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Los Angeles Lakers: LeBron and AD close out Spurs again, 4 Lessons

Ronald Agers|
SAN ANTONIO, TX - JANUARY 1: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives past Rudy Gay #22 of the San Antonio Spurs during second half action at AT&T Center on January 1 , 2021 in San Antonio, Texas. 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 Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - JANUARY 1: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives past Rudy Gay #22 of the San Antonio Spurs during second half action at AT&T Center on January 1 , 2021 in San Antonio, Texas. 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 Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Lakers have the Finals MVP that can control an NBA game with ease! Happy New Year!

Lake Show Life would like to preface this analysis with the fact that LeBron  James was questionable with a ankle injury!

This game was the perfect example of watching LeBron James play chess while most of the NBA is playing checkers. With the quick turnaround, LeBron James is starting to find the balance of putting up numbers without overworking himself over the long season.

In this highlight reel here, just look at how he collects 6 points, 2 assists while correcting a major mistake in the loss to Portland by making sure AD gets consistent touches.

Play one: 

After Kentavious Caldwell-Pope grabs the offensive rebound and hands it to LeBron, watch how he waits for the play to develop. Jakob Poetl lets AD go and the mismatch is developing under the basket with Dejounte Murray guarding him. 

Instead of taking a 3 point shot, LeBron simply tosses the ball up where only Davis can get it and AD dunks on Murray’s head. 

Play two:

LeBron James is matched up with Drew Eubanks on the left wing. It’s been discussed how ineffective Eubanks has been in this game. LeBron simply dribbles to his comfort zone around the 3 point line which is the left wing, simple side step and he knocks down the shot.

Play three:

In what seems like a similar play, LeBron dribbles down in the same manner as before. Rudy Gay is back to far defending him. It opens the connection with AD, who spins off Eubanks for the alley-oop dunk.

Play four:

Finally LeBron uses the Marc Gasol pick to get a one-on-one situation with Eubanks (Rough night for the guy huh?). LeBron hits him with the spin move and lays the ball up and draws the foul. There he hit one of his seven free throws.

LeBron James collected yet another triple-double of 26 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. But the most important aspect of LeBron’s performance was after Schroder took an ill-advised 3 point shot late in the game. After that, LeBron made sure that either he or Anthony Davis got the ball in crunch time. That usage of basketball I.Q. led to the 9-0 Lakers run to finish the game out.

Game over!

The Los Angeles Lakers got out with the win but not unscathed. An injury happened in the game that definitely will hurt for a week or two. The next lesson will break that down. Read on!

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