Monday, October 12, 2020
This must be said: "Lakers" coach Frank Vogel out-coached Erik Spoelstra in two games this series, Games 4 and 6. In Game 4 Vogel, at Anthony Davis' demand, assigned AD to guard Jimmy Butler. The defensive switch worked, The "Heat" did not adjust, Jimmy was held in check and the "Lakers" won and seized control of the series 3-1. Davis had a sore heel in Game 5; LBJ and Jimmy went mano-a-mano and Jimmy went off. Tonight, in Game 6, Vogel threw another wrinkle that befuddled Spo. He moved AD back to the center position, took Dwight Howard out and put in Alex Caruso for what ESPN calls "a smaller, quicker lineup." Ladies and gentlemen, introducing the Los Angeles Runnin' Rebels. LAL ran and ran and ran: "Heat" miss, "Lakers" rebound, run, run, run, dunk. "Heat" make, run, run, run, don't give Miami time to set up, dunk. The "Heat" were run out of the Bubble. Two different moves resulting in two completely different styles of play, two "Lakers" wins and the NBA title. And checkmate by Frank Vogel on Erik Spoelstra. That had to be said.