Lakers

A "fun" exercise for Laker fans, courtesy of two writers from The Athletic.

"I think unequivocally John Wall would be better [than anyone on the Lakers roster beyond James or Davis]," Vecenie said. "It's just really weird, because we've seen what the recipe for success is on LeBron James teams throughout his career," Huff noted. Luke Kennard is a more important player to that team than Patrick Beverley or Russell Westbrook is," Vecenie said. "How many players on the Clippers roster do you think would be the Lakers' third-best player right now?" "So basically how many players on the Clippers do you think are better than Patrick Beverley and Russell Westbrook?" he would start on a bunch of teams," Huff opined.

The Clippers will have Kawhi Leonard come off the bench Thursday night against the Lakers in his regular-season return from an ACL injury.

"He has to understand that, as great as he is, that it is not going to just come overnight. "We had a chance to bring him off the bench, start him, see how he looks and feels," Lue said. There are going to be some times where he looks like Kawhi Leonard, there are going to be some times where he is just trying to get a feel and not playing well. "Just want to have him for the end of the game, if we need him," Lue said before the contest. Coming off his ACL injury, Leonard said he pretty much spent 12 to 13 months in the gym working out and adding more muscle. [San Antonio Spurs](/nba/team/_/name/sa/san-antonio-spurs) in 2013-14 when he played as a reserve on Nov.

Here's how NBA Twitter reacted to the Lakers losing to the Clippers, with Russell Westbrook finishing with two points.

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Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham said he and Russell Westbrook discussed him coming off the bench and reached an understanding.

So far, Westbrook has started the Lakers’ first two contests of the 2022-23 season, but they’ve yet to win a game. It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in live shows, and more! And again, as the coach of this team, my staff and I will do what’s best for our team to be as successful as we can. However, the experiment was short-lived as the guard tweaked his hamstring and five minutes in and missed the remainder of the contest. there has to be a willingness there to sacrifice for the team and overall good of the team. And that’s called being a professional.

The Los Angeles Lakers fell to a second straight defeat to start the NBA season, but coach Darvin Ham said he liked the fight he saw from LeBron James, ...

We’ve just got to do a better job of making shots.” The Lakers have cut the lead to 2 on TNT “We did a good job on all their guys defensively.

Yet the Clippers clamped down and the Lakers couldn't score - Russell Westbrook, Kendrick Nunn and Patrick Beverley, combined to shoot just one for 25.

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WASHINGTON, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- Kawhi Leonard made a comfortable return with 14 points as the Los Angeles Clippers held off city rivals the Lakers 103-97, ...

Harden tallied 31 points, eight rebounds and nine assists for the Sixers. LeBron James posted 20 points and 10 rebounds. It was capped by Anthony Davis' 3-pointer that initiated a 10-0 surge for the Lakers, and both teams were tied 56-56 at halftime.

Russell Westbrook is getting most of the heat, but the Lakers' problem is its roster.

The Lakers and Westbrook are, for now, stuck with each other. And if the Lakers want someone other than Westbrook to be their starting point guard, there aren’t many better options on the bench. He missed all 11 of his shots against the Clippers, much to the chagrin of the crowd. The Lakers were [even better on Thursday with a rating of 100.0](https://www.nba.com/game/lac-vs-lal-0022200016/box-score?type=advanced). And yet the Lakers have launched a bevy of 3s. James does have good reason for optimism, but it has to do with the other side of the ball. A key criticism of Westbrook last season was his penchant for turnovers and for playing out of control. It’s not that the Lakers are in a shooting slump. This is where Westbrook’s skills can be useful to the Lakers. This summer, the Lakers let more formidable shooters like Wayne Ellington and Malik Monk walk, and instead opted to bring in the athletic guard Lonnie Walker IV and Dennis Schröder, neither of whom is known for perimeter prowess. Through the first two games of the season, the Lakers have shot an almost unfathomable 19 for 85 from 3-point range (22.4 percent). LOS ANGELES — As Lakers guard Russell Westbrook went up for a 3-pointer against the Clippers, his home crowd groaned before the ball even left his hand.

If he doesn't play, the Lakers win this game. If he's not on this team, the Lakers win this game. Lakers guard Russell Westbrook elevates for a layup over ...

