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Los Angeles Lakers: 3 lessons from win vs Portland Trail Blazers

By Ronald Agers

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 14: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates his basket with Josh Hart #3 during a 126-117 Laker win at Staples Center on November 14, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. 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. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 14: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates his basket with Josh Hart #3 during a 126-117 Laker win at Staples Center on November 14, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. 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. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images /

3. LeBron James was AGGRESSIVE on defense! 

I’ll be the first to say that the defense of the Los Angeles Lakers had a lot to do with the deficiencies of LeBron James. All the Lakers fans were very happy that Tyson Chandler came to town…

But nobody should have been happier than James. When he came to the Lakers in the offseason, he was supposed to bring defensive intensity to the back line of the defense. That did not happen at all early on.

This is not to bash LeBron James’ defense even though the film doesn’t lie. This video is to make a point. I want everyone to pay attention to the difference in the defensive intensity above…

https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1062937317566861313

Now, take a look at how he played last night!

Nik Stauskas tries to go strong with a dunk here. Remember, this is the guy they called Sauce Castillo in the first matchup with the Lakers.

LeBron goes up and STUFFS him at the rim, goes down the court and shows everyone that the “Iceman” George Gervin is not the only one who can finger roll!!!! Press play and enjoy the hustle behind the muscle!

Nik Stauskas smoked the Lakers in the first game of the season…

They called Stauskas…Sauce Castillio! But in this game, Stauskas scored…

Well, let me put it this way…close your eyes! What do you see? Nothing? That’s what Stauskas scored in the game! He scored exactly the same amount of points I did writing this and you did reading it! LeBron James obliterates Stauskas at the rim and he did absolutely nothing else after scoring 24 points in the first matchup!

LeBron James set the tone on the defensive end and it gets contagious as other players get involved and start defending…

The Lakers are a bonafide playoff team when they play defense and try hard! In this game, it started with the team’s best player. See it helps him on offense too, huh?

As for the effect that LeBron James has on his teammates, first, listen to what Colin Cowherd has to say about Brandon Ingram…

To all Los Angeles Lakers fans, I’ll tell you this, if you want to drop all your stock on Brandon Ingram, I’ll gladly pick it up and keep it for myself. Brandon Ingram teamed up with LeBron James and played great perimeter defense on C.J. McCollum, the reigning Western Conference Player of the Week!

C.J. McCollum finished with 23 points, but he had to take a high volume number of shots to get it. Damian Lillard struggled from the field as well. There is a reason why the Lakers are on a winning streak here. Their defense has improved. Last night it was because James showed up ready to defend and everyone else followed!

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