Time is running out for LeBron, AD and the Lakers
Playing with fire, the Lakers have to think about options if they intend to seriously compete in the 2024-25 season.
Anthony Davis He’s playing at an MVP level. In the victory against the Memphis Grizzlies, he made the surreal mark of 40 points and 16 rebounds, being the fourth time he has achieved something like this since he began wearing the purple and gold uniform in 2019-2020. ¿LeBron James? It’s back. That’s great news. If the stars are right, then… Why are the Los Angeles Lakers still in this storm of instability?
The first thing one thinks is that every decision carries responsibility. And a price to pay. Since Rob Pelinka dismantled the Orlando bubble champion team, with departures such as Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Alex Caruso, among others, the franchise went from having a team that defended judiciously to being a house of cards that flies away at the slightest breath.
While the Boston Celtics, the last champions, have a deep rotation, with five players with the ability to hurt from a distance as modern basketball dictates, with a style of play that does not depend exclusively on anyone to reach the highest standards in the NBA, The Lakers, archrivals, navigate the irregularity of unanswered questions. A rookie coach JJ Redicka “steal” from Draft in Dalton Knechtfireworks in Bronny James and a chorus around their stellar duo that does not calibrate, bring two possible paths to the table: hit the board and move pieces, or resign yourself to seeing how the joys move to another neighborhood.
Let’s start with the elite duo. LeBron James will turn 40 on December 30. We do not surprise anyone by praising someone who is perhaps the most complete and resilient player in history, but the god Cronus does not forgive anyone. Not even to him. It sounds absurd to think that James It can remain whole, without fissures or cracks, at the end of the season. Is it possible to achieve it? Of course. Is it likely? At all. Perhaps that is why the responsibility now falls on La Ceja, a fantastic player but with a worrying injury history. Placing three quarters of the chips on the cloth is, a priori, risky. It is true, this season he has played all 25 games of the course, he only missed six the previous season, but in 2020-21 he did not play 36 games, in 2021-22 he missed 42 and in 2022-23, 26. At least we will have to follow this story closely.
The first thing to understand is that the Lakers have a setup problem. The backbone of the team is not working. Or it works from time to time, as happened on Sunday against Memphis and as it did not happen in the brutal defeat against the Miami Heat at the Kaseya Center last Thursday. The defensive efficiency of Redick’s team is twenty-fourth in the League and the offense, sixteenth, is not much better either..
In defense, what happens is a mix between quality and attitude. The first line has serious problems defending the pick and roll, the shots they receive are easy for any NBA rival. Brian Windhorst tells us, in an analysis of Lakers published on the English site of AM850.com, which, in information released by Second Spectrum, the Lakers allow the third highest quality of shot on opposing shots in a stationary offense. And in transition, we add here, the situation is not better, given that they give up 18.1 points from rival counterattacks and they are, in this section, the fourth worst defense in the League.
Injuries have been significant for this team. The overload on Davis in the paint also has to do with the lack of Jarred Vanderbiltout until January 9 with a foot injury, Christian Woodabsent due to a knee injury until December 23, and Jason Hayesday by day due to an ankle ailment. Of those three, Vanderbilt and Wood have not yet played in the season and Hayes has only played 11 games. A drastic modification is not expected upon return, but the kilos supported by the Lakers’ starting five today can be paid for later. Possibly after the All-Star break.
The problem was not Darvin Ham: the problem is in the roster. They are not a defensive team nor do they have the tools to be one. Perhaps some change will allow the team to improve the game without the ball in the forward position or add a third sword, but the truth is that all the optimism that was in the chorus around the star duo seems like a fictional series.
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Snoop Dogg: Lakers need to make some changes
Stephen A. Smith and Snoop Dogg talk about LeBron James’ absence from the team and the future of the Lakers.
Austin Reaves He is an excellent player, he improved his numbers, but he is two steps below James and Davis. He helps, sure, but he’s not a star. For a long time now D’Angelo Russell flirts with an exit that does not occur, Knecht is a great bet but he is not yet fit to be charged with responsibility, Rui Hachimura He gives a hand in balance, he can score, but behind he leaves a lot to be desired. The contribution of Cam Reddish is non-existent and Gabe Vincentwho arrived with the hope of what he did in the Heat during the 2022-23 playoffs, seems like a scam well orchestrated by Erik Spoelstra and Pat Riley.
LeBron, furthermore, is in a complex lapse with the ball in his hands. In October, he was losing 3.4 balls per game. In November, that number rose to 4.2. And in the five games that were played in December, 4.6. It is a lot, as much as the number of minutes he is on the court per game: 33.6 minutes in October, 35.6 in November and 34.6 in December. At this rate, all that’s left to do is wait on the porch and let the obvious happen.
What is obvious? James’ frustration. If the Lakers board does not hurry, if it does not make a sudden change of direction as soon as possible, LeBron, who is in the epilogue of his career, will do so first. And this birthday party that started with Reddick and continued with Bronny, may end with the person being entertained at another party and the guests eating the leftovers at home.
It is no coincidence that James’ name begins to be heard in other franchises, such as the Golden State Warriors. There is genuine loyalty and that which is sustained based on results. The iceberg still looks far away, but it is there. The band is playing, the musicians are on stage, the dancers are smiling, but the iceberg is approaching.
The change, within the franchise or with outside help, is now. Leaving it until tomorrow will be too late.
Everyone is duly notified.