It’s unfair to the fans. It’s unfair to the team. Westbrook has been in the starting lineup both games this season, and now some are wondering if the Lakers aren’t bowing to his outrageous accusations. “I just want him to keep having that joy, keep having that excitement, that fun — that’s what makes him special, the fact that he can do that on a nightly basis,” said George. He’s been surly with the media. The Lakers can pick up the shooters they so desperately need. If he doesn’t play, the Lakers win this game. it’s not geared for him with the roster they have as well.” Yet much of what has happened since is on him. Westbrook can play in the new surrounding he desperately needs. They are eventually going to spin into oblivion because of him. Believe it or not, they could even make the playoffs.

The Lakers took steps forward in defense and scoring in transition, but their poor shooting meant another loss, this time to the Clippers.

[Khris Middleton](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/29839/khris-middleton) remains out and missed). Tucker](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/29214/pj-tucker) free throw put the Sixers up 88-86 with 32.7 seconds left, but [Wesley Matthews](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/29559/wesley-matthews) answered with a 3-pointer that proved the game-winner for Milwaukee. [Lonnie Walker IV](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/30589/lonnie-walker-iv) was aggressive and led the Lakers with 26 points (9-of-21 shooting). But that’s the bar — the Bucks and Celtics are the Eastern Conference favorites. [Anthony Davis](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/29801/anthony-davis) had another strong game with 25 points and eight rebounds, and he and LeBron ran some high-low actions that led to good looks. Facing Boston and Milwaukee to start the season is a tough way to break in that young relationship. [Russell Westbrook](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/29376/russell-westbrook) was the poster child for the Lakers’ shooting futility, going 0-of-11 on the night, including 0-of-6 from 3. The depth of the roster, which the Lakers couldn’t match, is what lets the Clippers do that and still win games. All of it was part of the Clippers’ depth that wore the Lakers down. For all the good things the Lakers started to do this game (it was a better outing than opening night), their shooting cut their momentum off at the knees. [LeBron James](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/basketball/nba/player/28859/lebron-james)‘ only suggestion to Westbrook was to “flush it down the toilet” and move on and he’s right, Westbrook is not going to shoot this poorly every night. It wasn’t just Westbrook, the Lakers shot 35.1% overall and were 9-of-45 (20%) from 3.

Kawhi Leonard came off the bench and played a key role as the Clippers got the better of the Lakers, who endured three-point woes.

The alarm that LeBron James sounded after the Lakers' season opener got a little louder Thursday. The Lakers couldn't make three-point shots again and fell ...

He re-entered the game with about five minutes left in the third quarter and finished with 25 points. The Lakers trailed by 16 in the first half but pulled into a 56-56 halftime tie thanks to a steady diet of James, Davis and new starter Lonnie Walker IV (26 points overall). James raised eyebrows after the opener when he said, “we’re not a team that’s constructed of great shooting. “They’ve got to do it on the game floor. The numbers don’t lie, though. They made only nine of 45 shots from three-point range for a numbingly low 20% success rate on a very high volume of attempts.

Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers' depth spark a win, the Lakers' shooting woes continue and more.

“That’s something I have to maintain and look at from the past history of me trying to play 40 minutes every game and practicing for three hours.” “We’re sharing the ball offensively. [NBA.com](http://nba.com/). “You have to be prepared to do whatever your team needs to do. “It’s created by culture,” Lue said. Westbrook started once again on Thursday, finishing with two points (0-for-11 shooting). The Clippers have their first back-to-back set this weekend that starts in Sacramento on Saturday and ends at home vs. “It’s just about me trying to get consistent minutes, recovery, and staying healthy in the long run.” Leonard finished with 14 points (6-for-12 overall, 1-for-4 on 3-pointers) and seven rebounds in 21 minutes off the bench. It is unclear how long the Clippers will use Leonard as a reserve on restricted minutes. Leonard’s bench role already has affected the Clippers in other ways. The Clippers were better in Leonard’s other stints, opening the third quarter with an 18-9 run when Leonard played until he sat for the final 5:01.

James's comment turned some heads given that it came exactly one game into the new year. However, first-year Lakers coach Darvin Ham didn't have any problem ...

