On December 29, Beijing time, the Lakers defeated the Rockets 132-123 away, and the Lakers ended a long five-game losing streak, after which the Lakers returned to the top eight in the West (because the Lakers beat the Rockets, the Timberwolves lost to the Knicks). The Lakers are a lineup without a center in this game, and James completed the triple-double +36,000 mark as a starting center. He scored 32 points, 11 of 5 out of 19, 3 of 5 from three-point range, 7 of 9 from the free throws, 1 noble, 1 steal and 2 blocks.
Munch is also the first starter, the Lakers' first starters are: Westbrook (1.91 meters), Bradley (1.91 meters), Munch (1.91 meters), Stanley Johnson (1.98 meters), LeBron (2.06 meters), the average height of 1.954 meters, this lineup should be the shortest set of the current league starting lineup, it is clear that Fitzdale is going to attack, the starting James, Westbrook, Munch all scored 20+ points.
But this lineup entered a critical moment, LeBron James is too tired, he not only has to score but also to protect the frame, defense, the last 1 minute 40 seconds, James alone scored 10 points, Wei Shao one person twice free throws 2 points, and Wei Shao three times connected twice empty cut basket success, once to create a foul, it can be said that the last moment is to rely on James and Wei Shao's block to win, LeBron is 37 years old, how long can he hold out? He is the core center of this small lineup.
In the past two seasons, James's positioning is "organizational forward", which is actually a no. 1 position, and this season his positioning is to organize the center, is it really playing the fifth position, Davis is injured, Howard and Jordan Jr. directly fell out of the rotation, this game Howard and Huang Shu are not on the scene for a minute, how far can such a Lakers go? An objective fact must also be admitted, the Rockets are the bottom team in the league, and the interior line is not strong.
Just like the last game against the Nets, James can't always defend Clarkston, when playing the Timberwolves, James can't limit Downes, not to mention the Lakers will play nuggets, Philadelphia, Jazz and other teams, this small lineup really has to be used all the time? I personally think that Jordan Jr. and Howard should still be used, can not give up the center in order to open up space for Wei Shao, the combination of Wei Shao + Harden in the Rockets period shows that it is not far away.
That season, the Rockets traded Capela for space, only to be blown up by the Lakers in the second round, and James could bully the Rockets' interior at will. Vogel and Fitzdale should consider the issue of both defense and offense.
Text/Yan Xiaobai