Every team needs energy players who can really flip the game with their intensity and effort and two players who bring that spark to the Los Angeles Lakers are Marcus Smart and Jaxson Hayes. Neither player gets plays drawn up for them, but they are massive to the success of this team because of what they bring from an energy standpoint.
That was undoubtedly the case in the Lakers’ comeback victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. Both players were on the court as the Lakers went on a run down the stretch to get the win and had big impacts overall. Smart finished with 10 points, seven assists, four steals and three blocks while Hayes added eight points, six rebounds (four offensive) and two blocks off the bench.
The role players can often get overshadowed by the exploits of the stars and when you have Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and LeBron James on a team, it’s hard for it not to happen. But Reaves had a lot of praise for both Smart and Hayes, calling them a big part of this Lakers team and noting that the energy they bring is contagious.
“I mean they’re a big part of what we do, what they bring to the table,” Reaves said after the win. “The skill sets that, like I said, they bring in things that we need. When they play good, we tend to play good as a team and the energy is contagious and everybody kind of rolls with it.”
With the Lakers finally being healthy, head coach JJ Redick is starting to figure out his proper rotations and which lineups work the best. With three offensive-focused stars having players like Smart and Hayes, who can do the dirty work and thrive without needing the ball, are extremely important.
Defense, rebounding and non-stop energy are so important as the Lakers begin this final stretch of the season and Smart and Hayes have been crucial to this team when they have been at their best. As the playoffs near, they will continue to be a big part of the rotation and Reaves and the rest of the Lakers recognize how much they mean.
Marcus Smart believes comeback vs. Pelicans can change trajectory of Lakers season
Marcus Smart was happy with the Lakers’ focus and ability to lock in to complete their comeback win over the Pelicans. And he feels the nature of that victory could be a turning point for this team this season.
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