Guard Dennis Schröder is replacing forward Jarred Vanderbilt in the Lakers‘ starting lineup for Friday’s Game 6 versus Golden State, tweets Marc J. Spears of Andscape.
It will be the first change head coach Darvin Ham has made to L.A.’s starting lineup in the 2022/23 postseason. Vanderbilt had gotten the nod in the previous 11 playoff games.
After a solid first-round series against Memphis and a strong defensive performance in Game 1 against the Warriors, Vanderbilt has struggled mightily over the past four games against the defending champions, averaging just 2.5 PPG and 3.8 RPG and going a combined 2-of-15 from the field in 14.4 MPG.
He has been particularly ineffective over the past two contests, recording a minus-23 plus/minus in his 22 minutes of action after the Warriors went small by inserting Gary Payton II into the starting lineup. Now the Lakers will match the guard-heavy approach with one of their own.
Schröder, on the other hand, had a quiet first-round series against the Grizzlies, but has come to life against the Warriors, averaging 11.8 PPG, 2.6 APG and 1.0 SPG on .476/.333/.778 shooting over five games. The team is plus-28 in his 64 minutes over the past two contests.
The Lakers currently lead the series 3-2 and have a chance to eliminate Golden State tonight at home. In case you missed it, Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins will be active despite dealing with a left costal cartilage fracture.
Congrats to Lakers. They look very strong.
Let’s go Nuggets!
Exposed, overrated. Hopefully this is the end of hearing about what a great coach Kerr is and how the Warriors are a dynasty. Let’s talk about how many big games and series they’ve lost – they lost a play-in game to the Lakers a few seasons ago, they lost in the finals to the Cavs, they lost in finals to the Raptors, and now they lost a defining series with home court advantage to the Lakers. The only reason they beat LeBron and the Cavs for two of their championships was because they suckered in the arguably second best player in the league in Durant. The other two times they won because they (Dirty Draymond) physically attacked the best players of their opponents. Hardly a dynasty.
Steph Curry was exposed in this series. Everyone on the Lakers scored on him at will – LeBron, Reaves, Russell, Walker. In hockey they play a lot of attention to +- because playing solid defence matters, and just like hockey, basketball is a two way sport. Sure Steph Curry can score most of the time, and he at least tried to pass more this post season, but he can’t defend and in a lot cases he doesn’t even try to defend because it’s someone else’s responsibility. I never liked him, and I never will. He is nowhere near the calibre of player as LBJ, or Jimmy Butler, or Kawhi Leonard. It’s time that others start talking the truth that Curry is overrated and if you don’t believe me go back and watch game 4 of this series, and tonight was more of the same.
Jimmy, all you can see if you look at the Warriors past 10 years is the incredible shine of four championship rings. Isn’t the point of the game to win and sign the best players possible? I don’t think any team would have said no thanks to Kevin Durant coming over.
Another thing, are you saying a team is only thought of as an incredible franchise if they win EVERY SINGLE TIME? Heck there’s 30 teams in the league. I think if you get to the finals several times and win half you’re doing pretty darn good.
Thirdly how long have you had that message ready to copy and paste when the Warriors finally show their age? You either have an incredible memory on the Fly or you’re bitter because you don’t have a couple of rings to show for the last few years? But Jimmy if you’re a Laker fan congratulations the best team won and they look fantastic right now. Good job at the trade deadline to fix their roster. Well done.
The whole Kevin Durant argument is so dumb. Nobody forced KD to join the Warriors. I know the “Hamptons Five” went to “convince” KD to join the Warriors. But at the end of the day, it was Durant’s decision to join the Warriors. He easily could have said no. Yeah, they really “suckered” him to join them.
Curry was far from exposed this series. He was only one doing anything on offence. Poole and Thompson were awful this series.
And as for Curry being a bad defender, I guess you didn’t see last years finals where he played solid defense. He may not be the best defender but he’s an above average defender. I guess you missed all the steals and charges he took in this Lakers series.
Curry averaged 1 steal and 0.5 blocks per game in the playoffs – source: link to statmuse.com
Maybe you saw more that that? Unfortunately they don’t show +- stats, but if they did they would show just how badly Curry was exposed on defence.
Classy org GSW has, I don’t think the drop-off will be as bad as the next months news cycles are going to paint
Imo GSW never looked 100% right all year. Getting 60 mins away from the WCF was a testament to the just how good they are
*Shout to Reaves, I feel he’s our x-factor and hadn’t really had a good series until tonight. He’s like a good bass guitarist tying together the whole song in perfect harmony
Amen brother and I feel like you will sweep the nuggets. Should be no problem at all and then face the Celtics in the finals in an epic NBA championship series. Congrats bro nice win.
I don’t know, Gary. The Nuggets are a better team, imo. Neither team has a lot of depth, imo. It all depends on Anthony Davis for the Lakers. Would not be surprised to see the Nuggets in 5 or 6.
No depth? Huh
I’ll bet you everything in my bank account they don’t sweep the Nuggets.
I’ll take that $10 bet.
Wrong. It’s $11.
They are not sweeping the Nuggets. It will probably go seven. The Nuggets are a much better team with Murray. Not having him in the playoffs last year is a big reason the Warriors made it past them. That and Draymond raking Jokic’s eyes after which the league did nothing and Jokic stopped playing his best. LeBron knows home court matters because you get the calls and crowd, so it’s going to be competitive, and so just like the first two rounds the Lakers won’t go all out on certain nights. I don’t care who wins now because it won’t be the Warriors.
Sweep the Nuggets? What?
