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Los Angeles Lakers: 3 important things to scout in Grizzlies-Blazers

By Kevin Germany

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - JULY 31: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers dribbles during the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies at The Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on July 31, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - JULY 31: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers dribbles during the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies at The Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on July 31, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

How can the Los Angeles Lakers draw fouls from each team?

The Los Angeles Lakers’ offense has been in quarantine so far, ranking dead last in offensive rating. I do not think their offensive struggles can be fixed this season. There is not enough shooting and playmaking to juice up a suddenly moribund offense.

It begins and ends with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Not a bad foundation. Kyle Kuzma has emerged as a very solid third option. But if the two stars do not shine at their brightest, the Lakers do not have enough firepower to keep up.

Even if their shooting gets back on track, or if Kuzma goes off, they still have to manufacture offense in creative ways.

So why not focus on drawing fouls? Schedule a Disney-like parade to the free-throw line?

Both Portland and Memphis have major issues with fouling opponents. Both rank in the bottom three for total fouls per game inside the bubble. Only the Sacramento Kings are worse!

In their overtime thriller, the refs gave out several unnecessary technical fouls… and several necessary personal fouls. The whistle had to be blown quite a bit to keep the game’s flow intact, to not have it devolve into a 1990’s Eastern Conference playoff game.

Fouls are often a result of poor defensive timing, inevitable after a long layoff. Maybe all the fouls could be attributed to the fact that it was each team’s first game in several months.

In their game, Memphis shot 50 free throws. The plethora of free-throws can be attributed to Portland’s slow defensive rotations.

The returning Jusuf Nurkic and Zach Collins were especially guilty. Nurkic now ranks second in total fouls per game. As a big man, establishing verticality is crucial. However, being in front of the ball before the offensive player gathers up for the shot is equally as important.

Officials tend to call fouls that look like fouls. They do not like big men on defense rotating over a step late as the offensive player finishes at the basket.

This is not surprising. Nurkic and Collins may just be too slow laterally to rotate on quick guards attacking the basket. Benching Hassan Whiteside was the right move because Nurkic is objectively better; it was still a pretty devastating blow to the Blazers defense.

The Grizzlies just fouled a lot due to their youth. Dame and CJ old-manned the Grizzlies several times, especially Jaren Jackson III and Dillon Brooks on pump fakes. Jackson III and Brooks are top 5 in fouls per game for that and several other reasons.

LeBron James and Anthony Davis can do this constantly. Pay close attention to how many fouls are in this game.

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