JJ wasn’t lying about the lineups being different.
December 29, 2025
Alot of our guys are in rhythm because of ball movement is actually is happening
30 comments
Did u see the halftime interview he was so happy
Nick Smith & Jake are some players i wanted to highlight
He looked in the mirror first and made changes. That’s all you could ever ask from your coach.
The effort and energy is great. The defense is moving and offense also moving. Nick Smith jr has been great as well. These rotations are solid. Would like to see Vando or Laravia start over Rui but it is what it is.
The bench unit with Bron/Nick/Jake are moving the ball like crazy. Easy points for the bench which is dead last in the league. Also Nick always pushes the ball up the floor incredibly fast, we need more of that.
The solution is there all along. Move the ball! Iso ball with Luka, Bron is a recipe for disaster. They gotta move the ball cut for baskets
Not to be a Debbie downer, but we’re playing the Kings…
The real test will be against the pistons. Sacramento are missing key players.
This is Laker fandom, there’s no such thing as adjustments or players improving. Trade everyone or no championship.
Apparently after Jan 18, Lakers will have enough cap space to sign a pro rated vet min. Probably for Nick Smith at this point.
And then they can always consolidate trade Gabe and Maxi to get some more cap space and roster spots for buyouts
Good thing Luka learned how to play winning basketball overnight. Never doubted him.
Keep in mind. This is the Kings they’re playing
Yeah I think they went to bench a little sooner than they had been and when its not been starters they have had like 2 defense guys at all times and seem to be splitting lebron and rui’s minutes some
I haven’t been able to watch. What are the differences?
When he’s talking shit about an unnamed player 90 percent of the time he’s talking about Dalton Knecht.
That practice was lifechanging. I got my joy back! Go Lakers! 🤩
F the players ego. If you suck then you deserve to come off the bench or not play at all
LeBron +18 highest on the team. He’s 10/11 from the field rn
Seeing JJ smile is beautiful. Almost as good as Luka’s little ‘yayyy’ celebrations. 😂
I believe in JJ he’s the guy
So, uh, where is the actual commentary on how the line-ups were different?
I honestly think this has more to do with Reaves being out. This team just functions better with a Big 2 instead of a Big 3. Look at how dynamic Luka and Reaves were to start the season. The offense had a clear rhythm and hierarchy. Things got weird once LeBron returned, even after he finished his ramp up. Now, with the rotation simplified again, the whole team looks like it’s trending in the right direction.
It’s just a one game sample size but now suddenly AR is the odd man out and will have to be implemented back in the rotation. Was it as simple as adding just a single defensive guy like Smart to the starting lineup and giving NSJ a decisive role off the bench? Rui was decent too so maybe AR or him off the bench. Too me it’s more the back court that gets killed so AR makes more sense.
This guy is going to be a great coach long term. That’s my feel
Are we doing that thing again where we’re getting all high over beating an 8-24 team. We have to stop this shit. This game means nothing. Zero.
Offensively, there were some big changes too.
He wasn’t just dominating the ball — he started spreading the PG responsibilities more, moved the ball better, and Luka’s off-ball movement was actually really good to see.
The adjustments against doubles on Luka also stood out. They were moving two help screeners at times, and it was interesting to see Rui, who’s usually parked in the corner, actively sliding over to help instead.
As for the rotations, putting the starting lineup aside, staggering Luka and LeBron’s minutes has clearly worked, and it’s been paying off lately.
The LeBron + second unit minutes are genuinely fun to watch, and it helps the younger/bench guys grow too — really hoping they keep leaning into this.
What were the changes? I’m not a laker fan
I thought it was weird for Luka to play the entire 1st. I hope that’s gone
Have been nothing but impressed with Nick Smith Jr. I think he fits into this rotation really well
30 comments
Did u see the halftime interview he was so happy
Nick Smith & Jake are some players i wanted to highlight
He looked in the mirror first and made changes. That’s all you could ever ask from your coach.
The effort and energy is great. The defense is moving and offense also moving. Nick Smith jr has been great as well. These rotations are solid. Would like to see Vando or Laravia start over Rui but it is what it is.
The bench unit with Bron/Nick/Jake are moving the ball like crazy. Easy points for the bench which is dead last in the league. Also Nick always pushes the ball up the floor incredibly fast, we need more of that.
The solution is there all along. Move the ball! Iso ball with Luka, Bron is a recipe for disaster. They gotta move the ball cut for baskets
Not to be a Debbie downer, but we’re playing the Kings…
The real test will be against the pistons. Sacramento are missing key players.
This is Laker fandom, there’s no such thing as adjustments or players improving. Trade everyone or no championship.
Apparently after Jan 18, Lakers will have enough cap space to sign a pro rated vet min. Probably for Nick Smith at this point.
And then they can always consolidate trade Gabe and Maxi to get some more cap space and roster spots for buyouts
Good thing Luka learned how to play winning basketball overnight. Never doubted him.
Keep in mind. This is the Kings they’re playing
Yeah I think they went to bench a little sooner than they had been and when its not been starters they have had like 2 defense guys at all times and seem to be splitting lebron and rui’s minutes some
I haven’t been able to watch. What are the differences?
When he’s talking shit about an unnamed player 90 percent of the time he’s talking about Dalton Knecht.
That practice was lifechanging. I got my joy back! Go Lakers! 🤩
F the players ego. If you suck then you deserve to come off the bench or not play at all
LeBron +18 highest on the team. He’s 10/11 from the field rn
Seeing JJ smile is beautiful. Almost as good as Luka’s little ‘yayyy’ celebrations. 😂
I believe in JJ he’s the guy
So, uh, where is the actual commentary on how the line-ups were different?
I honestly think this has more to do with Reaves being out. This team just functions better with a Big 2 instead of a Big 3. Look at how dynamic Luka and Reaves were to start the season. The offense had a clear rhythm and hierarchy. Things got weird once LeBron returned, even after he finished his ramp up. Now, with the rotation simplified again, the whole team looks like it’s trending in the right direction.
It’s just a one game sample size but now suddenly AR is the odd man out and will have to be implemented back in the rotation. Was it as simple as adding just a single defensive guy like Smart to the starting lineup and giving NSJ a decisive role off the bench? Rui was decent too so maybe AR or him off the bench. Too me it’s more the back court that gets killed so AR makes more sense.
This guy is going to be a great coach long term. That’s my feel
Are we doing that thing again where we’re getting all high over beating an 8-24 team. We have to stop this shit. This game means nothing. Zero.
Offensively, there were some big changes too.
He wasn’t just dominating the ball — he started spreading the PG responsibilities more, moved the ball better, and Luka’s off-ball movement was actually really good to see.
The adjustments against doubles on Luka also stood out. They were moving two help screeners at times, and it was interesting to see Rui, who’s usually parked in the corner, actively sliding over to help instead.
As for the rotations, putting the starting lineup aside, staggering Luka and LeBron’s minutes has clearly worked, and it’s been paying off lately.
The LeBron + second unit minutes are genuinely fun to watch, and it helps the younger/bench guys grow too — really hoping they keep leaning into this.
What were the changes? I’m not a laker fan
I thought it was weird for Luka to play the entire 1st. I hope that’s gone
Have been nothing but impressed with Nick Smith Jr. I think he fits into this rotation really well