Los Angeles Lakers: LeBron James passes Kobe Bryant in loss to Philadelphia 76ers, 4 lessons!
By Ronald Agers
![PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 25: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers on January 25, 2020 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 2020 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 25: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers on January 25, 2020 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 2020 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/2205484801d4fab3e33efa785027b3351806a0e04969c5ed96e5518655ee1e34.jpg)
LeBron James makes more than $35 million. Who cares? It’s still not enough.
There may be some members of the Lake Show Life staff that believes in Rajon Rondo. There will be members of the media that will swear by the “Playoff Rondo” narrative that will help this team.
Well, the writer of this post-game report has one thing to say.
With all due respect, you are wrong. Rajon Rondo is done, finished through, strike three, out.
There have been times this season when Rondo played bad, but the Lakers were feasting on weaker teams. Now the schedule is getting tougher and Rondo is being exposed.
Rajon Rondo was particularly atrocious in all aspects of the game of basketball. He could be noted for his poor defense, but when has he played it this season? If he doesn’t pass the ball to the Sixers on and off the floor (Yes, he passed the ball to the corner when no one was there!) for turnovers or getting his shot blocked, he dribbles the air out of the ball looking for alley-oops.
Rajon Rondo will continue to ride out locker room politics along with the “basketball savant” reputation from years ago meaning he will get the minutes that need to go to Alex Caruso, Quinn Cook and Troy Daniels.
But there’s only one problem with Caruso being on the floor. For the last two weeks, the man can’t throw the ball in the ocean underwater standing in the Pacific. This is why the fans love Alex Caruso so much.
Show hustle. Show heart. @ACFresh21 ✖️ @AntDavis23 pic.twitter.com/PUsWTQ6LPw
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 26, 2020
He is willing to sacrifice his body on defense to start the fast break that leads to an Anthony Davis dunk on the other end. See how plays like this spread throughout the roster. This is what endears Caruso to the fans and Frank Vogel.
Then there are plays like these.
https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1221280051208974336
Caruso swipes one of his six steals in the game. That’s right, SIX to start the fast break. After playing the two-man game with LeBron, he throws the alley-oop behind his head for the highlight reel. These types of plays endear Caruso to LeBron.
Alex Caruso, at least for the time being, can’t score. He scored only four points on only 1-of-6 shooting. The only basket he was a layup late. Outside of the Brooklyn game when he scored 10 points on 3-of-5 shooting, he has disappeared offensively.
If Caruso is to take over the minutes from Rondo, he has to be able to knock down shots. The Sixers had no more problems letting Caruso shoot than Rondo.
Only when Rondo shoots, people aren’t shouting expletives in the Staples Center and bowled over laughing on the road. The Lakers don’t really need Rajon Rondo, but they need Kyle Kuzma.
Let’s talk about him.