problem is the Nets bench scored 56.

Look, the Los Angeles Lakers didn’t quit.

It bears repeating…if anyone watched this team on a consistent basis last year knows, this team is trying. Last year’s squad would have quit and lost by 50 points.

The bad of the Los Angeles Lakers loss:

The starting backcourt…

Not going to waste anyone’s time with these two…

• Patrick Beverley: 5 points (1-8 shooting!), 1 rebounds and 3 assists. Oh and a technical foul…again. 
• Dennis Schroder: 10 points (2-15 shooting!), 6 rebounds and 5 assists. 

Had enough?

Free throw shooting!

Want to know how the Lakers stole victories from the Memphis Grizzlies and Portland Trail Blazers? They got in the penalty and knocked down their free throws at an extremely high rate. They got to the free throw line in this one and left brick donations to the city of New York. Could the Lakers have stole this one if they shot them better? Nope, but you can’t win games even with superstars hitting only 23-37.

The huge runs at the beginning and end of the game!

The first quarter was discussed earlier, but the 27-5 run in the third and fourth quarters combined put the game away. Bottom line, the story of the game was the Lakers did not have any difference makers on the floor in this one and the Brooklyn Nets did.

The story of the Los Angeles Lakers loss:

Kyrie Irving didn’t let his team lose!

The Los Angeles Lakers came out of the locker room on fire with a 14-0 early in the third quarter. Then Kyrie Irving started showing his magic and righted the ship for the Nets.

He answered the run with 5 quick points of his own and then shut the building down in crunch time.

Uncle Drew finished with 26 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. The dude is that good.

Madison Square Garden is the venue Tuesday night on TNT.