Feb 4, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Carlos Boozer (5) shoots against Milwaukee Bucks guard Kendall Marshall (5) during the fourth quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Milwaukee won 113-105 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Welcome to Opposition Intel!
After picking up a much needed win against the Philadelphia 76ers, it was time for the Milwaukee Bucks to head West. The Bucks will start off their four game West Coast trip tonight against the Los Angeles Lakers in the famed Staples Center.
Following on from the Lakers, Milwaukee will move on to square off against the Utah Jazz, Denver Nuggets and the Golden State Warriors in a vital stretch of games.
With the Washington Wizards stumbling, there’s no better time for the Bucks to pick up momentum as the potential is there for them to leapfrog into the fifth seed.
The Lakers have been catastrophically bad this season, admittedly that’s compared to their highest of standards, but they have just strung together back-to-back wins and will be looking to use the Bucks as a springboard for a run tonight.
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Ahead of the action, we spoke to Los Angeles Lakers writer Jacob Rude about their season so far, his thoughts on the Bucks, and the game’s key matchups.
Jacob writes about the Lakers as the co-editor over at Lake Show Life, as well as being editor-in-chief at College Basketball site Busting Brackets, both members of the FanSided Network. You can follow him on Twitter at: @JacobRude.
Let’s take a look at what he had to say.
Next: How Are Lakers Fans Coping With Losing?
Jul 29, 2014; El Segundo, CA, USA; Byron Scott (center) poses with former Los Angeles Lakers players Jamaal Wilkes and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson and general manager Mitch Kupchak at a press conference to announce Scott
Adam: Lakers fans have undoubtedly been spoiled by success, but just how grim is it to watch this team? Do you get even the slightest sense of a philosophy being in place to help them to develop?
Jacob: Well early on in the season, the philosophy of the front office seemed to place importance on winning games, quite foolishly. There was a sense that, because we still had Kobe Bryant, we couldn’t possibly tank, or at least, not try our hardest to win games.
Given our situation, winning games was the absolute worst thing that we could do. If we don’t stay in the top five come draft time and subsequently lose our draft pick, this is the worst season in Lakers’ history, hands down.
Once Bryant went down with injury, it was like we didn’t have to fool ourselves anymore. Jordan Clarkson moved from struggling to get playing time on the court to starting (and impressing).
The Lakers still say they aren’t tanking, but they’ve put a larger focus on developing the few youngsters we have. While it’s been a struggle, being able to see the progress makes losing games worth it.
Next: Was Kobe Bryant's Contract A Big Mistake?
Jan 21, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) against the New Orleans Pelicans forward Dante Cunningham (44) during a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Lakers 96-80. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Hoops Habit
Adam: It was controversial at the time, but now following yet another injury how do you view Kobe’s contract? You can’t expect him to turn it down, but should the organization have known better than to offer such a lucrative deal?
Jacob: The contract will be debated until he retires and onward. Without a doubt, it was a sort of legacy deal: paying Bryant for what he’s done more than what he’s going to do. The front office, dating back to the time under Dr. Jerry Buss, has always been built on the idea of a family.
The Lakers were never going to let Bryant leave and join another team and Bryant was never going to go title chasing, contrary to the narrative fans and media want to write and talk about.
Was the contract too much? Probably. The timing of the matter didn’t help, considering he hadn’t played a game post-Achilles surgery before agreeing to the deal. But it further solidifies the point that the Lakers take care of their own. It also sends a message to future free agents that LA will take care of you once you sign with them.
The Lakers also had a sense that their title window had closed and that this transition period would exist, although maybe not to the extent that it has been. Injuries, not just to Bryant, but to players like Steve Nash, Xavier Henry, and Pau Gasol. The Lakers needed Bryant to stay the face of the franchise and be both a promoter to free agents and a mentor to rookies.
All this wrapped up, I don’t think any realistic Lakers fans would be upset with the contract. They were never going to land the likes of Carmelo Anthony or LeBron James. Nor do I see them having much of a shot at free agents this year. He didn’t ruin anything of the Lakers free agent plans.
Next: Is Jordan Clarkson The Point Guard LA Needed To Find?
Feb 25, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) reacts to dunking the ball during the first half against the Utah Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
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Adam: Perhaps an unexpected positive to come out of this difficult season for LA has to be the play of Jordan Clarkson. He had a big game the other night, but just how good do you think he can be?
