3 Marquee Wins and a Payneful Trade (Jackson Ayorinde Special)
Posted: Mon Nov 11, 2019 4:43 am
Lakers Living In Interesting Times
Marvin Bagley III has overcome an ice cold start
In the beginning of the season, Marvin Bagley III's shot was off and he projected to be in a prolonged slump. But now, as midseason approaches, one of last season's most sparkling rookies has finally shaken off the chill. He's up to a respectable 47.4% from the floor and has played major roles in three of the Lakers' most stunning victories this month against elite teams.
In chronological order:
Win vs Miami - 102-98 - January 17th
It was actually D'Angelo Russell who took home Player of the Game honors with 20 points, 9 assists, 3 rebounds, and a block despite poor efficiency. But Marvin Bagley III netted 11 points, 16 rebounds, and a block, while Noah Vonleh contributed 16 points, 10 rebounds, and a block of his own. Off the bench were a paired 15 points each from Cameron Oliver and Dikembe Dixson on great shooting, with Dixson also adding 4 rejections in 27 minutes.
Rough night offensively for the Heat - 37.6% from the floor, 29.1% from 3 point range in this epic battle of zone defenses. Even Ben Simmons (18/12/6/1/1 on 9 of 24 shooting) couldn't save them in the City of Angels.
Win vs Portland - 110-95 - January 22nd
The Blazers were never in this game. Not with the double-wrecking ball of Marvin Bagley III (32 points, 12 rebounds, 3 blocks) and Noah Vonleh (23 points, 9 rebounds, 1 block) making life miserable inside for Portland. Although he continued to shoot poorly, D'Angelo Russell found a lot of ways to contribute for his 19 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, and a steal - approaching triple-double territory. Leron Black provided a surprise 11 bench points.
Win vs Phoenix - 129-110 - January 24th
The game after the Blazers, Team Purple and Gold stayed hot. Once again, PotG Marvin Bagley III (32 points, 12 rebounds, a block) and Noah Vonleh (19 points, 9 rebounds in Okaro White's face) teamed up to deliver knockout punches in the paint, while departing Dzanan Musa rolled up 15 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 blocks in a rare game where he wasn't outmatched. Dikembe Dixson and Cameron Oliver were again bench-scoring twins with 11 each.
Now About That Trade...
Dzanan Musa disappointed in purple and gold
It was clear - Dzanan Musa, for all his talent, was simply a poor fit for this roster. After Markelle Fultz went #2 to the Knicks, who had back-to-back selections following lottery magic the Lakers have never had, the Purple and Gold's front office didn't really love any of the remaining options. Musa came closest of any of them, though Shaquille Harrison did merit some consideration.
10.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.1 A/TO ratio - 38.5% from the floor, 30% from 3 point - 68.4% Drive Stop, 0.94 PA/SF, 0.7 TOFC
-Musa's final Lakers statline
When the Lakers agreed to the initial deal, they thought Damian Lillard would be trade-eligible again at the deadline, and the plan was to flip him to a contender for rebuilding assets then. When word leaked afterward that the team had miscalculated and were off by a week, the team attempted to pull out.
"The Clippers thought it was because we were being trashed," said a team source. "That's bullshit. It had nothing to do with that. We've taken incredible heat before. It had to do with the fact that we wouldn't be able to flip Lillard at the deadline - two title shots with him vs one is a huge difference in value."
Unfortunately, league rules handcuffed the team. While the Bulls and Wizards were willing to return to the original three team deal, the Clippers refused. "Frankly, our franchises don't have much use for each other on a good day, given the city rivalry. Putting the screws on us like that, because they saw they were getting bailed out of Lillard themselves and getting a great young asset? Yeah, fuck them pretty much," said the source. "They don't like us for what we did, we don't like them for what they did, and it'll be a while before you see jersey swaps at Staples Center after this."
With relations at Cold War-levels, the Chicago Bulls came charging back in to offer the Lakers their choice of two other players. One was obvious - a fantastic roster fit who had been high on Jestor's acquisition list for several seasons. The four teams returned to the table, with a fifth team added - the New Orleans Pelicans.
