Will a Bad Night Get Worse?
If Monday’s ugly win in Charlotte shined a light on deficiencies around the Lakers roster, then Tuesday’s ugly loss in Philadelphia—final score 118-104—had those shortcomings glowing in ways that could probably be seen from space.
After a hot start, the Lakers cooled off, and then Anthony Davis left the game with what the Lakers would call—with no additional health update provided after the game—an abdominal strain. With A.D. unavailable, the Lakers completely collapsed. Defensively, they couldn’t find anything to slow down Tyrese Maxey. They couldn’t keep Philadelphia away from the rim, or off the glass. They couldn’t force any mistakes (zero turnovers for the Sixers in the second quarter). By any measure, the Lakers were completely overwhelmed by Philly’s aggression and athleticism.
On the other end, they turned the ball over repeatedly (doing no favors to the defense) and couldn’t find any sense of coherence or flow. Scoring became way too hard.
It’s enough to get you thinking about what Rob Pelinka ought to prioritize heading into the final stretch before the trade deadline. They clearly need a center. But the Lakers also clearly need another guard. On a night where Gabe Vincent (along with Jarred Vanderbilt) wasn’t available, the Lakers were forced (or felt forced at least) to put Bronny James out there for meaningful minutes, hoping he could keep some of the momentum he’s started to gain with the G-League.
He did not. These are important minutes for a young player, but the fact the Lakers needed to recall him at all because one player at his position is missing? Not good. And as for that center Davis wants? Well, Tuesday was a good example of why the Lakers could use another big. Jaxson Hayes was in foul trouble all night, and this was one of those games where his limitations were glaring. Meanwhile, it’s unfair to expect Christian Koloko to provide big, high quality minutes behind Davis. They both struggled Tuesday, as did Max Christie (3 points on the night.)
So the Lakers clearly need another guard/ballhandler/playmaker.
But the stagnant offense also made it clear the Lakers need a player who can break people down and get a step off the dribble.
What hole does Pelinka try to fill, if he has to choose between them? The answers to these questions and more might very well be dependent on how Davis feels when he wakes up Wednesday morning.
—BK
More From This Episode:
-Why minutes for Bronny James were the symptom, not the disease (no matter how angry some Lakers fans were at JJ Redick).
-When a win isn’t excusable, but it is revealing.
-Game-planning for a potential AD absence.
