The Los Angeles Lakers might not be perfect, but they’re certainly on the cusp of greatness with a few key adjustments. Let’s break down what needs to happen for them to elevate their game.
1. Avoid the Play-In Tournament
For a team whose stars have been battling injuries-and with one of them at the age of 41-avoiding extra games is crucial. The play-in tournament presents a risky scenario where a team could be eliminated before the playoffs truly begin. Given that this might be LeBron's final season in LA, that’s a scenario they’d rather avoid.
However, avoiding the play-in means pushing hard to stay in the top six. Every game without Austin Reaves, Luka Doncic, or LeBron James is a chance for other teams to catch up.
It’s a classic dilemma: do they push now to secure a better seed, or conserve energy for a potentially grueling play-in? The smart move might be to aim for the best possible seed and sidestep any play-in drama.
2. Maintain Defensive Momentum
The Lakers’ defense has been a rollercoaster, ranking 23rd overall in the NBA. But there’s been a bright spot: over the last 15 games, they’ve climbed to 13th in defensive rankings.
They’re not the 2004 Pistons, but maintaining this mid-tier defense could be a game-changer for a team that often seemed lost on that end. The personnel hasn’t changed much, but the effort certainly has.
If they can keep the offense explosive while ensuring the defense stays in the top half of the league, their postseason outlook becomes significantly brighter.
3. Balance Among the Big Three
Balancing the talents of Reaves, Doncic, and James is crucial. When Reaves was out, the Luka-LeBron duo found a rhythm. But reintroducing AR15 adds complexity to the equation.
As the playoffs approach, the Lakers need clarity on rotations, shot distribution, and how these three stars can coexist seamlessly. Despite the time since acquiring Luka Doncic, we’ve yet to see a full season of this trio in action. The coming months will be pivotal in ironing out these dynamics.
With these adjustments, the Lakers could transform from a very good team into a truly great one, ready to make a deep playoff run.