Lake Show Life
Fansided

Los Angeles Lakers: 4 Lessons in Game 3 win over Portland Trail Blazers

By Ronald Agers

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 22: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, center, is hugged by teammate Markieff Morris #88 as the team celebrates their win over the Portland Trail Blazers in Game Three of the first round of the playoffs between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Portland Trail Blazers at the AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 22, 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 22: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, center, is hugged by teammate Markieff Morris #88 as the team celebrates their win over the Portland Trail Blazers in Game Three of the first round of the playoffs between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Portland Trail Blazers at the AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 22, 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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images) /

Alex Caruso was the secret weapon for the Los Angeles Lakers! He was incredible!

Raise your hand if you are tired of hearing this same old question.

Who’s going to be the third guy for the Los Angeles Lakers?

Lake Show Life is too. If all of the players try to be a star in their role like Alex Caruso, this turns in to a stupid conversation. Why? Because it doesn’t matter.

Alex Caruso is a guy who does the little things and dirty work. Has he become a cult figure by dunking on people every once in a while? Sure. But this is not the essence of Alex Caruso. The effort that he brought in this game goes far beyond the box score.

The Blazers backcourt was hot again going into the half. The trend did not continue in the second half. Alex Caruso showed that he can guard someone on the perimeter.

Caruso played an outstanding game scoring 10 points, grabbing 4 rebounds and dishing out 7 assists. The main thing is that LeBron James did not have to work so hard to initiate the offense. Here’s an example.

  • As you see here, Alex Caruso runs the pick and roll play hard and with purpose as he receives the pass from LeBron. Damian Lillard is already in trouble as Caruso drives.
  • With that strong drive, Caruso brings Nurkic over to rim protect.
  • Dwight Howard cuts to the basket, Caruso hits him with the pass and Dwight nearly tears the rim down!

Another play right here shows what Alex Caruso does that not only will be missed in the box score, but got Anthony Davis rolling.

  • Watch how Alex Caruso sacrifices his body to pick Hassan Whiteside off slightly allowing AD an extra second to get to the rim to dunk the ball.
  • This is one of the main reasons the Blazers are in trouble. They have lost Zach Collins and without two big men on the floor, they have a very small lineup. This pick play will open up not only AD, but LeBron, the pick and roll offense, everything. 

We’re not done yet. One more lesson breaking down questions featuring other players!

Home/Lakers News