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Los Angeles Lakers: 4 lessons in dominant win over Houston Rockets

By Ronald Agers

HOUSTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 10: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball during the first quarter of a game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on January 10, 2021 in Houston, 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 Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 10: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball during the first quarter of a game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on January 10, 2021 in Houston, 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 Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

LeBron James set the tone for the Los Angeles Lakers 30 seconds into the game!

The Los Angeles Lakers’ defensive performances had been a point of emphasis of Lake Show life Lessons since the preseason. Then when Anthony Davis voiced his frustration, debates started in the comment sections and the staff.

But there was no question the Lakers came to compete in this game. LeBron showed the world inside of the first minute. In the previous game against the Chicago Bulls, the Lakers were constantly late with their rotations and giving up easy points in the paint.

Here’s how John Wall and Christian Wood gets stopped when they run the pick and roll.

https://twitter.com/NBATV/status/1348425397189316611

  • Christian Wood picks Schroder off and Wall drives toward Marc Gasol.
  • Gasol steps up to defend the Wall drive that forces the pass to Wood.
  • LeBron reads the play all the way and jumps the lane for the steal.
  • The ball falls in the hands of Dennis Schroder who passes forward to LeBron for the easy dunk.

For the first time in several games, the Los Angeles Lakers came out focused defensively to start the game. Anthony Davis laid down a challenge to his team to get better and it would have been easy for LeBron to undermine him. James realized that the spotlight would be on AD for his comments and he showed that he supported his partner in crime with plays like these that went on all night. This shows strong leadership in the locker room.

LeBron finished with 18 points (7-15 shooting), 7 rebounds and 7 assists, but the defense was back to the level of the playoffs last year. It was dominant.

Speaking of dominant. Talen Horton-Tucker is continuing to show that he is going to be a valuable contributor for years to come. Find out why and how he did in this game.

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