Andy Kamenetzky here, the host of the daily Locked On Lakers podcast, with your daily Locked On Lakers newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Lakers and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
After Two Tough Losses, the Lakers Need to Regain Momentum, Fast
Less than a week ago, the Lakers were riding high, riding a six-game winning streak and sitting near the top of the Western Conference standings.
That was before a pair of losses against quality teams that threaten to let a lot of air out of LA’s balloon.
First, it was a game-winning (almost) last second shot from Orlando’s Franz Wagner, a disappointing end to a game the Lakers really should have won. And if Thursday was about a letdown in the final minutes, Saturday against Denver was about a massive collapse after the halftime break. The Lakers, after taking a 10-point second quarter lead were absolutely boat raced by the Nuggets from that point on. JJ Redick noted the lack of competitive spirit.
Nikola Jokic outplayed Anthony Davis by a mile, but he wasn’t the only Nugget who hurt the Lakers.
He said he doesn’t believe the Nuggets have some sort of psychological hold on the Lakers... but others disagree. Are the questions even separable? The Lakers have a problem with Denver that, at the least, can’t give them tons of confidence. They have a matchup and talent problem that goes well past Jokic vs. Davis, whether you want to look at Michael Porter Jr., or (when he’s healthy) Aaron Gordon. Teams with size are a big problem. Teams that try to score (i.e. all of them) are a problem. The Lakers are not going to stay near the top of the conference if they don’t improve defensively.
The West is simply too competitive.
—BK
Overheard On Today’s Episode...
1. “The Lakers don’t have a Jokic problem because every team has a Jokic problem. Where the Lakers really struggle and where the Lakers are consistently buried against the Nuggets is they have a Michael Porter Jr. Problem.”
2. “If you’re looking for reasons to think the Lakers might not be that good, it is really hard to be 10 and 6 and be 27th in defensive efficiency.”
3. “J.J. Reddick had said before Rui actually turned that Rui was going to go to back to the starting lineup. It was really a question of whether or not Reddish would stay in the starting lineup versus Knecht.”
It was the three second violation heard round the world. Kidding, but it was strange enough that you looked to confirmation of what you were seeing to those around you, and/or rewatched the replay of it several times.
Posted up under the Raptors basket, Rudy Gobert had Scottie Barnes on his back in a mismatch and was calling to Julius Randle for the ball. Beyond the arc. Randle dribbled the ball, unhurried, as the shot clock ticked down. He’s eyeing the lane, would clearly prefer to drive, and even plants a foot to take off from when the whistle finally comes for Gobert, strolling out of the key nonchalantly, with all the urgency you’d approach a dental appointment.
Still frustrated, Gobert then needlessly hip-checked Barnes at the other end, sending him to the line and sending the Raptors up in the match and in momentum. Toronto won 110-105.
You can take your pick for what’s more worrisome, because the perspective shifts depending on the root of a few problems the Wolves face.
That Gobert opted to showboat his frustration is definitely the most obvious, in terms of visibility. It isn’t the first time he’s let his petulant side out on the floor. That Randle saw Gobert — impossible not to with his long arm up and waving — and chose to ignore him, dribbling the ball into oblivion instead, is another concern. The biggest question around the Randle and Karl-Anthony Towns trade was fit — for playing style and chemistry. A slight detail that nearly gets lost in the sequence is that Jaden McDaniels hustled for a really long rebound, swung it to Randle, and the urgency of that move was immediately sapped by what transpired.
Taken individually, these would be wrinkles for a working team to smooth by the next match. And yes, both Randle and Gobert addressed the sequence, with Randle prompting media to “name a perfect family” and Gobert saying “people think great teams are the teams where the sky is always blue”. Normally, I’d enjoy an athlete beginning with a euphemism, in this case, it feels like aversion.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Legacy Nikola Jokic continues to redefine basketball creativity with his full-court swat attempt against the Lakers, nearly achieving an incredible buzzer-beater despite the constraints of the Trent Tucker rule. (CBS Sports)
Biz NBA Hall of Famer Grant Hill discusses his investment in women’s sports and managing Team USA, highlighting his active retirement and commitment to sports development. (The Ringer NBA Show)
Rumor Western Conference coaches and executives are reportedly frustrated with the East’s playoff picture, suggesting a shift to a 1-16 seeding format to enhance fairness and competition. (Bleacher Report)
Opponent The Lakers faced off against the Nuggets, with Nikola Jokić delivering a standout performance. The game highlighted the ongoing rivalry and strategic battles between the two teams. (Silver Screen and Roll)
Replay The Lakers fell to the Nuggets, despite a strong effort from Anthony Davis. A detailed recap and box score analysis provide insights into the game’s key moments. (Silver Screen and Roll)
Injury Rui Hachimura returned to the lineup, starting the game after recovering from an ankle injury. His return could be crucial for the Lakers’ future games. (Daily News)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Ja Morant Is Set To Return And Impact Fantasy Basketball Leagues
Nov 17, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) takes videos with his phone after the game against the Denver Nuggets at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas/Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
As we wrap up another thrilling week in the NBA, it’s time to reflect on the standout performances and crucial player updates that could impact your fantasy basketball strategy. With six games on the slate this past Sunday, there was no shortage of action and intrigue.
Player Updates and Injury News
One of the most significant updates this week involves Ja Morant, who has been upgraded to questionable. The Memphis Grizzlies have a consistent pattern of moving players from doubtful to questionable before they return to play, so Morant’s return seems imminent. Marcus Smart is also off the injury report, ready to make his comeback. However, the Grizzlies are still without Vince Williams Jr., who is sidelined for weeks, and Zach Edey.
In New Orleans, the return of key players is on the horizon. While Herb Jones remains out, Jordan Hawkins is back, and CJ McCollum is expected to play soon. Dejounte Murray has been upgraded to doubtful, indicating he might return later this week. These returns will undoubtedly shake up the rotations and fantasy implications for players like BJ Boston and ElfridPayton.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have been idle since Wednesday, and Alex Caruso, who aggravated a hip injury, is out again. This extended absence is concerning for fantasy managers holding Caruso. Meanwhile, Ousmane Dieng’s fractured finger will keep him out for three to four weeks, opening up reserve minutes for Dillon Jones until Jaylin Williams returns.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Lakers podcasts.
Lakers Beat Warriors on Last Second Layup from Austin Reaves, Davis Leaves Early with Ankle Injury The Lakers lost Anthony Davis seven minutes into their Christmas Day tilt in San Francisco against the Warriors. Bah humbug, right? Not so fast. The Lakers circled the wagons, and got big performances up and down the roster, using an Austin Reaves bucket with a second left to beat Golden State, 115-113.
Turnovers Kill the Lakers in a 117-114 Loss to Detroit Pistons The Lakers offense has been stuck in the mud for the last few weeks. Monday at the Crypt against Detroit, the Lakers shot 54% from the floor, including 47% from 3-point range. They hit 20 of their 25 free throws, a perfectly solid 80%. The Lakers got a triple-double (28/11/11) from LeBron James. Max Christie chipped in with 17. So why did they ultimately lose 117-114 to the Pistons?
Why the Suddenly Hot Lakers Have a Chance to Rise in the Western Conference An 82-game season can have a ton of ebbs and flows, and often they feel extreme. Certainly that’s been the case for the Lakers, who have followed one of the most inept stretches of team defense with another that has been, quite literally, the league’s best over their last five games. Even more confusing, an offense that was once among the best in the league has totally cratered.