The team source noted, "Chicago as usual was shepherding the deal. We were also in the equation and came up with the basic structure for how this five team trade could both work mathematically and be split into two trades that would each stand on their own. So between the two of us, we got the details sorted out."
But there was a catch. In order for this to come off, the Pelicans had to agree. After shopping Anthony Davis around during the weekend, New Orleans did sign off. Away to the Clippers went Dzanan Musa and Keifer Sykes, with Cameron Payne arriving from Chicago and Bruno Cabocolo coming from the Washington Wizards.
Had the trade not gone through? From what various people involved tell me, Chicago likely was searching for backup options, but most likely the four team deal would have gone through and the Lakers ownership would have given Jestor the option to either resign or be fired - immediately.
Cameron Payne flips red and black for purple and gold
The tenor changes when Cameron Payne's projected Lakers impact comes up.
"We absolutely love this kid and have for a long time. He's an absolute bulldog - he'll get down and battle you defensively, make all the passing plays you need even if he isn't a wizard at it, take care of the ball, and he just plays so, so smartly. Incredibly disciplined, super smart. Has a huge chip on his shoulder because of all the people who said he disappointed as a first overall pick and didn't develop into a franchise point guard. He especially gets pissed when you tell him Terry Rozier is better.
Look, he didn't have the team success in Golden State, but that wasn't on him. The roster just didn't fit together there. In Chicago, he was a big part of the transition Bulls still getting to the playoffs in a brutal East. Here, he'll be able to be that shutdown guy in the backcourt, contribute his two-way game, and free up D'Angelo Russell to play a combo guard role instead of having to worry about running the offense full time.
Yes, we still lost on value, but in terms of fit? Fitwise, Cameron is miles ahead of Musa, especially given this draft class has nobody at the point capable of playing defense in the Top 10, where we'll have two selections. We've searched a long time for a starting point guard since Jeremy Lin took us to the playoffs. Now we think we might finally have the right guy, and at 27, he's still young enough to be part of our eventual contending window."
Marvin Bagley III has overcome an ice cold start
In the beginning of the season, Marvin Bagley III's shot was off and he projected to be in a prolonged slump. But now, as midseason approaches, one of last season's most sparkling rookies has finally shaken off the chill. He's up to a respectable 47.4% from the floor and has played major roles in three of the Lakers' most stunning victories this month against elite teams.
In chronological order:
Win vs Miami - 102-98 - January 17th
It was actually D'Angelo Russell who took home Player of the Game honors with 20 points, 9 assists, 3 rebounds, and a block despite poor efficiency. But Marvin Bagley III netted 11 points, 16 rebounds, and a block, while Noah Vonleh contributed 16 points, 10 rebounds, and a block of his own. Off the bench were a paired 15 points each from Cameron Oliver and Dikembe Dixson on great shooting, with Dixson also adding 4 rejections in 27 minutes.
Rough night offensively for the Heat - 37.6% from the floor, 29.1% from 3 point range in this epic battle of zone defenses. Even Ben Simmons (18/12/6/1/1 on 9 of 24 shooting) couldn't save them in the City of Angels.
Win vs Portland - 110-95 - January 22nd
The Blazers were never in this game. Not with the double-wrecking ball of Marvin Bagley III (32 points, 12 rebounds, 3 blocks) and Noah Vonleh (23 points, 9 rebounds, 1 block) making life miserable inside for Portland. Although he continued to shoot poorly, D'Angelo Russell found a lot of ways to contribute for his 19 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, and a steal - approaching triple-double territory. Leron Black provided a surprise 11 bench points.
Win vs Phoenix - 129-110 - January 24th
The game after the Blazers, Team Purple and Gold stayed hot. Once again, PotG Marvin Bagley III (32 points, 12 rebounds, a block) and Noah Vonleh (19 points, 9 rebounds in Okaro White's face) teamed up to deliver knockout punches in the paint, while departing Dzanan Musa rolled up 15 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 blocks in a rare game where he wasn't outmatched. Dikembe Dixson and Cameron Oliver were again bench-scoring twins with 11 each.
