Los Angeles Lakers: LeBron and Rajon Rondo beat Houston, 5 Lessons
By Ronald Agers
LeBron James will not have the MVP trophy, but it looks like he has a shot at the Larry O’Brien trophy!
Lake Show Life always has a statement that identifies LeBron’s game to the fullest. If the man cares and is focused, the NBA can forget it. The Los Angeles Lakers easily could have lost this game because in the first half, he was the only one that showed up.
Seriously!
While Frank Vogel was figuring out that JaVale McGee was killing the Lakers being on the floor, LeBron James was on fire from the jump, dropping 8 of the Lakers’ first 15 points. James ended the first half with 29 points scoring in every feasible way a player can legally score a basketball.
This is starting to be a case of Deja Vu’ in the Los Angeles Lakers playoff run. In the last series, Gary Trent Jr. got under LeBron’s skin and he dismantled the Blazers’ chances. In this series, it seems Russell Westbrook broke a rule that needs to be heeded.
Don’t pull on Superman’s cape!
Despite LeBron’s exploits, the Lakers still were behind 64-61 at halftime. After one of the worst team performances defensively all season, LeBron started his own block party. He led the way in putting the Rockets offense in the broom closet with 4 blocks in the 3rd quarter. He didn’t give away anything!
https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1303533697551876096
- Austin Rivers had to know that he was going to score his first points in the last two games when he went to the basket for the lay-up.
- LeBron did a U-turn and sized Rivers up for a chase-down block to end the 3rd quarter.
- Austin Rivers sat down for the rest of the night.
- His father, Doc Rivers who was watching the game for scouting purposes for the Clippers and to watch his son, left the gym for the night.
- Some advice for Los Angeles Lakers opponents. You have to dunk the ball on this squad. Seriously they break backboards with lay-ups.
LeBron James closed the night out with 36 points (13-23 from the field, 4-9 from distance!), 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 blocks. He became the first Lakers player to have at least 35 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 blocks in a playoff game since Shaquille O’Neal in May 2000.
Based on the playoff stage, this was the most complete performance James has shown in a L.A. uniform. He kept the Lakers in it with his offense in the first half and combined with Rondo to put things away in the second.
Anthony Davis was late to the party, putting in his work in the second half. Read on to see how he did!