The five keys that cause excitement in the Lakers

The Lakers, today, do not belong to anyone. Or, rather, they belong to everyone. It is a team that has stars but obviously does not need them. LeBron James has not yet stepped on the court In the course of the regular series, nights of mastery have alternated Luka Doncic and Austin Reavesand despite the change of command depending on the circumstance, they have achieved a notable record of starting eight wins and three losses.

Now, What are the strengths of JJ Redick’s team as the season progresses? We will analyze, in AM850.comthe keys to a team that aims to be among the best in the Western Conference.

Luka Doncic in a state of grace

37.1 points, 9.4 rebounds, 9.1 assists and 49.1% shooting from the field. Trying to decipher Doncic is like trying to discover David Copperfield’s illusionism. Luka Magic, Luka Fit, or whatever we want to call it in the 2025-2026 academic year, He has scored 260 points in the first seven games of the campaign. It is the most in a player’s first seven appearances since Rick Barry scored 269 in as many games at the start of the 1966-1967 season.

Doncic plays and makes people play. The summer suited him well, as he took off the extra weight and put all his effort into eliminating rivals. He is not a guaranteed MVP, he has top competitors, but he will be a strong candidate depending on how his health progresses. Whether due to load management or injuries, The Lakers will take care of him so that he reaches the playoffs in the best possible conditions.

Luka played only seven of eleven possible games, but the structure today, unlike last season, shelters, contains and protects him. Perfect conjunction between form and content, he is one of the few players in the world who cuts tickets alone. With Doncic it is always enjoyable, but if the team wins, then it is much more enjoyable.

Austin Reaves is much more than a third sword

Reaves’ start to the season served to let us know that he is not a supporting actor: He is a main protagonist. While Doncic was not present – and with LeBron still dealing with his back – Hillbilly Kobe went into destruction mode.

Reaves went from averaging 14.9 points per game in his career to 30.3 in the first eleven games of the season. Let’s add to that 9 assists and 5.1 rebounds per appearance and we will understand the value of this boy in the Lakers’ start.

It’s not just about numbers: Reaves plays with attitude, with courage, with determination. He has heart and a mark of decisive talent. Of course, the popular imagination will always put him behind Doncic and James, but believe me: this boy is different. A 3.0 version of Manu Ginobili in the San Antonio Spurs.

The Lakers finally have a solid center in DeAndre Ayton

The Hollywood franchise hasn’t known what it’s like to have a giant protagonist for years.. Someone who is consistent in collaborating with elite externals. Ayton arrived on the team’s side after a great awakening in the Phoenix Suns and a blackout in the Portland Trail Blazers.

He is not the best center in the league, but he is a hero of silence. 16.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 67.5% from the field. His defense alternates moments of greatness with others of disappointment.

It will be key for him to stay healthy, one of Ayton’s problems in previous years.

LeBron James can now retire in peace

Isn’t LeBron on the court? No problem. The Lakers have made a closed fist, joining pieces, to move forward without shouting for help in their direction.

James is 41 years old, he continues to be decisive in the epilogue of his career, but he also has a very high contract of $52.6 million for the current course.

Seeing this triumphant start, with James dressed in civilian clothes, the new owners of the franchise can make decisions. With that money they could pair Doncic with another elite athlete with fresh legs. Time forgives no one. Maybe it’s time for James to grab the fishing rod (important: don’t forget Bronny for his new adventure) and the warrior’s well-deserved rest takes place once and for all.

After the debut season, JJ Redick enters consolidation mode

The Lakers coach must have been the one who had to make the most modifications at the start of the regular season. It started without LeBron, Luka Doncic injured a finger on his left hand and then Reaves had a groin injury. On that journey, Redick found solutions in his own structure. Never an excuse, always decisive to alternate protagonists in the scoring and also solutions at the back.

A witness case is, for example, Jake LaRavia. He will surely lose weight when LeBron returns, but his 11.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game were something like hidden magic. Nobody expected it, but it was decisive in several passages of this start. The same Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics legend, who seems to be experiencing a rebirth after his nightmare in Memphis Grizzlies.

The Lakers have the eighth best offensive efficiency in the NBAbut Redick’s challenges come from defense: They are twenty-second and allow 113.9 points per hundred possessions. It’s a lot. The Lakers coach’s imprint was seen in the tough loss against the Hawks: “I knew from minute 2 of the game that we wouldn’t win.” From that crudeness changes are caused. Despite the triumphs, there is no conformism.

Always leave the comfort zone to evolve. The first step is taken. And the signs, of course, are encouraging.