Yes, very solid. I like his confidence when it comes to playing defense and taking those 3-point shots. He's going to be good this year, I can feel it. Between him, Trez and Dennis, we got 50 PPG consistently. That's insane.
he's becoming a sneaky good weakside shotblocker--anyone else noticed that? some have come after whistles but would have happened without them (if that makes sense). his three looked great last night, even on the misses. again, where was this team the other day? would have much rather spanked the clips and sleepwalked against dallas.
He's a frustrating player. He's not selfish and has shown good passing instincts and then he'll do something like a look off a wide open Kieff in the corner to take a stupid contested turn around mid range jumper. That play makes no sense yet that epitomizes his career: a tantalizing off ball shooter/cutter with decent defense yet he does these bonehead decisions. Really the difference between him being a 60 million vs 40 million guy
He shot really well and was booming with confidence in that 3 ball. But was I the only one going, "no no no.. yes!" with each one?
I agree with this and would like to add his lack of consistency. There was also way too many times in the bubble where he fouled guys taking 3 point shots and there's no reason for mistakes like that at this level. Someone has already mentioned it but his contract has trade written all over it along with KCP. If they lock up Dennis along with those 2 contracts they have some valuable assets
I figured it was probably Kuz that would get the start. Who’s PF for MN? Is this a size or strength mismatch?
Definitely one of my favorite games of his, even though it was all done in the first half. The 3 ball, the Magic-esque passes, the blocks. THAT KUZ is a #1 team on a lotto team.
These things are tough: I agree he could have gotten a bigger deal. But then let's say he goes to a team in which he has to create ala Jeremi Grant (nearly the same amount of money but he wanted to "the man"). That's definitely not his strength: he's great as an off-ball guy but on the wrong team he might not look as good. Now he does know he likes living LA and he every indication he doesn't mind being the 4th or 5th banana on a title-winning team. The calculation for him is that he gets his bag and any leftovers he's got a chance to recoup by getting another nice deal after this one. He and his agent have to know that he's likely going to be able to do what he's done (play decent defense, hit open corner 3's, easy baskets off cut, and being a good teammate) and cash in again
He was just phenomenal tonight. Red hot from three and then those two blocks as well in the first quarter!
There’s a lot to be said also for at least some players .... that to stay and be part of this awesome team starting likely a new Lakers dynasty is “worth” some millions of dollars less than being richer on other teams likely not to have anywhere near the same chance for rings. Besides he loves the L.A glamour and branding aspect.
