In a highly anticipated NBA game, the Los Angeles Lakers faced off against the Atlanta Hawks with a renewed appearance. With the return of Anthony Davis, the Lakers showcased their strong defensive capabilities and team collaboration, ultimately securing a decisive victory over their opponents. This match not only highlighted the formidable partnership between James and Davis but also brought attention to the impressive performances of newcomers Smith and Milton. This article will delve into the Lakers' performance in this game and analyze how their new lineup has impacted the team's overall competitiveness. The Lakers' New Defensive System The return of Anthony Davis was undoubtedly a significant boost to the Lakers' defense. His presence in the paint, along with his rebounding prowess, significantly enhanced the team's defensive quality. Against the Hawks' fast-paced offensive onslaught, Davis' positioning and judgment allowed the Lakers to transition from defense to offense more smoothly. His impact not only limited the effectiveness of the opponent's interior offense but also instilled greater defensive confidence in his teammates. The Lakers' defensive strategy was also well-executed in this game. The team's defensive cooperation was tighter, with each player clearly understanding their role, especially during screens and switches, where they could react quickly. This cohesive team defense enabled the Lakers to effectively contract and cover positions when facing the Hawks' rapid attacks. Newcomer Smith's integration was also a crucial factor in the Lakers' defensive improvement. His active positioning and contributions on the defensive end made the team more composed when countering the opponent's perimeter threats. Smith's defensive flexibility and awareness made…

Today, the Lakers went on the road to challenge the Mavericks, but ultimately lost to a weakened Mavericks team, suffering a big defeat with a final score of 97:118. The Mavericks scored 118 points without Doncic and Irving, which clearly shows that the Lakers contributed another poor defensive performance. Many fans are dissatisfied with Redick's player selection today because he did not use good players and instead used some ineffective ones. For example, Vincent played 24 minutes today, shooting 0-for-4 with no achievements, unable to defend or score. Many fans wonder why Redick doesn't use Milton, as his three-point shooting ability is something Vincent lacks, and he is a taller player with no worse defensive effect than Vincent. After joining the Lakers from the Nets, Milton was eager to make a difference, but he was abandoned by Redick after only playing four games, which is really inappropriate. Many fans have always believed that Milton is much stronger than Vincent, and large samples can explain many problems. This season, Milton had a three-point shooting percentage of as high as 39% in the Nets, at least he could make three-pointers when on the court, but Redick overestimated Vincent's defensive capabilities. Although Vincent tries hard defensively, it's just a facade, and the actual effect is very poor, with a height disadvantage that cannot be reversed. Therefore, Redick needs to carefully plan how to use players next. Milton must be guaranteed playing time. Although Vincent has had a few good performances this season, the overall sample is too poor, and such a player might…

Can a 20-year career still maintain peak performance? LeBron James answered this question with a game that made the whole stadium boil. In the Lakers' home game against the Hawks, James once again made history by surpassing Jordan with 563 times of scoring more than 30 points, becoming the first in NBA history. In this game, the Lakers not only relied on the combined efforts of the three giants - James, Davis, and Rivers - to score 68 points + 29 rebounds + 18 assists, but also relied on the defensive explosion of newcomers Finney-Smith and Milton to make the game lose suspense early. The question is - what lies behind the Lakers' victory in this game? Is it just a flash of inspiration or is their strength rising? The first half of the Lakers' season can be described as "bumpy". Not only was their record unsatisfactory, but their lineup depth has also been criticized by outsiders. However, the mid-term operations of the Lakers' management recently have been eye-catching, especially the introduction of two newcomers, Finney-Smith and Milton. Simply put, the victory in this game was not only due to the fiery performance of the three giants, but also the defensive core of these two people can be called the key to victory. Finney-Smith's task is very clear - to tightly defend the Hawks' offensive core, Trae Young. Although Trae Young still scored the highest points for the team, many of his scoring opportunities came abnormally difficult. Finney-Smith was like a sticky chewing gum on the defensive end, not only…

