Now the Lakers have figured it out, combined with the team's lineup configuration, even if they fight for defense, the effect may not be too good. Coupled with the fact that there are many veterans in the team, if too much energy is spent on the defensive end, as the physical fitness declines, the team's performance on the offensive end will also fluctuate. Especially in the case of the long-term absence of Anthony Davis, the mainstay of the interior line, the team's basket is indeed in an undefended state. So the Lakers began to change the lineup, LeBron James changed to play small ball center, this move can really play the Lakers' offensive end of the power out.
Now, in addition to LeBron James and Russell Weisbrook, Malik Munch, who just joined the Lakers last summer, has become the third scorer in the team, providing strong support. Against the Kings, the three of them scored 74 points in a regular operation, and the Lakers were also the Kings who had suffered hardships in the same division. However, now the Purple and Gold Team's scoring points are very concentrated, and in this game, veteran Trevo Ariza and rookie Austin Rivers have not scored a point, which is definitely a hidden danger for the Lakers.
For Ariza, fans naturally know very well, in the early stage of the career after the ups and downs are not reused, Ariza switched to the Lakers, ushered in a career turning point. Among them, in the 08-09 season in the Lakers West Absolute Nuggets, and then when challenging the Orlando Magic, Ariza became a surprise soldier, he had a stable projection on the offensive end, and the defensive side was like a ghost, sending key steals many times, and finally helping the Lakers regain the championship.
Ariza has since played for many teams, but has played a similar role, that is, to become a 3D striker for his team, to do a good job of outside projection and defense, including his return to the Rockets in the summer of 2014, with the team twice reaching the division finals. Against Ariza's projection, tough defense and rich experience, the Lakers re-signed Ariza last summer.
However, due to injury, Ariza missed the opening stage of the new season and just announced his comeback. But it seems that Ariza, who is 36 years old, is indeed difficult to be a big job, this game against the Kings, the Lakers let Ariza as the starter, but in 18 minutes, other effective data only 3 rebounds and 1 block, and when on the court, the Lakers also lost to the other side by 8 points. You must know that in the past two games against the Timberwolves and Blazers, Ariza has only scored three points each, and now his situation is somewhat similar to Thatudley in the previous two years. There are basically no mistakes on the field, and occasionally it can bring surprises, but it is somewhat reluctant to use it as a regular rotation or even a main force.
Compared with Ariza, Austin Reeves is a real force. There has been news that Austin Reeves has been a die-hard Lakers fan since childhood, and at the draft, Austin Reeves has this round of market, but he politely rejected many teams and just hoped to play for the Lakers. So Austin Reeves eventually fell behind in the draft, but he didn't feel sorry or lost because he finally got the chance to join the Lakers, and the feeling of a dream come true is really fantastic.
Austin Reeves has only signed a two-way contract with the Lakers this season, but most of the time, he is a member of the main rotation lineup and has been quite reliable on the court. On the offensive end, Austin Reeves has the projection ability of 100 steps through Yang, which is exactly what the Lakers urgently need, including this season's game against the Dallas Lone Rangers, the two sides rained three points in the final moments of the final quarter, and Austin Reeves became the one who decided the winner, he received a pass from Russell Weisbrook, hit the whistle with a knife in his hand, and helped the Lakers successfully kill the Lone Rangers to take away the victory, Austin Reeves can be said to be a famous battle. At the same time, he is also quite tough on the defensive end, Austin Reeves said that he has been training in rugby since he was a child, he does not escape and is afraid of confrontation, and he especially likes to compete with others.
Unfortunately, Austin Reeves also missed the game for almost half a month because of the triggering of the health and safety agreement, and this experience seems to have affected his performance and condition. In the game against the Timberwolves, Austin Reeves only had 2 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists, and this time against the Kings, Austin Reeves basically did not contribute in the 22 minutes of play, and the effective data was only 2 rebounds and 1 assist. So don't look at the Lakers' current state has picked up, but rely on those players, not to mention the two thighs on the bench Cameron Anthony and Dwight Howard, even in the three big shots, LeBron James and Russell Weisbrook are also in the twilight of their careers, and the only still young Anthony Davis is often plagued by injuries. If the Lakers need to rely on overdraft and veterans to win some games, then they will certainly not be far away.