No guard depth!
Okay, I know you all won't read beyond a paragraph if Lin's name isn't mentioned, so I will. Lin had 14 pts. 4 assists, 4 boards. But not having practiced with first team, he looked out of sync with them, or more likely they weren't in sync with him. Jeremy also tended to defer too much to Kobe. Understandable because he watched Kobe growing up, and wants to please him, but the best way for him to earn Kobe's respect is by playing his game.
Only twice did we see the real Lin, the aggressive Lin as attack dog. First, that wonderful drive lane, circle lane, then one handed scoop shot from the waist. Sweet. Then, instead of walking ball up court, he takes it coast to coast like a bullet on a target range and lays it in. Two nice jumpers, too. He also harassed the heck out of Curry, but eventually had five fouls. Only one was dumb, and it happened when he looked really gassed at the foul line just prior to the foul. The foul came after Curry got by him and Lin did a Steve Nash and tried playing D from behind Curry. Four-point play.
Now, can I talk about the guard problem? The Lakers have three guards, Kobe, Nash, and Lin. Even before Clarkson left with a calf injury, it was obvious he needs a half season in the D league to hone and control his game. Price is 32 and looks it. Nick Young is hurt, but he is still more of a 3 than a 2. So the Lakers are really, really thin at guard, and I blame Kupchak, who stocked up on big men but not guards.
What happens if Nash gets hurt? Or God forbid, Kobe. Oh my, they will be in more trouble than they are now.
Last night, with Lin starting, the second unit was a mess. Ed Davis played well, but there were no pick and rolls like in the first game when he played with Lin. No guard leadership.
I know Scott has been emphasizing two things in practice, conditioning and defense. But he better get around soon to offense, because his team doesn't move the ball like it should in a quasi Princeton offense. Too much one on one iso ball. Big men taking one pass outside and chucking. And Lin could have done a better job running to the ball when his teammates were trapped.
Boozer. We do not need to see him taking 16 foot jumpers. And failing to rebound. Davis should be starting at power, not Boozer.
I don't get Scott's concept of letting one team play a full quarter and another team play the next quarter. No team in regular season does that. Because players after 8-9 minutes need a blow. So what we saw is players grinding down toward end of each quarter.
Lakers have zero presence on defense at center. Big problem. Again, I lay this on Kupchak. There are Euro 7 footers he could have gotten.
As for Lin, he really, really needs to attack the paint more. Okay, I get that when he does, nobody is in position for an inside feed or in position for a dish out on the wing. And that the Warriors double teamed him in the paint. But Jeremy still has to play his game. The more Lin attacks the hoop, the more it will open up outside shots. Providing, of course, his teammates understand they have to spread floor and be ready for a pass out.
To me--and this is understandable on a new team--Lin looks kind of lost, feeling his way, trying to fit in. While admirable in spirit and concept, he'd do more for the team to just play like Jeremy Lin and let those around him learn to play off him. He needs to be more of a pit bull, less of an aggressive poodle.
Overall? Lakers right now are a mess. Lin is a disciplined team player playing on a team that right now doesn't have a disciplined offense or defense. Yeah, gotta give Scott time. But I have bad feelings about this team. Kupchak didn't get the right mix of players.
Jeremy, good luck and God bless with this team. Take heart in knowing next year you are a free agent and can choose your own team.