DLo & Rui

The Lakers have done a good job of replenishing their roster with capable role players who make between $8 million and $20 million, but those players also come with incomplete games that need to be accounted for. Pete and Darius discuss this group of role players, put them into tiers of effectiveness, and debate whether some of their shortcomings are player limitations or whether they can be schemed for by JJ Redick and his coaching staff. 

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[detective_h_for_hidden]

Great episode! A lot of good points even though I dont agree with some of the conclusions. Regarding D'Lo in the playoffs I think we have to trust that if he gets a relatively similar amount of on-ball reps compared to the regular season, even if he struggles a bit at first, he will eventually figure it out.

My favourite example is that 1st game against GSW. He had a lot of on-ball duties in that game and although he struggled at first against Wiggins' ball pressure (terrible first half), he completely broke loose in the 2nd half because of the rythmn he managed to establish.

But against Denver, LBJ completely dominated the ball! LBJ as a point forward can work in spurts but we have yet to have a proof that he can do that for an entire playoffs run playing 40+mins a game at this stage of his career. Case in point, he was completely gassed after the first half of G1 against Denver and was pretty bad in the 2nd half. LBJ's stamina just isnt what it used to be.

We need DLo's ability to handle the ball in the playoffs. I think DLo has earned the right to prove himself in the playoffs because he gets ball-pressured in the regular season too but he mostly always manages to figure it out given enough time on-ball.

[detective_h_for_hidden]

Yay, an episode on the 2 most underrated guys on the team :)

[Steve-hj]

Hearing a Bill Simmons ad read (around 12:30) had me double checking what podcast I was listening to 😂

[JMER]

If the shot making goes away for DLo then he impacts the game by being a great passer out of the pick and roll. And he provides great spacing to allow for Bron and AD to have more room in the paint. Plus he actively looks to get the ball to AD more than other players. There is a reason why he is an overall plus in the +- stat.

[thenattyg]

I believe that our best chance at success is utilizing the tools at hand to create mismatches in organized offense, and improvements from Rui, Austin, and Max.

If we get all that with better coaching, we probably win at least some of those close Denver games in the playoffs.

If D'Lo can get hot in the playoffs he can win games almost by himself, so im not sure if keeping him is as big a post season issue as we might think.

Denver gives him unique struggles, and i think it's fair to say the West no longer goes through him!

Thanks as always for the pod guys

[ciscole]

I think (DLo + Vando ) just makes it make sense if we remember correctly they came to us together they initially played together and when we were winning games looking good had fans excited it was actually Vando w Dlo . Could there be something to that ???? Vando covers so much ground with defensive length he’s a hustler that covers mistakes and covers Dlo’s weakness … Dlo’s offensive upside at times has him as 3rd best option so can it maybe just maybe be AD Bron (Dlo +Vando) and who ever you want being that 5th guy depending on need .. maybe Rui or Max or Wood (a reach but maybe Knecht) . Reaves+ Dlo is skill duplication . Reaves could perfectly fill the 6th man role

[lakerlife]

dlo walking to the bench and grabbing food is almost UNFORGIVABLE!!! He was Done...we can't have that type of ATTITUDE!!!

[talkingfights]

shoutout lfr man ik all lakers fans low-key stressing about next season lol especially seeing bron and ad dominate

[robertwilliams-npwb]

Need to call this "Laker Sound Room".

[schmitkeoriginals]

Vando/Vincent off the bench = energy guys ... Knecht has a specific role too (and will need help from those guys)!!! 💯💯💯

[schmitkeoriginals]

AD/LBJ/Rui is beastmode ... 💜💛😈💛💜 ... TRADE D LO, we need Wendell Carter Jr to push Rui to 6th man vs SOME matchups, the same ones AD needs to play more perimeter/roaming. Embiid, Joker, Sabonis maybe ... let AR/Max start, point forward LBJ 👑🏆🏆🏆🏆

[schmitkeoriginals]

Lo (no D cuz he plays none), when it matters most in the playoffs NEVER gets to the line - shies away from PHYSICALITY. Thats why we get 39% CAREER PLAYOFF FG (4 years of proof, 3 different teams - its not just a Denver problem ppl)!!! 🙀🙀🙀

[alaingervais]

bro the austin glaze is ridiculous. austin for haif the year was the worst defender on the team. even though he tries hard he is still not a good defender. i don't like how we just skipped that part. anyways the rest was very good . keep up the good work just want a fair discussion on the players

[theposterking]

Why not start start vando at the 2 just for defense on best guy. Austin or Dlo whoever wins battle in camp at PG, Vando, Rui, Bron, Ad? 6th man the loser in camp. I want competition. Max backs up vando .

[lakerlife]

Pete's becoming an Austin Reeves fanboy sucks!!! It doesn't help the Lakers Org...

[GamefaceSport]

The Austin Reaves delusion is at an all time high. Austin would not even start for another team. The playoff consistency you both referenced is completely overblown. Austin gets cooked on defense consistently and is allowed to be a turnover machine on ball in the playoffs and regular season. Complete nonsense here. Come back to earth guys!