Los Angeles Lakers: 3 keys to evening up the series vs. Phoenix Suns

Key #2: Stop switching the pick-and-roll

Please ignore this common media narrative. The Los Angeles Lakers need to stop switching the pick-and-roll!  The Lakers don’t have the personnel! Nor should they switch!

Even when Anthony Davis plays center, the Lakers are still better off not switching. AD is much better off anchoring the paint than jumping out on opposing guards.

Even if the Lakers were more “switchable” as claimed by many pundits, switching every screen will not work against a team like Phoenix. Switching on the Booker-Ayton pick-and-roll is a bad idea because Ayton will dunk on any Lakers guard who is stuck on him.

Booker can take any big man off the dribble with relative ease (and that includes Anthony Davis) if the Lakers send their weak side defender to the paint to deny the lob to Ayton.

Case in point: Lakers defensive ace Alex Caruso wrongly bet that Montrezl Harrell would be able to contest Devin Booker’s jump shot, sliding to his right to stop Dario Saric from rolling to the basket.

Harrell got burned! He gave Booker too much space to operate in the midrange area.

If I am the Lakers, I am keeping my big man attached to Ayton and instead I would use Paul’s man to double-team Booker once he turns the corner on the ball screen.

Because if the Lakers don’t switch but stay home on the other three players, Ayton will keep getting easy lobs at the basket.

On another note, Andre Drummond is getting eaten alive folks!

Drummond getting owned against Devin Booker is one thing. Getting owned on the glass is an entirely another one.