5 Things: Lakers dominate Rockets 119-96

Let’s be honest, it wasn’t ever in doubt. After the rust game we had in the first contest and the first half of game 2 there were approximately 7 times when the Rockets closed to within 5 outside of the opening tip. This was supposed to be a contrast of styles played out on the hardwood. Instead it became a clinic on defense, the revelation that Frank Vogel is open to major adjustments ad adaptations of his philosophy and the Lakers return to the Western Conference finals.

1. LeBron James was superlative in this season. He didn’t always score a ton, didn’t blow you away with high assist numbers, didn’t even have a triple-double. But make no mistake, he imposed his will upon Houston, specifically on the defensive end where we win the series. LeBron is not in what one would describe as “normal” playoff mode. He’s got other things on his mind but he’s carved out a chunk of his cerebellum for matrixing basketball. He got the stops we needed when we needed them, created a shot when his weren’t there and scored down low almost at will. Strong and measured series from LeBron James.
2. Anthony Davis looks stronger and stronger. In a series where he moved to the center position full-time, aided by Markieff Morris, AD was a force on defense from the top of the key to the rim. He showed hard on switches, came out to defend guards and forwards and was a general force of nature on that end of the court. On offense he was hitting mid range jumpers from everywhere, eschewed the three for punishing little players in the paint. He was everything you could want from a super star big man.
3. The emergence of Alex Caruso and Kyle Kuzma. Every series they play in will be there first of that type. Both players have done a great job of having an impact but playing within themselves and their roles. Alex is the jack-of-all-trades player, making plays, scoring, and playing suffocating perimeter D while moving his feet on drives like a savvy vet. His chase down block on Harden was epic. Kyle Kuzma can give more than he’s asked of on this team. While it wasn’t working for him earlier this season it’s definitely working for him now. He’s hitting threes at a respectable rate, defending well and making the most of this experience.
4. Rajon Rondo aka playoff Rondo. This is the player Lakers fans have been waiting for the last couple seasons. When he’s focused on the game and a little less on his Rondo-isms he’s an elite player. But you know what? I don’t really mind his Rondo-isms. They get into the opposition’s head and take them out of their comfort zone. He makes the kind of plays that win playoff games, he’s not over-gambling on defense and he’s shooting the three ball pretty darn well, so far. His entry passes over a fronting player are a big reason we were able to keep a big on the floor at all times.
5. Getting some rest. We got a veteran team, there isn’t a lot of rest between games in the Bubble. So now we get until at least Wednesday, possibly as late as Friday to get ourselves rested and refreshed. While the rust we accumulate has shown itself to be an issue I’ll take a rust game for the dominance we’ve shown in the games after game 1. While losing game 1 is never ideal, we’ve thus far shown the ability to rise above. Better to get right with some extra time off and be as ready as we can physically be. But winning game 1 wouldn’t suck, either.

All in all I don’t think this could be going much better. We’ve lost game 1 in each series than turned it around and pretty much dominated. Our defense looks locked in, we know where we’re getting our points from and we’re playing as a team. I, for one, am thoroughly enjoying our return to NBA prominence and can’t wait for the Western Conference finals.

Going camping for a few days so won’t be chiming in here and there but I’ll be back Wednesday in time for a potential game 1 against…