Grading Report: Rockets vs Lakers
- Updated: October 28, 2016
Basketball season is back and its now time to start combing the box score and replaying the highlights as the Lakers won its opener against the Houston Rockets 120-114. During the grading report not only will you get a recap of what happened on the court but the individual grades of each player moving forward. Let’s get started!
Recap: It was an emotional roller coaster for both the fans and the organization who took the court for the first time in over 20 years without Kobe Bryant. Still the energy was buzzing around Staples Center in front of a sellout crowd that brought besides the usual celebrities (we see you Jack and Denzel) commissioner Adam Silver. The game itself struck the curiosity of the many viewers either watching from their seats or the millions watching on ESPN or Sportsnet LA. The intrigue to see if there was life in Laker Land after Kobe’s departure and also seeing if there has been any progression within the Lakers youth movement.
The game itself was rough from a defensive standpoint for both teams and for a while it looked as though the only defense was going to come from the backboard and the front rim with the Rockets putting up 73 points going into halftime? Remember all those things the Lakers needed work on? Transition defense? Front a man without fouling? Organizing itself in the halfcourt? None of those things were happening and for a while it looked as though James Harden was going for 40+ plus points well garnishing a career-high 14 assists that all came in the first half who is now being used as a point guard under Lakers coach now with Houston Mike D’Antoni
Just like D’Antoni’s teams have shown in the past they simply can’t defend. The Lakers on the other hand were able to adapt and limited Harden’s spacing in the second half. He still scored 36 points but shot only 1-7 from three and the King of the Lakers newly anointed “Bench Mob” Jordan Clarkson was able to take over coming up with several crucial buckets for a team-leading 24 points to win. Clarkson also came up with big stops on Harden and forced him to airball a shot with less than a minute remaining to seal the victory.
The win offered the NBA a glimpse of what the Lakers could be in the future. That being said, it also came against the Rockets at home who outside of James Harden could struggle without a proven lockdown defender within its arsenal.
Julius Randle: Grade: B
Julius Randle had quietly one of the best all around games and he seems to have progressed at learning to control his body around the basket. Throughout the night he was constantly in attack mode and finished with 18 points on 9-11 shooting well adding seven rebounds and a team high six assists. When he had the ball in his hands at the high post he was patient more times than not and was able to find Clarkson, D’Angelo Russell or Luol Deng slashing to the basket. His court vision was a key to the Lakers success but his four fouls early in the fourth quarter was troubling. Considering the level of talent at power forward throughout the NBA that includes Blake Griffin, LaMarcus Aldridge, Hassan Whiteside and Jonathan Simmons to name a few, Randle will looking to play in more control defensively when the Lakers take on the Jazz.
Nick Young: Grade: C+
If there was an award given for Class Clown last season it would have been unmistakably given to Nick Young. Maybe breaking up with Iggy Azalea was the best thing for him because since training camp, Young has come into this season with a professional mindset. Wednesday night though his game id not translate quite the way he would have liked. Bottom line the things that don’t show up on the box score are shots contested and hustle plays which is where he found ways to contribute. He applied pressure to Harden and Eric Gordon in the second half didn’t force a ton of shots. 3-12 from the field is nothing to gloss over but they were not bad shots. It seems for now that Young has adopted a new blue-collared way of thinking on the defensive end.
Jordan Clarkson: Grade: A
Usually I like to reserve the top five spots in the article for the starters, but in this case Clarkson would be starting if you could play with six players. Bottom line the former second round pick out of Missouri may be one of the smartest moves the Lakers have made as an organization. Hard-nosed worker with now a taste for defense Clarkson showed is proved what having a deep second unit can do. Knocking down key shots in the fourth quarter but more importantly his defense on Harden was crucial. 8-12 and 25 points are the type of performances Walton will hope to see more of as the season progresses.
Luol Deng: Grade: B
Not a ton of activity on the offensive end for Deng who finished with seven points but defensively was in charge of putting hinges on Trevor Ariza and did just that by limiting Ariza to just five points on 2-8 shooting. He was brought in to be not just a consistent catalyst but a mentor to Russell, Randle, Clarkson & Co. He just needs to play his role and also stay healthy.
Timofey Mozgov: Grade: C-
A ton of questions arose when the Lakers gave him a deal worth four years $64 million about whether or not that value met the price or was he just signed because the Lakers were in desperate need of a big man. So far the critics are winning because of Mozgov’s innate court spacing and floor awareness. Clint Capela feasted off of Mozgov in the paint with 16 points and nine rebounds. Offensively 12 points isn’t bad, but the Lakers need him to be a rim protector and stenchy on the boards.
D’Angelo Russell: Grade: B+
Russell who finished with 20 points has wanted to take the leadership role this season for the Lakers and for the most part he’s backing it up. Good shot selection, an improved game beyond the arc and attention to detail defensively. 4-10 doesn’t make him an elite three-point shooter yet, but if he’s able to build the team’s confidence his reliability to hit who knows?
Lou Williams: Grade: B
Williams should have the label of “Mr. Consistency” because that’s how he played last season and its carried over in 2016. 12 points including 2-4 from three and was constantly in attack mode and got to the free throw line seven times. ‘Sweet Lou’ along with Clarkson will be one of the toughest second unit tandems to defend against this season.
Brandon Ingram: Grade: B
The second overall pick had a decent first career NBA game. His performance wasn’t anything dazzling but it was solid. He finished with nine points including 4-6 from the field. Walton will bring Ingram along gradually, the Lakers just need him to play the role he is given for now.
Larry Nance Jr. Grade: C+
The second year power forward from Wyoming whose job will be to play staunch defense will be asked to guard against some of the more physical players in the leagues. Take backup Rockets center Nene who finished seven points on 3-5 shooting. It’ll be a performance that Nance will have to improve but was at least able to limit his touches.
Tarik Black: Grade: C
12 minutes off the bench and scored four points. Solid athlete and grabbed four rebounds. Not bad numbers with the limited action.
Marcelo Huertas: Grade C+
Only reason why he doesn’t get the regular grade is because he registered three assists in five minutes without turning the ball over. What could you do in five minutes?
Ron Metta World Peace: Grade: NA
You probably knew this but Metta is also a rapper as well. Had a chance to see him during the summer. Just like his two minutes of play, his performance went rather unnoticed.
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