Despite a strong defensive effort, the Lakers went a horrid 9-for-45 (20%) from beyond the arc in the 103–97 loss to the Clippers. Whether that comes from within the organization or through a trade remains to be seen, but it’s clear that the team needs to quickly remedy the situation. I believe they have the utmost respect for me. Los Angeles went a dreary 10-for-40 (25%) from the three-point line in the 123–109 loss, prompting the 37-year-old forward to be blunt about the team’s current roster construction. I have the utmost respect for those guys. I want them to know that I trust them to step up and shoot.”

The Lakers are 19-of-58 shooting from three-point range in two games, and two losses, this season. Here are takeaways from the loss to the Clippers.

But again, you just have to trust the process and continue to work at it and get reps up and eventually the ball will go in the hole.” Playing against a traditional center like the Clippers’ 7-foot Ivica Zubac, the Lakers’ small-ball lineup had problems. He scored a team-high 26 points, 12 in the fourth quarter. “I’m just here to bring energy, be a defender, be more of an athletic guard. “Well, I trust in those guys — as in Kendrick, Russ and Pat Bev’s professionalism, their work ethic, their individual pride in themselves in terms of wanting to have the best performance possible night in and night out,” Ham said. “I’m not here to score the most points,” he said. “I mean, that’s the way we want to play. In their second game of the season, the Lakers inexplicably shot even more three-pointers. And that’s a good ingredient to have.” We want to play fast, physical and free. It’s how hard we play, how aggressive we play, how determined we are to go out and compete every night,” James said. “But if we’re reliant on that every single game, then we’re in trouble.”

LOS ANGELES -- The Lakers can't hit outside shots. That much is clear after L.A. shot 9-for-45 from 3 in Thursday night's 103-97 loss to the Clippers.

Go on to the next one." That's the way that we want to play. shot 9-for-45 from 3 in Thursday night's [103-97 loss](https://www.espn.com/nba/game/_/gameId/401468171) to the [Clippers](https://www.espn.com/nba/team/_/name/lac/la-clippers). I mean, that's the way we want to play. "Solid," he said of his night. It's as simple as that." "Played hard. It's how hard we play, how aggressive we play, how determined we are to go out and compete every night. And we got to defend. "Keep shooting it, be confident in your shot. That total somehow managed to be even worse than the Lakers' 10-for-40 clip from deep in their opening-night loss to the [Golden State Warriors](https://www.espn.com/nba/team/_/name/gs/golden-state-warriors). [Lakers](https://www.espn.com/nba/team/_/name/lal/los-angeles-lakers) can't hit outside shots.

"Just flush it down the toilet and get ready for Sunday," Lakers forward LeBron James said of Westbrook's rough shooting performance. "He's a veteran. We've all ...

James [noted as much](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/lebron-james-on-lakers-offense-to-be-completely-honest-were-not-a-team-constructed-of-great-shooting/) after the Lakers' season-opening loss to the Warriors, saying "we're not a team constructed of great shooting." Ownership and the front office are reportedly committed to giving the current roster In their first two games, both losses, they have combined to go 73 for 188 (39 percent) from the field and a dismal 19 for 85 (22 percent) from beyond the 3-point arc. Give Westbrook credit for finding ways to make an impact despite being ice cold from the field. All of his shots except for one came from 3-point range or in the paint, as you can see in the shot chart below. Westbrook went 0 for 11 from the field, including 0 for 6 from 3-point range as he finished with two points, four assists, three rebounds and five steals in just over 27 minutes.

The Lakers have had their biggest flaw exposed over the first two games. What does that mean long term?

The Warriors and Clippers are arguably the two best teams in the West. But the Lakers are still looking for consistent offensive production beyond their two superstars and a third contributor. I think we will begin to knock down shots as we continue to know where we want to be on the floor, guys know where they want to be. To James’ point, the Lakers’ defensive performance was much better against the Clippers. He doesn’t want the Lakers to start second-guessing and playing timidly. “They gotta do it on the game floor,” Ham said. Aside from [Matt Ryan](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/matt-ryan-fQC2UVlcJbFpifYB/), who was signed as the 15th man but is now being counted on for rotation minutes, every other Laker is currently struggling from beyond the arc. But the Lakers can control the quality of their attempts. The Lakers don’t have a Letting the Lakers shoot has been the game plan against them for most of the James-Anthony Davis era. That’s the way that we want to play. The Clippers, like the Warriors, often loaded the paint against the Lakers, with four and sometimes even five defenders keeping at least one foot in the key.

