Isaac Gutierrez
Appearances
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
But based on the success that they've had against the Knicks this season, I think that they would be... better suited to play them. And if they honestly answer the question, it probably would be that. So I think Cade, JB mentioned, JB has kind of throughout the season given a lot of good insight into who Cade is as a person and leader.
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
And one of the things he's talked about is how Cade has a knack for performing his best on the biggest stages. And what better stage than New York? during the playoffs msg uh and he's he's played well there throughout the season as well so i think as a whole the team is is confident against them and they they've won the most against them out of the the three teams yeah that would be
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
I think he's built for a postseason kind of matchup, just based on the fact that he's not really reliant on getting calls. He's not getting too many shots at the line. He was out last night. He was a late scratch with calf soreness. But a couple games ago... on this last road trip we were on, he didn't get to the free throw line and I believe he had above 20.
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
And that is something that he's kind of, I think at this point in a frustrated, frustrated way had to get used to. So I think his game will be fine during the playoffs, but I think Dennis Schroeder is a huge, um, he'll be a huge help for Kade because throughout the season, he's been great without a doubt. Yeah. He's been huge running the second unit.
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
And then in, in minutes when he and K get to share the backcourt, but I wrote throughout the season before they got Dennis about how the Pistons really struggled in minutes without Kade and they needed a secondary ball handler. And,
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
um kind of when the offense slows down and they're not in transition the way they usually are uh which is obviously more more geared toward the playoffs they need someone to be able to create for themselves and others outside of kade without ivy uh him going down on january 1st and now um so but Yeah, I think Dennis will be a huge help to Cade.
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
But to answer your question, I think Cade's game is suited for the playoffs, and he's getting more reps being blitzed, coming around screens, and just facing double teams and being able to skip the ball across the floor. So I think he's getting good reps now as well.
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
Well, I mean, four wins are on the schedule. They are in the column. It's real to that extent. Yeah. I'm always hesitant with March basketball for all the reasons you mentioned. You know, the fakest time in the NBA calendar. Half the league, if you watch the schedule every night, is almost unwatchable with the mad tanking.
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
I would say Darren, he's someone who in 2025, he's been a...
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
pretty much a double double machine at this point he's not really gonna ever get too close to 20 points he's more uh in the 12 to 15 ish range but he's usually good for about 10 to 12 rebounds he knows what he's good at at this point right exactly yeah he's he's gonna usually average around like 70 from the field because it's usually dunks and finishing lobs and things but he's been playing really inspired on defense and on the offensive glass as well so i think
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
those are two things that can elevate his play and then ultimately elevate the team as well, giving them more opportunities. Um, and then Ron Holland is another person we saw last night tying his career high. He's someone who consistently seems to come into the game and kind of change, uh, just the way the Pistons are playing if they're lacking any type of energy. So, uh,
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
Initially, I would say Dern needs to be the main consistent X factor outside of Cade. But there are guys Maliki mentioned he can get on a heater and hit seven threes in the game, five to seven threes and Ron as well. So I think they have multiple people who could potentially have a breakout moment or performance. Yeah, I know.
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
Definitely. And I think another person who He'll probably have at least one signature block throughout one of the postseason series. I would say Isaiah Stewart. He's kind of one of the anchors defensively. Just throughout the game, he's not one of the starters. But once he comes in, similar to Ron Holland a bit, he can have moments and plays that
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
We had a hilarious game today with Pelicans versus 76ers, which I won't even tell you who was starting those lineups. Go take a look for yourself. That's half the games these days. So I'm always hesitant. I do think it's real. I'll say that. There's some quality wins. They beat the Cavs. They beat the Bucs. Obviously not having Damian Lillard relying on Kevin Ford Jr.
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
kind of shift the momentum in games, whether it's a block that leads to a dunk or a play in transition, a lob, whatever the case may be. But there's also been times when the team has won and then you can tell JV wasn't happy with how they've won. And usually he's upset with the defensive performance.
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
And even if it's just one quarter where they've given up 30 points or more, they really try to hone in on winning quarters and just not allowing teams to outscore them one, but then also just have quarters where they get too comfortable and kind of set the tone for the rest of the game.
