The Warriors and Lakers played 4 times in the regular season, 3 times after the Lakers big trade, and all 3 times the Lakers won. The three meetings were not well organized on both sides, but there were some details of the match that were worth referencing.
Although they have played a lot of games after the big trade and have been tested by the 2nd Grizzlies in the West, this Lakers still has a lot of uncertainty. The reason is that the Lakers' puzzle is highly variable. In addition to the stability of the three core positions of thick eyebrows, James, and Reeves, Russell, who has a relatively high comprehensive level, is basically the fourth person, and then there are question marks:
Vanderbilt. Orthodox starter, large defense value, serious dragging space. In the first round of the playoffs, Van der Biao averaged 19.8 minutes per game, behind substitutes Hachimura and Schroeder, which shows that Hamm uses him more modestly, and also knows that in many occasions, space is more important than the quality of defense. Van der Biao has a unique value, he can change Curry's blocks with thick eyebrows at certain times, increasing the difficulty for the Warriors to develop offense. Although the Lakers' defensive main game this season has sunk, if the opponent is a Warrior, it is still worth trying to change defense at some time;
Hachimura Takashi. The Lakers' important X-factor in the first round, some of the ability to hold the ball and shoot penalties for misalignment, shooting 52.4% from three-point range in the first round, providing space value. It can be used as a meat shield for the top defensive line, but this value is of little significance to play the warriors, and the ability to change the backfield and protect the basket is limited. The Lakers used his main appeal is space to punish the Warriors' guards by the way, but it is doubtful whether it can maintain the effect of the first round;
Schroeder. A defender with the ability to hold the ball and play one, fast, with mid-range shots and throws, and good ability to chase and defend defenders. His type can be used to play the Warriors, and the question is, if the first round is not in good form, can the second round pick up? It is reasonable to expect that Schroeder and Hachimura each pulled back a little, and if so, Schroeder might be worth more time;
Brown & Billies. The former is a poor man's version of 3D, shooting 1-of-11 three-pointers in the playoffs, which is usually not so iron, and can last a little rotation time in the early part of the series. The latter did not feel good after coming to the Lakers, but he was still the most determined shooter on the Lakers' bench, and could be used as a cover for the outside to cooperate with James naming the guard;
Gabriel & Walker. The former is a small-ball number five with good mobility, and it is worth trying to play Warriors. The latter can be scraped when no one can cast in.
In the connection section, the Lakers can lead the team with thick eyebrows and James respectively. The defense of the thick eyebrow period is guaranteed, and the team can play more defenders with the ball, which makes up for the shortcomings of the thick eyebrows, and there is no need to worry about this period. James' period, which interior line is used is more variable, but because of James's existence, the offensive continuity is better than the Warriors' period without Curry.
The main variable of the Lakers is how to pose the ultimate five. Let's assume that Russell is in the middle of the day, and no one is sure who will play the last card. Schroder looks more suitable than Van der Biao and Hachimura because of the relative balance of defense and offense, but the configuration of three guards + two frontcourts will reduce the pressure on the size of the Warriors, causing the Warriors to dare to put a smaller lineup. The risk of losing rebounds is also increased by thick eyebrows.
The use of the Warriors is also highly variable. The substitutes at the top of the rotation are these:
Poole. Can play with the ball, has a certain breakthrough ability, can score and hold the ball and shoot three points when pumping, but this season often can't score open spots, the projection performance is extremely unstable, and the defense is one of the worst rotations for the Warriors. However, because he can play and hold the ball, the Warriors still have to use him when Curry is not on the floor;
Peyton. The Warriors are the strongest man off the bench to lead the defense, with excellent finishing ability and full of vitality at both ends of the offensive and defensive ends. Although it is sometimes possible to respond to three points, the space threat is still not. Against teams with poor basket protection, he can also find a presence by cutting in the air, but in the time when thick eyebrows are on the floor, can Payton still cut into a dunk?
DiVincenzo. He can lead defenders with average speed, and hopefully Russell and Reeves. Shooting 39.7 percent from three-point range in the regular season, he shot mediocre in the playoffs, but remains the most promising piece of the Warriors puzzle to respond to the open spot. He's one of the Warriors' puzzle that balances projection and defense, but he's also a guard.