Jacob: The greatest thing about Jordan Clarkson is how quickly he adapts and learns. Early in the season, you could see some of the skills, but he had troubles harnessing them at time. His speed could overwhelm opponents, but sometimes himself as well. But he’s been an open book this year and his progress has been impressive.
When he was moved to the starting line-up, it was surprising not only because he had previously been relegated to garbage time, but that it seemed like a move he may not be ready for; sort of a trial by fire.
Near the same time, Steve Nash returned to the Lakers in a capacity, mainly as a mentor and tutor to Clarkson. The results have been phenomenal, as Clarkson has made improvements by leaps and bounds.
Going forward, I once projected him as a back-up point guard on a contending team, but with how much he’s improving and at the rate in which he’s doing so, It’s not implausible to see him as a starter. He’s developed very nicely and there’s no reason to believe he’ll stop anytime soon.
Next: Has Nick Young Lost His Swag?
Feb 22, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Nick Young (0) reacts to a 3-point basket in the second half of the game against the Boston Celtics at Staples Center. Lakers won 118-111 in OT. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Adam: Shooting only 36 percent from the field, Nick Young has been really bad this season. Is the swag starting to wear off for Swaggy P?
Jacob: Nick Young is still a very exciting character. While his stats and averages look to be down this year, he actually started red-hot. Through the first 24 games, he averaged 15 points per game, but was shooting 40.1% from the field and 43.8% from beyond the arc.
Unfortunately for him and the Lakers, he’s in a pretty massive slump. Over the last 18 games, where he missed time with injuries, he’s shooting 31.3% from the field and 27.8% from three point line and averaging just 11.3 points.
Has the swag worn off? It’s hard to say. Young is certainly not any less charismatic in interviews, but to some Lakers fans, his act is far less endearing. I find him enjoyable, still, but I’m in the minority at this point.
I think Young’s skills haven’t changed: he’s a volume scorer who can be great off the bench. While he isn’t shooting as well right now, I don’t think it’s anything more than an elongated slump. He’s going to come back, and he has the ability to be a contributor going forward in future years.
Next: How Does Drew Rate The Bucks?
Feb 4, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jeremy Lin (17) shoots against Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the first quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Adam: How much have you seen of the Bucks this season? What, if anything, have you liked about the progress Jason Kidd has made in his first season in charge?
Jacob: I really, really like this Bucks team. Obviously, Jason Kidd joined the team in controversial fashion, and I had doubts much like anyone else. His first year in Brooklyn was….interesting. But the way he’s handled this Milwaukee team, especially after losing Jabari Parker (we know that feel of losing our rookie, too).
Honestly, I’m a bit envious of your position. You have youngsters developing well and have a set initiative. I love Giannis Antetokounmpo (yes I copied and pasted that) and love his game. I loved Jabari Parker last year at Duke and prayed and wished the Lakers could land him. Really, there’s hardly anyone on the roster I wouldn’t take on the Lakers right now.
If Kidd can keep up this level of production AND you add Parker next year? I assume there’s lots of optimism in Milwaukee and rightfully so.
Next: What's The Game's Key Matchup?
Feb 4, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and Los Angeles Lakers forward Ryan Kelly (4) chase a loose ball during the third quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Adam: What do you see as the key matchup in Friday’s game? Is there any Laker that you feel could catch Milwaukee off guard, or what matchups will you be looking for LA to exploit?
Jacob: It’s hard to pinpoint one match-up. One area to focus on is the small forward match-up. For what Byron Scott has done as far as choosing to develop players going forward, he’s done so at the risk of some common sense it seems.
Questionably, he’s been set on starting Ryan Kelly at the small forward role when he’s quite obviously a stretch four. Not only that, but he’s a big stretch four who played some center in college. More often than not, Kelly is outmatched against opposing small forwards, mainly because they’re more agile, quicker, and he can’t keep up with them. If someone like Antetokounmpo is moved to small forward, we might be in some trouble.
I think the key match-up, however, will be our bigs vs. yours. Last time around, we out-rebounded you 53-35 and had the game set up for victory (thanks for that huge tanking boost, by the way).
At the same time, we had to out-rebound you by nearly 20 rebounds to have a chance to win the game. If there’s a strength of ours, it’s our size. If we can dominate down low and on the boards, we can have a good shot at a win. However, let’s hope for our sake at Jahlil Okafor, that doesn’t happen.
Adam: Thanks for your time, Jacob. Let’s hope it’s a great game!