19 Comments
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Edi89's avatar

Is there any information on how Laravia defends SGA? Could he get more minutes? He’s a good rebounder. And I hope JJ gives Vanderbilt a chance too.

Iztok Franko's avatar

They tried Jake as primary defender on SGA in last game when they sat everyone else including Marcus. He had some good possession, but overall I think he like the combination of aggressiveness, smarts, and hand speed Marcus has to defend SGA. That and just a reputation as a backup compared to Marcus as ex DPOY, to not get every single foul called vs SGA

Pazi's avatar

He can't be a liability on offense though, without Luka the team needs 5 guys on the court at all times who can put the ball in the basket .

Pazi's avatar

This team needs rui to step up like PJ did in 24. He was the Thunder killer, brought the energy, shooting and defense on SGA.

Also, any inside scoop on when Luka will be back? Watching the playoffs without Luka sucks.

Edi89's avatar

Rui isn’t a PJ type player.

Pazi's avatar

Couldn't agree with you more. But one can only hope.

Someone(s) has to step up, a mix of smart and rui can maybe do what PJ did

Brooklyn Expat's avatar

Judging by what little public tape has been released, he hasn’t progressed to full movement drills yet, let alone contact 1v1, 3v3, etc. I’d guess two weeks at least.

Pazi's avatar

Or the Lakers are throwing out smoke screens so JJ catches the Thunder off guard when he comes back in game 2.

Brooklyn Expat's avatar

Hilarious, if that happens.

Brooklyn Expat's avatar

Can the Lakers play through LeBron in the post, and use Ayton as a hub at the nail? I’m guessing no, his instincts aren’t that good, but having one other player who can draw multiple defenders would be great. And if they can keep Luke generating the “blender” and attracting attention with off ball movement that would be really helpful…but he fell off a cliff in the last 4 games of the Houston series. And I fully agree: if JJ tries to run a 6 man rotation this is going to get ugly fast…he’s going to need a lot of Jake, Vando, Kennard and Hayes minutes just to take pressure off the starters.

swenpinti10's avatar

Steal game one 1️⃣ JDUB is also out! Shoot 40 percent from three 3️⃣ on a high volume and we need a real good performance 🎭 and we need to stay in touch in the first half

Iztok Franko's avatar

for high volume you need either a pull-up threat (Luka) or a lot of paint touches and rotations. Lakers not a high volume team, so I guess efficiency + high long-mid efficiency are the formula.

swenpinti10's avatar

Maybe Austin 6 attempts smart 5 rui 8 jake 2 and Luke 6 and LBJ 4 attempts! I would like to see 35-40 attempts! Hopefully we can stay close for a long time and it’s not a blow out in the first half

Iztok Franko's avatar

Someone needs to create those 8 Rui, 6 Kennard attempts. They wont pullup off the dribble...their 3s are result of offense, of someone creating advantage. Thats the challenge, and my point about advantage creation in the article. Let's see how it plays out.

swenpinti10's avatar

Yeah 👍 just enjoy the game ! I would like a good and close game ! If they lose in 4 games you that I am ready for the offseason ! Mark Walther wants me to be the assistant GM for rob Pelinka 😌😎🤣

Iztok Franko's avatar

They would certainly get plenty of trade ideas :)

swenpinti10's avatar

​​⁠when Austin and Marcus and kennard shoot like that 8-34 and 3-16 from three the lakers will get swept 🧹

swenpinti10's avatar

​@cra​⁠james Williams is officiating tonight 😢game over for the lakers 😅🎉

swenpinti10's avatar

Well I want kennard and smart and Hayes and even LBJ back 😎🤣💯⬆️and I even would not mind Deandre Anton opting in after his rockets 🚀 series ! And then get 2-3 good solid defenders who can shoot and are athletic and a rim protector ! I am afraid that LBJ wants too much money ( and LBJ has 1300 mio wealth and gets 50 mio lifetime from Nike and probably a lot more fr other endorsements) and he will get 70 Mio from Netflix for a lakers farewell tour ! LBJ does not need money 💰 he needs real good teammates