Los Angeles Lakers: Three surprises from the first five games

Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images
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Los Angeles Lakers
Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

1. The LeBron James/Anthony Davis connection is better than advertised

We’re only five games in and the connection between Anthony Davis and LeBron James has already shown that it has the potential to be the best one-two punch in the league. The pick and roll chemistry between the two is starting to develop, and as a result, has opened up a lot more offense for the other players on the floor.

Not only that, both are starting to understand each other’s tendencies, and where and when they want the ball. It’s also starting to appear that Davis wants more post-up opportunities, and LeBron has happily obliged him, as he is now starting to get the switch, before dumping into him in the post.

For Davis, he has also been a willing passer when teams double him around the paint, which has been leading to easy opportunities for Howard and McGee, and open shots when the defense collapses.

For LeBron and Davis, it’s pretty obvious that they know they have the pick and roll to fall back on should all else fail and have been smart about using it sparingly throughout the game, which is similar to how Steve Kerr would hesitate using the Steph Curry/Kevin Durant pick and roll throughout the regular season. It’s definitely something you don’t want teams to have a lot of film on, regardless of how unstoppable it may be.

Without a doubt, there are plenty of things that this duo needs to work on, but this is an entirely new team. LeBron James has never played with a player with the skillset of Anthony Davis and vice versa.

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