4. JaVale McGee sits down, the team struggles on defense, rebounding.
God bless JaVale McGee, but if the Lakers really believe that they can count on the energy that he has been putting out for 82 games, I have about five miles of L.A. highway property to sell you. Cheap! When he sits down it is almost ridiculous how the Lakers struggle on defense and grabbing rebounds. Look at what McGee did last night alone…
Rotating to the rim reading and reacting to Brandon Ingram…
https://twitter.com/BR_NBA/status/1053149126655860737
Blocking shots…
https://twitter.com/BR_NBA/status/1053130231853142016
…and running the floor. The only problem is when he sits the Lakers can’t stop anybody down low…
https://twitter.com/trailblazers/status/1053124785289363457
This is why the Lakers positionless basketball will kill them if they don’t get another big man. They have Michael Beasley who played two minutes, just long enough to make my point playing the five spot.
The Blazers forced the Lakers to switch which forced Lance Stephenson to defend Meyers Leonard in the post. Lonzo Ball tries to double team the post and falls down. When he falls, the defense collapses and Nik Stauskas hits the easy three. Roll play…
The Lakers were outrebounded 54-46 against Portland. Outside of JaVale McGee, there has been no player on the Lakers that has consistently sacrificed and committed to doing the dirty work. For this, to work, all five guys on the floor will have to be committed to finishing defensive possessions and not leaking out early which is a bad habit.
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