Lake Show Life
Fansided

Los Angeles Lakers: Gasol, Bron and Kuz beat Minnesota, 4 Lessons

Ronald Agers|
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 27: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates a play with LeBron James #23 in the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Staples Center on December 27, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. 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 aImages License Agreement. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 27: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates a play with LeBron James #23 in the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Staples Center on December 27, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. 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 aImages License Agreement. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
5 of 5
Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Lakers are making a transition from pick and roll to a quicker ball moving philosophy!

Sure the Lakers will miss the size of Dwight Howard and JaVale McGee. They provided size that no one in the NBA could deal with. The combination of those two players with Anthony Davis propelled the Lakers to the top spot in shot blocking.

With Frank Vogel being a defensive coach, he will figure out a scheme with the roster he has. It’s not like the defense is totally gone, the Lake Show collected 14 blocks.

But neither player has the skill set and the basketball I.Q. of Marc Gasol. Sunday’s victory showcased beautiful and effortless basketball through constant cuts and movement with the offense run through the center spot at the top of the key out to the 3 point line.

Check out an example here.

https://twitter.com/Lakers/status/1343414964891971586

  • LeBron hits Kentavious Caldwell-Pope with a pass at the left wing. 
  • While KCP pump fakes, Gasol slides out to the left side of the lane and receives the pass.
  • As soon as the ball leaves KCP, he cuts to the basket and receives the bounce pass from Gasol. 
  • D’Angelo Russell is caught sleeping while Juan Hernangomez is forced to try and stop KCP and fails as the basket is good plus the foul. 
  • What makes the play effective is because Kuzma is in the left corner and Minnesota had made the adjustments to him while LeBron and Dennis Schroder spreads the defense out on the weak side.

How about this play on the mini break?

  • LeBron James hit Kyle Kuzma with a bounce pass leading him to the basket. 
  • Kuzma makes a hard drive to the basket and passes the ball back to LeBron.
  • LeBron then makes the quick pass over to Marc Gasol.
  • Gasol knocks down one of his three shots from deep.

As well as the Lakers played, the Minnesota Timberwolves basically rolled over. However It’s not the Lakers’ fault the Wolves showed no heart. Minnesota had one small run in the second quarter, but after a quick timeout, the game was over.

It’s promising to see that for the second straight game, the Lakers did not play down to the competition of their opponent. With Portland coming to town, it will be interesting to see if the Lakers keep their focus after back-to-back blowouts that were over by halftime.

The Lakers will be back at it on Monday to take on the Portland Trail Blazers. Damian Lillard always plays well against the Lake Show and if anyone saw C.J. McCollum on Saturday night, watch out.

Home/Lakers News