The Lakers got important contributions from two little-used veterans as they ended a three-game losing streak Monday night, writes Broderick Turner of The Los Angeles Times. Marc Gasol, who has seen his playing time cut sharply since the addition of Andre Drummond, posted 10 points, seven rebounds and a plus-17 rating in 17 minutes. Wesley Matthews scored eight points while hitting all three of his shots from the field.
“I think we have to start thinking more as a team, instead of mentioning guys,” Gasol said. “It’s more who we are as a team and who we’re going to be. Everyone tied to one another regardless of your situation. You play zero minutes, you play 20 minutes, the team success is everyone’s success.”
Both players joined the Lakers as free agents in November, with Gasol getting a two-year deal and Matthews signing for one year. They both expected larger roles, but are trying to make the most of their opportunities as the playoffs near.
“Like I said, basketball, it’s just like life, it’s unpredictable,” Matthews said. “You don’t know what may or may not happen, but you got to be prepared for it. You got to continue to go on. You can either go on with it or it goes on without you.”
There’s more on the Lakers:
- LeBron James sat out Monday’s game and is considered day-to-day after aggravating his right ankle injury, Turner tweets. L.A. doesn’t play again until Thursday, and James’ status for that game is uncertain.
- The Lakers may regret not making a greater effort to trade for Kyle Lowry at the deadline, contends Eric Koreen of The Athletic. L.A. was limited in what it could offer, but Koreen believes there was an opportunity to swoop in after the Sixers and Heat dropped out of the bidding. The Lakers reportedly weren’t willing to part with Talen Horton-Tucker, which left nothing else that the Raptors were interested in.
- This year’s struggles have shown the dangers of building a team around James, who is 36, and Davis, who has been injury-prone throughout his career, writes Dylan Hernandez of The Los Angeles Times. He also notes that both players returned from their injuries to a different team, as the Lakers signed Drummond and Ben McLemore while they were out and made other changes to their rotation.
Theres a reason why Drummond sucks and was released. Lakers defense is worse with him on the floor than off, he is a bench piece at best. All the flak gasol has received for his “poor” play looks nothing compared to drummonds.
Lakers have little chance to trade for Lowry due to hard cap offseason
Regret? Yes
The following trade idea doesn’t work due to hard cap
Schroeder and Kuzma for Lowry
It might work if Harrell opts out, then fill out the roster with min. contracts.
I don’t understand how you have shooting guard that doesn’t shoot enough Kcp for 12 mill per season a pf who’s takes to many jump shot not be taken more inside shots, nobody really looking to get Drummond shots deeper in the paint.I watch the gm other night LA vs Kings 5 second left and Frank Vogel looks for a defending 3three and not a shot near the rim or attack the rim don’t understand that IQ out of Vogel or best player in the world Lebron
There is certainly a lot of negativity in Lakerland. Writers are falling all over themselves trying to name what the problem is and there are many. “toast” is a headline.
The biggest story coming up is over the vaccine. Schröder just had an interview in Germany and it was translated to English. In the interview he said he and Lebron were the only ones on the team who didn’t get the vaccine. Once this spreads it will be a big story and if Lebron misses any time due to COVID imagine the headlines.
Ah. SO glad they held on tight to the immortal Talen Horton-Tucker. LOL!
Pretty sure they would have had to at least throw KCP in there for salary purposes too. Plus picks. For a 35 yr old who’s on an expiring who is on record saying he wants 25-30m per in his next contract
I like Lowry but idk how much sense he really made for LA, given the price tag. They’ve held up reasonably well w/o LeBron and realistically if LeBron isn’t healthy by playoffs with or without Lowry the Lakers aren’t going anywhere this postseason.
“The dangers of building a team around James” — yeah, who wants to build a team around the greatest player of this generation? Stupid! If it’s a money thing say that, but don’t try to pretend even an aging LeBron doesn’t have something special to offer.
LeBron said himself that he will never be 100% again. I won’t be the least bit surprised if/when he retires in 2023 when his contract expires and he’s 38.
Stop being delusional. He’s not retiring until he plays with his son.
Even so, he said that within the last week. They started building the team years ago. And even if you want to use trade deadline as a measure that was months back.
Schroeder could be out 4 more weeks depend on how Covid medicine responds
If Lakers one star is Out
Then Grizzlies can take down Lakers and Lakers play lottery game
The danger of building around LeBron and AD
The opportunity cost not getting Lowry for $30m on an expiring
Must be a slow news day in LA
What danger? They already got a ring out of it.
You guys got a cheapie championship. Stop crying!!