Yes, the Lakers are Watching the Standings, and Why the Offense Can Still Improve
At this time of year, you'll often hear players talk about how they don't pay attention to what's happening around them in the standings. We just focus on ourselves. We keep it tight, inside the building. We're controlling what we control. And, yeah, sure. Control what you control. That's always sound strategy. But the idea these guys don't pay attention to the standings? To how teams around them are doing? It is, and has always been, a crock of... well, you get it. The Lakers aren't playing that game. Following Monday's win against Houston, everyone in the locker room asked about the Western Conference standings made it very clear that they know what's going on. They pay attention. They follow closely. Why? Because it's really important! The Western Conference is insanely competitive. And so for the Lakers, priority number one is avoiding the play-in. While every team in the league benefits from having time off while lesser teams have to fight to get into the main draw, when a third of your Big Three is 40 years old with 22 years of NBA play on the odometer (LeBron), the next guy has been trying hard to recover from an injury that cost him a huge chunk of the season (Luka) and the third gets hit in the face at least six times a game (Austin Reaves) a little R&R can make a big difference. For the Lakers, not only would that week make it more likely to win their first round matchup, it would increase the odds of doing it quickly, and set them up better to win the next round, too. The good news for LA? Where sometimes there's a temptation to start playing games and try to manipulate the seeding in order to draw a certain opponent, this year there's none of that. First, the conference is too tightly packed to try and thread that needle. There's some real FAFO potential, with that sort of nonsense. But more importantly, there isn't a matchup (i.e. Denver of the last couple seasons) it seems obvious the Lakers NEED to avoid. Every matchup will be tough, but the Nuggets don't have the same mystique anymore. Houston? Memphis? Golden State? Good teams, all, but none seem like they can't be overcome. (The Clippers feel scary, if everyone is playing.) Instead, the goal ought to be to win as many games as possible, to get the tangible rewards of a) potentially earning more home games in the postseason, and b) avoiding Oklahoma City as long as possible. Think of it this way: The Lakers are 17 games over .500. That's really good. They're also 17 games behind OKC. Don't overthink this. If there's a team to avoid as long as possible, it's the Thunder. Land a 2 or a 3 seed, and they're someone else's problem until the Conference Finals. Once critical bit of housekeeping: The Lakers own tiebreakers up and down the playoff ladder. That could come in handy, particularly near the end of the year. Maybe it means the Lakers have a chance to move up on that last day of the season against Portland. Or, even better, maybe they have a seed locked up and can rest some folks. Every little luxury could make a big difference this year. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: The Lakers know what's happening in the standings. SEGMENT 2: What should they be doing? SEGMENT 3: The most dangerous matchup. Your favorite podcast now has a newsletter! In One-stop for ultimate team and league coverage delivered right to your in box. Sign up for free now, at lockedondaily.com. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! 5-Hour ENERGYHead to 5-hourENERGY.com to find over 15 flavors to choose from, including Watermelon, Blue Raspberry, and Peach-Mango. Need one now? Grab a 5-hour ENERGY shot at your local grocery or convenience store—they’re everywhere! Stock up today and stay energized. WayFairAfter the holiday hustle, there’s nothing like giving your home a little TLC. Give your home the refresh it needs with Wayfair. Head to Wayfair.com right now. Wayfair. Every style. Every home. PrizepicksNow’s the perfect time to join. Download the app todayand use codeLOCKEDONNBA to get $50 instantly when you play your first $5 lineup! That’s right—no need to win to get the bonus, it’s guaranteed. PrizePicks—Run Your Game!Click Here: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/LOCKEDONNBA Monarch MoneyTake control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNBA at monarchmoney.com for 50% off your first year. GametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. FanDuelRight now, new customers can get TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. R
Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers
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Show Notes
At this time of year, you'll often hear players talk about how they don't pay attention to what's happening around them in the standings. We just focus on ourselves. We keep it tight, inside the building. We're controlling what we control.
And, yeah, sure. Control what you control. That's always sound strategy. But the idea these guys don't pay attention to the standings? To how teams around them are doing? It is, and has always been, a crock of... well, you get it.
The Lakers aren't playing that game. Following Monday's win against Houston, everyone in the locker room asked about the Western Conference standings made it very clear that they know what's going on. Why? Because it would be insane not to. The West is insanely competitive, and every possible advantage matters when it comes to maximizing the team's potential. Along those lines, the Lakers are still seeking the type of consistent performance you'd expect (at least on the surface) from an offense featuring Luka, LeBron and Austin Reaves.
We're starting to get clues as to how that might change, thanks to LeBron's newly re-launched podcast, of all things.
Talking to new host Steve Nash (former Laker!), the Hall of Fame point guard marveled at the acceptance of roles since Luka arrived, and the possibilities available to Lakers with LeBron starting so many possessions away from the ball. LeBron, Nash said, is screening. Running the short roll. Spacing. Cutting. All the stuff guys can do when they don't have the ball in their hands. Some examples of how LeBron responded:
- "...it's a switch league, you know, but to be able to pick and slip or pick and hit the short roll, now what I do best is even more unlocked. So you're giving me a pocket pass, and now I'm playing the 4 on 3 game."
- "I'm playing the 4 on 3 game where I've gotten the ball from Luka in the pocket or AR in the pocket. Now I get to read and decide what these three defenders are going to guard. Me with the ball, two guys in the corner and a big in the dunker or small in the dunker. I'm going to pick you apart, you know, instead of always having to be at the head of the play and now all eyes are on me..."
- "...(with) Luka's ability to manipulate a defense… If you put two on him and now when the ball is swung to me and I’m going against a closeout? … To get eyes on someone else for a change and then I’m catching it on the backside?"
When the Lakers acquired Luka, more than a few voices who figured it wouldn't/couldn't work because LeBron and Luka wouldn't be work together. It would just be "your turn, my turn" because neither guy would take a step back. Of course, they were really talking about LeBron, essentially saying his ego wouldn't let him cede control of LA's offense to its new superstar.
None of it made sense. He's been looking for someone to help carry this burden for a few seasons. It's part of why the Lakers traded for Russell Westbrook. (Just because it should have been really obvious that wasn't going to work doesn't mean the purpose was to make things easier for James.) This season, LeBron had already given up some responsibility to Reaves. If he was willing to do it for AR, why on earth wouldn't he make concessions for Luka Freaking Dončić?
The path hasn't been smooth, and there will continue to be bumps along the way. But the ups and downs are because NBA basketball is really hard. Some nights things won't work the way you want. But broadly speaking, the Lakers are all pulling in the same direction, and more than that, LeBron seems to really enjoy this new style. He's not always drawing the best defender. He gets to attack closeouts, or cut because defenses aren't watching him. This is all stuff that has almost never happened over the course of his 22 years in the league.
And because there's no power struggle, the Lakers are more likely to hit this season's ceiling... which still has the potential to be very, very high.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: The Lakers know what's happening in the standings.
SEGMENT 2: What should they be doing?
SEGMENT 3: The most dangerous matchup.
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