Ingram started but was subbed out early to keep the bench intact for the most part but as the game went on he had to be very creative with the lineups, saw a few that I've never seen before. I know we are missing two starters but they need to be producing better. Young legs of Ingram, Randle and JC played a lot of mins (or more than they have this season). Will need to call on the young legs again for this next back to back.
I was real glad to see Luke put in T.Rob in stretches for Black. Tarik was not cutting it on the boards in the 1st half. Robinson came right in and somehow the ball found him on offensive rebounds that he got. Great move/change to go with Robinson instead of Tarik
This guy can coach. Down two starters? No problem. On the second night of a back to back. On the road. Boom! And trailing most of the game.
Meanwhile the supposed next western conference powerhouse in MN with Tom Thibodeau just hit 5 - 13. No doubt he is playing them hard and long minutes as well because that's what he does. Boy did we dodge a bullet there and make the right choice.
Let's hope he doesn't play Towns too much and we end up with a Deng-like situation for our future back up to Zubac.
I love Thibs, but he wanted too much and I know for a fact that Luke had been on our FO's radar for quite a bit. Glad we did the gutsy thing and hired the young gun to work with our young guns! Feels like Lakers ball again. At Lakersball.com that is!
Speaking of that supposed future western powerhouse ..... LOL .... check our stats ranking for the bench rotation vs their's prior to tonight's games. http://www.hoopsstats.com/basketball/fantasy/nba/teamstats/17/7/pts/1-1 And Philly with all their tanking and the "process" and all those picks is a good way behind us at #2. How about Boston with all their picks they so brilliantly collected? #18.
Never wanted Thibs, guy is overrated, Luke was my man from the start, soooo glad we got him. I always knew he will end up coaching the Lakers, it just happened much sooner than i thought... but the timing is beyond perfect
Proof is in the pudding. 22nd in Team Defensive Efficiency for the T-Dogs and defense is his specialty so if he can't get that going there, they will have problems.
Interesting that Luke can actually smile and laugh a little with them in a huddle though .... just like Byron used to do a lot.
We are way ahead of schedule in terms of development and I just can't help looking at the teams we are leaving behind. Like y'all have said, Wolves with their talent and Thibs. Philly and their process. Boston and their picks. Orlando, Denver. Maybe things even out as the season goes on, but right now, things looking bright for us.