Of course, you didn't need to see Russell Westbrook, Patrick Beverley, and Kendrick Nunn combine to go 1-of-16 from three (6.25 percent) in Thursday's loss to ...

If there’s a quick fix to be found, it’s not coming from anywhere on the current roster. It isn’t easy to build an elite defense or acquire the right superstars, but shooting should never be an issue on a LeBron team. The Westbrook trade certainly looks like a historic disaster to this point, but the Lakers are lying to themselves if they think they didn’t know what they were getting into. The Lakers have failed LeBron in so many ways since their title run inside the bubble. It's not like we're sitting here with a lot of lasers on our team...like if you had a bunch of underneath route runners, the quarterback's not throwing 20+ yard passes downfield." Of course, you didn’t need to see Russell Westbrook, Patrick Beverley, and Kendrick Nunn combine to go 1-of-16 from three (6.25 percent) in Thursday’s loss to the Clippers to realize the Lakers didn’t have enough shooting.

Last night, the team that got the best of them was L.A.'s second-favorite NBA franchise, the Clippers, led in scoring by Paul George, ex-Laker Ivica Zubac, John ...

"The word that bothered me with the Lakers last year was accountability," Crawford reflected. "I felt like they weren't accountable from the top on down, and this year they're kind of doing the same thing... Last night for the Lakers-Clippers game, we were treated to the insights of three-time Sixth Man of the Year and former Lob City Clipper Jamal Crawford, former LeBron James teammate Channing Frye, and Taylor Rooks for this format. [103-97](https://www.si.com/nba/lakers/news/clippers-survive-lakers-rally-to-win-nail-biter-ak1987). Turner Sports is exploring how best it can use social media to attract the eyeballs of cord cutters and folks who generally aren't interested in watching the game's traditional cable broadcast, or at least might be curious to see an alternative approach. Last night, the team that got the best of them was L.A.'s second-favorite NBA franchise, the Clippers, led in scoring by Paul George, ex-Laker Ivica Zubac, John Wall and Kawhi Leonard.

Looking for a possible Band-Aid for their shooting and wing issues, the Lakers worked out veteran Moe Harkless this week, according to a new report.

However, Levick notes that after one preseason game, Embiid said, “I’ve had an on-and-off summer as far as being able to really do stuff on the basketball court.” And in the second half of the 76ers home opener Thursday night, he really struggled. Here’s the quote, Both he and [watching the Lakers fall to the Clippers](https://nba.nbcsports.com/2022/10/21/three-things-to-know-westbrooks-0-of-11-night-highlights-lakers-shooting-woes/), two things were glaringly obvious. [He was the No. “He had a little plantar fasciitis before the season started — before training camp — and that took him off his conditioning program,” Rivers said. If by Thanksgiving the Lakers season looks lost, even with a trade, will the Lakers use their best trade assets, the two future first-round picks they can move, for a bigger, better Band-Aid? He’s not going to solve the Lakers’ shooting woes, he shot 30.7% from 3 last season and was worse the two seasons before that. The Lakers often used 6’3″ But he’s 6’7″ and a solid defender, particularly in the paint, plus maybe can rekindle some of his old pick-and-pop magic with Almost across the board.

Your Los Angeles Lakers may already be interested in tweaking around the edges of their rotation, two games (both losses) into the 2022-23 NBA season.

It would behoove the Lakers to look for more sharpshooters, though the team is a bit guard-heavy and could benefit somewhat from additional size on the wing. Beyond its rookies and injured players, the least-played Laker this season is 6'11" center Damian Jones, who has been squeezed out a bit by 6'9" power forward Wenyen Gabriel, who can play both the four alongside Anthony Davis and the five when he sits. The Lakers have been so desperate for floor spacing help that the team has turned to 15th man Matt Ryan, a training camp addition, recently, a dead-eye shooter in this year's Summer League. "The Lakers brought in veteran free agent Moe Harkless for a workout and meeting this week," Charania notes. Unfortunately, Harkless is a fairly uneven shooter from long range on a lowe volume of attempts. That said, he's enjoyed several seasons hovering right around an acceptable 35%, most recently in 2019-20, when he shot 34.7% on 1.6 tries through 62 contests for the Clippers and Knicks.