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Los Angeles Lakers: LeBron takes over and beats Memphis, 4 Lessons

By Ronald Agers

Jan 5, 2021; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with forwards Anthony Davis (3) and Montrezl Harrell (15) after scoring against the Memphis Grizzlies in the first quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 5, 2021; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with forwards Anthony Davis (3) and Montrezl Harrell (15) after scoring against the Memphis Grizzlies in the first quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

LeBron basically destroyed Dillon Brooks and the Memphis Grizzlies delivering a win for the Los Angeles Lakers! 

Dillon Brooks obviously didn’t watch the Lakers first round playoff series against the Portland Trail Blazers. If he did, he would have seen Gary Trent Jr. open his mouth to LeBron James in game two. After LeBron got irritated, he bullied Trent in the post and eventually Portland got run out of the series.

Either Brooks did not learn a lesson from last year or he just forgot.

Where it all started:

https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1346645428180279298

  • Kyle Kuzma allowed Dillon Brooks to cut back door for the inbounds pass under the basket.
  • LeBron tries to tie him up for a jump ball, but falls to the floor.
  • Dillon goes up for the basket and draws the foul on Marc Gasol. 
  • Then looks at LeBron and yells “AND ONE!”

How it ended:

Fun fact: LeBron had already dropped two fadeaway jumpers in Brooks’ grill before this.

To close out a 13 point scoring collaboration with Anthony Davis, LeBron made it a point to Dillon not to talk trash to better players.

  • While Dillon reached, LeBron gave him his own teaching moment by hitting him with a behind the back dribble.  
  • Then Brooks was escorted to the free throw line for the closing moment of the game. 
  • LeBron gave a mini dream shake, shot a fadeaway jumper of the left foot hitting nothing but net.
  • Then James hit the Memphis bench with the “He’s too small pose” running down the court.

After a slow start in the first half scoring only 5 points on 2-8 shooting, LeBron James turned it on in the second half dropping 11 points (Including 10 straight Lakers points!) in the third quarter and 21 points overall. This game showed the continued progress of LeBron James’ new role of closer for the Los Angeles Lakers. He is putting on a clinic when it’s time to turn up the pressure when the Lakers offense is struggling.

In 34 minutes, LeBron put together a stat line of 26 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists, a steal and a block! He shot 11-20 from the field and is quietly doing a better job from the free throw line lately hitting all three.

Lake Show Life editor had a piece before the game discussing why LeBron James should be the favorite for MVP this year.

LeBron will not win the MVP this year. Why? His numbers has dropped from last year and in the analytical age the NBA is in right now, the narrative will be pushed to players like Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo or either Brooklyn Nets stars Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant.

But the way LeBron James is playing now balancing the quick turnaround and his efficient play, he’ll be the Finals MVP for the second straight year.

Ask him which one matters more.

LeBron James had a little bit of help closing out the Memphis Grizzlies. This player not only supported the finish, but kept the Lakers afloat in the first half. Read on to see how this player did.

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