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.
The Lakers Get Blown Out Again, 127-100 in Phoenix
On the bright side, Saturday against Denver the Lakers were outscored by 22 in the third quarter.
Tuesday in Phoenix, it was only 18.
Once again, the Lakers took a tight game at the half and completely lost the thread in the third, en route to a 127-100 loss that did a lot more than simply ding the team’s chances of advancing out of their group in the NBA Cup. LA has now lost three straight, with a very challenging game Wednesday against a San Antonio team that has won four straight and seven of 10. Anyone unwilling to buy into the 10-4 start, or insisted on waiting and seeing, might feel vindicated right now. The Lakers are simply losing the thread for long stretches of time. And while some of that might be chalked up to effort or attitude, the fundamental problem is far simpler:
The Lakers simply can’t get stops. When Denver got rolling the Lakers didn’t have the capacity to stop the run. When the Suns got rolling the Lakers didn’t have the capacity to stop the run. It was noted on the show earlier this week that the team’s standing in the Western Conference was simply not sustainable if the Lakers stayed near the bottom of the league in defensive efficiency. They came into the game 27th. Tuesday’s result only made things worse.
And let’s be honest - there just aren’t that many levers available to turn the current roster into something better on that side of the floor. And while the Lakers are still a very good offensive team, no team is good enough on that end to overcome such miserable defense.
Oh, and Jaxson Hayes limped off the floor late in the fourth.
All in all, a terrible Tuesday for sure.
—BK
Three Questions:
1. How far do they slide before the Lakers can stop the bleeding?
2. Is the defense fixable?
3. JJ Redick wants more disruption. Who can provide it?
Nov 26, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier (2) shoots the basketball over Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) during the fourth quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro/Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Here’s the thing, Scary Terry has hops. At 30-years-old and with a decade of play under his belt, Terry Rozier can cut like a knife, shake loose defenders, deflect, drive, and kick the ball out to the wing on a layup with the court vision still 20/20. He shoots, too. Tidy jumpers, deep and swooning corner threes, tricky little one-handed layups, fastbreak two-handed deliveries, Rozier runs through them like a personal rolodex.
Perhaps it’s a good reminder, for you as much as me, that age really doesn’t have anything to do with it. For one, despite what we’re led to believe by watching NBA basketball and listening to people talk about it, 30 isn’t old. Besides age, there’s a more important personal factor: whether an athlete keeps up. NBA basketball gets pushed in new directions every season as competitive teams break the mold and not yet competitive teams try to keep up.
Optimization is an unfortunate word in our modern and decidedly capitalist lexicon, but it’s what good athletes do. If there’s a skill to develop, they figure out what it is. Giannis Antetokounmpo in the mid-range this season is a perfect and very successful example. The bigger thing these smaller improvements add up to are teams with a depth of different weapons to pull out against the seemingly unbeatable juggernauts at the top. Occasionally, front offices identify what their unique skillset or style of play can be — think the decidedly big Cleveland Cavaliers, or the micro, play-every-position, Thunder — and build toward it.
For an athlete like Rozier, who many were quick to call a Kyle Lowry 2.0 when he arrived in Miami, the improvisation he’s shown with the Heat was born out of necessity but also an aptitude for reading the room. The Heat are a workaholic organization with a next-man-up mentality they don’t just talk about as an inspirational soundbite, but is twined through the fibre of all that they do.
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
Analysis The point guard position is in good hands. Shaun Powell takes stock of the position and what the future looks like. (NBA)
Opinion The NBA can tinker with the All-Star Game format all it wants, but there’s only one fix. (The Athletic, subscription required)
Feel Good What happens with the money collected from fines? How the league turns bad moments into good deeds. (SB Nation)
Analysis JJ Redick remains optimistic despite the Lakers’ recent struggles. He emphasizes the importance of LeBron James and Anthony Davis playing together. (Daily News)
Preview The King takes on the Alien tonight. Lakers vs. Spurs. Read the preview. (NBA)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Another Lauri Markkanen Injury For Fantasy Basketball Managers To Digest
Nov 26, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz forward/center Lauri Markkanen (23) on the floor after a collision with San Antonio Spurs forward/center Victor Wembanyama (1) during the second half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images | Christopher Creveling/Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images
Injury Concerns and Player Updates
Joel Embiid’s ongoing knee issues are another significant concern. With a history of multiple meniscus surgeries, Embiid’s situation remains precarious. His recent absences highlight the risks associated with drafting him early in fantasy leagues. The high failure rate of such surgeries suggests that Embiid’s availability might be limited, making him a risky trade target.
Donovan Clingan’s grade 2 MCL sprain is also noteworthy. The Portland Trail Blazers plan to reevaluate him in two weeks, but this type of injury typically requires a longer recovery period. With Clingan sidelined, players like Ayton and Rob Williams are expected to see increased playing time, making Williams a valuable addition to fantasy rosters.
Lauri Markkanen’s Injury Impact
Lauri Markkanen’s recent knee injury adds another layer of complexity to fantasy basketball strategies. Markkanen, who has been dealing with back and knee issues, was helped off the court after a knee knock. While the injury doesn’t appear to be a severe ACL or MCL tear, it could sideline him for at least a week, if not longer. This development opens up opportunities for players like John Collins to step up and fill the void, potentially increasing their fantasy value.
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.
