Among the many issues the Lakers face as they try to dig themselves out of a 3-0 hole in the Western Conference Finals is the lack of production from their role players, Janis Carr of the Orange County Register writes.
Beyond their two superstars and Austin Reaves, the Lakers got modest contributions from the remaining members of the rotation in Game 3 against the Nuggets. D’Angelo Russell (three points), Dennis Schröder (five points) and Jarred Vanderbilt (two points) were non-factors offensively.
“I thought they did the best they could, all of them,” coach Darvin Ham said. “They competed. I’m disappointed but I’m not upset. Yeah, it sucks to lose, but those guys, they fought their hearts out. They tried to do it. They tried to execute what we gave them.”
We have more on the Lakers:
- Russell admitted he’s baffled by his ineffective play, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. Russell, who’s headed to free agency, shot just 1-for-8 from the field on Saturday. “I really don’t. I don’t know,” he said when asked about how his approach needs to change. “I’ll try to figure it out.” He’s averaging just 7.0 points in the series after contributing 14.7 PPG in the second round against Golden State.
- The Lakers will have another frontcourt option for Game 4 on Monday. Mohamed Bamba is expected to be available, Ham told Chris Haynes of TNT (Twitter link). Bamba, who has appeared in only three postseason games due to a left ankle injury, hasn’t played since Game 6 in the first round against Memphis.
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope‘s defensive contributions and 3-point shot-making were often taken for granted during the Lakers’ 2020 title run at the Orlando bubble. His all-around contributions for the Nuggets in this series are a painful reminder of the ill-fated Russell Westbrook trade in 2021, which included Caldwell-Pope as part of the package, Ramona Shelburne of ESPN notes. KCP is averaging 15.3 points on 51.4% shooting in the series.
- LeBron James is showing his age by his inability to carry the Lakers in this series, Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times opines. James played well enough in Game 3 but wasn’t great, and he needed to be great to bridge the gap that exists between the Nuggets and Lakers.
LeBron isn’t carrying because he is playing on a foot that needs surgery
For a PF who almost completely refuses to earn his stats in the post for his entire career, having a bad wheel could be more serious than usual.
Shaq retired because of a big toe…
Exactly! Dude is tough. Without the medical expertise helping him play, he wouldn’t even BE playing with that injury. Foot tendon injuries are brutal and I’m surprised that he is competing at the level he is.
Agreed. Lebron is just an incredible athlete with lots of expectations. Team leader, age is just overrated until it is not…
LeBron is hurting the Lakers. He is playing way too many minutes and tires out by the 4th quarter. Ham is not a good coach at resting players. When they get tired their shooting goes way down from tired legs.
Not a huge Dlo fan but I wouldn’t make much outta a bad 3 game stretch – Denvers D takes a lot away from his range (5~7 ft) , his outside shot just isn’t falling
If there’s any knock (other than the below avg D you know your getting) its the careless passes, not the lack of scoring Imo -Scoring can be found in other places on this team but carelessness can not
Interesting market, I’m not sure he could even fetch a 3/45 on the free market but the burdens always on the current team to pay more and pay quick- This case could invoke some strong feelings to be stirred by both sides
The first two games, LeBron is fully healthy
If Murray is a better player than LeBron, then …
LeBron is not even the best player on the Lakers. He is the 4th best player on the court in the WCF.
If LAL doesn’t want to overpay Dlo, they’d still has a path to cap space, which they can actually take or use as leverage. They’d have to be comfortable walking from Bamba and Beasley, as well as Dlo. The cap space might not be a lot, but should be over 15 mm. Hachimura’s actual salary might shape it (I’m assuming he’ll sign for less than his cap hold of over 18 mm/yr).
Rockets would offer Rui $85mm and Reaves $100mm after dumping Porter salary to bad team
Silli van indeed
D blows is not worth starter money. He’s doing nothing. If he don’t score he’s useless. Not a gamer. He’s shown that in these playoffs. Murray has completely owned him. And has totally shot his confidence. Can’t believe he’s looking this bad. There is no way he’s coming back. It’s Kyrie or bust for BronGM.
If DLo averages 30 points per next 4 games, I believe that Lakers win championships
Big IF though
Sure, and if KCP averages 30 per game the rest of the way, the Nuggets will win the title. I guess if Vanderbilt averages 30 per, or Gabriel, or Bamba does, the Lakers will.
What a useless comment Sillivan. Any team who gets their 4th best player to average 30 has a chance of winning. Dang, your comments get worse and worse every day.
If LBJ averages 100 per night, Lakers likely win.
link to nypost.com
Lakers’ conference final meltdown ‘increasing the chances’ they sign Kyrie Irving ……..
I’m telling you….. this going to happen. Bron has a yr left ….. if that
How about a little praise for Lebron. He hasn’t traded one teammate or fired one coach this postseason.
D-lo has got to be better. He’s shooting wide open shots off balance. He seems to be making a lot of his shots harder then they are. Between him and Lebron they are building a house. They need to start making open shots, period.
Hello Kyrie