Los Angeles Lakers: 4 lessons from huge road win over Kings

Apr 2, 2021; Sacramento, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kostas Anteokounmpo (37) controls a rebound during the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2021; Sacramento, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kostas Anteokounmpo (37) controls a rebound during the fourth quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
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Los Angeles Lakers
Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Lakers may have hit Marc Gasol with a “Scared Straight” technique! 

When a rumor was released that Marc Gasol could be looking for a buyout, most of the Lake Show Life staff rolled their eyes and released a feature breaking down why that wouldn’t be the case.

Then there was the plan was that Marc Gasol would collect his first DNP-CD (Did not play coach’s decision) of the season after 38 starts in Andre Drummond’s debut. Then only after Drummond’s injury, Gasol got to play 6 minutes in the final quarter. He finished with 2 points, 3 rebounds, 2 blocks with an assist and a steal.

But then after the Sacramento Kings game, quotes via ESPN from Gasol and Frank Vogel will have the Lake Show Life staff working overtime to see if our prediction comes true.

"“It’s a hard pill to swallow because I know I’m going to be out of the lineup at some point,” Gasol said. “You’re not Plan A right now. You’re Plan C, D. You have to accept it because that’s your job, but it’s not easy. You have to adapt. You either take it as a challenge or you move on.”"

Gasol came out of fire at the beginning collecting 5 points, 3 rebounds (2 offensive!), 3 assists and a steal. Foul trouble hampered the big man from doing more scoring-wise, but he upped his other stats tremendously with his playmaking with 9 rebounds and 6 assists.

It’s no coincidence that the Andre Drummond signing and loss of playing time has motivated Marc Gasol. Now it is up to him to trust Frank Vogel’s process and the big picture.

"“People need to understand how good a player Marc Gasol is and how valuable he is to what we’re doing,” Vogel said. “He’s going to help us win a championship this year. That’s the plan, that’s the vision. Additions of good players change guys’ roles and it usually works out. I would say the same thing about this situation.”"

Speaking of wondering about the future, Dennis Schroder has been guilty of doing that numerous times this season. Did it continue? Read on and find out!