Los Angeles Lakers: 5 Lessons from win over Golden State Warriors

After a big game against the Golden State Warriors, here are five lessons from the win.

The Los Angeles Lakers had a much-anticipated showdown on Christmas Day against the two-time World Champion Golden State Warriors. I mean on paper the Lakers may stick around for maybe a half then the Warriors would run away in the second half right?

LeBron James is supposed to be the best player in the game, but the Warriors have the best team. Even LeBron James himself stated that this game is not a “measuring stick” game for the Lakers. I mean he should say something like that after the egg laid by the Lakers against Memphis…

Los Angeles Lakers: 4 Lessons from loss to the Memphis Grizzlies

Los Angeles Lakers got caught looking past the Memphis Grizzlies to the champs on Christmas day. They lose to the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday!

While Golden State was riding high after a couple of exciting finishes in their last couple of games. First Kevin Durant knocks down a dagger at the end to break the Mavericks back…

Then Stephen Curry one ups KD the next game driving the lane for the win…

On paper, there is no way that the Lakers can win this game on paper. The Lakers came into this game losing 11 straight games at Oracle arena and seven games overall to the Warriors. Smart money say that the Lakers will lose by at least 20 points!

Well, that’s why they play the games.

Merry Christmas Lakers fans! Your team left a HUGE present for you! The Los Angeles Lakers walked into Oracle Arena and smacked the World Champion Golden State Warriors 127-101. This was a total team effort that came together on a night that it was needed. LeBron James went down in the 3rd quarter with a mild groin strain and did not return. He had a MRI on Wednesday and it was clean.

https://twitter.com/KingJames/status/1078000892098502656

LeBron is considered day-to-day. He will not take the trip to Sacramento for Thursday’s game.

What roster the Lakers front office put together in the offseason that was so criticized basically kept the ship afloat when the captain got injured. Instead of folding under the pressure of a Golden State Warriors run immediately after James’ departure, the Lakers were led by one of those questioned acquisitions, Rajon Rondo.

He took over and finished what LeBron James started.

I don’t want to seem like a LeBron James “Fan Boy” (Believe me, I’m not…) but this game does tell a cautionary tale. If you are going to talk recklessly like Kevin Durant did here, MAN you better deliver on the National stage…

This is what can happen when “Keeping it real…GOES WRONG!”

I could count this as a lesson, but this a Los Angeles Lakers website…

Let’s get to the lessons!

What did LeBron James accomplish before he got hurt?

In 21 minutes, LeBron James did what superstars are supposed to do when the lights are brightest.

He came out early and set the tone and led the Lakers to this victory. He was aggressive on defense and scored within the offense where the ball movement was outstanding. The Warriors missed 12 straight 3 point shots in the first half!

Up until his injury, the Lakers were in complete control of the game up to that point withstanding a Golden State run here and there…

https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1077786079338655745

LeBron James finished the game with 17 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists. I hear announcers say all the time that LeBron James has made a lot of money for players over his career. Well you can definitely put Ivica Zubac next in line for some major money. These two have absolutely at times worn out defenses over the last three games in the pick and roll offense…

Watch how LeBron James crosses Kevin Durant over with the dribble and take the ball strong to the basket. Draymond Green, who is defending Zubac has to rotate over to give help. Ivica sees this and goes straight to the basket as LeBron deftly dishes the ball over to him for the easy basket.

With LeBron James, it is not about stats that is important as is the energy and focus. LeBron came out from the locker room ready to impose his will on this game. The Lakers need this type of effort from him to be successful going forward.

But let’s get to the important stuff…

As you see the play right here, James said that he heard a pop, before leaving the floor. It is not like the Lakers really needed him. Sure there was a Warriors run, but somebody on the roster had no problems picking up the slack and taking over the game.

There will be some NBA fans that will look at the Lakers performance against Golden State and try to diminish the importance of LeBron James.

These people have no clue. The Lakers need this guy back in the lineup as soon as possible. LeBron had better stats in the last game against Memphis, but dominated this game before he got hurt. Numbers do not tell the story with LeBron James…

The energy does. Hope the injury is not serious LeBron. Get healthy and back on the court.

The Lakers need you.

I mentioned someone taking over when LeBron James got hurt, want to meet him?

Rajon Rondo worked his magic on the Golden State Warriors

Look, you will get some baggage with Rajon Rondo. He has his ways that can irritate a lot of people…

Los Angeles Lakers: Rajon Rondo…what did this guy do to you?

Los Angeles Lakers point guard Rajon Rondo is an NBA champion. Yes, he is an acquired taste but has the ingredient to a winning formula.

…and media alike!

Los Angeles Lakers: Rajon Rondo has issue with Stephen A. Smith!!!!

