Clippers Hammer Lakers

Wow. Ryan Kelly was the Lakers' top performer this game because nobody was on their offensive game as Kelly scored 9 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists, but the Lakers were just deflated as the Clippers destroyed them 106-78. Wesley Johnson added 16 points on 6-16 and Tarik Black added 10 points to round out the starters. Jabari Brown lead all scorers off the bench with 10 points. Jordan Clarkson, who had spectacular performances the past few games, came way back down to earth as he only scored 2 points on 1-6 shooting.

Final Score: vs. LA Clippers 106-78 [L]
Full article: http://www.nba.com/games/20150405/LACLAL/gameinfo.html

Highlights:

Next Game: @ LA Clippers (04/07)

Blazers Lay Down the Hammer on Lakers

Alright welcome in to the full recap of the Lakers' matchup vs. the Portland Trailblazers where the Lakers made it a game in the first three quarters thanks to Jordan Clarkson, but the Blazers were just simply too much as the backcourt of Damian Lillard and C.J, McCollum  helped the Blazers rout the Lakers 107-77.

It's about time that I was able to cover a game. I can tell there has been a lot of frustration about the lack of Laker content on the blog and yes I take full responsibility for that. However, I've said this in the past and I'll say it again, I do have a life outside of this blog and most of the personal agenda I had to deal with overshadowed my time here covering the games, so I apologize for that and like I said, I take responsibility. Let's get to this game, though, not a surprising result. The Lakers did all they could to hang in there, but Portland's just too good, they have a playoff spot to up themselves at even more. For some Laker fans, it's another frustrating loss, but that gives the Lakers in a good position to draft higher. If you ask me, I have no say on this other than the fact that I just want this team to be playoff relevant again rather than a dumpster fire consisting of D-League players disguising themselves as NBA pros. Whatever it takes, just get them back there.

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Jordan Clarkson, 27 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 12-20 shooting. Behind this dumpster fire, lies a diamond in the rough and Clarkson continues to shine in his rookie year despite a lackluster season. I've always wanted to see him in action as in my quick recaps, he's always been the top performer, the leading scorer. All I can say is that I've finally saw some evidence of one of Clarkson's spectacular games. Back to back threes in the 2nd quarter, a buzzer beater in the 3rd quarter, he was giving the Blazers defense all kinds of fits with the game he played tonight. He's been working on that jump shot because all he was known for are his floaters and attacking the rim for a layup, but once he's polished that jump shot, the sky is the limit. I hope he continues to work and with Randle coming back, hoping he improves and gets healthy, the Lakers have something to build around for the future. As delusional as this sounds: Jordan Clarkson for Rookie of the Year, although it probably won't happen by a long shot.

(-)

Field goals. Just go in already would you? The Lakers are lucky to at least have a 37% shooting from the field from this game because this was atrocious. Balls grazing the rim, air balls, balls falling in and out of the hoop, hitting the back of the rim, it was complete garbage all around for the offense. They just couldn't buy a bucket all game long, not even in garbage time when the Blazers are already resting their starters.

Jeremy Lin, 4 points, 1-9 shooting. Lin was a big time contributor as to why the whole team sucked in terms of shooting the ball. It's likely he's going to be out of LA once this season is all said and done. He's been up and down all season long, but this game just put an icing on the cake as he was just throwing up a lot of bricks. I don't know if it was an off night, but Lin was put on ice this game and he didn't even dish out a single assist.

Big men. Aside from Tarik Black's 5-10 shooting, Ed Davis, 2 points, 1-3 shooting, Jordan Hill, 0-1, Carlos Boozer, 0-4, Robert Sacre, 0-2. The fact that Sacre even played speaks volumes that this Laker team needs a big man that can post up, work for his shot, and score. Wesley Johnson's undersized, Ryan Kelly's undersized. Despite the fact Wes did grab a monster 15 boards, the Lakers are in need, they're in dire need to get a big man since Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum to score, grab rebounds, and go toe to toe with the opposing team's big man.

Conclusion

Overall, it is what it is. The Lakers are completely "talent-less" with that current roster. They'll compete, but against the more superior teams? They won't have a chance. The Blazers missed a couple of shots that kept the Lakers' door open, but once they make them, you can kiss the game goodbye. But, it is what it is and the Lakers are contempt to position themselves into a top pick as much as possible. A couple more games left, season's almost over. The Lakers have two games against the Clippers, I won't cover the game on Sunday when the Lakers "host" the Clippers, but I will cover the Tuesday game when they're on the "road" against the Clippers. I'll see you guys later.

04/03: LAKERS vs. Portland Trailblazers Q-by-Q Reaction

Q4:

Score: POR 107 LAL 77

Reality check: Outside of Jordan Clarkson, this Laker team is just void of talent. Stay tuned for the full recap.

Q3:

Score: POR 74 LAL 63

It's times like this is where I'm proud to be a Pinoy. Considering Clarkson's half Filipino, he's giving me a lot more glimmer of hope for the future once Kobe retires. He's playing out of his mind right now and he's one the primary reasons why this Laker team is hanging around despite being outperformed by the Blazers all day. Hey if the Blazers keep missing and the Lakers keep building their momentum around Clarkson, an upset can happen.

Q2:

Score: POR 52 LAL 39

The majority of the quarter was a snooze fest, until Jordan Clarkson happened. I am starting to believe that the rookie is going to have a bright future ahead of him. Though the Blazers were in control most of the game, the Lakers, as much as they've been clamping down, they're fighting out there and they're feeding the momentum around Clarkson. Onto the halftime report.

