Crucifido’s Corner: Lakers vs. Warriors (Game 57)

Hustle & Flow

And that’s what makes things like that abominable 6 game losing streak angering beyond rational thought.

This team shows us time and again exactly what they can do when they focus collectively and do the little things that all add up to a big game. This game versus the Warriors was no different from the team that came out and got 13 games above 500. Sure it may have been against a weaker team, but again remember this is a Lakers squad that’s lost to worst teams throughout this season. You can’t take any game (despite the opponents’ record) too lightly any more.

A lot of times work often comes from the top and trickles its way down through the rest of the team. This held true today when Kobe came out diving for loose balls and hustling for every single disjointed possession that came around him. The best part of Kobe’s game today came from everything outside of the box score. It’s been a while since Kobe has looked that sharp and alert defensively. You can always count on his (or the entire team’s) offensive game to come around, but it was fantastic to see Kobe slip screens and keep in front of his man on virtually every defensive set. I think there may have been a total of 3 times the entire time Kobe played where he lost sight of his man. Aside from that, the perimeter defense that had been lacking from him and his other back court teammates came to life. Even better, that defensive mindset wound up sticking to everyone.

Barring a couple timeouts taken for his sake Andrew also played an alive game. During the first quarter when he was letting the paint go unguarded in favor of double-teaming the side of the low post, it looked like another confused defensive game for him. Low and behold Phil calls one timeout and the kid responded. That right there is the greate3st thing about the most talked about Laker right now – his ability to take instruction, absorb it and put it into action like few other younger players in the NBA do.

For me, the big key between a good Bynum game and a bad one is how he moves his feet defensively. During this game Andrew did a most exceptional job keeping grounded while using his significant length to dissuade people from taking it to strong to the rack. Hi real trouble often comes when he leaves his feet in favor of trying to block a shot. You just didn’t see that too much today. Though he did have his fair share of fouls (mostly for body contact on jumps) he did a decent job holding ground. His fouls today came from him establishing ground only to turn with a player driving. If he had stayed steadfast in his position with his hands straight up in the air, he would have had just as good of a chance to alter or reject a shot. A lot of players like the dramatic swoop of a big blocked shot, but unfortunately it often results in them spending more time on the bench/chair.

The next step for Andrew is to jump up in a straight line (it’s something a lot of big men have trouble with. They like to come down with a swipe to the ball and that’s what gets them the foul). Go up with the intention to block or alter, that’s fine, but when you start coming down keep your hands up, don’t take a hack at the ball. It’s a combination of timing and control. Undoubtedly Andrew ill get it, it’s something you learn with more time. You can’t complain too much though today, he did a good job of securing boards with two hands, clearing space and making controlled passes to get the ball moving down court. All things, that weren’t being done a mere week ago.

I got this far and just realized that the first person mentioned here should be Maurice. I’m biased in a way; I like players that give it everything they have during their time on the floor, despite talent level or results. To me, a player 5that uses every single second of play to put it all out there will always get my vote of confidence. The great part about Maurice recently (the last 3 games in particular, but mostly for this season so far) is the offensive production that I don’t think anyone thought he was either capable of, or would be able to do in his role on this team.

There may be more naturally talented players on the Lakers team right now, but there is none (aside from Ronny) that show the out and out hustle that Maurice shows. I’ve said before that control is his biggest issue. Finding that temperate balance between enthusiasm and control is a tough thing for some players. In these last 3 games, Maurice has found that balance. He’s wriggling his way into a solid role on this team with his off-ball movement. Other than Luke, Maurice seems to truly have a grasp that this offense calls for a pass and move style. Maurice wasn’t only passing and moving today, he was hitting his spots, then moving to open spots and most of all using his hustle/movement to pull people away from the key. When you have a player on the move as much as Maurice (or say a Rip Hamilton) you have to dedicate someone to be on them at all times. It’s too easy for guys like that to get wide open shots. Maurice was that Rip Hamilton kind of player today. Add in the fact that he shot an atypical percentage from mid-range today and he was downright poisonous for the Warriors. The Warriors at times had 2 different people trying to keep up with him. In that run of defenders, Maurice continued to wear down the middle of the key (granted against a weaker inside defense in the Warriors, but nonetheless) by simply moving from weak to strong without he4sitation.

It was good to see him wind up with game honors; he absolutely deserved and earned his career high. More than that, I think Maurice has officially earned himself a prominent role on this team for a while to come.

The other guy I mentioned above, Ronny was his typical tenacious self. As with Maurice Ronny is a player that may not be an all-star caliber player at the moment, but he more than makes up for it with desire. Even during the recent losing streak Maurice and Ronny didn’t have any quit in them. That kind of play is invaluable to any team, let alone a team struggling to establish an identity.