Los Angeles Lakers point guard Rajon Rondo is back in the news for all the wrong reasons, as it seems he a problem with Stephen A. Smith and his opinions!!!

But man, this dude can play some basketball. Rondo made the Warriors look like a very ordinary team last night that may struggle to even get back to the Finals much less win.

https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1077779788918591488

In 23 minutes of action, Rajon Rondo practiced voodoo on the Warriors on his way to 15 points, 10 assists and 5 rebounds. When LeBron James got hurt, Rondo proceeded to carve the Warriors defense up driving the lane and either scoring layups or setting up his teammates.

This dude has no fear. I mean who even thinks to try this…

https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1077744501697826817

He drives by Stephen Curry and draws Draymond Green and does a behind the back pass to Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

What was amazing to me watching the game was Rondo got to his spots anytime he wanted to. Rajon Rondo is not the greatest shooter, but he kept driving the ball to the basket weaving in and out of traffic to score. It reminded me a little bit of what Rod Strickland used to do in the past.

Strickland was not a great shooter, but it didn’t stop him from doing what he needed to do on the basketball court. Plus teams couldn’t stop it even if they knew it was coming. I got that vibe from Rondo against the champs.

He showed leadership throughout the rest of the game when the Lakers really needed it. The Warriors were on a serious run after the James injury cutting the lead to two. But the steady hand and calm demeanor kept the Lakers in control for the rest of the contest.

But Rondo seemingly did not get out unscathed…

This game is getting to be an episode of M.A.S.H. ain’t it.

Ivica Zubac is killing it right now

It’s one thing for Ivica Zubac to be playing well and scoring. But it’s another for his shooting percentages getting better with each game. Zubac scored 18 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.

The crazy thing is he shot 9-10 from the field. What is amazing is he doesn’t do anything special, he just knows his role and executes his job at a high level. Something that is becoming a lost art in the NBA.

Like this play here…

While the Lakers are running the fast break, Zubac just runs his lane hard and with a purpose. The Golden State Warriors leave him alone just watching the ball move around. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is in the right corner and delivers the ball quickly for the slam dunk!

Let’s discuss the defensive end of the ball…

In the era of positionless basketball in the NBA, it is important that the big man defend the perimeter and be able to get back to the pain to rim protect.

As the play starts, you will see Zubac out as far as the three-point line helping Brandon Ingram with containment. As the ball moves he rotates back to rim as Alfonso McKinnie goes up for the dunk. It didn’t end well for him.

As Zubac is gaining confidence, he is taking the ball strong to the rim and scoring as well as defending the paint. The Warriors big men, McKinnie and Kevon Looney looked very tentative in the paint. When they received similar passes, they were going up weak and getting their shots contested. Zubac was the exact opposite.

Boy this lesson is going to be good!

Lance made us dance again!

I want to start with an excerpt from the last post game report against the Memphis Grizzlies…

"As for the defense, I know that Walton has issues with Lance Stephenson. Anyone can see that. But in games like this, when the team needs a difference maker, PUT LANCE STEPHENSON IN! What do you have to lose? If he stinks and turns the ball over, yank him, but give the dude a chance to inject some energy! Lance Stephenson played one more minute than I did writing this piece and one more than you readers did reading it!"

Okay it got him ten more minutes on the floor. But he did take advantage of it.

Lance Stephenson scored 11 points on the strength of three 3 point shots. Here’s one right here to end the third quarter…

https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1077761710738427904

If the Luke Walton can deal with the flaws of Rajon Rondo, he should able to do the same with Lance. Is he wild with the ball? Yes. Does he turn the ball over at times? Absolutely? But the man will compete and is not scared of the moment. This is the X-factor for the Lakers especially now with LeBron James out for a possible few games.

Luke needs to figure out a way to use him.

Right Lance?

https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1077762117267156994

Finally…

Lonzo Ball may keep his starting spot…but will he finish the games?

Lonzo Ball is seemingly taking steps back game by game these days. In 24 minutes, he scored only 6 points on 2-6 shooting. He showed flashes in this game…

But he is fading in and out of games. Let’s be clear here, Rajon Rondo played like he wants major minutes going forward and he will get them if Lonzo doesn’t pick it up. The point guard is supposed to be a leader on the floor and Rondo showed that in spades.

Ball’s confidence seems to be gauged by his jumper and if he continues to falter he will lose the starting job soon. He has already assumed mop up duty for this game.

Hey Lonzo, just a suggestion…

Might want to start doing this. In two minutes, Svi hit one more 3 pointer than you did and this…

Looking at you in the corner, even you were impressed! If that is the case, emulate him and start getting up more practice shots. If not, he’ll pass you in the rotation too.

Just sayin’…

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.