Los Angeles Lakers: 5 Lessons from a Brooklyn sweep in China!

Ladies and Gentlemen, introducing the only Lakers player that competed. JaVale McGee!

If Lakers fans can take anything positive from this game, they can take comfort in the fact that JaVale McGee will bring the same energy he did last year. Setting aside the period when he had to get over his battle with pneumonia, he was the tough rim protector that saved quite a few early games last year.

JaVale McGee must send limousines to make sure Jarrett Allen makes it to the games okay. Why?Because after his 30 points, 20 rebound performance from last year, McGee has this belief that Allen cannot do anything with him. Just take a look at the two highlights below.

First highlight:

JaVale McGee receives the ball at the top of the key with Jarrett Allen in the lane. It was then he sounded Shaquille O’Neal‘s BBQ chicken alert alarm and hit him with the fancy footwork.

While Allen was lost in the air, JaVale stepped through and dunked on Taurean Prince using the up and under move. Then for good measure, he slapped the ball that ended up hitting Prince while walking back down the court.

Second highlight:

JaVale McGee does a good job rotating over to provide defensive support for Alex Caruso. He spiked Joe Harris‘ shot like volleyball is his sport instead of basketball. Then he runs down the court as the trailer, receives the pass and puts Spencer Dinwiddie in a blender before he tears the rim down. The move was so quick, Jarrett Allen was frozen solid from the breeze.

JaVale played 14 minutes, scoring nine points, grabbing three rebounds and blocked two shots. What makes McGee stand out from the rest of the team was his intensity. He played hard the entire time he was on the floor.

During the game, on a fast break, McGee was heard screaming at Rajon Rondo for missing him running the lane for a slam dunk (For the record, he was absolutely right!).

Most likely, Anthony Davis will not be seen for the rest of the preseason resting his thumb. More than likely for this reason alone, JaVale McGee will probably start Monday. After this performance, JaVale McGee should be stapled into the starting lineup.

Frank Vogel is understandably trying to figure out lineups that work. The backline at this point is set. If he continues to bring out a small ball lineup that features Anthony Davis in the middle?

Well, that’s the next Lake Show Life lesson.