What I enjoyed about Ronny’s game today was that he backed off his jump shot a bit. Although I do love that he has developed a good 10 – 15 foot jumper, there are times when a better option has been available. That patience to look for the one extra pass was there today (and in the Boston game too actually)

Above all, the best thing about the Laker “hustle team” is that they are visibly upset when they don’t play well. You have to love that. There are few things worse than a player or a team that plays poorly and just brushes it off without using it to learn from or using it to inspire them to perform better next time. Ronny and Maurice set the pace in that area – that is something no box score will ever be able to show.

You’d be remiss if you didn’t acknowledge that the two lost men on this Lakers team have come in and played far better than anyone ever expected. Aaron and Shammond have quietly kept working, kept their heads in the game and waited in the wings for their chance. Their chance has come and they have both been intriguing at best during their time on the court.

As a combo my favorite part of what they bring is almost perfect spacing on defense and offense. Watch when they get on the court, the others suddenly find their space without any problem. It may be from having more faith in their play or it may because of their demeanor, but either way it is a huge, giant, enormous help on both ends.

Starting with Shammond – as Smush’s defense has trailed off or taken a leave of absence at times, you had to wonder how long it would take Phil to simply gamble on bringing Williams into a game. In the Celtics game when his number got called and we all sat at home with our mouths open, wondering how he was going to contribute, we got quiet in a hurry. It wasn’t just because h knocked down jumpers. Shammond has always been able to do that, but what was unexpected for me was Shamnmond’s ability to stay in front of his assignment. He showed a veteran control that had been lacking in Smush’s play. On breaks he was calm, but within the half court set plays Shammond showed crisp movement the entire time he was on the court. For this reason alone, Shammond’s minutes will more than likely drown out Sasha’s in the weeks to come.

Right now this team needs control and he has shown it.

Along with control has come the savvy economic play of McKie. Although he may not be as fast as he once was, McKie also played defense today with smarts. He was splitting screens and moving through a traffic laden key at times without playing panicked. There was a smoothness to his defense that hasn’t been since in the point guard position. Scoring aside, McKie’s major benefit can come by showing the younger players on this team that you don’t have to play like a caffeinated squirrel to play defense.

Youth is fantastic to have, but the professionalism and calm demeanor with which both Shammond and Aaron played with today (versus much younger and speedier guards I may add) often comes from experience. This isn’t to knock down anyone, or suggest that players can get experience from riding the bench. It’s more that the young guys can learn that playing defense with you r head and feet first will always beat out gambling / swiping hands first D.

An honorable mention go to Jordan today. He was seriously focused on the defensive end. You could see it in his eye line on his assignments. Though he did get caught on screens now and then due to a lack of communication from teammates or from him not anticipating it, he was really looking more awake than he had in a while.

As far as Lamar goes, you can see that his knee just isn’t quite right yet. The explosiveness he showed from the top of the key to the hoop has dissipated a bit. However, like I always say w3ith Lamar, if his scoring isn’t going, he needs to do the other things on the court to be effective. Today he did that. The shots weren’t falling, the calls weren’t coming, but he continued to get good deep position for boards or quick post passes. That alone, helps this team. The one th8ing Lamar has been doing (and it may be due to a lack of confidence in his knee) is a soft turn when people drive into him. He (like Andrew) is turning his body about 45 degrees to face the player going by him. He has to establish position and hold that ground without giving up space on a turn or otherwise.

It’s not always about scoring with Lamar (or about anyone for that matter). This team has enough talent to find point elsewhere. Lamar just needs to keep in mind that there are few people that can guard him either in a scoring position or on the block looking for boards. That comes with confidence not only in his knee, but mostly in his head.

Overall, you had to like seeing the physical sacrifice everyone was showing today. From the opening quarter you could see Lakers diving for loose balls, calling out screens, switching (at times with incredible precision – McKie and Williams had one exchange in the 3rd quarter that was just seamless defense, beautiful to watch) without having to yell at each other and just getting after it.

There was no waiting for the offense to come to them today. They played a high and aggressive style of defense that if played consistently, can begin to get them back to where they were before the rash of injuries.

Everyone was finally throwing some head fakes in their offense. They weren’t just getting the ball and going up for jumpers, making blocks easy and obvious.

They finally held a team under 50 at the half.

They were not only hitting their spots on offense, but they were recognizing mismatches, seeing clear passing lanes and finding those off the ball movement guys giving them open looks.

My one gripe today was that every Laker, to the man, has got to stop playing the refs so hard. Sometimes, for better or worse, they just won’t make calls. Every guy has to get over that. They have to quit looking to the ref when they miss a shot or turn it over and get back on defense. The transition defense is delicate enough with this Laker team. Giving an extra man advantage simply because you didn’t get a call is pointless and damaging. They got away with it sometimes today, but against more solid teams, those 10 points or so off of needless behavior can spell doom.

Lastly Lakers, keep the hustle going you’ve shown the last couple of games. That, like winning never gets old.

Veteran ClubLakers member crucifido writes nightly player analysis for each game of the Laker season.

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