After the blistering 24-3 start out of the blocks this season, the second trimester proceeded to commence with a disturbing 4 game losing streak and, more recently before the current 4 game winning streak, we hit a pre-ASG week 5-5 stretch between January 15th and February 6th during these NBA dog days when all kinds of weird shit happens. Elinate those two stretches and we were 13-0!
OK, so we were overall 18-9 with AD out a few games where we saw Kuzma flourish a bit, albeit inconsistently. That translates to a 55 win season, which we all would have creamed in our pants for before the season, but because we are spoiled again with Showtime-like excitement and the expectation of winning every game, somehow seemed less satisfying than the record indicates. This season will be how we finish. Strike that. It's all about the playoffs again, baby!!!
Without going into my normally exhaustive breakdown, Kobe's tragic and still utterly shocking death gave birth to LeBron James truly being a Laker. He has been nothing short of spectacular! Anthony Davis and Kawhi Leonard are mano y mano the best player in the Western Conference, right up there with the Greek Freak. The growth of Alex Caruso, the improvement and confidence of Avery Bradley, the steadiness of Danny Green (IMO), KCP (3rd best player on the team this season), Dwight Howard and JaVale McGee are all encouraging signs as the team continued to establish and fine tune its identity. I think we all know the two concerns - Kuzma and Rondo. When they play their best, they make us smile, but the inconsistency of those two is bothersome. The end of the benchers have been great team guys all season and I'm thrilled they are on this team!
Rob Pelinka is the runaway Exec of the Year and deserves a shitload of credit! Even with the death of his best friend, he managed to be patient and grabbed Markieff Morris off of the scrap heap. Expect sold returns from this Morris twin now that he will be reunited with his better half in LA, albeit Markieff was the better player in college and early in their careers. This acquisition might get Kuzma to focus and improve his game, who knows. Frank Vogel and his staff have been brilliant IMO. The front office and coaching staff are solid A's all season!
Overall Grade: a solid B
Go Lakers!