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Los Angeles Lakers: 3 Lessons learned against Trail Blazers

Ronald Agers|
PORTLAND, OR - NOVEMBER 3: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers shoots the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers on November 3, 2018 at Moda Center 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 - NOVEMBER 3: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers shoots the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers on November 3, 2018 at Moda Center 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 Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

Lesson Number Three…LeBron James stuffed the stat sheets…what else?? 

LeBron James played well enough for the Lakers to win. But he was far from being the best player on the floor. Look it was Rajon Rondo’s night. He played great and bailed the Lakers out in the first half when they were struggling. JaVale McGee was the guy on the defensive end controlling the paint and making a impact down the stretch.

But the same LeBron James showed up in the fourth quarter. The passive player that lets the game come to him instead of using his talents to seize the moment and impose his will and take the game over. Look he had his moments. He knocked down a big three and had two huge blocks late in the game.

But superstars are supposed to shine bright late in games. When Portland was down 20 points, Damian Lillard went nuts and led a furious comeback. It seems like Lakers fans are just waiting for the signature game where LeBron shows flashes of what he did in the playoffs last year. It just hasn’t happened yet.

I do however see the chemistry that is growing between LeBron James and JaVale McGee…

https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1058925291198795776

These two are amazing in the pick and roll. Again it starts with McGee setting a solid pick and rolling to the basket with discipline. When the game slows down and the Lakers are in the half court, the pick and roll between these two will open up space for the shooters. Basically the others are going to have to take advantage.

There’s the Three Lessons…Now Learn From This!!!!!!  

The Lakers defense was much better! The Lakers forced the Blazers into a bad night from the three point line. The Blazers shot an anemic 6-35 from the land of the extra point. Damian Lillard shot 2-9 and C.J. McCollum shot 2-8. The rest of the team was just awful…

Remember Nik Stauskas aka Sauce Castillio…

The Los Angeles Lakers defense made sure there was no repeat performance. Stauskas dropped 24 points opening night. On Saturday night he scored three.

A special shout out goes to Josh Hart who had been struggling from the field. He dropped all three of his shots…

https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1058932458500935680

…on his way to 11 points. Plus this dude really competes. He actually guarded Blazers backup center Zach Collins on the block and gave him trouble. Understand Collins in seven feet tall and it didn’t matter. Hart bullied him on the block. Between Josh Hart and JaVale McGee, the Lakers have something special that analytics just can’t measure. HEART!

The Los Angeles Lakers have started their long journey through the NBA season. Lake Show Life will be there every step of the way. Continue to check in for Lakers news, previews and reviews.

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