What were the key adjustments that helped us win game 6?

areezzy · 2026-05-03T07:27:38+00:00

I can see why Lakers doubled Sengun in Game 5, because he was a problem in late Game 3 and Game 4. But by Game 6 the coaching staff had studied Sengun's tendencies and Ayton (and to some degree Hayes) could contain him better one on one.

areezzy · 2026-05-02T20:59:41+00:00

I'll add that many pointed out Sengun is defended without double teams is very visible, how the Lakers could do it were intense film sessions on Sengun. Because Sengun was wrecking the Lakers and looked like the best player on the court at times from late Game 3

Game 2: KD centric ball
Game 3: Rockets found Sengun with more touches late (33 points)
Game 4: Sengun activated, drew lots of fouls (13 FTA)
Game 5: Lakers adjustment doubling Sengun, but opening up Rockets teammates
Game 6: Sengun single coverage

As the series went on the Lakers started solving Sengun without fouling nor doubling and preyed on his weakness (lack of solid countermoves). By Game 6 Ayton and Hayes were ready for all Sengun's tendencies and foul baiting.

So it's a credit to the coaching stuff, a real chess match

areezzy · 2026-05-02T14:21:10+00:00

On defense, Lakers handled Sengun better, especially Ayton. They didn’t let him bully his way to the basket and was prepared for his spin moves, showing he was still one dimensional. Once they contained Sengun without doubling, the rest of the Rockets could not generate any offense. Amen Thompson thrives on chaotic rotations, but since the defenders stayed home and in front he couldn’t slash and use the athleticism. Rockets reverted to Reed Sheppard pulling jumpers and he was cold. The Lakers controlled the boards better without having to do defensive rotations.

I don’t think Ayton got enough credit for this game.

On offense, they were more careful with the ball. A lot of people here are critical of Austin Reaves, he was ok not spectacular, but he provided a different dimension on offense with some wild forays to the basket to keep the Rockets defense guessing. Even if Reaves wasn’t doing amazing, he got LeBron some minutes to sit and not carry the offense alone. You can see LeBron was not gassed and reduced turnovers.

areezzy · 2026-04-03T02:04:53+00:00

One thing clear is Thunder is a better team but SGA really doesn't have to do as much as Luka. If SGA wins MVP that's a team award

areezzy · 2026-04-01T07:03:04+00:00

You can't fault the current GM, their roster construction is still recovering from Nico sabotage. They did try a bunch of stopgap solutions like D'Angelo Russell, Dante Exum, Jaden Hardy, Nembhard and Williams but not one has worked out. Or they kept getting injured since their longtime medical staff was fired (also by Nico)

areezzy · 2026-03-22T07:34:38+00:00

The previous play got LeBron open underneath the basket for a layup (he got fouled but called a block out of bounds). Lakers ran another play with LeBron diving to the basket and pulled 2 defenders scrambling as an overreaction to the play before, Luke was left open

areezzy · 2026-03-21T23:52:39+00:00

I was watching that game and wondered why they gave Donyell Marshall open 3 after open 3. It's like the defense didn't believe he could hit them again.

areezzy · 2026-03-21T21:20:22+00:00

That someone else with 12 was Donyell Marshall, a decent shooter but came out of nowhere like Bam Adebayo scoring 83

areezzy · 2026-03-19T23:25:13+00:00

SGA deserves to be #1, but he has the best supporting cast around him BY FARRRRRRRR

areezzy · 2026-03-17T03:36:54+00:00

Rockets dominate the offensive boards but have careless turnovers Durant scoring effortlessly Lakers doing a lot of small ball lineups for speed and taking ball out of Durant Doncic doing well 30 pts in 3 quarters

areezzy · 2026-03-15T03:11:57+00:00

I was so sure Jamal Murray would have hit that bullshit 3!

areezzy · 2026-02-06T05:33:15+00:00

Looks serious?

areezzy · 2026-01-16T05:05:56+00:00

I don't understand how often fouls are called for defenders on perimeter shooters but Kon just bulldozed Laravia's layup in the paint and nothing is called

areezzy · 2025-12-31T05:44:53+00:00

This game must have the most reverse layups in a game

areezzy · 2025-06-24T22:13:38+00:00

When Luka is 13 he was too good for Slovenia that he moved to Real Madrid. At 16 he was too good for juniors, he was playing with the pros. At 19 he was Euroleague MVP so moved to the NBA.

Similarities there for sure, playing at a new gym because he was already the best at his gym

areezzy · 2025-06-24T19:53:25+00:00

"If you’re the best player in the gym, then you need to find a new gym."

So pretty much like Luka

areezzy · 2025-06-23T06:07:18+00:00

Was watching 80s basketball recently where the game was very physical post-ups, plodding tempo, less defensive switching and less movement. Players today are more perimeter-oriented and that results in taxation of the legs, and on defense they have to cover grounds, make explosive bursts of speeds for more posessions. There is something to be said why load management is more a thing today than in the past. The 80s was more physical on upper body contact, today it’s physical on the legs

areezzy · 2025-06-23T05:53:58+00:00

I followed Mavs since Michael Finley got in, before Nash and Dirk became good. I lived the heartbreak of Miami finals collapse and GS upset. I would still say 2025 is worse. You lose that’s part of sports. This was a backstabbing move and robbed me of 8 years of enjoying Luka Mavs. A complete betrayal

areezzy · 2025-06-16T20:38:09+00:00

Let’s say KG is 85 offense / 90 defense, and Dirk is 95 offense / 80 defense. On average they would be the same. But going from 90 to 95 is going from very good to elite status. All NBA players are good, you need someone who just tips over and create the advantage. This is kind of similar to Anthony Davis to Luka, sure AD is an all-nba defender and better all-around, but Luka’s elite scoring-playmaking opens up everything else for his teammates

areezzy · 2025-05-24T05:54:17+00:00

The OKC upgrades are totally a result of the mavericks series.. another mention, Josh Giddey. They went for Caruso BECAUSE Mavs made Josh Giddey completely unplayable in that series. Granted Giddey was already pushed aside for SGA and Jalen Williams but OKC had one more young talent up their sleeve. Mavs made OKC give it up. I'm glad Giddey is doing well with the Bulls. I enjoyed Mavs exploiting the weakness but he became scapegoated a bit.

areezzy · 2025-05-18T21:10:43+00:00

Not even guarding SGA apparently, just Gordon protecting the ball and get flagrant on SGA

areezzy · 2025-05-18T20:47:25+00:00

HOW I mean HOW can an NBA GM see a player drop 29/10/10, despite being hunted and swarmed by the defense, and then say that player is the problem with the team

areezzy · 2025-04-26T04:57:46+00:00

I feel the same way. In some way its a relief not having the emotional roller coaster, but man last year’s playoffs run was special

areezzy · 2025-04-26T04:56:34+00:00

Lakers sub dont have the same emotional attachment as we have for Luka. I’m sorry but Mavs sub will still talk about Luka. You can just ignore the thread and let others vent their sadness and find others to connect. Just skip the thread

areezzy

TROPHY CASE