Game Day: Lakers (0-3) @ Suns (1-2), Wed 10/24/18

[Drewsprocket]

Just waive Canaan already and burn a first rounder for Beverley. This can’t go on. He can’t pass the ball into the post without a turnover.

[The Bobster]

Ayton - 22 pts, 11 reb, 11/14 FG, 3 blk, 0 trn

[Split T]

Back to just finding little things.

1. Bridges is our best on ball defender
2. Ayton with an impressive block
3. Ayton showing his post skills

[O_Gardino]

Warren and Jackson combined for 5 rebounds and 7 turnovers.

[The Bobster]

Canaan - 28 min, 2/8 FG, 2 ast, 3 trn, 4 pts

[Split T]

Bridges forced 3 turnovers in the 4th. We only forced 3 in the first 3 quarters.

[O_Gardino]

Ayton - 22 pts, 11 reb, 11/14 FG, 3 blk, 0 trn

We were -4 in 31 minutes with him and -14 in 17 minutes without him. We've got to learn how to score with him on the bench.

We've got to take care of the ball.

And we've got to actually defend.

[djy2j]

What a beating

[The Bobster]

Ayton through 4 games - 30.2 Min, 62.9 FG% 84.6 FT%, 10.8 Reb, 3.8 Ast, 1.0 Blk, 16.2 Pts

Per 36 Min - 12.8 Reb, 4.5 Ast, 1.2 Blk, 19.3 Pts

[virtual9mm]

So much for my thinking that the Suns could take on the Lakers. I was going to watch on delay tonight but I don't think I'll do that. But the box score says plenty...

The Suns pretty much matched the Lakers except for that 2nd quarter. The offensive statistics looked good enough, as the floor looked like it was being spread and the assist numbers decent. Canaan's individual numbers look bad but his +/- does not.

From what the box scores say, it looks like the Chandler/Crawford 2nd unit, along with Anderson and Booker, were the culprits? Anderson and Chandler just can't run anymore, Booker is a sieve, and Crawford may be both at the same time.

What's my takeaway from this? Bench Anderson and Chandler -- I'm sure that Kokoskov is already thinking this but need additional time to put it into practice -- and give Warren and Bender more run at the 4 and 5 spots. Crawford is only really effective running pick-and-rolls, so try to give him more time with Ayton. Indeed, give Ayton more time and try Holmes more.

And -- get a starting PG -- Canaan's a competent backup but he's no starter.

[Split T]

At least we didn't give up 115 through 3 quarters and 51 points to Curry

[LazarusLong]

Chandler had 14 pts and 11 rebounds.

That, of course, will be played up, along with his "veteran presence."

The -18 plus/minus score will be swept under the table.

[Superbone]

Silver lining.. At least we aren't getting blown out by 50 any more

Yeah, we're getting pretty good at keeping it around 20. Hey, better than last year!

[djy2j]

Aside from a few nice looks every now and then by Ayton the passing has been at a Junior Varsity level.

The thing I hate most is this team seems to have just settled into losing already.

[n4th4n]

I've seen high school freshman with better defensive awareness than Ayton. It is so frustrating. He put up good numbers tonight, but they were all empty stats and his best run came against the Laker's D-Leaguers and scrubs. I really believe he is going to get better, but he is making such basic, no-brainer mistakes that it is hard to understand what is going on.

[Superbone]

Well at least I get to pick up red dead tomorrow

Same! Definitely pumped about that one.

Should be good. I don't like how they overwork their employees though.

[Superbone]

Ayton - 22 pts, 11 reb, 11/14 FG, 3 blk, 0 trn

At least Ayton's stats look good.

[Superbone]

Bridges forced 3 turnovers in the 4th. We only forced 3 in the first 3 quarters.

Just like Denver, Bridges has been one of the few bright spots. Stephenson tried to clown him but Bridges held his own.

[The Bobster]

I've seen high school freshman with better defensive awareness than Ayton. It is so frustrating. He put up good numbers tonight, but they were all empty stats and his best run came against the Laker's D-Leaguers and scrubs. I really believe he is going to get better, but he is making such basic, no-brainer mistakes that it is hard to understand what is going on.

Part of it is reacting too slowly, but the large part is that the rest of the team is a defensive sieve. Anderson and Booker can't guard anybody and Bridges is about the only one on the team who has bee good so far through four games.

[n4th4n]

I've seen high school freshman with better defensive awareness than Ayton. It is so frustrating. He put up good numbers tonight, but they were all empty stats and his best run came against the Laker's D-Leaguers and scrubs. I really believe he is going to get better, but he is making such basic, no-brainer mistakes that it is hard to understand what is going on.

Part of it is reacting too slowly, but the large part is that the rest of the team is a defensive sieve. Anderson and Booker can't guard anybody and Bridges is about the only one on the team who has bee good so far through four games.

Sure, the rest of the team is a defensive sieve, but it's crazy that Ayton consitently doesn't even react to someone driving wide open to the rim when he is just a few feet away. It's not that he is reacting slowly, it's that he is a complete bystander to the play when he right there, just on the other side of the paint.