Now About That Trade...
Dzanan Musa disappointed in purple and gold
It was clear - Dzanan Musa, for all his talent, was simply a poor fit for this roster. After Markelle Fultz went #2 to the Knicks, who had back-to-back selections following lottery magic the Lakers have never had, the Purple and Gold's front office didn't really love any of the remaining options. Musa came closest of any of them, though Shaquille Harrison did merit some consideration.
10.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.1 A/TO ratio - 38.5% from the floor, 30% from 3 point - 68.4% Drive Stop, 0.94 PA/SF, 0.7 TOFC
-Musa's final Lakers statline
When the Lakers agreed to the initial deal, they thought Damian Lillard would be trade-eligible again at the deadline, and the plan was to flip him to a contender for rebuilding assets then. When word leaked afterward that the team had miscalculated and were off by a week, the team attempted to pull out.
"The Clippers thought it was because we were being trashed," said a team source. "That's bullshit. It had nothing to do with that. We've taken incredible heat before. It had to do with the fact that we wouldn't be able to flip Lillard at the deadline - two title shots with him vs one is a huge difference in value."
Unfortunately, league rules handcuffed the team. While the Bulls and Wizards were willing to return to the original three team deal, the Clippers refused. "Frankly, our franchises don't have much use for each other on a good day, given the city rivalry. Putting the screws on us like that, because they saw they were getting bailed out of Lillard themselves and getting a great young asset? Yeah, fuck them pretty much," said the source. "They don't like us for what we did, we don't like them for what they did, and it'll be a while before you see jersey swaps at Staples Center after this."
With relations at Cold War-levels, the Chicago Bulls came charging back in to offer the Lakers their choice of two other players. One was obvious - a fantastic roster fit who had been high on Jestor's acquisition list for several seasons. The four teams returned to the table, with a fifth team added - the New Orleans Pelicans.
The team source noted, "Chicago as usual was shepherding the deal. We were also in the equation and came up with the basic structure for how this five team trade could both work mathematically and be split into two trades that would each stand on their own. So between the two of us, we got the details sorted out."
But there was a catch. In order for this to come off, the Pelicans had to agree. After shopping Anthony Davis around during the weekend, New Orleans did sign off. Away to the Clippers went Dzanan Musa and Keifer Sykes, with Cameron Payne arriving from Chicago and Bruno Cabocolo coming from the Washington Wizards.
Had the trade not gone through? From what various people involved tell me, Chicago likely was searching for backup options, but most likely the four team deal would have gone through and the Lakers ownership would have given Jestor the option to either resign or be fired - immediately.
Cameron Payne flips red and black for purple and gold
The tenor changes when Cameron Payne's projected Lakers impact comes up.
"We absolutely love this kid and have for a long time. He's an absolute bulldog - he'll get down and battle you defensively, make all the passing plays you need even if he isn't a wizard at it, take care of the ball, and he just plays so, so smartly. Incredibly disciplined, super smart. Has a huge chip on his shoulder because of all the people who said he disappointed as a first overall pick and didn't develop into a franchise point guard. He especially gets pissed when you tell him Terry Rozier is better.
Look, he didn't have the team success in Golden State, but that wasn't on him. The roster just didn't fit together there. In Chicago, he was a big part of the transition Bulls still getting to the playoffs in a brutal East. Here, he'll be able to be that shutdown guy in the backcourt, contribute his two-way game, and free up D'Angelo Russell to play a combo guard role instead of having to worry about running the offense full time.
Yes, we still lost on value, but in terms of fit? Fitwise, Cameron is miles ahead of Musa, especially given this draft class has nobody at the point capable of playing defense in the Top 10, where we'll have two selections. We've searched a long time for a starting point guard since Jeremy Lin took us to the playoffs. Now we think we might finally have the right guy, and at 27, he's still young enough to be part of our eventual contending window."