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Los Angeles Lakers: 4 Lessons on how the Lakers can survive Phoenix

By Ronald Agers

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 25: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers talks with Alex Caruso #4, Dennis Schroder #17 and Anthony Davis #3 in the huddle 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. The Lakers defeated the Suns 109-102. 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 talks with Alex Caruso #4, Dennis Schroder #17 and Anthony Davis #3 in the huddle 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. The Lakers defeated the Suns 109-102. 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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Los Angeles Lakers survival tip two: Pressure the Suns guards full court and start bodying them!

Going back to the “Flagrant 2” foul that was called on Devin Booker in Game 3 shows a grave weakness in Devin Booker’s game. He tends to lose his cool with physicality and when things go south.

After two games of scoring 30 points or more, the Lakers loaded up the pressure on Booker and was frustrated him into the incident. This is not new folks. Booker has always wilted under extreme defensive pressure. Remember the “We don’t double team in pick-up games Bro!” debate a couple of summers back?

This defensive scheme will apply whether Kentavious Caldwell-Pope returns or not. Starting with Schroder, the Lakers guards need to body up on Booker and get physical with him. The Lakers have plenty of guards to hand out hard fouls. Here’s the list that needs to see time on the floor if KCP is unable to go.

  • Wesley Matthews
  • Talen Horton-Tucker
  • Dennis Schroder
  • Alex Caruso
  • Ben McLemore 

That’s 30 hard fouls potentially to wear down Booker in this series. Will the Los Angeles Lakers need them all? No. He will get distracted by yelling at the referees and looking for retaliation. Most shooters do not want physical pounding over the course of a game. Devin Booker is the perfect example of this fact. Can the Lakers do it? Sure, they came up with a scheme for James Harden that wore him out…

How about pressuring Chris Paul full court? Doesn’t he have a bum shoulder still?

Analyzing basketball is not hard for Lakers fans. Sometimes simplicity is the hallmark of genius. Rotate that same list of players and get them to pressure Paul up the floor 94 feet. Three things can happen if this happens.

  1. It will mess up the flow of the Suns’ offense because it takes longer to start due to time wasted getting the ball across halfcourt.
  2. CP3 will be worn out by the constant physicality of the numerous bodies being thrown at him.
  3. The constant work will wear out his sore shoulder which will lead to his mid-range jumper falling off.  

Lake Show Life could mention Cameron Payne, but the Lakers should be embarrassed that he basically punked Alex Caruso and has continued to give them work throughout this series. Only hardcore fans knew this guy even existed before this first-round matchup started.

The last thing is on Frank Vogel. His rotations have been suspect all season long, but his center decisions need to change quickly. But the Lake Show Life Lessons staff has some suggestions. Read on… 

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