Game Debrief: What Went Right And What Went Wrong?

Wins are great! Nothing to complain about when you win. Keep it up boys!

 

The defense has really picked up, love to see it. I think the offense will come. Good game by DLo, we need him.

Just like what JJ did in terms of building this team's competitiveness. This game was extremely physical and we didn't budge. The players are playing with demeaning and wins start to come more regularly.

It starts with AD and Bron. They are the igniters. But then it's up to DLo, Rui and Reaves to match it. When they do, Bron and AD can sustain it longer because they don't have to do it all. Then, from Max, Cam and Gabe we have to get it every game. Hustle, defense and grit. It's not a contender group, but is top6 as we envisioned. And we are missing Vando.

Knecht fell out of the rotation because of this. We are playing with much more aggression and toughness. He'll eventually grow his physicality and bring a different gear to our offense. I think this can be good to his growth

 

The defense has really picked up, love to see it. I think the offense will come. Good game by DLo, we need him.

Just like what JJ did in terms of building this team's competitiveness. This game was extremely physical and we didn't budge. The players are playing with demeaning and wins start to come more regularly.

It starts with AD and Bron. They are the igniters. But then it's up to DLo, Rui and Reaves to match it. When they do, Bron and AD can sustain it longer because they don't have to do it all. Then, from Max, Cam and Gabe we have to get it every game. Hustle, defense and grit. It's not a contender group, but is top6 as we envisioned. And we are missing Vando.

Knecht fell out of the rotation because of this. We are playing with much more aggression and toughness. He'll eventually grow his physicality and bring a different gear to our offense. I think this can be good to his growth

 

Yeah I wish we played the Queens every day ! We be 82-0 JJ is building up hell of a resume thanks to the Sacramento Queens

 

When I see "show ignored content" on the page, I know a troll is trolling after a win.

 

The Kings trading Harrison Barnes was a huge mistake. He was a glue guy who was an underrated defender against guys like Lebron. They literally have no one to defend him.

 

AD needs more shots

 

to the head?

 

Really encouraging defensive progress the last few games. More drop coverage and much less switching when AD is out there. With Reaves back LeBron has had a little less creation responsibility, which has allowed him to ramp up his defensive effort. It seems like a lifetime ago, but 20 months ago this team was great defensively. We don't have the personnel to be a top defensive team over the course of an entire season, but we shouldn't be among the very worst in the league.

 

I think middle of the pack is fair enough to expect.

 

this game just underlines we need another competent big, it's way too easy to score against us at the rim.

apart from that this was the turnover show.

losing to the Pistons twice already this season, yikes

 

Detroit is just bad matchup for the Lakers just like Orlando. Tough physical teams with a lot of energy just mess with the Lakers

That being said Detroit seemed to get a lot of easy shots off just bad bounces and stuff but they took advantage so hats off to them. Lakers seemed ready to pull away several times in the game but on top of the bad luck just couldn't take care of the ball

 

Lakers were lucky to only lose this by 3. Lakers come back home from two stellar wins in SAC to lose to DET, and a lot of our defense was putrid. Sleep-walking, missed assignments, there were at least three plays in which a Piston missed a shot, there were two or three Lakers underneath the rim, no one even jumped, and the Pistons scored on a second-chance. Just awful. To those who didn't watch and only looked at the box score, this was a close game, yea, but the Lakers did everything they could to lose.

The question is: WHY? Can't get it up (enthusiasm) for DET? It's just another game before we play on national TV (when we usually lose, right?) against GSW?

This was a win with any semblance of the D we played in SAC. Or the sense of competing, or even urgency, as if the game mattered in the standings.

Others may differ, but this was a big let-down for me.

D-Lo reverted: 1 for 5 from the field.
Lebron, 39 years and 51 weeks old: 28/11/11 and it's all empty calories in a loss.

Lakers 114
Piston 117

 

Austin, Rui and Tinkerbell didn't bring their A game tonight. JJ drew up a good look for Lebron on that last shot. Flush it and get ready for the Warriors.

 

Spoiler: language

can't lose to sub .500 teams at home if you think you're going to do anything of interest ever. ick.

 

Just another reminder that this isn’t a serious team.
No excuses for this one.
One step forward, two steps back.
We can’t blame this L on not having the right pieces.
Hoping we can get a rare win on Christmas.

 

while i prep for xmas brunch, i read this piece, and it summarized my thoughts (and others here) with supporting data.

basically, it just outlines how lebron's declining defense has been a significant problem for the team (it does more than that, and it also ignores the turnover issue, graciously).

not to beat a (nearly) dead horse, but this definitely informs my trade strategy (i.e., i'm going to be VERY conservative).

 

Yeah, I'm more and more in the camp of not caring about this team and just prepare the future. All moves to be made should prepare us to be in contention in '26, '27 and beyond.

Bron doesn't have it anymore to carry us through a whole game and a stretch of games. Which is mandatory to win a championship.

I don't want to go all-in, use all the picks that mean we are not cotending until at least 2030 for a small chance 2y window with Bron and AD.

Just try to be the best possible this year, make the playoffs, try to win a series and wait for Bron to announce retirement. Then we can get serious

I think this team can beat any team in the league in 1 game. But not 4 teams in a max 28 games in 4 series of 7. Regardless of any trade we can do, Bron can't lead us that way, imo