Marc Gasol Discussion: The Rain In Spain Falls Mainly On The Plain

I agree but I do not think he can carry us during the regular season, only in the playoffs and right now, we are getting destroyed in the paint.

 

This has been a weird year. Seems like a lot of people, myself included, are trying to figure out why we are giving up so much in the paint. The eye test confirms it and the numbers just begin to show it. We are up 4 ppg on giving up points in the paint, only 5-6 teams are worse than us on that stat. It could use some improvement. Additionally, we start really slow and get destroyed in the paint at the beginning of games.

This is my biggest worry, we start so FRIGGGGGGING slow, almost every game. The eye test to me says some of this is our inability to stop the penetration. We surely cannot afford this once the playoffs begin???

 

Lakers are giving up more points in the paint but when the game slows down in the playoffs, it works in the Lakers favor. I'm not that worried about it. The Lakers still have the best defense. I think Marc's positioning is a lot better than Javale as well so it's not like we're losing a lot defensively as compared to last season. Noticeable difference is obviously Dwight but Dwight is unplayable in the playoffs at times so not too big of a concern.

 

I think we could use another big. Not to replace Marc but to fill in a couple of holes and needs. A defensive rim protector. Sorry but nothing anyone has said has convinced me that there is not a problem here. How big a problem?? Not sure, might not prevent us from winning it all. Truth is, Lebron is playing within himself and AD has been injured all season and playing well below his mean and we are still 22-7. This while attempting a new scheme and working in five new important players into the rotation AND trying to find time for THT. All with not enough time off after the last ring ceremony and almost zero practice time.

Other teams have had the opportunity to be more honed in at this point of the season. If we have a top 4-5 record by the end of the season and are playing a tighter version of ourselves, then I like our chances. If we have the ability to tighten up the D in the paint during the playoffs, then I think it is over for everyone else.

 

Wish Marc would shoot it more: the jumper looks good. Let it fly!

 

It looked to me last night that Vogel had told him the same thing with AD out now. We need more scoring from everyone. Marc had a much quicker trigger if he had the opening to get a shot off rather than most often only look to be a playmaker with his passing and 3s only when wide open.

 

Yup, he's definitely going to be more hands on with AD out (and avoid tick tack fouls). I'd like to see him get more corner 3 looks. Those were money last night.

 

More minutes = soon he won't be FAT any more.

 

Lakers are taking away the 3pts line ... They adapted to NBA new offenses very well

The five teams which are giving less points in the paint per game are respectively 10th , 14th, 3rd, 12th and 28th in defensive efficiency .

We are 1st at not putting opponents on the FT line too ( 16.2% per opponent offensive play .. 20.9% last year).

Lakers 1st in defensive efficiency..

Not sure what's to complain about on this side off the ball .

Now if you tell me that Marc is turning down/not hitting open shots and the lost of the lob threat is hurting us on O , I agree

 

but is the loss of the lob threat really hurting us? are we actually creating fewer opportunities at the hoop? our offense was great until everyone stopped making threes all of a sudden.

 

It would be a nice option to have when 3's are not falling and when opponents are zoning on Bron and AD post ups/isos... but on the other end we didn't have Marc passing from the high post. All I'm saying is I can understand fans frustration about Marc on offense , it does look sometimes like we are playing 4 on 5 on offense ... but we aren't

Our offensive rating is slightly worse this season than last year , I'd say it's more on Vogel for his below average of Dennis and Trez than on Marc ( our offensive rating is actually better with Marc on the floor)

Points in paint per game 52.3 this year , we scored 51.7 last season .

 

this was my point--our offense is different but not worse. it was actually better until we went ice cold from the perimeter as a team.

with gasol, other guys get shots at the rim from his passing and the space he creates. lobs aren't worth more points.

 

It could be partly because we don't practice, so it takes us more time to get into the groove of things vs most other teams.

 

There is a good chance both he and Harell become unplayable in the playoffs.

Brooklyn was able to expose them both on straightforward PnR attacks. Marc knows where to go but is too slow and Harell got burnt not getting back in time to guard the roll man (poor instincts)

 

I've noted this as well as the Lakers offseason moves have been more designed to reduce wear and tear on Davis rather than for playoff matchups. Understandable but that being said I'm a big believer in the right roleplayer making a big difference in playoff runs. And right now in the NBA valuable roleplayers seem to be guys who can shoot and defend (preferably both). Last year it was Morris at the 4 that was the key for the Lakers and he's still around but he doesn't look as good.

Harell definitely has his moments and does his job in term of eating up minutes but he's not a great fit with this team. We barely use him in the PnR as we don't have a ballhandler who like to pull up - all our ball handlers like to attack the rim which takes away the opportunities for the roll man. Nets game was frustrating as we put him against Jordan versus letting him feast on the small ball guys who he could kill

Right now I suspect that the best Lakers lineup will AD/Kuzma/Lebron. So to put my meandering thoughts together: Harell is not a great fit, Marc just looks washed at time, Morris has not been good. So that leaves us not a lot of wiggle room

 

we looked worse at this time last year, imo. and yes, marc and trez will both sit some series in the playoffs, just like their predecessors.

because AD is really a center. and lebron is a pf.

 

there is no pt in playing Gasol against small ball if they're not going to take advantage of the sz, instead the opposition takes advantage of Marc incredible like speed n just target him relentlessly

 

Total liability.