Lamb's late 3 holds up as game-winner

[Gurleyman]

Hit a big 3 in the corner to put the Thunder up one with a minute to go at Portland. Each team missed twice after that, and Jackson hit 2 FTs with .6 seconds left to make the final 98-95.

Lamb ends with 19 on 8-11 shooting.

 

[Walker11]

KD is my favorite non UCONN player in the league but he and Jackson were infuriating to watch down the stretch, simply taking turns going iso. KD is getting doubled time after time down the stretch and is freezing everyone out. Lamb gets passed the ball once (maybe his only shot attempt in the 4th) and drains a tough 3.

 

[Gurleyman]

KD is my favorite non UCONN player in the league but he and Jackson were infuriating to watch down the stretch, simply taking turns going iso. KD is getting doubled time after time down the stretch and is freezing everyone out. Lamb gets passed the ball once (maybe his only shot attempt in the 4th) and drains a tough 3.

You're right (basically). His only other FGA in the 4th was in transition when he got an "and one". He was in a great rhythm early - could have had 30 if he was fed more.

Kinda why he was hurt most when Westbrook went down (other than Westbrook, obviously). Durant now plays 43 minutes, since Westbrook isn't around to be the alpha dog when KD goes to the bench. When KD is out, Lamb is more involved in the offense - coming off screens, getting the ball in his hands, making passes, etc. With Durant in, Lamb's skills are somewhat redundant, only KD is six inches taller with the same skills. So Lamb stands in the corner and hopes for a collapsing defense. There's only a very small window that Lamb gets in a game now without KD where he can be a key cog in he offense.

There was a Reggie Jackson moment that was pure lunacy. Tie game, four minutes to go, Blazers were caught on a switch, so Aldridge was out guarding Lamb and Ibaka had a guard on him in the post. Either guy had a huge mismatch. So Jackson surveys the situation and goes iso off the dribble against Lillard and puts up a brick. I don't care that Lamb didn't get it - feed Ibaka if that's the better option. But how you look over the floor and call your own number in that situation, I have no idea.

 

[Walker11]

There was a Reggie Jackson moment that was pure lunacy. Tie game, four minutes to go, Blazers were caught on a switch, so Aldridge was out guarding Lamb and Ibaka had a guard on him in the post. Either guy had a huge mismatch. So Jackson surveys the situation and goes iso off the dribble against Lillard and puts up a brick. I don't care that Lamb didn't get it - feed Ibaka if that's the better option. But how you look over the floor and call your own number in that situation, I have no idea.

And before the miscommunication when LA ran out there, Lamb was completely unguarded but Jackson had no idea. Love what Jeremy did in the first half though showing an array of shots and his pull up off the pNr is very tough to guard. I've seen a ton of JL this year and I know you have as well and I have no doubt he is going to be an upper echelon SG in the league for a while (granted, SG is probably the weakest position in the league).

At least Brooks left him out there to close it out tonight. I thought he was going to get yanked after the McCollum blow by even though he was shading him towards the help.

 

[Gurleyman]

And before the miscommunication when LA ran out there, Lamb was completely unguarded but Jackson had no idea. Love what Jeremy did in the first half though showing an array of shots and his pull up off the pNr is very tough to guard. I've seen a ton of JL this year and I know you have as well and I have no doubt he is going to be an upper echelon SG in the league for a while (granted, SG is probably the weakest position in the league).

At least Brooks left him out there to close it out tonight. I thought he was going to get yanked after the McCollum blow by even though he was shading him towards the help.

I thought so too - he looked towards the bench and pointed and I thought for sure he pointed at Sefolosha to get in there for defensive purposes. That was a pretty tough shot going glass from that angle. I would have been a little annoyed if he was pulled there, but coaches have their security blankets sometimes.

The one thing that was weird was that he wasn't out there with 10 seconds left when Portland needed to foul. Fisher and Sefolosha came in cold who are weaker FT shooters. But maybe he figured that Lamb doesn't have enough pressure attempts. Sefolosha was also the inbounder so maybe they feel like he's a better passer in that situation.

 

[Johnny Mac]

There was a Reggie Jackson moment that was pure lunacy....... had a huge mismatch. So Jackson surveys the situation and goes iso off the dribble against Lillard and puts up a brick.......

It's one thing to not recognize a huge mismatch but Lamb was screaming to Jackson pointing out the mismatch and Jackson attempted the buffoonery anyway.

Lamb played over 30 minutes last night and hit a bunch of different shots. The game winning 3 from the corner was nice but he also had a nice driving floater and a few mid-range jumpers. He looked VERY comfortable out there (Got burned defensively once late but I'm choosing to not mention it.) KD was 13 for 18 then went 2 for 9 in the 4th quarter crunch time when the teams were trading buckets yet ESPN called it "an other Durant masterpiece." I love KD but I don't think the headline writer watched the game, just looked at the box score.

 

[Ct79]

I’m very high on Lamb and think he is going to be great. I think his production now is really on limited by his minutes but he is starting to get more run in big games. Last week against the Heat and Last night he was the key guy off the bench. I have no doubt he could be averaging 16-17ppg chucking up shots on a bad team but he’s in a good situation now for the long term. Lamb is going to be a great scorer in the NBA, he has a high character with a great work ethic to go along with his athleticism and full arsenal of shots.

 

[Kitaman]

I’m very high on Lamb and think he is going to be great. I think his production now is really on limited by his minutes but he is starting to get more run in big games. Last week against the Heat and Last night he was the key guy off the bench. I have no doubt he could be averaging 16-17ppg chucking up shots on a bad team but he’s in a good situation now for the long term. Lamb is going to be a great scorer in the NBA, he has a high character with a great work ethic to go along with his athleticism and full arsenal of shots.

Agree, his situation is perfect plus he's used to being in the background. He can grow and learn at a great pace without pressure. Plus watching, practicing and playing with Durant is also perfect (and he gets paid doing it). He'll also get a lot of Playoff experience to boot.

In five years he will be all that we expect him to be and he will move to the foreground (however he may then become expensive trade bait). Not sure he would have the same success or chances with another team that has dire/emergency needs.