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during the pre-season we saw Lonzo under a new head coach, play with a level of freedom at the point guard position, that we hadn't seen since 2017 summer league. And shoot with the confidence that we last saw his freshman year of college. Even bringing back his signature step-back move, that is nostalgic to those of us who watched him at UCLA. Lonzo had a really solid game, recording 8 points, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds in 21 minutes of playing time. And although he shot under 30% from the field going 2/7, those two made field goals were three-pointers. First of which came early in the first quarter, when following giving up a three to his matchup on defense, Lonzo moments later. Received the ball of the left-wing and with no hesitation, knocked down his first three-ball of the new season. His next trey ball came early in the second half. Where in similar fahsion he caught the ball from Ingram before knocking down his only other made field goal of the night.
From the perimeter, Zo went 2/3, good for 66%. Which is already a mass improvement from his rookie and sophomore season. As Laker, he shot 31% from the outside over his two seasons in LA. Another positive to take away from this game was that at the free-throw line. Lonzo went 2/2 making 100% both of his attempts, an area he struggled the past two seasons. As he's shot bellow 50% from the foul line for his NBA career. Simply unacceptable for a guard in today's league. Now I understand this only one game, but the fact that he's shown improvement in two areas that desperately needed addressing in his game. It is a positive sign of things to come.
Outside of his scoring, Lonzo continued to do the things he always does well. Playing elite on and help defense, pulling down the boards and kickstarting the offense in transition. As well as controlling the game and getting his teammates involved, all while turning the ball over just one time. A series of time found team sniper JJ Reddick for easy open shots. As well as picking out the hot hand in Melli, for a corner three on the right win. Lonzo had his mandatory highlight play assists, two of which stood out to me in particular. On one play following a hail mary pass to Brandon Griffin, Lonzo set himself up as if he was going to fire from deep. Before attacking the basket, and finding derrick favors for an easy dunk, passing the ball around a former defensive player of the year in Marc Gasol.
Towards the end of the first half, he had a lovely give and go with Jrue Holiday. Picking him out with a unique in and out bounce pass, setting Jrue up nicely for a layup.
However, that would pretty much all she wrote for Lonzo, as he was pulled out of the game in the third quarter. And bizarrely sat out the entire fourth quarter, before being suddenly thrown back into the game over time.
Now I don't know what the thought process was here from Alvin Gentry, who's rotation last night was all over the place. I don't know if he forgets the pre-season was over, but all 12 players that were featured in last night's game. Played in more than 10 minutes. I understand to some extent sitting Zo, as the lineup with Hart and Jackson was working well in the second half. But throwing him back into the game in OT was a disaster waiting to happen, and probably cost them a win on the road against the defending champs. We know Lonzo is a player who thrives within the flow of the game. And often gets cold when sat for long periods of time. I guess maybe on the season opener, Gentry was just experimenting with new lineups and figuring things out. But if the lakers are gonna make a run at the playoffs next season, he's going to have to pick favorites and not rotate the lineups as much as he did last night.
It'd be interesting to hear what Lavar had to say last night, who by the way was in attendance. As it's no secret he was publically very heavily critical of the way Luke Walton utilized his son, specifically in regard to benching him in close ball games down the stretch. Which is exactly what Gentry did last night. Who somehow managed to out luke Walton.
Gullible
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