It’s far from a finished product. Head coach JJ Redick has mentioned several times over the first two weeks of the season about being patient as a host of new faces get acclimated to the Lakers system.
What they have already proven is that they are a powerful offensive team. Led by Luka Dončić, this team is everything everyone imagined when it came to scoring the ball. And that comes, again, with issues that still need to be resolved.
But through their first eight games of the season, the Lakers’ offensive rating of 121.9 leads the league. They lead the league in field goal percentage, are third in 3-point percentage and second in points per game.
The schedule was light, sure, but they came out sprinting as one of the best offenses in the league. And that’s quite encouraging, because there’s still work to be done.
So let’s dive into victory. As always, ratings are based on each player’s expectations. A “B” rating represents that player’s average performance.
19 minutes, 6 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 1 block, 3 fouls, 1 turnover, 2-6 FG, 2-6 3PT, +13
Thybulle’s ability to be a point-of-attack defender places many other players on the team in better-suited defensive roles. He’s already proven to be a valuable asset, provided he stays healthy.
25 minutes, 7 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 5 fouls, 4 turnovers, 3-4 FG, 1-1 3PT, +20
It was certainly notable that, even with Williams returning, Jake LaRavia retained his starting spot. And he more than deserved it.
32 minutes, 15 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 3 fouls, 1 turnover, 7-13 FG, 1-3 FT, +16
How can a team that has both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo be so bad defensively at the rim? Kessler received so many easy baskets on Monday. Wasn’t defense supposed to be Miami’s calling card?
34 minutes, 27 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 fouls, 5 turnovers, 10-15 FG, 4-5 3PT, 3-4 FT, +21
After a few poor performances, Austin bounced back. The turnovers were still a bit too high, but if he’s content to shoot 66% from the field the rest of the season, we can overlook that.
35 minutes, 42 points, 7 rebounds, 13 assists, 2 steals, 2 fouls, 2 turnovers, 14-24 FG, 6-15 3PT, 8-10 FT, +26
Yes, it’s November. Yes, the Lakers haven’t even played 10 games yet. Yes, the sample size is small. But Luka is currently the best player on the planet and is on his way to winning the MVP title.
22 minutes, 7 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 fouls, 2-4 FG, 1-3 3PT, 2-3 FT, +5
After being indirectly called out by Redick after Sunday’s game for his indecision, this was Grimes’ best game of the season away from the Clippers.
27 minutes, 13 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 3 fouls, 2 turnovers, 5-10 FG, 2-5 3PT, 1-2 FT, +10
Mamu playing at the five was especially dangerous against the Heat as his ability to get out to the 3-point line allowed him to knock down buckets from long range as well as take advantage of a rotating defense.
15 minutes, 9 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 3 fouls, 3-6 FG, 3-6 3PT, -6
Welcome back Ziaire. He came back without problem even coming off the bench. The Lakers having so many interchangeable wings is a great luxury.
15 minutes, 6 points, 1 rebound, 5 assists, 1 foul, 3-4 FG, 0-1 3PT, -2
Dare I say a much more controlled game from Sexton? This remains relative because it is still sometimes a little too wild. But still, just one missed shot, no turnovers and five assists? Yes please.
Jarred Vanderbilt, Cameron Carr, Jaden Hardy, Bronny James, Lawson Lovering
Interestingly, Vando got his normal shift in the first half but didn’t see the floor in the second half. With the Heat not really having traditional big men and smaller lineups on the court, the Lakers could get away with Mamu at the five surrounded by wings and guards.
As for the bench group, the fact that JJ waited until there were 82 seconds left in a game they led by over 20 to bring them in felt like a point scored.
Keeping LaRavia in the starting lineup was the right decision. Redick is also still experimenting with rotations a bit, notably with Kessler on the floor with Reaves and Sexton to start the second quarter. It’s all a work in progress to find the right combinations and he continues to experiment as well.
Using a challenge less than 30 seconds into a game is hilarious. Technically he lost the second challenge, but I’m not going to stop him for that, because Giannis knocked down two defenders while pushing them and got away with it, it was crazy.
Monday’s DNPs:Kevon Looney
Monday inactives: Arthur Kaluma, Chris Mañon, Adou Thiero
You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.
Gn sports
