Half Time

You know what time it is, folks: we're 41 games in and we've seen enough to draw some conclusions (some of probably stopped before "to draw some conclusions").

I thought my First Quarter analysis didn't age well after a day, but the Lakers eventually righted the ship and returned to the level of mediocrity we observed over the first 21 games.

The Skinny

Record: 23-18

Division: 2nd (Pacific)

Conference: 6th (Western)

Overall Grade: C+

No change here. The Lakers are still a very middle-of-the-road team. Offensively, they're ranked 18th in points scored and 13th in offensive rating. On the defensive side, they rank 17th in points allowed and 23rd in defensive rating. They're still winning the games they should win, going 5-0 against sub-.500 teams over their last 20, but also still losing the games they should lose - they're 6-9 against .500+ teams during the same stretch.

Player Grades

Unlike, the First Quarter analysis, I will be applying grades. Player grades are based on what I expect from an NBA player, not a player's relative value to the team. In other words, a mediocre player is a mediocre player, even though he may be the only option available. Letter grades are:

A - best of the best, elite players
B - legitimate NBA starter on most teams
C - impact role player, playoff/8-man rotation
D - bottom of the rotation player
F - Luol Deng

Anthony Davis - A

25.7 ppg, 11.9rpg, 3.5 apg, 1.3 stl, 2.2 bllk, .523 fg%, .318 3p%

As much as we appreciate Anthony Davis, we don't appreciate him enough. He's clearly the team's best player on either side of the floor and is arguably the best two-way big in the league. Most importantly, he's played 38/41 games so far. He suffers from a perception issue: he is so soft-spoken both on and off the court that he gets lost in the mix. And yes, if that's the biggest problem, then you're doing pretty well.

Lebron James - B

23.7 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 9 apg, .9 stl, .6 blk, .513 fg%, .398 3p%

Some may look at this as a slight, but, let's be honest - Lebron James just can't play hard every night any more and doesn't. Yes, he's still a good player and yes, he's still putting up good numbers; but I can't in good conscience call him "elite" given that reality. The fact that he still grades this high at his age is actually pretty impressive. He can still win games for the Lakers, and, hopefully, a shortened series.

Austin Reaves - B-

18.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 6.1 apg, 1.1 stl, .2 blk, .440 fg%, .362 3p%

Reaves is very tough to grade, because he does a lot of things pretty well, but he doesn't do very many things exceptionally well. I also have to keep in mind that he's been tasked with running the offense since before the Russell trade, and that's really not his strength. I had picked Reaves to be the most improved and, so far, I feel like he has been (see below). But I'm still not 100% he's a starter on most NBA teams...I still feel like he's a super-sub on a quality playoff team, hence the B- grade.

Max Christie - C+

8.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.3 apg, .9 stl, .5 blk, .439 fg%, .356 3p%

Some may suggest that Max Christie has been the most improved on the team, and they have a solid point. He went from being a guy with potential to being a starter. Christie isn't out there to get numbers, he's out there to guard the other team's best guard/small forward. He's not a true defensive stopper just yet, but he's getting there, and the brain farts seem to be fewer and farther in between. Christie admitted that he wasn't giving his best effort earlier in the season, and deserves a TON of credit for turning it around.

Rui Hachimura - C

12.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.5 apg, .9 stl, .5 blk, .491 fg%, .411 3p%

Ruy Hachimura is kinda the Lakers in a nutshell - he plays with a noticeable lack of consistency. He doesn't suck, but you never know if he's going to show up.

D'Angelo Russell - C-

12.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 4.7 apg, .8 stl, .1 blk, .415 fg%, .333 3p%

I almost didn't grade Russell, but he was here for 10 of this 20 game stretch, so I threw it in. It's hard to think of another player as frustrating as D'Angelo Russell - here's a guy who's only 28 years old, with the physical tools to be a quality NBA starter and yet an apparent aversion to using them in any meaningful way. Of course, that's why the Lakers moved him.

Gabe Vincent - D

4.6 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 1.2 apg, .8 stl, .2 blk, .393 fg%, .312 3p%

I'm not mad at Vincent. He plays hard when he's in, he's just a bottom of the rotation guy right now. I suppose that's to be expected after missing so much time.

Dalton Knecht - D

9.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.0 apg, .4 stl, .1 blk, .450 fg%, .341 3p%

He's long. He's athletic. He has zero conscience. Three traits I look for in a shooter. Despite some flashes of excitement, Knecht still looks like a rookie. 21mpg is about right for him. Look for him in a specific match up, otherwise, let this one simmer on the stove for a season or two.

Cam Reddish - D

3.4 ppg, 2.1 rpg, .8 apg, 1 stl, .3 blk, .424 fg%, .389 3p%

Like Vincent, Reddish is what he is...an end-of-rotation guy. I think he's fine in that role.

Jaxson Hayes - D

5.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg, .8 apg, .4 stl, .8 blk, .641 fg%, .000 3p%

Like Reddish, only taller. I almost didn't include him because he wasn't available for about half of this 20 game stretch. That said, I really like his energy and hold out hope that he can evolve into a 25+ mpg guy.

Christian Koloko - D

2.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg, .3 apg, .3 stl, .4 blk, .583 fg%, .000 3p%

Kinduva Hayes-lite. Still, he's only 24. It actually would have been nice to offer him a roster spot instead of just a 2-way contract but there are none left...

And the rest - F

Bronny, JHS are just warm bodies. And barely that

Incomplete

Dorian Finney-Smith, Shake Milton - just not enough of a sample size to grade.

JJ Reddick - C

Reddick has done a decent overall given the roster - very good if you evaluate him as a rookie head coach. He definitely has some head scratcher moments, and seems to have figured out that it's not as easy as he made it sound in the offseason....but I don't think the chair is too big for him. As long as he has Lebron's support, he's good. I don't think we can expect much from him this season, but it would be worth holding onto and developing him as a long-term coaching prospect.

What's Up Next

• Boston. Twice. Nuff said.
• 9 of the next 21 are against sub.-500 teams...gotta take advantage of those opportunities; they split the rest and they can realistically go 14-7 or 13-8
• Vanderbilt may be ready to return. No word on Wood.