James Wiseman …
Jordan Poole elimination gm 23 mins
7 pts, 3/10 FG, 0/3 FG 3PT,
Warriors are done bro. They gave away their future. Poole instead of Wiseman and Payton. Will set them back years.
Going to be a long off season for the warriors.
Green is most likely gone
Poole may be traded to improve the roster elsewhere
Do the warriors really believe in kuminga and moody?
Just absolutely no bench to speak of for the warriors. Something they gotta fix if they hope to squeeze one more ship out of this group.
I believe we are watching the end.
I’m not sure how they can do that with this core. Klay is cooked, Green is a head case, Poole stinks, Wiggins is inconsistent, Payton is just OK, Looney is great defensively but provides no offense, etc. It’s Curry and a mediocre supporting cast at this point. I can’t believe they took LA to 6 games.
Warriors have decisions to make. Milwaukee has decisions to make. Phoenix has decisions to make. Boston/Philly loser has decisions to make.
To a casual fan like Monty/Steph8Rings this is the end. The fan like Monty/8rings doesn’t realize a GM can make trades sign free agents and also put forth the Allure of playing with Steph Curry and for Steve Kerr. That motion offense and everything that comes with it has made many a dollars for many one year free agents.
If Myers sticks around he will work his magic and build a bench and ride Curry and Thompson one more year. Not saying they’re going to win it all next year but it’s not over by any means. Only the Casual fan will look at a single serious loss and say the sky is falling and it’s over. That’s an uneducated basketball fan if I’ve ever heard one.
@Gary-Think the series goes 6 at minimum
Was nice seeing Ham be able to execute a starting lineup change- I’m curious to see what role Vando plays if any next series. Rui’s got about 2o lbs of muscle on him for Gordon that might be needed
They could have him (Vando) chasing KCP/Porter but I don’t see that role providing enough value to warrant the mins – Would be keen to start Rui at the 4 imo right out the gates
One of the dumbest ejections I’ve ever seen. Kerr crying to the refs definitely had an affect
Kind of odd that Green gets a super long leash whenever he already has one tech, but Schroder gets his second on something so weak.
It’s all in the words you use. You can look calm on TV but saying the wrong thing will absolutely get you tossed
And you watch… A lot of Warriors fans will be crying that the refs weren’t on their side…
If Draymond played for ANY other team he’d be kicked out of a lot more games…
I do t care what anyone says!!! Free throw differential… come on we all know everyone fouls just a matter of getting the calls.. and they did… but also Klay…. He took off on his boat after game two and to never be seen again…. Last four over 120 mins played and barely 30 and change… wow…. And iggy???? Ty Jerome gave more to the team then him 100
Booo… quit whining about the refs (and injuries.) That is so lame. Play better. Have a better game plan, etc. They got beat by the better team this time.
Draymond gets a very long leash…
Whilst others just have to breathe near Draymond to get a technical…
The refs were trying hard to rig it in Golden States favour…
Yep, they just couldn’t shoot themselves into it. Game 7 would have been epic.
You get free throws if you attack, drive, and penetrate. If you’re a team which mostly hoists up a lot of (ill-advised) shots, don’t expect to get to the line much. Simple as that.
As for Klay, the problem is less about him not doing enough and more about him TRYING to do too much. He’s still trying to prove he’s the guy he was before all the injuries, but clearly he’s far from that player these days. Until he accepts this reality, he’s a liability more often than not on the court.
The Lakers really have a well balanced team and seem almost unstable when AD isn’t suffering from ADD. He doesn’t even need to go off for 30 to be effective 15-20 points, 15 + rebounds and acting hands defending the basket did the job. I the Lakers have the depth to win it all although the Nuggets will be an amazingly tough challenge.
This is for Dillon Brooks who I know is watching.
And all the Bron Haters …….
Elimination game 2023 Lakers vs Warriors
#6 LeBron James (38yrs old)
43 mins, 30 pts, 9 rebs, 9 ast, 2 stl, 1 blk
Didn’t think they could get this far. Congratulations LA Lakers
That trade deadline was everything for the Lakers this year.
Yes sir …. sure was.
This is for who?
Lakers winning was all about a good matchup. They won’t have that against Nuggets. Only way they win is if the bench and depth shows up. I like Nuggets in 5.
I also think nuggets in 5. I don’t think the lakers even have a chance. AD will disappear for 3 of the 5 like he always does.
The X factor is LeBron. He was amazing and carried his team last night but at 38 I’m skeptical he can do that consistently.
I think Denver is gonna get a sweep here. Gonna get the first two at home, and then win Game 3 in L.A. which will pretty much end it.
Nobody Can Stop Jokic!
Most of the people & analysts thought the Lakers doesnt get past memphis (but they did); round 2, same people & analysts had the same thought (but the Lakers did it again!).
Now, 3rd round coming, we will see !!!
Yeah I don’t like spending too long in the off season rooting for the Lakers…
Go Nuggets!
I’ll say Nuggets in 6.
Damn I hate this year. Come on Heat, Knicks or 76rs save it from silvers plan. Need a rogue ref
Warriors were beaten by a better team. Simple as that.
You can’t underestimate a team with Lebron James and Anthony Davis.
I just want to say Bron came in as the chosen one. Curry as, if he can play the point. Then he could be a solid starter cause of his shot.
Players who yr by yr strive to be the best. And are fierce competitors. Always improving their gm among the players they play with (teammates). True generational players true HOFers. Warriors had three Curry the best. Who just got better and better. This is the kind of player I respect the most. True “Mamba Mentality” I’m thankful I got to watch them.
Respect …….