The Los Angeles Lakers had a phenomenal game against the Memphis Grizzlies. The 134-127 victory was the kind of response they needed after suffering a heartbreaking loss against the Chicago Bulls a few days ago.
While the Lakers have the Grizzlies’ messy dilemma with Taylor Jenkins’s departure to thank for the W, the Purple and Gold also reaped the benefits of having their three best players firing at all cylinders. Memphis struggled to prevent Austin Reaves from putting the ball through the net, and Luka Doncic was his usual playmaking self.
LeBron James was also locked in, causing plenty of problems for the Grizzlies’ defenders throughout the game. While his numbers were consistent with his season averages, it’s the way he got those points that grabbed the attention of analysts who closely observed the game.
Analyst praised the Los Angeles Lakers’ decision to use LeBron James as the offensive anchor from the post
Making James, Reaves, and Doncic mesh in the two months they had before the playoffs was the biggest problem JJ Redick and the rest of the coaching staff had to figure out. All three players could do similar things, so finding the right offensive scheme to make them all thrive while playing together.
Silver Screen and Roll’s Raj Chipalu observed that the Lakers may have found the answer with making James take over some of Anthony Davis’ roles in the squad:
One promising solution has been to use James more in the post, particularly when teams implement a switching defense, as they have recently.
The decision gives James an advantage when he has the ball against a player smaller than his 6’9″, 250lb frame. He can easily force his way into the interior and make an easy layup.
Chipalu also pointed the benefits it can provide in maximizing James’ playmaking chops:
It also puts James in another place to be a playmaker. To draw attention without needing to dominate at the top of the key.
It’s still a shared offensive burden, but now shifting where his attack comes from. Another post entry is thrown on the play below off of a switch, this time in the middle of the floor.
It’s easy to imagine the Lakers cruising to the postseason if they manage to master this offensive scheme. Given James’ incredible athleticism and elite basketball IQ, he can use this new defensive adjustment to turn the Purple and Gold into one of the most terrifying teams to face in the league.
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