One thought on every Laker through the first quarter of the season
The Los Angeles Lakers have endured a difficult start to the 2021-22 NBA season with a 12-12 record one quarter of the way through it.
The start of the schedule was filled with light opponents the Lakers should’ve taken care of, but injuries and inconsistencies have delayed where the squad hoped to be.
Getting LeBron James more games under his belt will surely help. He’s missed exactly half of the season so far with respective injuries, a one-game suspension and health and safety protocol, so having him available on a steady basis should lead to more wins.
With the first quarter of the NBA season in the books, here is one thought on every Laker who has suited up for a game:
AP Photo/Alex Gallardo
Thought: He’s not the problem.
A team with championship-caliber expectations, especially with the weight the Lakers carry, should not be 12-12 right now. The blame could point in several directions, but none of it should head toward newly acquired star Russell Westbrook.
He’s been terrific since his fourth-quarter takeover against the Detroit Pistons. Though the long-range shooting (32% on 4.3 attempts) still isn’t the optimal fit alongside LeBron and Anthony Davis, it’s clear to see the benefits of his acquisition.
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Thought: He’s not the defensive remedy L.A. needs.
Avery Bradley signed a non-guaranteed deal right before the regular season started, and injuries moved him up the depth chart and into a starting role.
Despite the statistics not being in his favor, head coach Frank Vogel is adamant about Bradley playing. Bradley just hasn’t shown promise from his glory days as a 3-and-D player.
LeBron James
AP Photo/Ashley Landis
Thought: Is Father Time catching up? Or is it a lack of rhythm?
LeBron’s 2021-22 season has created more questions than thought-provoking analysis. His monstrous 39-point display against the Indiana Pacers proved he can still lead a team to victory in dominant fashion, but awful nights like that against the L.A. Clippers leaves doubt in minds.
James has proven every single season not to bet against him, so it would be wise to give him more time before running victory laps.
Anthony Davis
AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu
Thought: He can be better.
Anthony Davis has stuffed the stat sheet all season long: 24.4 points, 10.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.2 blocks, 1.3 steals, 52.3% from the field. But shooting 18.8% from deep and 72% from the free-throw line suggests he can be way better than the stats suggest.
On the court, he’s taking way more jumpers than he should, which has led to him being the NBA’s least efficient shooter. At his best, he’s nearly unstoppable when attacking the rim, but he far too often settles for jumpers against undersized defenders and doesn’t impose his will.
AP Photo/Alex Gallardo
Thought: He’s best utilized in a short role off the bench.
DeAndre Jordan’s per-36 numbers (12.5 points, 15.7 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, 70.3% field-goal percentage) suggest a useful player at center, but the Lakers just aren’t successful with him on the floor, especially on offense.
When Jordan plays, the Lakers are minus-14.2 points per possession worse, ranking in the third percentile, per Cleaning the Glass. It’s best to keep him on the bench rather than as a starter.
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Thought: A great spark plug off the bench; a tremendous bargain signing.
Carmelo Anthony has been incredible for the value L.A. signed him for. He’s the best volume 3-point shooter on the team, hitting a scorching 42.9% from deep on 6.1 attempts. He’s also been versatile enough to play multiple positions and hasn’t been a total liability on defense, but that depends on who is playing around him.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Thought: A solid, necessary secondary creator off the bench.
Malik Monk isn’t perfect on the floor, but he adds a vital presence as a secondary creator alongside the Big 3. He can hit 3s off the ball and can put pressure on the rim to convert on floaters and layups. For the veteran minimum, he’s been a great get at 23 years old.
Talen Horton-Tucker
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Thought: His true form is still unknown.
There hasn’t been an in-between with Talen Horton-Tucker this season. He averaged over 23 points per game during his first three games back from injury but has regressed and doesn’t look confident in his abilities.
Putting him in lineups where he can be in more control of the ball could help since he’s not reliable as an off-ball threat yet.
Wayne Ellington
AP Photo/Alex Gallardo
Thought: He needs to play more with the stars.
Wayne Ellington’s shot is starting to come around. He’s now hitting 39.5% of his 3s on 5.1 attempts, and his form as of late has looked promising when playing with the Big 3. Considering how the stars need more strong shooting surrounding them, Vogel needs to give Ellington more burn with that group instead of other options.
Austin Reaves
AP Photo/Alex Gallardo
Thought: The injury derailed his momentum.
Austin Reaves looked strong out of the gates with his impressive basketball IQ, especially when playing with the stars. But after returning from a hamstring injury, he hasn’t found a rhythm to get back into the main rotation. He is still a useful depth piece to have.
Dwight Howard
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Thought: He’s a better option than DeAndre Jordan.
Dwight Howard hasn’t been perfect, but he is still someone the Lakers should rather play over Jordan. That has manifested recently with Howard joining the starting lineup after a strong game against the Sacramento Kings.
Kent Bazemore
AP Photo/John McCoy
Thought: The most disappointing signing so far.
Kent Bazemore had promise as a solid two-way player who hit 40% of his 3s last season with the Golden State Warriors. But after being a staple in the starting lineup, he fell out of the rotation. He started missing open layups, airballing 3s and seemingly lost all confidence on both ends of the floor.
Maybe he could revitalize the squad down the road, but he’s definitely been the most disappointing signing so far.
Rajon Rondo
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Thought: He can still facilitate, but he hasn’t been the same.
Rajon Rondo is right under Bazemore as one of the most disappointing signings thus far. He can still collect dimes like he used to, but getting to the rim and hitting 3s hasn’t been there this season.
Is there enough gas in the tank to have one last Playoff Rondo? Or is he now, officially, a shell of himself?
Frank Vogel
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Thought: Not flawless, but not worthy of being fired.
Trevor Ariza and Kendrick Nunn will not get thoughts because they haven’t played this season, so Frank Vogel will get the last section.
Vogel definitely isn’t perfect, but his resume speaks for itself. The Lakers pivoted from the players Vogel works best with, and the results on the court have been loud.
That being said, he is the reason behind the several starting lineups and rotations and hasn’t been quick to make necessary changes that many people notice, such as Horton-Tucker not being an ideal starter at shooting guard in a big lineup. That extends to Jordan and Bradley playing as much as they have.
Vogel has been a common scapegoat, and though he deserves his fair share of criticism, he’s still one of the top coaches in the NBA. The Lakers will not be able to replace a coach of his caliber if he is let go.
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