Irrational Exuberance About Reeves Re James

 Austin Reeves has been scoring a lot in the absence of Luka Doncic and Lebron James due to injuries. Reeves has show the ability to be a competent point guard against some teams. It is notable though that some have decided that Lebron james is now obsolete, and of course that is entirely incorrect.

 James is over 40 with 21 years in the league, yet he still plays at a very high level for two-three quarters of the game. Using James as an opener and closer to extend his quality time is important. He is the best power forward on the team and can give the team a decisive edge in the 4th quarter if rested.

The Lakers have had a tendency to give up large leads in the first quarter compelling them to play catch up. Perhaps resting james in the first and third quarters is a better tactic while letting him bring a different structure to the lakers in the second and fourth.

The Lakers expect a lot of things from the rookie Adou Thiero who is recovering from surgery from an injury last college season. He can be a very aggressive power forward who needs time to improve his three point shooting. Jake Laravia can be a versatile and competent wing defender and forward as well with adequate defense skills. Jarred Vanderbilt is another forward with great defense and rebounding skill yet without much offensive prowess. Rui Hachimura is another forward with middle of the meter all-round skills. None have the power of Lebron James who can even help at center in a pinch.

LA is getting solid center position work this year. They have three centers led by Deandre Ayton who are skillful and improving. The options the Lakers have for mixing quality line-ups this year are better than last. If James is rested and Doncic healthy while the rest of the team stays on track their prospects for reaching and going far in the playoffs are good. It is worth remembering in the Austin Reeves exuberance of the moment that Reeves is not the best defensive guard in the N.B.A., and neither is Luka Doncic. The Lakers will require some interesting rotations and line-up changes that match well against select opponents. Over-playing the declining cardio of Lebron James before the 4th quarter will reduce his value at helping close out games with a win for the Lakers.

Plainly the Lakers have strong guards. It is reasonable to compare Luka Doncic and Austin Reeves to Jerry West and Gale Goodrich. If Lebron James is like an aging Elgin Baylor, and Laravia isn't yet a 3/4 John Havlicek destined to have 8 championship rings, he is yet a good prospect for a future starter too- perhaps with Adou Thiero. Definitely missing is the Wilt Chamberlain power. Yet Ayton has shown good shooting, rebounding and competence this season.  The Lakers seem to have the potential for being a smarter, faster championship contender perhaps able to match up with strength where needed and speed and bench depth such as the championship OKC team has.

Lakers are on the Edge of Oblivion for the 2024-25 Playoffs

 The Los Angeles Lakers are facing expulsion from the first round of the N.B. A. playoffs after consecutive losses in Minnesota to the Timberwolves. It isn’t that they are a bad team or badly coached. The problem is that they didn’t give the elite rim protector and monster of the paint Christian Koloko a regular veteran minimum contract to play in the playoffs and so they have only one tall guy who is fairly slim and a roll player best used against select teams. Another problem is the rookie Coach Reddick. He is good enough yet makes rookie mistakes like playing a 40 year old virtually the entire game so the elite closure scored zero points in the fourth quarter due to exhaustion.

Sitting on the bench was an elite three point shooting rookie Dalton Knecht. His defense is not so hot yet the shooting option was needed for the series. One can’t always know how certain players will perform a priori; one must give them a chance. Coach Reddick wasn’t willing to bring Koloko and Jemenson aboard for the playoff run, and wouldn’t risk winning or losing with a rookie having a supporting role who had similar stats to first year Kobe Bryant, and instead let his team slip to one win versus three losses and the exit door in the floor for the long drop and plop into next season.

The Lakers should keep the coach for he will with luck learn from the experience, not trade Dalton Knecht for a used center, and shop about for a journeyman center without desparation since they have Koloko, Hayes and Maxi Kleber already. If it’s not broke don’t fix it. There isn’t anyone on the team the Lakers should be willing to trade for a center. Alternatively, if a good one appears it wouldn’t hurt to bring a journeyman aboard.

Lakers Used Mass Confusion to Evolve Stomped by the Jazz

 The Lakers were thrashed by one of the worst teams in the N.B.A. recently, and that was encouraging. Having beaten the Jazz a couple of nights before with Luka Doncic playing his first game the Lakers had enough confidence to let the Jazz feel redeemed rather than dregged. The Lakers didn't actually need a victory that night.

I have no idea why the Lakers signed the Ukrainian center Alex Len who was unable to stop the ferocious onslaught of the Jazz in the paint. The regular Lakers center didn't play- Jaxson Hayes after receiving an injury in the prior game, so the Lakers were on a different basis from the start. Christian Koloko is a good defender except he hasn't played much apparently still recovering conditioning from a year off for medical reasons. I don't can play the position well enough know if the other center for the Lakers- Trey Jemison III. If the Lakers want to collect centers that don't play I guess that's alright.

The Lakers of course made a dubious trade sending Dalton Knecht to the Hornets for a center that couldn't pass a physical, so Knecht returned to the Lakers. Grace sometimes occurs, and the Lakers were stopped by fate from shooting themselves in the foot once more. Sending out players for short term adds isn't a good bet when they have great potential. Knecht could be the post-James shooting forward who can hit threes from the corner. Knecht won't become Rick Barry yet he would be a good compliment positional alternative to Luka Doncic. patience is required to build a good team.

So the Lakers played their entire line up including Bronny James and no one scored twenty points. Mass confusion is a military maneuver that lets the players feel a bit better about marching skill. The Lakers may have employed mass confusion to shuffle things a bit before moving forward.

Dallas Trades Doncic to Lakers for A.D. Before Kyrie Irving Gets Old

The Mavs get a Dirk Nowitzki replacement and the Lakers get a younger superstar that needs fitness training from LeBron James who is now cleared to play another three years mentoring Doncic in fitness conditioning.

The Lakers have Christian Koloko on the bench as a 7 foot rim protect who can share the center position with Jackson Hayes and two other Lakers centers.

  The Lakers also got 6′-9″  245 lb Markief Morris to spot Hachimura a similar sized forward. Morris is 35.

  Finney-Smirh, Austin Reeves and Gabe Vincent, along with future shooter Dalton Knecht can fill the  guard position. James and Doncic on the court at the same time can be a challenge to defend against. James has the basketball IQ to optimize player opportunities. Dallas has a great guard to work with Anthony Davis and can optimize Kyrie Irving’s final best years (he is 32) before the familiar rapid aging upon reaching age 34.

Lakers Losing in Solidarity with K Harris

The Lakers lost in a humiliating 40 point fashion to the Heat. Coach Redick confirmed. Probably the Lakers and LeBron lose in solidarity with Californian Kamala Harris.

After Jan 20,2025 they might get over it. Still they need a flashy point guard in trade for a few players and a second round pick.