Los Angeles Lakers: 3 lessons from win vs Portland Trail Blazers
By Ronald Agers
The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Portland Trail Blazers for the second time this season. Check out our three lessons from the victory.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James made history twice against the Portland Trail Blazers.
The first piece of history was made when he passed the late, great Wilt Chamberlain for fifth on the NBA all-time scoring list. James needed 39 points to pass the former Lakers great, but LeBron James made sure scoring 44 points while adding 10 rebounds and nine assists.
The second piece of history was this was the first game in the LeBron James era where he gave out the effort that $154 million dollars demand. For the first time all year, LeBron James actually played up to his reputation of being the “Best player in the World.”
On this night he was and it was not even close. He basically took the heart out of the Portland Trail Blazers and had the attitude that Lakers fans have been waiting for…
Oh, we ain’t losing tonight!
🎥 LeBron James finished with 44 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists tonight as he became the fifth-highest scorer in NBA history #LakersWin pic.twitter.com/Wlr3CtHjer
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) November 15, 2018
If you are new to the Lake Show Life website, I tend to call it as I see it. I have been extremely critical of LeBron James this season…
There were some things that I thought he should be held accountable this season for the Lakers to be successful…
Well, tonight, LeBron James added to his legacy on a night when the team needed it. After the Lakers fell behind by 13 points in the second quarter, Superman went and put on his cape. He scored 11 points in the second quarter which included back-to-back 3-pointers from the parking lot.
https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1062929741466951680
Then in the third quarter, LeBron James continued his personal Blazers beat down, scoring 16 points with five assists. The Lakers were in trouble and LeBron ended the threat, literally…
From our great statistician Doug Mann:
— John Ireland (@LAIreland) November 15, 2018
Portland led the Lakers 45-32 with 6:29 to go in the 2nd quarter.
Since then, the Lakers have outscored the Blazers 73-44.
As dominant as LeBron James was in this game, he did have some help. JaVale McGee backed him up quite nicely scoring 20 points with four rebounds, two steals and two blocks. What defense the guards and wings gave the Blazers on the perimeter was anchored with the active play from McGee.
Brandon Ingram was very good for the Lakers, scoring 17 points and dishing out four assists. But let’s be clear here, this game was all about LeBron James, all the time. The key word throughout this post game is AGGRESSIVE!
Let’s go into the dominance of LeBron James…three lessons style!