^^^ Yeah, what these guys said. He CAN play, but why he is a lock on that 2nd unit for HUGE stretches of the game is baffling me. We're down huge, we're getting killed on D and the boards down low, we take a timeout, subs come in, aaaand.. Kelly is still out there. At that point I can barely believe my eyes and want to throw things at my tv.
I agree. I give him credit for putting in the work in the offseason. It really shows. But no more than 12 minutes max.
Bass is a solid backup 4 man, but you can't have him out there with Kelly. It's been proven through pre-season and the first two games. Bass would be a good fit with Black because they both hustle and are solid rebounders, but Bass can hit the mid range jumper.
Its hard for Bass to do anything when Lou,Swaggy, Kelly launches 3 after 3 after 3. And defensively he is being forced to guard center at being 6'8".
Ryan is best used with a rim protecting big; for instance, I'd try to stagger more Kelly, Hibbert, and Russell out there. Russell works best with more space to operate and Kelly provides a 3-point threat on the pick in option if he's setting the screen or Russell breaking down the defense. Hibbert provides the ability to cover for Kelly defensively, and Kelly can be slotted at his right position; not the 3 or 5, but the 4.
Agreed. 15 minutes max for either Bass or Kelly. If Julius isn't in foul trouble he should be playing at least 30 minutes. Clarkson should have been playing 35+ minutes in both games. Gotta develop the young guys.
Clarkson can run forever at this age in his career. His college coach said he never got tired no matter what, and think what a beast conditioning wise he is now 2 years later.
Oops; that's what I was saying, actually. Black should be playing the 5. Kelly is a 4, and he cannot be at the 5.
I like the Bass/Kelly mix if we're playing an effective up-tempo offense, but guess what? When we're not effective offensively we're going to be REALLY bad because those two can't defend very well. Neither Bass or Kelly really box out effectively and so even if Kelly plays help defense well (which he is surprisingly adept at), there's no one there to clean up. Kelly had 3 blocks and I'm pretty sure they all ended up in Kings' buckets anyway. When things aren't going smoothly defensively, what exactly is the problem with bringing Black into the game? He's mobile, athletic, and he'll do what he's asked. If you tell him to go block shots and protect the rim, he'll do it. If you tell him to go rebound the ball and box out, he'll do it. Right now no one knows what's going on out there and that's on Byron.
That second unit looks completely discombobulated and that doesn't make sense considering they are full of vets. The Kelly Bass idea isn't working at all. Sooner or later you have to go back to basics. Bring in Black and let the other two split minutes. It's common sense. If that doesn't work, then you've got issues. But you have to at least try what logically should work instead of trying to force this other concept to do so when it clearly doesn't.
I'm done with this guy and this experiment. The ONLY thing I can think of is that we're trying to raise his trade value? That's it. He's a decent shot blocker and a decent shooter, but an awful defender and an awful rebounder. He gives us no toughness and no strength inside while not providing enough offensive firepower to off-set that. Sit him dammit.
Admittedly, last night was probably the worst I've seen him...it wasn't good. Nonetheless, I can't see Nance developing nor getting time until January/February, and that's who I think would fit and balance this roster out just a lot better defensively. Right now, I just don't think he's ready...
Byron.....What this means is that this is really really bad. Think of it like golf, and the lower the score the better. This doesn't deserve any more games to evaluate. Rooting for you and hope you turn it around, but right now, Trump would have fired you after game 1. Figure it out. Quit being stupid and stubborn, or the gloves of Lakers Nation as a collective are coming off.
THAT IS DISGRACEFUL. I just don't understand how in God's name do you expect to win games when you're trotting that a horrific lineup out there. It's a lay up line for every time. I mean we had Ryan freaking Kelly having to try and guard DeMarcus Cousins inside the other night. How does that this happen? How inept do you have to be? Is he blind? Can he not see what's happening on the court? Did someone spike his water? I mean what in the world is going on here? This cannot continue. This is why we can't attract any free agents. Why would anyone wanna play for this clown? Why would they subject themselves to do that? Like LeMarcus Aldridge. Obviously the Spurs have a much better talent base, but I fully believe the biggest reason was playing for Pop as opposed to Scott. He knew Pop would not only help his career and help him get a ring, but also extend it because he does a masterful job with minutes as well as rotations and obviously playing in a system and actual offensive system would get him easier quality shots. I don't live in Los Angeles, but my God I wish I would. I would go to every game and start a fire Byron chant, but I just cannot take this. It's barely game four and we're already calling for the man's head. That's how bad things are right now. I had such high expectations for this team and I blame myself for not seeing this coming. It's just the simple, basic things this team isn't doing because of this moronic coach. Showing on pick and rolls, closing out, helping each other on defense, getting back in transition, actually moving the ball on offense and not playing pick up ball. The front office has go to wake up. I mean it speaks volumes that they had to interview the guy three times and it makes me wonder who really was behind this hire. He is a joke of a head coach. He has taken a guy in D'Angelo Russell that as far as a play maker goes is one of the best prospects in the last five years or so and has him playing off guard. REALLY? That's the last thing you want a kid like Russell doing. Kobe has never been a great shooter and he has nowhere near the lift he once had due to age, atricion, and the brutal Achilles rupture and what does Byron have him doing? STANDING AT THE THREE POINT LINE AND ENGAGING IN DRIBBLE AFTER DRIBBLE AFTER DRIBBLE. I also believe some of the finger issues have diminished his handling a little bit. I don't know what the numbers say, but it seems like Kobe has turned the ball over a lot more in the last four of five years than his entire career. Been saying it, but the less dribbles the better. The less chance he gets stripped. The harder for teams to collapse on him. The closer he is to the basket the more efficient he can be because of his post game. Randle basically has to get all his points off duck ins, offensive rebounds, and running the floor. Get him the ball on the BLOCK. Cmon Byron. Yeah his footwork is average at best right now, but he's still further along in his post game than most bigs are. Remember how raw Bynum was? You don't see that with Randle. I've seen him back down, and then spin or get his defender out of position with a fake. He has nice touch as well. Him and Hibbert could have some nice big to big action like we used to see with Pau and Lamar as well as Pau and Bynum. I'm just sick of him. I cannot believe how inept he is. How he refuses to accept that he's twenty years behind the teams. Just man up really? How about instructing your players how to defend pick and rolls, how to make shooters drive the ball into your seven foot defensive beast in Roy Hibbert? How about getting Kobe the hell away from the three point line. How about playing Clarkson off the ball where he could be so explosive with his man movement and getting alley oops and things of that nature?
