This recent week of Lakers basketball was so dramatic that it makes HBO’s show “Winning Time” look like a reality TV show.
On the court, we had bad losses like falling to the Hornets in a game they made LaMelo Ball look like prime Steph Curry, allowing him to hit nine 3-pointers. We also witnessed Luka Dončić being one of the best players on Earth against Denver as he torched the Nuggets with a 38-point triple-double in a win.
While watching the game is what I love to do more than anything, I’m aware that for some fans, the sizzle around this sport is more enticing than the steak.
So when Baxter Holmes of ESPN dropped his story on the Buss family drama, I knew it was going to create a buzz that would make me nauseous.
Unfortunately, I was right. But hey, that’s what the Lakers experience entails. There are grand wins, disgusting losses and drama that even the most television script writers wouldn’t ever think of. That’s what makes the Lakers the best telenovela around.
5 things I liked and didn’t like
1. Family Matters
Last week, I bemoaned Rich Paul and his horrendous hot takes. I wished we would move on from that. Well, I should’ve been more specific with my desires. Yes, we aren’t talking about “Game Over” but we replaced that noise with something equally as messy.
The Buss family drama continues to be the gift I never asked for that keeps on giving. We learned that Jeanie’s inner circle received huge bonuses after the team was sold and also found out that Jeanie “began to turn” against LeBron James in recent years and even considered trading him in 2022.
After the article’s release, Jeanie has stepped in to defend herself, issuing a statement rejecting the notion that she doesn’t appreciate LeBron.
I’m tired.
I just want all the drama to end. But even if Jeanie were gone, I’m sure the noise would just be replaced with something else as this is part of the Lakers circus.
2. Do the Lakers have a fifth starter?
Okay, back to basketball.
There’s a melancholy that overwhelms me when Lakers fans and media alike discuss the Lakers’ fifth starter. Should it be Rui Hachimura? Is Marcus Smart a better fit? Does Jake LaRavia provide enough on both ends?
I appreciate people’s passion and love that they care so much, but the true answer is pretty tough to swallow: They don’t have a fifth starter.
Hachimura is shooting 43% from 3-point range, but his defense isn’t good enough. He is a bit slow-footed, and when LeBron’s out there, his defensive assignments are players he can’t guard.
Smart gives you the highest defensive floor, but his offensive decisions are tough to consistently swallow. He takes far too many shots, looking off the NBA’s all-time leading scorer or ignoring Luka Dončić, who clearly wants the ball and is waiting for it on the perimeter.
It’d be one thing if Smart were a bucket, but he is an average shooter. Also, while his defensive antics help more than they hurt, every now and then, his flopping and fouling get a bit too much and disrupt the flow of the game.
With your fifth starter, you want consistency, and Smart is a bit too much of an ex-factor.
Speaking of inconsistency, let’s talk about LaRavia. In this Goldilocks situation, where Rui has offense but not enough defense and Marcus has defense but not enough offense, LaRavia is right in the middle.
His baseline on both ends of the floor is more tolerable, but he has less pop. Sure, he has defensive versatility, but he’s also a bit slow-footed on that first step. Wings and guards consistently blow right past him, neutralizing the size and strength that he has.
And while head coach JJ Redick has used more zone in the past week, it’s still a switch-heavy defense. So, teams won’t have a problem finding the right offensive player to exploit LaRavia if that’s what they want to do.
So, who should be LA’s fifth starter? I don’t care. Pick whoever you want. They won’t be good enough to truly impact winning anyway. They won’t win an extra series or help the Lakers win a title. So whoever you like, I love.
3. Luka Dončić is an All-Star
While Luka being named an All-Star was essentially a foregone conclusion, it was still cool to see. The Lakers celebrated the moment on social media and he was given a special patch on his jersey to commemorate his status as an All-Star Starter.
This is Luka’s sixth All-Star selection and his first as a Laker. May it be the first of many where he represents the purple and gold.
4. The 65-game rule needs work
In theory, the 65-game rule for NBA awards is a good one. It encourages players to play when healthy, and it makes sense that if someone plays 50 games and someone else plays 80, that matters for things like All-NBA status.
However, the rule might be a bit too strict and defeat the purpose of these awards. These awards should encapsulate each respective season. The best 15 players make the All-NBA Team, the best defender wins Defensive Player of the Year and so on.
Right now, it’s more of a representation of the best players who played at least 65 games and that shouldn’t be what these awards are.
Due to his calf strain, Austin Reaves is now officially ineligible for NBA awards. Given his play, and if he returns to that level once back from injury, that seems unfair.
I’m not sure of the perfect solution, but there has to be a better way. Perhaps the criteria can be adjusted, or the severity of injury will factor into it if it’s included in the 65-game marker.
The NBA had the right idea with this rule, but it’s not working, no one likes it and it’s penalizing players. A change needs to happen.
5. Timme Time!
Drew Timme is one of the best stories on the Lakers this week.
The two-way big had an incredible 21-point performance against the Blazers. His encore was even better. Against the Raptors, Timme’s impact was monumental, highlighted by his plus-minus of +17 in his 16 minutes.
Postgame, he came in as jovial as possible, rocking a shirt that said “Sexual Tyrannosaurus” while talking about taking advantage of every opportunity given.
It’s easy to root for a guy like Timme. He works hard, never complains and goes full-speed 100% of the time.
Seeing that effort get rewarded in the best way possible is why we all fell in love with sports.
Here’s hoping this is just the start of an incredible journey for him and that the Lakers have found another diamond in the rough to cultivate in their system.
Stat of the Week
Considering that Luka is the NBA’s leading scorer, he’ll have plenty of impressive offensive stats. This week, thanks to his 38-point game against Denver, he surpassed 14,000 career points.
He is the youngest point guard to ever reach that benchmark.
He also now has 52 30-point triple-doubles, which is second all-time. Not bad for a 26-year-old.
Play of the Week
The best play this week was courtesy of LeBron.
The play began like many Lakers offensive possessions do with Luka holding the ball. The Nuggets doubled him to force the ball out of his hands. It worked, but now the Lakers had an advantage as Spencer Jones rotated over to account for Rui. Hachimura looks at LeBron for a split second, and James immediately begins cutting to the basket.
Jaxson Hayes understands the assignment and puts his body on his defender, Tim Hardaway Jr., eliminating him from the play. Hachimura stays in a triple threat position and does a slight pump fake to keep his defender honest while James moves.
Aaron Gordon is supposed to be defending LeBron, but he is watching the ball for just a bit too long. Also, he takes a slight step to the side, likely to discourage Hachimura from making the skip pass to a wide open Smart.
By the time he realizes LeBron is heading to the basket, it’s too late for him to recover and James gets the dunk.
LeBron’s slam was the exclamation point on this road win for the Lakers. After the dunk was made, Denver fans began to exit the arena, ready for their long, cold drive home.
Player of the Week
Player of the Week typically goes to the person who put up gaudy stats. This week I’m giving it to Timme. He stayed ready and delivered in both games where he played rotation-level minutes.
Timme doesn’t get the grace starters do, where they can start a game badly and work through it. His moments are rare and limited. This week, he delivered with LA needing his services since Ayton and Hayes each missed time.
I’m not sure if he’ll fight for a rotation spot, get a standard deal, or use up all his two-way games, but I do know he was great this week and shined when the opportunity presented itself.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.
