LeBron James and ‘average’ Lakers have serious roster problems in quest for playoffs
The Los Angeles Lakers, without LeBron James and Anthony Davis, are average at best and their record proves it.
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An average Los Angeles Lakers are struggling to help LeBron James and Anthony Davis
The Los Angeles Lakers were dealt a 10-point loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday. That loss without LeBron James in the lineup moves the franchise to 3-8 in their last 11 games, seemingly negating their earlier season run and bringing them closer to a .500 record.
This record aligns with what many analysts predicted for the Lakers, as they believed the team’s best outcome would be securing a play-in spot. However, their early-season performance suggested they were poised to contend for a deep playoff run and potentially challenge for an NBA title.
This downfall is the steepest any contending team has endured, and it has shown to the basketball world that the Lakers are not a good team. Some might point the blame to first year head coach JJ Redick. But the players have shown quite a few times that it is their lack of execution that is causing them problems.
Their top two players, LeBron James and Anthony Davis, themselves have had problems with consistency. James had a horrific run of games where he could not get the three ball to drop. Davis, on the other hand, went back to his hot and cold runs of the past season. However, those are not the only problems the Lakers have.
Team construct is negating what LeBron James and Anthony Davis do
Last season, the Los Angeles Lakers had too many guards. This season, that problem has spilled over as the team could not get anyone to come and join them. That holdover should generally mean the team has good chemistry.
However, the problems of last season have continued to show their ugly side. The mainstays of the Lakers offense other than their big two are Austin Reaves and D’Angelo Russell. The latter famously went missing in their first-round playoff exit. This season, he has shined in fewer games than he has been downright average.
Austin Reaves on the other hand, has been a bit more consistent, but if one were to put him on a stacked team such as the Oklahoma City Thunder or the Boston Celtics, he would be coming off the bench. The same can be said about Gabe Vincent, who may be working his way back to form, but is grossly undersized, letting bigger guards get the best of him.
All in all, that guard group is average at best. With such performances, how can the Lakers contend for a playoff spot. Those guards had opportunities to step up and clamp down on starting spots with James out, but none have given the impression they can.
Then there is the lack of size to help Anthony Davis. Christian Wood and Jaxson Hayes are injured and two-way player Christian Koloko has had players out muscling him with ease. They need a big man who can hold the fort down so that Davis can conserve his energy to score.
Nonexistent defense
Bringing a rim protector can help Anthony Davis utilize his energy to score points. But the Los Angeles Lakers are struggling in defense overall. It is not just restricted to perimeter defense or stopping mid-range shots, the Lakers are bad overall defensively.
Last season, Darvin Ham had some semblance of a defense running, but this season it’s an abomination. Their extreme lack of effort on defense is telling and it suggests the motivation is just not there. Redick may have defensive schemes ready, but his players are not showing enough effort or physicality to execute them.
They jog back on transition and their awareness on the court is lacking. If anything, this may need a hardline approach to the team. The Lakers are bottom six in the league in defensive rating, suggesting twenty-four teams can outscore them. If anything, this should indicate how bad the team is playing, and Redick has to have some tough conversations with his players as well as the front office.
What the Los Angeles Lakers need
JJ Redick and the Los Angeles Lakers front office has seen enough for them to make a decision on what their team needs. To start with, they need a bulldozing guard—someone who can cover positions 1-3 while also being able to contribute with elite defense.
A move for Dennis Schroder might not be a bad idea, but he might be expensive. If not, they need a guard that can be a ‘dawg’ on defense, as none of their current guards are. They also need that big man to help Davis.
Rumors are around that Rob Pelinka might be waiting to pounce on Jonas Valanciunas as soon as his trade exception deadline passes. It would be wise for them to pursue him after losing out on him in free agency.
They would also need one more perimeter defender. With Jared Vanderbilt always on the injured list, it is safe to say he is not dependable yet. They need someone who they can trust on a nightly basis, but at the same time, be able to make some knock down shots.
But most importantly, JJ Redick has to take the tough decision of benching his starters and let the two-way contract players play. They have the drive to pounce on an opportunity and might be raring to go. Playing them could be the wake up call his current leading players need, while also giving them an idea on who they could bank on.
LeBron James is about to turn 40 and Davis is an injury away from ensuring the Los Angeles Lakers are done for the season. If they want to make something out of this season, Redick needs to act tough and show his players what they need to do.
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Joseph Varghese
(2164 Articles Published)