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

Ronald Agers|
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

Frank Vogel’s rotations cost the Los Angeles Lakers. He didn’t start Kyle Kuzma and really blew it in the 4th quarter!

As bad as the 3 point shooting was in this game and the fact that LeBron James and Anthony Davis need to understand what “Dominating a game means”, the Los Angeles Lakers could have won this game. How did they lose?

Frank Vogel and his horrible substitution patterns. Look we can excuse Charles Barkley for forgetting Kyle Kuzma’s name.

But Frank Vogel forgetting to put this guy in the starting lineup instead putting in Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Danny Green is a disgrace. Let’s see here: KCP scored 1 point on 0-9 shooting, missed all five of his 3 point shots and did not stop the Blazers backcourt. Danny Green scored 10 points on 4-12 shooting and played some of the worst defense the staff has seen all year.

Kuzma, on the other hand, scored 14 points, 8 rebounds and had a blocked shot. While he had a plus/minus of +5, Green’s (-20) and KCP’s (-18) might show that there needs to be a change in the starting line up on Thursday.

But here’s where Vogel cost the Lakers the game.

The Lakers made their runs in both halves when Caruso was on the floor providing energy and getting up on the guards. Look, the guy can’t score at times, but even the points he scored caused a spark. Now watch this play by Kuzma.

Kuzma hits this tough layup to put the Lakers up by six points. Then Vogel subbed him immediately for Danny Green and subbed Alex Caruso for KCP.

When Vogel finished the game with his starting backcourt, it was target practice for Lillard and McCollum. The Blazers went 22-9 run to seal the game.

Oh, by the way, Dion Waiters played one minute. One.

Game two of the series tips off on Thursday in a must-win for the Los Angeles Lakers. If they can’t bounce back from this effort, well the Lake Show Life staff can start figuring out who can be drafted.

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