Lake Show Life
Fansided

Los Angeles Lakers: Newcomers destroy the Dallas Mavericks, 5 Lessons

Ronald Agers|
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 25: Quinn Cook #2, Jared Dudley #10, and Montrezl Harrell #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers guard Tyrell Terry #1 of the Dallas Mavericks in the second half at Staples Center on December 25, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 138-115. 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 John McCoy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 25: Quinn Cook #2, Jared Dudley #10, and Montrezl Harrell #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers guard Tyrell Terry #1 of the Dallas Mavericks in the second half at Staples Center on December 25, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 138-115. 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 John McCoy/Getty Images)
4 of 6
Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)

LeBron James still owns the NBA throne while the Los Angeles Lakers own the NBA!

LeBron James came out with a different mindset from opening night, setting the tone early. There were no long 3 point shots to start, just taking the ball to the rim strong to expose the Mavericks’ lack of defense. He finished with 22 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists.

The offensive gauge will begin and end with LeBron. When he plays like he did on opening night, the Lakers will generally lose. If he’s aggressive early, this is what happens on most nights. Now Lake Show Life has a possible gauge on LeBron’s aggressiveness level.

The more James ages, the more he’s depending on 3-point shots. But not just that, he has lived on a steady diet of longer 3-pointers to the tune of over 30 feet. Sure shooting from “Curry Land” and “Dame’s World” is easier on the body than attacking the basket, especially when teams will fold their collective arms on him to shoot

. His fanbase will say these shots will space the floor while preserving energy when he needs to turn into an attacker. This is not necessary.

https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1342657759242821639

Nobody on planet Earth can stop LeBron’s post moves. That was crystal clear in the first round of the playoffs against the Trail Blazers last year. When he got on the blocks, the series ended basically in game two. This will be a storyline this season.

  • LeBron has taken eight 3-pointers in each of the first two games the Lakers have played this season.
  • James shot 32 percent of his field-goal attempts on 3-pointers last season, a career-high.
  • This season of two games? 45.7 percent.

These long 3 point shots look real good on highlight reels, but it bails teams out. Most teams will have no problems with LeBron shooting less than 43 percent from the field and 37 percent from the land of the extra point.

In other news, James moved into second place behind the “Icon” Kobe Bryant for the most points scored on Christmas Day. He passed the legendary Oscar Robertson in the third quarter. LeBron now has 383 points in 15 games on Christmas trailing Kobe’s 395 in 16 appearances.

Read on to see how LeBron’s partner in crime, Anthony Davis did on Christmas Day.

Home/Lakers News