Key #4: How can the Los Angeles Lakers offense help LeBron James tonight?
LeBron James straight-up abused Robinson and Herro on countless ball-screens in Game 4. As part of his 40 points, they were rendered helpless when they ended up guarding LeBron on the switch. It was so bad that Miami started sending a third defender at him in Game 5.
When they were not desperately triple-teaming LeBron, they would drop way back on him. He is still so powerful that he can rampage multiple defenders on his way to the basket. His only mistake is sometimes passing up semi-contested layups. The last real possession of the game was a sobering reminder of his unselfishness. LeBron forcing up a bad shot at the basket is better than anyone else not named AD taking a wide-open shot.
In short, he should not have passed the ball to Danny Green. If it were Game 7, it would have been as controversial as the Seattle Seahawks not running the ball in the 2015 Super Bowl.
When he is hitting his outside shots, LeBron is unstoppable in the half-court. In transition, forget about it! His solo drives are harder to stop than Han Solo’s Millennium Falcon. Not even Chewbacca can match up with him physically. When he is 6-9 from three-point range, he is straight-up overpowered.
https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1314757573501886465
Not fair!
Assuming LeBron does not shoot 6-9 from three-point range, what can he do to get 40 points again?
A couple of things: the Lakers can set some cross screens to get LeBron prime position in the post. LeBron has posted up a bit more than usual – but rarely does he come off screens to post up.
LeBron can also be the roll man every now and again. Credit Alex Caruso to making this wonderful pocket pass. We have not seen an inverted AD/LeBron pick-and-roll. It would throw Miami off-kilter. AD can handle the ball, after all.
The unique wrinkles for LeBron and/or AD can at least steal a few points on an otherwise scoreless possession.
Those tiny margins decided Game 5. It will also decide Game 6. Whichever team makes those small tweaks will end up winning the game.