Q1:

Score: POR 26 LAL 12

I know the Lakers are tanking, but somebody please stop Damian Lillard. Aside from Jordan Clarkson scoring the first few buckets to get the Laker offense rolling, everything has just been lackluster. Not a lot of effort to get back on D in transition, too many bricks, Carlos Boozer making a floater that ended up being an air ball. The Blazers are meaning business heading into the playoffs and that's why they're up 14 thanks to Lillard's hot start.

LAKERS vs. Blazers Halftime Post

Score: POR 52 LAL 39

Alright welcome in to the halftime post of the Lakers' matchup with the Portland Trailblazers where the Blazers have a 52-39 lead at the half.

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Jordan Clarkson, 18 points, 8-13 shooting. I've observed in these series of quick recaps that he's been playing well, shooting the ball well, scoring when the team needs it, and I'm a believer. Those last few threes in the 2nd quarter to give the Lakers a little spark displayed how much heart the rookie has. Despite the fact that Lillard got off to hot start, Clarkson still outscored him by two points as Lillard only has 16! He's Rookie of the Month for a reason and he has constantly continued to certify himself as a bona fide 2nd round steal.

(-)

Field goals. Before Clarkson got it going down the stretch of the 2nd quarter, the Lakers have not shot the ball well. The amount of balls hitting the rim even deprived me of a majority of my energy. The offense, with Clarkson as an exception, has not been too impressive. My goodness, it's like they're not working  to get a high percentage look.

Transition defense. The Blazers were running all over the place like it is just practice. I'll give partial credit, there were nominal defensive plays the Lakers made in transition, but they're always a hair too late to close out their man, whether the Blazers were on the break to get a layup or shoot a transition 3. The Lakers gotta have better effort than that in the 2nd half.

Bottom Line

Give the ball to Clarkson as long as he's hot. However, Clarkson has to try to get this Laker team involved through his facilitating because the energy has not passed down to the rest of the Lakers to put up a better display of offense. The defense has to do a lot better, they have to find a way to get ball out of Lillard's hands if they want to get back into this game against the Blazers. Let's see what happens.

Lakers Fall to Pelicans

Jordan Clarkson was the Lakers' top performer with a double-double of 18 points and 10 assists to go along with 7 rebounds, but the Lakers could not stop Anthony Davis and the Pelicans who are primed to overtake the Thunder for the final playoff spot in the West, losing 113-92. Tarik Black added 16 points on 8-10 shooting, Ryan Kelly added 12 points, and Jeremy Lin added 10 points, despite a poor shooting performance to round out the starters. Wayne Ellington was the bench's leading scorer with 11 points and Jordan Hill added 10 points to round out the bench.

Final Score: vs. New Orleans 113-92 [L]
Full article: http://www.nba.com/games/20150401/NOPLAL/gameinfo.html?ls=slt

Highlights:

Next Game: vs. Portland (04/03) <= Q-by-Q, Halftime Post, Full Recap 

Laker Game Quick Recaps (Post-WrestleMania): Lost to Brooklyn, Won in OT vs. Sixers

If you guys follow my Instagram account, @mechg2994, the reason why these posts are here just now because I attended WrestleMania at Levi's Stadium this past weekend (I mean, I'm close to the stadium so better to cash in on a once in a lifetime opportunity). So I'm here now, playing catch up once again. Instead of posting separate posts on both games, why not I post them simultaneously? Makes it much easier for myself. Kill two birds with one stone.

03/29: @ BKN 99-107 [L]

Full article: http://www.nba.com/games/20150329/LALBKN/gameinfo.html

Highlights:

Jordan Hill was the Lakers' top performer, contributing big off the bench with a double-double of 22 points and 16 rebounds, but the Lakers came up short against the Nets in Brooklyn, losing 99-107. Jordan Clarkson added 18 points, Wesley Johnson added 17 points, and Wayne Ellington chipped in 13 points to round out the starters. Jabari Brown was a 2nd contributor off the bench, chipping in 11 points, but finished 4-14 shooting from the field.

03/30: @ Philadelphia 103-101 (OT) [W]

Full article: http://www.nba.com/games/20150330/LALPHI/gameinfo.html?ls=slt

Highlights:

In the battle of the NBA's worst, the Lakers stood tall again (as it should be or else it would've been embarrassing although that costs us a draft position). Jordan Clarkson continues his magical rookie year in a dark season for the Purple and Gold as he was the team's top performer with a double-double of 26 points and 11 assists and hitting a game winner as he lifted the Lakers past the Sixers 103-101 in OT. A great showing for the back court without Jeremy Lin as Wayne Ellington added 20 points and Jabari Brown came off the bench with a season high 22 points. Wesley Johnson also added a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds and Ryan Kelly chipped in 16 points to round out the starters.

Next Game: vs. New Orleans (04/01)

Lakers Fall to Raptors

Wow only two players in double figures. This is going to be a short post. Jeremy Lin was the Lakers' top performer with 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists, but the Lakers couldn't spoil the Raptors' Atlantic Division clinch as they fell in Toronto 83-94. Jordan Clarkson was the only player to join Lin in double figures with 14 points.

Final Score: @ Toronto 83-94 [L]

Full article: http://www.nba.com/games/20150327/LALTOR/gameinfo.html

Highlights:

Next Game: @ Brooklyn (03/29)