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Dec 13, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Marc Gasol (14) moves the ball against Los Angeles Clippers forward Nicolas Batum (33) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
via Imago
Dec 13, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Marc Gasol (14) moves the ball against Los Angeles Clippers forward Nicolas Batum (33) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Lakers went hunting for free agents in the 2020 off-season as if their tail was on fire. The urgency that they showed was the same urgency that the Clippers lacked. As a result, the ‘Bron-AD-less’ Lakers defeated the Clippers’ first team in both the practice games.
The Lakers made space for Marc Gasol by trading JaVale McGee, and this now appears to be a great chess move. Marc is someone who has the caliber to anchor the best of the offense. He has improved as a playmaker and also as a long-range shooter. His game will certainly complement the likes of Montrezl Harrell who can deliver from inside the paint.
Marc Gasol and his starry debut for the Lakers
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The 35-YO showcased all the attributes of a dependable center player in the Lakers’ second practice game against the Clippers. He scored 6 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds and helped the likes of Kyle Kuzma and Talen Horton-Tucker to go big on offense. His extraordinary vision on-court reflected in the flawless passing.
In the post-game interview, the big man revealed, “Coach made an emphasis before the game, saying try to execute that in the first half. And guys got comfortable with it. And we were getting good shot as an offense, so that was pretty good.”
Head coach Frank Vogel must be a delighted man with this kind of delivery from a new signing. Gasol’s passes proved that the level of synchronization and trust between players is already high.
The Golden and Purple supporting cast is more powerful than ever
THT with his 33-point double-double cemented his credibility in the team. He is only in his 2nd year in the NBA and can possibly win the Most Improved Player 2021 award if this form continues. In the match, he clearly overpowered Kawhi Leonard in what must have been an insulting manner for Kawhi’s die-hard fans.
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.@MarcGasol talks post-game with @LakersReporter about his preseason debut with the Purple & Gold. pic.twitter.com/DTvPrh0cZf
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) December 14, 2020
Marc Gasol also agreed and said, “I like how decisive he is. He plays on heel, tries to get into the paint and attack, he has a variety of ways, finishing around the rim, good finisher, great reader with the ball, without the ball. I love defensively how tenacious he is… Very open to listening.”
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Apart from Talen, Kyle Kuzma yet again proved that he deserves to be in that starting line-up. All-in-all, every player delivered, and that is how they could defeat the Clippers by a 25-point gap even without LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Do you think Clippers can make a comeback in the season opener?
