Lake Show Life
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Los Angeles Lakers lose opening game to Houston Rockets, 5 Lessons

By Ronald Agers

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 04: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Houston Rockets goes for the rebound against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter in Game One of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 04, 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 Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 04: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Houston Rockets goes for the rebound against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter in Game One of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 04, 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 Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Anthony Davis was controlled by the Rockets! Don’t let the stats fool you!

Watching Anthony Davis play games like this is wildly irritating. Game 1 brought the staff back to two important articles concerning Anthony Davis.

One being a Lake Show Life Lessons post-game report after a seeding loss.

The other being an interview feature with David Grubb breaking down Anthony Davis’ shortcomings.

For all of the skills that AD possesses, there are players that do not fear him. We asked David Grubb for his opinion weeks ago.

David Grubb:

"Why should they be intimidated? He isn’t physical. He isn’t aggressive, and he’s content being LeBron’s little brother. Has it not been a consistent theme this season that once LeBron leaves the floor, the Lakers immediately struggle? They aren’t as good defensively, and you can’t run the offense through him."

Lake Show Life followed that up with this.

"In the playoffs, especially with the shooting M.I.A., physicality will be a constant for Davis. It will start next round if the Lakers play the Rockets because Tucker constantly bangs him and roughs him up."

Film don’t lie, Lakers fans.

This ain’t it folks. Davis was nowhere near aggressive in this game and the Rockets dictated how he played. To put this in perspective, James Harden guarded him one on one with no help. Did AD score? Sure. But he didn’t take the ball to the hole with any regularity and attack the rim. He only had 4 free throw attempts.

Sure the stat line reads 25 points, 14 rebounds (2 offensive!), 3 steals and 3 blocks, but like with LeBron, he did not dominate.

  • James Harden was the best player.
  • Russell Westbrook was the most aggressive (But it’s Saturday right? Nothing new!)
  • Eric Gordon was most impactful!

The Houston Rockets will send room service over every night if AD stands and shoots mid-range jumpers all night. AD needs to take the ball to the rim more than once a half for the Lakers to succeed.

With Lakers fans constantly worrying about James Harden and his progress, Lake Show Life will have updates all series on the defensive progress. Lesson three deals with that!

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