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Los Angeles Lakers: 4 Lessons in Game 2 win over Portland Trail Blazers!

Ronald Agers|
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 20: The Los Angeles Lakers bench reacts after a basket against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half in game two of the first round of the NBA playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 20, 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 Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 20: The Los Angeles Lakers bench reacts after a basket against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half in game two of the first round of the NBA playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 20, 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 Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images)

Did Frank Vogel read the last Lake Show Life Lessons report? He did a masterful job in adjustments! 

Frank Vogel was so bad in game one, it was easy to remember that he was the Los Angeles Lakers’ third choice as head coach. In Game 2, it was easy to remember why he coached this team to a number one seed.

The adjustments that Frank Vogel and his staff made were made of gold. Plus it shut down every scheme that Portland tried to use in game one and it might be shut down for the series. Here are some of the adjustments in this game that were absent in game one.

The Los Angeles Lakers disrupted the high screens to free up Damian Lillard!

Yes, Lillard did dislocate his finger but that did not matter in this game. The Lakers shut him down by not allowing double high screens to free him up. That was taken care of by using Anthony Davis more at the 5 spot because he can come out further to disrupt his shot. Damian Lillard crashed back to Earth scoring only 18 points on 6-14 shooting. He only hit 1-7 3 point shots. 

There was better spacing in the halfcourt by letting (Or making!) LeBron James get in the post!

When LeBron James was put in the post, the Blazers defense basically wilted. With the attention he commanded, it allowed Anthony Davis lanes to drive to the basket and expose the lack of athleticism of Nurkic and especially Whiteside. AD had all night to shoot from the perimeter and a lot of that was due to LeBron being in the paint.

For all that’s good in Lakers Nation, he allowed other players off the bench!

Alex Caruso was brought off the bench early in the game to shadow Lillard up the court 94 feet so he couldn’t get into a rhythm. Dion Waiters played 15 minutes. Dwight Howard beat people up for 19 minutes scoring 9 points on 4-5 shooting. (He’s got to stop fouling, but that dude is so big it’s like an episode of the Incredible Hulk in the 80’s!).

But none of that other stuff matters! He let J.R. Smith play!!!

Thank you Frank!!! I’ll keep criticizing the rotations from time to time, but I have a job to do. No hard feelings.

The Los Angeles Lakers need to take the lead in the series in Game 3 on Saturday. Lake Show Life will be there with in-depth coverage!

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