Couple of things I think about heading into this series
#1 - Can the lakers make shots … this has been the question all year for them and the proof is in the pudding in how it impacts their overall winning .. the lakers win 62% or are 18-11 this year when they make just a LEAUGE AVERAGE 12 3 pointers or more …what’s concerning tho is that they’ve only made 12 3s in a game 29 times this year
Hitting those shots is going to be absolutely crucial this series because Memphis is one of the elite transition teams in basketball this year …they generate the most transition attempts in the NBA and they’re second in transition points …if the Lakers can’t convert from deep and allow Memphis to get into transition it’s over
#2 - Steven Adams absence might be being underestimated…before he got hurt he was by far and away the leagues best offensive rebounder …this was crucial for Memphis sporadic half court offense as they needed those extra possessions to not only convert buckets but control the pace of the game …defensively this also forces JJJ out of the weak side help role where he excels and forces him into a pure anchor spot …this could potentially lead to some issues regarding foul trouble if the lakers can focus on penetration early and often
#3 - Rookie Coach Darvin Ham …granted Ham has been thru several deep runs as an assistant but this is his first time leading a team in the condensed highly pressured playoff environment…how willing is he to shorten or elongate his rotations on the fly …how willing is he to game plan adjust on the fly …is his general in game management ready?
#1 - Can the lakers make shots … this has been the question all year for them and the proof is in the pudding in how it impacts their overall winning .. the lakers win 62% or are 18-11 this year when they make just a LEAUGE AVERAGE 12 3 pointers or more …what’s concerning tho is that they’ve only made 12 3s in a game 29 times this year
Hitting those shots is going to be absolutely crucial this series because Memphis is one of the elite transition teams in basketball this year …they generate the most transition attempts in the NBA and they’re second in transition points …if the Lakers can’t convert from deep and allow Memphis to get into transition it’s over#2 - Steven Adams absence might be being underestimated…before he got hurt he was by far and away the leagues best offensive rebounder …this was crucial for Memphis sporadic half court offense as they needed those extra possessions to not only convert buckets but control the pace of the game …defensively this also forces JJJ out of the weak side help role where he excels and forces him into a pure anchor spot …this could potentially lead to some issues regarding foul trouble if the lakers can focus on penetration early and often
#3 - Rookie Coach Darvin Ham …granted Ham has been thru several deep runs as an assistant but this is his first time leading a team in the condensed highly pressured playoff environment…how willing is he to shorten or elongate his rotations on the fly …how willing is he to game plan adjust on the fly …is his general in game management ready?
We? Nah, nikka. No the fukk I don’t.
