Los Angeles Lakers: 3 Lessons in elimination of the Portland Trail Blazers

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 29: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 29, 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 29: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference First Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 29, 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

If the Los Angeles Lakers get this “ENGAGED” Anthony Davis in the second round, Houston/OKC are in a world of hurt! 

The NBA has a marketing campaign of “It’s a Whole New Ball Game!”. The Los Angeles Lakers can start a new marketing campaign of “It’s a Whole New Dynasty!”.  The face of the campaign? Anthony Davis. This dude was so dominant that the NBA may drug test him in a couple of days. At least check this dude’s dental records.

Lake Show Life is out of words to describe the domination that he put on Hassan Whiteside and Jusuf Nurkic. We’ll just let you watch this and leave a comment in the comment section. Remember back in the days when you were a kid and plays like this had you running to your mama or at least get into a fight.

  • AD grabs a rebound of Caldwell-Pope’s miss in the corner.
  • He clears Jusuf Nurkic out of the way with his off hand to get the rebound.
  • He swings Mario Hezonja around with enough force to dislocate his shoulder.
  • Then he tells Hezonja to smile for the cameras as he tears the rim down. Shout out to C.J. McCollum for making the right business decision and leaving him alone.

AD looked like he had a killer mentality and played like no one could stop him. At least that’s what he was saying on camera during the game when he shot a mid-range jumper in Whiteside’s face in the second half.

In 36 minutes, Anthony Davis surgically dismantled Portland scoring 43 points (14-18 shooting, 4-6 in 3 pointers and 11-13 from the line!) while collecting 9 rebounds (2 offensive!), 4 assists and a steal.

Davis has continued to be aggressive and use the mid-range game to get into a rhythm that is carrying to the 3 point line. When he was aggressive, Portland just had no answer for him. Let’s put this in perspective, if he didn’t pick up two early fouls, he could have scored 50 points easily.

In the second round, especially against the Rockets, AD has to have this mentality. If he does, AD can end small ball in the future. Against Houston’s small-ball plays, look for Wilt Chamberlain averages.

How about LeBron James? Somebody had to get AD the ball right? Read on to see how he did.