Smart’s hustle was insanely clutch for the Lakers. My personal MVP for that game.

Don’t forget to give Udoka his flowers too. Defensive first HC facing a team without 2 of their 3 best offensive players and has come out with a scheme that gets good looks for everyone.

Luke, Marcus, and Rui really stepped up and saved the season.

That’s DPOY Marcus Smart to ya!

Marcus Smart is the one who truly stepped up in Luka and Austin’s absence. His … everything: offense, defense and leadership, are a big reason we are up 3-0.

Yep. The averages don’t tell the full story. LeBron has turned back the clock and been the leader. But when it comes to who’s second, you have Luke Kennerard and ayton the first game, Kennard and smart the second game, and then smart and rui the third game.

Rui was already among league leaders in 3PT % this season.

Great to see both. So many of their past teams, cast them off like hot garbage. These guys are stepping up when other guys are out, and showing they still got it no matter what their former teams thought of them

The LeBron roleplayer effect. They really should have put good shooters and good defenders around Lebron his whole career without any other dominant ball stoppers and he’d probably have 4 or 5 more rings. 

Former Dukie as well, when your coach has been around you for years and is a similar player and you know he has your back 100%, plus you’ve got LeBron James on the floor with you and Luka telling you to let her rip from the bench, I think it’s a little different level of instilled confidence imo.

It’s not a surprise that this situation would get the most out of this particular player.

Even now you can see how he hates to take 3’s when he’s not wide open. He’s gonna need to be even more aggressive against OKC because it’s much harder to get open looks vs them than it is against Houston.

Yeah JJ was right when he said something like the team would be better off with him shooting 6+ 3s a game at 38% rather than 3 times a game at 45%. Him and Rui don’t even have to be wide open, if it’s in rhythm and their defenders don’t have a 7ft wingspan let that shit fly they have great form

I don’t know if coaching really has a big impact.

However, it’s possible that playing next to a great passer like LeBron unlocks things for Kennard. He’s never really had that.

Luka gave him his super powers but that also comes with the downside of being ass at free throws for no explicable reason

81 is still valid as hell tho. Love the guy

He’s normally an 85-90% FT shooter so even there hes elite. He’ll average out if he keeps up his shot attempts and aggressiveness

Ayo was electric last night. Lonnie Walker game is another that will always live in my memory

Agreed, FartFartMan420. Agreed.

Klay??? He’s moving like nash with his drives

He became JJ Reddick

A tale as old as time…Luke Kennard

He’d be seeing a ton of coverage in that scenario but fuck it let’s ball

Rockets offense is an abomination but their defense and athleticism is no joke.

They are ass on offense but they are still playing hard and defending - holding the Lakers to 105ish. They just have no one that can hit threes consistently so Lakers just get to pack the paint.

I think it’s a combination of the fact he’s talented but usually has a smaller role and is not as assertive, LeBron lifting up his teammates, and the Rockets being a dumpster fire

Narratively the Lakers are kinda in a win win scenario because most people won’t hold it against them if they get stomped by OKC. Especially if Luka and AR can’t get back into the groove immediately.

There won’t be a narrative shift because we are already over achieving. Anything else that happens is a bonus because we shouldn’t even be facing OKC.

The 360 no scope. He made it.

did you mean pirouette?

That’s the rule. That’s the goal now.

luke’s out there running off screens getting 8 threes a game while reed can’t buy a play call. same skillset, completely different universes depending on who’s drawing up the clipboard

LA does not have Luka and AR.

But they have Dort to hurt people.