Made his first attempt. Proof he's above the curse? I firmly believe he made more layups in this game than Gabe made all season. He's a better passer with quicker reaction time and can react as the defense rotates over and create action out of that. Gabe could not do those things. Also, you see how the defense ran out to contest his shot. We haven't had a lot of guys who command that level respect and attention in years. I can see how a defense can pick on him defensively or if he's matched up against a down hill player, he'll fail. But he tries. Moves his feel really well, can react in a crowd. Seems to have a decent IQ on that side. If you can protect him a bit, he can be a passable team defender. Nice first game.
Until he starts getting attacked, LOL. But good for him. Hope it works out. At least we don't have to see Gabe.
It's actually bizarre how some players are just so good at shooting. Career 45% from three and also had a span of 24 games where he shot 54% from three on nearly 6 attempts per game. Just ridiculous level of shooting. His first shot was smooth as butter. It's been a long time that the Lakers have found a shooter who when the ball leaves his hands, you're already confident it's going down. I hope he can start shooting more shots out there. It's a crime for him to be such a good shooter and not attempt more than 7 per game. Just the fact that you constantly have to guard him at the 3 point line and can't sag away to double the Lakers big 3 is huge.
I always remind myself of this: If he was good defensively, he wouldn't be available for an inferior player and a 2nd rd pick. He'd be getting traded for multiple 1st rounders. It's the trade-off. Kennard will be great in some lineups and situations. You just have to hope his three point shooting makes up for his bad defense and most of the time, if he's shooting above 40% from three, it will. Just the fact it opens up the Lakers big 3 offense will help. You're not sagging off Kennard to double Luka, Bron, or Reaves. Whereas players sagged off Gabe and just let him take those shots all day.
Definitely more utility in Kennard's game. Gabe's defense isn't even good. That lone Boston series in the playoffs where he went crazy for a few games got him that contract and somehow he's been riding that reputation since despite being below average.
to be fair to Gabe, if he's best with the ball in his hands to get rhythm as a guard, and then we never let him do it, it was a lose lose scenario to sign him. But I suppose we'll get to see the REAL Gabe now, and if he was set up for failure with us or not.
Luke can’t beat that preseason game where Gabe shot 4 consecutive 3s, @LTLakerFan was making victory rounds for a few days until the season began and reality returned
Kennard reminds me a lot of JJ Red. Essentially just an elite shooter with bad defense. There isn't a coach in the league who will understand how to utilize Kennard better than JJ due to JJ's own experience. Also, this was my favorite play from Luke: They try and double Luke at the corner three and allowed Vando to get a wide open basket. Haven't seen a Lakers player get that much attention from multiple defenders in that situation all season Also, look at this play! They stopped guarding LeBron to zone out Luke from shooting a three. You have three defenders on him and LeBron is wide open at the top of the key
