Los Angeles Lakers Defense Goes Poof to The Magic…Three Lessons!

ORLANDO, FL - NOVEMBER 17: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball against the Orlando Magic on November 17, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 Gary Bassing/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - NOVEMBER 17: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball against the Orlando Magic on November 17, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 Gary Bassing/NBAE via Getty Images)
2 of 5
Los Angeles Lakers
Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images

1. We need to figure out what a good LeBron James game is! 

The NBA is a totally different ball game the way it is played and the way it is analyzed. With the Golden State Warriors playing small ball, the general managers basing every player’s talents on the analytics and fans on social media spouting out every stat in debates, it’s hard for some fans to even know what a good game is for players.

With LeBron James, this is a scenario that plays itself out over and over again.

The Lakers fans are going to have to find out what they command from James. Do they want him to be a force that leads the team to victories and a playoff run, or do they want to see exciting dunks in blowouts like these?

For the latter, LeBron James did not disappoint…

https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1063968711713808384

LeBron James swats D.J. Augustin’s shot (in maybe the only time the Lakers actually stopped him in the third quarter!) then starts the fast break. He represents the trailer on the break, receives the shovel pass from Brandon Ingram and throws the dunk down with force.

https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1063960153676898304

This one here was sweet. LeBron James works with Lonzo Ball in the pick and roll, he sets the pick on Augustin and quickly beats Aaron Gordon‘s rotation back to the rim and brings the funk on a nasty dunk!

These are sweet plays that will definitely be on highlight reels around the country, but he was not the best player on the floor. Sure, he was the best player on the Los Angeles Lakers roster with 22 points, four rebounds and seven assists, but the Magic had TWO players that were the best on the floor in Vucevic and Augustin.

LeBron James has to come out with sustained energy on the road because every team is going to have the Lakers circled on their calendar. They know LeBron is coming to town which means they will be prepared.

LeBron James will have to know this and adapt. Is it fair? Not really. Is it the reality? Yep.