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Los Angeles Lakers: 4 Lessons in a Game 1 loss to Portland Trail Blazers!

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 18: Wenyen Gabriel #35 of the Portland Trail Blazers blocks a shot by Danny Green #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half in Game 1 of Round 1 of the NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 18, 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 Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 18: Wenyen Gabriel #35 of the Portland Trail Blazers blocks a shot by Danny Green #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half in Game 1 of Round 1 of the NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 18, 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 Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers

Anthony Davis disappeared in the second half. Where was he?

Anthony Davis will soon be a very frustrating player to Los Angeles Lakers fans if the trend of AD’s inconsistent play in the bubble continues. Half the games, Davis looks like NBA 2K cheat code. The other half, he looks like fans need an internet coder to find him. He disappears. Just like LeBron James, the same rules apply to Anthony Davis.

Anthony Davis needs to dominate for the Los Angeles Lakers to win this series!  

Most sites will say Anthony Davis was solid, finishing with 28 points, 11 rebounds (6 offensive!), 2 blocks, 2 steals and one assist. His aggressiveness got him 17 free throws in the process. Lake Show Life will tell you AD scored 21 points in the first half and disappeared in crunch time.

Here’s why Lake Show Life is so frustrated. This play alone shows that if engaged, Anthony Davis can lead this team to the NBA Finals.

  • Watch AD stay with Damian Lillard on the drive. Not only does he stay with him, he’s disciplined enough to get back to not only contest the shot but block it. 
  • Then he has the presence of mind to take off full speed to get LeBron’s pass.
  • His athleticism is off the charts as he glides for the slam dunk. 

Here’s why those stats don’t matter. Check out how the Portland big men did

Hassan Whiteside: 

There is no way in the world Hassan Whiteside can have an impact in any game of this series. NONE! 7 points, 5 blocks and 8 rebounds just can’t happen.

Jusuf Nurkic:

16 points and 15 rebounds with 3 assists are an issue. He got to the line as well. Why is that a problem? Getting Dwight Howard in foul trouble hurt the Lakers. He actually played well. Plus the Blazers got to the line. 25-33 is an off night for these guys.

Wenyen Gabriel: 

A rookie that was so awestruck he actually bragged he got a bloody nose from LeBron James. He guarded AD first. In 16 minutes, he scored 4 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists.

Add these three players stats up and you get 27, points, 26 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 blocks.

The lesson here.

The Portland Trail Blazers can deal with these numbers to neutralize AD if the rest of the shooters aren’t knocking down shots. Furthermore, Davis is good enough to foul out all three players if he’s aggressive for 48 minutes.

The next lesson is for Frank Vogel. START KYLE KUZMA!!!!!

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