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Lakers: Portland’s two key adjustments and how to counter them

By Kevin Germany

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 20: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers drives against Alex Caruso #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first 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: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers drives against Alex Caruso #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first 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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(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Key defensive adjustment: Double-teaming Anthony Davis

Blazers superstar guard Damian Lillard has put up video game numbers in the bubble. But another video game term applies tonight: Anthony Davis scoring over 30 points is the Lakers’ win condition. A win condition is defined as a strategy or a factor that almost guarantees victory.

In short: the Lakers win if AD dominates. If not, they lose.

Most stars (LeBron James included) look to facilitate early and take over late. This makes sense. The role players get into a rhythm early when ball-dominant stars facilitate first. Late game, the superstars can take over.

AD is different. He has to take over early for him to be at his best. LeBron can easily handle the facilitating burden. AD has to be the go-to scorer immediately.

Portland understands this. The easy solution is to double-team him. Take their chances with Danny Green and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope knocking down three-pointers. Sending a second defender at him will force him to pass the ball. Good secondary defensive rotations will funnel the ball into Green and KCP’s hands.

See below. AD struggles with double teams from his preferred mid-post area.

Keeping him in that mid-post area is going to stagnate the offense. The Lakers need to counter the inevitable horde of double-teams.

How do the Lakers counter? Move AD to the middle!

My adjustment: position AD at the elbows; run the “horns set” with LeBron James up top, Green and KCP stationed at the corners, and AD and Javale McGee at the elbows.

To initiate the offense, AD receives an entry pass at one of the elbows from LeBron. Sometimes, LeBron is at the other elbow and Alex Caruso makes the entry pass.

Giving AD the ball at the elbow neutralizes the double team. AD can see the second defender coming a mile away. He will be able to find cutters and wide-open shooters all over the court, whereas double-teaming him on the side limits his options.

The Lakers can even warp Portland’s defensive spacing by having Javale McGee start in the corner and crash to the basket. McGee can crash from the left baseline as the main action takes place on the right side (or vice versa).

For instance, Green or KCP can set a flare screen for LeBron to quickly extinguish the initial help-side defender off the double-team. If Portland doubles AD from the elbow, somebody is getting a wide-open dunk.

There is a lot Lakers’ coach Frank Vogel can do to exploit the Blazers double-teams if he positions AD at the elbow. Look for Vogel to start the game in the horns set to nullify Portland’s inevitable double teams.

Another inevitability remains: Portland will start making outside shots again. How can Vogel and the Lakers stay one step ahead of Portland’s offense?

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