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Los Angeles Lakers: 4 lessons as LeBron James smokes the San Antonio Spurs

SAN ANTONIO, TX - NOVEMBER 25: JaVale McGee #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball against the San Antonio Spurs on November 25, 2019 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 2019 NBAE (Photos by Darren Carroll/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - NOVEMBER 25: JaVale McGee #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball against the San Antonio Spurs on November 25, 2019 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 2019 NBAE (Photos by Darren Carroll/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Lakers
(Photos by Darren Carroll/NBAE via Getty Images)

Let’s wait for the obvious for a second. Let’s talk about the second-best player on the floor!

If anyone reading this disagrees with this lesson and says, Anthony Davis, stop, guess what? You didn’t watch the game, just the box scores. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was the second-best player on the floor for the Lakers.

Lake Show Life will take full credit for realizing that Caldwell-Pope was an acquired taste. Sure KCP was atrocious for the start of the season. No check that, he’s been bad for the majority of his tenure in a Lakers uniform.

But, the staff knew that he is wildly streaky with his shot. Eventually, it was going to come back. It may leave again, so enjoy the high wave while it lasts. These two plays here featuring KCP helped keep the Lakers in the game.

https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1199159699356012545

Okay, enjoy the chase-down block by LeBron James here. We’ll have a public service announcement for NBA teams going forward, stay tuned. This was a pivotal point in the game. With the Spurs up five points and potentially seven with Dejounte Murray‘s lay-up attempt. Two points were saved here and KCP knocked down a huge 3-point shot to close out the half.

Pay attention to the location of KCP’s shot. It’s on the right-wing. He has knocked down three huge shots from that area in recent games. It’s not just offense with Caldwell-Pope, he’s playing a better all-around game as well.

Check out this play here.

After LeBron hit AD with a pass for the easy layup, watch how KCP steals the inbounds pass and passes to LeBron. What gets lost in this play is how hard he ran to the corner. That move alone forces DeMar DeRozan to shade to the left to honor the pass the corner. When he did, it opened up room for an alley-oop to JaVale McGee for the slam dunk.

KCP scored 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting which included 3-of-5 from long distance. He’s playing solid defense and gaining confidence with each passing game. Some players play better in the starting lineup. Maybe KCP is one of those types of players. However, he needs to carry this confidence to the bench when Avery Bradley gets back. KCP is keeping the starting spot warm until then.

Let’s talk about the best player on the floor.

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