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Dwight Howard and Rajon Rondo are unlikely X-factors for the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals.
When the Los Angeles Lakers got Rajon Rondo back and signed Dwight Howard to minimal veteran contracts last summer, they were mostly mocked. No one could have projected the impact they would have on the team during their playoff run that has led them to a 1-0 lead in the Western Conference Finals.
Lakers fans might have thought they were dreaming when Rondo launched a huge balloon from the 3-point line when Dwight Howard soared over Jokić for the dunk to give the Lakers an 88-71 lead late in the third quarter. .
However, if they had been paying attention to the way Rondo played in the last series and how Dwight played practically the entire season, then they probably weren’t so surprised.
However, what makes their performances even more impressive is that they were able to prepare for this moment after not playing for a while.
Rondo is playing his best basketball in the playoffs after missing a good chunk early in the season and injuring himself early in the Orlando bubble. The Lakers are five and one in the playoff games he has played in.
Dwight also seems like he hasn’t missed a beat after sitting on the bench for most of the Rockets’ small-ball series.
After playing 15 minutes total in the entire last series, Howard played 16 minutes off the bench in the first game against the Denver Nuggets. What stood out about his game was his physique, instant energy and great defense over Nikola Jokić, which included two blocks and two blocks in total.
After the game, Howard had a lot to say about how competitive the showdown between him and Jokic was in game one and will move on, saying (h / t Harrison Faigen, silver screen and roll),
“Well, he’s an incredible player and I was delighted to see him grow from coming to the league until now. For me, as soon as I step onto the court, I want to let you know that I’m there. Since we are staying at the same hotel, I could meet him right outside his room and let him know that for the rest of the series I will be there, locked up with you. It’s nothing bad, it’s just a competitive spirit within me. I appreciate your hard work and dedication to the game, and this is a great opportunity for me, so I’ll take any time I have on the court and give my teammates and the Laker Nation 110 percent. “
That effort and physical play led him to put Jokić into foul trouble, which was key to getting him and his team out of their initial offensive rhythm. He ended up generating even more fouls that gave three Nuggets starters their third foul and sent Jokić, Jamal Murray and Paul Millsap to the bench in the first half.
Here’s a better visual interpretation. of Dwight’s game in Game 1.
Rondo’s impact on the other hand was felt more on the offensive end of the court, and it was the floor general from the bench. He finished the game with 7 points, 9 assists and one over the dash shot It looked like a classic Boston Rondo.
Another key thing they both have been able to do is help Anthony Davis feel comfortable on the court.
Rondo helps Davis by getting the ball to him in the right places because of the chemistry they developed playing together in New Orleans. Howard helps AD by allowing Davis to play his preferred power forward position and passes the Jokić matchup to Howard when they are on the court together.
Davis will have to be the best version of himself if the Lakers are to reach their ultimate goal, so having veteran role players who can help him mentally and on the court is important.
However, what has been his biggest problem late in his careers, especially with the Lakers, has been consistently playing well. At this point, you never know which version of Rondo or Dwight the Lakers will get game by game.
However, one thing they know they will get from both is the effort and courage that this Lakers team has lacked at times this season. When Howard and Rondo are on the court, they definitely don’t lack that sense of urgency or toughness.
Howard and Rondo’s play the rest of the playoffs will be important to the Lakers’ chances, and if they keep this level of play, it’s hard to see them not win a title in Orlando. Right now, it seems like winning is all they have in mind, that and their goal of clinching Howard’s first championship and Rondo’s second, culminating two spectacular races.
Then both races will have closed the circle a bit. Howard could be winning a title in the city where he lost his first Championship, and Rondo could win one with the team he beat in his first title and lost in his second Finals appearance.
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