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
I would lean more toward continuity with this team again, mainly because of injuries. I think if we had been able to see this team throughout the season with Jaden Ivey, and you kind of get to see that young core establish more chemistry, then in that case, I would have...
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
probably said maybe if it if you didn't like how it looked i mean and even then i probably would have leaned into the continuity honestly they're so young uh they need these reps i think you need uh in order to have playoff success you need somewhere in there some playoff failure and i think this is a good time for them to experience the playoffs in general with them being 23 and ron is 19 it's not even going to be 20 so i think
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
uh, early July. So, um, I would, I would mainly address Malik Beasley. He would be the first priority. Uh, he was on a one-year deal this year. So now you, you, you kind of figure out what you want to do with him in the off season. I believe the same goes for Tim Hardaway Jr. Who has stepped up in the absence of Ivy. So initial, uh,
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
minutes, which is obviously a different beast than going against Damian Lillard. But I do think it's real. I think we're seeing them look pretty good with Devin Booker taking on a bigger playmaking role. I think I saw he's averaging almost 10 assists over his last six games. That feels real to me. Huge night from Kevin Durant. No Bradley Beal in the lineup, which...
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
kind of contract situations that shouldn't cost you too much I would say they Malik Beasley will be on a less team friendly deal I would assume with the way he's played this season so I would try to focus on those two I'd be extremely interested in keeping Malik and then Kind of just filling out the roster, I guess, around Cade. I would not make any major moves.
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
I wouldn't be looking to trade anyone. I wouldn't be looking to even sign anyone.
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
That's a great point. That's a tough one. Devin Booker, he's one of those guys who is like, there's certain guys who are so talented, it would be hard to pass up on. But again, I think trading the way he's really calculated, even if that were on the table, I assume he would heavily consider just the youth and talent.
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
the continuity of this team so yeah um keeping them together and not really bringing in bringing anyone in who could stunt the growth of an assar thompson or ron holland maybe right yeah and look there there's a lot of ways to go about internally for this team you know you mentioned assar and ron those guys pop off and become all-star level players the trajectory the ceiling of this team completely changes
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
First full game. Yes. Put one on the board. Hang the banner. We got a complete game. Listen, all you can ask for is positive momentum. And this is by definition. One game after zero is nothing but positive momentum. You got to feel happy about it.
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
Definitely. In so far that they can make the 10th seed. That they can get that spot.
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
I don't think they can make noise if they make their way out of the play-in. Can they challenge the 2C, challenge the 1C? I'm not about to go that far. But they can get that 10th seed. I think the bigger question isn't is it real? It's do they want it to be real? It feels like there's a little...
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
miscommunication or just difference of opinions in priorities right now you know it was reported that they the team kind of wanted to shut him down because they understand the writing on the wall that you might enter another Derek Lively situation where you can stealth tank at the end get another high pick Anthony Davis sees the backlash to Luka Doncic's trade sees the need for the team and the fan base to have something positive seems like he's taking upon himself to say I'm gonna get on that court I'm gonna try to give him something so
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
maybe they'll get that 10 spot. I don't know if everybody in the organization wants it, but Anthony Davis does. And that might all be that only thing that matters.
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
It's a double-edged sword, I'm sure, if you're a Mavs fan, where it's like part of you is happy that your new star player that Nico Harrison just completely tied his reputation and his career to, you're happy to see him set the tone, try to build some culture, do what he can. But also you're like... I'd like the ninth pick overall if I can get lucky with Tom's situation.
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
the streaky shooting is that march basketball or is that not march basketball yes so yeah that is that is march yeah but also i mean 31 is like so like unbelievably bad that you're bound to have some positive regression like that's almost unfathomable to shoot that 40 for a year so you know we're talking we're talking about 36 we're not talking about they shot 40 for a month so yeah
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
The bar is below the ground. It is 10 feet deep. So the fact that you can shoot league average, maybe that makes sense. That feels like some variation you could expect. Am I buying that? Like if they make the playoffs, you should feel good about their chances because now they've shown their shooting is back on track. They can be the threat that we thought they could be.
