Told ya! Vando was the man of the match tonight. He kept curry to 5 points in 26ish mins. Had a hand in curry’s face non stop and chased him through every screen. GSW are going to adjust like they did in the 4th by making Curry the ball handler, which I think isn’t bad for us. Curry taking fast 3’s from way out isn’t a recipe for success over 7 games in my opinion. And if he does beat us like that, he deserves to advance.
Wow, he leveled up defensively in between series. Did not expect him to be that effective against Curry.
I enjoy so much watching him play. He's not very flashy, does not score a lot, but if you know what to look for - he's an elite player in his role. One thing I like about these Lakers is that they play very old-school, let's say traditional ball. Sure, they will still shoot more threes than your average 1980s team, but in this modern context, this basketball is as retro as it gets. Don't know about you guys, but it appeals to me. And Vando is a HUGE part of it. Really sets the tone.
There was concern from some that Vando couldn't be effective against Curry like he was against Ja. Curry being Curry I didn't know what to think. Welp!!
I had concerns, but he proved to be more capable of hounding Steph than I thought. He fought through the screen actions a lot better than I anticipated. Now if they decide to go more to Curry bringing up the ball, and allow Steph to attack more off the dribble, Dennis is the better counter IMO. Great effort by Jarred though in that game. His recovery and close off of being screened was excellent.
Vando is really messing up the offense. He has no gravity with his 3s but he can't finish either. You look on the other side GP2 finishes strong inside, over the top and quicker with his cuts. Maybe the Lakers can try the same stuff with Vando but in the off-season he needs to figure out a go to shot off the cut inside along with the corner 3
i think he can make all the shots gp did in game 4. i think gp was well-coached to get to that spot and had more space to work with then vando ever has at the rim, and i think vando's ineptitude there is maybe a bit overstated, as i've seen him finish plenty of tough shots inside. gp was wide open on all but one that i recall. he just might not be playable for many minutes when gs goes small, and that's ok. some matchups don't work for some support players.
GS seemed to replicate what Brooklyn used to do with Bruce Brown: another so - so shooter. For Vando do this, Lakers would have to have be the screen setter: this maybe the thing to do if he has Steph or Klay on him? The one big difference when I notice Vando move vs Brown/GP2 is that he tends to a lot less decisive with his cuts. Definite lack of speed to make it more difficult for the defense to adjust.
vando's fast, but he may not be as decisive. but again, i think gp knew exactly what he was doing from the beginning of the play. gs is a well-oiled machine on both ends, which is part of why they're a dynasty. that play everyone laughed about when green threw it to handy was actually evidence of that--green was so sure the guy would be there that only a random vomit incident interrupted it. give vando camp and some time in the system, and i think he can do that stuff. maybe even tonight if he's prepared properly and gs plays it like we did.
Not with the players the Lakers have: if you have the gravity of Steph he can set high ball screens and then cut but the Lakers don't have that. He's become unplayable TBH unless the Warriors go back to the 2 big lineup. Time to put Lonnie in the starting lineup: his ability to shoot and finish over the top makes up for Vando's defense.
if the offense was more creative he could contribute offensively, right now just having him stand in either corners isn't the solution