Lakers Starting To Exhibit Chemistry While Carmelo Stays Hot

Don’t look now, but the Lakers have won four of five and are finally over .500.

The latest victory even featured some defense — as the Lakers suffocated the lowly Rockets to claim a 95-85 home win Sunday.

“We were just able to work as a unit, do what we were supposed to do,” star big man Anthony Davis told reporters. “Our defensive communication was very on point tonight, which helped us in a lot of our coverages where you can have some struggles.”

It does seem that the Lakers are starting to come together a little better these days. Everyone from LeBron James to Russell Westbrook to coach Frank Vogel said it would take time. Perhaps that time is now.

“Huge growth on the defensive side of the ball, not because of the lineup but because of our work,” Vogel said after Sunday’s win. “We’ve been really hammering the details with these guys — the areas that we’ve been failing.”

Of course, it’s been more than James, Davis and Anthony who need to come together. The Lakers have also had to rely on the likes of Kent Bazemore, Avery Bradley, DeAndre Jordan, and yes, a reborn Carmelo Anthony.

In fact, Anthony has proven to be the spot-up perimeter shooter LA so desperately needed. Not bad for a 37-year old who was written off a few years back.

“I think people don’t really understand me,” Anthony said. “I think there’s a misconception out there about me not being able to adapt to situations. I’m easily adaptable to any situation and I’ve always tried to adapt to any situation I’ve been in.

“This is an easy adaptation for me just being here and being around the guys, being ready, staying ready, understanding what’s needed and being prepared.”

It’s been more than just offense for Anthony, too, according to Vogel.

“I didn’t expect to see him have the defensive performance that he did, he was great,” Vogel said. “The steals and blocks, he’s always good with his hands. He was in the right position … He’s willing to do all these things and he can do all these things. When he’s providing that kind of performance on the defensive side with the way he’s shooting it, he’s a huge part of our win.”

So Carmelo has been great and everyone is coming together. Suddenly, the Lakers (4-3) are starting to become the team everyone thought they could be.

They host the Rockets again Tuesday, before facing the visiting Thunder on Thursday. So yes, an easy early schedule will help. But it offers the kind of early season tune-up that LA can afford.