Alright welcome in to the full recap of the game between the Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs where the Lakers have yet again suffered another blowout loss to an elite team in the West in the Spurs 85-119 to wrap up their back to back road trip in the Southwest.
Well this loss officially puts us out of playoff contention. Wait, we were still in the playoff hunt prior to this game? Obviously there was no way in hell that the Lakers would've storming back in the season to push for a playoff spot, we all know that. An even awkward moment when the Los Angeles D-Fenders, the D-League affiliate of the Lakers scored more points in their last game than the Lakers this game and the game last night against the Thunder.
The Positives
Pau Gasol, Lakers' top performer with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 blocks on 8-16 shooting. Major freaking props to Gasol for continuing to play out when the season's already lost and even more lost with Kobe and Nash both officially ruled out for the season. A lot of fair weather fans were calling for his head and his name popped up in the trade category so many times. Without Gasol, the Lakers' would've easily break the Bobcats' worst winning percentage in NBA history, especially with kind of roster they have and with so many injuries. Talking off season, it's gonna be hard to bring Pau back considering Kobe's extension ate up most of the salary cap, unless Pau is willing to accept less money to stay, which is highly unlikely, he's still an efficient big man in the league unless his age really catches up to him.
The Negatives
3 point shooting. The last time I remember when the Spurs faced the Lakers early on in the season, they held them to like 25% from 3 point land. This game, the Spurs' defense held the Lakers to an abysmal 4-21 shooting. The D'Antoni system was non-existent this game and like I said in my halftime post, D'Antoni's system all-time against Pop and the Spurs' defense has not had any great success and it was further evident. When the Spurs started shooting the ball well in the 1st and the Lakers still couldn't make a bucket, that's when I knew that the Spurs easily had this in the bag; it was a no contest from the start.
Jodie Meeks, 15 points, 5-17 shooting. This is what I hope I didn't want to see from Meeks, have a great game on Sunday, then go on a flat out free fall (he did shoot well last night against the Thunder again, but didn't put up as much points). He's still got a lot of consistency to do, but regardless he's still my dark horse for NBA's Most Improved Player because he expanded his game to say the least other than just being a spot up 3 point shooter.
Garbage time efficiency. The only time the Lakers got going was garbage time. I see in the 4th that they were finally moving the ball and the shooting has improved a little because the Spurs went deep in their bench already. Garbage time points helps ease the pain of a blowout loss a little, but when that time hits and players start hitting shots and moving the ball, it's pathetic to see that.
Conclusion
Out of the playoffs, the season's almost over and the torture is almost over. Lucky enough I'm a Raiders fan in football and I guess witnessing those long losing seasons paid off because little did I know the disappointment was going to pass down to the Lakers at some point in time. We play the Spurs again on Wednesday, I mean what a joke of a schedule to play two of the best teams in the West twice back-to-back (one at home and one on the road). I'll see you guys for that game. Be sure to keep track of my post of the Raiders' free agency transactions here on my blog because Reggie McKenzie is starting to make a flurry of moves.
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