Lakers employing secret code in playoffs and making Rockets sputter

Yahoo Sports2h ago25 min readOriginal source →

TL;DR

The Lakers lead the Rockets 2-0 in their playoff series, utilizing a secret code for success. LeBron James, the oldest player in the NBA, has been pivotal, scoring 28 points in Game 2.

Key points

Lakers lead the Rockets 2-0 in playoffs
LeBron James is the oldest player in the NBA
James scored 28 points in Game 2
Game 3 is on April 24 in Houston

Los Angeles LakersHouston RocketsLeBron James

Lakers employing secret code in playoffs and making Rockets sputter

It’s time to check LeBron James’ birth certificate. Is he really 41?

James, the NBA's oldest player – unless we discover otherwise – is the first component of the Los Angeles Lakers’ secret code. The code they’ve used while taking a 2-0 lead over the Houston Rockets in their first-round, best-of-seven playoff series, with Game 3 set for Friday, April 24 in Houston.

You did see LeBron’s reverse windmill jam in Game 2, right? He’s flying high, all right. In Game 1, he turned in a double-double (19 points and 13 assists), and in Game 2 he scored a game-high 28 points.

The Lakers are getting big-time performances from one-time role players while Luka Dončić and Austin Reeves remain sidelined with injuries. In fact, without their two leading scorers, the Lakers seemed more likely to be trailing the Rockets 2-0 than leading them 2-0.

Bottom line: the Lakers would not be thriving without James excelling.

Weeks ago, he agreed to play a supporting role that allowed Dončić and Reaves to get the shots they need for the Lakers to be at their most potent. But at least through two playoff games, James has proven he still has what it takes to lead a team in the postseason.