Lakers Focused On ‘Habits’ During Wait For Western Conference Semis
Kyle Kuzma, Frank Vogel
Joe Murphy-NBAE

With the Los Angeles Lakers having ended their first-round series against the Portland Trail Blazers last Saturday, it has amounted to nearly a full week off.

That was in part related to the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder playing to a Game 7 in their matchup. With that, the Lakers only had hypotheticals to work with over the past few days, and it allowed them to focus on themselves.

“Just going in the film room, looking at film and doing work there. Just doing work in the film room and executing in practice, developing habits and being ready,” Kentavious Caldwell-Pope said.

L.A. also is taking some of their planning from defending Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. “I think our first round was great. Portland is a great team and Dame and CJ are a great backcourt in this league,” Caldwell-pope said.

“They gave us a good test of what it’s going to be like in the playoffs.”

*James Harden and Russell Westbrook are certainly different than Lillard and McCollum in the way they each attack the game. However, both duos are equally dominant when they need to be.

Just like it has been all season, the Lakers used their chemistry to their advantage, organizing a team dinner to watch Game 7 on Wednesday night. “We haven’t played in a couple days, so just trying to keep that chemistry the same,” Caldwell-Pope said.

There, they were able to see exactly what schemes their matchups were leaning on when the stakes were the highest.

Perhaps the Lakers found something throughout the course of the game – and during their week of practice – that will help them gain a competitive advantage when the second round series begins on Friday.

Vogel juggled rest, level of activity

With several days between playoff games, Lakers head coach Frank Vogel worked a balancing act between allowing a veteran roster to rest and recover with keeping sharp.

“I just try to manage time the best that we can,” he said. “We try to stay on a schedule of every other day, like we’ve been on with the games. Monday was a live practice, Tuesday was off, [Wednesday] was a live practice, [Thursday] will be a light practice with probably no contact.

“Just try to keep those guys in that kind of rhythm.”

Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in live shows, and more!

You May Also Like

Tyson Chandler Reveals He Chose To Sign With Lakers Over Warriors After Suns Buyout, Clearing Waivers

With one year and $13.5 million remaining on his contract, Tyson Chandler was an ideal candidate to be bought out by the lottery-bound Phoenix Suns at some point…

Jeanie Buss: Lakers, Buss Family ‘Devoted’ To Helping Lamar Odom

After battling for his life, former Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom…

Lakers Assistant Jesse Mermuys Views Rajon Rondo As ‘NBA Coach Playing Basketball’

Aside from LeBron James, arguably the most important signing the Los Angeles Lakers made this summer was that…

Lakers News: Gary Payton II Assigned To South Bay

The Los Angeles Lakers assigned Gary Payton II to South Bay, the affiliate announced Tuesday afternoon. Payton II…