Not really, but there’s a lot of unrealistic hype. Reality check: this team has a superstar surrounded by promising youth and questionable vets.
When the Lakers signed LeBron James they immediately surged back into NBA relevance. Conversations started immediately about LA competing for a championship. But those lofty expectations are unfounded.
The Lakers will contend for a playoff spot, but this team isn’t ready to battle for a title against the likes of Golden State and Houston.
Yes, LeBron brings his obvious pedigree to the Coast. He compiled an MVP caliber season in 2017-18, leading the league in points scored in his 15th NBA year. He also played in his 8th consecutive NBA Finals–another phenomenal feat. But the not-so-good news is the roster that will surround James.
But there is hope in the Lakers’ youth. With Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram, and Josh Hart, the Lakers possess a talented, young, and athletic core.
–Ball struggled to shoot with consistency, but he displayed flashes of potential, especially with his lockdown defense, ranking 3rd overall among NBA point guards. ‘Zo also is an excellent facilitator. He averaged 7.9 assists.
–Kuzma and Ingram distinguished themselves as offensive weapons with impact. They co-led the Lakers, averaging 16.1 PPG. Hart showed tremendous upside during the closing weeks last year, and he has opened eyes during this year’s Summer League in Vegas.
2018 draft picks Moritz Wagner and Svi Mykhailiuk should also factor into the Lakers success. Many experts believe these two are ready to contribute now at the NBA level.
What’s far more questionable for the Lakers is the quality of the vets they’ll have on hand. LA signed a group of free-agent veterans–PG Rajon Rondo, SF Lance Stephenson, PF Michael Beasley, and JaVale McGee. At issue, though, is how they’ll contribute to locker room chemistry and whether they’ll perform well on the court.
–Rondo is joining his 5th team in as many years. Widely praised for high basketball IQ, Rondo is also ‘difficult’ and considered by some to be a malcontent.
–Stephenson has had a laundry list of on-court antics and is labeled an ‘agitator.’ ‘The Lakers will be Stephenson’s 6th team in his 11-year career.
–Beasley has had a history of off-court issues, including substance abuse and legal matters. LA will be his 7th destination since 2008, including three separate stints with Miami.
–McGee has earned a reputation for having in-game mental lapses. This will be his 5th team in as many years.
Looking beyond the obvious chemistry issues among these vets, know that each signed a one-year deal. And only McGee is slotted to be a starter. Will Rondo, Stephenson, and Beasley buy-in gracefully to a “team first” philosophy as they play limited backup roles? That’s a big question.
All of what I just described will be new to LeBron because he isn’t joining All-Star quality players as he did in Miami and his second-time round in Cleveland. Previously he was able to hook up with high-caliber players like Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love.
James won’t have a stacked cast in LA. Instead, he’ll have inexperienced youth and vets with checkered pasts.
Perhaps what can be said, for sure, is that the 2018-19 Lakers will have the best player in the NBA surrounded by a cast of promising young players.
While championship talk is unrealistic, there’s no question that ‘Showtime’ will return in LA. The real fun will begin in 2019-20 when the Lakers add a max player to supplement Lebron and those promising kids.
