After a bumpy start to his Lakers career, Luka Doncic looked more like himself in Saturday night’s win at Denver, writes Jovan Buha of The Athletic. Beyond his 16-point first quarter outburst and the familiar stat line of 32 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, and four steals that he put up in the battle of two of the West’s top teams, Doncic was more animated than he has been at any time since being traded.
“He was super dialed in,” LeBron James said. “He was very locked in on what he wanted to do out here on the floor tonight. Once he started hitting those step-back threes and got to yelling and barking, either at the fans or at us or himself. … He was just dialed in on what he wanted to do and how he wanted to execute his game plan individually.”
Coach J.J. Redick told Doncic before the game that he wanted to see “at least one blackout episode” where Doncic screams “at no one in particular.” Along with his unique talents, that fiery competitiveness is what has made Doncic one of the best players in the world. Doncic handled the ball more often on Saturday, Buha notes, repeatedly targeting Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic in the pick-and-roll. Redick added that the plan moving forward will be to keep the ball in Doncic’s hands as much as possible.
“I think Luka needs to be the guy that controls the offense,” Redick said. “And (James) and (Austin Reaves), because we’re gonna stagger everybody, they’re gonna have their times to be on the ball. But all three of those guys are very intelligent basketball players, and we can create mismatches. We can get teams in the blender.”
There’s more on the Lakers:
- Jordan Goodwin has been productive since signing a two-way contract with the Lakers earlier this month, and Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report suggests they may want to convert him to a standard deal by the end of the season to make him eligible for the playoffs (Twitter link). L.A. would have to open a roster spot first, with Pincus pointing to Cam Reddish as the most likely player to be released. Goodwin can be on the active roster for up to 19 games after signing on February 7, so the Lakers have some time to make a decision.
- The Clippers added Kawhi Leonard to their injury report for today’s game at Indiana with soreness in his left foot, marking his first new injury of the season, tweets Law Murray of The Athletic. Leonard and Norman Powell are both listed as questionable, while Ben Simmons is expected to play today and sit out Monday’s contest at Detroit, according to Murray.
- Simmons has quickly developed a chemistry with Bogdan Bogdanovic even though they’re both new to the Clippers and haven’t played together before, Murray adds (Twitter link). Bogdanovic said building the on-court relationship was easy because of their respective talents. “We are basketball players at the end of the day, so we just play,” he said. “It’s tough when you’re joining a new team, definitely tough because you have to learn plays, you have to learn tendencies of the guys, but we are both new so that’s kind of making the job a little bit easier.”
I still cant fathom how doncic, a generational talent, just happened to fall into the laps of lakers and not only that but LA gave up nothing
Its like going to a ferrari dealership & saying “ill give you my honda in exchange” it just makes no sense whatsoever
Sports are rigged that’s why! In the Lakers 77th season they acquired #77, it been planned/scripted!
There’s no explanation other than Harrison being in collusion with Pelinka.
When LeBron signs with the Mavs next year to join his two robins people will be screaming collusion on the other end.
dallas owners want gambling in texas….and if not approve, will try to move team to vegas
Jordan Goodwin is a good player who can assume a lot of roles on the floor. Why is Bronny James continuing to waste a roster spot??? Every time you think the Lakers are serious about winning …. Here’s Bronny ….. I truly hope the rumors that LeBron sat out the All-Star Game in protest of Bronny not being selected from G-League. Enough already.
I expect the usual ref help for the lakers to reach new heights now. See Nuggets reserve wing being called for 4 fouls in 1:26 in the 1st half last night and a constantly hacking Lakers defense being allowed to foul with few whistles.
It was extreme – Hayes camped in the lane on defense for 7 seconds without defensive 3 second being called and worse, resulted in a shot clock violation for the Nuggets. Hayes also was awarded a jump ball he easily won over Murray with replays showing he was holding Murray’s wrist. And somehow with all that physicality the Lakers shot more free throws.
cam reddish…certified bust