The Lakers have been making a lot of trades recently. They first traded Russell for two good helpers, Smith and Milton, and now they are eyeing Valanciunas, which has attracted attention from the entire league and made fans restless. The Lakers' management has really invested heavily this time. Many people felt it was a loss when Russell was sent away, but the two players, Smith and Milton, have indeed brought new energy to the team, especially Smith's defense, which is like putting a net over the opponents' heads, and Milton's breakthroughs are also fierce. Russell's time with the Lakers was not very comfortable. His shooting accuracy fluctuated, and he was hesitant to take key shots, which almost drove the coaching staff crazy. In the end, he could only sit on the bench and watch others play. In this situation, trading him away was actually a win-win decision. After Smith arrived, the team's defensive intensity increased significantly. Opponents' scorers were troubled by him, and his three-point shooting was particularly accurate. This made the Lakers' offense more three-dimensional, and opponents dared not easily double-team James and Davis. Although Milton is not very famous, he plays very smartly, with fast break speed and accurate shooting. He is willing to step up in critical moments, which is particularly important in the playoffs. The Lakers' strength has indeed improved significantly after this trade, but the management is apparently not satisfied. They now have their sights set on Valanciunas, who has performed quite well with the Wizards. Valanciunas has a distinctive playing style, with diverse offensive…

The Lakers' big trade involving five players for two seems to have turned from a great deal to a significant loss. The situation with Smith is particularly problematic as he is reportedly difficult to manage, demanding both money and playing time, leaving the team in an awkward position. The Lakers' management made a bold move by trading Russell, Lewis, and several second-round picks to acquire Smith and Milton. Initially, the entire league thought the Lakers had made a good deal. Russell was seen as a marginal player on the Lakers, not performing well on the court and not expected to become a core player. On the other hand, Milton is a decent backup player who can shoot and drive to the basket, and is willing to step up in crucial moments, although it's uncertain how long he will stay with the team due to the high turnover rate of role players. Smith is indeed a skilled player with solid defense and accurate three-point shooting, making him a sought-after player in the league. However, he appears dissatisfied with his contract, looking down upon the player option worth over $15 million and wanting to explore the free market. This has put the Lakers in a difficult situation, as they initially believed they had found a strong assistant to help them compete for the championship, only to find out that Smith had no intention of staying long-term. Despite the coaching staff and teammates enjoying Smith's company and having a good time with him during training, it seems these factors are not enough to…

On December 30th, Beijing time, the Lakers gave James a big gift for his 40th birthday, trading Russell + Lewis + three second-round picks to the Nets for Smith and Milton, upgrading their guard and forward positions. With the addition of Smith and Milton, here is a full list of the Lakers' team contracts! I. Main Players James: 40 years old, 2-year contract worth 101 million, averaging 23.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 9.0 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.6 blocks this season, with shooting percentages of 49.6%, 35.7%, and 76.7%. He is the second-in-command of the Lakers, an all-around veteran. Davis: 31 years old, 3-year contract worth 175 million, averaging 26 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.2 steals, and 2.0 blocks this season, with shooting percentages of 52.7%, 31.3%, and 77.6%. He is the leader of the Lakers, both offensively and defensively. Rivers: 26 years old, 4-year contract worth 53.83 million, averaging 17.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.0 steal, and 0.2 blocks this season, with shooting percentages of 44.4%, 36.3%, and 79.4%. He is the third-in-command of the Lakers, a key player. Hachimura: 26 years old, 3-year contract worth 51 million, averaging 12.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.0 steal, and 0.7 blocks this season, with shooting percentages of 48.4%, 45.2%, and 83.3%. He is the fourth-in-command of the Lakers, with the highest three-point shooting percentage. Smith: 31 years old, 4-year contract worth 55.56 million, averaging 10.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.6 blocks this season, with shooting percentages of 45.9%, 43.5%, and 62.5%. He is a forward…

This season, the Lakers' bench averages 24.8 points per game, which is only better than the Knicks' 20.3 points in the league. The lack of offensive firepower from the bench is largely due to the strong offensive performance of the starters, who average 87.2 points per game, second only to the Knicks, Nuggets, Celtics, and Kings. How can the Lakers improve their bench scoring? Currently, the best solution would be to move Reeves back to the bench. On one hand, Reeves can handle the ball and organize the offense; on the other hand, last season when he played off the bench, the Lakers' bench averaged more points than strong teams like the Nuggets, Timberwolves, and Celtics. However, with Russell being traded, it's highly unlikely that Reeves will return to the bench. Point One: Development. In the last two games against the Cavaliers and Trail Blazers, Reeves averaged 70 passes, leading the team by a wide margin. It's clear that the Lakers management wants to groom him as the main playmaker. Of course, his average of 10.5 assists in the last two games also shows a certain level of versatility. Point Two: James. With Russell gone and Reeves potentially moving back to the bench, almost all the passing and controlling pressure would fall on James. If he were five years younger, it wouldn't be a problem, but at 40 years old, too much ball handling would definitely be detrimental to conserving energy. When it comes to the Lakers' bench scoring, Knickert is a good choice. Although there are issues with inconsistency,…

