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Los Angeles Lakers: 4 Lessons on upset shocker of the Denver Nuggets

By Ronald Agers

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 03: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers passes the ball against Michael Porter Jr. #1 of the Denver Nuggets during the first quarter at Staples Center on May 03, 2021 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 Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 03: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers passes the ball against Michael Porter Jr. #1 of the Denver Nuggets during the first quarter at Staples Center on May 03, 2021 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 Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /
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Frank Vogel’s rotations will kill the Los Angeles Lakers chances of repeating!

Let’s setup the scenario of the last quarter courtesy of Lakers reporter, Mike Trudell.

"Another triple for Marc Gasol, who’s been terrific tonight … and then, fellow vet Wesley Matthews, who’s been out of the rotation, scores 5 straight points, a transition layup (from Gasol) and then a corner 3. LAL open a 80-67 lead with a 13-2 run."

Here’s the visuals.

Then Vogel gets the bright idea to bring in Drummond and Alex Caruso. Understand these points here.

While Gasol barely cracked double figures on Monday, he posted the highest plus-minus of the night at +17. Oh, by the way, he was putting up numbers against the odds-on-favorite to win the MVP Award this year.

Wesley Matthews was on fire hitting three huge shots in the run (Two 3 pointers!) for 8 points.

As soon as these two sat down, Denver went on a 14-2 run. Alex Caruso had troubles with the trap and turned the ball over a few times and Drummond was getting abused by Jokic. Only when Gasol and THT were inserted back in the lineup the Lakers held Denver off.

Here’s the little thing that help seal the game along with AD’s block on the other end.

  • THT attacks Austin Rivers and makes a drive to the basket to attempt the layup.
  • Watch how Gasol continues to fight by keeping attached to Jokic as he attempts the shot.
  • His activity makes sure that he can still be in the play to fight for the rebound without going over the back of Jokic and committing a foul.
  • Gasol gets his hand on it and taps the ball to THT.
  • THT hits a difficult reverse layup.

This list is not going to show up in box scores. Analytics can’t detect this. Basketball is a sport that commands changes based on situations that will force coaches to think out of the box to pull out close wins like these.

Vogel’s mistakes in rotations cost the Los Angeles Lakers two games in the last few weeks. He almost cost the team a third.

Lake Show Life will extend its post-game coverage in the postseason! There will be short post-game reports shortly after the game in addition to the extended post-game of Lake Show Life Lessons! 

More potential back-to-back championship coverage for championship fans.

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