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
Everything's all good around the two stars clicking. No, I think you're still going to have the same issues. But it tracks that they can have a higher floor than 31%. And you mentioned they had that big night against the Lakers switching defense.
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
I think it just goes to show that this Lakers defense and this method that they found to have a top tier defense, despite having very little defensive talent, is incredibly reliant on trying extremely, extremely hard.
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
Hard to maintain that level of effort when you have a 40-year-old LeBron James coming back from injury, Rui coming back from injury, saying his knee's probably not going to be 100% for the rest of the season. You need every single person on the court to be going 1,000% every time. Otherwise, you're going to have no backline defensive help.
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
You're going to have Pallet Mankaro feasting at the rim like he did tonight. I'm kind of worried that the rustiness is going to... I guess they need time to shake the rustiness off for the playoffs.
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
But it's really going to test their wherewithal as a defense because you're going to have to make up for a lot of effort.
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
Also, you mentioned the big shooting night, shooting 37% from three on 40 attempts for the Magic. Part of the gimmick of the Lakers is we're going to allow you to shoot open threes. We're going to hope it's your weak shooters that can't make it. We're doing the Mike Budenholzer thing where we're allowing nonstop corner threes. Sometimes it's going to be nice where they make them.
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
And this is what happens. So you combine the lack of effort with that. It's not a coincidence that both these last two games, the team shot the lights out when they're not famously. That's what you expected. Yeah. that'll be a common thing that you see from a Lakers defense on off nights.
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
No, it's really an issue. I think since the Lakers traded for Luka Doncic, people have had this idea in their mind of what the team would be, right? Luka, LeBron, Reeves. Wow. Offensively, you have these genius ball handlers. They can all play on ball, all play off ball. It will be electric. No defensive talent.
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
All three of those players I mentioned that lead the ship, bad defenders, yada, yada, yada. In the games that they've won in the stretch before LeBron got hurt especially, they were number one in defensive rating. Obviously, inversely people expected. And over the last 15 games, they're 19th in offensive rating.
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
They haven't really had a single portion of that run where they're truly an elite offense like people assume they have been. I think there's a big difference in what people think they're watching versus what's actually happening. They just don't have any offensive threats from their big man position. You know, shout out Trey Jamison. He gave us some good minutes throughout that time.
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
Not an offensive threat. Shout out Jared Vanderbilt. Done it a lot for their defensive effort. Negative offensive threat. Christian Coloco, same thing. They just don't have any type of lob threat, any type of dunker spot threat. As good as Jackson Hayes has been playing, he's not a super big threat there to do anything other than catch open dunks.
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
It's really hard to have a good offense without those release valves, no matter how good your big ball handlers are. Luka doesn't look quite the same. A big part of it is he has no good screen setters. He's really having to do a lot more isolation than he likes to. if you're looking for a fatal flaw, I think that's it more than defense.
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
Like a 31% three-point shooter goes to 42. That's the definition of March basketball. Yeah, 100%. I'm also not going to deny that the bulls are fun. Like they're legitimately playing good basketball. I think modest was Ellis is one of the most exciting young players in the league since he started becoming a big, heavy part of the rotation. I think you're seeing him grow into his body more.
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
His handles looking really good. He's already a really good driver and knows how to use his length to make plays there. I don't know if his efficiency is quite as like showing someone that's a good driver, but for a rookie, you see the signs, obviously Kobe White's doing everything you said, Josh Giddy's slashing. Well, shouldn't,
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
better than he's ever shot in his life ever probably at any level of basketball so like they clearly have good momentum at the right time even if it is March basketball and it's like fake You play the playing term at the end of March.
The Athletic NBA Daily
What is wrong with the Lakers? + Pistons Powering Up
I think they would say they're up to pace anyone. I think their kind of approach to the game and the kind of tenacity that they bring on a nightly basis that can usually lead into, not usually, but has led into scuffles throughout the season. I think that's kind of the approach that they bring and they would tell you it doesn't really matter.