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Los Angeles Lakers top 5 pick and roll combinations

By Charlie Fischer

PORTLAND, OR - OCTOBER 18: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers huddles his team up during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on October 18, 2018 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - OCTOBER 18: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers huddles his team up during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on October 18, 2018 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers
Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images /

With the importance of being able to run an effective pick and roll, what combinations give the Los Angeles Lakers the best chance to score?

The Los Angeles Lakers and NBA as a whole are in the midst of an offensive renaissance. Even when Jock Stockton and Karl Malone were wreaking having on the league with their pick and roll dominance, isolation was the preferred method for teams to get a bucket.

Which makes sense, if you need a basket late. Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon or even Charles Barkley were great people to rely on for that.

As the NBA progressed, the rules started to change, leaning more towards offensive freedom for players. Implementation of the hand checking rule and zone defense in 2004 forced the game away from isolation, and more towards ball movement.

Now, defenders could set up a zone to contain isolations but were not allowed to “Use their hands to impede an offensive player’s progress.”

All these things, combined with the increased emphasis put on the 3-point shot, led to teams spreading the floor while using pick and rolls to create mismatches. This has also lead to the rise in organizations requiring athletic big men who can at least hold their own on a switch. Otherwise, they would be exploited time after time.

LeBron James is one of the best in the NBA at running the pick and roll. With his size and athleticism, he is able to see over the defense while simultaneously being a threat to attack. Rajon Rondo, Lonzo Ball, and even Brandon Ingram are all solid pick and roll players.

But what is the Lakers best combination of players to use when executing this play? We take a look at the five best ones here.

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