Los Angeles Lakers: Kyle Kuzma shines in a foul plagued win! 4 Lessons!

The Los Angeles Lakers’ guards absolutely stink on defense. Opposing point guards can’t miss! 

This is a problem. It is a trend and it needs to be addressed with the quickness. It does not matter who the guard is that is playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, they do not play good perimeter defense and it is a virtual layup line when comes to guard penetration.

Look, it was okay to see Seth Curry knock down shots. His last name is Curry. Even his mother Sonya can shoot. Not missing a shot all night scoring 23 points can be overlooked.

But when D.J. Augustin, who is only in the starting lineup because Markelle Fultz didn’t play is giving the Lakers the business, Lake Show Life has to speak on it. Here are two plays where a lack of discipline from Kentavious Caldwell Pope led to 6 points.

• On the first play, KCP didn’t show hard enough through the screen. In doing so, Augustin did a reverse dribble and knocked down the shot. Because KCP was playing catch up, D.J. baited him into a silly foul swiping at the ball.
• On the second play, KCP fell asleep while Augustin parks himself in the corner. Evan Fournier is driving to the basket on the right side and hits D.J. standing alone while KCP is still in the paint. It’s poor defensive balance.

KCP is not the only culprit here. There isn’t a guard on the roster that has stopped guard penetration. D.J. Augustin destroyed the Lakers scoring 21 points on 6-7 shooting from the floor and didn’t miss a free throw. In two scrimmage games, two guards have shot lights out against the Lakers.

Think this is going to fly against these teams?

• Houston Rockets? They have a couple of good guards in Russell Westbrook and James Harden.
• Los Angeles Clippers? Paul George is pretty good. They say Lou Williams can score buckets too. 
• Portland Trail Blazers?  Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum? Lake Show Life has already discussed them this week!

Alex Caruso fouled out in less than 10 minutes. Whether it’s rust or his back soreness. his frustration playing the game was on par with the Lake Show Life staff watching the backcourt escorting opposing guards to the paint. Michael Carter Williams dunked on people. Yes, Lakers fans, that one.

The Lakers guards can’t stop anybody but thankfully in this game, the magic couldn’t stop them either!