Here are three lessons from the win against the Hornets for the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Los Angeles Lakers were in a pretty foul mood coming into Saturday’s matchup with the Charlotte Hornets. The Lakers got dismissed in front of a TNT audience which was James Harden’s showcase. Along with the 50 points Harden put on the Lakers, the next 24 hours the discussion was all about the officiating (or lack thereof) during the game…
Los Angeles Lakers: Lessons from the loss to Houston Rockets
The Los Angeles Lakers crashed down to Earth as they lost to the Houston Rockets on TNT. James Harden dropped 50 points while getting a triple double!
Let’s just say the officials was not a factor in this game. To be totally honest, the only question in this game was if JaVale McGee gave anyone on the bench the flu.
The Los Angeles Lakers laid the wood the Charlotte Hornets beating them 128-100. This was the most complete game of the season for the Lakers. Not only did they score well and run their fast break offense to near perfection, the defense was stifling. Lonzo Ball led a defensive charge that limited Hornets star, Kemba Walker to four points on 2-of-13 shooting.
https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1074131823540629504
But that is not what made this night special. It was the history that was made by LeBron James and Lonzo Ball. Something that has happened only eight times in the league’s history.
LeBron James and Lonzo Ball became the first Lakers teammates to notch a triple-double in the same game in almost 40 years. The last time that happened was way back in 1982 when the “Captain” Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the “Boss” Magic Johnson achieved the feat. It’s been a while since it has happened in the NBA as well. The last two teammates that accomplished the feat was Jason Kidd and Vince Carter back in 2007 playing for the Nets. To put this in perspective, the franchise was in New Jersey.
To be totally frank, the Charlotte Hornets did not have a chance in this game with lead ballooning as high as 30 at one point, but that has nothing to do with the Lakers. Take that up with the Hornets. Los Angeles did what they were supposed to do.
What was most important is that the Lakers did not allow themselves to play down to their competition and executed the game plan and pushed the pace.
If you need to know who led the way…Well Just press play?
https://twitter.com/NBATV/status/1074409041265332225
Let’s start with the record setters shall we?
LeBron decided he wanted to play three quarters
Mama told me there would be days like this! This statement applies to LeBron James, who dropped a cool 24 points along with 12 rebounds and 11 assists. Or you could be talking about the Hornets who had to watch James carve through their defense like they were a YMCA all-star team.
https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1074135764751929344
I mean LeBron James ran the break with ease…
Lonzo ➡️ LeBron ⬆️ JaVale pic.twitter.com/dk8j9JOQ6r
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 16, 2018
LeBron James runs a lane on the left, receives the pass from Lonzo Ball, sees JaVale McGee down the lane and throws the alley-oop! Rule of thumb for the young players, always feed the big man when he runs. One of the great qualities of playing with LeBron James is players knowing if they run hard, he’ll give it up.
Speaking of making sure your big man eats…
https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1074118440837758977
LeBron James receives the pass from Josh Hart and notices Tyson Chandler running down the middle of the floor. How about the presence of mind to slow up enough to get Chandler enough time to get to the rim for the pass over the top. With all of the Hornets fixated on him, no one protect the rim and Tyson Chandler rocks the rim.
Then there’s always this…
https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1074106410961518592
It was LeBron’s night. He sat out the entire fourth quarter after dominating the entire game. He provided the energy and set the tone. When he decides to play this way, good luck beating the Lakers. He played great.
But let me tell you about this dude!
Lonzo Ball had a coming out party in this game
Lonzo Ball came out with some energy that I haven’t seen before. Ball played like he was a star! Look if there are any quotes from his father, LaVar Ball…let’s all let it go for a least this game!
https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1074138030544347136
Lonzo Ball had his first triple-double of the season, scoring 16 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. But this game was a little different. He played with a TON of confidence. Lakers fans, watch this…
https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1074115485027815425
First, he set Kemba Walker up shading him against LeBron who came with the pick. Lonzo went between the legs and froze Nic Batum and took off! Cody Zeller thought he was going to block the shot. Then he made a life decision to get out-of-the-way and Lonzo dunked on him.
What I like was the pose afterwards. He just looked at the camera like he does it all the time! No jumping around! No yelling and screaming! Just savor the moment for a second and go back down the floor.
How about the defense…
https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1074096239661076481
Remember the importance of setting the tone? It happens right here. Cody Zeller brings the ball up and gets it swiped by Lonzo Ball and he goes back the other way for the dunk.
But it was about history in this game and it needs to be celebrated! Congratulations fellas!
https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1074131612583907328
The offense was a commitment to excellence
The Lakers ran roughshod over the Hornets. It was a basketball clinic. Just check out a couple here…
https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1074099647600181248
One of the things that stood out was the rebound comparison. The Lakers outrebounded the Hornets 52-38. Here is one of their offensive rebounds corralled by LeBron James. Kyle Kuzma cuts through the lane and gets a pocket pass from James for the emphatic slam dunk. I don’t know about you guys, but it does seem that Cody Zeller is not trying to pad his shot blocking stats?
Right here, the Lakers are now just showing off…
https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1074102110696820736
Lance Stephenson steals the ball at mid-court. Lonzo picks up the ball and passes the ball back to Lance. He then throws a one-handed lob to JaVale McGee for the slam dunk!
Speaking of Lance Stephenson! Remember he used to play in Charlotte! I have his home AND away jerseys. He left the Charlotte faithful something to remember him by…
Check out LeBron James’ reaction!
https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1074125735403483136
Svi Mykhailiuk grabbed the offensive rebound and saw Lance come down the lane. Malik Monk tried to stop him, but almost got his arm taken off as Lance jumped out the gym. Just listen to the crowd as he powered the ball through!
Finally…
The Los Angeles Lakers may have a potential problem on their hands going forward…
https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1074120317293850624
Lance Stephenson hit a 3 point shot and breaks out his air guitar routine. He gets called for a technical foul. I am on the record saying that this is bogus. I’ve done post games since the preseason started and he does this all the time. We are going on about 30 games now and all of a sudden, this is a problem?
Could this be a subliminal message for the criticism from the Houston game? We shall see!
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.