LOS ANGELES — The best version of the LeBron James-Anthony Davis Lakers’ supporting cast, the group that won the title in 2020, was always able to overwhelm teams with a combination of length and physicality and just enough shooting to keep the team’s offense from collapsing in on itself.
Although that version of the team could tap into a higher gear when it slid AD to the five and, with him, LeBron down to the four, they reserved that increased defensive ask for the highest leverage moments and in the postseason. By treading water or better with a big flanking AD and LBJ, both stars could refrain from having to do everything themselves, leveraging their precious energy into transition scoring, help defense, and whatever else the team might need, especially down the stretch.