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How LeBron can dominate for the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 vs Phoenix

By Kevin Germany

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 25: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a three-point shot against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of Game Two of the Western Conference first-round playoff series at Phoenix Suns Arena on May 25, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 25: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a three-point shot against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of Game Two of the Western Conference first-round playoff series at Phoenix Suns Arena on May 25, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

How the Los Angeles Lakers can get the ball to LeBron James: 

Anthony Davis or no Anthony Davis, the Phoenix Suns are obviously going to put multiple defenders on LeBron James whenever he touches the ball, especially because they know by now the Lakers are not a good three-point shooting team.

Given LeBron’s the go-to scorer now, the Lakers must find other ways to get him the ball.

What are those ways might Lakers fans ask?

1) Run a high/low offense between LeBron and Marc Gasol

Down the stretch, the Lakers found a very effective closing lineup centered around Marc Gasol at the five and LeBron at the four. With Phoenix aggressively fronting LeBron in the low post, Gasol was able to find him on several high-low passes to the rim.

LeBron can post up any of the Phoenix wings anytime he wants. With Gasol forcing Ayton to defend him at the three-point line, this high-low option will be available more often than not.

2) Move LeBron to point forward (and Dennis Schroder off the ball)

The biggest change from last season to now is LeBron James moved back to his natural position of small forward. The expectation was Dennis Schroder was to take over as the starting point guard.

That has not happened as smoothly as Lakers fans had hoped. Schroder’s missed layup encapsulated the Lakers’ struggles in Game 4.

My key was that Schroder was to pass LeBron and Anthony Davis the ball in Game 4. I was very disappointed. He had 3 assists to go along with 8 points.

Related: Los Angeles Lakers: Dennis Schroder is the big key to victory in Game 4

In Game 5, LeBron should be the primary initiator of offense so Schroder can become more comfortable as the secondary scoring option instead of being a primary facilitator.

Schroder cannot be relied upon to take over a regular season game. LeBron has and will singlehandedly won playoff games for his team.

3) Run screens for LeBron away from the ball

Do you want to know the secret behind Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry being the greatest shooter in NBA history?

It’s not really a secret: Curry constantly moves without the ball. He has mastered the art of coming off pin-down and staggered screens to instantly knock down any shot within 30 feet.

LeBron might have to take a page out of his (media-proclaimed) rival’s playbook to have yet another 40 point performance. When he does not bring the ball up on offense, Phoenix has shaded two defenders with the intention of not letting him get the ball.

His ankle notwithstanding, LeBron will have to come off multiple screens to get open looks. If that doesn’t work, there is one last thing to help LeBron that the Lakers have not done all season long.

4) Play center

Lakers fans remember Magic Johnson replacing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at the center position in Game 6 of the 1980 NBA Finals. What might not be as known is Magic sat in 1A (Kareem’s designated seat) on the flight to Philadelphia between Games 5 and 6 of the 1980 NBA Finals.

Magic finished with 42 points and 15 rebounds in an iconic performance. LeBron James has had similar performances – just not at center.

LeBron has also hardly played center in his career. But in this game, the Lakers might want to try a strategy rarely seen in Lakers lore for over 40 years.

The benefits intrigue: the Lakers can switch every screen with LeBron at the five. Phoenix has been able to exploit the Lakers’ traditional pick-and-roll coverage. While still not ideal, switching every screen will force Phoenix’s center Deandre Ayton to get his buckets primarily off post-up attempts. Ayton is an awesome finisher at the basket off offensive rebounds and lobs.

As a post-up player, however, he is still very raw. LeBron can guard Ayton straight up in the low post and not have it be too much of a problem. All the Lakers have to do to keep Ayton off the boards is to send a second defender to box him out before the shot goes up.

It won’t be easy. Then again, it never was supposed to be. It will be even harder for Phoenix to stop the new-look Lakers on offense.

Good luck to Ayton or anyone else guarding LeBron with nobody at the rim to get in his way. With five-out spacing, LeBron will have an avenue to score over 40 points.

50 greatest Lakers of all-time. dark. Next

It is an unconventional idea. Then again, nothing about this season has been conventional. The Lakers will need to think outside the box to beat a suddenly-hot Phoenix Suns squad.