The problem of Lakers Los Angeles with Marc Gasol and Andre Drummond sharing the same position this season of the NBA.
In the NBA, The Angels Lakers, as they are currently constituted, they have three centers: Andre Drummond, Marc Gasol and Montrezl Harrell. When Anthony Davis (calf strain) comes back and also plays 5 for big chunks of playoff games, they’ll have four.
Markieff Morris, a true 4 who can occasionally play small-ball 5, has been a “forgotten hero” after the All-Star break. This poses a legitimate challenge to juggle and control the ego for the head coach of the Lakers, Frank Vogel. Also: this is a good thing.
When Drummond was fired from the acquisitions market in March, Gasol, for collateral damage, was relegated to a prominent role in the rotation and instantly became the third most overqualified player in the team. NBA.
Gasol played, let’s call him, divisively well for most of the season. Solid defensive metrics and 3-point shooting, but an eyesore on visual test, plus some assists per game. Regardless, Drummond’s decision to turn down money to join Los Angeles before his free agency came unequivocally with a handshake agreement that he would be the starter going forward.
Drummond made an abbreviated debut against the Milwaukee Bucks, then missed a week with a toe injury. In the next two, against the Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets, he more than proved his worth on the downside.
Monday’s showdown, across the East River at Madison Square Garden, painted a different picture. Drummond was stifled by Tom Thibodeau’s inside-out defense, fourth-best in the NBA to defend the painting. The New York Knicks doubled Drummond early on, effectively limiting the two-time All-Star to three points, four fouls and four turnovers in 25 minutes.
The Lakers (33-21) struggled to keep up with the Knicks (28-27) in the second half. Led by All-Star Julius Randle – 34 points (13 of 23 shots from the field), 10 rebounds – the Knicks built up a 79-64 lead at the end of the third quarter, which was insurmountable.
LA made a push in the fourth quarter, provoked by Gasol, who donned the cape and excelled in about five minutes in relief. He hit his only open triple, moved the ball and stole the ball. The Knicks’ game plan focused on buffing the paint, but Gasol cleared the floor.
The Lakers cut the lead to five, only for Gasol to be replaced by Drummond, who instantly turned over a bucket and committed two fouls. Truth be told, Vogel should have turned to Gasol earlier.
Marc Gasol with a superb 5 minutes in relief, then gets pulled for Drummond with 4 min left.
Drummond immediately gives up J, commits offensive foul, then fouls Randle.
Not Frank Vogel’s finest move — Gasol was obviously providing a spark and Drummond has struggled all game
— michael corvo (@_michaelcorvo_) April 13, 2021
Marc Gasol offers qualities that Andre Drummond cannot offer, while Drummond has other things that Gasol does not have, so it will be a challenge for the coach of the Lakers, set minutes to your two centers and make the best of it.
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