My analysis is this:
- The in-game adjustments need to be WAY better. From what we saw in the OKC game, the current starting line up is effective at keeping the other team from scoring, but is only effective offensively when LeBron is engaged. That makes sense-- LeBron is the only scoring threat that can create offense for himself in that lineup, and AD is not great at getting his own shot. What we saw in the Cs game was that a passive LeBron messes with the scoring efficiency. I don't understand why LeBron hasn't recognized that, in that lineup, it's HE that needs to be the head of the snake. I've complained about his passive 1st quarters for a while now.
- The current starting lineup (when LeBron is being passive) needs to change depending on opponent. The Cs were a great example of how changing the gameplan could have benefitted the Lakers earlier on, instead of having them fight from a deficit, which seems to be our identity. The lineup worked against OKC because LeBron put his head down and went to the bucket.
- AD has been massively great for the Lakers, and I have very few complaints about him. There are times where he's passive, but other than that, I have come to expect AD to have a good night on at least one side of the ball.
- Rui needs more burn, whether that ends up in the starting 5 or a more effective bench role like Reaves has gotten. 30 Minutes a game should be standard. I want Rui shooting nothing but Derozan shots-- pure middies, all game.
- Prince has been great. He might make good on his 40% promise. Don't want him guarding Kevin Durant ever again, though.
- D'Lo should be traded. He's been very bad, and gets too many minutes for him to be that bad. He literally has no impact on the game positively. I like his attitude in general, and I wish him well, but we can't afford for our (former) starting guard to look like this in the playoffs:
- Vando hasn't been great offensively, but then again, that's not what he's being asked to do. He's a great cutter, so I would like to see some sets with him diving to the basket, and maybe Bron can find him for some easy layups and lobs. If his man is cheating off him anyway, he should be open for a few backdoors and whatnot. This would take coaching, though...
- Darvin Ham is the Lakers' biggest problem. He doesn't adjust, his lineups leave you scratching your head, he DNPs players for no explicable reason, and Bron and AD wave his calls off, publicly. While we were getting slapped by the Cs in the first quarter, he made no adjustment to the lineup. We were down 12-0 if memory serves, and it's at that point where you go "hmm, this isn't working, let's try something else"
- If we are going to adjust the starting lineup (and still keep D'Lo on the bench), I'd like to see
Reaves
Bron
Rui
Wood
AD
Wood plays well alongside Davis, and gives the Lakers much needed rebounding and length. I always see AD as the only guy fighting for boards when Vando is not in the game. Rui gives you size, midrange scoring and decent rebounding, and Reaves is our only available guard.
Mix it up, use the depth we have, see what happens. It's still very early into the season, and there are 51 games left. We have a lot of plug and play guys, but they don't get played because our coach can't adjust for his life.