The recent trade moves by the Lakers have shaken up the entire league. Starting with Russell's trade to the Nets in exchange for Finney-Smith and Milton, the Lakers' trade story has become increasingly interesting. Now, they have set their sights on Valanciunas from the Wizards, making things even more exciting. This time, the Lakers' trade actions seem unconventional. They first sent Russell away in exchange for two practical players, an operation that caught many fans off guard. In recent games, Finney-Smith and Milton's performances have indeed brought new vitality to the team, especially their contributions on the defensive end have made the coaching staff very satisfied. The Lakers' management's move is actually quite interesting. They did not immediately pursue big-name stars but instead focused on solidifying the team's overall strength. The team's atmosphere is now significantly better than before. The two new players have gelled well with their teammates, making the Lakers' rotation lineup more flexible. However, the Lakers are clearly not content to stop here. They are brewing a bigger trade, this time targeting Valanciunas of the Wizards. The Wizards are also interested in this trade, but they require at least one first-round draft pick, which caused the negotiations to stall temporarily. The Lakers' management seems to place great importance on Valanciunas. Even though the negotiations were temporarily put on hold, they did not give up on continuing communication. Recent news indicates that both sides have resumed contact, suggesting that the Lakers are really keen on finalizing this trade. Vincent's recent performance has indeed been eye-catching. He has been…

Just a few days ago, the Los Angeles Lakers completed a major trade, sending D'Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis, and three second-round picks (2027, 2030, 2031) to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Finney-Smith and Milton. This trade has earned widespread acclaim for the Lakers' management and general manager Pelinka, with many believing that the Lakers have achieved substantial reinforcement through this deal. Indeed, the Lakers did not pay a high price; Russell was an expendable player, while Lewis and several second-round draft picks were mere extras in the trade. In return, the Lakers acquired Finney-Smith and Milton, both of whom are strong rotation players with immediate impact, especially Finney-Smith, who can be considered an excellent 3D wing player, a relatively scarce resource in the NBA. This trade is widely regarded as a great bargain for the Lakers. However, in the past two days, media reports suggest that Finney-Smith may enter the free agent market early and is unlikely to stay with the Lakers long-term. According to HoopsHype insider Michael Scotto, although the Lakers hope to keep new recruit Dorian Finney-Smith long-term, early expectations are that Finney-Smith will opt out of his $15.38 million player option for the 2025-26 season to test the free agent market and become a free agent. This season, Finney-Smith's salary is $14.92 million. In his Lakers debut against the Cavaliers, he played 20 minutes, shooting 1 for 4 and 0 for 2 from three-point range, scoring 2 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists. Judging from Smith's debut, he did not showcase his strengths. The Lakers are…

Lakers and Nets Make a Big Trade! Could the Western Conference Landscape Change?‌ Wow! The Lakers and Nets Have Done Something Really Amazing On December 30th, Beijing time, the NBA arena was buzzing with excitement as the Lakers and Nets completed a trade. This was a huge deal, like a quiet pond suddenly being disturbed by a large stone thrown in, causing splashes everywhere. The Lakers acquired Finney-Smith and Shake Milton, while the Nets received D'Angelo Russell, Maxwell Lewis, and three second-round picks from the Lakers (2027, 2030, 2031). Why did these two teams go through such a hassle to swap players? There's a lot to unpack, so let's dive into it. Can "The Fan" Make the Lakers Great Again?‌ Let's start with Finney-Smith, who everyone calls "The Fan." This season, he averages 10.6 points per game, grabs 4.6 rebounds, and dishes out 1.6 assists, with a high three-point shooting percentage of 43.5%. Impressive stats, right? And his skills in perimeter defense and switching are top-notch. However, some experts initially worried that he might not be very useful for the Lakers. But upon closer inspection, this concern is unwarranted. Why? Because he's different from Westbrook, who needs the ball in his hands when playing. "The Fan" doesn't hog the ball, making him a good fit for the Lakers' style of play. He can both defend and open up space for three-point shots, which is like upgrading the wheels on a car, making it run smoother. Milton Isn't Here to Mess Around!‌ Now let's look at Shake Milton, who averages 7.4…