LeBron James’ old teammate spells trouble for Lakers vs Timberwolves

Kendrick Perkins believes that the Minnesota Timberwolves have the correct skill and physical profile to beat LeBron James and co.

LeBron James’ old teammate spells trouble for Lakers vs Timberwolves

LeBron James

The Los Angeles Lakers gave the Minnesota Timberwolves a real run for their money during Game 3. The lead went back and forth between the two teams till late in the fourth quarter, when Minnesota pulled away. LeBron James top-scored in the game for the Lakers with 38 points, but fell off in impact during clutch time. Conditioning and energy displayed by the young Wolves proved to be too much for them.

Anthony Edwards led the team on a 13-1 run to put the game out of the Lakers’ reach. The final score of 116-104 looks deceptively like a blowout, but only because of the Wolves’ two-way execution. This has given ESPN analyst and former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins some reasons to doubt the Lakers. Even though Luka Doncic was off color and Rui Hachimura played sub-par, Big Perk had his bones to pick.

The Lakers are in trouble. Serious trouble. JJ Redick is gonna have to make a business decision. The size, the athleticism, the length of the Minnesota Timberwolves is too much for the Los Angeles Lakers right now. Let’s start with Jaden McDaniels. He’s been making love to them, especially in the paint. In two wins he had 25 in game 1, last game he had 30. Anthony Edwards said it himself after game 1, ‘We want him to be aggressive.’ So when I say business decision, now all of a sudden I wonder, are we gonna see more Jaxson Hayes?

Kendrick Perkins pondered on what changes Lakers head coach JJ Redick would make

McDaniels has undoubtedly been a massive influence in the Wolves’ wins on both nights. The wiry 6’9″ forward had a number of pivotal plays in game 3, running out in transition while also scoring from midrange. The All-Defensive team candidate also put the clamps on LeBron James and Doncic whenever asked. He was showered with effusive praise both by Edwards and by James following his pivotal night.

It is never wise to read too much into games where the opponent’s best player is handicapped, as Doncic was. The Slovenian will be in better shape for game 4 after playing the previous game with a stomach bug. However, McDaniels’ two-way impact feels quite sustainable, with the shot profile that he’s shown.

The Timberwolves’ defense is uniquely built to counter LeBron James and Luka Doncic

One of the best elements of the Wolves’ defense with respect to matchups in this series is its frontcourt. All three of Julius Randle, Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert are players able to stifle different parts of James’ scoring skillset. Randle’s strength allows him to be a good option against James in the post. McDaniels is an all-round great perimeter defender who bothers every player in the league.

Gobert, meanwhile, remains the NBA’s predominant paint and interior defensive weapon in Victor Wembanyama’s absence. The Stifle Tower has been a huge impediment for James, preventing him from getting easy points through layups in halfcourt settings. Seeing Gobert in the paint has dissuaded all three of James, Doncic and Austin Reaves from scoring off drives.

The Lakers’ best bet would be to try to isolate James, Doncic or Reaves onto Donte DiVincenzo or Mike Conley. While neither of them are leaky defenders, Conley is older with lower foot speed, while DiVincenzo doesn’t have the physicality or the instincts to deal with elite offensive players like LeBron James or Doncic. Head coach JJ Redick needs to find easier ways for his superstars to score.

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