Perhaps the underrated aspect of the acquisition... Is the seemingly great chemistry DeMar and LaMarcus are showing on-court in game 1. Their games mesh very well...
I think that's being rated fairly, considering how much people underrate those guys separately. DeRozan/Gasol is the most underrated aspect in my opinion. If there's a way to rejuvenate Gasol offensively, it's going to come from him playing with DeMar.
It almost seems like LMA and DeRozan been playing together for years
Not saying you're wrong, but would you mind expounding on that point?
easy to look that way when the guy using the pick passes. LMA puts himself in the right places.
Pau looked so good two years ago mainly because of the 3/5 PnP with Leonard. DeRozan can definitely run the same play with Pau and in fact did so earlier (Pau passed out of the open three because Gasol is passive like that). Once they get that established again, Gasol should be able to add a couple of points a game and boost his TS%. Would also add a lot more spacing on the offense and give Gasol even more lanes to pass.
I figured you qere referring to the PnR/PnP.
Thanks-
It's a pleasure to watch DD/LMA two-man game. If they're playing THIS well together in the 1st game of the season, just imagine how good they'll be in 2-3 months into the season.
Both these guys won us this game at the end. Demar with his offense and LA with his defense, rebounding and just his commanding presence down there.
we just an't have 20 game this season of Aldridge missing wide open 15 footers this year. He's got to hit at least 70% of those open shot
There is a lot to be happy about in game #1. They play well together and their body language and communication seem very positive.
Big difference from last season.
Aldridge could've had a 30/20 game if he wasn't ice cold from outside today. Even his free throws were short.
Liked what I saw from both
I'm liking their dynamic so far
They compliment each other well. Lamarcus didn't have a good shooting game but he did get over 20 FG attempts which I know is important to him while Demar also got over 20 FG attempts. I felt both players FG attempts came within the flow of the game and wasn't forced so that's a good sign despite LMA not having a good shooting night.
As much as losing Murray will hurt us defensively (and potentially offensively if he was going to take a step up this year,) I do think it will help DeRozan's transition to the team. Ball will be in his hands more and you won't have 3 guys (Murray/DeRozan/Aldridge) who need the ball a lot.
I mean it's definitely an upgrade over the Kyle Anderson + Lamarcus combo we had last year.
Whenever LMA played with Kawhi, it was LMA feeling out of place in the offense. Sure, Pop took the heat for "changing LMA's game" but I think that was just Pop being Pop and catering to LMA's ego. Kawhi didn't make LMA fit in at all. I watched the first half of the Raptors game tonight and Kawhi just doesn't have the same impact for his teammates on offense as DeMar does. Kawhi is a positive on offense solely because he's so good at making his MJ shots. But he is a blackhole on offense. I think it's the pace he plays at that isn't really compatible with others. On the defensive end on the other hand...it's a different story.
It's interesting you mention the pace that Kawhi plays at. I was just thinking the other day about how much LMA hated playing with Kawhi that he even preferred to be traded back to Portland to play with a chucker in Lillard. Despite Lilllard being a chucker LMA always got 20 easily playing with him and felt comfortable whereas with Kawhi it was the opposite.
Did you guys see when DD and LMA looked at each other and cheered at the end of the game ? It really looks like they are legitimately enjoying playing with one other and not just because they have to
It was nice to see both players happy for each other.
Yep, I caught that as well. Positive development so early in the season.
Yes. It was very cool. After twelve months of divisiveness, that kind of shared joy was a terrific scene to start this season.
Kawhi just didn't have chemistry with LMA both as a player and a person. He freezes teammates out with his play, but he is just so gifted offensively that it makes up for it in the team aspect. He has stretches where you just watch him play and say daaaamn. But yeah he isn't a set-up other teammates kind of player and probably never will be.
Demar is just about as different from kawhi offensively as you can get. He is a very good dribbler and is looking to set up others when he posts up or when he drives. It's gonna be an interesting season. But it wouldn't shock me if they both make the All star team. BTW last year Portland (of all teams) was the 3 seed in the west and they have Lolard and CJ, so we it's not out of the realm of possibilities to grab homecourt
They can win in regular season!! But in the playoffs? I don’t think so.
Well, I guess it's all over ...
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