After three guards, the Warriors' other available rotations, sorted by probability of playing, are:
Moody. He shot 5-of-11 from three-point range in the first round, handed over relatively qualified defense, ball handling and game dynamics, and because of his long arm span, he would be relatively "bigger" than the three guards in front of him. Moody has no special strategic value, but he is relatively able to shoot and has a size, and this foundation itself has value, unless he suddenly pulls his crotch, he will have time;
Kuminga & Lamb & Jagrin. The Warriors bench the front trio, each with its own problems. Kuminga can top James in the transition, but dragging space and hesitating to handle the ball could be targeted by the Lakers' defense. Lamb moves slowly and shortly, is calm offensely and shoots, but the three-point range is not scored at all, and when Cole wants to pin his hopes on him, the situation is extremely difficult. Jagin will probably have time in this series, although he has poor overall ability, but Looney or Chase Dream may get into foul trouble, Jaggin is the only inside lineman outside of them, has size, strength, and a certain probability of scoring three points.
Cole's employment challenges are twofold:
First, do you want to try the bench front trio first? If someone works well, it means a lot to the rest of the game. Although the Lakers are basically 3~5 reliable frontcourts with guards, the Warriors do not need to substitute 3 frontcourts, and they will still have 1~2 fewer frontcourt rotations than the Lakers. Whether Cole dares to use a three-person trial in the early part of the series is a question;
The second is the space problem of chasing Lu at the same time, how much will the Lakers be exposed? Although the Warriors eventually proved that their starting lineup at the same time as Chasing Lu was still the best choice, they were also shaken when playing the King, and Chasing Dream's initiative to ask for a substitute must have space considerations. Xiaosa's defensive failure allowed the Warriors to finally hold up the space flaws and burst the King's basket, but it was difficult for the Lakers to play the thick eyebrows and guard the basket. Once chasing Lu together is uncomfortable, who is the last puzzle piece of the five little ones is still a question mark.
Potter, Belitsa.
In my opinion, the most important meeting between the two teams is to "see who can't bear the space first":
The Lakers have thick eyebrows to protect the basket, James and Vanderbilt two large frontcourt to sit, and the smart Reeves to provide defense. The warriors chase their dreams to patrol and sweep, and the other 5 also have certain defensive capabilities;
The Warriors' main attackers are mainly projectile plays, with throws, emergency stop jumpers, and can avoid the basket to a certain extent, but the Warriors' interior finish is too poor. The Lakers have a stronger finishing ability, and Russell, Reeves, James and Thick Eyebrows, who feel called, also have jump shots.
Who will be the first to make adjustments in this space game?
This is important.
If the Lakers make adjustments first, they will have to test the state of Eight Village and Schroder, in particular, if Eight Village is not good and the last card becomes Schroder, then the Lakers will become a smaller side. The Warriors can make heavy use of their familiar starting five, which prevails overall.
If the Warriors make adjustments first, it's hard to believe that Kuminga and other three benches work better than the one who chases Lu, and it must be another guard. The Warriors are too small, and it's harder to defend.
It can be said that whoever can't stand space constipation first, who has to make the first move, the greater the risk.
Some other X-factors:
Curry's foul number. Curry is likely to start defending Reeves (to prevent Debia from being too much less in size, and Russell has more possession than Reeves), will the Lakers increase Reeves' play to consume Curry? If an opponent has to turn in 3.8 fouls on Reeves per game, how many will Curry lose? If Curry makes 2 fouls in a single quarter and 4 offenses in 3 quarters, the situation for the Lakers will be extremely favorable. Reeves is likely to be an important winning key for the Lakers in this series;
Which side of the puzzle feels better. In the first round of the playoffs, the Lakers shot 31% from three-point range, which is iron, but the combined crosshairs of Reeves and Russell are okay, Hachimura turned in a high-explosive performance, and James also had room to pull back on 8-of-41 shooting. The Warriors shot 32.8% from three-point range in the first round, which seems to be a little better than the Lakers, mainly supported by the splash brothers who are the main business of three-pointers, and other puzzles, except for Moody, are miserable. Whichever side has more puzzles feels hot in this series, which side has more room to breathe;
Poole what level. Although the Lakers also have nerve knives such as Russell and Beasley, the former has pass control when it is not accurate, and the latter can DNP. Whatever Poole plays, the Warriors will use him, and if Poole can't score, he will have a high probability of hurting the team. The Warriors need Poole to play well and get them through Curry's absence. If Poole warms up, the Warriors will have the upper hand.
Overall, this may be the most high-profile second-round series in recent years, and it may also be one of the few playoff matchups in Curry and James' future careers. The two sides are evenly matched, and the outcome is unpredictable. Although the fans of both sides had already opened fire in advance, it is believed that after the series is played, the winning side will not spare the losing side. But for fans who have witnessed an era, having another round of their high-level dialogue should be a journey to cherish.
I hope that both parties will contribute wonderful performances.