The first game out of the All-Star break is usually sloppy as players look to regain their rhythm after a week off. For LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, there is no grace period in the Western Conference and they have to play great immediately to keep up with the other contenders.
Unfortunately, L.A. was given a tall task of playing one of, if not the hottest teams, in the Los Angeles Clippers. Kawhi Leonard has been on a heater, playing like an All-NBA star by averaging 27.8 points.
However, the Lakers came out with intent out the gates by dropping 41 points in the first quarter. Specifically with 3-point shooting, they seemingly could not miss and James spoke to what led to that offensive success and how they can replicate it moving forward.
“When we sharing the ball and we’re moving the ball and we have 25-plus assists in the game, we’re a pretty good team,” James said. “We want to try to aim for everyone, everybody to feel involved. I thought Smart, stay ready. I thought he was a true professional. You know, didn’t shoot the ball at all pretty much throughout the first three quarters and then in the fourth quarter, hit big time shots for us.
“So, offensively, we just want to, we try to have low turnover games. Which we we got to continue to be better at that. Not turning the ball over and giving teams pick 6s, but then just everybody feeling the ball, getting the ball moving. So obviously, it starts with Luka and myself and AR, we are the primary ball handlers, and getting everybody involved and not turning the ball over as much. So it was good offensive display for us.”
The Lakers had 31 assists on 44 made field goals as James and Luka Doncic both totaled 11 each. There was intention behind their offense and sometimes having that ball movement can create synergy, empowering a team.
Historically with Doncic, he tends to take matters into his own hands a considerable amount of time. James and Austin Reaves need to chip in and alleviate that pressure off of the league’s leading scorer.
For sustainability, it is best for the Lakers to have continued body and player movement if they hope to have a successful back half of the year. Hopefully, Friday’s win against the Clippers serves as an infliction point of re-energizing L.A.’s offense.
LeBron James praises Kawhi Leonard as one of greatest players ever
Objectively speaking, Kawhi Leonard has been playing like he is a top-five player on both sides of the floor. He turned around the Clippers season and gave the Lakers problems once again on Friday night.
Thankfully, L.A. came out with the win, but LeBron James shared high praise of Leonard, calling him one of the greatest players ever.
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