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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
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Los Angeles Lakers survival tip three: Play ALL THREE CENTERS and start laying the wood to Deandre Ayton!

The only reason why the article was written is that despite Anthony Davis being injured is…

The Los Angeles Lakers have been basically outplayed!

If anyone disagrees with this assessment, it is evident that you have paid no attention to the center matchup (Or watched the games!). Deandre Ayton has been the most consistent player in this series.

  • Game 1: 21 points (10-11 shooting!), 16 rebounds (8 offensive!), and a block.
  • Game 2: 22 points (11-13 shooting!), 10 rebounds and an assist.
  • Game 3: 22 points (11-15 shooting!), 11 rebounds (4 offensive!), 2 blocks and a steal.
  • Game 4: 14 points (6-8 shooting!), 17 rebounds, 2 steals and a block.  

The dynamics of the Phoenix Suns is simple. Devin Booker is the best talent on the team, Chris Paul is the most important player, but Deandre Ayton has been the most dominant player on this team in this series. The Lakers have been constantly been dunked on by the big man whether Anthony Davis was on the floor or not.

Here’s how you stop Deandre Ayton…Play all three centers, Frank Vogel! 

Let’s break down the three centers starting with the current starter that was brought in midseason.

Andre Drummond:

A picture says a thousand words. This picture demonstrates Drummond’s accomplishments stopping Ayton this series.

At the beginning of the series, the debate was Andre clogging up the middle affecting Anthony Davis’ offensive options. Well, that ship has passed. Since then, other than a 12 point, 9 rebound performance, Drummond has not made the impact the Lakers need on either end of the floor. But he does have six hard fouls that he can lay on Ayton. Feel free to use them.

He’s not scoring well enough to worry the Suns on the defensive end and Ayton has outrebounded him. He doesn’t match up well in this series. If the Lakers want to start him, that’s fine, but changes need to be made if he is not going to be the physical presence that a guy his size needs to be.

Marc Gasol: 

Will Marc Gasol stop Ayton on the defensive end? PFFT! Please. But sometimes you can counteract this by making your opponent uncomfortable on the other end. How can Gasol do that?

Shoot and make 3 point shots.

The Lakers have made runs with Gasol spacing the floor and drawing Ayton out of the paint that can provide driving lanes for LeBron and Schroder. Plus his basketball I.Q. allows the Lakers to have another playmaker on the floor to hit cutters backdoor for layups. If a stat line of12 points (4-6 shooting! 3-5 from behind the arc!), 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 blocks don’t get this guy minutes, nothing will.

The problem is Lakers fans, getting offensive numbers isn’t everything to Frank Vogel. Ask this guy…

Montrezl Harrell: 

It bears repeating. The Los Angeles Lakers would have NEVER been in the play-in tournament if Frank Vogel hadn’t given Harrell DNP-CDs!!!

Harrell had 10 points in his first 11 minutes of action in Game 1. He finished with 12 points. Now he’s the star on this new show “Lakers Nation’s Most Wanted On The Floor”.

How many people are sick of hearing about the Los Angeles Lakers having the number one net defense in the NBA? The rules state that the team that scores the most wins the basketball game. AD leaves a huge void offensively. The last two centers listed score better than the first. Get the connection?

Here’s something all the centers can do if they are on the floor…FOUL DEANDRE AYTON!

The majority of Ayton’s baskets have been dunks! If the guards do what was instructed earlier, the responsibility of cleaning up Dennis Schroder’s defensive breakdowns won’t be a problem. Get physical…foul him hard and send him to the line and make him hit free throws.

If one of these centers foul out, put in Markieff Morris and instruct him to show the NBA world how the Morris twins play bully ball.

Is this a full-proof plan? Nope. The Los Angeles Lakers are still in trouble without Anthony Davis. But if they don’t apply these survival tactics along with LeBron going crazy dropping 40 points or more, the season will be over Thursday night.

dark. Next. 50 greatest Lakers of all-time

Lake Show Life has extended its post-game coverage this 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 championship coverage for championship fans.

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