Due to a knee injury, The Thick Brow Brother missed the second consecutive game, but the Lakers won in both games, a wave of two consecutive wins to help the team reach the sixth position in the West.
Among them, James is undoubtedly the number one contributor during the team's winning streak, and the 37-year-old James handed over 30 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in this game.
In addition, he also returned to his childhood and gave 3 blocks, including a signature volleyball hat and a nail board hat, showing James's fiery competitive state.
With such performances, James has averaged 27.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 7.1 assists in the last 10 games.
This allowed James to successfully match Jordan, becoming the second player in league history to be able to be over the age of 36 and also average at least 27+5+5 in 10 consecutive games.
In the history of the league, only 3 players can still get 30+ triple-doubles after the age of 35, James leads the list with 4 times, and Kobe Bryant and Bird each get 1.
However, James's hot personal state is also difficult to hide the current predicament of the Lakers.
Facing the Magic, a league fish belly, in the third quarter once led by 23 points, the final quarter was still unable to control the situation, the score was forced to close to only 10 points.
If it is not the key moment James debut to continue the hot state, Wei Shao also exerted force at the key moment, whether the Lakers can win this strong and weak confrontation is still unknown, of which 4 major problems are extremely obvious, Pelinka's offseason gambling buried the root cause.
The first big problem: the role positioning of Wei Shao
Throughout the game, Westbrook played 35 minutes, shooting 9-of-18 and having 9 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals.
Whether it is in terms of efficiency or data, Wei Shao's performance is worthy of recognition, but the actual effect is disappointing, and he is incompatible with the Lakers system.
It can be seen that Wei Shao is doing his best to help the team, in the absence of enough ball rights, still actively running and passing, but the problem is that the Lakers introduced Wei Shao in the offseason, that is, they hope to exert their impact and physical advantages to alleviate the pressure of Old Zhan and Thick Brow brother in the regular season, but at present, the Lakers are still far from such a goal.
The second big problem: the problem of ball distribution
This problem is closely related to the first problem, if Wei Shao is given enough ball rights, then the Lakers may be able to solve the first problem, Wei Shao can play his own style, alleviate the pressure on Zhan Mei.
The problem is that the Lakers did this at the beginning of the season, but Wei Shao averaged an amazing number of mistakes per game, even if the current reduction of Wei Shao's ball possession, Wei Shao still sent 5 mistakes in this game.
However, within a limited range, whether the Lakers can give more ball rights to Wei Shao, instead of Tucker, and let Wei Shao lead the second team, may achieve better results.
The third big problem: Vogel's employment
This problem is at the root of the second biggest problem, vogel gave the ball to James and Tucker, causing Westbrook to currently be outside the system.
In addition, how to solve the time ratio between Howard and Jordan Jr., instead of betting on the ultimate five for a long time, is also a problem that Vogel needs to solve.
New signings such as Munch, Bazemore and Ellington have not yet been developed by Vogel, which are the responsibilities that Vogel needs to bear, but these are also the hidden dangers buried by Pelinka's offseason lineup.
Coach Wo is a coach who is good at building a defensive system, and he is also very good at developing defensive players, such as This season's lost draft Rivers and Warriors abandonment Bradley, all of which shine in the Lakers system.
In contrast, Munch, Ellington and Bazemore have not been able to find a suitable positioning, which is related to the ability of the coaching staff and is a direct reflection of management's gamble.
Therefore, it is only expected that Pelinka will adjust the lineup in the middle of the season to solve some of the current problems in the configuration of the lineup.
The fourth big question: whether the thick eyebrow brother is willing to stay in the No. 5 position for a long time
Before the game began, the Lakers exposed that the thick eyebrow brother was unwilling to play the No. 5 position for a long time, complaining that playing the No. 5 position would make him feel tired.
In this game, Howard and Jordan Jr.'s defensive footwork problems were caught by the Magic, and the Lakers were forced to let James play the fifth position for a long time.
In the future, whether the Lakers can play the No. 5 position for a long time, or introduce another spatial No. 5 position, will determine the Lakers' record and ceiling.