Dec. 27, 2021
Well, Saturday's Christmas experience wasn't exactly satisfying. Another huge game for LeBron James, another loss for the Lakers who are now two games under .500 and sliding in the West. Saturday was especially irritating, both for players and fans, because it featured all the stuff that has plagued the team all season. They fell down big, early. They came back! They fell down .They came back! And it seemed like they had a chance to pull it out, but then Russell Westbrook (4-20 overall) reverted to early season form, helping crush the Lakers attack at critical moments, while also committing a couple defensive lapses.
So despite a few weeks of generally solid play, the knives and pitchforks were out for Westbrook on Lakers Twitter, despite LeBron James defending his teammate after the game. Some suggested (again) he not finish games, or not start them, or even be traded.
None of those things are going to happen, for reasons explained within.
Meanwhile, the Lakers have to try and figure out how to cope with the remaining time Anthony Davis will be out. (They have to cope with the time he's back, too, but first things first). What can be done to try and win some games, so the ground left to make up at his return isn't insurmountable? Perhaps it starts with some new players? To that end, the Lakers welcomed two of them on Saturday. Darren Collison finally played for the Lakers after a couple years of retirement/courtship. He didn't do a lot.
Former Pistons lottery pick Stanley Johnson, however, made an impact. Always a plus defender, Johnson's athleticism on the wing glowed like neon on a team lacking that trait. He didn't score much - Johnson never does - but could he be the type of player the Lakers need going forward? And if the answer is yes, what does it say about the way this team was constructed? Because there were a few folks (basically everyone) noting they could use a Stanley Johnson type (if not Stanley Johnson) even over the summer.
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